M42 addiction?

I'm not a big fan of the Tair.
It's heavier and f4.5 as opposed to the pentacon being f4
Less contrast and the focusing is "stickier".
Still sharp though.
The pentacon for some reason looks more compact yet the objective lens is much larger than the tair's objective lens.

A really impressive lens at the 300mm focal length is the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar. It's a 300mm f/4 lens with the wonderful bokeh of the 180/2.8, and it's certainly a better performer than the Pentacon (which is really a Meyer Orestegor) or the Tair. It typically comes in a Pentacon Six mount, but those adaptors to EF are as cheap as the M42 adaptors.

Rick "recognizing that it will be about twice the price, but still cheap compared to anything in Canon's lineup at that focal length and speed" Denney

Lately I am thinking about buying a Pentax *istDS for my MF lenses. Lovely camera for such a thing:
-AF assist
-huge viewfinder (bigger then the one on the 20D)
-interchangeable focusing screens at decent prices.

What is AF assist for MF lenses?

Just like Manual focusing AF lenses : the AF point lights up when it is in focus.

Yes, good idea. I thought about it instead of getting my 30D and then using it alongside my 350D. Both small and pocketable. Next year tho' I'll be back to long lenses and AF jobbies so thought the 30D was a better plan.

I have got into this M42 lark too.

Have ebayed a Carl Zeiss 135, a Super Takumar 50mm1.4 and a set of macro bellows for it. Also have a Zenitar fisheye, but its a canon mount version but I think it originated as M42?

I received the CZ yday and wow. Sharp wide open, although 3.5 is quite slow for me. Manual focusing with it on a 350D is also very easy, compared to the fish eye, that thing is a nightmare as there is so much in the screen it is impossible unless set to infinity....Any help with that respect?

Am eagerly waiting for the Takumar. I have Eos 28mm1.8(walkaround main lens) and Eos 85mm1.8(portrait) as my 2 workhorse lens, but it is nice to fill in the gaps in my lineup very inexpensively. I was going to buy a Canon 50mm1.4 to replace my cheap ol 1.8, but never did because I would use other lens as Its too close to the 28 or 85, i can just step back or forward a bit.

So the Takumar shall be a nice way too have my 50mm1.4 a lot cheaper.

Also have always wanted macro capabilities, so can use my Takumar and macro extensions ( £2 and now i also have a macro set up....very cheap.

I also wanted the Jupiter 85mm, but dont think I want to reapeat a focal length as it will never be used.....but very good bokeh? better than the Canon?

You can have that also on Canon ... take a look here.

(But I'm also still waiting for Ricks test of the little gadget )

Best regards,
Andy

Andythaler wrote:
You can have that also on Canon ... take a look here.

(But I'm also still waiting for Ricks test of the little gadget )

Best regards,
Andy

Keep waiting!

I'm overloaded with projects right now, but I will get to it.

By the way, I now have two boxes of trains for you.

Rick "whose Pentax 645 offers focus assist with adapted lenses" Denney

This is really interesting! I too want to know the outcome of the test!!! Thanks!

Same here with the Industar, it still smells it too ! Neat little lens, that

I got the Volna 9 that is reputed to be better, but it's also a lot bigger, so I'd rather use the Industar and it's Lanthanium radioactive elements

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know that this thing here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws​/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte​m&item=7610075147&rd=1​&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&​rd=1

the M42 - EOS adaptor that will enable the AF confirmation beep/light has arrived, and it works very well!
_______________

tiziano wrote:
Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know that this thing here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws​/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte​m&item=7610075147&rd=1​&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&​rd=1

the M42 - EOS adaptor that will enable the AF confirmation beep/light has arrived, and it works very well!
_______________

Listing ended.
No more left.
58 euro is a bit steep when you factor in conversion to Australian dollars.

Hi guys,

I've just found out about these older lens, like Helios 44, been reading up on it today. What kind of adapter for a Canon EOS camera (10D) would I need? Do they all need adapters ( like Ziess DDR 2.8/50 or Jupiter 9 85mm?) Any help would be appreciated. I saw a macro image someone took with the Helios 44 & it was simply awesome! Now I'm checking these out!

You need an M42-EOS adaptor. There are plenty on ebay, mostly from Hong Kong. Mine arrived in a matter of days and was very cheap.

For macro images, M42 extension tubes are ridiculously cheap, and so much fun to use.

Beware though, as others have said. It gets rather addictive.