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disconnekt · 02-06-2015, 10:35 PM

I know that the M42 mount is pretty much done & over with, but with company's like Samyang, Rokinon, and Bower mainly making Manual Focus lenses, do you ever think those company's might bring it back? I know it's very (ok, extremely) unlikely, but would still be cool if they did, especially with all the improvements with glass nowadays.

**jatrax** · 02-06-2015, 10:44 PM

No. Why would they? No one makes a screw mount camera anymore.

disconnekt · 02-06-2015, 10:46 PM

For people who have & use screwmount cameras and can't find certain lenses they would like to have in their collection to use.

**grahame** · 02-06-2015, 11:12 PM

camera makers make more $$ from lens than on body. I guess no one will make a screw mount DSLR, and ask user to buy M42 lenses from eBay.

**jatrax** · 02-06-2015, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by disconnekt

For people who have & use screwmount cameras and can't find certain lenses they would like to have in their collection to use.

Sadly, I think that market is too small to attract new new development. What lens are you looking for that does not already exist?

Not a Number · 02-06-2015, 11:30 PM

Production resumed Helios 40-2, Zenitar, TeleZenitar

Zav · 02-07-2015, 12:55 AM

Zeiss/Cosina and Voigtlander/Cosina (all in all Cosina) were (was) producing M42 lenses (even a camera if I am not mistaken) not so long ago. Just a few years back. But not anymore. I think it means something.

Na Horuk · 02-07-2015, 05:12 AM - **1 Like**

Yep, Zeiss and Voigtlander and Schneider were producing m42 lenses until recently and you can still find them as new. But the problem is that screwmount is just too difficult. Bayonet is faster to dis/mount, strong, allows WR, easy to set up aperture control, lens ID contacts, and AF.. and the screw mount is even more narrow than the K-mount, has relatively big register distance.. the screwmount is simply a passed technology, has too many cons and not enough pros. I don't think any DSLR was made in m42, and I don't think there ever will be one. But there are plenty of m42 adapters for.. well, almost all 35mm and smaller camera systems.
Of course, you can still buy any of the many m42 lenses and cameras out there. Some are really great. Try a Zeiss ikon, I think these will give you the most functionality with electro m42 lenses. Or you can just adapt an m42 on your Pentax gear, maybe buy a focus screen for easier focusing, and bam! I enjoy using m42 glass on my K-01. With live view and focus peaking, it is quite good.

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-07-2015, 06:24 AM

M42 lenses are not dead yet.

I bought a brand new zenitar 16mm fisheye, just to round out the bottom of my M42 kit,I have the following focal lengths all in M42 and my adaptor is perminant lay in my K10

M42 kit is 16/2.8, 24/2.5, 28/2.5, 35/2, 50/1.4, 50/4macro, 55/1.8, 58/2, 85/1.9, 90/2.5, 105/2.8, 135/2.8, 180/3.5, 200/3.5, 300/4.5

I have some repeats at 55, 135, and 200 at slower apertures as well.

I like shooting manual focus lenses and built an entire kit to use with my K10 once I upgraded to K7 & K5 for autofocus. I have a similar, but slightly wider range of MF lenses in K/KA mount as well

lytrytyr · 02-07-2015, 06:31 AM

M42 lenses are still in regular production:

Large Image Format Lenses | ZEISS International

"The F-Mount and the M42 Mount are popular standard for high-resolution industrial cameras with large sensor sizes up to 24 x 36 mm"

vonBaloney · 02-07-2015, 08:41 AM

I have a native m42 Lensbaby. Once in a while someone comes out with one since they know it can be adapted to so many things easily. I suspect we might see a few come out of China in the next few years -- seems like they should had an m42 for that new Venus macro, I would have preferred it. Another main thing holding it back is that it can't be adapted to Nikon's SLR mount without a glass adapter so they always have to make a separate Nikon version anyway. But let's face it, it is only going to be for specialty lenses (or formats) because you not only lose autofocus, but auto-aperture and other lens/body communication. Pretty small market.

disconnekt · 02-07-2015, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Sadly, I think that market is too small to attract new new development. What lens are you looking for that does not already exist?

True, I'm sure there's some people who would like to see it come back again (to a degree), but not enough for a majority of lens makers to really act on it.

TaoMaas · 02-07-2015, 08:49 AM

Hmm...let me think about this. Uh..no.

**boriscleto** · 02-07-2015, 09:02 AM

One thing that has surprised me is that none of these cheap Chinese manual lenses (Mitakon, Venus Macro) have come out in M42. It makes more sense to make them in M42 (or T-mount) that can be adapted to just about anything.

vonBaloney · 02-07-2015, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

One thing that has surprised me is that none of these cheap Chinese manual lenses (Mitakon, Venus Macro) have come out in M42. It makes more sense to make them in M42 (or T-mount) that can be adapted to just about anything.

I think they do essentially manufacturer it as a t-mount and then permanently attach a bayonet ring. But in such a way you can't just swap out another mount like a real t-mount. At least that's how the Venus looks (going from photos). I think the early Mitakons actually had 'A' contacts, didn't they? Seems like they gave up on that quickly though. Do they not have an aperture lever either?

02-06-2015, 10:35 PM	#1
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,702	M42 ever comeback? I know that the M42 mount is pretty much done & over with, but with company's like Samyang, Rokinon, and Bower mainly making Manual Focus lenses, do you ever think those company's might bring it back? I know it's very (ok, extremely) unlikely, but would still be cool if they did, especially with all the improvements with glass nowadays.

02-07-2015, 05:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Yep, Zeiss and Voigtlander and Schneider were producing m42 lenses until recently and you can still find them as new. But the problem is that screwmount is just too difficult. Bayonet is faster to dis/mount, strong, allows WR, easy to set up aperture control, lens ID contacts, and AF.. and the screw mount is even more narrow than the K-mount, has relatively big register distance.. the screwmount is simply a passed technology, has too many cons and not enough pros. I don't think any DSLR was made in m42, and I don't think there ever will be one. But there are plenty of m42 adapters for.. well, almost all 35mm and smaller camera systems. Of course, you can still buy any of the many m42 lenses and cameras out there. Some are really great. Try a Zeiss ikon, I think these will give you the most functionality with electro m42 lenses. Or you can just adapt an m42 on your Pentax gear, maybe buy a focus screen for easier focusing, and bam! I enjoy using m42 glass on my K-01. With live view and focus peaking, it is quite good. Last edited by Na Horuk; 02-08-2015 at 04:33 AM.

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02-06-2015, 10:44 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	No. Why would they? No one makes a screw mount camera anymore.

02-06-2015, 10:46 PM	#3
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,702 Original Poster	For people who have & use screwmount cameras and can't find certain lenses they would like to have in their collection to use.

02-06-2015, 11:12 PM	#4
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	camera makers make more $$ from lens than on body. I guess no one will make a screw mount DSLR, and ask user to buy M42 lenses from eBay.

02-06-2015, 11:21 PM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by disconnekt For people who have & use screwmount cameras and can't find certain lenses they would like to have in their collection to use. Sadly, I think that market is too small to attract new new development. What lens are you looking for that does not already exist?

02-06-2015, 11:30 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Production resumed Helios 40-2, Zenitar, TeleZenitar

02-07-2015, 12:55 AM	#7
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Zeiss/Cosina and Voigtlander/Cosina (all in all Cosina) were (was) producing M42 lenses (even a camera if I am not mistaken) not so long ago. Just a few years back. But not anymore. I think it means something.

02-07-2015, 06:24 AM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	M42 lenses are not dead yet. I bought a brand new zenitar 16mm fisheye, just to round out the bottom of my M42 kit,I have the following focal lengths all in M42 and my adaptor is perminant lay in my K10 M42 kit is 16/2.8, 24/2.5, 28/2.5, 35/2, 50/1.4, 50/4macro, 55/1.8, 58/2, 85/1.9, 90/2.5, 105/2.8, 135/2.8, 180/3.5, 200/3.5, 300/4.5 I have some repeats at 55, 135, and 200 at slower apertures as well. I like shooting manual focus lenses and built an entire kit to use with my K10 once I upgraded to K7 & K5 for autofocus. I have a similar, but slightly wider range of MF lenses in K/KA mount as well

02-07-2015, 06:31 AM	#10
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	M42 lenses are still in regular production: Large Image Format Lenses \| ZEISS International "The F-Mount and the M42 Mount are popular standard for high-resolution industrial cameras with large sensor sizes up to 24 x 36 mm"

02-07-2015, 08:41 AM	#11
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I have a native m42 Lensbaby. Once in a while someone comes out with one since they know it can be adapted to so many things easily. I suspect we might see a few come out of China in the next few years -- seems like they should had an m42 for that new Venus macro, I would have preferred it. Another main thing holding it back is that it can't be adapted to Nikon's SLR mount without a glass adapter so they always have to make a separate Nikon version anyway. But let's face it, it is only going to be for specialty lenses (or formats) because you not only lose autofocus, but auto-aperture and other lens/body communication. Pretty small market.

02-07-2015, 08:42 AM	#12
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,702 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax Sadly, I think that market is too small to attract new new development. What lens are you looking for that does not already exist? True, I'm sure there's some people who would like to see it come back again (to a degree), but not enough for a majority of lens makers to really act on it.

02-07-2015, 08:49 AM	#13
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Hmm...let me think about this. Uh..no.

02-07-2015, 09:02 AM	#14
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	One thing that has surprised me is that none of these cheap Chinese manual lenses (Mitakon, Venus Macro) have come out in M42. It makes more sense to make them in M42 (or T-mount) that can be adapted to just about anything.

02-07-2015, 09:09 AM	#15
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by boriscleto One thing that has surprised me is that none of these cheap Chinese manual lenses (Mitakon, Venus Macro) have come out in M42. It makes more sense to make them in M42 (or T-mount) that can be adapted to just about anything. I think they do essentially manufacturer it as a t-mount and then permanently attach a bayonet ring. But in such a way you can't just swap out another mount like a real t-mount. At least that's how the Venus looks (going from photos). I think the early Mitakons actually had 'A' contacts, didn't they? Seems like they gave up on that quickly though. Do they not have an aperture lever either?

M42 ever comeback?

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