affordable short no distortion M42 lens?

[kuuan]

Now after using my first manual lenses I realized that e.g my 50mm lenses on my Pentax which makes them 75mm still show some distortion.

Which makes me wonder:
which is the shortest M42 lens without distortion?
and second question would be: which one is a cheap one?
as until now, and while being in Japan I am going for japanese lenses, how about the Takumar 55mm f1.8?

thank you for any hint,
Andreas

[estudleon]

Hello. You have a 50 mm takum. 1,4. Well, all the lenses with F1,4 have a barrel distortion. Ones more than others, but all have it. Don't forget that are lenses with design of 30 years or more. May be loocking for 50 or 55 mm with maxim. aperture F/1,8, F/2 or F/2,8 you may have better results. Pentacon MC 50 mm. 1,8; EBC fujinon 55 mm F/1,8; SMC takumar 55F/1,8, all of this are excelents and in the cheapest side.
And if you like to soft portrait, the helios 44 (the "2" especialy) is good.

[Flor27]

For your Pentax SLR you can get the SMC Pentax-M 40mm f:2.8 lens, the lovely pancake.
Distortion seems near 0 ! Full frame EOS 5D capture here. The wooden blinds aren't aligned with the window's frame on the bottom.

SMC takumar 55F/1,8 & 55F/2.0 (which are the same optical lens but with a ring to limit aperture for marketing reason) show strong barrel distortion, more than the Helios-44-2.

[kuuan]

thank you very much for your answers.

The Helios seems like a 'must' lens,
I had thought that the 40mm pancake is more like a gimmick, but I certainly will have a look out for one, though it may cost more than I am willing to spend right now. Flor I don't see any image in your post though..

thank's again,
Andreas

[Flor27]

Just click here. Sorry for hidding the link

[kuuan]

oops sorry Flor for not having seen, and thank you for reposting!
very streight lines indeed!

[Orio]

[LucisPictor]

I would recommend my Canon EF-S 17-85 IS with hardly any distortion at the wide end.

OK, just kidding (but actually it isn't much worse than most of the AF standard zoom lenses.)

Let's get serious:

[padiej]

Good Day!

Very usefull is using a good hood to avert reflections.
Then all lenses they are starting with f2,8 works good on my Pentax.
Adreas, try the SMC-M Serie, and you will see, this serie works good on the DSLR.

greetings Peter

[kuuan]

thank you very much Orio and LucisPictor for your recommendation.
The Flek 4/20 it is then, great, did not expect it from a 20mm lens!
One lens more for my most wanted list!

As I expected it to be a lens in the 50mm range, may I ask further:

If it was a 35 to 50mm, which lens would you vote for?

and on 20mm
I remember that, in another thread, unlike others you, Orio, did recommend the Mir 20mm f3,5. - I guess not for lack distortion though...right?
What do you like the Mir for, and what would you consider a good prize for it?

thank you,
cheers,
Andreas

[Orio]

[estudleon]

Some cuestions no "optical" may help to decide you in case of perplexity, what distance from you to the subjet is your favorite to work? How much of the subjet do you always like to show? Any specially part, hands, face, legs? Any kind of light?
This and your lens taste perhaps may help you to decide. Good luck and goods portraits.

[Athiril]

While not M42 nor cheap...


The Sigma 12-24mm has almost no distortion at the wide end