Any Good M42 Zoom?

[djmike]

I am planning a Japan trip. Typically, I bring 35mm/50mm/135mm with me but am thinking to have a good M42 zoom can cover 35-105 at least. Any suggestion?
Mike
ps: my bag is small or...... I shall get the bigger bag??

[dave_t]

Not M42, but the Nikon 50-135 f/3.5 zoom has been well received here and can be had for a decent price. Also covers the exact range that you're missing, you'd just need a different adapter.

[Orio]

Tamron Adaptall 2 zooms are reputed to be amongst the best and most affordable that you can get in M42 mount (you will need a M42-Adaptall 2 ring)

[DSG]

[exaklaus]

Maybe Carl Zeiss Jena Vario-Pancolar 37-70 and Vario Sonnar 80-200?
OK, pretty expensive when turning up on rare occasion. I used the B-Praktica version many years ago, when shooting B-Praktica. Used this pair nearly exclusevly, although I had all lenses made for the Praktica B. Was never unsatisfied by their performance.

Klaus

[djmike]

[martinsmith99]

I had an M42 mount 28-200 Vivitar that was quite good. I would focus just short of infinity though so I sold it.

I find that prime 2 lenses do the job for my style of shooting. Usually a 24 & a 50/90 or a 35 & a 135 if I think I need longer.

[DSG]

[koji]

[ManualFocus-G]

I'd recommend either a Tamron SP 28-80 or a Tamron SP 35-210. The 28-80 would set you back about £30.00 while the 35-210 will go for nearer. Add on the cost of an M42 adapter (£15.00) and you're sorted!

[Attila]

[cooltouch]

I would leave my 35 and 135 at home, but take the 50 for low light possibilities. I would thus pack two zooms, one wide to short tele, one short tele to long tele.

A few that are very high on my list because of personal experience or reputation:

Vivitar Series 1 28-90 f/2.8-3.5 (the S1 28-105/2.8-3.8 is just as good)

Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/3.5 (2nd version)

Tamron SP 70-210 f/3.8-4

Tamron SP 60-300 f/3.8-5.4

I would also see if I could find room in my budget or my bag for a 24mm or wider. You won't regret having the extra angle of coverage.

[tkbslc]

[djmike]

I will bring Canon 400D w/adapter + ST801 so am thinking one M42 zoom.

[tkbslc]

[Attila]

[ManualFocus-G]

[Attila]

[tkbslc]

That makes sense because the Tamron 80-210 is a higher end f3.8-4 lens. The kit lenses are cheap slow 4-5.6 lenses. the lifelessness is probably due to the decreased DOF.


As for the OP, what alternatives are there in the 28-100mm range for m42 for a zoom? ANything? Primes are great, but for decent IQ with lots of flexibility a nice basic standard zoom is pretty good. If IQ was the most important, he would be taking his primes.

[estudleon]

In M42 mount there is a hoya 100-300.

I read that a photojournalist had use it in the 80's. But I haven't other reference.

Anybody knows about it?

Rino.

[Boomer Depp]

The Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS can be picked up at a reasonable cost and performance isn't to bad.My collection of lenses has some of Canon's finest L lenses not to mention 70+ manual focus lenses in various mounts including M42...but on trips like what your talking about,the Canon 28-135 is one I'll take quite often...the nice thing about the lens,the focus is spot on in the AF mode or you can go full manual.I would recommend taking a MF fast wide prime as well for low light shooting.

[Boomer Depp]

Good recommendations here if your set on taking a M42 mount for the ST801...as said before in this thread the Vivitar 28-200mm is an excellent recommendation as well for a good price point lens that doesn't perform to badly.

[estudleon]

I forgot the old vivitar 90-230 mm.

It's very cheap.

Rino.

[LucisPictor]

Another voto for Tamron SP lenses.
But also some Vivitar, Tokina or Soligor lenses can be good.

[djmike]

Thanks Gents, I am searching Tamron SP or Vivitar now.