Best M42 camera ever made

[C A Sugg]

One interesting option is the Chinon Memotrons--CE, CE II, and CE III. I have the Alpa SI 2000, which is a rebranded and mildly restyled CE-II. In addition to full manual control, you get aperture priority AE exposure with any auto M42 lens.

How is the Alpa? I had one briefly in the mid-80s but returned it as the eyepiece curtain was jammed half-way down.

Charles

 

[firecracker]

I'm not 100% sure, but didn't Cosina make the M42 mount SLR cameras a few years ago? They were called "Bessaflex." I know they were in the Japanese market back then under their new Voigtlander line...

 

[Towermax]

How is the Alpa? I had one briefly in the mid-80s but returned it as the eyepiece curtain was jammed half-way down.

Charles

So far, so good. It's very substantial, easy to use, and seems well-made, but I've not yet finished the first roll of film. The meter matches my OM-2, my digital camera, and an old Walz hand-held meter. FWIW, the shutter speeds sound about right.

Alpa-branded models have a die-cast top housing instead of the sheet metal Chinon housing, and there are a few other minor modifications according to Google. One web site I read said that Chinon had to use stricter quality control on the bodies and lenses for Alpa.

It's equipped with a 50mm Alpa macro lens (made by Chinon) that goes down to 1:3. It also came with Vivitar 28mm and 135mm lenses, Vivitar flash, and filters, etc. Not bad for a $15.00 Craig's list special.

 

[Vonder]

Many thanks to all who answered. I decided to go with a Spotmatic SP II because I need a hotshoe and because I found a very nice-looking one for $50. The meter is not known to be working, no battery, but I can live with that.

I also picked up a Fujica ST605N with a lens for comparison.

 

[Shangheye]

You can get batteries (it works with modern ones, just needs a rubber fitting sleeve...). If the switch works the light meter likley works. Testing it is easy. Put the ISO speed on 100, Turn the camera to Bulb setting and looking through the finder push the sitch on (upwards). If the needle falls rapidly down...the meter is working. Calibration is also easy (there is a lever hidden under the rewind and film selection knop)...plenty of reference material on the web. Enjoy! K

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

What ever camera you want that has an M42 adapter available.

As the OP asked what was the best M42 camera available, I would have to say; what ever camera you want that has an M42 adapter available.
If that is the criteria, I would have to say the Canon T90. You could stop down meter in aperture or shutter priority plus being able to use all of the other features of that camera.

If you're talking Pentax; Spotmatic F, ES II & my friends Spotmatic that had a dealer installed mirror lock-up switch, on the opposite side of the stop-down button.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

As the OP asked what was the best M42 camera available, I would have to say; what ever camera you want that has an M42 adapter available.
If that is the criteria, I would have to say the Canon T90. You could stop down meter in aperture or shutter priority plus being able to use all of the other features of that camera.

Yes, but how many keep the automatic diaphragm?

That is one thing the Rolleiflexes do: With an adapter they are the same as a native M42 camera, plus you get a bayonet mount!

How many "M42" cameras offer interchangeable film magazines, 2 viewfinders (one a WLF), built-in motor drive, 3 shutter buttons, TTL flash, one-hand operation and looks like a mini-Hasselblad (SL 3003)?

 

[zenrhino]

Wolfeye, if you need a really good CLA done at a reasonable price, Pittsburgh Camera Repair fixed me up but good. They also added a split-image finder screen which really turned my Spottie IISP into my daily user camera.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

how about the Praktica MTL 5, 5B and 50? are they good? im planning to get one myself.. im still choosing between the Spotmatic and the Praktica.. does the spotmatic F really limits your choices of good lenses?

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

how about the Praktica MTL 5, 5B and 50? are they good? im planning to get one myself.. im still choosing between the Spotmatic and the Praktica.. does the spotmatic F really limits your choices of good lenses?

The cams in the Spotmatic F (and ES and ESII), which engage with their counterparts on the lenses specially made to allow full-aperture metering, will sometimes catch onto the barrels or rear parts of some non-Pentax lenses, preventing screwing them in completely (at least non-destructively).

I've personally come across that problem with some Zeiss Jena, Meyer and/or Schacht and IIRC some Russian/Ukranian lenses.
I can imagine lenses using their own full-aperture metering systems, such as Mamiya and Fuji, also being at risk.

The problem doesn't exist in earlier, non-full-aperture metering Spotmatics.

Finally, Praktica vs Spotmatic: As almost every one has answered here, the Spottie is a VERY sweet camera.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

So, when using a Spotmatic, i must only use those SMC Takumar Lenses for safe mounting? im sorry, Im new to this... Ive been a Nikon user and i dont know much about m42 mount cameras, just only recently that i saw pictures taken from takumar lenses are so sharp, and that sparked my idea of acquiring another body...

 

[Shangheye]

Older lenses with the F version and later is a problem..the SPII and original spotmatic don't have the same problem. K

 

[Silverhead]

how about the Praktica MTL 5, 5B and 50? are they good? im planning to get one myself.. im still choosing between the Spotmatic and the Praktica..

I've shot with both the Spotmatic and the MTL-5 and quite honestly there's almost no comparison. The Pentax is built much better--it has a really tough, rugged little body, whereas the Praktica is built cheaply and doesn't stand up to a lot of real abuse. I would only use the MTL-5 as a backup to the Spotmatic for this reason alone. I have a Spotmatic that's literally been around the world and back with me, and other than the usual repair issues that come up with a camera of its age (40+ years), it has never let me down.

However, the Praktica does have that almost crude, box-like East German design that some find very chic for whatever reason. I have no idea if aesthetics are an issue in your camera selection, of course.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

So, when using a Spotmatic, i must only use those SMC Takumar Lenses for safe mounting? im sorry, Im new to this... Ive been a Nikon user and i dont know much about m42 mount cameras, just only recently that i saw pictures taken from takumar lenses are so sharp, and that sparked my idea of acquiring another body...

The basic idea is:

Spotmatic F (or ES or ESII):
Allows full-aperture metering with the appropriate (later) Pentax/Takumar M42 lenses.
Should be compatible with all (not sure about that) older Pentax/Takumar M42 lenses using stop-down metering.
Not compatible with some non-Pentax M42 lenses.

Older Spotmatics (Spotmatic, II, 500, 1000):
Should be able to use ALL M42 lenses, only with stop-down metering.

(BTW: Does anyone know of an M42 lens which won't fit a classic Spotmatic?)

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

The Difference of Multi Coating.

Given the quality of the coating in the S.M.C.T., ( Super Multi Coated Takumar ), lenses, which is still used in the Pentax 645 & 67, why would you want to use earlier S.T. lenses ? The construction is the same. By the way, there were some late S.T. that were S.M.C.T.

The difference is like the difference between Canon's S.C., ( Single Coat ), & S.S.C., ( multi coat ). Or the difference between any Zeiss, ( then & now ), without T* & with T*.

 

[fingel]

I like my old Argus / Cosina DTL 1000, but then that is the only M42 camera I own.

 

[andrewc]

I vote for the Yashica TL Super, if only for the fact that it has MLU.

The Yashica TL-Super is the one that gets my vote as well, even though I've not used it for very long. It feels very solid and the DX 50mm f/1.4 on mine seems like a jewel.

 

[dynachrome]

If you don't need to mount other types of M42 lenses or if you must have full aperture metering then I would pick the Spotmatic F. Of the stop-down metering cameras I prefer the Mamiya 500DTL or 1000DTL. I have the 500DTL and the spring loaded film advance lever which is pushed forward for metering is a lot nicer to use that the up and down switch on the Spotmatic II. Overall the Spotmatic II is better made but the 500DTL and 1000DTL are easier to use.