[monochrome]

the M42 adapter issue is easily solved: buy a good used last-gen DSLR (or even 2 generations old, like a K-5 IIs), mount the adapter on it with the idea that it's now your M42 body and never take the adapter off....

then go lens shopping...

Once I finish playing with my new-to-me K-5lls I plan to take your advice. Which will justify keeping my small collection of Taks whenever I do the Big Gear Selloff.

AFA fast 50’s I have a dozen or so and each has its own character. My MESuper (c. 1984) came as a boxed set with a M50/1.4 and anflash.

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Last edited by monochrome; 07-09-2019 at 02:59 PM.

[Aaron28]

Considering that I find myself enjoy shooting more primes, what would be your suggestion?

'A' lenses would be good for manual primes or AF and maintain flash capabilities considering you have the 540......sears 'a' 135/f2.8 macro is one my favorite lenses, jc penney 'a' 28/f2.8 is a great performer as well......having pttl and hss flash with older glass is nice to have and enjoy using it

love all the old Russian glass.....how nice it would be to use a helios-44 58/f2 with hss....oh well

other neat old lenses whether M42 or T-mount are preset lenses that are stepless aperture and typically have multiple aperture blades maintaining a circular bokeh (vs hexagon)

good luck and enjoy the many that will go through yer hands once you start! it's a wonderous thing

[PWhite214]

I have quite a few film SLR cameras, Pentax, Minolta, Mamiya, Exa, Exakta, not counting some folders and range finder cameras. I have a collection of manual lenses in M42, Pentax K, MD/MC/SR, and Exa/Exakta mounts. My first SLR was a used Pentax H1A so I have Takumar lenses from 28mm to 300mm. The M42 mount lenses can, with adapters, be used on most of my film and digital bodies. Tamron Adaptall lenses, especially the SP models fit most cameras and are uniformly good to great lenses. Most of the Tamron Adaptall's are reasonably priced. I recently bought a TAMRON SP 60-300mmm f/3.8-5.4 for less than $30 USD. Some of the third party lens are very good to great, take a look at the lens reviews on this forum, and there is lots of reviews on dyxum and allphotolenses so you check out reviews.

Phil

[subidoc]

To the OP:
There's a fair amount of technical information provided, alone with a healthy dose of philosophy. Both are extremely important when it comes to the art of photography. So pick an excellent lens with any mount or lens type (K or it's various iterations, M42, etc), use it to your heart's content, and move on to the next if it doesn't seem to resonate with you. If you enjoy it, you will use it..
Cheers!

[Lev]

To the OP:
There's a fair amount of technical information provided, alone with a healthy dose of philosophy. Both are extremely important when it comes to the art of photography. So pick an excellent lens with any mount or lens type (K or it's various iterations, M42, etc), use it to your heart's content, and move on to the next if it doesn't seem to resonate with you. If you enjoy it, you will use it..
Cheers!

So far I have not been disappointed in any of the good copy of Pentax lenses. Of course it's a new era but even my cheapest 50-300 lens delivers so good images that I sometimes cunfused thinking how the lens in this price category is able to do so well. I'm sure that each of these old lenses has its own charm. I just need to get them.. all :d

[Kerrowdown]

But interesting, what would they say about Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8?

That's why she's called "Lady Luck" and she always manages to produce some fine imagery for me when I ask her nicely.

[Lev]

That's why she's called "Lady Luck" and she always manages to produce some fine imagery for me when I ask her nicely.

Today I was playing with DOF on this bridge using my DFA 50mm 1.4 and the focal length of your lovely lens suddenly came to my mind, wondering how it would handle OOF areas at the beggining of the bridge as I was focusing near its end. Anyway I guess it wouldn't be possible without changing my position.

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[Kerrowdown]

wondering how it would handle OOF areas at the beginning of the bridge

Strangely enough I can actually show you that.

This image was taken on a cold sunny February morning, focussed on the middle of the bridge curve top right... "Lady Luck” (Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) wide open @ F1.7

[Lev]

Strangely enough I can actually show you that.

This image was taken on a cold sunny February morning, focussed on the middle of the bridge curve top right... "Lady Luck” (Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8) wide open @ F1.7

Well, I can definitely see a nice OOF Very nice circular shapes in bokeh!

[Take-5-JB]

A vote for K55mm f1.8, M100mm f2.8, and a zoom M35-105mm f3.5 for work in manual.

JB

[Kerrowdown]

Well, I can definitely see a nice OOF Very nice circular shapes in bokeh!

I hope it helps with you next purchase decision...

[paolojackson]

What are the best options for a 135mm prime with A setting after the A* 135mm? I'm looking for good center sharpness wide open.

[kypfer]

What are the best options for a 135mm prime with A setting after the A* 135mm? I'm looking for good center sharpness wide open.

I've yet to find a "bad" 135mm, but for starters the Tamron Adaptall-2 135mm f/2.5 #03B is a good all-rounder with the advantage of a reasonably close minimum focus, 4ft. Just remember to factor in the cost of a PKA adaptor if you don't already have one, they command quite a premium price these days, unless you gat lucky

[iheiramo]

I have almost all of the M series primes, but very little experience with other series. I started my travel into legacy lenses with M's due to price. If you like to get the cheapest possible test set, I'd suggest M28/2.8 or 3.5, M50/1.7, M135/3.5 and M200/4. All are below 50€ lenses and produce nice rendering. Fifty is a special case and as good as anything short of new DFA*50/1.4, but others are not the sharpest in series, but still good enough for internet use.

If you are willing to put a little bit more money into the set look into M35/2.8, M40/2.8, M50/4 macro, M120/2.8 and M150/3.5. These should be around 100€ each. M120 and M150 are the secret lenses and sold well below what they are worth, as they are the best tele lenses in the series. Way better than M100 or M135. Hard to find thought. Also M35/2.8 has excellent value. And don't forget that M50/1.7

Other good options from M's, M35/2, M85/2 & M*300/4, are in a price group 200-350€. These might be worth the money, if you decide to stick in manual world, but I would start with cheaper ones.

I've shot Single In Challenge with all my M primes in APSC format and I'm currently doing them in FF. My skills have improved during the process, so lenses shot in the beginning are in disadvantage, but still it should show what the lenses are capeable to: Ismo Heiramo?s albums | Flickr

My current favorites, AKA the group I choose travel lenses from, are: F17-28 FE, M35/2, M40/2.8, M50/1.7, M50/4, M85/2, M100/4, M120/2.8, M150/3.5, Tak 200/3.5 and M*300/4. I have added two lenses to cover the weaknesses of M series and can recommend both.

[Lev]

I have almost all of the M series primes, but very little experience with other series. I started my travel into legacy lenses with M's due to price. If you like to get the cheapest possible test set, I'd suggest M28/2.8 or 3.5, M50/1.7, M135/3.5 and M200/4. All are below 50€ lenses and produce nice rendering. Fifty is a special case and as good as anything short of new DFA*50/1.4, but others are not the sharpest in series, but still good enough for internet use.

If you are willing to put a little bit more money into the set look into M35/2.8, M40/2.8, M50/4 macro, M120/2.8 and M150/3.5. These should be around 100€ each. M120 and M150 are the secret lenses and sold well below what they are worth, as they are the best tele lenses in the series. Way better than M100 or M135. Hard to find thought. Also M35/2.8 has excellent value. And don't forget that M50/1.7

Other good options from M's, M35/2, M85/2 & M*300/4, are in a price group 200-350€. These might be worth the money, if you decide to stick in manual world, but I would start with cheaper ones.

I've shot Single In Challenge with all my M primes in APSC format and I'm currently doing them in FF. My skills have improved during the process, so lenses shot in the beginning are in disadvantage, but still it should show what the lenses are capeable to: Ismo Heiramo?s albums | Flickr

My current favorites, AKA the group I choose travel lenses from, are: F17-28 FE, M35/2, M40/2.8, M50/1.7, M50/4, M85/2, M100/4, M120/2.8, M150/3.5, Tak 200/3.5 and M*300/4. I have added two lenses to cover the weaknesses of M series and can recommend both.

Hey thanks a lot!! very useful info.