M42 Lenses on a DSLR...

jammy_c

jammy_c

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Ok, so i started a thread similar to this a while back and didn't get many conclusive answers, so maybe this time.

I'm really interested in doing some Macro photography and also getting a 50mm prime.

the only problem is i'm on a very tight budget, so i was looking at experimenting with a M42 adaptor for my D40 and buying some cheap 2nd hand M42 old-skool lenses for a bit of a play.

I know they won't AF, but that's ok.

what do you think???
Anyone had any experience with this?
will it work ok on a modern DSLR? if so, why don't more people do it?
 
I just got a 135mm zeiss lens in M42 for £9, adapter from ebay for £3, sounds like a great way to play to me. I think the MF puts people off
 
I just got a 135mm zeiss lens in M42 for £9, adapter from ebay for £3, sounds like a great way to play to me. I think the MF puts people off
Click to expand...
you used it yet?
 
I too started a thread on this back in Feb HERE
I eventually bought an AF confirm adapter and got a job lot of lenses from ebay (7) for £30! After I sifted through them I ended up with 4 that were good. I tried them out and got mixed results (probably down to my ignorance) I have since bought a 200mm prime and 3x convertor and still have to come up with decent results, but again thats down to me, not the equipment. I must say though, I am enjoying the experience!
So my advice is go for it, It can be done for a budget price, and if you dont like, sell it all on!
 
still waiting for the slow boat from China for the adapter but I have used them before, sometimes you get an issue with them not focussing to infinity depends on the lens really but they do sell a correctional adapter i believe
 
You can certainly use M42 on the D40.

Also consider Tamron Adaptall lenses - some of these are awesome, especially the 90mm f/2.5 macro and also the 35-80 f/2.8 which also has a super macro mode.

A real manual focus lens is a joy to use I find. For macro MF is the way to go anyway.
 
DO IT! It's great fun especially when you consider the very high quality of the lenses and the stupidly low price that they go for.

There are Macro lenses out there!

Example: i bought a Takumar (popular & high quality lens) 55mm f1.8 for £25 in near mint condition. I have seen these for between £20 and £40 on the bay.

I bought a Helios 44 2 (58mm f2) prime for £8 mint off ebay and it is superb.

Helios 135mm f2.8 £16.01 near mint
Super Takumar 28mm f3.5 £35 mint
Olympus Zuiko 50mm f1.4 £60 mint

There is such a huge choice at different price levels but most lenses never go above £100.

I get my M42 adapters from amazon at £2.49 each!

Check out http://forum.mflenses.com/ for image examples.

Here is a sample from my lenses. Not great shots but you can see the quality.

1: SMC Takumar 35mm f3.5 f2


2: 135mm f2.8 £16.01


3: Super Takumar 28mm f3.5
 
:thumbs: cheers guys! :) all great information. will have a look around.
 
My first macro lens was a M42 mount Vivitar 90mm f2.8 which I have only recently sold. To be honest the only reason I replaced it was to get a newer 105mm Vivitar series 1 macro lens. I still have a brand new 55mm M42 Vivitar f2.8 which I have kept because it is basically brand new.

Shot taken with the 90mm HERE if you are interested

As mentioned also look at the Tamron Adaptall 2 lenses, I have the 90mm f2.5 and 90mm f2.8 which are both superb.
 
just had a thought; will the aperture control still work alright with an M42? how will it adjust f/stops?
 
They're adjusted manually on the lens. Well they are on my 350d.
 
jammy_c said:
just had a thought; will the aperture control still work alright with an M42? how will it adjust f/stops?
Click to expand...

Make sure the lens has an aperture ring. Set the D40 to "M" mode - you control aperture via the aperture ring, shutter via the camera body.

Your D40 may report "no lens attached" unless you get an M42 adaptor that will press down on the following.


d40-mount.jpg

​

(if it doesn't blue tack it down :) )
 
The D40 won't meter when using non CPU lenses, you will have to either use a handheld meter or "chimp", which is to take a photo and use the histogram to see what settings to use.
 
what do you guys do with regards to metering? does it get even more complicated when using off-body flash too? i've just bought a flashgun, but will it TTL meter with an M42? don't suppose so. :(
 
You won't get any TTL or any sort of metering.

Depending on the flash, it might have an auto-mode which will control flash output (AA mode from memory?)

Just shoot "M", look at the histogram and you'll be able to get the correct exposure within around 3 shots. I use AI-S lenses that don't meter, and once you get exposure dialled in, you can get it right most of the time.
 
fair enough. it's easy enough with a bit of trial and error, I guess.
I've starting to get pretty good at assessing what settings to use according to the composition, etc, and generally shoot in M anyway. i'll give it a go. not got much to lose.
 
Its great fun if you have enough patience... I sold mine here before.
 
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