Where to start? (M42)

[stregone]

Hi guys. I just ordered a couple different EF-m42 adapters, but I don't know where to start as far as lenses go. There are so many choices!

I'd like to start with something affordable. A decent normal or wide angle lens. I'd also like a 200mm or so prime to pair with extension tubes.

I've been browsing ebay for a few days, but I have no idea if anything at all is a good deal or a ripoff.

Thanks!

[fish4570]

Pentax 55/2 normal lens. SMC or Super-Takumar. Very, very affordable.

[luisalegria]

Try something cheap to get a start. The normal Takumars are a good choice, if you don't insist on the 50mm f/1.4, which are getting expensive.

You may also look for a Ricoh, Chinon, Cosina or Mamiya 50-55mm f1.7-f/2
Most of these are really very good, and often very cheap. Or Russian Helios 58mm I suppose, many here like them.

Sometimes these are sold under store brands or distributors brands - in the US, Sears, Argus, etc.

These can also often be found on an SLR body, which, oddly, often go for less than the lens on its own.

[mo]

I work on what price I am willing to pay for a lens on ebay then I Google the lens to find some more info on it...that is how I found this great site
What lenses have you been looking at? Put a link to it here and may be those in the know can assist further.

[woodrim]

Resist the temptation to buy other than M42 lenses; converting mounts can be a nightmare.

[kansalliskala]

FF (1D-5D) or crop (7D-550D)?

For a crop normal Mir-1B or some other 35mm.

[martinsmith99]

Any of the Helios lenses (I prefer the earlier ones). SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8 or F2. Those would be my suggestiions for a 1st normal prime.

Pentacon/Meyer 200mm preset for longer.

[kuuan]

Helios 44-2 or Takumar 55/1.8 or 55/2 ( Super, S-M-C or SMC ) 55/1.8 or 55/2 cheap but very good and satisfying lenses!
and the f1.4/50, a great lens, often not so cheap any more, but there is one for 65 USD, a real good price, at the market place: http://forum.mflenses.com/fs-smc-takumars-and-spotmatic-sp-ii-updated-t27880.html#1027544

for a cheap 35mm ( making a 'normal lens' on APS-C ) Takumar f3.5/35 or Mir f2.8/35

I personally had started with Takumars because they are also known for their great build which can not be said for the russians and east germans, there is a real chance to get a lemon with those. They are a joy to use and I had found out that on most focal lenghts there hardly is any upgrade to my Taks

[djmike]

[DigiChromeEd]

For a 200mm prime in M42 mount I would recommend a Auto Chinon f3.5. I bought one recently on eBay for £17 stg. I'm very happy with its performance when stopped down a couple of stops but it's only drawback is it's close focusing distance of 2.70 metres!

[a20010494]

helios 44-2....
maybe a tair-11, i've heard good things from it.

[seta666]

Also the industar 50-2, the cutest lens ever!!
Any of the tomiokas 55 1.4, like sears, chinon, porst(some only APS-C)
Any Fujinon EBC
A cyclop 85/1.5 (an helios 40-2 in disguise)
Pentacon 30mm Lydith, very sharp, 10 blades(APS-C)

I find my self manual focusing teles more dificult to use, I had a 135mm and a 200mm. Now the longuest manual lens I own is 85mm (Helios 40 and Cyclop 1.5/85)

[stregone]

Awesome, i'll keep my eye out on ebay.

As for what cameras I have, I have an EOS 3 and a 40D. I also have a couple FD mount cameras, do you think its worth it to get an adapter for that too?

[aoleg]

[stregone]

How much should I be bidding on these lenses? I'm really weary to not over bid, so I am losing all these auctions. Though I'm not in a hurry. Still, not knowing what is a fair price is bugging me.

[aoleg]

[WallyJr74]

[stregone]

Awesome, thanks for the info. it looks like I'm going to pick up an industar 50-2. There's a million of them available pretty cheap. And then keep my eye open for something faster and/or wider.

Where can I find lens hoods if I can't get one with the lens? Are there generic ones available?

[seta666]

The 50-2 has a small filter thread, If I remember right it is 35.5mm.
Yo can get a 35.5-37 step up ring and a 37mm lens hood. It will look awesome

[trifox]

Where to start???

I think that the biggest worry is WHERE to END ?

Once you've started, you want to have more, of course ...

affordable solutions are definitely Helios 44 and Jupiter 11-A (4/135) black - it's a killer for small money!!!

These two guys are still in my collection ....

tf

[RioRico]

DON'T BUY ANY TAKUMARS! LEAVE THOSE FOR WE PENTAX OWNERS! EVERYBODY IS TAKING OUR LENSES! KICK MY DOG, KISS MY WIFE, BUT LEAVE MY LENSES ALONE!!

[/rant]

Do not avoid non-big-name brands. I have some fine M42 glass branded Lentar, Hanimar, Albinar, Suntar, Sears, Focal (K-Mart), Porst, Makinon, Zykkor etc. Many such can be had for under US$20. Good optics to look for would include: 24/2.8, 28/2.8, 35/2.8, 50-55/2 (or faster), 85-100/2.8 (or faster), 135/2.8, 200/4. Sometimes slower lenses are very sharp, and quite cheap; some of my favorites are 21/3.8, 50/3.5, 135/4 and 200/5.6. NOTE: M42 zooms can be problematic -- newer designs are generally better.

[stregone]

Ok, so I received a tamron 35mm 2.8, and a soligor 135mm 2.8 lens over the last two weeks, but just got my adapter from the slow boat from china the other day So, now I can actualy play with them! I'm still waiting on an industar 50-2 from russia, and also a pair of non chipped adapters also coming from china.

Manual focusing is very very hard through the 40D viewfinder. The focus confirmation chip doesn't seem to be very useful. I have compensated pretty quickly be getting quite good with focusing with liveview, even handheld. Here's a couple test shots with the 35mm lens, both handheld.





The 135mm seems to perform pretty decently as well, but I'm pretty disappointed by its 6ft minimum focusing distance, is that normal with 135mm lenses? I may just be a little spoiled by my canon 100mm 2.8 macro lens (My favorite lens).

Also, metering is a little funky, except in live view. It tends to overexpose more and more the smaller the aperture.

[Chris Watson]

[kuuan]

[estudleon]