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keyser · 11-09-2009, 02:46 PM

I've recently put some presssure on my dad to pick up his 35mm SLR after many years of absence. The problem is, his camera is an M42 Zenit EM. The most manual camera a person can imagine with a Selenium light meter to boot. Long story short, he's not into photography enough for this to not become a chore.

My thought is to get him a new body to go with his existing lenses - a 50mm Helios and a 135mm Soligor.

The problem is I know NOTHING about M42 bodies. I want to buy something cheap... say $30 shipped to the UK (Where my dad is). it would need to have aperture priority AE for convenient use.

Beyond this, I have no stipulations.

Do you think that this is acheivable for this kind of price? If so, what models should I be looking at?

Nesster · 11-09-2009, 02:50 PM

AFAIK the only lens-independent auto exposure cameras were the Chinon Memotrons. All other Av M42 cameras relied on some sort of trick M42 mount - e.g. the SMC Takumar, Pentacon Electric, and whatever Fuji called theirs...

You can get some excellent manual metering Fuji (ST series), Yashica (TL Electro variants), Ricoh/Sears... or a Spotmatic...

Bottom feeding like this, you probably want to get the camera yourself for a check-out first, to make sure everything's working and to DYI the foam replacement (most likely required) before sending to your dad.

little laker · 11-09-2009, 03:09 PM

This is just something to think about.

I was origionally looking for a screwmount camera, however I ended up with a newer K-mount instead.
Although I've only used a K-mount lens for a handfull of shots I'm glad that I did.
Along with my screwmount adapters I can pretty much use any Pentax lens I want. Being an autofocus body I can even use all screwdrive autofocus lenses.
It auto meters, if I want.... or I can choose full manual or AV.
The best part is I found it for less than I'd have to pay for most screwmount cameras I've seen. $45.00 here in Kelowna at a pawn shop.
Since I already had several screwmount lenses, and 2 screwmount adapters I only had to buy some film and a replacement battery.

I honestly wouldn't hesitate letting my mom use this camera, knowing that she'll have fun with it and get some decent pictures.
I can't say the same about my digital, which is more complicated to use.

keyser · 11-09-2009, 03:12 PM

Thanks guys... I figured as much.

It may be easier to give him my Z-70 and buy a couple of cheapo lenses by the sound of it!

Edit: I just remembered how much I hate my Z-70. Maybe I'll SELL my z-70 to somebody that appreciates in body manual aperture control and spot-on metering and use the cash to buy something I'd be proud to give my dad, like an ME Super

Last edited by keyser; 11-09-2009 at 03:26 PM.

Andi Lo · 11-09-2009, 03:23 PM

Get him an m42 adapter (pentax one!) while you're at it

keyser · 11-09-2009, 03:29 PM

Actually, I hear the Z-70 is very good at metering with the M42 adapter. How well to older cameras lik the ME meter with such an adapter?

little laker · 11-09-2009, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by keyser

Thanks guys... I figured as much.

It may be easier to give him my Z-70 and buy a couple of cheapo lenses by the sound of it!

Edit: I just remembered how much I hate my Z-70. Maybe I'll SELL my z-70 to somebody that appreciates in body manual aperture control and spot-on metering and use the cash to buy something I'd be proud to give my dad, like an ME Super

I just looked up the spec's of the Z-70 and to me it looks like a fine choice for him.
I pretty much only shoot a PZ-20 these days, which I can't picture being that much different and it's been a good camera for me.
Although I'm really looking for a PZ-1P, if your still thinking about selling it at Christmas time drop me a PM. I'm broke until then, however I might be interested when I get my bonus.

keyser · 11-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by little laker

I just looked up the spec's of the Z-70 and to me it looks like a fine choice for him.
I pretty much only shoot a PZ-20 these days, which I can't picture being that much different and it's been a good camera for me.
Although I'm really looking for a PZ-1P, if your still thinking about selling it at Christmas time drop me a PM. I'm broke until then, however I might be interested when I get my bonus.

I'll drop you a PM.

Blue · 11-09-2009, 04:11 PM

If you want a m42 film body, look into the Pentax ES II or the Yashica TL Electro X. I would pick the former.

http://whitemetal.com/pentax/esii/esii_info.htm

Butkus' site will have manuals of good scan quality on both of these and 100s of other bodies and gear.

Andi Lo · 11-09-2009, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by keyser

Actually, I hear the Z-70 is very good at metering with the M42 adapter. How well to older cameras lik the ME meter with such an adapter?

My ME super is superb with Takumars. Until I got the k10d it was my dedicated takumar body

keyser · 11-09-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

My ME super is superb with Takumars. Until I got the k10d it was my dedicated takumar body

That's good to know. I presume you have to stop down meter though? Please excuse my ignorance about the old Screwmounts; I don't really have much clue about their mechanical functioning, let alone how they'd work with an adapter!

Andi Lo · 11-09-2009, 04:48 PM

Yeah, you have to stop down meter. That said, if you want to send your dad an adapter to use with the M42s he have, make sure he has the auto-manual switch or that his lens is manual by default.

indytax · 11-10-2009, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

Yeah, you have to stop down meter. That said, if you want to send your dad an adapter to use with the M42s he have, make sure he has the auto-manual switch or that his lens is manual by default.

Which could be an issue for the Helios, depending on what version he has as only one version had the A/M switch, if I remember correctly, and I'd guess it's an all-auto Helios if he got it with his Zenit. That's an easy "surgery" to convert it to manual, though.

deadwolfbones · 11-10-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by Blue

If you want a m42 film body, look into the Pentax ES II or the Yashica TL Electro X. I would pick the former.

Honeywell Pentax ES II

Butkus' site will have manuals of good scan quality on both of these and 100s of other bodies and gear.

I've got a TL Electro X for sale in the marketplace.

11-09-2009, 02:46 PM	#1
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376	Cheap Av M42 body suggestions? I've recently put some presssure on my dad to pick up his 35mm SLR after many years of absence. The problem is, his camera is an M42 Zenit EM. The most manual camera a person can imagine with a Selenium light meter to boot. Long story short, he's not into photography enough for this to not become a chore. My thought is to get him a new body to go with his existing lenses - a 50mm Helios and a 135mm Soligor. The problem is I know NOTHING about M42 bodies. I want to buy something cheap... say $30 shipped to the UK (Where my dad is). it would need to have aperture priority AE for convenient use. Beyond this, I have no stipulations. Do you think that this is acheivable for this kind of price? If so, what models should I be looking at?

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11-09-2009, 02:50 PM	#2
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	AFAIK the only lens-independent auto exposure cameras were the Chinon Memotrons. All other Av M42 cameras relied on some sort of trick M42 mount - e.g. the SMC Takumar, Pentacon Electric, and whatever Fuji called theirs... You can get some excellent manual metering Fuji (ST series), Yashica (TL Electro variants), Ricoh/Sears... or a Spotmatic... Bottom feeding like this, you probably want to get the camera yourself for a check-out first, to make sure everything's working and to DYI the foam replacement (most likely required) before sending to your dad.

11-09-2009, 03:09 PM	#3
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	This is just something to think about. I was origionally looking for a screwmount camera, however I ended up with a newer K-mount instead. Although I've only used a K-mount lens for a handfull of shots I'm glad that I did. Along with my screwmount adapters I can pretty much use any Pentax lens I want. Being an autofocus body I can even use all screwdrive autofocus lenses. It auto meters, if I want.... or I can choose full manual or AV. The best part is I found it for less than I'd have to pay for most screwmount cameras I've seen. $45.00 here in Kelowna at a pawn shop. Since I already had several screwmount lenses, and 2 screwmount adapters I only had to buy some film and a replacement battery. I honestly wouldn't hesitate letting my mom use this camera, knowing that she'll have fun with it and get some decent pictures. I can't say the same about my digital, which is more complicated to use.

11-09-2009, 03:12 PM	#4
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376 Original Poster	Thanks guys... I figured as much. It may be easier to give him my Z-70 and buy a couple of cheapo lenses by the sound of it! Edit: I just remembered how much I hate my Z-70. Maybe I'll SELL my z-70 to somebody that appreciates in body manual aperture control and spot-on metering and use the cash to buy something I'd be proud to give my dad, like an ME Super Last edited by keyser; 11-09-2009 at 03:26 PM.

11-09-2009, 03:23 PM	#5
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Get him an m42 adapter (pentax one!) while you're at it

11-09-2009, 03:29 PM	#6
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376 Original Poster	Actually, I hear the Z-70 is very good at metering with the M42 adapter. How well to older cameras lik the ME meter with such an adapter?

11-09-2009, 03:36 PM	#7
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by keyser Thanks guys... I figured as much. It may be easier to give him my Z-70 and buy a couple of cheapo lenses by the sound of it! Edit: I just remembered how much I hate my Z-70. Maybe I'll SELL my z-70 to somebody that appreciates in body manual aperture control and spot-on metering and use the cash to buy something I'd be proud to give my dad, like an ME Super I just looked up the spec's of the Z-70 and to me it looks like a fine choice for him. I pretty much only shoot a PZ-20 these days, which I can't picture being that much different and it's been a good camera for me. Although I'm really looking for a PZ-1P, if your still thinking about selling it at Christmas time drop me a PM. I'm broke until then, however I might be interested when I get my bonus.

11-09-2009, 03:59 PM	#8
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376 Original Poster	Originally posted by little laker I just looked up the spec's of the Z-70 and to me it looks like a fine choice for him. I pretty much only shoot a PZ-20 these days, which I can't picture being that much different and it's been a good camera for me. Although I'm really looking for a PZ-1P, if your still thinking about selling it at Christmas time drop me a PM. I'm broke until then, however I might be interested when I get my bonus. I'll drop you a PM.

11-09-2009, 04:11 PM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	If you want a m42 film body, look into the Pentax ES II or the Yashica TL Electro X. I would pick the former. http://whitemetal.com/pentax/esii/esii_info.htm Butkus' site will have manuals of good scan quality on both of these and 100s of other bodies and gear.

11-09-2009, 04:24 PM	#10
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by keyser Actually, I hear the Z-70 is very good at metering with the M42 adapter. How well to older cameras lik the ME meter with such an adapter? My ME super is superb with Takumars. Until I got the k10d it was my dedicated takumar body

11-09-2009, 04:45 PM	#11
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376 Original Poster	Originally posted by Andi Lo My ME super is superb with Takumars. Until I got the k10d it was my dedicated takumar body That's good to know. I presume you have to stop down meter though? Please excuse my ignorance about the old Screwmounts; I don't really have much clue about their mechanical functioning, let alone how they'd work with an adapter!

11-09-2009, 04:48 PM	#12
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Yeah, you have to stop down meter. That said, if you want to send your dad an adapter to use with the M42s he have, make sure he has the auto-manual switch or that his lens is manual by default.

11-10-2009, 12:47 PM	#13
indytax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	Originally posted by Andi Lo Yeah, you have to stop down meter. That said, if you want to send your dad an adapter to use with the M42s he have, make sure he has the auto-manual switch or that his lens is manual by default. Which could be an issue for the Helios, depending on what version he has as only one version had the A/M switch, if I remember correctly, and I'd guess it's an all-auto Helios if he got it with his Zenit. That's an easy "surgery" to convert it to manual, though.

11-10-2009, 04:58 PM	#14
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 7,451	Originally posted by Blue If you want a m42 film body, look into the Pentax ES II or the Yashica TL Electro X. I would pick the former. Honeywell Pentax ES II Butkus' site will have manuals of good scan quality on both of these and 100s of other bodies and gear. I've got a TL Electro X for sale in the marketplace.

Cheap Av M42 body suggestions?

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