Advice on a native M42 mount camera

[markjwyatt]

I would give thumbs up for the Pentax Spotamatic and the Praktica LTL series. I have a Carl Zeiss Ultron 50mm f1.8 from my old Zeiss Icarex 35S TM Pro camera I used decades ago. The camera has issues, but I want to use the lens (with film, I have also adapted it to my digital). I picked up an early Spotmatic SP for $16 and a Prakitca LTL3 for $20 (plus two generic lenses, one that might be salvageable). The Praktica has light leaks which I am working to repair. I have used the Pentax and it is fine. Neither camera seems to have a functioning meter, so I use a handheld meter.

I actually like the feel of the Praktica LTL3 (weight, grip shutter release location, winder action, shutter feel), but given the light leak, I am using the Pentax for now. The Pentax is a bit clunky (like my Zeiss Icarex), but it is also similarly solid.

 

[narsuitus]

I'm looking for a native M42 mount camera.

Native M42 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Cholentpot]

Native M42 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

I'm leaning to one of those. Do either have a split prism?

 

[narsuitus]

I'm leaning to one of those. Do either have a split prism?

My Fuji ST705 has a split-image focusing aid.

My Pentax Spotmatic has a microprism focusing aid.

 

[cooltouch]

My nod would be toward the Pentax Spotmatic F. Full-aperture metering with SMC Tak lenses.

 

[hartacus]

I'd like something that functions on available batteries, but mechanical if possible. Also cheap, this camera gets abused.

On the other end of the spectrum: Zenit 12XP. Cheap. Would survive being run over by a tank. Runs on two 1.5V silver or alkaline cells which it only uses for metering so you can do without if need be.