Pentacon Power

[Black Pearl]

Really enjoying experimenting with and simply wandering about with the old Pentacon 50mm f1.8 I picked up recently.

[Wavelength]

Very nice images....First is most dramatic

[Rainforest]

Does look like fun. #1 is a keeper for me. A lot going on for a simple shot and it all works.

[rpcrowe]

I remember when the Pentacon brand equipment included very viable film SLR cameras and lenses. In fact, I lusted after the Pentacon but never was able to get one. The first SLR film camera that I owned was the Canon FX. I bought this camera in Japan. The store at which I purchased the camera was out of Nikon SLR cameras so, I chose the Canon.

[Black Pearl]

I have three version of this lens - an early M42, none MC, all metal version that these were taken with - a slightly newer M42 which is made from a lighter weight alloy but has multi-coated elements - and - a Prakticar B Mount version which feels cheaper (they were when new) but is likely exactly the same design as newer the M42.

I'm selling the B mount as I don't have a Fuji adapter for it but keeping the other two. The older one is the nicest to use with super smooth focusing and remarkable sharpness for its age but its aperture is very (very, very) sticky so best used wide open. The MC version works perfectly but being a lighter build isn't quite so satisfying to use - still sharp mind you.

[tao2]

Hi Robin ,

if ye want tae clean the aperture blades, look here

About one minute in, the guy stops dismantling tae show the aperture mechanism. Ah use a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol, then rolled on a tissue or clean cloth. NO drips. A light, gentle careful wipe of the aperture blades will remove most if not all the crud. Often, ye only need tae do one side of the blades but if the front still needs done, ah'd strongly recommend a lens spanner. If yev done this before , it'll be a doddle for ye. If not, and ye feel confident then give it a try. Just remember the position of the mount and aperture ring, relative tae the lens body. First time ah did this (with a Helios lens) ah took shots of every stage, tae ensure that everything was re-installed correctly...

Finished...



There's lotsa instructional vids on Youtube.

[Black Pearl]

Thanks for the link.

I should have explained a little better - by sticky I mean the mech is damaged in some way not the blades themselves sticking. They will stop down and open again but the push button on the side is very, very stiff for the first stop or two of travel, same goes as you open them up being free for the smaller apertures then stiffens up on the last but.

I could pull it apart - done so countless times when I worked at Jessops - but 99.9999% of the time I will shoot this lens wide open for the bokeh so don't mind it being a little quirky.

[IzzieK]

#1 is so dramatic. I love it.