I'd like to get something in the 100-to-135mm range that falls into the small, lightweight, high IQ, < $200, 49mm filter category. The Carl Zeiss Jena MC 135mm f/3.5 seems to meet the criteria, but I'm puzzled by the M42 mount, which I've never used.
Forgive my ignorance, but do M42-mount lenses just screw onto the adapter until they're tight, without snapping into place like other lenses? If so, "tight" seems subjective. Do they work themselves loose while handling the camera? Do the lens markings always face up when mounted on the adapter and camera? In other words, does this mount cause any problems?
My newbie alt experience is limited to 24mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4 Zuikos in the latest versions with a Fotodiox Pro adapter on a 5D. So I'd like to meet or exceed the IQ of those lenses. It's nice to have the button at the base to remove them from the adapter. Do all other brands of lenses require dismounting the adapter and lens together? If that's the case, it seems like it's much more convenient to have an adapter for each lens.
Make sure to get a brass rather than aluminum adapter, as the aluminum ones can get stuck. And yes, just screw em on firmly but not extremely tight, they will stay on. m42 is a really simple adapter. you can actually unscrew the lens out of the adapter while mounted, though this is not preferable. Best to get an adapter for each lens, they are only $10 or so.
David Deppen wrote:
Thanks for putting up with my beginner questions.
No worries. We all start somewhere. A good place to start is the Alt Lens FAQ 'sticky' thread at the top of this forum.
David Deppen wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, but do M42-mount lenses just screw onto the adapter until they're tight, without snapping into place like other lenses?
Yes. It's generally pretty secure.
There's two 'styles' of M42 adapter; with rim and without rim. The right one to use depends on the type of lens mount. Specifically, the type of aperture control that may or may not be coupled through the mount. Also, whether the lens has a Man/Auto aperture switch, or not.
David Deppen wrote:
My newbie alt experience is limited to 24mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4 Zuikos in the latest versions with a Fotodiox Pro adapter on a 5D. So I'd like to meet or exceed the IQ of those lenses.
Sounds like a good question for a separate thread.
M42 was a very popular mount,to tighten, it just needs to be a bit tighter than the resistance of the focus ring, I always make sure the mount is clean of dirt.
The Super Multi Coated Takumar 100/2.8 is nice, compact and sharp.
Pentacon 100mm f2.8 is excellent lens, very sharp one, have some 3d look. CZJ 135 3.5 is very good to, Jupiter 37a is a copy which sometimes is better than czj and have 12 blades!Tair 11A is also excellent lens nad this one have 15 blades and it`s f2.8 and MC, great build and sharp with very smooth bokeh.
jcolwell wrote:
My favourite, inexpensive 135mm Alt is the small and deadly SMC Pentax-M 135/3.5.
Which is not M42 and also requires surgery to use on an FF body (unless you meant the equally good SMC Takumar 135/3.5). A good lens nonetheless, but also oddly rare for such a common FL, Brand and mount.
mawz wrote:
Which is not M42 and also requires surgery to use on an FF body (unless you meant the equally good SMC Takumar 135/3.5). A good lens nonetheless, but also oddly rare for such a common FL, Brand and mount.
I have the M42 Super Multi Coated version of the 135 3.5 and while it's really great for the money, on a high MP body, it's not quite tack sharp (though it does look good on a lower MP body like the 5D classic). The slightly slower 100/4 Macro walks all over it pretty much by any criteria - tack sharp with great bokeh, color and contrast. A little more than twice the price of the 135 3.5.
