M42 Adapter suggestion

[Bob Tuttle]

I found this on the internet in one of the forums. I believe that it was the rangefinder camera forum.


Convert those M42 lenses to K-Mount!
I am not a camera repair guy but I HATED putting that #%$# M42-Pentax-K adapter ring off-n-on my K-mount SLR when I wanted to use K lenses. Love the M42 lenses (most of them anyway) - hate the M42 adapter ring.

I read some instructions on the net about how to convert these lenses permanently to Pentax K - so I did two over the weekend: an 85/2 Jupiter 9 and 50/1.4 Super Takumar. Two of my favorite lenses.

The process entails:

1. Removing the spring clip on the adapter ring
2. Screwing the "adapted" adapter ring to the rear of the lens
3. Then cutting a notch in the rear of the lens where it "locks" to the camera body.

Read a few posts here and there of people who are loathe to do this. But it was easy as pie. "Official Instructions" use a drill to make the notch but I used a small file - worked like a champ.

So, so, so much nicer just clicking these lenses in and out like a "regular" Pentax K mount lens. I used the Roxen adapters which focus to infinity - a bit more expensive but I highly recommend.