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M42 helicoid (macro tube) from hk300 and mflenses - a review
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:14 am    Post subject: M42 helicoid (macro tube) from hk300 and mflenses - a review Reply with quote
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

Last edited by kds315* on Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:45 pm; edited 2 times in total


PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Many thanks for this review!

How much are they? Smile


PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Interesting, I should get a few of them Wink


PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Really interesting, I want one of them for sure!


PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
If interested, please contact our member hk300 (Alex) directly!!


PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you Klaus! Alex will publish price here soon and you able to order.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello Klaus,

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

Best regards


PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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 Smile


PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
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.


PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
koji wrote:
Piticu, it is quite often those extendable tube have the same mount
at the both sides, off course one male and one female types.
Never seen one, thanks for clearing the things out for me Smile


PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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.... Wink Wink


PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Anybody know the price of this nice helicoid ?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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


Last edited by poilu on Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:46 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
piticu wrote:
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 Smile


these helicoids come with 42mm to 52mm (lens side) and 42 to 42mm.

The camera body side is 42mm, so you can use a m42 to EF/ Nikon/ PK etc adapter to mount this helicoid to your camera.

For the other side (lens side)... at least available are:

There are M39 to M42 conversion adapters available, i will send Klaus one soon. (other screw type are also available)
Canon FD-M42
Minolta AF-M42
ContaxC/Y-M42
Tamron-M42
Nikon-M42

and i may be able to produce or source other ones.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:34 am    Post subject: Pricing for the Helicoid Reply with quote
There are 4 different sizes:

M42 to M42 Focusing Helicoid - 17mm to 32mm
Price: usd95 shipped

M42 to M42 Focusing Helicoid - 37mm to 90mm
Price: usd110 shipped

M52 to M42 Focusing Helicoid - 16mm to 30mm
Price: usd110 shipped

M52 to M42 Focusing Helicoid - 36mm to 90mm
Price: usd135 shipped

Klaus review the M42 to M42 Focusing Helicoid - 37mm to 90mm

These prices are valid till end of February 2009 or until stock lasts


PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
koji wrote:
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.


Koji ... you are correct ... but there are many more possibilities Wink
with manual focus lenses (if no need for electronic contacts) sooo many options are possible!

I also may look into making a conversion ring to fit the cheap ebay macro tubes to fit M42 or M52.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
hk300 wrote:

I also may look into making a conversion ring to fit the cheap ebay macro tubes to fit M42 or M52.


FYI, I've checked two types of these cheap ebay tubes, the Eos ones are M60 and the Minolta SR ones are M57. If anyone can tell me what size the other variants (Nikon, Pentax) are, I would appreciate that.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
BTW Alex, do the mounts of your helical focussing rings rotate when you focus? The Pentax m42 helicoid doesn't and my Zoerk MiMa Schnecke does.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
dickb wrote:
BTW Alex, do the mounts of your helical focussing rings rotate when you focus? The Pentax m42 helicoid doesn't and my Zoerk MiMa Schnecke does.


I doublechecked and the front will not rotate when being focused.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
hk300 wrote:
piticu wrote:
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 Smile


these helicoids come with 42mm to 52mm (lens side) and 42 to 42mm.

The camera body side is 42mm, so you can use a m42 to EF/ Nikon/ PK etc adapter to mount this helicoid to your camera.

For the other side (lens side)... at least available are:

There are M39 to M42 conversion adapters available, i will send Klaus one soon. (other screw type are also available)
Canon FD-M42
Minolta AF-M42
ContaxC/Y-M42
Tamron-M42
Nikon-M42

and i may be able to produce or source other ones.


Hello Alex: I don't suppose you will be producing a helicoid that will match the Sigma SA mount? Possibly not, I guess, since the Sigma is not a major camera company. I will have the M42 > Sigma SA adapter for the body side.

Cheers!

Laurence


PostPosted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Laurence wrote:


Hello Alex: I don't suppose you will be producing a helicoid that will match the Sigma SA mount? Possibly not, I guess, since the Sigma is not a major camera company. I will have the M42 > Sigma SA adapter for the body side.

Cheers!

Laurence


i don't know how difficult it is to make a SA lens to M42 mount adapter, but i can check.
M42 to Sigma SA can be used with this helicoid to mount M42 lenses onto a Sigma SA body.


PostPosted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
hk300: Do you think you could make these two adapters?

1. Sigma SA (body) -> Exacta lens, which would be tested for compatibility with SD14 (to prevent IR filter damage when mounting the lens)... infinity focus would be good, but isn't necessary

2. Sigma SA (body) -> SLR M39 (45.2 mm) with exact infinity focus

?

thanks for reply


PostPosted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
no-X wrote:
hk300: Do you think you could make these two adapters?

1. Sigma SA (body) -> Exacta lens, which would be tested for compatibility with SD14 (to prevent IR filter damage when mounting the lens)... infinity focus would be good, but isn't necessary

2. Sigma SA (body) -> SLR M39 (45.2 mm) with exact infinity focus

?

thanks for reply


Exakta ... need to check, Exakta mounts are relatively difficult to make.

M39 ... I am not sure what you mean with 45.2mm ... but if you mean the older lenses, you probably could try to you a conversion ring for M39 to M42


PostPosted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have conversion ring, but it's not possible to reach infinity: M39 for Zenit SLR cameras has 45.2mm distance and M42 45.5mm.

But the exacta is more important to me.
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