Pentax screw mount/M42 favorite lenses?

[Wayne R. Scott]

My favorite M42 lens is a Vivitar Series 1 135mm f2.3. I like it for head and shoulder portraits and for close-ups of eyes only>

Wayne

[nihraguk]

Don't forget Tamrom Adaptall lenses - I think they have M42 adapters. The Tamron 90mm MACRO produces pretty good results and seems to be another popular choice with the M42 crowd.

[titrisol]

My fvorite is the Takumar 17/4 Fisheye

However, the 50/1.4 and the 135/3.5 are the ones i use most.
I also have a 35mm but haven't used it much.

[Ole]

I just picked up a Helios 44-2 58mm f:2 - an M42 to PK adapter is on the way

[nzeeman]

Helios 44-2 58/2 very nice lens. i tried a lot of lenses but this has something, i cant explain what- maybe nice colors and sharpness.

[Elox]

SMC 50/1.4
Ricoh 55/1.4
Vivitar Series 1 135/2.3, 200/3, 90/2.5 Macro, 70-210/3.5 (ver 1)

The 50/55 lenses cost me about $15 each and the Vivitars were all under $50. I use them on either a Spotmatic or Ricoh TL or with an M42/K adapter on either a Chinon CP6 or Ricoh XR1. Mt favorit lens is the 135/2.3.

[eumenius]

With this particular lens, everything really depends on where and when was it made - you see, Helios-44-2 name was a nightmare for many Soviet photographers, and an excellent example of how the optics shouldn't work... but as always, in the whole inferno of these lenses one can find a diamond

Helios 44-2 58/2 very nice lens. i tried a lot of lenses but this has something, i cant explain what- maybe nice colors and sharpness.

[eumenius]

The Takumars, of course, and many many Soviet and DDR-made lenses are still in my posession and use - a fabulous titanic Helios-40 85/1.5, a small Makro-Flectogon 35/3.5, Orestor 100/2.8 and 135/3.5, a strange but amazing Industar-61 L/Z, and others. I also cured my 50/1.4 Takumar from yellowing by intense UV irradiation, so I can shoot slides with it now without any cast

[magic823]

Most of the non-"normal lens" Fujinons are exceptional, especially the ones with EBC coatings. The 50/1.4 Takumar is legendary.

[stark raving]

The 55/1.8 Super-Takumar is one of the great all-time "sleeper" lenses. It gets overshadowed by its "big brother", the 50/1.4, but I think it is every bit as good or better than the 50/1.4. Has a subtle but unique "signature", particularly close-up. I've been shooting this lens for 35 years. If I had to give up all gear except one lens, it would be a tough call between this lens and one of the 1950's Schneider Xenon's.

Jonathan