Moving to Canon..?

**Pepe Guitarra** · 06-07-2012, 03:57 PM

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Having a complete collection of Takumars, I feel that they deserve to be used in a full frame format camera. Now that the Canon 5D Mark III came out, I can find a Mark II somehow cheaper. I have been thinking in buying one to devote it to the Taks. However, I have been reading negative stuff about the adapters and how they may damage the mirror of the Mark II. Can anyone, tell us from their own experience what is the best adpater to use the Taks and if there is any other alternative. I still think in keeping my Pentax K5 (which the reviews show beats the Mark II).
Thanks, Pepe.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 06-07-2012, 06:25 PM

I never heard of adapters damaging the mirror - only of the mirror being damaged by hitting either the rear element or the aperture flange of mounted lenses. There was also the issue of the mirror falling off on her own in the original 5D

**Pepe Guitarra** · 06-07-2012, 08:40 PM

Which is the best adapter in you opinion to avoid those problems?

Raffwal · 06-07-2012, 09:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra

Which is the best adapter in you opinion to avoid those problems?

It's not about the adapter, it's about the lens. Some go too deep in the mount.

Compatibility list of M42 lenses on Canon EOS 5D dslr

EDIT: Sorry, according to my link the adapter can also make a difference???

**Pepe Guitarra** · 06-07-2012, 09:38 PM

It looks like I am going to wait for the Pentax FF.

mikeSF · 06-07-2012, 11:07 PM

it looks like you solve one problem and then create another by switching. good idea to wait.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 06-07-2012, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by Raffwal

EDIT: Sorry, according to my link the adapter can also make a difference???

That is interesting ... and scary.

Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra

It looks like I am going to wait for the Pentax FF.

Or try picking a Sony A99 - alpha mount should not have any issues with M42 lenses - it has a longer registration distance than EF mount and there is no mirror movement anyway with SLTs.

**Pepe Guitarra** · 06-08-2012, 05:51 AM

THen, I will have not to wait too long, it is coming in August, they say Sony's purpose is to beat the Canon 5D Mark III. Any price yet?

awo425 · 06-11-2012, 11:09 AM

I occasionally use 5DM2 with Super Takumars and other M42 lenses. Adapter that I use is some Chinese M42-EOS adapter off EBAY with focus confirmation chip.

Similar to this:

AF confirm M42 42 lens to canon EOS camera adapter pentax vivitar Meyer jena | eBay

Only once I had an issue with M42 lens, and this lens was Tomioka Revuenon 55 F1.2 lens. Huge rear element of this lens was touching flange of M42-EOS adapter while focusing to infinity. Every other lens worked fine, no issues with the mirror.

BTW 5DM2 works with M42 lenses like a champ in Av mode, much better then Pentax. Metering is accurate and focusing with both optical VF or LV is nice and accurate.

RioRico · 06-11-2012, 11:30 AM

Dare I suggest Nikon? Are cheap M42-F adapters. Your Taks could find a home there.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 06-11-2012, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by awo425

BTW 5DM2 works with M42 lenses like a champ in Av mode, much better then Pentax. Metering is accurate and focusing with both optical VF or LV is nice and accurate.

I expect WB is better too. I noticed these same advantages when using M42 lenses on MFT.

excanonfd · 06-16-2012, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

Dare I suggest Nikon? Are cheap M42-F adapters. Your Taks could find a home there.

What about the difference in the register distance, wasn't it yourself who said Nikon is the donor and not the beneficiary?

RioRico · 06-16-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by excanonfd

Originally posted by RioRico:

Dare I suggest Nikon? Are cheap M42-F adapters. Your Taks could find a home there.

What about the difference in the register distance, wasn't it yourself who said Nikon is the donor and not the beneficiary?

I searched for Pentax-Nikon adapters a couple days ago and found plenty of cheap (US$3) M42-F adapters on eBay. IFF those adapters are 1mm thinner than standard M42-PK adapters THEN screwmount lenses with narrow-enough bases would reach infinity focus on a Nikon cam.

I haven't actually touched nor tried these adapters, but they COULD work. Here's how: The register difference for Pentax and Exakta is even less, about 0.75mm. I have adapted several Exakta-mount lenses for PK by modifying, not the lens, but the adapter! Glue an M39-M42 ring around the Exakta bayonet blades. Grind off about 0.7mm from the narrow flange of the M42-PK adapter. Thread that on the lens and VOILA! A thin-enough Nikon adapter would behave the same.

For Nikon, there could be a limiting factor: lens base width. I have a number of old M42s with rather narrow bases. These could easily fit into the recessed zone of a thinned adapter. Larger M42s would be too wide, would bump against the camera mount ring, would be subject to loss of infinity focus.

So at this point, I'll say that using Taks on Nikon for other than close work is possible but not proved. I'll accept contributions to conduct the experiment, eh?

EDIT: Even if an M42-F adapter couldn't allow recessed seating, some M42s could still be used, the same as I use various M42s on my K20D with a thick-flange NIF (no-infinity-focus) M42-PK adapter:

* Long teles that normally focus past infinity anyway
* Macros and other close work, and portraits; infinity doesn't matter
* Moderately long teles (200-300mm) where stopped-down DOF will reach infinity

excanonfd · 06-16-2012, 03:03 PM

I've searched for the M42 to F adapters as well, and those that can achieve infinity focus all have a corrective lens attached to it. Most of the others expressly state that infinity cannot be achieved. If you look at an M42 to K adapter (infinity type), the flange that goes against the lens is about 1mm thick - this is what needs to be removed but how will that affect the lens to body clearance? Remove that flange and the lens will not mount on to a K body, I'd imagine the F mount adapter would encounter the similar problem of lens to body clearance.

RioRico · 06-16-2012, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by excanonfd

I've searched for the M42 to F adapters as well, and those that can achieve infinity focus all have a corrective lens attached to it. Most of the others expressly state that infinity cannot be achieved. If you look at an M42 to K adapter (infinity type), the flange that goes against the lens is about 1mm thick - this is what needs to be removed but how will that affect the lens to body clearance? Remove that flange and the lens will not mount on to a K body, I'd imagine the F mount adapter would encounter the similar problem of lens to body clearance.

My experience adapting Exaktas to Pentax is that about 0.7mm is all that is safe to remove, at least from a M42-PK adapter. M42-F adapters may be thicker, I don't know; but if so, they can be ground down a ways too. What's important is to NOT remove ALL of that thin flange. Enough must be left to fit in the lens mount, else the lens won't seat there.

Perfection is nice but not necessary. If the adaptation is off by a smidge, don't shoot landscapes wide-open. Stopping down to f/11 cures many focus problems.

06-07-2012, 03:57 PM	#1
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223	Moving to Canon..? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Having a complete collection of Takumars, I feel that they deserve to be used in a full frame format camera. Now that the Canon 5D Mark III came out, I can find a Mark II somehow cheaper. I have been thinking in buying one to devote it to the Taks. However, I have been reading negative stuff about the adapters and how they may damage the mirror of the Mark II. Can anyone, tell us from their own experience what is the best adpater to use the Taks and if there is any other alternative. I still think in keeping my Pentax K5 (which the reviews show beats the Mark II). Thanks, Pepe.

06-16-2012, 01:48 PM	#13
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by excanonfd Originally posted by RioRico: Dare I suggest Nikon? Are cheap M42-F adapters. Your Taks could find a home there. What about the difference in the register distance, wasn't it yourself who said Nikon is the donor and not the beneficiary? I searched for Pentax-Nikon adapters a couple days ago and found plenty of cheap (US$3) M42-F adapters on eBay. IFF those adapters are 1mm thinner than standard M42-PK adapters THEN screwmount lenses with narrow-enough bases would reach infinity focus on a Nikon cam. I haven't actually touched nor tried these adapters, but they COULD work. Here's how: The register difference for Pentax and Exakta is even less, about 0.75mm. I have adapted several Exakta-mount lenses for PK by modifying, not the lens, but the adapter! Glue an M39-M42 ring around the Exakta bayonet blades. Grind off about 0.7mm from the narrow flange of the M42-PK adapter. Thread that on the lens and VOILA! A thin-enough Nikon adapter would behave the same. For Nikon, there could be a limiting factor: lens base width. I have a number of old M42s with rather narrow bases. These could easily fit into the recessed zone of a thinned adapter. Larger M42s would be too wide, would bump against the camera mount ring, would be subject to loss of infinity focus. So at this point, I'll say that using Taks on Nikon for other than close work is possible but not proved. I'll accept contributions to conduct the experiment, eh? EDIT: Even if an M42-F adapter couldn't allow recessed seating, some M42s could still be used, the same as I use various M42s on my K20D with a thick-flange NIF (no-infinity-focus) M42-PK adapter: * Long teles that normally focus past infinity anyway * Macros and other close work, and portraits; infinity doesn't matter * Moderately long teles (200-300mm) where stopped-down DOF will reach infinity Last edited by RioRico; 06-16-2012 at 01:54 PM.

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06-07-2012, 06:25 PM	#2
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	I never heard of adapters damaging the mirror - only of the mirror being damaged by hitting either the rear element or the aperture flange of mounted lenses. There was also the issue of the mirror falling off on her own in the original 5D

06-07-2012, 08:40 PM	#3
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	Which is the best adapter in you opinion to avoid those problems?

06-07-2012, 09:11 PM - 1 Like	#4
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 879	Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra Which is the best adapter in you opinion to avoid those problems? It's not about the adapter, it's about the lens. Some go too deep in the mount. Compatibility list of M42 lenses on Canon EOS 5D dslr EDIT: Sorry, according to my link the adapter can also make a difference???

06-07-2012, 09:38 PM	#5
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	It looks like I am going to wait for the Pentax FF.

06-07-2012, 11:07 PM	#6
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	it looks like you solve one problem and then create another by switching. good idea to wait.

06-07-2012, 11:20 PM	#7
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by Raffwal EDIT: Sorry, according to my link the adapter can also make a difference??? That is interesting ... and scary. Originally posted by Pepe Guitarra It looks like I am going to wait for the Pentax FF. Or try picking a Sony A99 - alpha mount should not have any issues with M42 lenses - it has a longer registration distance than EF mount and there is no mirror movement anyway with SLTs.

06-08-2012, 05:51 AM	#8
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223 Original Poster	THen, I will have not to wait too long, it is coming in August, they say Sony's purpose is to beat the Canon 5D Mark III. Any price yet?

06-11-2012, 11:09 AM	#9
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481	I occasionally use 5DM2 with Super Takumars and other M42 lenses. Adapter that I use is some Chinese M42-EOS adapter off EBAY with focus confirmation chip. Similar to this: AF confirm M42 42 lens to canon EOS camera adapter pentax vivitar Meyer jena \| eBay Only once I had an issue with M42 lens, and this lens was Tomioka Revuenon 55 F1.2 lens. Huge rear element of this lens was touching flange of M42-EOS adapter while focusing to infinity. Every other lens worked fine, no issues with the mirror. BTW 5DM2 works with M42 lenses like a champ in Av mode, much better then Pentax. Metering is accurate and focusing with both optical VF or LV is nice and accurate.

06-11-2012, 11:30 AM	#10
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Dare I suggest Nikon? Are cheap M42-F adapters. Your Taks could find a home there.

06-11-2012, 04:20 PM	#11
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by awo425 BTW 5DM2 works with M42 lenses like a champ in Av mode, much better then Pentax. Metering is accurate and focusing with both optical VF or LV is nice and accurate. I expect WB is better too. I noticed these same advantages when using M42 lenses on MFT.

06-16-2012, 12:18 PM	#12
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	Originally posted by RioRico Dare I suggest Nikon? Are cheap M42-F adapters. Your Taks could find a home there. What about the difference in the register distance, wasn't it yourself who said Nikon is the donor and not the beneficiary?

06-16-2012, 03:03 PM	#14
excanonfd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,421	I've searched for the M42 to F adapters as well, and those that can achieve infinity focus all have a corrective lens attached to it. Most of the others expressly state that infinity cannot be achieved. If you look at an M42 to K adapter (infinity type), the flange that goes against the lens is about 1mm thick - this is what needs to be removed but how will that affect the lens to body clearance? Remove that flange and the lens will not mount on to a K body, I'd imagine the F mount adapter would encounter the similar problem of lens to body clearance.

06-16-2012, 04:09 PM	#15
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by excanonfd I've searched for the M42 to F adapters as well, and those that can achieve infinity focus all have a corrective lens attached to it. Most of the others expressly state that infinity cannot be achieved. If you look at an M42 to K adapter (infinity type), the flange that goes against the lens is about 1mm thick - this is what needs to be removed but how will that affect the lens to body clearance? Remove that flange and the lens will not mount on to a K body, I'd imagine the F mount adapter would encounter the similar problem of lens to body clearance. My experience adapting Exaktas to Pentax is that about 0.7mm is all that is safe to remove, at least from a M42-PK adapter. M42-F adapters may be thicker, I don't know; but if so, they can be ground down a ways too. What's important is to NOT remove ALL of that thin flange. Enough must be left to fit in the lens mount, else the lens won't seat there. Perfection is nice but not necessary. If the adaptation is off by a smidge, don't shoot landscapes wide-open. Stopping down to f/11 cures many focus problems.