What is a Focal MC Lens?

stevebrot · 02-15-2010, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I don't know who moved this but it was a bit ridiculous. You do realize these are k-mount? Are you going to go back and move all of the Sigma, Tammy, Voightlander, Sears etc. K-mount lens threads?

Ditto...Why was this thread moved?

Steve

**ChrisPlatt** · 02-16-2010, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by Blue

They are actually quite nice.

For fit, finish and "feel" even yesterday's budget-priced manual focus lenses
put most of today's expensive name brand (Pentax included) AF lenses to shame.

Chris

RioRico · 02-22-2010, 01:32 PM

Bi-Focal'd, get it? Anyway, I have just one Focal lens, a PK 135/2.8 that compares favorably with others of its ilk. It cost all of US$25 on eBay. And I have a monstrous, tank-like (but ultra-crisp) M42 Jupiter-21M 200/4 (also US$25 new), probably made within the last couple years, and a lightweight M42 Hanimar 135/3.5 (US$15 new) of similar recent vintage. I note the availability of other Russian and Chinese M42s, freshly minted. So an M42 market apparently still exists. And/or maybe the makers are just too lazy or cheap to change their assembly lines.

I also own what's reputedly the most advanced M42 camera ever produced -- most advanced, because it was probably among the last, dating from 1977. The Chinon-made Argus CR-3E aka GAF LES-2 aka Chinon CE-2, also tank-like, is my mount of choice for my Vivitar Series I (ver.1) 70-210, and for that new Jupiter-21M beast. With these in hand, I can break down doors and crush skulls. Berserker cameras! More modestly, it's also great with 21s & 24s & fisheyes & bellows. The CR-3E, and its fast & crisp Auto-Cintar 55/1.7, set me back a whole US$6 on eBay.

OK, questions are begged: When did M42 135 film cams go out of production? Aren't some Russian cine cams still made, with M42 mounts? What's the best M42 cam ever?

SOldBear · 02-22-2010, 01:58 PM

As stated, Focal was K-Mart store brand.

Similar to JC Penney and Sears brands, the lenses were made by various manufacturers.

I had a Focal 28mm F/2.8. It looked identical to my Chinon 28mm F/2.8.

Blue · 02-22-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

As stated, Focal was K-Mart store brand.

Similar to JC Penney and Sears brands, the lenses were made by various manufacturers.

I had a Focal 28mm F/2.8. It looked identical to my Chinon 28mm F/2.8.

Do you know the optical formula of the Chinon 28mm f2.8?

stevebrot · 02-22-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

...When did M42 135 film cams go out of production? Aren't some Russian cine cams still made, with M42 mounts...

I don't know about Russian cine cams, but Russian Zenit M42 SLRs were produced into the early 1990s. The most recent M42 body that I am aware of is the Cosina/Voigtlander Bessaflex TM. It debuted in 2003 and went out of production a few years later. The Bessaflex TM is sort of a cult classic and seems to command pretty high prices.

Steve

SOldBear · 02-22-2010, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Do you know the optical formula of the Chinon 28mm f2.8?

No, I don't. But optically it was quite nice, on par with my SMC-M 28mm.

I sold both the Chinon and the Focal. In fact, I just got an SMC-F 28mm and will soon sell 2 28mm manual focus lenses: PK Tokina and PKA Promaster.

Blue · 02-25-2010, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by SOldBear

No, I don't. But optically it was quite nice, on par with my SMC-M 28mm.

I sold both the Chinon and the Focal. In fact, I just got an SMC-F 28mm and will soon sell 2 28mm manual focus lenses: PK Tokina and PKA Promaster.

The reason I asked is the Focal 28mm has an interesting optical formula and is different from the M 28mm f2.8 which is a 7/7 and the Focal is 8/7 which is what the Pentax M and A 28mm f2 had.

Edit: Do you know the specs on your Tokina?

02-16-2010, 05:09 PM	#17
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697	Metal vs Plastic Originally posted by Blue They are actually quite nice. For fit, finish and "feel" even yesterday's budget-priced manual focus lenses put most of today's expensive name brand (Pentax included) AF lenses to shame. Chris

02-22-2010, 01:32 PM	#18
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I'm only slightly Focal'd - and bi Bi-Focal'd, get it? Anyway, I have just one Focal lens, a PK 135/2.8 that compares favorably with others of its ilk. It cost all of US$25 on eBay. And I have a monstrous, tank-like (but ultra-crisp) M42 Jupiter-21M 200/4 (also US$25 new), probably made within the last couple years, and a lightweight M42 Hanimar 135/3.5 (US$15 new) of similar recent vintage. I note the availability of other Russian and Chinese M42s, freshly minted. So an M42 market apparently still exists. And/or maybe the makers are just too lazy or cheap to change their assembly lines. I also own what's reputedly the most advanced M42 camera ever produced -- most advanced, because it was probably among the last, dating from 1977. The Chinon-made Argus CR-3E aka GAF LES-2 aka Chinon CE-2, also tank-like, is my mount of choice for my Vivitar Series I (ver.1) 70-210, and for that new Jupiter-21M beast. With these in hand, I can break down doors and crush skulls. Berserker cameras! More modestly, it's also great with 21s & 24s & fisheyes & bellows. The CR-3E, and its fast & crisp Auto-Cintar 55/1.7, set me back a whole US$6 on eBay. OK, questions are begged: When did M42 135 film cams go out of production? Aren't some Russian cine cams still made, with M42 mounts? What's the best M42 cam ever?

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02-15-2010, 11:12 PM	#16
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Blue I don't know who moved this but it was a bit ridiculous. You do realize these are k-mount? Are you going to go back and move all of the Sigma, Tammy, Voightlander, Sears etc. K-mount lens threads? Ditto...Why was this thread moved? Steve

02-22-2010, 01:58 PM	#19
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	As stated, Focal was K-Mart store brand. Similar to JC Penney and Sears brands, the lenses were made by various manufacturers. I had a Focal 28mm F/2.8. It looked identical to my Chinon 28mm F/2.8.

02-22-2010, 02:08 PM	#20
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by SOldBear As stated, Focal was K-Mart store brand. Similar to JC Penney and Sears brands, the lenses were made by various manufacturers. I had a Focal 28mm F/2.8. It looked identical to my Chinon 28mm F/2.8. Do you know the optical formula of the Chinon 28mm f2.8?

02-22-2010, 07:04 PM	#21
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by RioRico ...When did M42 135 film cams go out of production? Aren't some Russian cine cams still made, with M42 mounts... I don't know about Russian cine cams, but Russian Zenit M42 SLRs were produced into the early 1990s. The most recent M42 body that I am aware of is the Cosina/Voigtlander Bessaflex TM. It debuted in 2003 and went out of production a few years later. The Bessaflex TM is sort of a cult classic and seems to command pretty high prices. Steve

02-22-2010, 11:36 PM	#22
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by Blue Do you know the optical formula of the Chinon 28mm f2.8? No, I don't. But optically it was quite nice, on par with my SMC-M 28mm. I sold both the Chinon and the Focal. In fact, I just got an SMC-F 28mm and will soon sell 2 28mm manual focus lenses: PK Tokina and PKA Promaster.

02-25-2010, 12:10 AM	#23
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by SOldBear No, I don't. But optically it was quite nice, on par with my SMC-M 28mm. I sold both the Chinon and the Focal. In fact, I just got an SMC-F 28mm and will soon sell 2 28mm manual focus lenses: PK Tokina and PKA Promaster. The reason I asked is the Focal 28mm has an interesting optical formula and is different from the M 28mm f2.8 which is a 7/7 and the Focal is 8/7 which is what the Pentax M and A 28mm f2 had. Edit: Do you know the specs on your Tokina?