M42 addiction... the revenge...

My usual drug dealer has borrowed me an Helios 40-2 85 f/1.5 and a Russia-Lytkarino MTO 500 f/8 3M-5A. They are both in mint conditions, with filters and all. I plan to play a little with them tomorrow morning, for deciding whether to buy them or not.
Here you can see some shots of the lenses:

http://s10.photobucket​.com …135/tiziano_bru​no/Lenses/

And here, one shot taken with the 85 f/1.5 @f/2

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?p=1972284

What do you think?

first link doesnt work. You can never have too many lenses, come on now.

Billginthekeys wrote:
first link doesnt work. You can never have too many lenses, come on now.

Just fixed it!
You are right...
Some time ago I saw a thread in which you have to confess: are you a Gear Fetishist or Photographer?

I am a Gear Fetishist for sure!

Don't shoot the 85/1.5 at f/2.

For f/2 you can get the cheaper smaller version. Post a 100% crop at wide open - that's what the lens is for.

Tiziano, what are some of your favorite M42 lenses? So far I've fallen in love with the Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4. I also have a Carl Zeiss Flektogon 35mm f/2.8 and a Jupiter9 85mm f/2, but I haven't had a chance to play with them much.

Here you go: this was shot at @1.5, no processing at all, only the crop.
http://i10.photobucket​.com …ts/Ludovica/_MG​_9126c.jpg

If you are really interested, I can send you the RAW, or, maybe tomorrow, after proper testing with enough light and a tripod, I can update you with the results.

Hanner, I love (and have) just the same lenses, plus the Zeiss Sonnar 200 f/2.8 and the Peleng 8 mm.

tiziano wrote:
Here you go: this was shot at @1.5, no processing at all, only the crop.
http://i10.photobucket​.com …ts/Ludovica/_MG​_9126c.jpg

If you are really interested, I can send you the RAW, or, maybe tomorrow, after proper testing with enough light and a tripod, I can update you with the results.

I wouldn't mind seeing the results out of curiousity, but I won't buy the 85/1.5 for quite a while. I'm just wondering how good/bad the russian glass is.

How are focusing with the thing? Split screen?

I really can't afford any more lenses for now. I have an AF system for PJ, a screwmount portable system for shooting with digital, an FD system for art...

No. I focus with an M42 - EOS adaptor that enables the AF confirmation light. It has some electronics that make the camera believe there is a Canon lens attached.

Is that a regular M42-EOS adaptor or is there something special to it? Can you post a link for the adaptor? Thanks.

No, it is not the regular one:

http://cgi.ebay.it …ViewItem#ebayph​otohosting

With the adapter do you focus with the aperature wide open, get focus confirmation, and then stop down? I assume the adapter doesn't provide a means to allow the lens to be switched to "Auto" via the pin so it stops itself down? I've got an M42 adapter, but it's just the stainless steel ring with no AF confirmation ability. The Pentax/Takumar prime lenses I've collected over the years are superbly sharp on the Canon cameras I've got.

No, usually I first set the aperture, and then I focus. The camera is always able to focus, because these lens are very luminous and I normally use them from 1.4 to 2.8.
Tha adapter doesn't provide that functionality, but on some of the M42 lenses like the Helios, there are two different rings: one for setting the aperture, and the other, much smoother, for closing the diaphragm.
You could, in case of need, first set the aperture, then focus, then close the diaphragm and shot.

tiziano wrote:
No, it is not the regular one:

http://cgi.ebay.it …ViewItem#ebayph​otohosting

I am seriously considering ordering one of these as I have some M42 lenses but focussing isnt easy & I dont like the idea of installing a Split Focus screen.

How does it actually work, do you manually focus & then half press to see if you have the focus confirmation? if not then try focusing again? is that how it works?

It sure sounds like a good thing, does it also show what aperture the lens is set too on the LCD?

Nick

I turn the focus ring until the image seems in focus in the view finder. Then I half press the focus and slightly ajdust the focus ring until I get the red light and the beep of focus confirmation.

It sure sounds like a good thing, does it also show what aperture the lens is set too on the LCD?
Nick

No, it could never do such a thing, because the lens has no electronic to communicate this data.
The adapter always tells the lens that the aperture is 2.0. If you check the exif of my shots, you will see it.