cheap shiny chrome lenses?

keyser · 11-26-2010, 09:50 PM

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My question is pretty simple. I'm on the look out for a shiny chrome lens, but I only really want one for show... any ideas for a shiny M42 or K-mount lens that might readily available for bargain prices?

I'm not too concerned about focal length, or even optical quality (soft is good for portraits right?). Just looking for a lens that looks good, is cheap and is easy to find!

paperbag846 · 11-26-2010, 10:10 PM

I dont think that this lens is all that good, but it looks BAD ASS

Industar-50 50mm F3.5 Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

RawheaD · 11-26-2010, 10:20 PM

How cheap is cheap? You should be able to get a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/2.8 for around $50. The Industar 50 is a capable lens, but it is short, so I don't know about the looks factor. Another favorite one is a Helios-44 in M39 mount. Great chrome body; you'd need a M39-M42 ring, though.

keyser · 11-26-2010, 10:29 PM

I'd quite like to find a chrome industar 50... according to the review section, they for for an average of $23, but good luck finding one.

I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options!

paperbag846 · 11-26-2010, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by keyser

I'd quite like to find a chrome industar 50... according to the review section, they for for an average of $23, but good luck finding one.

I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options!

There are a few on ebay from around the world, but they work out to more than 23 dollars due to shipping costs...

ovim · 11-26-2010, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by keyser

I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options!

It isn't quite that simple. There's old Russian SLR M39 and then there's the Leica M39 (L39?). The SLR lenses like aforementioned Helios 44 can be used with a simple M39-M42 step-up ring and M42->K adapter because they have the same registration distance as M42/K-mount.

But the Leica 39mm mount has much shorter registration distance and while you can mount lenses the same way they're next to useless because you can only focus them to very short (macro) distances on a DSLR.

To make things even more confusing Russian M39 lenses come in both varieties so make sure for which camera the lens is made for. If they're made for Zenit they're OK but Fed and Zorki (Leica copies) are not.

Sometimes you can find nice lenses cheaper when they come attached to camera. For silver Helios 44 or Industar look for a Zenit 3M if it has a lens you know you can use it.

Arjay Bee · 11-27-2010, 03:05 AM

This one has the looks but may be more expensive than you want - works well too:

Isco-Gottingen Westanar 150mm preset with heaps of aperture blades.

I purchased mine from Ebay for $120 and really like it for its looks and it does a reasonable job besides.

Thats it in the middle on a spottieII:

xjjohnno · 11-27-2010, 05:03 PM

Early Helios 44, Isco Gottingen Westenar 50mm f2.9, Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2, Meyer Optik Trioplan in 50 and 100mm. There's heaps of both Russian and German lenses worthy of a look.

ytterbium · 11-27-2010, 05:26 PM

Cant you sandpaper or paint with chrome spray a "disposable" lens?

Ira · 11-27-2010, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by keyser

I'd quite like to find a chrome industar 50... according to the review section, they for for an average of $23, but good luck finding one.

I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options!

Depending on the adapter and lens, it affects your ability for infinity focus.

stevebrot · 11-27-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by keyser

I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options!

In general, you can't. The registration distance for M39 (LTM) is less than that for any SLR, so you give up infinity focus unless there is a correction lens built into the adapter (not good). The one exception is M39 (Zenit SLR). Those lenses have the same registration distance as M42 and Pentax-K.

Steve

stevebrot · 11-27-2010, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by xjjohnno

There's heaps of both Russian and German lenses worthy of a look.

+1

There are a ton of German and FSU M42 lenses that were made in polished metal trim.

Steve

stover98074 · 11-27-2010, 07:21 PM

I have a Jupiter 9 from 1964. It is a M39 - SLR. Not all M39 lenses will work with a SLR - but this one converts to M42 and focuses to infinity on a Canon EOS body. This is an old preset 85mm f2 lens and the lens works. I must say the chrome lens is fun to use, but I have not noticed any extra comments from non photographers when mounted on my camera.

Old Takumars or Nikkors from the 1960's also have a unique look.

There are also chrome nose lenses from the 1960's. I think Vivitar made some and I have a Mamiya 135 2.8 M42 Chrome Nose. 135's are inexpensive.

This is a photo taken with the Jupiter a few weeks ago.

excanonfd · 11-27-2010, 10:21 PM

This isn't exactly cheap but here is the Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f2.8 lens from the Voigtlander Bessamatic. In order to use this lens with Pentax cameras, you need to get a DKL to PK mount or DKL to M42 mount + M42 to PK adapter, mine is the latter because DKL to PK mount is more than double the price of DKL to M42 mount. The DKL mount is also compatible with Kodak Retina III and Retina Reflex lenses. I've been checking eBay for DKL mount lenses; while the Voigtlander lenses are priced quite high, the Kodak Retina-Xenar lenses manufactured by Schneider Kreuznach seem much more affordable. DKL to M42 mount feels cheap, made to loose tolerances - I don't know how long the mount will last but I am happy to be experimenting with old German prime lens(es soon).

Thanks,

hangman43 · 11-28-2010, 06:52 AM

Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 M42 K mount Lens -for Canon Pentax - eBay (item 200540865634 end time Dec-07-10 14:50:40 PST)

11-26-2010, 09:50 PM	#1
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376	cheap shiny chrome lenses? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. My question is pretty simple. I'm on the look out for a shiny chrome lens, but I only really want one for show... any ideas for a shiny M42 or K-mount lens that might readily available for bargain prices? I'm not too concerned about focal length, or even optical quality (soft is good for portraits right?). Just looking for a lens that looks good, is cheap and is easy to find!

11-27-2010, 05:26 PM	#9
ytterbium Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,076	Cant you sandpaper or paint with chrome spray a "disposable" lens? Last edited by ytterbium; 11-27-2010 at 05:32 PM.

11-27-2010, 07:21 PM	#13
stover98074 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	I have a Jupiter 9 from 1964. It is a M39 - SLR. Not all M39 lenses will work with a SLR - but this one converts to M42 and focuses to infinity on a Canon EOS body. This is an old preset 85mm f2 lens and the lens works. I must say the chrome lens is fun to use, but I have not noticed any extra comments from non photographers when mounted on my camera. Old Takumars or Nikkors from the 1960's also have a unique look. There are also chrome nose lenses from the 1960's. I think Vivitar made some and I have a Mamiya 135 2.8 M42 Chrome Nose. 135's are inexpensive. This is a photo taken with the Jupiter a few weeks ago. Last edited by stover98074; 11-27-2010 at 07:29 PM.

11-27-2010, 10:21 PM	#14
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	This isn't exactly cheap but here is the Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f2.8 lens from the Voigtlander Bessamatic. In order to use this lens with Pentax cameras, you need to get a DKL to PK mount or DKL to M42 mount + M42 to PK adapter, mine is the latter because DKL to PK mount is more than double the price of DKL to M42 mount. The DKL mount is also compatible with Kodak Retina III and Retina Reflex lenses. I've been checking eBay for DKL mount lenses; while the Voigtlander lenses are priced quite high, the Kodak Retina-Xenar lenses manufactured by Schneider Kreuznach seem much more affordable. DKL to M42 mount feels cheap, made to loose tolerances - I don't know how long the mount will last but I am happy to be experimenting with old German prime lens(es soon). Thanks, Last edited by excanonfd; 06-15-2011 at 09:01 PM.

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11-26-2010, 10:10 PM	#2
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I dont think that this lens is all that good, but it looks BAD ASS Industar-50 50mm F3.5 Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

11-26-2010, 10:20 PM	#3
RawheaD Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 831	How cheap is cheap? You should be able to get a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50/2.8 for around $50. The Industar 50 is a capable lens, but it is short, so I don't know about the looks factor. Another favorite one is a Helios-44 in M39 mount. Great chrome body; you'd need a M39-M42 ring, though.

11-26-2010, 10:29 PM	#4
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376 Original Poster	I'd quite like to find a chrome industar 50... according to the review section, they for for an average of $23, but good luck finding one. I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options!

11-26-2010, 10:45 PM	#5
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by keyser I'd quite like to find a chrome industar 50... according to the review section, they for for an average of $23, but good luck finding one. I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options! There are a few on ebay from around the world, but they work out to more than 23 dollars due to shipping costs...

11-26-2010, 11:17 PM	#6
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Originally posted by keyser I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options! It isn't quite that simple. There's old Russian SLR M39 and then there's the Leica M39 (L39?). The SLR lenses like aforementioned Helios 44 can be used with a simple M39-M42 step-up ring and M42->K adapter because they have the same registration distance as M42/K-mount. But the Leica 39mm mount has much shorter registration distance and while you can mount lenses the same way they're next to useless because you can only focus them to very short (macro) distances on a DSLR. To make things even more confusing Russian M39 lenses come in both varieties so make sure for which camera the lens is made for. If they're made for Zenit they're OK but Fed and Zorki (Leica copies) are not. Sometimes you can find nice lenses cheaper when they come attached to camera. For silver Helios 44 or Industar look for a Zenit 3M if it has a lens you know you can use it.

11-27-2010, 03:05 AM	#7
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	This one has the looks but may be more expensive than you want - works well too: Isco-Gottingen Westanar 150mm preset with heaps of aperture blades. I purchased mine from Ebay for $120 and really like it for its looks and it does a reasonable job besides. Thats it in the middle on a spottieII:

11-27-2010, 05:03 PM	#8
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	Early Helios 44, Isco Gottingen Westenar 50mm f2.9, Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm f2, Meyer Optik Trioplan in 50 and 100mm. There's heaps of both Russian and German lenses worthy of a look.

11-27-2010, 05:49 PM	#10
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by keyser I'd quite like to find a chrome industar 50... according to the review section, they for for an average of $23, but good luck finding one. I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options! Depending on the adapter and lens, it affects your ability for infinity focus.

11-27-2010, 06:54 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by keyser I didn't realise you could simply convert m39 to m42. That does increase my options! In general, you can't. The registration distance for M39 (LTM) is less than that for any SLR, so you give up infinity focus unless there is a correction lens built into the adapter (not good). The one exception is M39 (Zenit SLR). Those lenses have the same registration distance as M42 and Pentax-K. Steve

11-27-2010, 06:55 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by xjjohnno There's heaps of both Russian and German lenses worthy of a look. +1 There are a ton of German and FSU M42 lenses that were made in polished metal trim. Steve

11-28-2010, 06:52 AM	#15
hangman43 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hueytown, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,508	Angenieux 35mm f/2.5 M42 K mount Lens -for Canon Pentax - eBay (item 200540865634 end time Dec-07-10 14:50:40 PST)