What is a good screw mount M42 camera to get?

[mo]

I am thinking one that has no problems with obtaining batteries etc.I am open to suggestions..pointers.I have heard the MX or ME are nice but since joining this forum I have been overwhelmed by the "eye candy" in all it's various forms.

[spiralcity]

[piticu]

The most beautiful m42 camera i've seen was a Mamiya 1000DTL
Also it uses a 1.5v battery, equivalent still available.

[martinsmith99]

I like Pentax Spotmatics, but they are completely manual with no frills.

I bought a Chinon CE-3 a few months back and it is great to handle, bright viewfinder, has aperture priority and manual modes. This has become my favourite.

[Excalibur]

[Attila]

After many Praktica, Zenit, Pentax Spotmatic I also vote for Fujica 801

[mo]

A good view finder is very important as the eyes are short sighted going long very frustrating the only reason I bought a digital and stopped using my Yashica Minister D as I could not see the focus in the Yashicas View finder.
The Ricohs are ok, but it still takes me time to focus...thankfully flowers don't move that fast or sleeping cats!!

[Arkku]

Another vote for a Fujica. ST801 is good, as is the ST70x series. ST60x feel a bit cheaper, but they also are (cheaper, that is). These are solid cameras with good feel and excellent viewfinders. There are other good ones, too, but in my opinion Prakticas and Zenits should be skipped by someone looking for a great viewfinder (otherwise they can be excellent value and charmingly industrial).

[Blue]

I would look at Pentax, Chinon, Ricoh, Praktica. There are some good pre spotmatic Pentax bodies as well that don't require batteries but you need an external meter and/or "sunny 16." There are also the Zenit (Russian) bodies that use the m42.

The other option is to go with a modern body and an adapter. Pentax and other brands have genuine adapters that usually work better than generic adapters.

[mo]

What examples of a modern body ? I never thought of that,and where do you obtain these adapters as I have not found many on eBay..Australia that is.

[Blue]

Modern is relative. However, you could use a genuine Pentax adapter on nearly every K-mount Pentax Camera ever made. I use one on my K200d and K20d dSLR as well as k2 film bodies. The MX or KX would be a good film body for example.

I also should have suggested looking at Mamiya m42 bodies as well.

[peterqd]

[mo]

Thanks for the offer,but I will pass on it.Glasses do well at the moment,I think it's more the style of the view finder,the minister D had a yellow box where the center was and I could not see it clear enough,Where as the Ricoh has a beautiful circle with no color and crystal clear.

[mo]

Does the AX-3 Have the good view finder as well as the ST801,there is one on ebay at the moment at a good price?
or a Zenit12S.
Thanks

[Seele]

My current workaday M42 camera is the Voigtländer Bessamatic TM Black, but if a clean Chinon CE-3 Memotron - at a sensible price - comes my way I'd get it.

[dnf_spedition]

My favourites, Fujica ST801 and Pentax SP500. Like them both for the great viewfinder. While I have the ST801 body only, no Fujinon lenses it is in use with Takumars screwed on mostly.

[Esox lucius]

Voigtländer Bessaflex TM. More expensive than most M42 bodies but the big bright viewfinder makes for easy focusing. Just shot 3 rolls of Ilford Delta 3200 at a wedding, easy to focus even in indoors dimmed light. Mechanically very good feel and control layout is classic and perfect for use.

Plenty available on eBay, one with Buy it Now USD 399

[martinsmith99]

[Attila]

All most every camera have M42 adapter, in this case all of them available for M42 lenses except longer register once like Nikkors.

[spiralcity]

[mo]

Thank you spiralcity. A ST605n has popped up as well so if the A-X has a hard mount to use this 605n might do the trick??.
Although I have just received my Promura Automatic MC special 300/f5 M42 with a Pentax K mount adapter.....so that solves a few problems.The Promura is missing it's Pin on the screw mount will this cause any issues on a Screw mount body??
I mainly bought it for the adapter,lens is clear.Are all adapters flimsy looking it has Pentax Japan on it so I am assuming it is a Pentax made adapter.Fits nicely on the Ricoh although I had to unscrew the lens then pop the adapter out....No worries!

[spiralcity]

[djmike]

I have Praktica MTL-5B, Pentax Spotmatic F and Fujica ST801. They're all great. But
1. be sure you can have source of battery for SPF
2. non-Fujica lens might be stuck on ST801
3. buy more M42 lenses

[mo]

Yes the lens has a auto/manual switch.It focused alright on the KR10.As long as it works on "A" camera I do not mind.So much to learn with lenses.I never thought to ask if it still had its pin or not so another lesson learned on what to ask!! Very happy with the adapter.

Hi djmike I have heard that about the spotmatics , I won't be looking at buying one even though they are beautiful looking cameras...maybe if I get more experienced.

[djmike]