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R3jected
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 5
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Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:46 pm Post subject: Best M42 SLR Body under 100€ or cheaper recommendation |
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R3jected wrote:
Hey guys,
I need some experts on this. I want to get serious with film photography and use it to capture memories.
I already have glass for m42 mout and do not plan to move away from it. But I need a body to use them on
The SLR should have:
Good build quality while being relatively compact since the best camera is the one that you bother to take with you So good portability is key
Good metering & viewfinder
nice workflow / layout (subjective, I know)
reliable shutter mechanics
Available batteries
and other important things I forgot to mention ...
Hit me up with recommendations, it shouldn't cost more than 80€.
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Jan |
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bghomofaber
Joined: 03 Mar 2016 Posts: 154
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Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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bghomofaber wrote:
Too old cameras, you should insted choose a body with a mount that can use m42 lenses with an adapter without loosing infinity: so, excluding nikon and olympus, you may acquire a system that be more modern and with entire set of original and third party optics to pick up if convenient as well.
This way you would increase your possibility.
Recently I got locally a pentax P30 with a 50mm f2 and a 24mm vivitar for euro 20 plus postal expenses ...
A good adapter (ask if you choose pentax, cheap chinese ones do not keep infinity, adapers for pentax, and contax, must sink within the female mount) will not cost much.
Older m42 camera never have motor drives and they are usually bulky and heavy (even if much more beautiful but that is good only from a collector pov).
I usually have contax yashica (expensive but not much) with some M42 plus originall zeiss contax and tamron lenses, or also canon ae1 with motor (bulky, got it literally for ten euros but that's a local pickup s well from estate sales).
In the contax family, best is 167 if you still mind price, if not RTS. yashica fx3 for very low price (30 euros locally here) but dark viewfinder. Ae1's finder is pretty good, also P30's one.
I would first choose a camera minding viewfinder brightness (and lack of clutter or semaphore style leds), in order to help concentration and composition. Then a silent and firm, not shaking shutter.
Just got a mamyia zm for not much (but lacking battery holder, shhh...) with a nice 50 1.7.
All these system are good and compatible with M42.
Older M42 cameras are very beautiful but heavy, as I said, ground glass is not too bright and exposure system are backward, so you sometimes have to check your dials and then shot etc.
More modern exposure algorithms are also more precise and you can choose either manual or program for speed etc.
I would say that eighties cameras are a good balance between old school robustness and manuality and the nineties too automatized ones (avoid DX coded cameras for example, manual ISO settings are a must).
Last edited by bghomofaber on Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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tb_a
Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 3678 Location: Austria
Expire: 2019-08-28
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Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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tb_a wrote:
My recommendation would be a Fujica ST801. It should meet your criteria and what is very important: It uses a 6V battery which is easily available and has one of the brightest viewfinders. However, there is no real "pocketable" SLR for M42 lenses available.
Description can be seen here: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Fujica_ST801 _________________ Thomas Bernardy
Manual focus lenses mainly from Minolta, Pentax, Voigtlaender, Leitz, Topcon and from Russia (too many to be listed here). |
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R3jected
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 5
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 9:52 am Post subject: |
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R3jected wrote:
Alright, thank you for your time and advice so far.
I would still like to receive some more suggestions. So I can look and like best.
Best regards |
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miran
Joined: 01 Aug 2012 Posts: 1364 Location: Slovenia
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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miran wrote:
Being a Minolta guy I would recommend an XD7/XD11 and an M42 adapter. I use it and it's very nice, though I haven't used many M42 lenses on it to be honest as I have plenty of native ones. The the combination works very well. _________________ my flickr stream |
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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3461 Location: Northern Ireland
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
I recommend Minolta too, either a X-500 or Dynax 505si Super with M42 adapter. The latter can be found regularly on eBay in as new condition for approx £30 UK. _________________ "I've got a Nikon camera, I like to take a photograph" - Paul Simon |
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Excalibur
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5019 Location: UK
Expire: 2014-04-21
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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Excalibur wrote:
For more modern cameras a choice would be cameras than can take the M42 adapters:-
My choice would be the cheap Canon T70..ugly but one of my favourites for M42 and Canon lenses and the body can be bought for as little as £10... even Ken Rockwell likes it too ugly? then I quite like the Minolta XD-11, Konica FS-1 (beware, buy from a trusted buyer as electronics are hit and miss), and Contax 139.
Worth considering is the very heavy Chinon CE memotron with only M42 mount probably as advanced as you can get for M42 as top speed is 1/2000 and you can select auto. _________________ Canon A1, AV1, T70 & T90, EOS 300 and EOS300v, Chinon CE and CP-7M. Contax 139, Fuji STX-2, Konica Autoreflex TC, FS-1, FT-1, Minolta X-700, X-300, XD-11, SRT101b, Nikon EM, FM, F4, F90X, Olympus OM2, Pentax S3, Spotmatic, Pentax ME super, Praktica TL 5B, & BC1, , Ricoh KR10super, Yashica T5D, Bronica Etrs, Mamiya RB67 pro AND drum roll:- a Sony Nex 3
.........past gear Tele Rolleiflex and Rollei SL66.
Many lenses from good to excellent. |
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tb_a
Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 3678 Location: Austria
Expire: 2019-08-28
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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tb_a wrote:
Fujica AZ-1 would be the latest M42 Fujica which offers in comparison to the ST801 also aperture priority automatic mode. However, the fastest time is only 1/1000 compared to 1/2000 of the ST801.
Bear in mind that if you use adapted lenses or non genuine ones on any camera you can only use stop down metering like on modern digital cameras. That may be a little bit cumbersome and/or problematic for focusing when stopped down. _________________ Thomas Bernardy
Manual focus lenses mainly from Minolta, Pentax, Voigtlaender, Leitz, Topcon and from Russia (too many to be listed here). |
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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3461 Location: Northern Ireland
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
A Pentax MZ-M with M42 adapter would also be a good choice; small, light and within your budget.
IMO, the best modern camera for M42 is the Voigtlander Bessaflex TM but I doubt you could buy one in the price range you have stated. When I bought mine new a number of years ago, it cost £149 UK.
_________________ "I've got a Nikon camera, I like to take a photograph" - Paul Simon |
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tb_a
Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 3678 Location: Austria
Expire: 2019-08-28
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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tb_a wrote:
DigiChromeEd wrote: |
IMO, the best modern camera for M42 is the Voigtlander Bessaflex TM but I doubt you could buy one in the price range you have stated. When I bought mine new a number of years ago, it cost 149 UK. |
+1 ! That was really a bargain. Impossible to get one for an acceptable price nowadays. I would love to have one. _________________ Thomas Bernardy
Manual focus lenses mainly from Minolta, Pentax, Voigtlaender, Leitz, Topcon and from Russia (too many to be listed here). |
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chris667
Joined: 31 Jan 2017 Posts: 6
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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chris667 wrote:
The world is your oyster.
A Pentax P30n (but not the later, more cheaply built P30T) would be a good choice.
Ricoh KR10.
A Vivitar would be OK, and might even be cheaper than a roll of film. But the P30n is a better, stronger camera. |
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chris667
Joined: 31 Jan 2017 Posts: 6
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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chris667 wrote:
The world is your oyster.
A Pentax P30n (but not the later, more cheaply built P30T) would be a good choice.
Ricoh KR10.
A Vivitar would be OK, and might even be cheaper than a roll of film. But the P30n is a better, stronger camera.
Really, anything would be OK. It's just finding one that works. |
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TAo2
Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 319 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:33 am Post subject: Re: Best M42 SLR Body under 100€ or cheaper recommendation |
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TAo2 wrote:
R3jected wrote: |
Hey guys,
I need some experts on this. I want to get serious with film photography and use it to capture memories.
I already have glass for m42 mout and do not plan to move away from it. But I need a body to use them on
The SLR should have:
Good build quality while being relatively compact since the best camera is the one that you bother to take with you So good portability is key
Good metering & viewfinder
nice workflow / layout (subjective, I know)
reliable shutter mechanics
Available batteries
and other important things I forgot to mention ...
Hit me up with recommendations, it shouldn't cost more than 80€.
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Jan |
Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 7 ,
Minolta mount but cheap adapters available. Ah use Fotodiox M42-AF, cost around $7/8. Ye can get them for $2-5 dollars from China/Hong Kong...free postage.Ah paid £40 for a mint, unmarked 7. On ebay around £50/60 but a bit more expensive in Germany for some reason (they recognise the quality), IMO the best film camera of that final generation. Huge number of options on it
#1
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Raxar
Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Posts: 222
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 5:22 am Post subject: |
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Raxar wrote:
tb_a wrote: |
My recommendation would be a Fujica ST801. It should meet your criteria and what is very important: It uses a 6V battery which is easily available and has one of the brightest viewfinders. However, there is no real "pocketable" SLR for M42 lenses available.
Description can be seen here: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Fujica_ST801 |
its my my all time favorite m42 camera. it's cheap and well design. |
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Oldhand
Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 6006 Location: Mid North Coast NSW - Australia
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:28 am Post subject: |
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Oldhand wrote:
Any of the Pentax Spotmatics will be excellent.
You won't need to worry about the battery if you have a light meter - also cheap.
This is a rugged and reliable mechanical camera that is often sold in working condition and not as often sold as "for parts or not working" - as many other brands that you will come across.
T |
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tb_a
Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 3678 Location: Austria
Expire: 2019-08-28
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:54 am Post subject: |
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tb_a wrote:
Raxar wrote: |
tb_a wrote: |
My recommendation would be a Fujica ST801. It should meet your criteria and what is very important: It uses a 6V battery which is easily available and has one of the brightest viewfinders. However, there is no real "pocketable" SLR for M42 lenses available.
Description can be seen here: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Fujica_ST801 |
its my my all time favorite m42 camera. it's cheap and well design. |
I've forgotten to mention that this camera will operate without battery as well. Battery is only for metering purposes. All shutter speeds are fully mechanical from 1/2000 to 1/1 sec (and B). _________________ Thomas Bernardy
Manual focus lenses mainly from Minolta, Pentax, Voigtlaender, Leitz, Topcon and from Russia (too many to be listed here). |
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l9magen
Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Posts: 326 Location: Calgary, Canada
Expire: 2016-10-21
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:34 am Post subject: |
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l9magen wrote:
+1 for the BestFlex TM - it's awesome but probably beyond your price limitations (stated).
If you can find one, then I'd got for the Fujica ST801 recommendation.
Or a Spotmatic with a handheld meter - it worked for me for ages until I pulled the trigger and went for the Bessaflex
All of that is said for film photography.
I agree with the others who've mentioned the digital option with adapters. I love my A7r for that reason: opens up many lens families, more than funding allows.... _________________ Lochlann
Digital Camera: Leica MM246 & M10
RF lenses: Zeiss ZM, assorted Japanese LTMs & Nikkor-S |
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cooltouch
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 4:10 am Post subject: |
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cooltouch wrote:
If you're considering the camera+adapter route, then I recommend Canon FD. One of the mechanical ones, such as the FTb or old F-1 would be my choice. You'll have to meter using stopped down mode, though.
My second choice would be a Pentax, such as the KX, using an M42 to K adapter. But I'm not familiar with how K-mount cameras meter with manual aperture lenses.
For native M42, I prefer the Pentax Spotmatic F. It's the last of the Spotmatics and it allows for full aperture metering. _________________ Michael
My Gear List: http://michaelmcbroom.com/photo/gear.html
My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/
My Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11308754@N08/albums
My Music: https://soundcloud.com/michaelmcbroom/albums
My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/ |
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dnf_spedition
Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 64 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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dnf_spedition wrote:
This one, Fuji ST 801 small, fast shutter 1/2000, led lightmetering 6 Volts battery, shutterspeed visible in viewfinder. Regards Cliff
Fujica ST801 by Cliff van der Geugten, on Flickr |
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oldali
Joined: 23 Mar 2014 Posts: 14 Location: Hungary
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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oldali wrote:
Another vote for Fujica 801. Very nice camera with bright viewfinder. Lightmeter is Si photocell.
Very cheap possibility is a Praktica but that doesn't work so smooth and use CdS photocell. |
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chris_zeel
Joined: 21 Jan 2013 Posts: 136 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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chris_zeel wrote:
I have a Chinon Memotron CE3 that I find to be a very sturdy and functional M42 camera. It has aperture priority with shutter speed in the viewfinder.
It can be found relatively cheap, but it is not the lightest camera..
_________________ DSLR: Canon 6D, Canon 400D
SLR: Praktica MTL5, Topcon RE-2, Topcon RE Super, Nikon EM, Chinon CE-3 Memotron, Pentacon F, Zenit 12-XP
Rangefinder: Zorki 4K, Ricoh 500G, Olympus 35 SP, Neoca 2S
Folder: Afga Isolette-I
Compact: Olympus mju-I
AF: Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 XR Di LD
Exakta: Meyer-Optik Trioplan 50/2.9, Primagon 35/4.5
M42: Sigma Mini Wide 28/2.8, Auto Chinon 28/2.8, Meyer-Optik Lydith 30/3.5, Pentacon Electric 29/2.8, Mir 1b 37/2.8, Super-Takumar 50/1.4, Meyer-Optik Oreston 50 f/1.8, Auto Yashinon 50/2, CZJ Tessar T 50/2.8, E. Ludwig Meritar 50/2.9, Meyer-Optik Primotar E 50/3.5, Industar 50-2 50/3.5, SMC Takumar 55/2, CZJ Biotar 58/2, Helios 44 58 f/2, Jupiter-9 85 f/2, Meyer-Optik 85/3.5, Super-Takumar 105/2.8, Accura Super Tc 135/2.8, Pentacon Zebra 135/2.8, Jupiter-11 135 f/4, Chinon MC Auto 200/3.5, Accura Supertel Tc 200/4.5, Soligor C/D Macro+Zoom 80-200/4.5
F-mount: Nikon Series E 28/2.8, 50/1.8, 100/2.8, Nikkor-S 35/2.8, Nikkor-H.C 50/2, Nikkor-H 85/1.8
Topcon: RE Auto Topcor 35/2.8, RE. Auto Topcor 58/1.8, RE. Auto Topcor 135/3.5
OM: Zuiko Auto-S 50/1. |
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 10463 Location: California
Expire: 2021-06-22
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Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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visualopsins wrote:
Agree with OldHand, any of the Pentax (or Honeywell branded) Spotmatic cameras. I have Spotmatic ESII, two Spotmatic F, Spotmatic SPII, and Spotmatic SP. Probably easiest to find SPII or F. _________________ ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮ like attracts like! ☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮☮
Cameras: Sony A7Rii, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Lenses:
Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200
Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300
Macro-Takumar 1:4/50
Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm
Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element),
Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17
Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500
Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100
Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100
SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
Other lenses:
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51BB), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto
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Elmar Lang
Joined: 11 Apr 2012 Posts: 103
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Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:43 am Post subject: |
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Elmar Lang wrote:
In my opinion, a good 42x1 SLR is the Praktica MTL-5B.
The shutter is relatively noisy, but it's a reliable camera, with a fine, focusing screen.
E.L. |
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pathdoc
Joined: 11 Jul 2015 Posts: 11
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:47 am Post subject: |
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pathdoc wrote:
OP. What glass do you currently have? |
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spiralcity
Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 1207 Location: Chicago, U.S.A
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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:04 am Post subject: |
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spiralcity wrote:
I have to side with the suggestions on the Fujica ST801, but there is also the ST705W which is actually my favorite Fujica, you can add a winder to this camera. I would also recommend a Chinon CE4s, you can land one cheap. They can use a winder and have PK mounts which you can easily add a M42 adapter.
_________________ Nikons : F4-EM-FG-FE2-FA-EL-FTN-N2020-N70-F Nikkorex
Fujica: ST605N-ST701-ST705-ST705W-ST801-ST901-AZ1-AX-3
Chinon: CE4s-CM4s-CM5
Pentax: ME-Soptmatic
Ricoh:XR6
Pentax- K10D
Lenses- M42's-Nikon F mount, Pentax PK
FREE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE |
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