[Nesster]

I would agree with you there, Glen, I think Minoltas are one of the Big Three Abandoned Mounts (with early Nikon and the seemingly multiple Canon variants), and the glass is high quality. Ivor Mantale in his Collecting and Using Classic SLRs book lets out how he's a Minolta fan, though his choice was the SRT202, finding the lenses competetive and the viewfinder superior for his aging bespectacled eyes.

Truth be known, when I got the Leica yearn, the prices quickly disabused me. Even the LTM stuff is expensive. I attempt to substitute, and really very successfully, by owning the 43 Limited (and DA70) and then concentrating on the Super Takumars. Quality wise they are IMHO equivalent, the modern ones are pricey enough for me not to accumulate... but the damn Takumars are too cheap.

[zx-m]

I could not agree more, Nesster. You (and a few others) are absolutely right about the Super Takumars. They are simply fantastic. In fact, I just got back three rolls that were shot recently--mostly with the Super Tak 50/1.4, 55/1.8, and 135/3.5 (and a few with the ST 55/2 and the Viv 28/2.8). The results were the best I have seen in any work I have done: sharp, rich, and natural.

I can now declare (in unwavering manner): I am glad I sold my Nikon gear.



Glen

[soccerjoe5]

Hi guys! What 28mm lens can you recommend for the MX/ME Super?

I see there's a Vivitar 28/2.8 with close focus and the Pentax-M 28/2.8 and there's also a f3.5 of the pentax

Which of the 3 would you recommend?

[Nesster]

The two you mention should both be excellent. This is based on reputation and other variants of the two I've used. Specifically, I'd expect the Pentax to be 'better' in that it will be sharper wide open and remain slightly so closed down. (I have two Takumar screw mounts and a SMC-A) The Vivitar I'd expect to have better bokeh wide open (this a result of being less sharp) and of course it focuses closer, which expands your photographic possibilities.

Another 28 I've seen some fantastic shots from (and wanted to own, before I was overrun with 28's) is the Tamron adaptall.

[soccerjoe5]

thanks nesster! i think i'll be happy with either huh? i'll just go for the cheaper one

[Nick Siebers]

I like the 28mm F3.5 a lot, and have heard that it may be better in some sense than the F2.8. he "close focus" Vivitar is suppsed to be quite good, but I have never tried it, and in general have found older Vivitar and Sigma equipment to be less contrasty and less sharp that Pentax stuff. But I am sure there are exceptions both ways.

[soccerjoe5]

I got the MX and ME Super with a 50/1.7 M today

The MX needs some cleaning and I want to have the foam seals serviced, the ME Super is in superb condition. Picked up some rolls of Tri-X today too.

Super happy

Thanks guys!

[Nesster]

Woo Hoo! Cookin' with gas!

[jgredline]

I got the MX and ME Super with a 50/1.7 M today

The MX needs some cleaning and I want to have the foam seals serviced, the ME Super is in superb condition. Picked up some rolls of Tri-X today too.

Super happy

Thanks guys!

Nice, I can't wait to see the images. Tri-x is quickly becoming my favorite film to use.

[soccerjoe5]

thanks guys! now i'm just hunting for a 28/3.5 M for a good price i wish there was an affordable 85/1.4 or 1.8! they seem to be quite expensive

[Bob Tuttle]

Get one of those foam seal kits from the man in Dallas. Just search for "foam seals" and you should be able to find him. He also sells on Ebay. Very easy to do for a fraction of the price the repair shop charges.

[soccerjoe5]

Get one of those foam seal kits from the man in Dallas. Just search for "foam seals" and you should be able to find him. He also sells on Ebay. Very easy to do for a fraction of the price the repair shop charges.

easy enough to do myself? the focusing screen and mirror needs cleaning too

my ME Super doesn't have a hotshoe though, so i covered it with electrical tape. not noticeable

[soccerjoe5]

my goodness it was such a nice experience shooting with the me super today! i love it! the viewfinder is HUGE and such a joy to use with the 50!

and i tried to use the 50 with the K20 and i was happy to see it works, i love pentax HUGE difference in sharpness from f/1.7 and f/2. i think i'll be shooting f/2 most of the time

i'm UBER happy! i just wish there was a fast at least f2 and affordable 85mm pentax-M lens

[soccerjoe5]

oh is it possible to clean the focusing screen myself? (easy enough to do so?)

it's actually quite clean but there's a little dirt in the middle and that's where i look at when focusing :P

[séamuis]

I would NOT recommend cleaning the focusing screen. the glass can be scratched very easily, very easily. they also have coatings on them which can be easily damaged as well. have you tried a blower?