M42 - What is It

[daltoned]

Hi all, there was a recent thread that mentioned and asked question what was an M42. I can't find that thread now but thought I'd post this possible answer. While reading through the pentax chapter on Exposure values etc and suitable lenses, it mentions " M42 Screw Mount Lenses". Hope this helps.
EddieD

[jerryph]

Its a type of mount specific to certain brands of camera. A wiki link was provided:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M42_lens_mount

[daltoned]

Thanks Jerry, that certainly nails it.

[Snappers]

I believe is was Lensbaby who was after a lens for her camera and was a little confused in the specification where it said it required a M42 mounting. Gary sent her some links but I'm not sure if that solved her problem. I guess she or Gary will see this post soon and then we will know the answer.

[LensBaby]

Nope Andy not me! I think it might have been Mary.

[Snappers]

Ah right, it must have been.

[ladyups]

Ah right, it must have been.

Hi Andy...yes, it was me...I was looking for an extension tube for my lens and Gary sent me a link to ebay for some...but I was and still am confused about the M42...from what I've read, I think it pertains to older lenses that had an M42 mount. Mainly in the older slr cameras..I'm not sure my Sony lenses would qualify as M42, so I'm still researching.

Thanks for helping me out.

[jerryph]

Not sure this is really usable on your Sony A100. From the wiki:

--------------------------------------------
Use on modern cameras
The M42 lens mount is obsolete. Other than rare specialities such as the Cosina-made Voigtlander Bessaflex TM, as well as some Russian-made 35mm SLRs, bodies with M42 lens mounts are no longer manufactured.

However, because of the simplicity of the M42 lens mount and the large selection of existing lenses, M42 adaptors exist for all current and many obsolete lens mounts. This allows the use of M42 lenses on modern film and digital SLRs.
--------------------------------------------

There is a M42 specific forum on yahoo, but they talk old cameras, all film, no dSLRs like your Sony A100 (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ClubM42/).

I think you were looking into tube extenders because you wanted to get into macro photography at a reasonable cost, right? If so, unless you have an old M42 macro lens, you do not need anything M42 related.

I also did a fast look on amazon and did not find any extention tubes for the A100, just Canon and Nikon mounts. Thats not to say that they do not exist, just that I found nothing to suit your needs.

Are we on the right track?

[ladyups]

Not sure this is really usable on your Sony A100. From the wiki:

--------------------------------------------
Use on modern cameras
The M42 lens mount is obsolete. Other than rare specialities such as the Cosina-made Voigtlander Bessaflex TM, as well as some Russian-made 35mm SLRs, bodies with M42 lens mounts are no longer manufactured.

However, because of the simplicity of the M42 lens mount and the large selection of existing lenses, M42 adaptors exist for all current and many obsolete lens mounts. This allows the use of M42 lenses on modern film and digital SLRs.
--------------------------------------------

There is a M42 specific forum on yahoo, but they talk old cameras, all film, no dSLRs like your Sony A100 (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ClubM42/).

I think you were looking into tube extenders because you wanted to get into macro photography at a reasonable cost, right? If so, unless you have an old M42 macro lens, you do not need anything M42 related.

I also did a fast look on amazon and did not find any extention tubes for the A100, just Canon and Nikon mounts. Thats not to say that they do not exist, just that I found nothing to suit your needs.

Are we on the right track?

Yes, Jerry, we are on the right track. I was interested in an extension but didn't know how to go about buying one. Ebay had extensions for the Sony a100 but they were for the M42 mounts and you are correct, I do not have any of those type lenses. I'll keep looking..I'm sure I will find something. If not, I'll just save my money for a macro lens. Thanks for helping...I'm glad to know that I wasn't wrong when I thought that was what the M42 meant. All this camera technology boggles my mind...:confused:

[LensBaby]

Mary when I had my A100 I just used screw on macro lenses and they worked great! I might still have them actually. I also have a DVD for the Sony A100. Do you want me to look. I also have polarizers UV filters etc. I kept everything that went with my A100.

[ladyups]

Mary when I had my A100 I just used screw on macro lenses and they worked great! I might still have them actually. I also have a DVD for the Sony A100. Do you want me to look. I also have polarizers UV filters etc. I kept everything that went with my A100.

Thanks, Susan, but won't all this stuff still work on your 700? I was under the understanding that it was an upgrade and your filters, extensions, etc would work on both cameras. But, I'd be interested in what you have, if you want to look. I have two UV filters and a CPL. I need to purchase one more UV for my 75-300 lens and I'm going to be in the market for the extensions and the teleconverters as soon as I figure out what I'm suppose to be buying. I'm going to be researching it more today. I think I found some extension tubes for my Sony...there are 3 to the set and they cost $159. I'm hoping someone here will let me know if that is a good price and what the three are for...:D I'm guessing they are different magnifications and you can use all them at once and this is what they mean when they say they 'stack' them. Would this be correct?

[LensBaby]

The lense that I bought with my 700 has 62mm so for Christmas I received a lot of presents for my camera and NOW I have so much extra stuff from the last camera. The video doesnt really do me much good because the camera is so different. DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE SONY FLAGSHIP? It will be out sometime around September...24.6 MP ..live view with swivel screen and so much more. Not that the MP really is a big deal unless you are blowing up posters! I wonder how much this camera is going to be! IT is going to have a full frame sensor as well.