100mm M42 Lenses

Lenses for Pentax CamerasLenses for Pentax Ca...

6903 posts
15 years
Co. Durham UK

Posted 05/03/2022 - 07:27 Link

Recently my interest has been peaked in vintage 100mm lenses.
Has anyone ever used the Meyer-Optik Orestor/Pentagon 100mm f2.8, to compare them with the Takumar 100mm f4 macro
I'd like to use them on a converted K20 with Katzeye screen.

Barrie - Too Old To Die Young
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/

Edited by bforbes: 05/03/2022 - 07:28

davidwozhere davidwozhere

3312 posts
10 years
Slap in the middle of England

Posted 06/03/2022 - 00:05 - Helpful Comment Link

The meyer is a lot easier to focus than the Pentax but that shouldn't be a problem with what you will be doing. You can play with the aperture using the Meyer and see in real time what is happening. You need to use the on off switch to check depth of field with a Pentax. Being intended for macro, the Pentax is a bit clinically perfect whereas the Meyer has character. The Meyer has about 15 blades that produce a perfect circle vs the Pentax's 6 and they open to f2.8 vs f4. I note you do a lot of car chasing and suchlike that might entail fast changes of aperture - the Meyer doesn't like its iris being whipped from one end to the other and you stand a high risk of damaging it. Those blades are delicate by comparison to the steel plates in a Pentax. You have to treat all Meyers with care.

I love my Meyer lenses and admit to being completely biassed! You could also try the Takumar and/or Soligor 105mm too.

Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd

Edited by davidwozhere: 06/03/2022 - 00:07