M42 camera body suggestion?

kl122002 · Dec 15, 2023

M42 has been in camera history for a long time , and many bodies have been made by different factories. TBH it is the very first time I own myself the first M42 camera today, Praktika L2. It was dropped & broken (the shutter blades and the winding gears are disconnected , and the winding part triggers the firing gear on every winding). I am glad I was able to fixed it . I just like this old simple East Germany camera with a Tessar 50mm 2.8. Small and light.

I know very little on other M42 camera bodies only, like VEB Contax and Ashashi Pentax, S /K, Spomatic. I am thinking about to look for some M42 camera body as well. Which one have the most interchanged parts, like changing prism / waist finder, metering (I know most are stop down metering) , classical design, or best for everyday easy going , or even the worst I should stay out?

Paul Howell · Dec 15, 2023

I have a number, Pentax Spotmatic's, Cosina, Petri, and Chinon. Yashica, Sears, Ricoh, and Mamiya have all passed though my hands. Pentax Spots are easy to use, can use modern battery, well built, metering is accurate. Chinon CE and CM 3 were offered into the 90s, the CE 3 has an auto exposure mode that works with single pin M42 lens. It works by the user setting the aperture, as the shutter is pressed the camera reads the light and selects the shutter speed. The CM is all mechanical with stop down metering, 3 LED on the outside of the body in on the edge of the viewfinder visible while looking though the viewfinder. Cosina made a series of M42 bodies that were sold under a number of house brands, I have the XC3, light weight, LED readout, stop down metering. In your case I would look to see if there is a camera tech in Hong Kong who works on older cameras and see what he/she recommends in terms of serviceability.

xkaes · Dec 15, 2023

This exact topic has been recently discussed exhaustively. I'd suggest you do a SEARCH for "M42 SUGGESTIONS" -- in the top right corner of this screen.

The administrator might add this thread to that thread.

kl122002 · Dec 15, 2023

xkaes said:
This exact topic has been recently discussed exhaustively. I'd suggest you do a SEARCH for "M42 SUGGESTIONS" -- in the top right corner of this screen.

The administrator might add this thread to that thread.

[m42 ] Old timers, I need your help

I decided to go m42…there is a romance, an aura to these photos that is out of this world… So I ask the people that were there (maybe it’s too late now…) to help me out. My usual setup in 35mil, on the street is: - 15mm (not so important) - 28mm (fundamental lens) - 50mm (fundamental lens)...

www.photrio.com

Do you mean this one? It feels like more about Pentax and Takumar lenses.

What I wish is to hear is about m42 camera bodies, not the lens or particular one brand. I just found out M42 camera bodies is pretty interesting in history since many companies have made them before bayonet mount gets popular.

Like what I have seen today is people are mostly shifted to Japanese m42 body (Pentax) , but how about Europ, like Edixa , VEB Pentacon?

kl122002 · Dec 15, 2023

Paul Howell said:
I have a number, Pentax Spotmatic's, Cosina, Petri, and Chinon. Yashica, Sears, Ricoh, and Mamiya have all passed though my hands. Pentax Spots are easy to use, can use modern battery, well built, metering is accurate. Chinon CE and CM 3 were offered into the 90s, the CE 3 has an auto exposure mode that works with single pin M42 lens. It works by the user setting the aperture, as the shutter is pressed the camera reads the light and selects the shutter speed. The CM is all mechanical with stop down metering, 3 LED on the outside of the body in on the edge of the viewfinder visible while looking though the viewfinder. Cosina made a series of M42 bodies that were sold under a number of house brands, I have the XC3, light weight, LED readout, stop down metering. In your case I would look to see if there is a camera tech in Hong Kong who works on older cameras and see what he/she recommends in terms of serviceability.

That speaks the problem here in HK. People rarely talk about M42. Many of them are using Spotmatic but I just feel a bit bored with it. It is a good camera of course but I wish to see others that have unique features that Spotmatic can't do.

mshchem · Dec 15, 2023

Mike's Praktica Collection

mshchem · Dec 15, 2023

Personally I would look for a Pentax Spotmatic F. No stop down metering, silver S76 battery. I'm fond of the Pentax screwmount cameras and lenses.

Brendan Quirk · Dec 15, 2023

kl122002 said:
[m42 ] Old timers, I need your help

I decided to go m42…there is a romance, an aura to these photos that is out of this world… So I ask the people that were there (maybe it’s too late now…) to help me out. My usual setup in 35mil, on the street is: - 15mm (not so important) - 28mm (fundamental lens) - 50mm (fundamental lens)...

www.photrio.com

Do you mean this one? It feels like more about Pentax and Takumar lenses.

What I wish is to hear is about m42 camera bodies, not the lens or particular one brand. I just found out M42 camera bodies is pretty interesting in history since many companies have made them before bayonet mount gets popular.

Like what I have seen today is people are mostly shifted to Japanese m42 body (Pentax) , but how about Europ, like Edixa , VEB Pentacon?

Just posted a photo made with an "M42" "Pentax screw-mount" camera, a Ricoh Singlex TLS. Back then, I swore I would remain faithful to the screw-mount - no new-fangled bayonets for me!! Now, I have many cheap (now, not then) bayonet 35mm cameras I couldn't afford back then, and I really like them!

xkaes · Dec 15, 2023

kl122002 said:
Do you mean this one? It feels like more about Pentax and Takumar lenses.

Nope. It was this one, but there are probably others:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/converting-k-mount-camera-to-m42-permanently.201983/

Les Sarile · Dec 15, 2023

kl122002 said:
That speaks the problem here in HK. People rarely talk about M42. Many of them are using Spotmatic but I just feel a bit bored with it. It is a good camera of course but I wish to see others that have unique features that Spotmatic can't do.

You want a unique M42 mount camera, well then look into the Ricoh TLS401. It has a built-in selectable eye or waist level finder. I believe this is a feature not found in any other camera regardless of mount . . .

Ricoh TLS401B by Les DMess, on Flickr

Romanko · Dec 16, 2023

kl122002 said:
Which one have the most interchanged parts, like changing prism / waist finder, metering (I know most are stop down metering) , classical design

Have a look at Pentacon Super:

Pentacon Super - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Rare, expensive, possibly unreliable but unique. A more common option is Praktica VLC.

For everyday use I would go with Pentax or other Japanese camera. If you like your Praktica you might also like Zenits. People tend to disagree on reliability of Prakticas and Zenits, though. With the current film prices I would recommend investing in a good and reliable camera if you intent to use it regularly.

Paul Howell · Dec 16, 2023

I agree with Romanko, and go one generation further to a K mount. Unless you have access to the U.S or E.U market and are willing to pay shipping I don't see the advantage of a M42 body in terms of the wide availability of lens. I would think about an MX, or for that matter a Chinon K body. Then agarin China made Minolta MD mount bodies and a few lens. Next question is, what are allowed to buy from Japan without paying hefty import fees.

xkaes · Dec 16, 2023

Paul Howell said:
I agree with Romanko, and go one generation further to a K mount.

We've been down this road so many times before.

The OP stated, "I am thinking about to look for some M42 camera body"

And why not? There are a ton of them -- as well as lenses (https://m42lens.com/) -- that you can get for next to nothing.

Here's an incomplete list of over 225 of them:

https://www.kentfaith.com/mounts?mount_id=28

Paul Howell · Dec 16, 2023

The question in my mind is what is available in his market Hong Kong. For that matter how many are available in the Chinese market, I have no idea. In the U.S and E,U so many at good prices. But if OP has to import and pay duties then getting a newer body, like the MX which was Pentax top of line before the LX may make more sense. Adding is are there any techs in Hong Kong that will work on any film camera. Maybe a Minolta MD body as China did make MD mount bodies.

xkaes · Dec 16, 2023

Who knows, but I've got to assume that the OP would know if the M42 cameras are difficult to find in his area.

kl122002 · Dec 16, 2023

Paul Howell said:
The question in my mind is what is available in his market Hong Kong. For that matter how many are available in the Chinese market, I have no idea. In the U.S and E,U so many at good prices. But if OP has to import and pay duties then getting a newer body, like the MX which was Pentax top of line before the LX may make more sense. Adding is are there any techs in Hong Kong that will work on any film camera. Maybe a Minolta MD body as China did make MD mount bodies.

M42 was a boom in my place, just as far as I know , from those older photographers told me it was a real hey days . But then the bodies just gone quickly when bayonet mount arrived . And that also apply to now , the younger gens are using either Canon or Nikon , some play with the m42 lenses only . And so the camera bodies seems like a lost history here, I can't find much information about that.

The K mount camera seems ok while it is just not the moment I wish to open this area.

xkaes · Dec 16, 2023

Well, here's some food for thought:

https://davidde.com/2021/05/16/finding-a-film-camera-home-for-m42-lenses/

kl122002 · Dec 16, 2023

Les Sarile said:
You want a unique M42 mount camera, well then look into the Ricoh TLS401. It has a built-in selectable eye or waist level finder. I believe this is a feature not found in any other camera regardless of mount . . .

Ricoh TLS401B by Les DMess, on Flickr

Thanks ! That will be on my list!

Romanko said:
Have a look at Pentacon Super:

Pentacon Super - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Rare, expensive, possibly unreliable but unique. A more common option is Praktica VLC.

For everyday use I would go with Pentax or other Japanese camera. If you like your Praktica you might also like Zenits. People tend to disagree on reliability of Prakticas and Zenits, though. With the current film prices I would recommend investing in a good and reliable camera if you intent to use it regularly.

Ow... I actually have seen a Pentacon Super in really bad appearance and just ignored. Can't believe it could be such a high price in ebay. I have also checked the Prakitca VLC and it is quite pricy I think. I wonder how many VLC lenses are still available ?
What I like most from my Prakitca L is the weight. It is not heavy as my Canon F-1 (mechanical) does and just simple and snappy to do all tasks I wish. And when I mount it with my Pentacon Six tele lens I feel this weight just right .

Zenit is another one I would be look into. Thanks!

kl122002 · Dec 16, 2023

xkaes said:
Well, here's some food for thought:

https://davidde.com/2021/05/16/finding-a-film-camera-home-for-m42-lenses/

Love it !

I believe what I am loving for would be the earlier gens M42 camera bodies according to this article, like the 1st to the 3rd gen?
Looks like a Fujica ST-801 could be on my list as well .

K400Gremlin · Dec 16, 2023

I have a few M42 lenses, so Ive looked into this from time to time.
The Fujicas are relatively recent and very cheap, and us lr44 batteries. I prefer the st 605 to the more modern ones- my 605 broke, and I replaced it with a 705w, but the metering procedure is too much.
With the 605, to turn on the meter, you press the depth of feild preview- it stops down and meters. The 705w has some way to read the aperture on fujica branded lenses, so to use my old lenses I have to stop down meter and half way depress the shutter to trigger the meter.

Paul Howell · Dec 17, 2023

I dont have one, but the Alpa 2000, it is a rebranded Chinon with auto exposure and top shutter speed of 1/2000. Other than the name it has no relationship Swiss made Alpas. Chinon also made a copy of the Kern Swiss macro 50mm 1.7, some saying used Kern glass.

Alpa Si 2000 - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

chuck3565 · Dec 17, 2023

kl122002 said:
Thanks ! That will be on my list!

Ow... I actually have seen a Pentacon Super in really bad appearance and just ignored. Can't believe it could be such a high price in ebay. I have also checked the Prakitca VLC and it is quite pricy I think. I wonder how many VLC lenses are still available ?
What I like most from my Prakitca L is the weight. It is not heavy as my Canon F-1 (mechanical) does and just simple and snappy to do all tasks I wish. And when I mount it with my Pentacon Six tele lens I feel this weight just right .

Zenit is another one I would be look into. Thanks!

You can use any M42 lens with the VLC series. There is a switch on the camera that can be turned for non-electric Pentacon lenses. Prakticas are so much more refined then Zenits.

kl122002 · Dec 18, 2023

chuck3565 said:
You can use any M42 lens with the VLC series. There is a switch on the camera that can be turned for non-electric Pentacon lenses. Prakticas are so much more refined then Zenits.

Thanks and put it on my list as well !

Does every m42 lens could fit on any bodies ?, or is there a universal body that could fit most / all m42 lenses?

I just received a Fujinon 55 1.8 (not EBC) and tried to put on my Praktica, the m42 threads fit but there is a small block ( I think it was for linking with Fujica camera?) behind the aperture ring and make up a gap between lens and my Praktica L. I also borrowed a Mamaiya/Sekor and noticed it goes like upside down (aperture reading goes downwards) when screwed in the camera.

Paul Howell · Dec 18, 2023

There are several variations, all single pin lens with fit all single pin bodies. Double pin Pentax lens will work with Single Pin bodies in stop down metering mode. Mamiya double pin lens and bodies will not work with single pin bodies. I think Fuji made a 2pin or other type of M42 for open aperture metering that is not compatible with older single pin bodies. The Chinon CE3 is one of the few single pin bodies with meters open aperture with aperture exposure control with all single pin M42 lens. Also sold under GAF and Alpa brands, maybe others as well. Chinon companion camera the CM3 was all mechanical with stopped down metering.

kl122002 · Dec 19, 2023

Paul Howell said:
There are several variations, all single pin lens with fit all single pin bodies. Double pin Pentax lens will work with Single Pin bodies in stop down metering mode. Mamiya double pin lens and bodies will not work with single pin bodies. I think Fuji made a 2pin or other type of M42 for open aperture metering that is not compatible with older single pin bodies. The Chinon CE3 is one of the few single pin bodies with meters open aperture with aperture exposure control with all single pin M42 lens. Also sold under GAF and Alpa brands, maybe others as well. Chinon companion camera the CM3 was all mechanical with stopped down metering.

I just went out and checked. Just like what I have expected, the Fujinon takes m42 with lock and the little pin for connecting to the camera and perform the open-aperture readout, like Nikon's AI ring. I tested my lens with a ST801 and it is kind like using a bayonet camera? Meanwhile the ST801 can't use my M42 Jena Tessar because the open-aperture pin from body is blocking my lens to screw in .

Will check if there is any Chinon camera available in my place.

M42 camera body suggestion?

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