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$9 + $8 shipping =)
anyone wanna buy?
Len: M42 screw-mount user fall-in :B
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windraider
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I'm interested into trying out M42 screw mount lenses and have the following questions:
1) Would focusing scale be the same (ie will it be able to focus to infinity & have the same minimum foucsing distance) if a M42 lens was mounted on a Minolta MD camera using an adapter? I know this can be achieved with Nikon adapters without corrective optics but how about minolta?
2) Additionally do M42 lens meter on Minolta cameras when mounted on an adapter? Will it function in aperture priority mode?
3) I notice many of you have the Jupiter 9 lens, how would you rate its performance? I've read that due to its complex assembly, many samples of the M39 versions have focusing alignment problems, does this plauge the M42 version too?
4) Anybody tried the Zodiak-8, Zentiar or Mir-1 lens? Any comments?
Thanks in advance.
1) Would focusing scale be the same (ie will it be able to focus to infinity & have the same minimum foucsing distance) if a M42 lens was mounted on a Minolta MD camera using an adapter? I know this can be achieved with Nikon adapters without corrective optics but how about minolta?
2) Additionally do M42 lens meter on Minolta cameras when mounted on an adapter? Will it function in aperture priority mode?
3) I notice many of you have the Jupiter 9 lens, how would you rate its performance? I've read that due to its complex assembly, many samples of the M39 versions have focusing alignment problems, does this plauge the M42 version too?
4) Anybody tried the Zodiak-8, Zentiar or Mir-1 lens? Any comments?
Thanks in advance.
windraider said:
1) Focus scale is the same. Blurblock has good experience on Minolta system and I think he just got a adapter. I believe nikon to M42 adapter has a corrective optic -- not 100% sure.
2) AV shd be a yes.
3) Jupiter 9 is a sonnar formular f2.0 len famous for portrait use. Get the MC version. To by useage, it is contrasty and sharp f4 and beyond. Below f4 is quite attractive for portrait and very rich coloration, creamy bokeh and "glowing" effect. M39 version is very very old. Maybe 30+yr. Get the M42 version, well build it seems and like tank. I dun think there will be quality issue.
4) Jupiter-8 is for LTM not slr. Zenitar 50mm f1.7 is about same as Helios-44-M 58mm f2. Biotar formular very similar character to J-9 to me. Mir-1 is one of the award winning len of Grand Prix Brussel. Only thing is that it can cause flare shooting into sun. I always use with a hood, maybe a coated UV can help too? Characteristic is quite a sharp len and has a "old vintage" image.
eg of Mir-1b:
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sample1
sample2
sample3
sample4
windraider said:
Focusing scale will be the same, in fact, since the flange Focal distance of M42 is greater then Minolta AF (45.5mm and 44.5mm respectively) focus to infinty and same minimum focusing distance is possible without corrective optics. It should not have a problem with Minolta MD too since MD is having a Flange Focal Distance of 43.5mm (Which explains why Rokker Lens cannot work in AF bodies without optics, or teleconvertor)
I do not think it M42 Lenses can be mounted onto Nikon body without corrective optics as the flange focal distance of Nikon is greater then M42 (46.5mm) if the M42 lens has too short of a focal (meaning 200mm and below). A corrective optic is required for short focal length for M42 to Nikon Body.
With that being said, it is nice to know, also, Nikon Lenses will be able to work with Minolta Bodies if there is apporiate adapters since the flange distance of Nikon is greater then Minolta ..... anyone know of any place selling such adapter?
Yes, but it will be in Manual Diagpram mode ....... it will still function with aperture priority.
Sorry, don't have Jupiter 9 lens, but I have Helios 40 lens :d ..... Cool lens .... ultra shallow depth of field at f/1.5 ;D. But my Jupiter 9 should be coming to Singapore soon, it is taking flight here ;D
No, sorry.
Your are most welcome :d.
overcrash said:
Which one? M42 lenses on Minolta AF or M42 Lenses on Minolta MC/MD?
http://www.rugift.com/photocameras/minolta_md_lens_adapter.htm
http://www.rugift.com/photocameras/minolta_af_lens_adapter.htm
I bought the Jupiter 37A rather cheaply... Compact, light and a sharp lens... Didn't have much time to try it out yet though... Tried once so far to see if it works with my camera. Sharp and pastel like colours were my first impressions...M42 lenses eh. I used to collect them. There is "Club M42" user group at www.yahoogroups.com
I used to collect them. At its peak I had 2-3 dryboxes full of M42 lenses. About 50% of them have been sold... I have just kept those with more sentimental value e.g. Tomioka 55/1.2, Enna-Werk 85/1.5, Schneider 90/3.5, Biotar 75/1.5, Rollei-Distagon 25/2.8 ... and a few more.
p/s ... my Bessaflex TM is up on sale if anyone is interested.
I used to collect them. At its peak I had 2-3 dryboxes full of M42 lenses. About 50% of them have been sold... I have just kept those with more sentimental value e.g. Tomioka 55/1.2, Enna-Werk 85/1.5, Schneider 90/3.5, Biotar 75/1.5, Rollei-Distagon 25/2.8 ... and a few more.
p/s ... my Bessaflex TM is up on sale if anyone is interested.
erm, I'm a bit hesitant... not just because it's still a long list... but I think it may seem rude.
Lets just say I have partial or full sets of lenses (as available) made by these brands i.e. typically several lenses or multiple variants of some focal lengths in the 20mm to 200mm range.
Pentax Takumar, Rollei-Voigtlander, Schneider, Zeiss-Jena, Zeiss-Ikon, Olympus, KMZ/Zenit and related factories
And typcally 1-3 lenses from each of these manufacturers:
Schacht, Enna-Werk, Steinheil, Tomioka/Chinon, Sigma.
Some that I've had but no longer hold: Cosina, Rikenon, Mamiya, ISCO-Gottingen, Angenieux.
The one brand that I never managed to get a sample of was Rodenstock.
Anyway, what I have left I keep for sentimental reasons. moving forward I don't think that they will have much value in the digital age.
Lets just say I have partial or full sets of lenses (as available) made by these brands i.e. typically several lenses or multiple variants of some focal lengths in the 20mm to 200mm range.
Pentax Takumar, Rollei-Voigtlander, Schneider, Zeiss-Jena, Zeiss-Ikon, Olympus, KMZ/Zenit and related factories
And typcally 1-3 lenses from each of these manufacturers:
Schacht, Enna-Werk, Steinheil, Tomioka/Chinon, Sigma.
Some that I've had but no longer hold: Cosina, Rikenon, Mamiya, ISCO-Gottingen, Angenieux.
The one brand that I never managed to get a sample of was Rodenstock.
Anyway, what I have left I keep for sentimental reasons. moving forward I don't think that they will have much value in the digital age.
hey, why don't I write a short-list of good value lenses you can keep a look out for.
Super-wide-angles (<24mm).
The best buy lenses in this range include the Peleng 17mm FE, which I found bulky but sharper than the Zenitar 16/2.8... but both are good. The 8mm FE Peleng is so-so... you need to find a good sample.
I hear the Yashica and Mamiya 21mm lense are very good, but I haven't had either.
I find the CZJ 20/2.8 over-rated. It's sharp, but I find the colour a bit too flat for my taste. The CZJ 20/4 is best avoided.
Wide-angles (24-50mm)
The Vivitar 24/2.0 or its Kiron version is a good lens to buy. But without doubt the best 24mm is the SMC Takumar 24/3.5. I've had both the ST and SMC-T versions. Both are great. The Vivitar 28/1.9 is also legendary... but I've not had one.
Most of the Pentax ST and SMC-T lenses in this range are superb. Of particular mention is the SMC-T 50/1.4.
But my favourite is the Tomioka 55/1.2, of which I regret selling my spare piece. The price has escalated 10x in the last 3 years. The lens is quite sharp, and fast. I also have the cheaper Tomioka 55/1.4 but haven't done a comparison.
You probably notice I haven't mentioned the german lenses much. Frankly, I didn't find the Angenieux, Schneider or Zeiss lenses up to the standard of the Pentax ones in this range.
Short-tele ( 60mm to 135mm).
The Helios-40, 85/1.5 in black. Beautifully soft bokeh ... very gentle for potraits. I mostly use my Enna-Werk 85/1.5 or biotar 75/1.5 these days... and while these two lenses are better, they are almost impossible to find. Another good lens to buy is the Jupiter-9 MC, i.e. serial number #89- onwards. Or else look for the very much rarer chrome versions serial number #63 and earlier ... everything else in between not so good.
The Pentax 85/1.8 and f1.9 are both wonderful lenses. I have 3 versions... but they're a bit too tack-sharp for me. I once had the K85/1.8 and tested it beside a Canon EF100/2. Would you believe it... the colour was way way superior on the pentax lens. The canon lens rendered it as a bluish what was a flat gray.
Two rarer lenses I like in this range are the Schneider 90/3.5 tele-xenar and Rollei Sonnar 85/2.8 . The Schneider has beautiful bokeh and the Rollei is very warm, but bokeh not so nice. Both offer a different feel from the Japanese lenses.
The rarest lens I have happens to be a Pentax Takumar 83/1.9. So rare that only 5 pieces are known to exist and no documentation exists. I found mine in a bundle sale and got it cheap.
Going longer, the 2 lenses I would recommend would be the Pentax SMC Tak 120/2.8 or the SMC Tak 135/2.5. Both superb.
Going even longer, I like what my Sonnar 180/2.8 does... this is the older pre-P6 version. Another great and cheap lens is the old Takumar 200/3.5 pre-set.
And just in-case anyone wonders, the most expensive M42 lenses I've ever bought were only S$300+. I got many of them before the market escalated and went crazy sometime b/n 2003-04. It has since come down... but frankly, the rarer items have all disappeared.
Super-wide-angles (<24mm).
The best buy lenses in this range include the Peleng 17mm FE, which I found bulky but sharper than the Zenitar 16/2.8... but both are good. The 8mm FE Peleng is so-so... you need to find a good sample.
I hear the Yashica and Mamiya 21mm lense are very good, but I haven't had either.
I find the CZJ 20/2.8 over-rated. It's sharp, but I find the colour a bit too flat for my taste. The CZJ 20/4 is best avoided.
Wide-angles (24-50mm)
The Vivitar 24/2.0 or its Kiron version is a good lens to buy. But without doubt the best 24mm is the SMC Takumar 24/3.5. I've had both the ST and SMC-T versions. Both are great. The Vivitar 28/1.9 is also legendary... but I've not had one.
Most of the Pentax ST and SMC-T lenses in this range are superb. Of particular mention is the SMC-T 50/1.4.
But my favourite is the Tomioka 55/1.2, of which I regret selling my spare piece. The price has escalated 10x in the last 3 years. The lens is quite sharp, and fast. I also have the cheaper Tomioka 55/1.4 but haven't done a comparison.
You probably notice I haven't mentioned the german lenses much. Frankly, I didn't find the Angenieux, Schneider or Zeiss lenses up to the standard of the Pentax ones in this range.
Short-tele ( 60mm to 135mm).
The Helios-40, 85/1.5 in black. Beautifully soft bokeh ... very gentle for potraits. I mostly use my Enna-Werk 85/1.5 or biotar 75/1.5 these days... and while these two lenses are better, they are almost impossible to find. Another good lens to buy is the Jupiter-9 MC, i.e. serial number #89- onwards. Or else look for the very much rarer chrome versions serial number #63 and earlier ... everything else in between not so good.
The Pentax 85/1.8 and f1.9 are both wonderful lenses. I have 3 versions... but they're a bit too tack-sharp for me. I once had the K85/1.8 and tested it beside a Canon EF100/2. Would you believe it... the colour was way way superior on the pentax lens. The canon lens rendered it as a bluish what was a flat gray.
Two rarer lenses I like in this range are the Schneider 90/3.5 tele-xenar and Rollei Sonnar 85/2.8 . The Schneider has beautiful bokeh and the Rollei is very warm, but bokeh not so nice. Both offer a different feel from the Japanese lenses.
The rarest lens I have happens to be a Pentax Takumar 83/1.9. So rare that only 5 pieces are known to exist and no documentation exists. I found mine in a bundle sale and got it cheap.
Going longer, the 2 lenses I would recommend would be the Pentax SMC Tak 120/2.8 or the SMC Tak 135/2.5. Both superb.
Going even longer, I like what my Sonnar 180/2.8 does... this is the older pre-P6 version. Another great and cheap lens is the old Takumar 200/3.5 pre-set.
And just in-case anyone wonders, the most expensive M42 lenses I've ever bought were only S$300+. I got many of them before the market escalated and went crazy sometime b/n 2003-04. It has since come down... but frankly, the rarer items have all disappeared.
WHAT IS GOOD TO BUY?
If you were putting a new screwmount kit toghether today, what should you get?
If you can afford it, the pentax ST and SMC-T lenses in all focal lengths except maybe 35mm and 20mm. They are the best, almost bar-none.
If on more of a budget and looking for easily available lenses,
Super-wide angle:
- wide FE: Zenitar 16mm f2.8 FE. My first M42 lens.
- 20mm: the Mir 20/3.5 or later Arsat 20/2.8.
- 24mm: frankly, the Sigma or Vivitar 24/2.8...
- 28mm: Sigma 28/2.8 or Pentacon 29/2.8 both good. SMC-T 28/3.5 the best.
- 35mm: SMC Takumar 35mm f3.5.Or else, the Zeiss Jena flektogon 35/2.5
- 50mm: SMC-T 50/1.4. Another good lens is the Helios 58/2 mk.7. I had the SMC-T 55/1.8 for many years and was perfectly happy.
- 85mm: The Jupiter-9 85/2 is good (zeiss soft), but buy one made after 1989 when they are multicoated.
- 100mm: Not many choices, the pentax lenses are the best bet. The Pentacon 100/2.8 is ok.
- 135mm: Pentax 135/2.5 or 3.5 is best. Or else both the Jupiter-37a 135/3.5 and Zeiss Jena 135/3.5 are quite good too.
- 200mm: The old Takumar 200/3.5 is my first choice, and cheap. Else the Jupiter 200/4 should be ok.
Macro lenses: Not much choice. The SMC-T and Tomioka 60mm lenses are the best. The Vivitar Series-1 lenses made by Kiron are not bad too.
Pentax is often clearly the first choice. Zeiss Jena is a good alternative, but I find the colours a bit too rich.
If you were putting a new screwmount kit toghether today, what should you get?
If you can afford it, the pentax ST and SMC-T lenses in all focal lengths except maybe 35mm and 20mm. They are the best, almost bar-none.
If on more of a budget and looking for easily available lenses,
Super-wide angle:
- wide FE: Zenitar 16mm f2.8 FE. My first M42 lens.
- 20mm: the Mir 20/3.5 or later Arsat 20/2.8.
- 24mm: frankly, the Sigma or Vivitar 24/2.8...
- 28mm: Sigma 28/2.8 or Pentacon 29/2.8 both good. SMC-T 28/3.5 the best.
- 35mm: SMC Takumar 35mm f3.5.Or else, the Zeiss Jena flektogon 35/2.5
- 50mm: SMC-T 50/1.4. Another good lens is the Helios 58/2 mk.7. I had the SMC-T 55/1.8 for many years and was perfectly happy.
- 85mm: The Jupiter-9 85/2 is good (zeiss soft), but buy one made after 1989 when they are multicoated.
- 100mm: Not many choices, the pentax lenses are the best bet. The Pentacon 100/2.8 is ok.
- 135mm: Pentax 135/2.5 or 3.5 is best. Or else both the Jupiter-37a 135/3.5 and Zeiss Jena 135/3.5 are quite good too.
- 200mm: The old Takumar 200/3.5 is my first choice, and cheap. Else the Jupiter 200/4 should be ok.
Macro lenses: Not much choice. The SMC-T and Tomioka 60mm lenses are the best. The Vivitar Series-1 lenses made by Kiron are not bad too.
Pentax is often clearly the first choice. Zeiss Jena is a good alternative, but I find the colours a bit too rich.
whoelse said:
The Zenitar 50/1.7 is a different lens from the 58/2. The 58/2 is a biotar formula.... I think the 50/1.7 is a later formula (parlin would know).
The J-9 is a "sonnar" formula since it is a direct copy of the Zeiss Jena Contax 85/2.
I have a Jupiter-8 I use with my Bessa-R. Superb lens. Worth more than its asking price... but there is "batch variance". Some pieces not so good.
I have done side-by-side testing between my Jupiter-3, 50/1.5 and my Leica Summarit 50/1.5 of similar vintage. The J-3 is way sharper wide-open....but the summarit has a charm of its own.
whoelse said:
If you want to buy a H58/2 ... the best variants are the Mk.7. It's quite rare though, so any of the mk4-6 should be ok too. The rarest is the mk.3 ... the mk.2 is very so-so. You really need to know you are buying for a slightly "pastel" look.
There was a mk.4 variant selling at Prime camera for $30. It seems quite common.
BTW, H-44-2 means it's a mk.2. Versions mk1-3 are pre-set lenses. Mk.4 onwards they are multicoated and often automatic aperture lenses.
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