M42 1:1 Macro?

[johnnypanic]

Hi all,

looking to play about with 1:1 macro and rather than go for an expensive macro lens, to fit my Nikon D90, I was wondering if there are any old M42 fit lens that would fit the bill.

Or am I just being silly

 

[gad-westy]

I'm sure there are several. I know Tamron used to do a 90mm 2.5 M42 fitting. I presume you'll lose metering though. If you're happy to meter manually or by trial and error, maybe consider some of nikon's Micro AIS lenses. Some of them are 1:2 but a short extension tube will sort that. I picked up a 105mm F4 for £70 recently and it's superb.

 

[Mike.P]

There are some Vivitar 1:1 M42 macro lenses that are very good, a 55mm 2.8 and a 90mm 2.8. Quite hard to find but worth hunting for.

 

[BacktotheFuji]

The older version of the M42 100mm Macro Takumar went to 1:1.

Other options are the older Cosina made 100/3.5 (plastic fantastic, in Nikon mount) + tube, Tamron SP 90/2.5 + tube (but beware, the lens is prone to a purple hot spot on digital SLRs when stopped down), Micro Nikkors etc.