Pentax and m42 Leica lenses

dugrant153

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Hey all

So I found an m42 to Pentax K mount adapter that had used before. I also recently saw some used Leica screw mount lenses (m42 I think) that look really enticing.

I've read about the loss of infinity focus so am aware of that. However, curious as to whether there are any other issues I should be aware of before putting Leica (voigtlander) screw mount lenses on my Pentax slr?

Thanks.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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I just tried to do this with a Russian Jupiter lens. Didn't work so well.

What's wrong with Pentax's lenses? They are, by all measures, excellent performers.
 
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dugrant153

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Nothing wrong with Pentax lenses. I like then quite a lot (which is why I'm considering using them and the Pentax film cameras for my next assignment). Just thought I'd try something different and also the Voigtlander lenses I saw (sorry, they're Leica screwmount but Voigtlander brand) are good fast lenses I'm targeting. Was just curious
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Great. It's good to be curious. Many lenses are very good, for sure, and just to throw in my two cents on the discussion, I have used Pentax, Leica, and Voigtlander lenses side by side for a few years now.
It gets confusing at printing time, because I can never remember which camera or lens I used, and unless I make notes I can hardly tell after the fact. I don't print huge pictures, but usually 11x14 or 16x20 from those (mostly Tri-X, but some TMax, FP4, and HP5) negatives, and it's almost impossible for me to tell them apart, unless it was shot wide open (which I don't do much anymore). I use Leica enlarger and enlarging lens too, by the way.

They are all stellar performers, and work wonderfully in all sorts of situations. But if you really wonder what a Leica lens performs like, you should probably experience it for yourself. But for me it was kind of a light bulb moment that while you might be able to measure differences between a Summitar or a Summicron against a Pentax 50mm SMC, it will not really make a difference in the final print that is important. My joy of using the Leica has to do with how beautifully crafted they are, their precision, and how good they feel in the hand. Their silence is remarkable too. If I were you I'd get an M42 Pentax setup, and then start saving for a Leica if you really want to know what they're like.
 

Mustafa Umut Sarac

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You can buy a FED 1 camera and attach a Leitz 39 lens on it. Finding a reliable old lens and camera body is difficult at ebay. My advise is to you to become a subscriber and send a want to buy ad to APUG. I saw few times a 3c and an elmar goes for 250 dollars here.

My new question is , whats wrong with Mercedes ?

Umut
 

E. von Hoegh

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Nothing. They get expensive to work on, though.
I had a '63 220Sb, drove it for a bit and sold it. The fellow who bought it hired me to rebuild the engine, then a few years later he scraped one side against a guardrail. So he bought another one with a tired engine, put the fresh engine in that, and still uses it after almost 20 years. Great cars. But if you want maximum cost/benefit ratio for what is really an appliance, the Japanese cars are the best.
 

Mustafa Umut Sarac

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250 dollars or 120 dollars for Leitz lens and 40 dollar for a FED 1 body is no expensive for a Mercedes Quality. I am not rich to use cheap japanese stuff also . I am not a example but to whom spends energy and Money to photography , as a Porsche , Mercedes , BMW , Leica is the first choice for rangefinder stuff. Someone said to me leica is cheap for what it does.
 

Mustafa Umut Sarac

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The lettering on the nameplate makes everything better or worse. You dont want to be in a japanese car in accident but a Mercedes. Thats why someone pay 20 times more Money to Mercedes because they treat their job seriously.
 

Les Sarile

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Fortunately, we are not going to rely on any photographic gear to pass IIHS collision testing . . .

I have tested all my Pentax manual focus prime lenses - all bought used, using Kodak Techpan shot at ISO25 and processed in Technidol and they are all excellent performers. Of course if they were factory fresh they would be even better. In any case, they will not be the weak link in your system particularly if you don't use equally resolving film, used impeccable technique and shot a scene in ideal conditions.

Actually, I have also started all my other original equipment manual focus prime lenses - Canon, Konica, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus and Yashica, and they all appear to be equally excellent performers to the point that they are unlikely to be the weak link in a system.

However, I support capitalism and I say spend your money as you see fit!
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
The lettering on the nameplate makes everything better or worse. You dont want to be in a japanese car in accident but a Mercedes. Thats why someone pay 20 times more Money to Mercedes because they treat their job seriously.
Click to expand...

And Toyota is not serious about building cars? While you can pay a few hundred dollars and get a fine Leica lens, and a shitty Fed camera body (Lada, anyone?), you can get a stellar Pentax lens for much less than that.

I also claim that Toyota make cars of equal quality to Mercedes. You just don't get as much luxury, and they cost less to drive and repair.
To get a Merc at the same price as a Toyota you have to buy an old one, and while that may be an OK deal for those who can afford the repair work, a new Toyota is going to be bullet proof.

You are right, Mustafa, the Leica lens is the Mercedes. Maybe 99% of the population doesn't need those extra line pairs of resolution in order to make fine photographs.
My Spotmatic is just as enjoyable as the Leica M2. And it's MUCH less expensive to have serviced.
 

Pioneer

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Thomas Bertilsson said:
My Spotmatic is just as enjoyable as the Leica M2. And it's MUCH less expensive to have serviced.
Click to expand...

+1 - My Spottie takes great images. So do my Leica's. Very, very tough to see the difference between the two when the picture is hanging on the wall. Excellent cameras, excellent lenses, but I never had to pay $300 to have shutter curtains replaced in the Spotmatic.
 

darkosaric

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We all do buy some thing that are overpriced - simply because we can and we feel good about it. How many here have an iphone ? Cheaper samsung or nokia will also do the job. I think if you can afford it and you are serious about 35mm photography - you should buy at least one Leitz lens in your life.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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I have an iPhone, because it comes nearly free with a subscription to a data plan. That is here in the US.

Once in a lifetime buy a Leitz lens? Please expand on why you think that is important. What does it add to a photographer's life that they can't be without?
 

darkosaric

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Thomas Bertilsson said:
Once in a lifetime buy a Leitz lens? Please expand on why you think that is important. What does it add to a photographer's life that they can't be without?
Click to expand...

Well - I will try to explain why, and what influenced me on buying Leitz lens. I was using nikon F3 and some cheap but good rangefinders, and always reading a lot of emotional reactions from those Leica users. I knew it that it will not make me better photographer, but I wanted to feel and test those camera/lenses by myself. This amount of emotions must count for something, I was thinking.

The amount of history connected to Leica also pushed me a little. To be part of this history will maybe give you additional push in your photography: maybe yes, maybe no, but you will not know until you try it.
Leica has such huge repertoire of lenses - and many lenses are so unique that those results can not be achieved with other lenses.

Final decision for buying Leica was simple facts that you can sell it for same money if you don't like it.
 

Mustafa Umut Sarac

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Thomas,

Before claiming fed as shitty and before claiming Toyota equal to Mercedes , pay 60 dollars to plastic leica and compare with most expensive Nikon. Take same shot with either of it. You will understand what I meant.

By the way , Leicas 1930 polishing grinding glass specification is still better than 2013 Canon.

If you cant see the difference between shots , go to the doctor and art class.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
Use a Toyota , it kills you at an accident with care.
Click to expand...

Mustafa, you are a curious fellow. Since when does the lens make the artist?

Why don't you show us two real world examples of your lens claims? Two examples shot side by side, all other things being equal, where you can show that one photograph is clearly an improvement because of the lens. Just do ONE simple thing to back up your claim.
I have lived with Pentax and Leica cameras side by side, and I cannot make better photographs with the Leica. SHOW me what you are talking about. Please. No more words. Just SHOW me with a picture.
 

Mustafa Umut Sarac

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I dont have a japanese camera but I m not blind also , look at gallery , find a cron , elmar shot and look all other Toyota shots , you will not be able to find a match , do I want too much ?
 
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