M42 and other old lenses
- Thread starter theboyfold
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I have an M42 Pentacon 29/2.8, Pentax K SMC Takumar 100/4 macro, and OM Vivitar 19/3.8. They are all towards the cheaper end and the 29/2.8 and 19/3.8 are a bit soft in the corners wide open but still a lot better than the 18-55 kit lens I got with my 20D. Stopped down past f5.6 they are pretty sharp and since I use them for landscapes mainly this is no problem. The other great thing about older MF lenses is that the build quality on them is a lot better in many ways than modern cheap lenses. Mine are all metal and even after 30 years they are in excellent working order. Because they are primes they are often much smaller than modern zooms.
In aperture priority mode they are pretty handy as my adaptors have AF confirm so there is just focusing to take care of, and handheld I wouldn't be using them stopped down much anyway.
The 100/4 macro lens is fantastic though, really sharp even wide open and way better than anything else I could have got for £75. I would definately recommend an adaptor with AF confirm, for the extra £10 or so its well worth it.
In aperture priority mode they are pretty handy as my adaptors have AF confirm so there is just focusing to take care of, and handheld I wouldn't be using them stopped down much anyway.
The 100/4 macro lens is fantastic though, really sharp even wide open and way better than anything else I could have got for £75. I would definately recommend an adaptor with AF confirm, for the extra £10 or so its well worth it.
Sorry for taking so long to reply. The one I bought isn't around on ebay now - but this looks a lot like it
Stay away from the metal ring only, 1) focus is closer (no inifinity) and 2) if it rotates on the mount its difficult to get off...
On the nikon there is usually a focus confirm in the lower left of the view finder... however I have had hit and miss results as it tends to flicker rather than hold still...
At least with digital you can shot a load and erase those that aren't sharp.
Happy hunting
Stay away from the metal ring only, 1) focus is closer (no inifinity) and 2) if it rotates on the mount its difficult to get off...
On the nikon there is usually a focus confirm in the lower left of the view finder... however I have had hit and miss results as it tends to flicker rather than hold still...
At least with digital you can shot a load and erase those that aren't sharp.
Happy hunting
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Stay away from the metal ring only, 1) focus is closer (no inifinity) and 2) if it rotates on the mount its difficult to get off...
As someone that has one of those metal ring converters, I'll point out that like many things, once you've removed it a couple of times, you get used to how it works, and it's no trouble to remove at all. I'm not sure I'd say 'avoid them', as they are generally thinner and less obtrusive, but yeah, they're not as easy to use and you lose infinity of course.
Mine came 'free' with my bellows, I'll probably pick up an adapter with infinity focus correction at some point, since the lenses I have for macro work would be useful for general purpose stuff too. I wouldn't want to put another unnecessary piece of glass between the sensor and subject for macro though, so I'll likely stick to the ring adapter I have for extension tube or bellows use.
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Finally have some time off, so will be able to test the 5 random lenses I've picked up on eBay!
Does anybody else have any results that they would like to post?
Does anybody else have any results that they would like to post?
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I have plenty
Here's one with the Pentacon 135/2.8 Electric (note: preset version has better bokeh)
Photo #1 - Elephants at Dublin Zoo by ManualFocus-G, on Flickr
One with my Vivitar 28/2.8:
Photo #6 - Sunflowers in Bagnizeau by ManualFocus-G, on Flickr
Here's one with the Pentacon 135/2.8 Electric (note: preset version has better bokeh)
Photo #1 - Elephants at Dublin Zoo by ManualFocus-G, on Flickr
One with my Vivitar 28/2.8:
Photo #6 - Sunflowers in Bagnizeau by ManualFocus-G, on Flickr
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Mine has finally arrived.
Out of interest, what M42 mount do you use? I've found mixed results with some of them...
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I think my M42 adapters came from ebay seller jinfinance.
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Ok... hm these are probably the better ones...?
Evoque Live - dynamic (Back) by KatiaUK, on Flickr
Vivitar 28mm f2.5
#5 Red Bull by KatiaUK, on Flickr
(Cropped) Tair 3A 300mm
Moon (300mm + x2 vivitar) by KatiaUK, on Flickr
(Cropped) Tair 3A 300mm + 2x vivitar
Anyone used this adapter on a nikon ?
Evoque Live - dynamic (Back) by KatiaUK, on Flickr
Vivitar 28mm f2.5
#5 Red Bull by KatiaUK, on Flickr
(Cropped) Tair 3A 300mm
Moon (300mm + x2 vivitar) by KatiaUK, on Flickr
(Cropped) Tair 3A 300mm + 2x vivitar
Anyone used this adapter on a nikon ?
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Ok... hm these are probably the better ones...?
Evoque Live - dynamic (Back) by KatiaUK, on Flickr
Vivitar 28mm f2.5
That's nice
Thanks for the info on the adaptors, I'm not convinced by mine...
That is a very fine advert for manual focus lenses. I have been well and truly bitten by the MF bug, and now have around a dozen of them, mostly Takumars (I only use the 135 f3.5 for close up work with extension tubes), a Zeiss 135 f3.5 MCS Sonnar and some others.
The best adaptor I have, is one purchased from Ebay for about £7.95, although neither of mine have focus confirm.
If you have an MF lens without a "manual" setting, then there is an easy fix, where you can hold the aperture pin in, thus allowing full manual control over the aperture. The fix is reversible, so you do not "butcher" the lens.
Taken with a Super Takumar 135 f3.5 and 51mm of extension tubes @f8
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Ah well, one from me.
100% crop with exif
100% crop with exif
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My favourite lens, which I use on my Olympus e520 - a Zeiss Sonnar 85mm lens, discovered in a friend's attic...
CHRISTMAS WREATH by Janet Stansfield, on Flickr
CHRISTMAS WREATH by Janet Stansfield, on Flickr
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If anybody is after a bargain lens, have a look at this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yashica-M...ters_Lenses&hash=item20c0ca35d0#ht_500wt_1348
During a recent test of all my lenses, I was amazed at the results from this lens and TBH for £1, it's a freakin' steal! If I didn't have one already I would be snapping it up (and a Contax mount adaptor of course )
This is a snap from my tests at 2.8
Yashica 28mm test by cloud34.com, on Flickr
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yashica-M...ters_Lenses&hash=item20c0ca35d0#ht_500wt_1348
During a recent test of all my lenses, I was amazed at the results from this lens and TBH for £1, it's a freakin' steal! If I didn't have one already I would be snapping it up (and a Contax mount adaptor of course
)This is a snap from my tests at 2.8
Yashica 28mm test by cloud34.com, on Flickr
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I using old Russian lens. Somebody hear about that great lenses?
my favorite is Helios-40 85mm f/1.5, better the any canon lens, with f/1.4 or f/1.2.
really unusual lens! focus is very interesting.
if you want you photos look unusual, try that lens!
here is a my flickr, where i used that lens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68278366@N04/6564689943/in/photostream
my favorite is Helios-40 85mm f/1.5, better the any canon lens, with f/1.4 or f/1.2.
really unusual lens! focus is very interesting.
if you want you photos look unusual, try that lens!
here is a my flickr, where i used that lens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68278366@N04/6564689943/in/photostream