m42 portrait lens

[CBA100]

Ive just bought an m42 adapter for my Sony A700 (fancied trying something different) and wondered if anyone could recommend a good m42 portrait lens.

 

[BacktotheFuji]

On a crop sensor I guess you will be looking at 50-85mm? I could recommend the usuals:

Super Takumar 55/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 85/1.9
Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.8
Meyer Primoplan 58/1.9
Vivitar 85/1.8 (rare, but lovely smooth bokeh)
A cheap option would be the Pentacon 50/1.8

If you want something that glows wide open:

Chinon / Reflecta / Yashica / Revuenon 55/1.4
Meyer Triplan 100/2.8 (soft wide open with crazy bokeh)

 

[Harlequin]

Helios 44 (Any of them) - 58mm F/2, was a russian copy of acarl zeiss jena lens. Sharp and a good focal length for portraits quite cheap (£20).

 

[CBA100]

On a crop sensor I guess you will be looking at 50-85mm? I could recommend the usuals:

Super Takumar 55/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 85/1.9
Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.8
Meyer Primoplan 58/1.9
Vivitar 85/1.8 (rare, but lovely smooth bokeh)
A cheap option would be the Pentacon 50/1.8

If you want something that glows wide open:

Chinon / Reflecta / Yashica / Revuenon 55/1.4
Meyer Triplan 100/2.8 (soft wide open with crazy bokeh)

Cheers Definitely going to look out for afew of those.

Helios 44 (Any of them) - 58mm F/2, was a russian copy of acarl zeiss jena lens. Sharp and a good focal length for portraits quite cheap (£20).

Just bought one on here for £8. Thanks for the recommendation

 

[BacktotheFuji]

Forgot about the Helios! Great for swirly bokeh!

Standard Super Takumar 55/2 is cheap and good too:

 

[Harlequin]

I really like my Helios, just wish i had full frame to get the full swirly bokeh effect (although i do like infinity focus).