Opinions on Praktica MTL5 & Super Tak 55mm f/2?

[RichyX]

Spotted the above combo for 60€ in a charity shop.
Looks to be in lovely condition.
Worth a look?

If the lens is any good I might get an adapter and use it on my K20D and superA.

[ytterbium]

Sometimes i use MTL5 + SMC Tak 55/1.8. Nice combo.
If the camera is in full working order it has the advantage of full manual MECHANICAL operation ( i was surprised that it is already become hard to find such cameras in good condition today at reasonable price). Most have only 1/125 mechanical speed or none at all, just manual metering (and electronic shutter action).

Even if the batteries die or meter dosn't work, all its speeds remain operational. You can keep the shutter open in a bulb mode for an infinite time aswell (since no power used) - only then you need a mechanical release cable with locking option.

If your'e good with electronics, you can modify its metering circuit with stabistor diode to use modern batteries (1.5V oposed to older 1.35V) but some say it meters just fine with 1.5V too.

It is known to have problems with film rewing mechanism and whery hard mirror action (slap).
]I'd say that the lens is very good aswell (55/1.8 on K200d and Kodak Ektar 100):

Click for larger size.


Click for larger size.


Click for larger size.

[Jonson PL]

Originally Posted by ytterbium

Sometimes i use MTL5 + SMC Tak 55/1.8. Nice combo.
If the camera is in full working order it has the advantage of full manual MECHANICAL operation ( i was surprised that it is already become hard to find such cameras in good condition today at reasonable price). Most have only 1/125 mechanical speed or none at all, just manual metering (and electronic shutter action).

Even if the batteries die or meter dosn't work, all its speeds remain operational. You can keep the shutter open in a bulb mode for an infinite time aswell (since no power used) - only then you need a mechanical release cable with locking option.

If your'e good with electronics, you can modify its metering circuit with stabistor diode to use modern batteries (1.5V oposed to older 1.35V) but some say it meters just fine with 1.5V too.

It is known to have problems with film rewing mechanism and whery hard mirror action (slap).
]I'd say that the lens is very good aswell (55/1.8 on K200d and Kodak Ektar 100):

Click for larger size.

What aperture were you at ? amazingly sharp and crisp image

[Fixcinater]

The Super Tak 55mm f/2 and the f/1.8 version are both fantastic. Price seems high for what I've seen around here, but I don't know your area...

[Ben_Edict]

I would also say, that the price is a bit steep. For that money you should find a Spotmatic in good condition, which is an altogether more refined camera.

Ben

[Fixcinater]

Here's a sample from my Super Tak 55mm f/1.8 with 68mm of extension tubes. It's a great macro lens, although my Fuji 55mm f/1.8 holds better sharpness at apertures smaller than f/11.

[ytterbium]

Originally Posted by Jonson PL

What aperture were you at ? amazingly sharp and crisp image

Most likely F1.8 or F2.2 at max. Shot RAW. I've actually haven't used that lens that much, bought it as a cheap replacement for my f50/1.7 and it did really good for a 50$ lens.
...
Update: Yep, seems to be F1.8 and you can see the rest of the exif here aswell: Alienation 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (ISO 640, 1/50).
Btw, it was shot hand held under two 18W fluorescent tubes (6500k and 2700k). If your'e interested i can look up the original and post a 100% crop later.

Edit: As promised - uploaded a 100% crop from UFRAW/GIMP. No processing other than cropping and contrast increase for main curve:

[RichyX]

I'll probably give it a miss from what I've read about the body.
A friend is interested in buying it, so I might try to convince him to sell be the lens to me if he goes for it

[ChrisPlatt]

Wouldn't you really rather have a Pentax?

Chris

[kryss]

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

Wouldn't you really rather have a Pentax?

Chris

Hi Chris platt. I have 19 Pentax bodies from H1a/S1 to K7,I recently won the Pentacon MTL5 from our friend still22 on ebay,whom I highly reccomend,so I know it is going to be in mint condition,I don't see why pentaxians should not try other mfgs,mechanical bodies with the superb pentax lenses we all own or crave,after all it is M42 so why not live dangerously and dare to try something different,plus the $7.00 it cost me will not be wasted even if it ends up as a door stop.My motto has always been "try it you might like it"

[kryss]

Originally Posted by kryss

Hi Chris platt. I have 19 Pentax bodies from H1a/S1 to K7,I recently won the Pentacon MTL5 from our friend still22 on ebay,whom I highly reccomend,so I know it is going to be in mint condition,I don't see why pentaxians should not try other mfgs,mechanical bodies with the superb pentax lenses we all own or crave,after all it is M42 so why not live dangerously and dare to try something different,plus the $7.00 it cost me will not be wasted even if it ends up as a door stop.My motto has always been "try it you might like it"