Decision time comes when my V2 suddenly has jamming problems with the shutter button. Sometimes, after advancing the frame, it works. Sometimes, need to advance 2 or 3 more frames then it works. To repair, it may cost as much as getting a new camera body.
To be fair, I have shot more than 10 rolls of film with it and fun with the rangefinder experience. It might need a little tweak or maintenance work, especially after decades in storage and suddenly, in overdrive mode. After this roll, it would retire to the dry air cabinet.
This opens up the opportunity for more GAS which is totally OOC (out of control) these days. Nowadays I am like flooding the Minolta groups with photos. Feel sorry for the moderators who have to check the photos every day. So I figure maybe something different from Minolta, Leica, Canon and Nikon. There's still one uncharted area I have yet to explore and that's the M42. And I am talking about camera, not just the lens.
It turns out to be a huge ocean. There are so many brands though many can be linked by 2 or 3 common sources. But the brightest, obvious name has to be Pentax.
Another risky area is radioactive lens. Not sure how much is the risk of having lens with Thorium oxide in house and long term impact on health of household. Many lens in this era have this. I can't even be sure that whether my current collection has any already.
One thing about GAS is the research. The extensive and intensive read ups, Flickr flipping & pixel peeping and YT watching artificially creates a feeling of increased wisdom in the subject matter (clouded much with imagination). Price comparison elevates the anxiety and the need for thorough analysis concretes the buying process. With smooth justification, end results are usually unexpected. Why do I need 4 more M42 lens and 1 more M42 camera (total damage USD635) when I already have tons of Minolta and Leica R lens? Now I have to worry about if my dry air cabinet is big enough.
The lineup starts with Spotmatic SP II. Since the shop can't find the F (recommended online) and only has the II as the latest model available. Luckily, quick thinking helps to resolve the situation (in a challenging environment with many other buyers waiting for their turn). This is, of course, after the purchase of Pentacon 29mm f2.8 from EBay. My 2nd M42 lens after the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 120mm f2.8 which I have purchased earlier for SRT101. I was thinking of using the Helios 44 which is actually a RF lens and M39 mount. However, I don't wish to waste too many film shots. So I search for 50s mm lens. I already have the 58mm range, so 55mm would be interesting.
Then, come across the Tomioka lens which is widely mentioned online. It's like the OEM or one source for many different brands such as Chinon, Petri, Porst, Rikenon, Revuenon and so on. Of course, the f1.2 lens is the most popular but f1.4 is good enough and more value for money. This reminds me of usual marketing tactics from lens maker offering 1.8, 1.4 and 1.2 as 3 options. I have tried this with the Canon EF lens before. So, I decide to go for 1.4 and Porst came up top of the list with the lowest price.
Next, it's the legendary 50mm 1.4 Takumar lens from Pentax. Trying my best to avoid Thorium oxide glass, I limit my choice to the first batch 8 element version and the last M42 SMC version. No one can guarantee that these are without as well. The main difference between two is the price and it's almost double. Decision time was cut short when offer for a mint copy SMC showed up. It's slightly more expensive the usual ones but it's really in good condition. So done deal. Just need to wait for the Pentacon 29mm and Porst 55mm to arrive safely now.
Tags: B&W Minolta MC Rokkor PF 58mm f1.4
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Tags: 135 Kodak Pro Image 100 Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4
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Tags: 135 Kodak Pro Image 100 Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4
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Tags: 135 Pentax SMC Takumar 120mm f2.8 Kodak Pro Image 100 Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII
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