Once in awhile, I get asked about vintage lenses adaptable to PL mount cameras like Red Epic or Blackmagic URSA Mini (which can be bought with a native PL mount).
Unfortunately, the options are limited to Arri Standard/Bayonet and LOMO OCT18 mount lenses with not much else to choose from, at least not without a professional conversion.
If we look at the cheap vintage photo lenses, then there is even less to choose from.
RAFcamera makes the M42 to PL mount/adapter which looks more or less like the ARRI B/S to PL ones, so in theory M42 lenses can be used with it, but unfortunately, the options are limited to the lenses with the rear part no wider than 51mm, in particular the last the 8.54mm of it (see below).
June 2016 update: RAF camera has released an improved version of the adapter with the 53mm opening allowing, adding 2mm that can make a massive difference to some lenses that previously were close to being compatible, but didn’t quite screw all the way in. After testing the lenses that were close to being compatible with the old adapter again, this time using the new one, I’m glad to say I was able to add 2 more lenses to the comparability list below.
What’s more, the improved version of the adapter now has a set screw in the m42 flange. It allows one to secure the lens inside the PL mount, ensuring no there is accidental unscrewing of the whole lens, which is common with M42 mount lenses, especially those with tighter focus rings.
I’ve been testing this adapter will all my M42 lenses (compatibility list at the bottom). I should say right away, that there aren’t many M42 lenses compatible with this adapter, because most lenses are wider than 53mm at the back (it’s very easy to tell when lenses will not be compatible). The lenses that have a chance are the ones that have a long mounting section like the Helios 44-2, have a cone-shaped back as found on MIR-1 and Pentacon 135mm (15 blade version) lenses, unfortunately the size and positioning of the focusing ring on MIR-1 means that it falls short of being compatible, but some sort of modification might be possible.
I was glad to find out that Helios 44-2 58mm F2.0 works with this adapter because it’s not only my favourite lens, but also one of those lenses that even high-end users are happy to play with; however positioning of the focus ring on this lens makes focusing pretty difficult unless you add a follow focus gear, as I did below.
Another lens that worked with this adapter is the Industar 50-2 50mm F3.5 (below), which is a tiny, fun lens (my review) and I must say I love how it looks inside a PL mount! Smallest PL mount lens anyone? 😀 You can use it as camera port cap with an added benefit of lens functionality 😉
And finally, we come to the Comparability List.
Below you will find the (rolling) list of lenses that are compatible, might work with so sort modifications or not compatible at all. If you have such adapter, feel free to contribute to this list by stating which lenses work for you and which don’t in the comments section below.
- YES in green
- NO in red
- NO in black (might be possible to mod)
Industar 50-2 50mm (KMZ) – YES
Helios 44-2 58mm (KMZ & Valdai) – YES
Helios 44m-1 58mm (M39 mount) – YES
Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm F2.8 (ALU/silver version) – YES (unconfirmed)
Meyer Görlitz Primotar 180 F3.8 – YES
Pentacon 135mm F2.8 (15 blade version) YES (with improved adapter)
Pentacon 300mm F4.5 – YES (with improved adapter)
MIR-1 37mm (ZOMZ) – NO (focuses to about 10m away with improved adapter, but focus ring becomes jammed in)
Mayer-Optic Gorlitz 30mm – NO (Starts to screw in)
MIR-20M 20mm (KMZ) – NO
Helios 44-3 58mm (MMZ) – NO
Helios 44m / 44m-4 58mm (Valdai) – NO
TAIR-11A 135mm (KMZ) – NO
Jupiter-9 85mm – NO
Jupiter 11A 135mm (KOMZ) – NO
Tair-3A 300mm (ZOMZ) – NO
E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm F2.9 – NO
Carl Zeiss Jena (MC) 20mm, 29mm, 35mm, 50mm (F2.8), 50mm (1.8), 135mm – NO
A big thanks to everyone on VintageLensesForVideo Facebook group for your input into my research!
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Hi and thanks for posting this. I just found an adapter on eBay and the seller claims that this super thin M42 to PL adapter has room for 53mm width at the back of the lens. Any idea if this would open the door for a few more lenses. Might be worth giving it a try. Thanks again.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182028664561?euid=6c5519a55f4249b48e2b616bc805b6b9&cp=1&exe=11473&ext=27979&sojTags=exe=exe,ext=ext
Very interesting find. This could potentially make few more lenses compatible, like the ones that didn’t screw in all the way in.
Thanks for your efforts. Very interested in this thread and your updates.
Sincerely, Peter Simonite
I bought two M42 lens and come very researching about it, like the content, but it’s a shame I did not use PL mount, currently use Nikon F and also find little information about it.
The M42 lenses seem to have full compatibility with the sensor and the majority operate at greater focal length than 2 meters.
sorry my english do not have much experience in grammar.
Super Takumar lenses are not compatible. The more you know!
Super Takumar 1:3.5 35mm work if you remove the aprture ring – it’s what i have heard
Hi guys Mir-10A f:3.5 28mm M42 is compatible with a M42 to PL Mount adapter?
Нi there!!!I have mir 10 a with PL mountIts very interesting lens!!!
And Jupiter 9 2\85m very cool lens!!! I have too.
hey can you explain how the m39 mount version of this lens is compatible? inst the FFD different?
Does anyone know if a PENTACON PRAKTICAR PM MC 70-210mm f/4-5.6 M42 Mount would be compatible?
Do you think that a Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Flektogon 4/20 M42 would be compatible if the back collar was removed?
Adding to the list, the Hexatar 45mm 2.8 works with room to spare.
Hi Phillip, That’s great to hear. I’ve been looking for one of those. Any leads?
I bought a Aicoset P F3.5/35mm Wide Angle Preset Lens from ebay for the princely sum of £21. I noticed it had an M42 extension tube on it. I replaced this for a 5.5mm extension and the lens now fits perfectly into a PL mount. The aperture is a little close to the mount, but not impossible to adjust.
Does anyone know if the Zeiss Jena 1.8 50mm Pancolar has a m42 to PL adapter that works?
Thank you
It looks like it won’t. Too wide at the base.
Adding another: Steinheil Munchen Casseron 40mm 3.5 fits well.
hi there, does anybody has an idea if the ‘Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon MC 2.8/20mm Lens M42 Mount’ can be fittedt to pl with an adapter?
i know its been asked before but only for the f4 and thought there might be a difference!?
please let me know if you guys know of anything that would work.
thanks,
david
and i did see that this lens is on the list and noted as not compatible.
but wasn’t sure if this is in regard to a certain adapter or if its generally not compatible!?
thx
HI, what about the TWIN Industar 28mm small Pancake , like i have the INDUSTAR 50mm perfect fit inside the adapter to PL , do you think the 28mm wide angle similar look will fit inside ?