Tight M42 adapter

YQG · 02-07-2014, 09:29 PM

Evenin. I just had a third-party M42 adapter arrive today, and it's really really tight to mount to the camera (*ist D). I mean, so stiff I'm afraid something will break or I won't be able to get it back out. I haven't even manged to get it in all the way (owing to fear :P). It seems to want to pop out from being flush so I expect it's just a lot of tension on that particular vertical surface, but is it safe to just brute-force it in with the presumption that if it went in, it should come out (albeit with much effort)? Is this a common problem with cheap China adapters? I know a *ist isn't a particularly amazing or expensive camera but it's the only one I have and I don't want anything to bust. :P

Thanks!

j2photos · 02-07-2014, 09:51 PM

All the M42 adapters I have ever used slide on like a normal lens would. I would not force it if it were my equipment.

VisualDarkness · 02-07-2014, 10:18 PM

The original at least should be on the loose side.

meeverett · 02-07-2014, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by YQG

I expect it's just a lot of tension on that particular vertical surface, but is it safe to just brute-force it in with the presumption that if it went in, it should come out (albeit with much effort)? Is this a common problem with cheap China adapters? I know a *ist isn't a particularly amazing or expensive camera but it's the only one I have and I don't want anything to bust. :P

I definitely wouldn't brute force it. Is there anything it could be hanging up on?

oxidized · 02-07-2014, 10:37 PM

it depends on the type of the adapter. the third party ones which mount on the outside of the camera (not just internally on the mount - i hope i am clear) tend to be pretty tight. I have one which once mounted it can only be removed if you attach a lens to it. I also have another one which regardless of how I try I cannot get it to mount to the camera as it is too tight. i would not force anything!!!

**i_trax** · 02-07-2014, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by YQG

Evenin. I just had a third-party M42 adapter arrive today, and it's really really tight to mount to the camera (*ist D). I mean, so stiff I'm afraid something will break or I won't be able to get it back out. I haven't even manged to get it in all the way (owing to fear :P). It seems to want to pop out from being flush so I expect it's just a lot of tension on that particular vertical surface, but is it safe to just brute-force it in with the presumption that if it went in, it should come out (albeit with much effort)? Is this a common problem with cheap China adapters? I know a *ist isn't a particularly amazing or expensive camera but it's the only one I have and I don't want anything to bust. :P

Thanks!

I did purchase only one from China ( with infinity focusing, locking spring and removing tool) , took me a while to file it down so it would nicely fit.
I also had to shorten the spring screw, it was preventing M42 lenses from fully screwing in.
Then I purchased original Pentax ( one new + one used) , no problems at all.
Pentax K to M42 - a set on Flickr
Marumi was also OK, although a bit hard to remove, you need to use supplied tool .
Sold it when I purchased the real Pentax.

Not a Number · 02-07-2014, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by i_trax

I also had to shorten the spring screw, it was preventing M42 lenses from fully screwing in.

This appears to be a common problem and could possibly be one reason that the adapter is "tight".

YQG · 02-08-2014, 12:07 AM

Thanks for all the replies. It is an internal one, I have an external which pops on no problem. Lenses go onto the adapter and mount centrally no problem either; I removed the spring clip and eased it in. It's just very tight, no wonder it comes with a removal tool. =) So nothing broken, nothing damaged, it gets easier to put in/take out each go-round. Yes, there was a little risk doing that but since it never got fully seized I figured it was safe to just keep working it til it it got to its final position. =)

It seems to focus a little past infinity (just like my Series 1 K-mount zoom) but I think that can be sorted with a bit of position adjustment between the lens and adapter.

Now to go out tomorrow and blast out some test shots.

Thankyou all!

mythguy9 · 02-08-2014, 12:27 AM

My sincere suggestion would be, if you're going to use the adapter for a long time, just invest more in the genuine adapter. It will last forever.

stevebrot · 02-08-2014, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by YQG

it gets easier to put in/take out each go-round.

Not good. With each use you are shaving metal off of either the adapter or the mount of your camera. The shards are falling into the innards of your camera. I know this from experience. The adapter should fit somewhat loose in the mount when no lens is attached.

Steve

02-07-2014, 09:29 PM	#1
YQG Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 23	Tight M42 adapter Evenin. I just had a third-party M42 adapter arrive today, and it's really really tight to mount to the camera (ist D). I mean, so stiff I'm afraid something will break or I won't be able to get it back out. I haven't even manged to get it in all the way (owing to fear :P). It seems to want to pop out from being flush so I expect it's just a lot of tension on that particular vertical surface, but is it safe to just brute-force it in with the presumption that if it went in, it should come out (albeit with much effort)? Is this a common problem with cheap China adapters? I know a ist isn't a particularly amazing or expensive camera but it's the only one I have and I don't want anything to bust. :P Thanks!

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02-07-2014, 09:51 PM	#2
j2photos Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Manteca, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,653	All the M42 adapters I have ever used slide on like a normal lens would. I would not force it if it were my equipment.

02-07-2014, 10:18 PM	#3
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	The original at least should be on the loose side.

02-07-2014, 10:35 PM	#4
meeverett Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Maryville, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 128	Originally posted by YQG I expect it's just a lot of tension on that particular vertical surface, but is it safe to just brute-force it in with the presumption that if it went in, it should come out (albeit with much effort)? Is this a common problem with cheap China adapters? I know a *ist isn't a particularly amazing or expensive camera but it's the only one I have and I don't want anything to bust. :P I definitely wouldn't brute force it. Is there anything it could be hanging up on?

02-07-2014, 10:37 PM	#5
oxidized Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA - Delaware Photos: Albums Posts: 435	it depends on the type of the adapter. the third party ones which mount on the outside of the camera (not just internally on the mount - i hope i am clear) tend to be pretty tight. I have one which once mounted it can only be removed if you attach a lens to it. I also have another one which regardless of how I try I cannot get it to mount to the camera as it is too tight. i would not force anything!!!

02-07-2014, 10:46 PM	#6
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	Originally posted by YQG Evenin. I just had a third-party M42 adapter arrive today, and it's really really tight to mount to the camera (ist D). I mean, so stiff I'm afraid something will break or I won't be able to get it back out. I haven't even manged to get it in all the way (owing to fear :P). It seems to want to pop out from being flush so I expect it's just a lot of tension on that particular vertical surface, but is it safe to just brute-force it in with the presumption that if it went in, it should come out (albeit with much effort)? Is this a common problem with cheap China adapters? I know a ist isn't a particularly amazing or expensive camera but it's the only one I have and I don't want anything to bust. :P Thanks! I did purchase only one from China ( with infinity focusing, locking spring and removing tool) , took me a while to file it down so it would nicely fit. I also had to shorten the spring screw, it was preventing M42 lenses from fully screwing in. Then I purchased original Pentax ( one new + one used) , no problems at all. Pentax K to M42 - a set on Flickr Marumi was also OK, although a bit hard to remove, you need to use supplied tool . Sold it when I purchased the real Pentax.

02-07-2014, 10:59 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by i_trax I also had to shorten the spring screw, it was preventing M42 lenses from fully screwing in. This appears to be a common problem and could possibly be one reason that the adapter is "tight".

02-08-2014, 12:07 AM	#8
YQG Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 23 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies. It is an internal one, I have an external which pops on no problem. Lenses go onto the adapter and mount centrally no problem either; I removed the spring clip and eased it in. It's just very tight, no wonder it comes with a removal tool. =) So nothing broken, nothing damaged, it gets easier to put in/take out each go-round. Yes, there was a little risk doing that but since it never got fully seized I figured it was safe to just keep working it til it it got to its final position. =) It seems to focus a little past infinity (just like my Series 1 K-mount zoom) but I think that can be sorted with a bit of position adjustment between the lens and adapter. Now to go out tomorrow and blast out some test shots. Thankyou all!

02-08-2014, 12:27 AM	#9
mythguy9 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 276	My sincere suggestion would be, if you're going to use the adapter for a long time, just invest more in the genuine adapter. It will last forever.

02-08-2014, 08:28 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by YQG it gets easier to put in/take out each go-round. Not good. With each use you are shaving metal off of either the adapter or the mount of your camera. The shards are falling into the innards of your camera. I know this from experience. The adapter should fit somewhat loose in the mount when no lens is attached. Steve