M42 Adapter Questions

schmik · 04-07-2009, 03:50 AM

Hi all,

Just picked up a S-M-C Takumar 135 1:3.5. It is MINT..... i can hardly bring myself to use it. It is so well made it puts todays lens' to shame. Anyway, i made the mistake of buying a cheap fleabay m42 adapter. Of course i can not focus to infinity. Can anyone post a link to where i can buy the proper pentax adapter? or a kind that does focus to infinity?

I am in Australia but happy to purchase from overseas.

cheers
mike

PFH · 04-07-2009, 04:15 AM

Here´s the original one:General Brand | Pentax-K Body to Universal Lens Adapter | ABPKS

schmik · 04-07-2009, 04:37 AM

Thanks PFH, I'll give the Aussie distributor a few more days to reply and if not......... the USA economy will get my money.

cheers
mike

Agnostic · 04-07-2009, 07:11 AM

That's not one of the original Pentax versions of the m42 adapter. It's a third party adapter and probably lets you run the risk of getting it stuck on the body; a complaint which crops up time and time again with the non-Pentax manufatured ones.

Originally posted by frank

The original Pentax M42 to PK adapters have several different versions. The very earlier version has ASAHI PENTAX marked on top and JAPAN at the bottom, and the marks are in black color. It comes in carton box like this one:

The later version has PENTAX on top and JAPAN at bottom, marks are in either black or white color. It comes in green plastic bag like these:

The original adapters are easy to use, you don't need a tool to take it out of the camera. But I do feel they are abit lose when mounted. Some third party ones are actually better fit than the original ones.

Of course the best M42 to PK adapter (so far I could find) is the one from Kindai:
�M42 to PK adapter by Kindai

They are expensive, almost three times as of the original Pentax ones. But if you have some M42 lens from Fujinon (w/ no Auto/Manual switch on the lens), you'd love these adapters.

Fritz · 04-07-2009, 07:29 AM

Here is the real deal. I've used the Bower one too. It works fine, just not quite as nice as the genuine Pentax version.

wlank · 04-07-2009, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by Fritz

I've used the Bower one too. It works fine, just not quite as nice as the genuine Pentax version.

I've seen this comment quite often so I know the results have been mixed for forum members. The Bower did NOT work for me. That's my experience.

jeffkpotter · 04-07-2009, 05:42 PM

I am a focus trap/catch in focus aficionado. To do this with a screw mount lens using a genuine Pentax M42 adapter you have to short out the contacts with a piece of aluminum foil, or remove the paint from the back of the lens. I remove the paint with a Dremel drill, sandpaper, Exacto knife combination. Sounds daunting, but that's what separates the men from the boys! Note: the cheapo adapter above left has had it's paint sanded off to permit focus trapping but will not focus at infinity. I agree with wlank, the Bower did not work for me either. I like the original.

Last edited by jeffkpotter; 04-07-2009 at 06:03 PM.

Fritz · 04-07-2009, 06:12 PM

I guess I should add that it was comments on this forum about the Bower adapter failures that prompted me to get the genuine Pentax adapter. Though I used it with out issues for over a year, I didn't want to be one of the casualties!

Get the genuine Pentax one.

RioRico · 04-07-2009, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by wlank

The Bower did NOT work for me. That's my experience.

Bowers were nearly disastrous on my K20D. That's why I unscrewed the springs from every single [expletive deleted] last one of them, all except the one I destroyed whilst removing it from the camera. Maybe they aren't TOO toxic on some PK cams, but why risk it?

newarts · 04-08-2009, 05:06 AM

As far as I can tell, the critical difference between Pentax brand and 3rd party flange-less adapters is a small machining detail. The pentax adapter's ear roots flanking the spring are square while non-Pentax adapters may be rounded. Pentax on left:

This is an easy DIY fix. A rounded ear root allows the adapter to rotate too far into the mount & get trapped.

Iowa Dave

xjjohnno · 04-08-2009, 05:20 AM

Bought my genuine Pentax M42 adapter from a store in Canada via online purchase. The store is called Henrys and with shipping I had change from $50 AUD if that's any help to you Schmik. They took just under a week to deliver. I wouldn't bother trying to get one off our local Ebay because they end up selling for really stupid prices.

Mike Cash · 04-08-2009, 05:22 AM

I am amazed that there are still people who turn up with the flanged variety despite countless repeated warnings against it in more threads than you can shake a stick at.

Quicksand · 04-08-2009, 06:16 PM

Not EVERYONE always depends on the bottomless font of knowledge that is PentaxForums.com, you know.

Their loss.

OregonJim · 04-08-2009, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

I am amazed that there are still people who turn up with the flanged variety despite countless repeated warnings against it in more threads than you can shake a stick at.

Well, they *do* have a useful purpose. They can become the new baseplate of a lens that was originally designed for a different mount. I've heard that it's particularly easy to convert Minolta lenses to PK with these adapters. I'll be trying it myself soon...

schmik · 04-08-2009, 09:07 PM

Aha.... you can get get them locally through CR Kennedy. Just get your shop to order it. $27 + shipping.

And yes.... i knew there was issues with third party flanged ones but All this talk off springs and flanges just didn't sink in. Didn't give it the brain power it needed at the time.

cheers
mike

04-07-2009, 03:50 AM	#1
schmik Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Aus Photos: Gallery Posts: 527	M42 Adapter Questions Hi all, Just picked up a S-M-C Takumar 135 1:3.5. It is MINT..... i can hardly bring myself to use it. It is so well made it puts todays lens' to shame. Anyway, i made the mistake of buying a cheap fleabay m42 adapter. Of course i can not focus to infinity. Can anyone post a link to where i can buy the proper pentax adapter? or a kind that does focus to infinity? I am in Australia but happy to purchase from overseas. cheers mike

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04-07-2009, 04:15 AM	#2
PFH Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 483	Here´s the original one:General Brand \| Pentax-K Body to Universal Lens Adapter \| ABPKS

04-07-2009, 04:37 AM	#3
schmik Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Aus Photos: Gallery Posts: 527 Original Poster	Thanks PFH, I'll give the Aussie distributor a few more days to reply and if not......... the USA economy will get my money. cheers mike

04-07-2009, 07:11 AM	#4
Agnostic Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 414	That's not one of the original Pentax versions of the m42 adapter. It's a third party adapter and probably lets you run the risk of getting it stuck on the body; a complaint which crops up time and time again with the non-Pentax manufatured ones. Originally posted by frank The original Pentax M42 to PK adapters have several different versions. The very earlier version has ASAHI PENTAX marked on top and JAPAN at the bottom, and the marks are in black color. It comes in carton box like this one: The later version has PENTAX on top and JAPAN at bottom, marks are in either black or white color. It comes in green plastic bag like these: The original adapters are easy to use, you don't need a tool to take it out of the camera. But I do feel they are abit lose when mounted. Some third party ones are actually better fit than the original ones. Of course the best M42 to PK adapter (so far I could find) is the one from Kindai: �M42 to PK adapter by Kindai They are expensive, almost three times as of the original Pentax ones. But if you have some M42 lens from Fujinon (w/ no Auto/Manual switch on the lens), you'd love these adapters.

04-07-2009, 07:29 AM	#5
Fritz Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tillamook, OR Posts: 1,222	Here is the real deal. I've used the Bower one too. It works fine, just not quite as nice as the genuine Pentax version.

04-07-2009, 04:33 PM	#6
wlank Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Teresa, New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by Fritz I've used the Bower one too. It works fine, just not quite as nice as the genuine Pentax version. I've seen this comment quite often so I know the results have been mixed for forum members. The Bower did NOT work for me. That's my experience.

04-07-2009, 05:42 PM	#7
jeffkpotter Guest	I am a focus trap/catch in focus aficionado. To do this with a screw mount lens using a genuine Pentax M42 adapter you have to short out the contacts with a piece of aluminum foil, or remove the paint from the back of the lens. I remove the paint with a Dremel drill, sandpaper, Exacto knife combination. Sounds daunting, but that's what separates the men from the boys! Note: the cheapo adapter above left has had it's paint sanded off to permit focus trapping but will not focus at infinity. I agree with wlank, the Bower did not work for me either. I like the original. Last edited by jeffkpotter; 04-07-2009 at 06:03 PM.

04-07-2009, 06:12 PM	#8
Fritz Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tillamook, OR Posts: 1,222	I guess I should add that it was comments on this forum about the Bower adapter failures that prompted me to get the genuine Pentax adapter. Though I used it with out issues for over a year, I didn't want to be one of the casualties! Get the genuine Pentax one.

04-07-2009, 11:02 PM	#9
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by wlank The Bower did NOT work for me. That's my experience. Bowers were nearly disastrous on my K20D. That's why I unscrewed the springs from every single [expletive deleted] last one of them, all except the one I destroyed whilst removing it from the camera. Maybe they aren't TOO toxic on some PK cams, but why risk it?

04-08-2009, 05:06 AM	#10
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	As far as I can tell, the critical difference between Pentax brand and 3rd party flange-less adapters is a small machining detail. The pentax adapter's ear roots flanking the spring are square while non-Pentax adapters may be rounded. Pentax on left: This is an easy DIY fix. A rounded ear root allows the adapter to rotate too far into the mount & get trapped. Iowa Dave

04-08-2009, 05:20 AM	#11
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	Bought my genuine Pentax M42 adapter from a store in Canada via online purchase. The store is called Henrys and with shipping I had change from $50 AUD if that's any help to you Schmik. They took just under a week to deliver. I wouldn't bother trying to get one off our local Ebay because they end up selling for really stupid prices.

04-08-2009, 05:22 AM	#12
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	I am amazed that there are still people who turn up with the flanged variety despite countless repeated warnings against it in more threads than you can shake a stick at.

04-08-2009, 06:16 PM	#13
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Not EVERYONE always depends on the bottomless font of knowledge that is PentaxForums.com, you know. Their loss.

04-08-2009, 08:30 PM	#14
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by Mike Cash I am amazed that there are still people who turn up with the flanged variety despite countless repeated warnings against it in more threads than you can shake a stick at. Well, they do have a useful purpose. They can become the new baseplate of a lens that was originally designed for a different mount. I've heard that it's particularly easy to convert Minolta lenses to PK with these adapters. I'll be trying it myself soon...

04-08-2009, 09:07 PM	#15
schmik Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Aus Photos: Gallery Posts: 527 Original Poster	Aha.... you can get get them locally through CR Kennedy. Just get your shop to order it. $27 + shipping. And yes.... i knew there was issues with third party flanged ones but All this talk off springs and flanges just didn't sink in. Didn't give it the brain power it needed at the time. cheers mike