ST801 SPF... What's next?

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

Hello, I have Fujica ST801 and Pentax SPF with a dozen of M42 lenses and am looking for next SLR. Any comment or suggestion on Canon AE1P or other (with M42 adapter) and why? Budget is under US$100 with one standard 50/1.8 (or 50/1.4) lens. Thanks.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

So you want a non M42 mount camera, but with compatibility. Pentax K of course is obvious, but maybe not the best thing.

I haven't done this (yet) but the thing I have been considering: buying a Yashica c/y mount camera. Or a Contax.

The c/y M42 adapter holds the aperture pin down, unlike the K mount adapter. Ergo: no more worries about the lens needing an a/m switch.

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

Nesster, thanks. Could you specifiy the model? M42 or non-M42 are OK to me onc e I can find the adpater easliy (so might be no to Nikon).
And is there any one can share Canon AE-1 or AE-1P? How about Chinon?

marty · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 767 Location: Italy

Hi djmike,
I do not own a Canon AE-1 or AE-1P but I am a proud owner of a Canon AT-1 and A-1. Since my cameras belong to the same series as the ones you are after I feel safe to say they should be both fine cameras. They used to build them like tanks, so if they are in good condition and not over-used should last almost forever. Even if I never tried it's indeed possible to match them to M-42 glass via an adapter which I know it can be found for sale. The only caveat is that you obviously lose the aperture automation and you have therefore to manually stop down. If you are sure you're not going to use FD glass I would go with AE-1 because you can find them for less money. In comparison with AE-1P you're gonna miss only some functions you are only be able to use with dedicated FD mount lenses.
Hope this helps.
Marty.
PS you should also be able to meter in stop-down mode.

ryan s · Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 384 Location: Madison, WI

It looks like all your lenses (except the Fujinon) will work without the pin depressed. The Chinon and Ricoh cameras as well as Sears-branded cameras are basically Pentax, depending on the model.

Pentax MX + genuine M42 adapter Wink

F16SUNSHINE · Expire: 2011-11-18

+1 for C/Y
Nester has it right.
I have been using m42 with an adapter on Contax and Yashica bodies for years.
Never have had a problem. You can easily find a Yashica FR1 for under $100.
It is basically the same camera as the original RTS but without an LED VF display and mirror lock-up.
My FR1 has had the M42 adapter left in it for over 2 years now. I just use it as a native M42 camera (although it is seldom used at all I must admit Embarassed

)

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

Marty/Ryan/F16SUNSHINE, thanks.
Can any other share the experience of Chinon CE-3?

Seele · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 742 Location: Sydney Australia

djmike,

First of all I cannot see the rationale in getting a Canon AE-1 Program, as it's geared towards using FD lenses, with the aperture ring locked at the A (or O for earlier FDs) and let the camera operates the aperture. With M42 and adapter, it is very much against the grain,

If you like automatic exposure with the M42 lenses it would have to be stop-down metering, Chinon and Cosina both had cameras offering this function, and the Yashica AX also did that but in a somewhat more limited manner, Comparing between the Chinon and Cosina implementations, I think Chinon works a little better,

And if it is Chinon that you are after, you need to go for any of three Memotron models, the CE Memotron, CE-II Memotron, and CE-3 Memotron. I had a CE-II since new and used it to good effects but sold it to a friend, still regretting it. The CE-3 was much smaller in size and motor-capable too, but any Memotron would make using your M42 lenses a pleasant experience.

lahnet · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 1164 Location: Denmark

Why not try Medium-Format?

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

spiralcity · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 1207 Location: Chicago, U.S.A

I would suggest the Chino CE-4s.

HERES A PIC OF MINE WITH ZEISS BIOTAR MOUNTED.

cilinderman · Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 317 Location: Canillo, Andorra

Katastrofo · Expire: 2013-11-19

@Spiralcity: Sweet! Love the styling of that Chinon. Cool

arzitek · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

spiralcity · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 1207 Location: Chicago, U.S.A

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30