Mamiya 55mm/1.4

[cucco]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5510789157/" title="P1020296 by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"500" height="375" alt="P1020296" /></a>

Has anyone had any luck using or adapting this lens to m4/3? It has a screw on mount, but I don't know of what variety. Any help would be useful!

I did do a search on here for the lens and found a lot of references to the 55mm 1.8, but not the 55 1.4.

Which adapter would I use and does anyone have any thoughts on the quality? In the case of this lens, both the front and rear elements are in perfect condition, there's no haze or fungus and the focus and aperture rings work just like they were new.

I've used Mamiya medium formats and have had amazing results. This lens came off of a manual 35mm body that's in similarly good condition.

Cheers and thanks!
Jeremy

 

[labcoatguy]

If it came off a 35mm slr body, odds are that it's either an M42 mount or a T-mount, which to make things confusing is also 42mm wide but with a different thread pitch. Can you get a closeup picture of the mount end of the lens that shows the thread?

 

[cucco]

Sure.

It will have to be tomorrow.

What's the difference between an M42 and an M-mount? I have an M-mount adapter and this does not fit at all (not bayonet and not the right size).

Thanks!!
Jeremy

 

[labcoatguy]

M42 is just a generic name referring to the fact that it's a screw mount that's 42mm wide; I'm not sure if there ever was a formal name for it, as it's been used by many manufacturers. Some people call it a Pentax screw mount, but Pentax wasn't the first to use it. Apart from the letter "M", I don't think it has any relation to the Leica M mount.

 

[cucco]

Thanks.
I can also measure the rear mount if that helps.

 

[deirdre]

My recollection is that this was one of the alternate mounts used to get around Leica's patent on the 39mm mount they used.

 

[WJW59]

This probably came off a TL or DTL body which are standard M42 screw mounts. The Mamiya lenses to be careful with are the screw mount SX as these added an extra pin on the back that might keep them from seating completely on some adapters.

 

[cucco]

Here are a couple of images off the bottom of the lens.

There is a pin there on the bottom of the lens. I hope this isn't what you're referring to. If so, would there be a problem with removing the pin?

Thanks!
Jeremy

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5513784726/" title="untitled-3.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"375" height="500" alt="untitled-3.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5513784440/" title="untitled.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"500" height="375" alt="untitled.jpg" /></a>

 

[WJW59]

No, that is the standard aperture actuating pin for M42 lenses. The SX lenses have a second, smaller fixed (non-retracting) pin on the flat face of the mount and it is out near the rim. What you have is just a standard M42 mount.

See this auction for an example: MAMIYA SEKOR SX 50MM 1:2 LENS MF SCREW MOUNT CLEAN LOOK - eBay (item 320664372516 end time Mar-30-11 12:56:14 PDT)

If you look near the edge of the mount you will see the pin. You can also see that the aperture ring extends beyond the mount also. This could also be a problem.

 

[iliakoltsov]

Mamiya had an issue with some lenses you need to file the body as it doesn't fit the M4/3 adapter , now as i can see you are in luck no need for filing. What you need is an M42 M4/3 adapter most will come with a pin locker. I tried to lock mine manually to use on Pentax no hope, removing the pin = shooting wide open grrrrrrrr. In other words just get an adapter

The main difference between M42 and leica M mount the flange distance and from memories M mount is a bayonett type. Now if you are talking about the M39 and the M42 dthe main difference is the flange distance.
M39 : 28,8 mm
M42 :45,5 mm
Leica M mount : 27.8 mm
There are some exceptions the very early Zenit produced by KMZ had a M39 mount with the flange of M42.

 

[cucco]

Thanks for the info!

Does anybody have any thoughts on the quality of these lenses? In other words, is it worth my $20 to get the adapter for it, or would I be better off just ebay-ing the lens?

Cheers!
Jeremy

 

[iliakoltsov]

From what I could find on the net this lens was made a highly regarded optician Tomioka. They are very scarce , therefore its worth investing in the adapter.

 

[cucco]

Thanks!

 

[treebeard]

I have a beautiful Mamiya/Sekor 55/1.8 and I love it. If I had the 55/1.4 chances are I would not part with it.:smile:

 

[cucco]

Thanks!
I've got the m42 adapter on its way.
I don't think I'll be parting with it.
I love the focal length of this lens and I hope that it lives up to the quality of other Mamiya gear I've used in the past.

 

[cucco]

My M42 adapter came in today and I started shooting things around the house with this lens.

First, let me say thank you for all of your tips on this lens.
Second, let me say that I'm head over heals in love with this lens. Just the way it looks on the GH2 body adds instant class! The images that I'm getting are simply fantastic. Just for grins, I shot several pics wide open (1.4) just to get a feel for the bokeh. Wow. Simply Wow! This very well may be my favorite lens so far. This WILL be used for pro portrait shooting.

Here are a couple quick samples:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5527077435/" title="untitled-26.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 159556 "500" height="375" alt="untitled-26.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5527668294/" title="untitled-21.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 159557 "500" height="375" alt="untitled-21.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5527076427/" title="untitled-15.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"500" height="375" alt="untitled-15.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5527667470/" title="untitled-13.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 159559 "500" height="375" alt="untitled-13.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5527667208/" title="untitled-9.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 159560 "500" height="375" alt="untitled-9.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5527666936/" title="untitled-5.jpg by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"375" height="500" alt="untitled-5.jpg" /></a>

I tried to find things that would show off dynamic range and in-focus/out-of-focus ranges.

I'm immensely pleased! These are all untouched shot from RAW in the camera with no extra saturation, etc.

Cheers all!
Jeremy