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11-25-2019, 07:28 AM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by reh321 Quote
I noticed that the 37mm 'Mir 1b' is missing from your list?
The Mir-1B I'm not so keen on. The earlier Mir-1 (no "B" or "V" suffix) is definitely a favourite of mine, but I hesitate to recommend it to folks because of the potential for fouling the mirror when focused to infinity, depending on the SLR or DSLR camera used. If not for that, I'd recommend it...


Last edited by BigMackCam; 11-25-2019 at 03:46 PM.
11-25-2019, 08:29 AM   #17
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I would toss out the S-M-C 200/4 as an option to consider. I've had one for years and used it all the time on film and loved it and still use it on digital but not as much as I usually want that ~200 FF equivalent field of view so I use my 135mm or I want narrower still and use my 300mm. It is really sharp once you get it to f/5.6 and it can be had for next to nothing. You can also find a number of the old Vivitar Series 1 lenses in M42 mount and I like my 135mm f/2.3 Series 1 a lot as it is a fine lens, soft and kind of glowy wide open (get the glamour shots effect directly on film without any filters) but gets really sharp when stopped down. My only disappointment is that it purple fringes like mad when doing astrophotography, even more so than the D FA 100/2.5 WR macro, so it sees no use there.
11-25-2019, 08:33 AM - 1 Like   #18
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There simply cannot be a discussion about "Very Best M42 Lenses" without a mention of the mighty Takumar 200mm F3.5, a lens that is nearly exotic but also accessible and affordable.
11-25-2019, 10:47 AM - 1 Like   #19
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My personal favorite will always be the simple kit lens from those days.
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f1.8



11-25-2019, 10:57 AM   #20
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The Super Takumar 35mm f2 and the 28mm f3.5 Both are sublime in the colors and rendering.
11-25-2019, 11:27 AM - 1 Like   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by MossyRocks Quote
I would toss out the S-M-C 200/4 as an option to consider. I've had one for years and used it all the time on film and loved it and still use it on digital but not as much as I usually want that ~200 FF equivalent field of view so I use my 135mm or I want narrower still and use my 300mm. It is really sharp once you get it to f/5.6 and it can be had for next to nothing. You can also find a number of the old Vivitar Series 1 lenses in M42 mount and I like my 135mm f/2.3 Series 1 a lot as it is a fine lens, soft and kind of glowy wide open (get the glamour shots effect directly on film without any filters) but gets really sharp when stopped down. My only disappointment is that it purple fringes like mad when doing astrophotography, even more so than the D FA 100/2.5 WR macro, so it sees no use there.
QuoteOriginally posted by luftfluss Quote
There simply cannot be a discussion about "Very Best M42 Lenses" without a mention of the mighty Takumar 200mm F3.5, a lens that is nearly exotic but also accessible and affordable.
Owning both an SMC tak 200/4 and the Takumar preset 200/3.5 I would take the 200/3.5 any time.

It is really a great lens.
11-25-2019, 12:02 PM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lowell Goudge Quote
Owning both an SMC tak 200/4 and the Takumar preset 200/3.5 I would take the 200/3.5 any time.

It is really a great lens.
I'm actually curious how the 3.5 does in astro being a bit faster but an older design. Some lenses are great in normal circumstances are absolutely terrible for astro shooting. I know the 200/4 is one of the favored lenses for astro and lots of people use it for that but I did a quick search and didn't see anything come up for the 200/3.5. I'd love to go out some night and run one through it's paces and do the same with my 200/4 for comparison.

11-25-2019, 12:36 PM - 1 Like   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by jschoonj Quote
My personal favorite will always be the simple kit lens from those days.
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f1.8
That’s the only one I own and I love it
11-25-2019, 01:42 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by MossyRocks Quote
I'm actually curious how the 3.5 does in astro being a bit faster but an older design. Some lenses are great in normal circumstances are absolutely terrible for astro shooting. I know the 200/4 is one of the favored lenses for astro and lots of people use it for that but I did a quick search and didn't see anything come up for the 200/3.5. I'd love to go out some night and run one through it's paces and do the same with my 200/4 for comparison.
If it helps any, my experience is the 200/3.5 is better with respect to firinging and lateral CA. It does suffer slightly from longitudinal ca, but overall I found it much better. Note I use it on a K10
11-25-2019, 03:41 PM - 2 Likes   #25
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I also have owned both - still have the 200/3.5 - and I concur with Lowell.

I have no qualms at all about shooting the Tak 200/3.5 wide open.






That said, the Tak 200/4 is a good lens, as is the jewel-like Tak 200/5.6. But if we're talking the very best of the M42 lenses, that short list includes the 200/3.5.
11-25-2019, 03:52 PM   #26
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I have the SMC 55 f1.8 in m42 and K version. Both are darn nice.

JB
11-25-2019, 03:57 PM - 1 Like   #27
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Someone reminded me about the Mir 1B. I've never used it for intended use, but it produces really dreamy results with a sharp center on extension tubes. Like anything else, it depends on what you're trying to achieve.

11-25-2019, 05:32 PM   #28
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jupiter9 85/f2 lmoz
11-25-2019, 09:56 PM - 1 Like   #29
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I have a student that has been doing a series of photographs using a Canon DSLR exclusively with a set of Pentax M42 primes - SMC 35mm f/3.5, SMC 50mm f/4 Macro, SMC 85mm f/1.9 and the SMC 120mm f/2.8. All of these lenses are superb [ Especially the macro ] and all these lenses have something unique to offer regarding image quality.

Last edited by Digitalis; 11-26-2019 at 05:49 AM.
11-25-2019, 10:00 PM - 1 Like   #30
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The Helios 44 lenses are fun if you want to dig into their variety and history - and having a lens with a continuous variable aperture is a novelty and came as a surprise when I got my 44 (no subversion number).
I don't use mine much, but the Tak 35/3.5 renders stunning colors - you simply don't have to do any post processing to get vivid images. (This is in comparison to the kit 18-55 or 35-70 where you generally need to do something to punch up the contrast).
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