Years ago I bought a cheap Spotmatic F mostly for the SMC 50mm f1.4 on it. Had it refurbished with every intention to go out shooting with it. My health had other ideas and it has sat on my shelf for years. Recently I thought that going out taking pictures would be an excellent motivation to get out of the house.
Well, once a gear hound always a gear hound lol. I love 50mm lenses and read about a bunch of different m42 50mm lenses and I couldn't resist. What the hell, they're cheap! I'm intrigued by the different performances wide open even if they all end up being sharp when stopped down.
Just got a Mamiya 1000 DTL with a Mamiya 55mm f1.4. I'm shocked at how nice the camera is. The advance lever is much smoother than my Spotmatic. Like I said, the Spotmatic was CLAed at Zack's including reviving the meter and fixing the corroded battery. The camera looks amazing but now I wonder if it just hasn't been used enough to smooth out? Or is there some lubing I can do to make the advance nicer?
The Mamiya 55mm is in great shape. Are all of them made by Tomioka? The aperture blades are clean and seem to close quickly but are sluggish or even stuck when opening back up. If it doesn't open back up a quick shake usually usually gets them back. Any idea what could cause this? Any chance of it being an easy fix? If not it could always be relegated to a digital only lens.
I also got a Mamiya 55mm f1.8. Also in good condition but the focus ring is kind of stiff. I have worked it quite a bit but it is still stiff enough the entire lens unscrews when I rack the ring to the right. Now I understand why bayonet mounts took over! The lens is so cheap it doesn't make any sense to have it serviced. I'll keep my eye out for another one.
Saw glowing reports of the Yashinon 50mm F2 so I got a DX version. Looks great, no issues. But I learned that it can't be used at infinity on my Spotmatic while I was waiting for it to come in. Sigh.
I found a Vivitar branded 55mm f1.4 m42 lens at a good price and couldn't resist. Going by internet lore it was made by Cosina. I had always heard that the Cosina 55mm f1.4 M42 was Tomioka made or designed at least. It appears to be multicoated and so is newer than the Mamiya. The seller said it works well. Fingers crossed It won't have any mechanical issues. I'm also hopeful I this will be the last 50mm lens purchase!
Well, once a gear hound always a gear hound lol. I love 50mm lenses and read about a bunch of different m42 50mm lenses and I couldn't resist. What the hell, they're cheap! I'm intrigued by the different performances wide open even if they all end up being sharp when stopped down.
Just got a Mamiya 1000 DTL with a Mamiya 55mm f1.4. I'm shocked at how nice the camera is. The advance lever is much smoother than my Spotmatic. Like I said, the Spotmatic was CLAed at Zack's including reviving the meter and fixing the corroded battery. The camera looks amazing but now I wonder if it just hasn't been used enough to smooth out? Or is there some lubing I can do to make the advance nicer?
The Mamiya 55mm is in great shape. Are all of them made by Tomioka? The aperture blades are clean and seem to close quickly but are sluggish or even stuck when opening back up. If it doesn't open back up a quick shake usually usually gets them back. Any idea what could cause this? Any chance of it being an easy fix? If not it could always be relegated to a digital only lens.
I also got a Mamiya 55mm f1.8. Also in good condition but the focus ring is kind of stiff. I have worked it quite a bit but it is still stiff enough the entire lens unscrews when I rack the ring to the right. Now I understand why bayonet mounts took over! The lens is so cheap it doesn't make any sense to have it serviced. I'll keep my eye out for another one.
Saw glowing reports of the Yashinon 50mm F2 so I got a DX version. Looks great, no issues. But I learned that it can't be used at infinity on my Spotmatic while I was waiting for it to come in. Sigh.
I found a Vivitar branded 55mm f1.4 m42 lens at a good price and couldn't resist. Going by internet lore it was made by Cosina. I had always heard that the Cosina 55mm f1.4 M42 was Tomioka made or designed at least. It appears to be multicoated and so is newer than the Mamiya. The seller said it works well. Fingers crossed It won't have any mechanical issues. I'm also hopeful I this will be the last 50mm lens purchase!
