M42 helicoid (macro tube) from hk300 and mflenses - a review

[kds315*]

Our member hk300 (Alex) sent me a M42 helicoid for test.

I received a very nicely worked matte black finished helicoid with grip, 90mm fully extended, 36mm (optical lenths) compressed.

I understand from Alex, that others lengths and mounts are available on request.

I am using these usually to mount enlarger and other lenses on my digital SLRs, especially for macro shots having them adapted before to M42 using rings etc. But also very useful to attach lens heads without focusing mount to cameras without having to do any surgery on an old lens etc.

The helicoid leaves a good impression and is easy to use aside from some bit rough sound when turning it. I have and use many others of those from different manufacturers (Leitz, Hutech, Pentax etc.) and the most fancy ones have some bit better internal light baffels (there are some built in, see pics) to capture stray light and may sound a bit smoother when operating them, or some cover inside so no greasy part is visible or exposed to dust which might creep in during the years and get stuck there. But aside from that this quality has its (high) price and I guess the price for that one from our member is a very interesting one!

So on a 0...10 point scale (10 best) I would rate that one:

- 7/10 for technics and how its made
- 8/10 for its value for use
- 9/10 for its price

and I will certainly get a few for my optical projects.

If interested, please contact our member hk300 (Alex) directly!!

Here a few pics of the helicoid and a Micro-Nikkor 70mm attached:




















Cheers, Klaus
_________________
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary


Currently most FAV lens(es):
Nikon UV Nikkor f4.5/105mm
Voigtländer (Cosina) Apo-Makro-Lanthar f2.5 125mm SL

Want to travel to Europe and see spots hardly anyone has seen, read this:
http://www.examiner.com/x-6661-Germany-Travel-Examiner

[no-X]

Many thanks for this review!

How much are they?
_________________
for sale: Vivitar (Komine) 55/2.8 Macro 1:1 (K/AR) | CZJ Tessar 13,5cm f/4.5 (M42) | Vivitar 35/1.9 (M42) | S-M-C Takumar 35/2 (M42) | (Carl Zeiss) aus Jena 1Q Biometar z. 80/2.8 P6 | Carl Zeiss Jena el. MC Pancolar 80/1.8 M42

list of Helios 44 lenses | List of CZJ T-marked M42 lenses | I'm not absolutely retarded, English simply isn't my mother tongue :s)

up-to 30mm: Vivitar (Tokina) Series 1 VMC 28/1.9, Vivitar (Komine) MC close-focus 28/2.8, Zeiss Distagon T* 25/2.8 ZS
35mm: Super Takumar 35/2 PRO, S-M-C Takumar 35/2, S-M-C Takumar 35/3.5, CZJ eMC Flektogon 35/2.4, SC Curtagon 35/2.8, Vivitar 35/1.9, MG Primagon V 35/4.5, CZJ Tessar T 40/4.5
50mm: S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4, S-M-C Macro Takumar 50/4, Tomioka Cosinon MC 55/1.4, Tomioka Yashinon 55/1.2, Tomioka Macro Yashinon 60/2.8, CZJ Biotar T 58/2 preset, CZJ Biotar T 58/2 17-blades, CZJ eMC Pancolar 50/1.8, aJ Pancolar 55/1.4, KMZ Helios 44-2 58/2 00xxx, KMZ Helios 44-2 58/2 0xxx, MMZ Helios MC 44-3 58/2, Helios 77M 50/1.8, KMZ Zenitar M2s MC 50/2, KMZ Industar 50/3.5, MC Volna-9 Macro 50/2.8, MC Pentacon 50/1.8, MG Trioplan 50/2.9, MG Primoplan V 58/1.9, Voigtländer Color Ultron 50/1.8, Macro Prakticar 55/2.8
85mm:, CZJ Biotar T 75/1.5 M42, CZJ eMC Pancolar 80/1.8, aJ Biometar 80/2.8 P6 zebra, CZJ Biometar 80/2.8 M42, MG Primoplan V 75/1.9 [exa], MG Night Primoplan 80/1.9 [VP Night], KMZ Helios 40-2 85/1.5 (custom hybrid of 40 and 40-2), S-M-C Takumar 85/1.8, KMZ Jupiter-9 Π 8,5/2 M39, LZOS Jupiter-9 85/2 SLR M39, LZOS Jupiter-9 85/2 M42, Kodak Meniscus 90mm, MG Telefogar V 90/3.5, MG Trioplan V 100/2.8
over 100mm: Ernemann Kinostigmat 11cm, Voigtlander SL Macro APO Lanthar 125/2.5, Spiratone 135/1.8 plura-coat, KOMZ MC Jupiter 37AM 135/3.5, KOMZ Jupiter-11 135/4, KMZ Tair 11A 135/2.8, Pentacon preset 135/2.8 (bokehmonster), CZJ Sonnar MC 135/3.5, CZJ Triotar T 135/4, LR-A Pololyt 135/4.5 "T2", ZOMZ TAIR-3 300/4.5

[Spotmatic]

Interesting, I should get a few of them
_________________
"Old Takumars never die; they just fade away"

Pentax K-7 + Pentax 645 + Bessa RF 10,5cm Heliar and a 'little' bag full of MF lenses. The lens list is * here *.

[A G Photography]

Really interesting, I want one of them for sure!
_________________
Alessandro

My Photography Website
My Blog about Photography and Italian Cuisine
My Photostream on Flickr
--------------------------------------------------------

DSLR: Nikon d80, Olympus e410
SLR: Chinon CX, Fujica ST605n, Nikon f601, Pentacon FM, Pentax Spotmatic SPII, Praktica FX, Praktica FX2, Voigtlander VST1, Yashica FX-3, Zeiss Contaflex
RF: Altissa Altix, Zorki Ie, Kiev 4b
Medium Format: Pentacon Six TL, Zeiss Ikonta 520/2, Mockba 4, Voigtlander Bessa I, Agfa Isolette II, Agfa Isola
Large Format: Cambo SC 4x5, Rodenstock Sinaron 150/5.6, Rodenstock Rodagon 150/5.6, Schneider Kreuznach Symmar 180/5.6
Lenses
Nikkors: 28/3.5 AIS, 35/2, 50/1.8, 50/2 H, Micro 55/3.5, Micro 60/2.8, 85/1.8, 135/3.5 AI, 200/4 NAI, 18-55/3.5-5.6, 28-80/3.5-5.6, 55-200/4-5.6
CY: Distagon 28/2.8, Planar 50/1.4, Yashika 50/1.7, Sonnar 135/2.8
CZJ m42-Exakta: Flektogon 20/4, Flektogon 35/2.8, Tessar 40/4.5, Tessar 50/2.8, Pancolar 50/1.8, Pancolar 50/2, Biotar 58/2, Biotar 75/1.5, Tessar 80/2.8, Sonnar 135/3.5, Sonnar 135/4, Triotar 135/4
CZJ P6: Flektogon 50/4, Flektogon 65/2.8, Biometar 80/2.8, Biometar 120/2.8, Sonnar 180/2.8
Meyer-Pentacon: Orestegon 29/2.8, Pentacon 29/2.8, Lydith 30/3.5, Primagon 35/4.5, Helioplan 40/4.5, Domiplan 50/2.8, Primotar 50/3.5, Oreston 50/1.8, Primoplan 58/1.9, Orestor 100/2.8, Trioplan 100/2.8, Helioplan 135/4.5, Orestor 135/2.8, Pentacon 135/2.8, Primotar 135/3.5, Primotar 180/3.5, Telemegor 180/5.5, Orestegor 200/4, Pentacon 200/4, Orestegor 300/4, Telemegor 300/4.5, Telemegor 400/5.5
Schneider-Kreuznach: Curtagon 28/4, Curtagon 35/2.8, Xenon 50/1.9, Xenar 50/2.8, Tele Xenar 135/3.5, Tele Xenar 200/4
Russians: Arsat Zodiak 30/3.5, Mir-I 37/2.8, Volna-9 50/2.8, Industar-50 50/3.5, Industar-61 50/2.8, Helios 44 58/2, Helios 44-2 58/2, Helios 44-M-4 58/2, Volna-3 80/2.8, Helios 40 85/1.5, Jupiter 9 85/2, Jupiter 11 135/4
Others: Chinon-Tomioka 55/1.4, Helios 28/2.8, Isco Iscotar 50/2.8, Konica Hexanon 40/1.8, Ludwig Meritar 50/2.9, Schacht Travegon 35/3.5, Schacht Travenon 135/4.5, Sekor 55/1.8, Sigma MF 28/2.8, S-Takumar, 28/3.5, S-Takumar 50/1.4, S-Takumar 55/1.8, S-Takumar 55/2, Steinheil Quinar 135/2.8, Steinheil Culminar 135/4.5, Vivitar 135/2.8, Voigtlander Ultron 50/1.8, Yashica Yashinon DX 50/1.4, Zuiko MC Auto-W 28/2.8

[kds315*]

If interested, please contact our member hk300 (Alex) directly!!
_________________
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary


Currently most FAV lens(es):
Nikon UV Nikkor f4.5/105mm
Voigtländer (Cosina) Apo-Makro-Lanthar f2.5 125mm SL

Want to travel to Europe and see spots hardly anyone has seen, read this:
http://www.examiner.com/x-6661-Germany-Travel-Examiner

[Attila]

Thank you Klaus! Alex will publish price here soon and you able to order.
_________________

Folder cameras: Konishiroku Pearl, Bessa RF Heliar,Bessa I Color-Skopar,Ercona II Tessar,Franka III Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar
[color=black][b]35mm rangefinderKonica III,Bessa L,Yashica Electro GN,Canonette QL 17
35mm SLRKonica FM,Konica FP,Konica FT-1,Konica FC-1,Konica TC4,Nikon FA,Exakta VarexIIa,Fujica ST801
Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon:2.8/20mm, 2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/85mm,2/85mm,2.8/135mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,3.5/55mm macro,2/90mm macro,35-70mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro
Konica:21mm f4, 28mm f3.5,35mm f2.8,50mm f1.4,57mm f1.2,85mm f1.8,100mm f2.8,135mm f3.5,135mm f3.2,200mm f3.5,4/300mm,40cm f4.5
Please visit my Ebay shop
and my company site
http://www.hqdesign.eu/

[indianadinos]

Hello Klaus,

Thanks for the nice review, this helicoid is exactly what i was looking for to use my enlarger lenses ...

Best regards
_________________
Please visit my blog Shooting with a Pentax K10D

Takumar Lenses: 24/3.5, 28/3.5, 35/2, 35/3.5, 50/1.4, 55/1.8, 85/1.8, 105/2.8, 135/3.5, 200/4
Pentax-K Lenses: M28/2.8, M50/1.4, A50/1.7, K85/1.8, K105/2.8, K135/2.5, M200/4, M70-150/4
Zeiss Lenses: Flektogon 20/2.8, 20/4, 35/2.4, 35/2.8, Tessar 50/2.8, Pancolar 50/1.8, Biotar 58/2, Sonnar 135/3.5, Sonnar 180/2.8
Meyer Lenses: Primagon 35/4.5, Domiplan 50/2.8, Primoplan 58/1.9, Trioplan 100/2.8, Orestor 100/2.8, Orestor 135/2.8
Schacht/Steinheil Lenses: Travenar 90/2.8, Quinar 135/2.8, Quinar 135/3.5
Russian Lenses: MIR 37B, Jupiter 37A
P6 Lenses: Flektogon 50/4, Biometar 80/2.8, Orestor 300/4
Nikkor Lenses: Nikkor-O 35/2, Micro 55/3.5, Nikkor-Q 135/2.8
Misc Lenses: Kiron 105/2.8 Macro, Tamron SP90/2.5
... and a few other Vivitar, Tamron, Sigma and Soligor lenses ...

[kds315*]

You'll find that pretty nice to use, especially out in the field
where a bellows is some cumbersome and delicate. That is
a sturdy and long lasting investment.
_________________
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary


Currently most FAV lens(es):
Nikon UV Nikkor f4.5/105mm
Voigtländer (Cosina) Apo-Makro-Lanthar f2.5 125mm SL

Want to travel to Europe and see spots hardly anyone has seen, read this:
http://www.examiner.com/x-6661-Germany-Travel-Examiner

[piticu]

ok. this might be a silly question but i didn't get it right: on one side the helicoid tube has a m42 mount and i understood that it's available with other mounts too (nikon maybe? i'd love that). Now what's on the other side of the tube? m42 too? or m39 (somebody was mentioning enlarger's lens)?
Thanks for taking time to answer me
_________________
http://cezar.popescoo.net

[koji]

Piticu, it is quite often those extendable tube have the same mount
at the both sides, off course one male and one female types.

You can relatively easily to obtain M39->M42 and M42->M39 adapter/ring,
check the name "BORG" on the internet. So scheme looks this>

enlarger lens + M39->M42 + M42-ext-tube + M42->F + Nikon F camera

Yes, you can buy M42->F mount adapter (just converter without a lens).
This way allows many enlarger lenses to be used for the most of cameras,
as long as you can get M42->your-camera-mount adapter.
_________________
My HP contains 4,260 photos in 315 directories today.
Lenses: http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/lenses
Cameras: http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/cameras

[piticu]

[kds315*]

koji, exactly how I do it!

piticu - Alex (hk300) also has these needed adaptors I guess and would be happy to make a nice package....
_________________
Klaus

http://www.macrolenses.de for macro and special lens info
http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos for UV Images and lens/filter info
http://photographyoftheinvisibleworld.blogspot.com/ my UV diary


Currently most FAV lens(es):
Nikon UV Nikkor f4.5/105mm
Voigtländer (Cosina) Apo-Makro-Lanthar f2.5 125mm SL

Want to travel to Europe and see spots hardly anyone has seen, read this:
http://www.examiner.com/x-6661-Germany-Travel-Examiner

[poilu]

Anybody know the price of this nice helicoid ?
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Contax:Distagon 25:2.8, Distagon 28:2.8, Distagon 28:2.0, Distagon 35:2.8, Distagon 35:1.4, Tessar 45:2.8, Planar 50:1.7 ,Planar 50:1.4, Macro-Planar 60:2.8, Planar 85:2.8, Planar 85:1.4, Macro-Planar 100:2.8, Sonnar 135:2.8, Vario Sonnar 35-70:3.5, Vario Sonnar 28-85:3.5, Vario Sonnar 80-200:4, Mutar II, auto bellows
Jena:20:4, 50:3.5, 80:2.8
Zuiko:macro 20:3.5, 24:2.8, 28:3.5, 50:1.8, 135:3.5, auto bellows
Takumar:50:4, 135:3.5
Tamron:90 2.5, 300:5.6
Nikon:55:3.5
Minolta:58:1.2
Rodenstock:Rodagon 50, Rodagon 75, Rodagon 80, Rodagon 105
Helios:Helios 44-2
Industar:Industar 50:3.
Jupiter:Jupiter 9
Kiron:Kiron 28:2.0
Novoflex:, Novoflex 60, Novoflex 100
AF:Sigma 135-400, Tokina 12:24, Tamron 17-50:2.8
Canon:28-80, 85:1.8
AF:Sigma 135-400, Tokina 12:24, Tamron 17-50:2.8
Canon:28-80, 85:1.8
AF:Sigma 135-400, Tokina 12:24, Tamron 17-50:2.8
Canon:28-80, 85:1.8

[Attila]

Alex I think already sent to me to put them into my webshop. Currently I am very busy I hope I able to answer soon.
_________________

Folder cameras: Konishiroku Pearl, Bessa RF Heliar,Bessa I Color-Skopar,Ercona II Tessar,Franka III Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar
[color=black][b]35mm rangefinderKonica III,Bessa L,Yashica Electro GN,Canonette QL 17
35mm SLRKonica FM,Konica FP,Konica FT-1,Konica FC-1,Konica TC4,Nikon FA,Exakta VarexIIa,Fujica ST801
Carl Zeiss Jena:Flektogon 2.8/20mm,4/25mm,2.4/35,2.8/65mm,4.5/4cm Tessar, 8/500mm Fernobjektiv
Pancolar 1.4/55mm,1.8/50mm,1.8/80mm,Tessar 2.8/50mm,Biotar 2/58mm,1.5/75mm,1.5/7,5cm
Carl Zeiss: Sonnar 2.8/135,2.8/180mm,Tessar 4/135mm
Nikon:2.8/20mm, 2.8/28mm,1.4/35mm,1.4/50mm,2/50mm,1.8/85mm,2/85mm,2.8/135mm
Pentax: Pentax 1.2/50mm,1.8/85mm,4/200mm
Helios: Helios-40 1.5/8,5cm,Helios-44-1 2/58mm,Helios-44-2 2/58mm
Olympus OM: 3.5/18mm,3.5/21mm,3.5/55mm macro,2/90mm macro,35-70mm
Meyer: 4.5/35mm Primagon,Primoplan 1.9/58mm,1.9/75mm,2.8/100mm,Orestegor 2.8/135mm,4.5/40 Helioplan
Leica: 4/100 Macro
Konica:21mm f4, 28mm f3.5,35mm f2.8,50mm f1.4,57mm f1.2,85mm f1.8,100mm f2.8,135mm f3.5,135mm f3.2,200mm f3.5,4/300mm,40cm f4.5
Please visit my Ebay shop
and my company site
http://www.hqdesign.eu/

[hk300]