M42 lens recommendations?

stanleyk · 08-09-2009, 03:42 AM

I can second the Vivitar 70-210mm in the M42. I just got one off EBay. Wow that's a great lens. I have no idea how old it is, but the it's good as new. The construction quality is incredible. There are several versions. I wanted the Kiron version because of the macro ratio. I have no complaints about it whatsoever. I suppose it's heavy by today standards. On the other hand, I wonder how many of today's lens will still be in this condition and still perform 20 years from now.

Great buy. The Vivitar 35-85 Series 1 is also a very good lens if you can get used to the variable focus part.

estudleon · 08-09-2009, 08:48 AM

I never used the S-M-C- takumar 1,4/50 before. Great lens. Very small, it reminds me the summilux M 1,4/50.

Ad the vivitar pre-set 1,8/85 t mount. Very good lens too.

K-9 · 08-09-2009, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

It's not unbearably heavy, it's just really heavy for a 70-210 mf zoom. Of course it is a constant f3.5, so it needs a fair amount of glass in it. I guess I'm just acustomed to my suprisingly small quantaray 70-210. It is really quite dainty for a zoom in it's range.

The Series 1 70-210 is a one touch configuration, but it is backwards from what you would expect. 70mm is with the slide all the way out, and the focus turns backwards from a pentax lens.

Yes, I now remember that it was a backwards turn from other lenses. It must have been the same one I had in Canon mount.

I think the one thing I have to really watch carefully is condition of M42 lenses, as I've already had to return 2 of them I got from ebay, one for focusing ring issues and one for fungus. They're definitely not new lenses and it's hard to find perfect copies.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nikon lens recommendations?	Urkeldaedalus	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	4	08-31-2010 10:49 AM
Lens recommendations	laura	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	06-29-2010 07:44 PM
Looking for some lens recommendations	Grunf911	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	01-03-2010 11:47 AM
Lens Recommendations?	potatolicious	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	09-10-2009 05:32 PM
New lens recommendations?	Ecosse	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	22	04-09-2008 04:28 PM

08-09-2009, 03:42 AM	#31
stanleyk Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Taylor, Texas Posts: 1,018	I can second the Vivitar 70-210mm in the M42. I just got one off EBay. Wow that's a great lens. I have no idea how old it is, but the it's good as new. The construction quality is incredible. There are several versions. I wanted the Kiron version because of the macro ratio. I have no complaints about it whatsoever. I suppose it's heavy by today standards. On the other hand, I wonder how many of today's lens will still be in this condition and still perform 20 years from now. Great buy. The Vivitar 35-85 Series 1 is also a very good lens if you can get used to the variable focus part.

08-09-2009, 08:48 AM	#32
estudleon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 228	I never used the S-M-C- takumar 1,4/50 before. Great lens. Very small, it reminds me the summilux M 1,4/50. Ad the vivitar pre-set 1,8/85 t mount. Very good lens too.

08-09-2009, 08:58 AM	#33
K-9 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,971 Original Poster	Originally posted by Steve Beswick It's not unbearably heavy, it's just really heavy for a 70-210 mf zoom. Of course it is a constant f3.5, so it needs a fair amount of glass in it. I guess I'm just acustomed to my suprisingly small quantaray 70-210. It is really quite dainty for a zoom in it's range. The Series 1 70-210 is a one touch configuration, but it is backwards from what you would expect. 70mm is with the slide all the way out, and the focus turns backwards from a pentax lens. Yes, I now remember that it was a backwards turn from other lenses. It must have been the same one I had in Canon mount. I think the one thing I have to really watch carefully is condition of M42 lenses, as I've already had to return 2 of them I got from ebay, one for focusing ring issues and one for fungus. They're definitely not new lenses and it's hard to find perfect copies.