a good macro in m42 mount

[asterinex]

I,m looking for a very good macro lens in m42 mount.
What are the options. What can you recommend ?
Thx !
Gert

[iangreenhalgh1]

Not so easy to find in M42, Macro Takumar is perhaps your best bet, not sure if there were macro lenses in the Fujica or mamiya M42 ranges. A set of bellows and a good enlarger lens will work just as well.

[Drack]

The Russian Industar-61 L/Z is also an awesome lens that you could try. It is not a "real" macro lens, but it get`s the job done

[56 DIN]

just an idea:

Tamron Adaptall Macro 90mm
Yashica 60mm Macro

[Billou]

Volna-9 50mm f/2.8.

[bernhardas]

edited

[Aanything]

I have had some m42 macro lenses, but I don't shoot macro very often, so take my experience with a pinch of salt.

I love the Mamiya macro sekor 2.8/60. It does 1:1 macro without any tubes, and I like it much also for general purpose.
Plus, it's a bit faster than other 1:1 m42 macros.
Probably the same as the yashica mentioned above, which is made by tomioka, hence its quite high price.
The aperture blades are visible even wide open, so you always get hexagon shaped bokeh highlights: not a problem at all for me, but maybe someone cares.
Another warning, compared to many other macro lenses, this lens seem to have a stronger character (in particular in bokeh rendition) that could not be the best for a strict macro usage. Anyway, it's one of my favourite lenses.

then the normals:
super macro takumar 4/50, goes to 1:1, very sharp.
ebc fujinon 3.5/55, goes to 1:1 with extensio tube, incredibly flare resistant in my experience.

If you need longer FL for a more comfortable distance, I'd go with the tamron SP 90mm with its tube, or the macro takumar 4/100 both bellows or non bellows version (the non-bellows version is a bit better if I remember correctly).

Here you can find some samples from the mamiya, sadly I can't find any from the others: they've been sold quite some time ago and I don't always tag old pictures.

[asterinex]

Thx some of your questions

* Budget : As cheap as possible, not more than 150-200 euros.
* Focal Lenght : between 60mm en 100mm
* Why m42 : I don't want to have to many adapters and I like the rendering of the m42's.

[std]

The 2.8/60mm Mamiya is good enough and as Aanything says goes to 1:1
The only thing that i do not like is the very short focus outside the macro range.

[cooltouch]

I am quite fond of my SMC Takumar 100mm f/4. Same optical formula as the later K-mount 100/4 M lens.

[cambug]

Have a look at the Vivitar trio macro: 55mm f2.8, 90mm f2.8, these two go down to 1:1 without extension tube. The fhird one is 135mm f2.8 close focusing, goes down to 1:2, at a distance. All three are available in M42 mount and reasonably priced. With a bit of luck, can get them quite cheap, just be patient.

[Nesster]

The one thing with the Tamron -- you will need to fix the adaptall adapter as it defaults to Auto mode; Tamron did not see the need to include an Auto/Manual switch. But it is a really nice lens.

**of course the M42 adapter you have may have a ridge that pushes the aperture pin in, in which case you're set!

[tao]

I have a Sears 55/2.8 in M42 which was not expensive and works okay. It won't do 1:1 without an adapter though.

I also have a cheapo Cosina-made Vivitar 100/3.5 (aka Phoenix etc.) in FD mount but I am quite certain that it was available in M42. The build quality is poor but glass is quite good. It requires a matching filter to get 1:1.

[cooltouch]

This is the best M42 lens I own:

[kuuan]

in case one wants a smaller, lighter lens and can do with the shorter focal length, Macro Takumar f4/50 are very good, very sharp too.

the S-M-c going to 1:2


the earlier preset version that goes to 1:1




it's my most used lens to take photos of my lenses ( see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/sets/72157627647965433/

[eno789]

Yashinon Tomioka, or Mamiya 60mm f/2.8 Macro

Some sample pics here: http://www.talknex.com/f39/mamyia-sekor-60mm-f2-8-macro-nex5n-1176/

[hifisapi]

When you think m42 you should think Pentax Takumars. Both the 50mm/4 and 100mm/4
super multi coated macro takumars are excellent lenses and readily available.

[Nesster]

+1 on the preset Tak -- it is the most fun lens I have.

[Nordentro]

I would vote for the Volna 9 because of the bokeh

[eeec]

I'd add another vote for the Volna-9. Tons of charm and character.

[asterinex]

Thx a lot for the many tips! A lot of research ahead of me:)