Advice on a native M42 mount camera

Cholentpot · Aug 2, 2018

I'm looking for a native M42 mount camera.

As of now I'm using an adapted Promaster K mount camera with a Jupiter 85mm lens. I use it for work alongside my digital camera.

I'd like something that functions on available batteries, but mechanical if possible. Also cheap, this camera gets abused. I don't mind the Promaster but the prism is 45 degrees which I don't like at all.

Any suggestions?

Rick A · Aug 2, 2018

Dang near any of the Yashica M42's and Fujica M42's are great cameras, the Fujica's are probably the cheapest. Olympus made the FTL which is pricey these days.

Cholentpot · Aug 2, 2018

Rick A said:
Dang near any of the Yashica M42's and Fujica M42's are great cameras, the Fujica's are probably the cheapest. Olympus made the FTL which is pricey these days.

Thanks Rick!

Can you give me a model of either to look for? Gonna have to hit up the 'bay unless someone on here has one to sell.

Kodachromeguy · Aug 2, 2018

Wow, M42 opens up a huge universe of 1960s and 1970s cameras. Rick's suggestion of Yashicas and Fujicas is excellent. Let me add Pentax Spotmatics to that list. Most Spotmatics (but not the ES bodies) were mechanical and beautifully made. Take a look at this list:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-m42-screwmount-film-slrs-c5.html

The Pentax Takumar lenses were among the best of their era and still hold up well: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/03/testing-35mm-super-takumar-lens-in.html

But really, search for online resources. Google will be your friend here.

Rick A · Aug 2, 2018

Cholentpot said:
Thanks Rick!

Can you give me a model of either to look for? Gonna have to hit up the 'bay unless someone on here has one to sell.

Probably any ST model (not STX) last one they made was the AZ in the 80's.
https://cameragx.com/2017/03/01/the-fujica-x-film-cameras/
http://www.camera.portraits.srv2.com/fujica.htm

BradS · Aug 2, 2018

Pentax Spotmatic.

If you're serious about the m42 mount, eventually, you come around to the Pentax Spotmatic line....and when you do, you'll wonder why you messed around with anything else. The Spotmatic F is probably the best choice for you but, the SP-II or SP-1000 are also excellent choices.

Do yourself a favor and try a Spotmatic.

Cholentpot · Aug 2, 2018

Kodachromeguy said:
Wow, M42 opens up a huge universe of 1960s and 1970s cameras. Rick's suggestion of Yashicas and Fujicas is excellent. Let me add Pentax Spotmatics to that list. Most Spotmatics (but not the ES bodies) were mechanical and beautifully made. Take a look at this list: https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-m42-screwmount-film-slrs-c5.html
The Pentax Takumar lenses were among the best of their era and still hold up well: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2017/03/testing-35mm-super-takumar-lens-in.html

But really, search for online resources. Google will be your friend here.

Rick A said:
Probably any ST model (not STX) last one they made was the AZ in the 80's.
https://cameragx.com/2017/03/01/the-fujica-x-film-cameras/
http://www.camera.portraits.srv2.com/fujica.htm

BradS said:
Pentax Spotmatic.

If you're serious about the m42 mount, eventually, you come around to the Pentax Spotmatic line....and when you do, you'll wonder why you messed around with anything else. The Spotmatic F is probably the best choice for you but, the SP-II or SP-1000 are also excellent choices.

Do yourself a favor and try a Spotmatic.

Thanks! Spotmatic popped up in my searches. I figured the good folk of APUG would have something to say on the subject and I value the wisdom found here. As of now I have one M42 lens but I use it heavily.

Also, I'd like something that meters accurately with modern batteries. The Spotmatic line seems to take the merc stuff.

BAC1967 · Aug 2, 2018

I’ve had this Chinon SLR since about 1987, it was well used when I got and it’s still going strong.

Chinon SLR by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Bill Burk · Aug 2, 2018

Spotmatics have a bridge circuit if I am not mistaken, which means any voltage battery is fine.

I personally ignore the in-camera meter when I can and use either a Weston III or other Good handheld meter. Yes it means having to grab two things when going out the door. But meters in cameras drive me nuts (as they age and become less reliable).

Cholentpot · Aug 2, 2018

Bill Burk said:
Spotmatics have a bridge circuit if I am not mistaken, which means any voltage battery is fine.

I personally ignore the in-camera meter when I can and use either a Weston III or other Good handheld meter. Yes it means having to grab two things when going out the door. But meters in cameras drive me nuts (as they age and become less reliable).

I don't have a reliable hand held just yet. I would ignore in-camera meter but sometimes I gotta shoot indoors or in weird light. For paid work I try to be a little more precise. But you're saying that I can pop any 'ol modern battery in a spotmatic no problemo?

mshchem · Aug 2, 2018

Mamiya DTL 500, 1000, or 2000. M42, mechanical, battery operated dual spot and average metering . Boxy and kinda heavy .

I have a Pentax SP 500 with a Super Takumar 50 1.4

BradS · Aug 2, 2018

Cholentpot said:
Thanks! Spotmatic popped up in my searches. I figured the good folk of APUG would have something to say on the subject and I value the wisdom found here. As of now I have one M42 lens but I use it heavily.

Also, I'd like something that meters accurately with modern batteries. The Spotmatic line seems to take the merc stuff.

The Spotmatic F takes modern silver oxide cell but, in actual practice the CdS cells used in the light meter circuits are a more troublesome source of error than using a modern battery in place of the extinct mercury battery. Caveat: this is only true for the Spotmatics as they use a bricge circuit that is more-or-less immune to battery voltage. I'm sure others will come forth with all manner of other remedies but, for the spotmatics, they are mostly un-necessary.

When you get a spotmatic, remember that they're all on the order of 40 years old now...they need maintenance service. We are very fortunate to have Eric Hendrickson. When you get a spottie, send it to Eric. He'll have it running like new and you won't need to worry about batteries or reliability.

Cholentpot · Aug 2, 2018

BradS said:
The Spotmatic F takes modern silver oxide cell but, in actual practice the CdS cells used in the light meter circuits are a more troublesome source of error than using a modern battery in place of the extinct mercury battery. Caveat: this is only true for the Spotmatics as they use a bricge circuit that is more-or-less immune to battery voltage. I'm sure others will come forth with all manner of other remedies but, for the spotmatics, they are mostly un-necessary.

When you get a spotmatic, remember that they're all on the order of 40 years old now...they need maintenance service. We are very fortunate to have Eric Hendrickson. When you get a spottie, send it to Eric. He'll have it running like new and you won't need to worry about batteries or reliability.

Unrelated I have a K1000 with a frozen shutter that I've been pushing off getting fixed...Maybe I need to email Mr. Eric

BradS · Aug 2, 2018

Cholentpot said:
Unrelated I have a K1000 with a frozen shutter that I've been pushing off getting fixed...Maybe I need to email Mr. Eric

Yes. definitely. You will not regret it.

May I suggest that after you have the K-1000 overhauled by Eric, that you purchase an M42-Pentax K mount adapter. They are available on Amazon fo around $12 and on eBay from china for as little as $3. This will give you a modern, reliable camera that take M42 almost natively (the K-1000 is directly descended from the Spotmatic, and in particular, the SP-1000 and the F).

AgX · Aug 3, 2018

BAC1967 said:
I’ve had this Chinon SLR since about 1987, it was well used when I got and it’s still going strong.

I just bought a similar Chinon model. I find that stop-down button very annoying, as it arrests at the end of its travel and then is hard to release again. Maybe that is necessary for metering (I not yet mounted a battery). But in any case that is weird. Compare that to the appropriate button of the TTL models of the Praktica-L family that works so fine (ergonomically and mechanically).

Theo Sulphate · Aug 3, 2018

Cholentpot said:
Unrelated I have a K1000 with a frozen shutter that I've been pushing off getting fixed...Maybe I need to email Mr. Eric

It's not this issue, is it?

Fix Old Cameras: Pentax K-1000 Jammed Film Transp…:

Cholentpot · Aug 3, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
It's not this issue, is it?

Fix Old Cameras: Pentax K-1000 Jammed Film Transp…:

I tried to fix via this video a while back. No dice.

BradS said:
Yes. definitely. You will not regret it.

May I suggest that after you have the K-1000 overhauled by Eric, that you purchase an M42-Pentax K mount adapter. They are available on Amazon fo around $12 and on eBay from china for as little as $3. This will give you a modern, reliable camera that take M42 almost natively (the K-1000 is directly descended from the Spotmatic, and in particular, the SP-1000 and the F).

I have an adapter in my Promaster Superduper 24000K. It does the job but it's a bit loose. I also dislike the way the prism is set up. This gives me an excuse to get another camera. Yay. Or maybe get the K1000 CLAed and set it up for a permanent M42 mount.

Paul Howell · Aug 3, 2018

There are many very good M42 bodies, I still have my first Spotmatic, bought it used in 1966, still works, needs a CLA, very reliable, easy to use, light weight. The viewfinder is a little dim by modern standards, but otherwise a basic no frills camera, unless you a purist who considers a built in light meter a frill. Some dislike the stop down metering, has never bother me. Other options as mentioned are Ricoh, Cosina, and Chion. I have a Chion CM and CE 3, the CM is all mechanical stop down metering, while the CE has an electronic shutter, but has very novel automated exposure, you set the aperture, as the shutter is pressed the meter reads the lights and the camera sets the shutter speed, works with all single pin lens. It was also sold under the GAF label. Both share the same auto winder, its not very fast, 1.5 to 2 FPS, and sounds like a sewing machine. I also use a variety of adaptors for K mount and Minolta A mount. In terms of K mount, I think an MX would work very well. I use an adaptor with a Minolta 9000, set to aperture preferred and let the camera set the shutter speed. I would avoid the Miranda and Petri M42 bodies.

Cholentpot · Aug 3, 2018

Paul Howell said:
There are many very good M42 bodies, I still have my first Spotmatic, bought it used in 1966, still works, needs a CLA, very reliable, easy to use, light weight. The viewfinder is a little dim by modern standards, but otherwise a basic no frills camera, unless you a purist who considers a built in light meter a frill. Some dislike the stop down metering, has never bother me. Other options as mentioned are Ricoh, Cosina, and Chion. I have a Chion CM and CE 3, the CM is all mechanical stop down metering, while the CE has an electronic shutter, but has very novel automated exposure, you set the aperture, as the shutter is pressed the meter reads the lights and the camera sets the shutter speed, works with all single pin lens. It was also sold under the GAF label. Both share the same auto winder, its not very fast, 1.5 to 2 FPS, and sounds like a sewing machine. I also use a variety of adaptors for K mount and Minolta A mount. In terms of K mount, I think an MX would work very well. I use an adaptor with a Minolta 9000, set to aperture preferred and let the camera set the shutter speed. I would avoid the Miranda and Petri M42 bodies.

Thanks,

I'll add some of these to my shopping list. Meanwhile I have a shoot in a few hours so I'll be taking the plastic fantastic out with the soviet whirly.

flavio81 · Aug 3, 2018

BradS said:
Pentax Spotmatic.

If you're serious about the m42 mount, eventually, you come around to the Pentax Spotmatic line....and when you do, you'll wonder why you messed around with anything else. The Spotmatic F is probably the best choice for you but, the SP-II or SP-1000 are also excellent choices.

Do yourself a favor and try a Spotmatic.

What Brad said.

Cholelntpot,

I started collecting M42 lenses after i discovered the Spotmatic.

The Spotmatic is close to an ideal manual focus camera. Imagine a Pentax K1000,

with higher build quality,
with self timer and DOF preview,
with same great ergonomics and VF,
with a prettier top,
and M42 mount. There it is.

The Spotmatic II improves with wider metering range and a smoother shutter action.

The Spotmatic F is the ultimate, it allows open aperture metering with S-M-C and SMC takumars.

AE operation is possible with the Pentax ES and the Chinon Memotron series. As well as the strange Yashica Electro AX.

There are some good fujicas as well, but I never felt attracted. I had a ST605n with the following difference to the yardstick (the spotmatic)

+ quick SPD metering
+ smaller
+ lighter

- only 1/750 top speed
- ugly
- lesser build quality
- the worst of all: shutter vibrations. A rough shutter.

There are two pluses to the Spotmatic that are seldom mentioned: The ergonomics and the VF.

The ergonomics are great. Your hand fits the camera as a glove. Everything falls naturally into place.

The VF is great. It isn't particularly bright or big, but it allows you to precisely see the focus point, has low distortion, good contrast and good eyepoint.

I used to own many Canon and Nikon classics like the F2, F3 and F-1 models. The Spotmatic series made me a Pentax fan as well. And the build quality of some M42 takumars is probably the best to come out of japanese optics makers.

flavio81 · Aug 3, 2018

BradS said:
Yes. definitely. You will not regret it.

May I suggest that after you have the K-1000 overhauled by Eric, that you purchase an M42-Pentax K mount adapter. They are available on Amazon fo around $12 and on eBay from china for as little as $3. This will give you a modern, reliable camera that take M42 almost natively (the K-1000 is directly descended from the Spotmatic, and in particular, the SP-1000 and the F).

I have this adapter as well as arguably the best K-mount camera, the MX.

Sorry but the auto diaphragm operation is lost, making shooting cumbersome.Thus I prefer using an M42 pentax.

And the K1000 is like a poorly-executed copy of the SP.

flavio81 · Aug 3, 2018

BradS said:
The Spotmatic F takes modern silver oxide cell but, in actual practice the CdS cells used in the light meter circuits are a more troublesome source of error than using a modern battery in place of the extinct mercury battery. Caveat: this is only true for the Spotmatics as they use a bricge circuit that is more-or-less immune to battery voltage. I'm sure others will come forth with all manner of other remedies but, for the spotmatics, they are mostly un-necessary.

Meter troubles in SP are almost always bad contact between the camera and the battery chamber. This is easily solved by removing the bottom plate and cleaning that contact.

The other source of problem is the stop-down switch's electrical contacts.

CdS cells should be fine.

Under the top plate, also, there is a potentiometer for meter calibration.

As for the cells, I recommend to use the hearing aid #312 battery. It gives the exact voltage. SP and SPII in theory are sensitive to battery voltage. SP F is not.

Neil Grant · Aug 3, 2018

Cholentpot said:
I'm looking for a native M42 mount camera.

As of now I'm using an adapted Promaster K mount camera with a Jupiter 85mm lens. I use it for work alongside my digital camera.

I'd like something that functions on available batteries, but mechanical if possible. Also cheap, this camera gets abused. I don't mind the Promaster but the prism is 45 degrees which I don't like at all.

Any suggestions?

...Chinon are pretty good. Probably the best ones are the Memotron CE and CE2. 6v electrics, aperture priority TTL metering. Brilliant with manual or preset lenses. All metal construction. Unloved - so cheap prices.

btaylor · Aug 3, 2018

I have little experience with the myriad of M42 camera bodies out there. I did have an East German "Contax" slr when I was a teenager. Horrible! Then I lucked into a used black Pentax Spotmatic somehow-- I used it all through high school and college and then sadly sold it. IMHO, you just need to get one into your hand and you'll know. Just one of the greatest handling 35mm cameras, period. And the lenses! So well made for so little money. Stick with the Takumars and you won't be sorry. Almost 50 years later I picked up an SP500 here on APUG and fell in love with the old Pentaxes again.

GRHazelton · Aug 3, 2018

AgX said:
I just bought a similar Chinon model. I find that stop-down button very annoying, as it arrests at the end of its travel and then is hard to release again. Maybe that is necessary for metering (I not yet mounted a battery). But in any case that is weird. Compare that to the appropriate button of the TTL models of the Praktica-L family that works so fine (ergonomically and mechanically).

Another vote for the Praktica LTL and others! I have one - its rugged, uses I think a bridge circuit - and the stopdown implementation is the best I've ever used.

Advice on a native M42 mount camera

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