What's the best stopped-down M42 camera?

[BradS]

did anyone else besides Fuji make super-multicoated single-pin M42 lenses?

other than Asahi Optical Co. (ie Pentax)?

 

[Kodachromeguy]

did anyone else besides Fuji make super-multicoated single-pin M42 lenses?

It is a bit complicated. Around 1971 or 1972, some of the Takumar lenses received multi-coating but retained their simple mount with the single pin to activate the aperture. But by 1972 or 1973, the lenses received the more complicated mount with a tiny second pin and a lever which transmitted the aperture information to the ESII or Spotmatic F. If you buy a lens with the label "Super-Multi-Coated Takumar," it is most likely one with the more complicated dual pins and lever. These work perfectly well with the older Spotmatic, Spotmatic II, 500, and 1000.

 

[BradS]

I’ve also encountered a 50mm f/2 Super-Takumar with a very late serial number that was multi-coated. It came on an SP-1000.

edit: might have been, probably was a 55mm f/2 not 50mm. I sold it along with most of my collection of Spotmatics and screw mount lenses last year.

 

[RLangham]

But in retrospect, the Fujica was more reliable and the multicoated lenses were were pretty darn good (did anyone else besides Fuji make super-multicoated single-pin M42 lenses?).

I well understand the feeling. I have had four nikons and one Nikon lens, and they all give about the same quality pictures. Upgrading isn't always the best choice.

If you buy a lens with the label "Super-Multi-Coated Takumar," it is most likely one with the more complicated dual pins and lever. These work perfectly well with the older Spotmatic, Spotmatic II, 500, and 1000.

In fact they'll mount on most m42 cameras and work like normal m42 lenses. The only problem is that there is a small pin that blocks the manual/automatic switch from being operated when the lens is not mounted. This pin can jump down or catch on the bolt holes in some cameras' mounting rings. I have seen this on both the Mamiya DTL and the Zenit E.

 

[BradS]

^^^ yet another reason why the Spotmatic II is the best.

 

[Paul Howell]

Later Chinon, Cosina, and Ricoh were multicoated as were Petri in M42. Petri M42 lens are quite good, sharp, good contrast, all are single pin. a

 

[GRHazelton]

The stop-down Praktica L models have a metering lever that hardly is to be beaten.
Thus do not overlook ergonomics.

Friend AgX is right on the money. I have a Praktica LTL which I bought new with an f1.8 and case for about $110. in the early 1970s. It still works fine, even though it was used heavily, even bounced off a sidewalk once! Its ergonomics are excellent. The shutter release is on the front panel angled at perhaps 45 degrees. Just above it is the metering key, depress it, set the aperture - center the needle on a circle - release the key and your finger is on the shutter release. The front panel location and the shutter releases angle makes vertical format shooting more comfortable than the common top panel location. The meter is center weighted, the viewfinder also has a shutter wound indicator. Since the metering uses, to the best of my knowledge, a bridge circuit it is relatively voltage insensitive, thus the original mercury cell can he replaced by any silver oxide cell that will fit.
Granted, the fit and finish won't compare with my Spotmatic L but it is tough and easy to use, and can utilize ANY of the zillions of M42 lenses with its excellent handling. My Spotmatic L has only a few lenses giving full aperture metering, otherwise it uses the slide switch which REALLY slows things down.

 

[Craig75]

I would have thought an alpa 11si with m42 adapter and a japanese macro switar in m42 for those that love setting fire to money

 

[Paul Howell]

If I had the money for a 11SI I would not bother with M42 lens, Alpa did not makes lens but used the best examples from really good lens makers like Kern who made the famous Swiss Kern macro 50 1.7, or was it a 1.9.

 

[Craig75]

If I had the money for a 11SI I would not bother with M42 lens, Alpa did not makes lens but used the best examples from really good lens makers like Kern who made the famous Swiss Kern macro 50 1.7, or was it a 1.9.

you can get the switar in the later 1.9 model in m42 fit in a chinon barrel but its even more cripplingly expensive than alpa bayonet.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have one, don't find it to that good, rumor is that Kern sold the designs and elements to Chnion, for the 2000, my Pentax 50 macro F4 is a much better lens.

 

[Craig75]

if you have the alpa chinon then you have a very rare lens. That would be going straight to westlicht in my world!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kern-Mac...413987?hash=item3db4afa123:g:pm4AAOSw1uZgC91g

theres two for sale and both are a huge sum

 

[Paul Howell]

It's labeled Chinon, your right the same lens was also branded Alpa and was the standard lens for Alpa 2000, don't know if other M42 Chinon lens were labeled Alpa. Alpa contracted with Kern, Schneider, Delft, Zoomar, just to few a few of the lens makers it used. The lens were tested by Alpa and if not up to par Alpa would rebuilt the lens, each lens was tested and the plate kept on file if the lens ever needed services. The only Alpa lens I have ever used was the Kern Swiss, a really great lens, nice smooth Boka, buttery contrast and sharp from wide to F 16.

 

[RLangham]

It's labeled Chinon, your right the same lens was also branded Alpa and was the standard lens for Alpa 2000, don't know if other M42 Chinon lens were labeled Alpa. Alpa contracted with Kern, Schneider, Delft, Zoomar, just to few a few of the lens makers it used. The lens were tested by Alpa and if not up to par Alpa would rebuilt the lens, each lens was tested and the plate kept on file if the lens ever needed services. The only Alpa lens I have ever used was the Kern Swiss, a really great lens, nice smooth Boka, buttery contrast and sharp from wide to F 16.

See, I suspect that Chinon was a very good company that got a bad rap in the West. How else do we explain their association with Alpa?

I look at my CS and I think that none of the great camera makers would be embarrassed of this camera. It's very solidly constructed, with good synthetic leatherette, a fantastically quiet and consistent Copal Square copy, an excellent viewfinder, good metering, reliable feel... and I got this for twelve dollars at a boot sale with the kit lens and everything. Nobody in America takes these seriously.

 

[Paul Howell]

Chinon had a pretty good reputation, it's market was generally the consumer level, Kodak bought it, don't know if Kodak sold it or just let it go. From I understand Chinon bought the naming right to Alpa who needed the money, there was no interchangeability between the 2. You could use a M42 lens on a Swiss Alpa body but due to film and flagne distance you could only use Alpa lens on Alpa bodies, although Leica rangefinder users has Alpa Swiss Kern 50mm adapated for the lecia, not sure how the macro feature would work on a rangefinder. Ekakta partnered with Topcon which sold the RE line under both brands as the same mount was used by both Topcon's RE/Super D and Ekakta and the lens were interchangeable. The Topcon RE to the Super D was sort of like the Nikormate line in comparison to the F.

 

[AgX]

Alpa contracted with Kern, Schneider, Delft, Zoomar, just to few a few of the lens makers it used.

To my understanding there never was a lensmaker for 35mm format lenses called Zoomar. Those lenses were made by Kilfitt and in theses cases Zoomar just was a tradename for those lenses. Zoomar emerged as manufacturer later, it were the renamed Kilfitt works, from then on manufacturing cine lenses.

Zoomar was first just the name of a design bureau of Back who later got into business with Kilfitt, before even later taking over his works.

Delft actually is Oude Delft, later calling themselves Old Delft.

 

[Craig75]

It's labeled Chinon, your right the same lens was also branded Alpa and was the standard lens for Alpa 2000, don't know if other M42 Chinon lens were labeled Alpa. Alpa contracted with Kern, Schneider, Delft, Zoomar, just to few a few of the lens makers it used. The lens were tested by Alpa and if not up to par Alpa would rebuilt the lens, each lens was tested and the plate kept on file if the lens ever needed services. The only Alpa lens I have ever used was the Kern Swiss, a really great lens, nice smooth Boka, buttery contrast and sharp from wide to F 16.

The ones in chinon barrel but with the kern face plates are supposed to be original switars and the last switars ever made - you can see on the face plate they are labelled made in switzerland 50mm f1.9s . They are the 83 with the original Kern glass mounted in a chinon barrel. The chinon macro is a totally different lens but in the same barrel. Thats the story anyway. Be good to see an original chinon catalogue to see how these mysterious 83 lenses were marketed

 

[Paul Howell]

Thanks, clears that up, wondered why my Chinon was not close to the Kern I had used, although just for a week.

 

[RLangham]

Chinon had a pretty good reputation, it's market was generally the consumer level, Kodak bought it, don't know if Kodak sold it or just let it go. From I understand Chinon bought the naming right to Alpa who needed the money, there was no interchangeability between the 2. You could use a M42 lens on a Swiss Alpa body but due to film and flagne distance you could only use Alpa lens on Alpa bodies, although Leica rangefinder users has Alpa Swiss Kern 50mm adapated for the lecia, not sure how the macro feature would work on a rangefinder. Ekakta partnered with Topcon which sold the RE line under both brands as the same mount was used by both Topcon's RE/Super D and Ekakta and the lens were interchangeable. The Topcon RE to the Super D was sort of like the Nikormate line in comparison to the F.

Apparently Kodak closed or amalgamated them, as Wikipedia lists them as defunct the same year that Kodak bought a controlling share.

I still find it interesting that you say they had a good reputation. You may be only the second or third person I've talked to, not counting the esteemed Mike "Chinon" Butkus, who hasn't been dismissive of the brand as a whole.

Man, now I want a memorex. You can do aperture priority with full-manual or preset lenses, can't you?

 

[Paul Howell]

Yep, user selects the F stop, when the shutter is pressed the chip reads the light and sets the shutter speed just before the shutter is tripped. In preset, of course,you can always manual mode rather than aperture preferred mode, I've only used my standard Pentax M42, a Yashica, and a few Chinon lens with mine. The shutter is somewhat stiff and and a long throw to compensate for the Auto mode. Takes standard batteries. The one Chinon lens I I found disappointing is the 50mm 1,8 Macro. For mid level camera I think Chinon is fine. I need to take my CE3 and CM3 out for a walk.

 

[RLangham]

Yep, user selects the F stop, when the shutter is pressed the chip reads the light and sets the shutter speed just before the shutter is tripped. In preset, of course,you can always manual mode rather than aperture preferred mode, I've only used my standard Pentax M42, a Yashica, and a few Chinon lens with mine. The shutter is somewhat stiff and and a long throw to compensate for the Auto mode. Takes standard batteries. The one Chinon lens I I found disappointing is the 50mm 1,8 Macro. For mid level camera I think Chinon is fine. I need to take my CE3 and CM3 out for a walk.

I have found the f/2 Chinon Auto to be serviceable in all regards, with very comfortable leatherette focusing grip, but it's sadly lacking in a manual switch to let me use it on my Zenit E. I remember the 1.8 non-macro being fine too. I sold that one for a decent sum...30, I think.

 

[flavio81]

the Fujica was more reliable and the multicoated lenses were were pretty darn good (did anyone else besides Fuji make super-multicoated single-pin M42 lenses?).

Pentax SMC. But "super multicoating" is a marketing gimmick. On the early '70s modern photography made flare tests of several lenses and the EBC Fujinons weren't better performers than the SMC Takumars. And the 50/1.8 Canon FD, which in theory is a single-coated lens, was better performing than the EBC fujinons and close to the its takumar rival.

 

[George Mann]

Pentax SMC. But "super multicoating" is a marketing gimmick.

Pentax SMC = Zeiss T.

 

[AgX]

And the 50/1.8 Canon FD, which in theory is a single-coated lens, ...

I have no source that it is single-layer coated, only that it is not multi-layer coated.

 

[beemermark]

No one has mentioned the Mamiya 1000 DTL. Pull the wind lever out meter is on, push the wind lever in lens stops down. Very intuitive. Takes modern silver oxide battery's. Has spot & average meters. Built like a tank, The 500 DTL is the same but with a top shutter speed of only 1/500th.