Lens for a Zenit-E

L.Jenkins

Recently bought a Zenit-E made in 1980. I'm just wondering if anyone knows where I can buy a lens only? I've scourered the net and have only found entire sets, which include cameras etc on sites such as ebay.

sebphoto

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

Recently bought a Zenit-E made in 1980. I'm just wondering if anyone knows where I can buy a lens only? I've scourered the net and have only found entire sets, which include cameras etc on sites such as ebay.

What kind of lens you're looking for? I have some friends in Eastern Europe and it's possible to arrange basically everything on M42

L.Jenkins

I have the basic lens that comes with the camera. I'm looking for something to increase magnification.

sebphoto

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

I have the basic lens that comes with the camera. I'm looking for something to increase magnification.

Then consider following:
1. Jupiter 135mm f/3.5 - i had it over 10 years ago, but it's fantastic
2. Jupiter 200mm 21M f/4

I think price is approx €60 for one piece plus shipping, but you can get also Cosina, Pentacon or Tair for similar price.
I can help you to arrange it if you like.

DaireQuinlan

Any M42 mount lens will do, there should by billions* of them on EBay, in a bewildering array of qualitys and conditions. Jupiters, as sebphoto says, are good if you get them on good condition. Carl Zeiss Jena lenses are pretty well regarded though as with everything it's best to check the specific lens to see what people think of it, evry manufacturer had its lemons...

One cheap FSM lens you should get is the fabled Helios 44. You should get it for chump change but it's just great :-) I got one years ago to shoot on my nikons, and I ended up getting a spotmatic (old pentax M42 mount body) to shoot with it. Then one thing leads to another and before you know it you have a growing collection of takumars and spare spotmatic bodies and what not. I actually gave away a praktica with a 50mm CZJ f/2.8 the other day that I got as part of a lot of stuff because I've gotten to the point where I have too many at this stage

*may be a slight exaggeration

L.Jenkins

I just picked up the camera at the weekend, so I'm intent on learning and I realise that my camera has come with the Helios 44 lens. I'm looking to pick up something with a little more zoom for long distance shots and a light as well. I'll be heading back to the shop I purchased it in to see if they have anything in that line, otherwise when I get the money together, I'll check out your suggestion sebphoto.

djgaillimh

I saw a Takumar 135mm f2(?) available on adverts.ie. It was in a bundle with a Spotmatic and two other lenses but the guy said he'd entertain offers for the 135.

Could pick it up for €30-ish

It's a really good lens.

DaireQuinlan

djgaillimh wrote: »

I saw a Takumar 135mm f2(?) available on adverts.ie. It was in a bundle with a Spotmatic and two other lenses but the guy said he'd entertain offers for the 135.

Could pick it up for €30-ish

It's a really good lens.

link ? There's an S1a there with a soligar 135mm but none of the kit sounds as though it's in particularly good nick, oily aperture blades, fungus on the glass ...

DaireQuinlan

Actually there's this one here as well:

http://www.adverts.ie/lenses/carenar-135mm-f-2-8-m42/1620459

probably a rebadged cosina or something, so not the best but probably not too bad stopped down. Plus it's only €30

djgaillimh

Sorry, here's the link:

http://www.adverts.ie/film-cameras/pentax-k1000-with-3-lenses/1626220?notification=acdf4304370e18c98675a23139838a67-1338305695#comment_8184937

It was a K1000, not a Spotmatic. I have the older version of that Takumar and it's excellent. 45 years old and still sharp.

DaireQuinlan

djgaillimh wrote: »

Sorry, here's the link:

http://www.adverts.ie/film-cameras/pentax-k1000-with-3-lenses/1626220?notification=acdf4304370e18c98675a23139838a67-1338305695#comment_8184937

It was a K1000, not a Spotmatic. I have the older version of that Takumar and it's excellent. 45 years old and still sharp.

Ah right yeah I saw that one. K-mount though, not M42. Not a bad kit for the price though if the OP fancies grabbing it and delegating his zenit to a be a helios shooter.

djgaillimh

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Ah right yeah I saw that one. K-mount though, not M42.

Oops. Well, great camera and lens regardless. Although I'd recommend buying into K-mounts, given the sheer volume of cheap M42s that are available on ebay and other places.

I've seen a few M42 telephotos sell on adverts recently. Just keep an eye out and you'll find a bargain or two.