Zenitar mount types - K/M/N

[Dangerous_Dave]

Hi folks, I need some advice please. I bought what I assumed was a Canon-fit Zenitar f2.8/16mm fisheye from a Russian trader on ebay last October. The same as this (same trader as well):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lens-Zenitar-...0|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

Note the picture is a Zenitar-K, not a Zenitar-M as advertised.

When mine came it was indeed a Zenitar-K, not Zenitar-M which I thought was odd, especially as the aperture marker is way off-centre when the lens is correctly mounted, but as it fitted my EOS300D and EOS20D and worked (I've used it for hundreds of widefield astrophotos) I didn't give it much further thought. That was until I tried to fit it to my wife's 10D last night, and it just wouldn't fit due to the big chunk of metal hanging off the back, which I presume is the Pentax aperture control.

Am I right in thinking this is a Pentax lens? It looks identical to the one in the above auction. If so, which is the mount I need for the Canon? I've seen the M designation used in connection with M42 and Olympus from the same seller, and I don't have a lot of faith in him to be honest. Does anyone know of a reliable Zenitar dealer in the UK where I can get the Canon lens?

Fortunately my brother-in-law is an amateur photographer using Pentax, so if it is a Pentax lens, he may find use for it.

I feel quite embarrassed about this - though in my defence, I am a relative newbie and all the paperwork was in Russian!

Thanks in anticipation.

D

 

[Canon Bob]

From the mount picture, it looks like it's a Pentax K-mount origin with an EOS mount engineered onto it. I struggling to understand how the aperture will work though.

Bob

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

From the mount picture, it looks like it's a Pentax K-mount origin with an EOS mount engineered onto it. I struggling to understand how the aperture will work though.

Bob

Thanks Bob, now that really complicates things. I've only really used the lens for bulb exposures with the aperture set manually, either to f2.8 or stopped down a click or two.

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

I sent the seller an email pointing out he was listing his auctions "Zenitar M" and posting Zenitar K...this was his helpful reply...

A lot of people ? What You talking about ? See my feedbacks. If You bought a wrong lens by mistake - it's not my problem, ok ? Just buy adapter ring k/EOS and be happy.

Thanks

- moscowphoto

Of course what they should say is "Zenitar K with shonky Canon conversion and annoying sticky out aperture lever. Works with some Canon EOS, for 1D, 5D, 10D buy a hacksaw."

 

[andrew748]

I sent the seller an email pointing out he was listing his auctions "Zenitar M" and posting Zenitar K...this was his helpful reply...



Of course what they should say is "Zenitar K with shonky Canon conversion and annoying sticky out aperture lever. Works with some Canon EOS, for 1D, 5D, 10D buy a hacksaw."

How do these compare on a crop sensor?

I have a 40D and would like to try some fishyness

 

[Dangerous_Dave]

How do these compare on a crop sensor?

I have a 40D and would like to try some fishyness

Not very "fishy" to be honest, but a good, cheap wide lens nonetheless. Have a look on my Flickr page - most of the startrails are imaged with it.

It's done a nice job, but it will probably go as soon as I've raised enough money for the Sigma 10mm (which might be a few months as I've just blown a load of money on an astronomical CCD :nuts: )