INFO: lens Mamiya Auto Sekor 55/1.4 (M42 type) any good?

Hi,
I'm offered this lens for Euro 40.00 (about $45):
Auto Mamiya/Sekor 55/1.4 #64791 with an M42 adapter to Nikon F-mount.
It's supposed to be in very good order (will inspect on pick-up).



I have a Mamiya C330f and Mamiya 645 and I like the Mamiya lenses. So I wondered if this lens is also good and of the same quality/characteristics?

It's a local pick-up and he'll add an adapter to Nikon F-mount so I can use it straight away.

I like the 55 mm focal length and don't mind spending 40.00 on a nice, old Mamiya lens to play with.
Looking at the serial number (5 digits instead of 6) makes me think this is an earlier model - about 45 years old??
Maybe I'll even get an original Mamiya camera for this lens as well.

Any suggestions on what model of camera to look for? I have no knowledge of these types of Mamiya SLR cameras.
It seems that the Mamiya/Sekor 500TL and Mamiya/Sekor 1000TL are as old as I am (born in 1967), but are these reliable?

Thanks,
Bert from Holland

You will never have a resolution (or a mechanical one, as well) problem with a Mamiya lens, but at $45 (or 40 Euros) that is VERY much too expensive. I buy them for about USD 5.

But, although you have the Nikon adapter, beware, as there is a glass element in it because Nikon's SLR width (between film plane and lens mount) is more than most SLRs, forcing infinity to not be able to be achieved if that glass element was not introduced into that adapter. I do not trust such glass and am wary of it mitigating the best resolution that that Mamiya can attain. But, naked, the Mamiya will yield spectacular results. But, again, too much money. - David Lyga

That's somewhat high of an asking price for that condition, IMO but David's $5 rate likely involves lots of patience or good luck.

As for the quality of the glass, you can expect fair to low contrast at open aperture, slightly more stopped down. I've had two of these and they were both fairly high resolution but low contrast overall so they can look "soft." I currently have a Chinon/Tomioka 55mm f/1.4 and it has more contrast throughout the range but especially at full aperture. The later SX series lenses can have more contrast, likely due to better coatings.

The glass in the Nikon adapter is likely not the best. I've not had good success with them, anyway, including a Canon FD:EF/EOS adapter, with their best use being at narrow apertures or without the glass (losing infinity/long range) for closeups only.

I've had a couple of the Mamiya M42 bodies, they seem to be built well but fairly spartan on features. I have the bottom half of the 1000DTL or TL box if you want it.

Thanks for the advice.
I'll pass on this one then, but will keep an eye open for this lens with a Mamiya body (a 1000DTL?) for a decent price, so I won't be bothered with any adapters. After all, I'm not in a hurry to get more lenses/cameras right now anyway
Thanks,
Bert from Holland

BTW: do you prefer the 55/1.4 or the 55/1.8 lens for image quality?

Edit: or even the 55/2.0? Faster lenses aren't always better quality.

Toad, it does not have to be a Mamiya (lens or body). There were tons of M42 screw (aka Universal) mount SLRs and lenses made. There are exceptions as to ALL M42 lenses fitting ALL M42 bodies, but with the number that were manufactured, I would not worry with finding one.

A Pentax Spotmatic will be my first choice (NOT too heavily used: look closely at the wear on the curtain and listen to the shutter speeds, and watch rear curtain opening when body pointed at a bright light at the speed 1/500 or 1/1000). But the Fuji ST series is just as good. And, yes, there were tons of Mamiya DTLs made. They are well constructed, if a bit cumbersome.

SOME M42 lenses simply will not fit fully on ALL M42 SLR bodies. The Mamiya I think might be one, as there is a tiny stationary pin on the rear. But MOST M42 lenses can be 'married' of MOST M42 bodies. - David Lyga

I'd say the 55/1.4 does the dreamy look well, the 55/1.8 does the higher contrast look alright but other M42 lenses do the higher contrast look even better. Something like the Pentax SMC 50mm f/4 macro would give you lots more contrast and look very modern by comparison.

I have no experience with any Mamiya 55/2.

As for bodies, your Mamiya plan makes sense if you are interested in collecting a "set" and they would work fine as a user, too. The other M42 options as David outlines might give you something but a matching kit can be fun.

David Lyga said:

Toad, it does not have to be a Mamiya (lens or body). There were tons of M42 screw (aka Universal) mount SLRs and lenses made. There are exceptions as to ALL M42 lenses fitting ALL M42 bodies, but with the number that were manufactured, I would not worry with finding one.

A Pentax Spotmatic will be my first choice (NOT too heavily used: look closely at the wear on the curtain and listen to the shutter speeds, and watch rear curtain opening when body pointed at a bright light at the speed 1/500 or 1/1000). But the Fuji ST series is just as good. And, yes, there were tons of Mamiya DTLs made. They are well constructed, if a bit cumbersome.

SOME M42 lenses simply will not fit fully on ALL M42 SLR bodies. The Mamiya I think might be one, as there is a tiny stationary pin on the rear. But MOST M42 lenses can be 'married' of MOST M42 bodies. - David Lyga

Click to expand...

Mamiya made 2 versions of M42, the first was the standard M42 with a single pin for stopped down metering, the second was a 2 pin set up for open aperture metering, as I recall it is not compatible with the Pentax F 2 pin system.

I have a Chinon CE and CM 3, the CE 3 has aperture exposure automation, the CM3 is all mechanical with a 3 diode readout for exposure, both will take a motor winder. The Chinon CE 3 was also sold as rebranded GAF but does not have a motor winder.

It seems I found me a decent (and working) Mamiya 1000 DTL with a lens for Euro 33 (=$38).


BTW: I already own a Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII, but I haven't got a lens for it,
except a Rowi Pan-Focus 50 mm 1:40 lens (yes: f 1/40).



So I'll still be on the look out for a nice 55 mm lens. And maybe a 28 or 35 mm lens?