Since the M42 to M4/3 adapter seems like such a simple piece, I'm wondering if the Novoflex is worth the extra expense. I've got a SMC Takumar 50/1.4 on the way and looking for a good quality adapter. Can anyone share experiences with the different M42 adapters?

My Supertaks only cost me $30 for a 35 f3.5, 50 f2, and 135 f3.5 altogether (in 2006). Not going to spend more than that for adapters. Quality varies. I own three M42 adapters. All focus past infinity because they are on the short side. Using the tak 135, one is just off while the other two indicate 30 meters. There is a fair amount of travel between 30M and infinity on a Tak 135mm. I don't use the distance scales so this is not an issue. I do wonder if the lenses loses much resolution quality when focused with a register distance that is way off.

Fit can vary too, One of the above is loose on the EPL1, while the other two are reasonably tight. The loose one is a one piece design, machined from a single piece of metal. Any M42 lens mounted on it has the aperture display about 60 degrees off of center. Bad design. The other two are two piece designs, where a threaded insert can be rotated and locked with set screws so the lens will be aligned to the body. I think the first type is no longer sold. I like to think that crappy poor fitting adapters get screened out by the middlemen selling them on ebay, but more and more new sellers pop up. I think the ebay prices have dropped about 30-40% because of the new sellers coming in with cheaper product. By the way, these three adapters cost $12, $18, and $12 shipped. I bought the $18 one to replace the loose $12 unit, and bought the last one for parts for a d-i-y project.

I also own other cheap adapters and they can all be described as acceptable fit and on the short side, focusing past infinity. I took one and shimmed it to fit what I thought was perfect infinity focus for my FD 135mm, but that was too long to work with the FD 50mm.

I'm cheap and I buy ebay specials and they have always worked great.

__________________
Photography isn't about the gear, but the ability to capture a moment

Micro Four Thirds Street Photography Group

I bought a cheap one on Amazon made by Rainbow imaging and it works great although they are somewhat large and heavy to me.
I think buying expensive on the m42 adapter is a waste since it is very simple in design and operation.

So YOU'RE the one who outbid me!!!

Haha, just kidding.. Can't wait to see some pictures from it.

__________________

Didn't get mine on ebay. Got it through KEH. Paid through the nose for it, but should be a very clean copy.

I was just kidding, I'd be very interested to see pictures of it when it comes.

BGN,EX,or EX+?

__________________

I went with an EX+. Should have it on Thursday. I guess I need to decide on an adapter now and order it.

I've got several adapters and I've been pretty satisfied with the eBay cheapies. As you mentioned, the M42 adapters are really pretty basic, so particularly for them, I'm not sure if I'd pay the extra price for Novoflex.

But really it depends on your tolerance for potentially shoddy craftsmanship and how much you value your lenses and your images (if you're booking paid gigs at $100/hr. then the Novoflex is a no brainer).

I just ordered an M42 adapter from a Hong Kong seller on eBay for less than $13 to mount a Helios 44 I just picked up for next to nothing. When it arrives, I'll be happy to give you a report.

__________________
Sarcasm is my default tone, so please consider that before taking offense to the preceding message.

Criticism (no matter how harsh) is welcomed of ANY and ALL images I post.

I ended up getting the FOTGA M42 to M4/3 adapter. Works great at only $7.25. So glad I didn't spend the money on a Novoflex. Will have to see how it holds up over time though.

I'll post some photos tomorrow of my 50mm SMC Takumar f/1.4 and Tele-Lentar 135mm f/2.8 mounted to the OM-D. These legacy lenses are really, really nice for the price. If you can live with manual focus, you can save quite a bit of money!!!