Matching 42mm screw lenses to SLR

Bobby Brewster · Dec 1, 2024

Hi folks,

I seem to have acquired a few 42mm thread lenses for use with my digital cameras. I would like to use these for film. Amongst my favourite are Super Takumars including 50mm f1.4,
Mamiya Sekor 55mm f1.8 ( non-SX ). In particular, I'm keen to get a camera I can use the Takumars with which I understand can be tricky. For example, I believe these lenses can be a bit tricky with some Canon EF mount film cameras due to mirror clearance. I have been using a Mamiya 1000DTL so far but it's a bit chunky for my taste so I'm tempted by an older Spotmatic but worry that they are getting harder to find at a reasonable condition and price.

Anyway, I wonder if you could tell me what camera you feel would be a good choice to use with my lenses.

GregY · Dec 1, 2024

Bobby Brewster said:
Hi folks,

I seem to have acquired a few 42mm thread lenses for use with my digital cameras. I would like to use these for film. Amongst my favourite are Super Takumars including 50mm f1.4,
Mamiya Sekor 55mm f1.8 ( non-SX ). In particular, I'm keen to get a camera I can use the Takumars with which I understand can be tricky. For example, I believe these lenses can be a bit tricky with some Canon EF mount film cameras due to mirror clearance. I have been using a Mamiya 1000DTL so far but it's a bit chunky for my taste so I'm tempted by an older Spotmatic but worry that they are getting harder to find at a reasonable condition and price.

Anyway, I wonder if you could tell me what camera you feel would be a good choice to use with my lenses.

There are lots of Spotmatics (several versions) .... for as 50-150 on places like Ebay
They show up in 2nd hand stores, Goodwill shops, garage sales.....
That 50mm 1.4 is a beautiful lens particularly wide open.

Paul Howell · Dec 1, 2024

Chinon CE 3, has aperture preferred auto exposure with any M42 single pin lens. It was one of two the last M42 bodies Chinon made, well the Apla 2000 was also M2. The Alpa 2000 had nothing to do with Swiss Alpa, just a rebranded Chinon. Along with the CE was the all mechanical CM 3 with a 3 LED readout. Chinon, Rioch, Yashica, Fuji all made M42 bodies as did Mamiya. The trick to make sure that you not getting a later model body with a non standard M42 mount. Although the screw mount remained the same the number or function of pins were specific to the maker. You can also get a early K mount and use a M42 to K mount adaptor. I use an adaptor on my Chinon CE7.

Wolfram Malukker · Dec 1, 2024

Sears ES2000 is the Chinon CE3 as well.

Kino · Dec 1, 2024

The Chinon CE II Memotron is also a good choice, with a 1/2000th highest shutter speed, but it does have a really long shutter release throw and uses a funky 6V battery.

Chinon CE II Memotron - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Disappointed_Horse · Dec 2, 2024

My favorite M42 camera is the Pentax SL. It's basically a Spotmatic without the meter (which relied on a now-unavailable mercury battery). I love mine and it only cost me $30 (found it on ebay but the seller was local to me so bought it face-to-face with no shipping).

titrisol · Dec 2, 2024

Bobby Brewster said:
Hi folks,

I seem to have acquired a few 42mm thread lenses for use with my digital cameras. I would like to use these for film. Amongst my favourite are Super Takumars including 50mm f1.4,
Mamiya Sekor 55mm f1.8 ( non-SX ). In particular, I'm keen to get a camera I can use the Takumars with which I understand can be tricky. For example, I believe these lenses can be a bit tricky with some Canon EF mount film cameras due to mirror clearance. I have been using a Mamiya 1000DTL so far but it's a bit chunky for my taste so I'm tempted by an older Spotmatic but worry that they are getting harder to find at a reasonable condition and price.

Anyway, I wonder if you could tell me what camera you feel would be a good choice to use with my lenses.

Any of the Asahi Spotmatics will do, as long as the camera is serviced

Bobby Brewster · Dec 2, 2024

Paul Howell said:
Chinon CE 3, has aperture preferred auto exposure with any M42 single pin lens. It was one of two the last M42 bodies Chinon made, well the Apla 2000 was also M2. The Alpa 2000 had nothing to do with Swiss Alpa, just a rebranded Chinon. Along with the CE was the all mechanical CM 3 with a 3 LED readout. Chinon, Rioch, Yashica, Fuji all made M42 bodies as did Mamiya. The trick to make sure that you not getting a later model body with a non standard M42 mount. Although the screw mount remained the same the number or function of pins were specific to the maker. You can also get an early K mount and use a M42 to K mount adaptor. I use an adaptor on my Chinon

Right that’s a good tip. Hope later can I go? Is the Spotmatic F all right ?

Bobby Brewster · Dec 2, 2024

Thank you. Plenty of options there. I V still browse the auctions with those in mind

Wolfram Malukker · Dec 2, 2024

Kino said:
The Chinon CE II Memotron is also a good choice, with a 1/2000th highest shutter speed, but it does have a really long shutter release throw and uses a funky 6V battery.

Chinon CE II Memotron - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

It uses a 4SR44 or PX28, you can stack 4 LR44 batteries and wrap the sides in a turn of masking tape and get the same thing. Batteries are still readily available for it.

MattKing · Dec 2, 2024

Wolfram Malukker said:
It uses a 4SR44 or PX28, you can stack 4 LR44 batteries and wrap the sides in a turn of masking tape and get the same thing. Batteries are still readily available for it.

Or you can use the currently manufactured 4 in one batteries, which are easily found in alkaline version, due to uses like security dog collars!

Paul Howell · Dec 2, 2024

Bobby Brewster said:
Right that’s a good tip. Hope later can I go? Is the Spotmatic F all right ?

The F will work with single pin lens in stopped down metering mode like the standard spots or with 2 pin lens for open aperture metering. F and ES were the last Pentax branded M42 bodies made and often cost more than the standard Spots. Unless you have 2 pin lenes I would go for a standard or spotmatic II.

Les Sarile · Dec 2, 2024

Magazine ad for the Chinon CE II Memotron

Chinon CE II Memotron magazine ad by Les DMess, on Flickr

Bobby Brewster · Dec 2, 2024

Paul Howell said:
The F will work with single pin lens in stopped down metering mode like the standard spots or with 2 pin lens for open aperture metering. F and ES were the last Pentax branded M42 bodies made and often cost more than the standard Spots. Unless you have 2 pin lenes I would go for a standard or spotmatic II.

Thank you. I don't want to spend more than I have to but sometimes things crop up online and prices don't reflect the true capability of the item - either in a good or a bad way! At least I know that I can go for one if it comes up at a better price than expected. It's good at least to know will work on an F.

Bobby Brewster · Dec 2, 2024

Les Sarile said:
Magazine ad for the Chinon CE II Memotron

Chinon CE II Memotron magazine ad by Les DMess, on Flickr

Pretty good advert. What year would that have been? Sometime in the 70s no doubt? I'd prefer a mechanical camera though. I wouldn't be that trusting of not getting a lemon with all these electronics.

Paul Howell · Dec 2, 2024

Chinon made both, the CE 3 (electronic shutter) and the CM 3 (mechanical shutter) the CM uses modern battery which is required for the meter, the camera will work at all speeds with or without a battery. I have both, the CE 3 is aperture priority, with single pin lens. As the shutter is depressed the meter selects the shutter speed and locks the speed place. The CM uses 3 leds, on the outside of the viewfinder in your field of vision but not in the viewfinder. Sort of odd and takes a bit to get use. Both bodies take a motor winder, about 1 1/2 FPS. The CM 3 might be more to your liking.

Cosina and Ricoh also made some very well build M42 cameras which were sold under a number of brands, Sears, Arugus,ect. The problem with recommending a M42 body is that are just so many of them.

GregY · Dec 2, 2024

AAlfano said:
My favorite M42 camera is the Pentax SL. It's basically a Spotmatic without the meter (which relied on a now-unavailable mercury battery). I love mine and it only cost me $30 (found it on ebay but the seller was local to me so bought it face-to-face with no shipping).

Yes, the S cameras are lovely.... I have a black S2.... every bit as nice as Spotmatic....after the obligatory service!

Les Sarile · Dec 2, 2024

Bobby Brewster said:
Pretty good advert. What year would that have been? Sometime in the 70s no doubt? I'd prefer a mechanical camera though. I wouldn't be that trusting of not getting a lemon with all these electronics.

It doesn't hurt to look around from friends and families who'd be thrilled to know someone who could appreciate these. Mine was given by a dear friend and still works perfectly. Battery corrosion is probably a more common issue instead of some catastrophic failure. After all, these are very low powered devices. Also leatherette coming off . . .

Chinon CE II Memotron B by Les DMess, on Flickr

Romanko · Dec 2, 2024

This might sound like a crazy idea but how about Canon EOS 1V with an M42 adapter? If this is outside your budget you can go with a simpler model from the EOS range.

Paul Howell · Dec 3, 2024

That is true, I have a M42 to Minolta A mount adaptor. It has a set of contacts that allows for focus confirmation, of course stopped down metering in manual or aperture priority. I use it a Pentax bellows on a Sony Digital body for macro, but have used it with a Minolta 5 and 600 with my M42 lens.

Marcelo Paniagua · Dec 3, 2024

I normally use my m42 lenses on my Praktica L2. Plain, no bells and whistles camera that is quite dependable. Nothing to wrong and been seeing active use for the last 10 years.

GregY · Dec 3, 2024

Yes, Plain & simple still works like a charm

Bobby Brewster · Dec 3, 2024

Romanko said:
This might sound like a crazy idea but how about Canon EOS 1V with an M42 adapter? If this is outside your budget you can go with a simpler model from the EOS range.

I have Canon digital bodies and lenses but I believe the Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 8 element lens I have would be hit by the mirror in many (if not all) of the film EOS bodies

Paul Howell · Dec 3, 2024

You know that is the one lens I have not shot on my Minolta SLRs, I have used on my bellows which the issue with the rear element is in play.

Bobby Brewster · Dec 3, 2024

Paul Howell said:
You know that is the one lens I have not shot on my Minolta SLRs, I have used on my bellows which the issue with the rear element is in play.

Yes I understand that it won't focus to infinity and can only be used for closer subjects. I do have a Canon EOS30 ( Elan II ) but I've been reluctant/scared to put my 50mm to the test on it so I'm looking for another film SLR. I've saw a Spotmatic F on a site which is in pretty good condition. They say I can return it if I'm unhappy so I'm going for that one. I honestly can't be bothered quibbling, waiting, and haggling over £10 or £15 when It amounts to barely the cost of a film and I could be out using the camera if I just bought the thing.

Matching 42mm screw lenses to SLR

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