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This page is about the 42×1.0mm thread M42 screw mount used to attach lenses to SLR cameras, most popular in the 1960s.

M42 lenses image by Brian Eager (Image rights) This page is about the 42×1.0mm thread M42 screw mount used to attach lenses to SLR cameras, most popular in the 1960s. This page is NOT about the T mount thread measuring 42×0.75mm which screws into adapters ('T-rings') which fit many other types of SLR lens mount, first developed by Tamron. Latest CCTV traffic image from camera #1626 on the M42 road. This image was retrieved on 9th Feb 2021 at 08:50:47 GMT Click this tab to check for new image.

This page is NOT about the T mount thread measuring 42×0.75mm which screws into adapters ('T-rings') which fit many other types of SLR lens mount, first developed by Tamron.

The 42mm screw mount was introduced in 1949 with the Contax S 35mm SLR made by the East German firm VEB Zeiss Ikon. It was also adopted by the East German firm KW on their Praktica range of cameras, introduced around the same time as the Contax S. In the early 1950s the mount was also used by the West German firm Wirgin on their Edixa Reflex range of cameras. Later it was chosen by Asahi for the Pentax family of SLRs. In the 1960s several other Japanese manufacturers also adopted the mount for their new 35mm system cameras. It was also used by the Russians on the Zenit.

In 1956 the Contax F introduced an internal aperture stop-down pin located at 6 o'clock inside the lens mount. Versions of this innovation were adopted by practically all subsequent users of the M42 mount (with the exception of preset or T mount lenses), though early adaptations varied slightly by manufacturer. By the early 1960s the diaphragm actuation mechanism had been standardized as many more companies began using the mount for their system 35mm cameras.

In 1959 both VEB Zeiss Ikon and KW were absorbed into the new East German Pentacon camera manufacturing consortium. All subsequent Pentacon 35mm SLR cameras (most of which were continuations of VEB Zeiss Ikon or KW lines) of the 1960s used the M42 mount.

Despite the standardization of the diaphragm actuation mechanism, there was no industry standard for communicating the aperture ring position to a TTL light meter. Before screw-mount lenses faded from the scene, Mamiya, Pentax, Fuji, and Pentacon all introduced mutually incompatible systems to permit open-aperture metering; but the majority of M42 cameras simply use stop-down metering instead.

In the 1970s, as camera electronics and in-camera metering systems rapidly became much more sophisticated, requiring very accurate mounting tolerances to establish electrical contacts between a camera body and lenses, the technical limitations of a screw-mount lens system quickly rendered the M42 mount obsolete. The M42 mount was progressively replaced by bayonet mounts by all the manufacturers that used it, except on some Zenits. Recently Cosina Voigtländer reintroduced a 42mm screw mount SLR with the Bessaflex TM.

This mount is also called Universal screw mount, Pentax screw mount, Praktica screw mount, or M42 for short. The mount is also sometimes referred to as the P-Mount, which homogenizes the various Pentax, Praktica, or Pentacon associations with the mount.

Glassless adapters have been marketed that will allow M42 lenses to be used on bodies with the Pentax K-mount, the Canon FD or EF mount, the Nikon F mount, the Minolta MD or α mount, the Olympus OM mount, the Konica AR mount, and other 35mm SLR mounts. Adapters are also available to use M42-mount lenses on virtually all digital mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras as well.

There have been a huge number of lenses produced in M42 mount, made by all sorts of manufacturers; a sample are listed below.

• 54Zeiss

Arco

See Arco lenses.

Asahi

Asahi made the widest line of M42 lenses under the name of Takumar. There are four types of these lenses, listed in chronological order:

• type 0: Takumar(preset: Succeeds the older 37mm version of the Takumar
• type I: Auto-Takumar: A lever is added to allow for full aperture focusing
• type II: Super-Takumar: Fully-automatic diaphragm that does not needs to be cocked manually, single layer of coating, however some rare later versions are multi coated
• type III: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar: Extra pin for open aperture metering with the Spotmatic-F/ES/ES-II, super multi coated, one of the best coatings at the time
• type IV: SMC Takumar: newer version that uses a rubberized instead of the metal focusing ring

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Beroflex

• Beroflex Auto MC 35/2.8

Berogon

German brand, unknown German maker

Berthiot

• 150/5.5 Téléobjectif, chrome with one black ring (eBay auction)
• 200/4.5, chrome (eBay auction)

Beauty

This unusual and rare lens was one of the earliest Japanese zoom lenses built for still cameras. It was introduced at the 1962 Nippon Camera Show. The lens design includes 15 elements in 10 groups, and features an unusual direct lever zoom mechanism that is very different from conventional twist or push/pull zooms.^[1]

• 50–100/3 Zoom-Biokor^[2]

Cimko

• 35/2.8 Cimko compact, 52mm filter size.

Corfield

Corfield seems to have sold some lenses in 42mm screw mount for its M42 Periflex models. These lenses were made by Enna.

• 95/2.8 Lumar (manual)
• 135/3.5 Lumax (preset?)
• 400/4.5 Lumax (preset?)

Enna

Enna was a German independent optical company that made most of their lenses in M42 mount. Some were sold under the Revue distributor name. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: chrome, preset or manual diaphragm
• type II: black with knurled rings and wide chrome stripes, preset diaphragm
• type II tele: black with wide chrome stripes, manual diaphragm
• type III: black with many fine chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type III tele: all black, crackled finish, except the base with chrome stripes, manual diaphragm
• type IV: all black, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Enna also made a range of socket lenses. A socket base comprised the mount and focusing mechanism, and an interchangeable optical unit could be mounted on it. There were two generations of socket lenses, one with semi-automatic diaphragm (manual cocking) and the other with fully auto diaphragm. The two generations were mutually incompatible.

Lenses for the first socket system (black with wide chrome stripes):

• 28/3.5 Lithagon
• 35/2.8 Lithagon
• 50/1.9 Ennalyt
• 135/3.5 Tele-Ennalyt
• 240/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt

At the beginning, on the lenses sold on the US market, the name Lithagon and Ennalyt was replaced by Sandmar.

Lenses for the second socket system (black with many thin chrome stripes):

• 24/4 Ennalyt
• 28/3.5 Lithagon, later Ennalyt
• 35/2.8 Lithagon, later Ennalyt
• 50/1.9 Ennalyt
• 90/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt
• 135/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt
• 240/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt

FED

• Industar-10 (copy of the Leitz Elmar 50mm f3.5)
• Industar-61 1:2.8/50mm

Feinmess

The East German optical company Feinmess made one lens in M42 mount, the 105/4.5 Bonotar, in aluminium finish with knurled rings. This lens also equipped some East German 6×9 folding cameras like the Belfoca. It is said about 14000 were produced in M42 mount.

Fuji

Fuji made many lenses in M42 mount, which they adopted for their SLR bodies in the 1970s.

Note that many Fujinon lenses were designed to accommodate open aperture metering. This was facilitated by a small protruding tag on the edge of the aperture ring, which engaged with a lever on the camera lens mounting flange, and 'communicated' the aperture setting to the camera's metering system. This can make the lenses incompatible with other M42 cameras, since it prevents the lens from screwing fully on to the camera body, which results in loss of infinity focus. These lenses also have a locking mechanism, but this does not affect their use on other camera bodies as the lens merely receives a small pin found on Fujica camera bodies.

Auto Fujinon lenses are sometimes found to have had their aperture coupling tab filed off. While unmodified lenses do fit many M42-mountcamera bodies, some lens flanges (or lens adapters) are large enough in diameter that the tab interferes with mounting the lens. Provided the camera body lens mounting flange (the circular metal plate on the camera body) diameter is 54mm or less, Fujica lenses with an aperture indexing tab should fit.

Fujita

Nine models, from 35mm to 400mm.^[3]

Hanimar

Japanese manufacturer

• 35/2.8 auto
• 135/2.8 auto 'S'

Hoya

Hoya lenses are labelled Hoya HMC (also made in other mounts). The finish of the lenses is quite high, they are black with chrome aperture rings. Judging from a couple of samples, all are auto-only. Tha range includes 24mm to 400mm primes and a couple of zooms. They were possibly made by Tokina. Sources are scarce however.^[4] Some collectors doubt that Tokina (or any other) made Hoya due to superior quality of the Hoya lenses to similar Tokina lenses.

Ichizuka

Ichizuka made at least one lens in M42 mount:

• Telinar 105mm f/4.5, aluminium, manual diaphragm

Isco

Isco was a successor of Schneider, and made a lesser range of lenses, some in M42 mount. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: all chrome, slim barrel manual diaphragm
• type Iex: all chrome, external diaphragm release, probably for the early Praktica or Edixa
• type II: chrome, big knurled rings
• type IIex: idem, external diaphragm release
• type III: all black, big knurled rings
• type IV: shape of inverted cone, black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type V: shape of inverted cone, all black, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 24/4.0 Westrogon (IV)
• 28/4.0 Westron (III,V preset, ?/stops down to f22)
• 35/2.8 Westron (V)
• 35/3.5 Westron (IV, V)
• 50/1.9 Auto-Westagon (III)
• 50/1.9 Westrocolor (IIIex)
• 50/1.9 Westromat (IV, V)
• 50/2.0 Edixa-Westagon (II, IIex)
• 50/2.8 Westar (I)
• 50/2.8 ISCONAR (I)
• 50/2.8 Westanar (Iex, II, IIex)
• 50/2.8 ISCOLOR (IV)
• 50/2.8 Iscotar (IV, V)
• 80/2.8 Isconar (? preset)
• 85/2.8 Westanar (I)
• 85/4.0 Isconar (? preset)
• 90/1.9 Iscaron (? preset)
• 100/4.0 Isconar (III)
• 100/4.5 Westar (I)
• 135/2.8 Tele-Iscaron (III)
• 135/3.5 Tele-Westanar (III, IV, V)
• 135/4.0 Isconar (III, V)
• 150/4.5 Westanar (I)
• 180/2.8 Iscaron (?/auto)
• 180/2.8 Tele-Iscaron (III, V preset)
• 180/4.0 Tele-Westanar (III click stop)
• 180/4.5 Edixa-Westanar (I)
• 400/4.5 Tele-Westanar (III click stop)

JML

• JML Optical 28mm f2.8, made in Japan for JML

Kilfitt

Kilfitt lenses had a set of adapters, to attach them to various lens mounts. The only Kilfitt lens with a fixed 42mm screw mount was the 40mm Makro-Kilar. The Makro-Kilar D focused to 1:1 and the Makro-Kilar E to 1:2.

• 4cm f/3.5 Makro-Kilar D, chrome, s/n 211-XXXX
• 4cm f/3.5 Makro-Kilar E, chrome, s/n 209-XXXX
• 4cm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar D, chrome, then black, s/n 245-XXXX
• 4cm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar E, chrome, then black, s/n 246-XXXX

The markings evolved from Kamerabau-Anstalt-Vaduz Kilfitt-Makro-Kilar to Heinz Kilfitt München Makro-Kilar to Kilfitt München Makro-Kilar.

The lenses that were supplied with M42 adapters are:

• 75/1.3 Zoomatar (very rare)
• 90/2.5 Kilar
• 90/2.8 Macro-Kilar (macro range depends on focus-unit)
• 135/3.8 Kilar
• 150/3.5 Kilar
• 250/4.0 Reflectar
• 300/4.0 Fern-Kilar
• 300/5.6 Fern-Kilar
• 400/4.0 Sport-Zoomatar
• 400/4.0 Sport-Fern Kilar
• 600/5.6 Sport-Fern Kilar (two versions: older version focuses to 10m, newer version focuses to 4m)
• 50-125/4.5 Macro Zoomar (focusing to 1:1)

Kilfitt manufactured the world's first production zoom lens for 35mm still cameras. The lens was originally designed by Frank G. Back, and manufactured by Kilfitt for Voigtlander. Kilfitt produced a version in M42 mount with Voigtlander markings. In 1967/68 Frank G. Back acquired the Kilfitt company upon Mr. Kilfitt's retirement, and continued to sell Kilfitt lenses under the Zoomar brand name.

• 36-82/2.8 Voigtlander Zoomar

KMZ

KMZ (Krasnogorski mekhanicheski zavod/Krasnogorsk Mechanical Factory) made many Zenit SLRs since 1953. The first model with M42 is Zenit-E/Zenit-B sice 1965. KMZ is still producing M42 SLRs in the 21st century. (Some Zenit cameras were also made by BelOMO.) The majority of the standard lenses for Zenit were made by KMZ, but some were made by other factories.

• Helios-40 85mm F1.5
• Helios-44 58mm F2 (some were made by BelOMO)
• Helios–77 50mm F1.8 made by VOMZ
• Industar-50-2 50mmF3.5 (Industar-50 is M39 mount)
• Industar-61L/Z 50mmF2.8 made by LZOS
• Jupiter-6 180mm F2.8
• Jupiter-9 85mm F2 made by LZOS
• Jupiter-11 135mm f/3.5
• Jupiter-21 200mm F4.0 made by VOMZ
• Jupiter-37A 135mm F3.5 made by KOMZ
• Mir-1B 37mm F2.8 made by VOMZ
• MC Mir-20 20mm F3.5
• MC Mir-47 20mm F2.5 made by VOMZ
• MC Rubinar 300mm F4.5 made by LZOS
• MC Rubinar 500mm F8 macro made by LZOS
• Tair-3 300mm 1:4.5
• Tair-11A 135mm F2.8
• MC Telezenitar 135mm F2.8
• Volna-9 50mm F2.8 made by LZOS
• Zenitar-M 50mm F1.7 (for Zenit-19)
• MC Zenitar-M 50mm F1.9
• MC Zenitar-M2S 50mm F2.0 (for Zenit-122)

Sankyō Kōki / Komura

These are marked Sankyo Kohki. Incomplete list:

• 85/1.4, in all black and all chrome version, preset
• 105/2, all black, preset
• 200/4.5, black with chrome mount, manual

Kowa

Kowa made a single lens in 42mm screw mount. See Kowa lenses for other cameras.

• Prominar 200mm f/2.8, black with wide chrome stripes, preset, 1958–9

Kyoei (Acall)

Twenty models, from 35mm to 500mm, with the Acall brand name.^[5]

E.Ludwig

Ernst Ludwig was the maker of optical lens in Weixdorf, made triplet type lens Victar, Peronar, Meritar etc. Meritar lenses for the Exakta (or Exa) are numerous, but M42 type are not. There are some types of M42 mount.

• 50/2.9 Meritar (all silver finish, preset diaphragm to16)
• 50/2.9 Meritar (silver and black ring cone shape, preset diaphragm to16 )

Mamiya-Sekor

The first series was made for the Mamiya TL/DTL cameras, the second for MSX/DSX ones. The lenses were also sold under the Sears brand. These lenses have very good optics and a good construction.

First Series: Mamiya-Sekor

• 28mm f/2.8
• 35mm f/2.8
• 50mm f/2.0 (TL/DTL-I/DTL-II)
• 50mm f/2.8
• 55mm f/1.8
• 55mm f/1.4
• 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• 135mm f/2.8 (TL/DTL)
• 135mm f/3.5
• 200mm f/4.5
• 200mm f/3.5 (I/II/III)
• 400mm f/6.3

Second Series: Mamiya-Sekor SX

• 14mm f/3.5 Fisheye
• 21mm f/4.0
• 28mm f/2.8
• 35mm f/2.8
• 50mm f/1.4
• 50mm f/2.0
• 55mm f/1.4
• 55mm f/1.8
• 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• 85mm f/1.7
• 85mm f/2.8
• 90-230mm f/4.5 Zoom
• 100mm f/2.8
• 105mm f/2.8
• 135mm f/2.8
• 200mm f/3.5
• 300mm f/5.6
• 600mm f/8.0
• 800mm f/8.0

Meyer

Meyer was the second East German provider of lenses in 42mm screw mount, after Carl Zeiss Jena. They mostly equipped the East German SLRs Contax S or Praktica.

The main types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type 0: alu finish, slim barrel, manual diaphragm
• type I: alu finish, knurled focusing ring, preset or semi-auto (manual rewind) diaphragm
• type II: black with chrome stripes, auto or preset diaphragm
• type III: black, slightly knurled focusing ring, some chrome on diaphragm ring, auto diaphragm
• type Tele: alu or black finish, manual or preset diaphragm (tele lenses)
• type Tele II: black with spaced chrome stripes, knurled focusing ring, preset diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Miranda

A Japanese optical maker Miranda, whose former name was Orion Camera, made the first Japanese SLR with prism finder in 1955. Most SLRs had an original bayonet mount. They were also sold by the name of Soligor.

The lenses of the first period were made by other companies. They built the lens factory, and made the lens there since 1964. It went bankrupt in 1976. They made M42 camera MIRANDA-TM (SOLIGOR-TM), based on an existing model MIRANDA SENSOMAT RE in 1974.

• 50/1.8 AUTO MIRANDA TM (AUTO SOLIGOR TM)

Nittō Kōgaku

Nine lenses (some branded Kominar), from 28mm through 400mm.^[6]

• 55/2.8 MEPRO KOMINAR (for MEPRO ZENIT, preset diaphragm)

Olympus

Olympus made a small range of lenses in M42 mount, for their FTL body. There is a rumor saying that these lenses were not designed nor built by Olympus, and that they had nothing to see with the later OM lenses. However their characteristics are very similar to the equivalent OM lenses.

• 28/3.5
• 35/2.8
• 50/1.4
• 50/1.8
• 135/3.5
• 200/4

These lenses have an additional pin to lock them into place on the FTL body. On some other M42 bodies, this pin could prevent mounting.

Pentacon

'Pentacon' became the new brand and trademark name of most Meyer lenses after the lens maker was taken over by Pentacon in 1968. The Pentacon lenses have no individual name, just the Pentacon auto marking.

Finish types continue the Meyer types:

• type III: black, knurled focusing ring, diaphragm ring black or with some chrome
• type IV: all black with a diamond pattern on the focusing ring, later with multicoating

The lenses marked Pentacon auto had auto diaphragm, the lenses simply marked Pentacon had preset diaphragm. Some lenses had electric contacts, for the last Praktica bodies using the M42 mount, and were marked Pentacon electric.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• Pentacon 29/2.8 auto (IV MC)
• Pentacon 29/2.8 electric (IV MC)
• Pentacon 30/3.5
• Domiplan 2.8/50
• 50/1.8 auto (III, IV MC), some with Multi Coating marked in red letters
• 50/1.8 electric (IV MC)
• Pentacon 135/2.8 electric (III, IV MC)
• Pentacon 200/4 (IV)
• Pentacon 200/4 auto (IV MC)
• Pentacon 200/4 electric (IV MC)
• 300/4 (IV)
• 3.5/39-80 electric (MC, OEM by Sigma)
• 2x converter electric (IV)

The 50/1.8 exists in IV MC finish with Auto Revuenon markings.

Petri (Kuribayashi)

Petri, whose former name was Kuribayashi Camera, was a Japanese optical maker establised in 1907. The first SLR 'Petri Penta' (1959) and some models of the last period (1976–83) have M42 mount. (Petri FT1000, Petri SD200, Petri MF-1, Petri MF-T 1000, Petri MF-101A, Hanimex CR1000, Hanimex SR2000, Petri MF-10, etc.) Some products were also made by other companies (Chinon, etc.) with the name Petri.

The Petri Orikkor M42 optional preset zebra-finish lenses for the Petri Penta (1959-1960) were mostly made by Kyoei. Most if not all these lenses can also be found under the Kyoei Acall brand, in black.

Kyoei lenses -

• 35/3.5 - 5 elements
• 105/3.5 - 3 elements
• 135/3.5 - 4 elements
• 180/3.5 - 4 elements
• 500/8 - 2 elements

• 50/2 C.C. Petri Orikkor (preset diaphragm) for the Petri Penta (1959) - unknown maker

Later 1970s M42 lenses (incomplete list)

• 50/1.8 auto
• 55/1.8 C.C. Auto Petri (automatic diaphragm)
• 85-205/3.5 C.C. Petri Auto Zoom (automatic diaphragm)
• 135/2.8 MC auto
• 200/3.5 Petri C.C. Auto

Piesker

Piesker made some lenses in M42 mount.

• 35/2.8 Voss
• 100/2.8 Voss
• 135/3.5 Picon
• 135/3.5 Votar
• 180/5.5 Tele-Votar
• 250/5.5 Tele-Votar

Rau Optik

Rau Optik made at least one lens under license from Astro Berlin, the Astro-Astan 4.7cm f/2.9. ^[7]

Revuenon

The German company 'Foto Quelle' sold lenses under their own brandname Revue. The lenses were branded Revuenon, and were bought from different manufacturers.

Known lenses:

• 135mm f/2.8 Revuenon

Ricoh

• 50/1.7 Rikenon auto
• 55/1.4 Auto Rikenon
• 55/2.8 Auto Rikenon

Robotar

Japanese manufacturer

• 35/2.8 MC manual

Rodenstock

Rodenstock made some lenses in M42 mount, but they are quite uncommon.

• 30/2.8 Eurygon
• 35/4.0 Eurygon
• 50/1.9 Heligon, black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, semi-auto diaphragm with external release button for some Edixa models
• 50/2.0 Heligon
• 135/3.5 Yronar, chrome preset
• 180/4.5 Rotelar, black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, preset

Roeschlein

Roeschlein made at least one lens in M42 mount, the 13.5cm f/5.6 Telenar in chrome finish, with manual diaphragm (advertised as original at Leicashop).

Rollei

Some lenses were made in Singapore by Rollei under licence from Carl Zeiss, see also the Carl Zeiss Oberkochen section.

• Rollei 50mm f1.8 Planar (Made in Singapore by Rollei) (exists with and without HFT markings)

Schacht

Schacht also made some M42 lenses. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: all chrome, massive knurled rings, manual diaphragm, some are marked Edixa-Reflex Germany on the barrel
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, semi-auto diaphragm (needs manual winding)
• type III: black with wide chrome stripes, flat rings, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 35/2.8 Travegon-A
• 35/3.5 Travenar-R (III)
• 35/3.5 Travegon-R (III)
• 50/1.8 Travelon-A (III)
• 50/2.8 Travenar (I preset diaphragm)
• 50/2.8 Travenar-A (III)
• 50/2.8 Travenar-R (III)
• 90/2.8 Travenar-R (III)
• 100/3.3 Travegar
• 135/3.5 Travenar (I, II, III)
• 135/4.5 Travegon (I)

Schneider

Schneider made some of their lenses in M42 mount. The types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type I: all chrome or black and chrome, manual or preset diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, preset or auto diaphragm, sometimes with Edixa markings
• type LM: like type II with the possibility to mount a selenium light meter above the lens
• type IIb: like type II with thinner chrome stripes and flatter rings, auto diaphragm, sometimes with Edixa markings
• type III: all black with a leatherette ring around the base, auto diaphragm
• type IIIb: like the III, with slightly conical focusing barrel
• type electric: black and leatherette with very thin chrome stripes, electric contacts for Praktica

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 28/4 Curtagon (II auto, LM, III, IIIb)
• 35/2.8 Curtagon (II auto, LM, III, IIIb)
• 35/4 PA-Curtagon: shift lens with its own special finish, manual diaphragm
  • older version with focusing ring on the rear, behind the shift ring
  • later version with focusing ring on the front
• 50/2.8 Xenar (I chrome, II, IIb)
• 50/2.8 Laudar(I preset)
• 50/1.9 Xenon (I chrome preset, II, LM, III, IIIb)
• 90/3.5 Xenar (I chrome)
• 135/3.5 Tele-Xenar (II auto, IIIb, electric)
• 200/5.5 Tele-Xenar (II preset)
• 300/5 Tele-Xenar (I chrome)
• 360/5.5 Tele-Xenar (II preset)
• 45-100/2.8 Variogon (IIb auto)
• 80-240/4 Tele-Variogon (IIb auto)

It is reported that the Rollei SL-Xenon 50/1.8 made for the Rolleiflex SL35 (see Rolleiflex SL35 lenses) existed in M42 mount too, maybe experimentally.

A weird 35/2.8 C-Curtagon lens with a very compact barrel appears regularly at eBay auctions; it is not sure whether it was designed for a camera model or for some other optical device. It has the same look as a quite recent enlarging lens, but it has a focusing ring, and a diaphragm ring with no preselection nor automation. Because of its strange aspect, it is sometimes advertised as a prototype at an inflated price, something it is obviously not.A rarer 28/4 C-Curtagon, probably from the same line, has no focusing ring nor diaphragm.

Siclass

Japanese manufacturer

• 28/2.8 auto
• 135/2.8 auto

Sigma

A very wide range of lenses; Miyazaki counts 148.^[8]

• 28mm f/2.8 Miniwide

Soligor

Soligor made a range of lenses in M42 mount.

• 19-35 mm f3.5-4.5
• 28 mm f2.8 Wide-Auto
• 28-105 mm f3.5-4.8
• 35-105mm f3.5
• 60-300 mm f4-5.6
• 70-210mm f/3.5 C/D Macro
• 90-230 mm f4.5
• 100 mm f2.8
• 100 mm f3.5 Macro
• 105 mm f2.8
• 135 mm f2 C/D
• 135 mm f3.5
• 180 mm f3.5
• 200 mm f2.8
• 250 mm f4.5
• 500 mm f8 C/D Mirror

Steinheil

Steinheil made a range of lenses in M42 mount.The types of finish were:

• type 0: all chrome, slim barrel, manual diaphragm
• type I: all chrome, sometimes all black, knurled rings, preset diaphragm
• type preII: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, auto diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm, sometimes with Edixa markings
• type IIb: like type II with the stripes very close together

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Sun

A large number of models marketed between 1961 and 1978.^[9]

Tamron

A very wide range of lenses (Miyazaki counts 108 varieties), from 18mm through 500mm.^[10]

Tokina

A very wide range of lenses, from 17mm through 800mm. These have the brands 'Minetar' and 'Lucky Tokina' as well as 'Tokina'.^[11]

Tomioka

• 1:3.5 21mm Tominon
• 1:2 50mm Tominon C.
• 1:1.2 55mm Auto Tominon, mainly sold as Auto Yashinon Tomioka Japan, also marked Auto Revuenon Tomioka Japan or Auto Chinon Tomioka Japan, other markings w/o 'Tomioka Japan' are uncertified as Tomioka products^[12] Some say the 1:1.2 55mm Auto Tominon is the best m42 lens ever. For sure, it is one of the (still) most expensive lenses due to its great light.^[13]
• 1:1.4 55mm Auto Tominon, also badged as Auto Chinon Tomioka Japan or Auto Revuenon Tomioka Japan
• 1:2.8 100mm Auto Tominon
• 1:2.8 135mm Auto Tominon

Vivitar

Vivitar is a highly regarded brand name, but in fact they were 'just' rebranders. The company chose higher quality products to put their name on, but did not produce the optical equipment themselves. Vivitar sold an enormous range of M42-mount lenses, some of very poor quality and some of very good quality. Later lenses of higher quality are marked as part of their 'Series 1' range.

Known lenses:

• 35mm f/2.8
• 135mm f/2.8 CF (close focussing)

Weltblick

Branding used by German retailer Neckermann to distribute lenses, typically of Japanese manufacture.

• 28mm f/2.8
• 35mm f/2.8
• 55mm f/2.8
• 35-70/3.5-4.5
• 100-200 f/5.6
• 135mm f/1.8
• 135mm f/2.8
• 135mm f/3.5
• 300mm f/6.3 mirror

Yashica

The Japanese camera maker Yashica made some SLRs with M42 auto diaphragm control mechanism: the Penta-J series from 1961 to 1968, and the TL and Electro series from 1967 to 1974. Yashica acquired Tomioka. It is said that many lenses are made by Tomioka, but some of the later period have similarity with Cosina or Chinon.

Here are the main types:

• type 1: semi-auto diaphragm control, marked AUTO YASHINON, for early period of J series
• type 2: preset diaphragm control, marked YASHINON, for early period of J series
• type 3: with auto/manual switch, marked AUTO YASHINON, for J and early period of TL series
• type 4: with auto/manual switch, marked AUTO YASHINON-DX, for TL series
• type 5: auto diaphragm control only, marked AUTO YASHINON-DS, for TL series

List of lenses:

• 50/2.0 Auto Yashinon (type 1,3)
• 50/2.8 Yashinon (type 2) Tessar type
• 50/1.9 Auto Yashinon-DS (type 4)
• 50/1.9 Auto Yashinon-DS (type 5)
• 50/1.7 Auto Yashinon-DX (type 3)
• 55/1.8 Auto Yashinon (type 3, marked 5.5cm)

Zeika

• Rojar 80mm f/3.5 (manual)

Zeiss

Carl Zeiss Jena

The first 42mm screw lenses were released for the Contax S, and made by Carl Zeiss Jena.The main types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type 0: black or alu finish, slim barrel, manual or preset diaphragm
• type I: alu finish, knurled focusing ring, manual, preset or semi-auto diaphragm
• type II: black with one chrome ring and leatherette on the focusing ring, auto diaphragm
• type III: black and chrome with a bumpy rubber focusing ring, auto diaphragm
• type IV: black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type V: all black with a diamond pattern on the focusing ring, auto diaphragm, later with MC multicoating

Some lenses of the type IV and V existed with electric contacts for the last Praktica bodies using the M42 mount.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

A prototype Sonnar 1:2 f=57mm lens is known on prototype Contax S cameras, marked Zeiss-Ikon Dresden, not Carl Zeiss Jena.

A R-Biotar 75/1.5 (0) existed for X-ray photography.

Carl Zeiss Oberkochen

Made by the Western Carl Zeiss company.

Designed for the Icarex TM and SL706:

• 25/4 Distagon (few produced)
• 35/3.4 Skoparex
• 50/1.8 Ultron (concave front element)
• 50/2.8 Tessar
• 135/4 Dynarex

Designed for the VSL 1 (TM), and sold with Voigtländer or Rollei markings:

• 25/2.8 Color-Skoparex = 25/2.8 Distagon
• 35/2.8 Color-Skoparex
• 50/1.4 Nokton
• 50/1.8 Color-Ultron = 50/1.8 Planar
• 85/2.8 Color-Dynarex = 85/2.8 Sonnar
• 135/4 Color-Dynarex
• 200/4 Color-Dynarex

These two ranges of lenses are required to activate the open aperture exposure reading of the SL706 and VSL 1 (TM).

The 50/1.8 Color-Ultron existed under the name Ifbagon 50/1.8 to go with the Ifbaflex M102, a name variant of the VSL 1 (TM).

Notes

1. ↑http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~hw6k-asi/old-lens/old-lens-biokor50-100.html
2. ↑Miyazaki, p.53.
3. ↑Miyazaki, p.53.
4. ↑Page at Photo.net
5. ↑Miyazaki, p.53.
6. ↑Miyazaki, pp.53–4.
7. ↑Seen only once at an ebay auction.
8. ↑Miyazaki, p.51.
9. ↑Miyazaki, p.52.
10. ↑Miyazaki, p.54.
11. ↑Miyazaki, p.54.
12. ↑Exclude the Tomioka impostor
13. ↑Tomioka 55mm f/1.2 lens formerly shown in Kensetsu's camera collection (archived). There are doubts that it's over-estimated and many more fast fields/woods/lanes standard lenses are ilegally sold as 'tomioka-made', see Kameradoktor about Tomioka hype
14. ↑20/2.8 Flektogon (V MC) at mflenses.com
15. ↑35/2.4 Flektogon at vintage-camera-lenses.com

Links and sources

• Miyazaki Yōji (宮崎洋司). Yomigaeru ka, M42 maunto renzu no sekai o yuku: Kokusan kamera mēkā to M42 renzu (よみがえるか、M42マウントレンズの世界をゆく：国産カメラメーカーとM42レンズ). Shashin Kōgyō (写真工業), April 2003. Pp.47–56. This issue of the magazine also has other articles about M42.
• artlimited.net (archived), dedicated to M42
• Günther Kadlubek u. Rodulf Hillebrand: 'Kadlubeks Objektiv Katalog', Neuss 2000 (1)
• Database of M42 lenses (archived) at PhotoPentax.com
• [Lens reviews] Lens reviews of most M42 Pentax lenses at [Pentax Forums ]

This page is about the 42×1.0mm thread M42 screw mount used to attach lenses to SLR cameras, most popular in the 1960s.

This page is NOT about the T mount thread measuring 42×0.75mm which screws into adapters ('T-rings') which fit many other types of SLR lens mount, first developed by Tamron.

The 42mm screw mount was introduced in 1949 with the Contax S 35mm SLR made by the East German firm VEB Zeiss Ikon. It was also adopted by the East German firm KW on their Praktica range of cameras, introduced around the same time as the Contax S. In the early 1950s the mount was also used by the West German firm Wirgin on their Edixa Reflex range of cameras. Later it was chosen by Asahi for the Pentax family of SLRs. In the 1960s several other Japanese manufacturers also adopted the mount for their new 35mm system cameras. It was also used by the Russians on the Zenit.

In 1956 the Contax F introduced an internal aperture stop-down pin located at 6 o'clock inside the lens mount. Versions of this innovation were adopted by practically all subsequent users of the M42 mount (with the exception of preset or T mount lenses), though early adaptations varied slightly by manufacturer. By the early 1960s the diaphragm actuation mechanism had been standardized as many more companies began using the mount for their system 35mm cameras.

In 1959 both VEB Zeiss Ikon and KW were absorbed into the new East German Pentacon camera manufacturing consortium. All subsequent Pentacon 35mm SLR cameras (most of which were continuations of VEB Zeiss Ikon or KW lines) of the 1960s used the M42 mount.

Despite the standardization of the diaphragm actuation mechanism, there was no industry standard for communicating the aperture ring position to a TTL light meter. Before screw-mount lenses faded from the scene, Mamiya, Pentax, Fuji, and Pentacon all introduced mutually incompatible systems to permit open-aperture metering; but the majority of M42 cameras simply use stop-down metering instead.

In the 1970s, as camera electronics and in-camera metering systems rapidly became much more sophisticated, requiring very accurate mounting tolerances to establish electrical contacts between a camera body and lenses, the technical limitations of a screw-mount lens system quickly rendered the M42 mount obsolete. The M42 mount was progressively replaced by bayonet mounts by all the manufacturers that used it, except on some Zenits. Recently Cosina Voigtländer reintroduced a 42mm screw mount SLR with the Bessaflex TM.

This mount is also called Universal screw mount, Pentax screw mount, Praktica screw mount, or M42 for short. The mount is also sometimes referred to as the P-Mount, which homogenizes the various Pentax, Praktica, or Pentacon associations with the mount.

Glassless adapters have been marketed that will allow M42 lenses to be used on bodies with the Pentax K-mount, the Canon FD or EF mount, the Nikon F mount, the Minolta MD or α mount, the Olympus OM mount, the Konica AR mount, and other 35mm SLR mounts. Adapters are also available to use M42-mount lenses on virtually all digital mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras as well.

There have been a huge number of lenses produced in M42 mount, made by all sorts of manufacturers; a sample are listed below.

• 54Zeiss

Arco

See Arco lenses.

Asahi

Asahi made the widest line of M42 lenses under the name of Takumar. There are four types of these lenses, listed in chronological order:

• type 0: Takumar(preset: Succeeds the older 37mm version of the Takumar
• type I: Auto-Takumar: A lever is added to allow for full aperture focusing
• type II: Super-Takumar: Fully-automatic diaphragm that does not needs to be cocked manually, single layer of coating, however some rare later versions are multi coated
• type III: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar: Extra pin for open aperture metering with the Spotmatic-F/ES/ES-II, super multi coated, one of the best coatings at the time
• type IV: SMC Takumar: newer version that uses a rubberized instead of the metal focusing ring

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Beroflex

• Beroflex Auto MC 35/2.8

Berogon

German brand, unknown German maker

Berthiot

• 150/5.5 Téléobjectif, chrome with one black ring (eBay auction)
• 200/4.5, chrome (eBay auction)

Beauty

This unusual and rare lens was one of the earliest Japanese zoom lenses built for still cameras. It was introduced at the 1962 Nippon Camera Show. The lens design includes 15 elements in 10 groups, and features an unusual direct lever zoom mechanism that is very different from conventional twist or push/pull zooms.^[1]

• 50–100/3 Zoom-Biokor^[2]

Cimko

• 35/2.8 Cimko compact, 52mm filter size.

Corfield

Corfield seems to have sold some lenses in 42mm screw mount for its M42 Periflex models. These lenses were made by Enna.

• 95/2.8 Lumar (manual)
• 135/3.5 Lumax (preset?)
• 400/4.5 Lumax (preset?)

Enna

Enna was a German independent optical company that made most of their lenses in M42 mount. Some were sold under the Revue distributor name. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: chrome, preset or manual diaphragm
• type II: black with knurled rings and wide chrome stripes, preset diaphragm
• type II tele: black with wide chrome stripes, manual diaphragm
• type III: black with many fine chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type III tele: all black, crackled finish, except the base with chrome stripes, manual diaphragm
• type IV: all black, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Enna also made a range of socket lenses. A socket base comprised the mount and focusing mechanism, and an interchangeable optical unit could be mounted on it. There were two generations of socket lenses, one with semi-automatic diaphragm (manual cocking) and the other with fully auto diaphragm. The two generations were mutually incompatible.

Lenses for the first socket system (black with wide chrome stripes):

• 28/3.5 Lithagon
• 35/2.8 Lithagon
• 50/1.9 Ennalyt
• 135/3.5 Tele-Ennalyt
• 240/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt

At the beginning, on the lenses sold on the US market, the name Lithagon and Ennalyt was replaced by Sandmar.

Lenses for the second socket system (black with many thin chrome stripes):

• 24/4 Ennalyt
• 28/3.5 Lithagon, later Ennalyt
• 35/2.8 Lithagon, later Ennalyt
• 50/1.9 Ennalyt
• 90/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt
• 135/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt
• 240/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt

FED

• Industar-10 (copy of the Leitz Elmar 50mm f3.5)
• Industar-61 1:2.8/50mm

Feinmess

The East German optical company Feinmess made one lens in M42 mount, the 105/4.5 Bonotar, in aluminium finish with knurled rings. This lens also equipped some East German 6×9 folding cameras like the Belfoca. It is said about 14000 were produced in M42 mount.

Fuji

Fuji made many lenses in M42 mount, which they adopted for their SLR bodies in the 1970s.

Note that many Fujinon lenses were designed to accommodate open aperture metering. This was facilitated by a small protruding tag on the edge of the aperture ring, which engaged with a lever on the camera lens mounting flange, and 'communicated' the aperture setting to the camera's metering system. This can make the lenses incompatible with other M42 cameras, since it prevents the lens from screwing fully on to the camera body, which results in loss of infinity focus. These lenses also have a locking mechanism, but this does not affect their use on other camera bodies as the lens merely receives a small pin found on Fujica camera bodies.

Auto Fujinon lenses are sometimes found to have had their aperture coupling tab filed off. While unmodified lenses do fit many M42-mountcamera bodies, some lens flanges (or lens adapters) are large enough in diameter that the tab interferes with mounting the lens. Provided the camera body lens mounting flange (the circular metal plate on the camera body) diameter is 54mm or less, Fujica lenses with an aperture indexing tab should fit.

Fujita

Nine models, from 35mm to 400mm.^[3]

Hanimar

Japanese manufacturer

• 35/2.8 auto
• 135/2.8 auto 'S'

Hoya

Hoya lenses are labelled Hoya HMC (also made in other mounts). The finish of the lenses is quite high, they are black with chrome aperture rings. Judging from a couple of samples, all are auto-only. Tha range includes 24mm to 400mm primes and a couple of zooms. They were possibly made by Tokina. Sources are scarce however.^[4] Some collectors doubt that Tokina (or any other) made Hoya due to superior quality of the Hoya lenses to similar Tokina lenses.

Ichizuka

Ichizuka made at least one lens in M42 mount:

• Telinar 105mm f/4.5, aluminium, manual diaphragm

Isco

Isco was a successor of Schneider, and made a lesser range of lenses, some in M42 mount. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: all chrome, slim barrel manual diaphragm
• type Iex: all chrome, external diaphragm release, probably for the early Praktica or Edixa
• type II: chrome, big knurled rings
• type IIex: idem, external diaphragm release
• type III: all black, big knurled rings
• type IV: shape of inverted cone, black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type V: shape of inverted cone, all black, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 24/4.0 Westrogon (IV)
• 28/4.0 Westron (III,V preset, ?/stops down to f22)
• 35/2.8 Westron (V)
• 35/3.5 Westron (IV, V)
• 50/1.9 Auto-Westagon (III)
• 50/1.9 Westrocolor (IIIex)
• 50/1.9 Westromat (IV, V)
• 50/2.0 Edixa-Westagon (II, IIex)
• 50/2.8 Westar (I)
• 50/2.8 ISCONAR (I)
• 50/2.8 Westanar (Iex, II, IIex)
• 50/2.8 ISCOLOR (IV)
• 50/2.8 Iscotar (IV, V)
• 80/2.8 Isconar (? preset)
• 85/2.8 Westanar (I)
• 85/4.0 Isconar (? preset)
• 90/1.9 Iscaron (? preset)
• 100/4.0 Isconar (III)
• 100/4.5 Westar (I)
• 135/2.8 Tele-Iscaron (III)
• 135/3.5 Tele-Westanar (III, IV, V)
• 135/4.0 Isconar (III, V)
• 150/4.5 Westanar (I)
• 180/2.8 Iscaron (?/auto)
• 180/2.8 Tele-Iscaron (III, V preset)
• 180/4.0 Tele-Westanar (III click stop)
• 180/4.5 Edixa-Westanar (I)
• 400/4.5 Tele-Westanar (III click stop)

JML

• JML Optical 28mm f2.8, made in Japan for JML

Kilfitt

Kilfitt lenses had a set of adapters, to attach them to various lens mounts. The only Kilfitt lens with a fixed 42mm screw mount was the 40mm Makro-Kilar. The Makro-Kilar D focused to 1:1 and the Makro-Kilar E to 1:2.

• 4cm f/3.5 Makro-Kilar D, chrome, s/n 211-XXXX
• 4cm f/3.5 Makro-Kilar E, chrome, s/n 209-XXXX
• 4cm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar D, chrome, then black, s/n 245-XXXX
• 4cm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar E, chrome, then black, s/n 246-XXXX

The markings evolved from Kamerabau-Anstalt-Vaduz Kilfitt-Makro-Kilar to Heinz Kilfitt München Makro-Kilar to Kilfitt München Makro-Kilar.

The lenses that were supplied with M42 adapters are:

• 75/1.3 Zoomatar (very rare)
• 90/2.5 Kilar
• 90/2.8 Macro-Kilar (macro range depends on focus-unit)
• 135/3.8 Kilar
• 150/3.5 Kilar
• 250/4.0 Reflectar
• 300/4.0 Fern-Kilar
• 300/5.6 Fern-Kilar
• 400/4.0 Sport-Zoomatar
• 400/4.0 Sport-Fern Kilar
• 600/5.6 Sport-Fern Kilar (two versions: older version focuses to 10m, newer version focuses to 4m)
• 50-125/4.5 Macro Zoomar (focusing to 1:1)

Kilfitt manufactured the world's first production zoom lens for 35mm still cameras. The lens was originally designed by Frank G. Back, and manufactured by Kilfitt for Voigtlander. Kilfitt produced a version in M42 mount with Voigtlander markings. In 1967/68 Frank G. Back acquired the Kilfitt company upon Mr. Kilfitt's retirement, and continued to sell Kilfitt lenses under the Zoomar brand name.

• 36-82/2.8 Voigtlander Zoomar

KMZ

KMZ (Krasnogorski mekhanicheski zavod/Krasnogorsk Mechanical Factory) made many Zenit SLRs since 1953. The first model with M42 is Zenit-E/Zenit-B sice 1965. KMZ is still producing M42 SLRs in the 21st century. (Some Zenit cameras were also made by BelOMO.) The majority of the standard lenses for Zenit were made by KMZ, but some were made by other factories.

• Helios-40 85mm F1.5
• Helios-44 58mm F2 (some were made by BelOMO)
• Helios–77 50mm F1.8 made by VOMZ
• Industar-50-2 50mmF3.5 (Industar-50 is M39 mount)
• Industar-61L/Z 50mmF2.8 made by LZOS
• Jupiter-6 180mm F2.8
• Jupiter-9 85mm F2 made by LZOS
• Jupiter-11 135mm f/3.5
• Jupiter-21 200mm F4.0 made by VOMZ
• Jupiter-37A 135mm F3.5 made by KOMZ
• Mir-1B 37mm F2.8 made by VOMZ
• MC Mir-20 20mm F3.5
• MC Mir-47 20mm F2.5 made by VOMZ
• MC Rubinar 300mm F4.5 made by LZOS
• MC Rubinar 500mm F8 macro made by LZOS
• Tair-3 300mm 1:4.5
• Tair-11A 135mm F2.8
• MC Telezenitar 135mm F2.8
• Volna-9 50mm F2.8 made by LZOS
• Zenitar-M 50mm F1.7 (for Zenit-19)
• MC Zenitar-M 50mm F1.9
• MC Zenitar-M2S 50mm F2.0 (for Zenit-122)

Sankyō Kōki / Komura

These are marked Sankyo Kohki. Incomplete list:

• 85/1.4, in all black and all chrome version, preset
• 105/2, all black, preset
• 200/4.5, black with chrome mount, manual

Kowa

Kowa made a single lens in 42mm screw mount. See Kowa lenses for other cameras.

• Prominar 200mm f/2.8, black with wide chrome stripes, preset, 1958–9

Kyoei (Acall)

Twenty models, from 35mm to 500mm, with the Acall brand name.^[5]

E.Ludwig

Ernst Ludwig was the maker of optical lens in Weixdorf, made triplet type lens Victar, Peronar, Meritar etc. Meritar lenses for the Exakta (or Exa) are numerous, but M42 type are not. There are some types of M42 mount.

• 50/2.9 Meritar (all silver finish, preset diaphragm to16)
• 50/2.9 Meritar (silver and black ring cone shape, preset diaphragm to16 )

Mamiya-Sekor

The first series was made for the Mamiya TL/DTL cameras, the second for MSX/DSX ones. The lenses were also sold under the Sears brand. These lenses have very good optics and a good construction.

First Series: Mamiya-Sekor

• 28mm f/2.8
• 35mm f/2.8
• 50mm f/2.0 (TL/DTL-I/DTL-II)
• 50mm f/2.8
• 55mm f/1.8
• 55mm f/1.4
• 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• 135mm f/2.8 (TL/DTL)
• 135mm f/3.5
• 200mm f/4.5
• 200mm f/3.5 (I/II/III)
• 400mm f/6.3

Second Series: Mamiya-Sekor SX

• 14mm f/3.5 Fisheye
• 21mm f/4.0
• 28mm f/2.8
• 35mm f/2.8
• 50mm f/1.4
• 50mm f/2.0
• 55mm f/1.4
• 55mm f/1.8
• 60mm f/2.8 Macro
• 85mm f/1.7
• 85mm f/2.8
• 90-230mm f/4.5 Zoom
• 100mm f/2.8
• 105mm f/2.8
• 135mm f/2.8
• 200mm f/3.5
• 300mm f/5.6
• 600mm f/8.0
• 800mm f/8.0

Meyer

Meyer was the second East German provider of lenses in 42mm screw mount, after Carl Zeiss Jena. They mostly equipped the East German SLRs Contax S or Praktica.

The main types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type 0: alu finish, slim barrel, manual diaphragm
• type I: alu finish, knurled focusing ring, preset or semi-auto (manual rewind) diaphragm
• type II: black with chrome stripes, auto or preset diaphragm
• type III: black, slightly knurled focusing ring, some chrome on diaphragm ring, auto diaphragm
• type Tele: alu or black finish, manual or preset diaphragm (tele lenses)
• type Tele II: black with spaced chrome stripes, knurled focusing ring, preset diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Miranda

A Japanese optical maker Miranda, whose former name was Orion Camera, made the first Japanese SLR with prism finder in 1955. Most SLRs had an original bayonet mount. They were also sold by the name of Soligor.

The lenses of the first period were made by other companies. They built the lens factory, and made the lens there since 1964. It went bankrupt in 1976. They made M42 camera MIRANDA-TM (SOLIGOR-TM), based on an existing model MIRANDA SENSOMAT RE in 1974.

• 50/1.8 AUTO MIRANDA TM (AUTO SOLIGOR TM)

Nittō Kōgaku

M42 Optic Cameras Nikon

Nine lenses (some branded Kominar), from 28mm through 400mm.^[6]

• 55/2.8 MEPRO KOMINAR (for MEPRO ZENIT, preset diaphragm)

Olympus

Olympus made a small range of lenses in M42 mount, for their FTL body. There is a rumor saying that these lenses were not designed nor built by Olympus, and that they had nothing to see with the later OM lenses. However their characteristics are very similar to the equivalent OM lenses.

• 28/3.5
• 35/2.8
• 50/1.4
• 50/1.8
• 135/3.5
• 200/4

M42 Optic Cameras Lens

These lenses have an additional pin to lock them into place on the FTL body. On some other M42 bodies, this pin could prevent mounting.

Pentacon

'Pentacon' became the new brand and trademark name of most Meyer lenses after the lens maker was taken over by Pentacon in 1968. The Pentacon lenses have no individual name, just the Pentacon auto marking.

Finish types continue the Meyer types:

• type III: black, knurled focusing ring, diaphragm ring black or with some chrome
• type IV: all black with a diamond pattern on the focusing ring, later with multicoating

The lenses marked Pentacon auto had auto diaphragm, the lenses simply marked Pentacon had preset diaphragm. Some lenses had electric contacts, for the last Praktica bodies using the M42 mount, and were marked Pentacon electric.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• Pentacon 29/2.8 auto (IV MC)
• Pentacon 29/2.8 electric (IV MC)
• Pentacon 30/3.5
• Domiplan 2.8/50
• 50/1.8 auto (III, IV MC), some with Multi Coating marked in red letters
• 50/1.8 electric (IV MC)
• Pentacon 135/2.8 electric (III, IV MC)
• Pentacon 200/4 (IV)
• Pentacon 200/4 auto (IV MC)
• Pentacon 200/4 electric (IV MC)
• 300/4 (IV)
• 3.5/39-80 electric (MC, OEM by Sigma)
• 2x converter electric (IV)

The 50/1.8 exists in IV MC finish with Auto Revuenon markings.

Petri (Kuribayashi)

Petri, whose former name was Kuribayashi Camera, was a Japanese optical maker establised in 1907. The first SLR 'Petri Penta' (1959) and some models of the last period (1976–83) have M42 mount. (Petri FT1000, Petri SD200, Petri MF-1, Petri MF-T 1000, Petri MF-101A, Hanimex CR1000, Hanimex SR2000, Petri MF-10, etc.) Some products were also made by other companies (Chinon, etc.) with the name Petri.

The Petri Orikkor M42 optional preset zebra-finish lenses for the Petri Penta (1959-1960) were mostly made by Kyoei. Most if not all these lenses can also be found under the Kyoei Acall brand, in black.

Kyoei lenses -

• 35/3.5 - 5 elements
• 105/3.5 - 3 elements
• 135/3.5 - 4 elements
• 180/3.5 - 4 elements
• 500/8 - 2 elements

• 50/2 C.C. Petri Orikkor (preset diaphragm) for the Petri Penta (1959) - unknown maker

Later 1970s M42 lenses (incomplete list)

• 50/1.8 auto
• 55/1.8 C.C. Auto Petri (automatic diaphragm)
• 85-205/3.5 C.C. Petri Auto Zoom (automatic diaphragm)
• 135/2.8 MC auto
• 200/3.5 Petri C.C. Auto

Piesker

Piesker made some lenses in M42 mount.

• 35/2.8 Voss
• 100/2.8 Voss
• 135/3.5 Picon
• 135/3.5 Votar
• 180/5.5 Tele-Votar
• 250/5.5 Tele-Votar

Rau Optik

Rau Optik made at least one lens under license from Astro Berlin, the Astro-Astan 4.7cm f/2.9. ^[7]

Revuenon

The German company 'Foto Quelle' sold lenses under their own brandname Revue. The lenses were branded Revuenon, and were bought from different manufacturers.

Known lenses:

• 135mm f/2.8 Revuenon

Ricoh

• 50/1.7 Rikenon auto
• 55/1.4 Auto Rikenon
• 55/2.8 Auto Rikenon

Robotar

Japanese manufacturer

• 35/2.8 MC manual

Rodenstock

Rodenstock made some lenses in M42 mount, but they are quite uncommon.

• 30/2.8 Eurygon
• 35/4.0 Eurygon
• 50/1.9 Heligon, black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, semi-auto diaphragm with external release button for some Edixa models
• 50/2.0 Heligon
• 135/3.5 Yronar, chrome preset
• 180/4.5 Rotelar, black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, preset

Roeschlein

Roeschlein made at least one lens in M42 mount, the 13.5cm f/5.6 Telenar in chrome finish, with manual diaphragm (advertised as original at Leicashop).

Rollei

Some lenses were made in Singapore by Rollei under licence from Carl Zeiss, see also the Carl Zeiss Oberkochen section.

• Rollei 50mm f1.8 Planar (Made in Singapore by Rollei) (exists with and without HFT markings)

Schacht

Schacht also made some M42 lenses. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: all chrome, massive knurled rings, manual diaphragm, some are marked Edixa-Reflex Germany on the barrel
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, semi-auto diaphragm (needs manual winding)
• type III: black with wide chrome stripes, flat rings, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 35/2.8 Travegon-A
• 35/3.5 Travenar-R (III)
• 35/3.5 Travegon-R (III)
• 50/1.8 Travelon-A (III)
• 50/2.8 Travenar (I preset diaphragm)
• 50/2.8 Travenar-A (III)
• 50/2.8 Travenar-R (III)
• 90/2.8 Travenar-R (III)
• 100/3.3 Travegar
• 135/3.5 Travenar (I, II, III)
• 135/4.5 Travegon (I)

Schneider

Schneider made some of their lenses in M42 mount. The types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type I: all chrome or black and chrome, manual or preset diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, preset or auto diaphragm, sometimes with Edixa markings
• type LM: like type II with the possibility to mount a selenium light meter above the lens
• type IIb: like type II with thinner chrome stripes and flatter rings, auto diaphragm, sometimes with Edixa markings
• type III: all black with a leatherette ring around the base, auto diaphragm
• type IIIb: like the III, with slightly conical focusing barrel
• type electric: black and leatherette with very thin chrome stripes, electric contacts for Praktica

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 28/4 Curtagon (II auto, LM, III, IIIb)
• 35/2.8 Curtagon (II auto, LM, III, IIIb)
• 35/4 PA-Curtagon: shift lens with its own special finish, manual diaphragm
  • older version with focusing ring on the rear, behind the shift ring
  • later version with focusing ring on the front
• 50/2.8 Xenar (I chrome, II, IIb)
• 50/2.8 Laudar(I preset)
• 50/1.9 Xenon (I chrome preset, II, LM, III, IIIb)
• 90/3.5 Xenar (I chrome)
• 135/3.5 Tele-Xenar (II auto, IIIb, electric)
• 200/5.5 Tele-Xenar (II preset)
• 300/5 Tele-Xenar (I chrome)
• 360/5.5 Tele-Xenar (II preset)
• 45-100/2.8 Variogon (IIb auto)
• 80-240/4 Tele-Variogon (IIb auto)

It is reported that the Rollei SL-Xenon 50/1.8 made for the Rolleiflex SL35 (see Rolleiflex SL35 lenses) existed in M42 mount too, maybe experimentally.

A weird 35/2.8 C-Curtagon lens with a very compact barrel appears regularly at eBay auctions; it is not sure whether it was designed for a camera model or for some other optical device. It has the same look as a quite recent enlarging lens, but it has a focusing ring, and a diaphragm ring with no preselection nor automation. Because of its strange aspect, it is sometimes advertised as a prototype at an inflated price, something it is obviously not.A rarer 28/4 C-Curtagon, probably from the same line, has no focusing ring nor diaphragm.

Siclass

Japanese manufacturer

• 28/2.8 auto
• 135/2.8 auto

Sigma

M42 Optic Cameras Camera

A very wide range of lenses; Miyazaki counts 148.^[8]

• 28mm f/2.8 Miniwide

Soligor

Soligor made a range of lenses in M42 mount.

• 19-35 mm f3.5-4.5
• 28 mm f2.8 Wide-Auto
• 28-105 mm f3.5-4.8
• 35-105mm f3.5
• 60-300 mm f4-5.6
• 70-210mm f/3.5 C/D Macro
• 90-230 mm f4.5
• 100 mm f2.8
• 100 mm f3.5 Macro
• 105 mm f2.8
• 135 mm f2 C/D
• 135 mm f3.5
• 180 mm f3.5
• 200 mm f2.8
• 250 mm f4.5
• 500 mm f8 C/D Mirror

Steinheil

Steinheil made a range of lenses in M42 mount.The types of finish were:

• type 0: all chrome, slim barrel, manual diaphragm
• type I: all chrome, sometimes all black, knurled rings, preset diaphragm
• type preII: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, auto diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm, sometimes with Edixa markings
• type IIb: like type II with the stripes very close together

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

Sun

A large number of models marketed between 1961 and 1978.^[9]

Tamron

A very wide range of lenses (Miyazaki counts 108 varieties), from 18mm through 500mm.^[10]

Tokina

A very wide range of lenses, from 17mm through 800mm. These have the brands 'Minetar' and 'Lucky Tokina' as well as 'Tokina'.^[11]

M42 Optic Cameras Wireless

Tomioka

• 1:3.5 21mm Tominon
• 1:2 50mm Tominon C.
• 1:1.2 55mm Auto Tominon, mainly sold as Auto Yashinon Tomioka Japan, also marked Auto Revuenon Tomioka Japan or Auto Chinon Tomioka Japan, other markings w/o 'Tomioka Japan' are uncertified as Tomioka products^[12] Some say the 1:1.2 55mm Auto Tominon is the best m42 lens ever. For sure, it is one of the (still) most expensive lenses due to its great light.^[13]
• 1:1.4 55mm Auto Tominon, also badged as Auto Chinon Tomioka Japan or Auto Revuenon Tomioka Japan
• 1:2.8 100mm Auto Tominon
• 1:2.8 135mm Auto Tominon

Vivitar

Vivitar is a highly regarded brand name, but in fact they were 'just' rebranders. The company chose higher quality products to put their name on, but did not produce the optical equipment themselves. Vivitar sold an enormous range of M42-mount lenses, some of very poor quality and some of very good quality. Later lenses of higher quality are marked as part of their 'Series 1' range.

Known lenses:

• 35mm f/2.8
• 135mm f/2.8 CF (close focussing)

Weltblick

Branding used by German retailer Neckermann to distribute lenses, typically of Japanese manufacture.

• 28mm f/2.8
• 35mm f/2.8
• 55mm f/2.8
• 35-70/3.5-4.5
• 100-200 f/5.6
• 135mm f/1.8
• 135mm f/2.8
• 135mm f/3.5
• 300mm f/6.3 mirror

Yashica

The Japanese camera maker Yashica made some SLRs with M42 auto diaphragm control mechanism: the Penta-J series from 1961 to 1968, and the TL and Electro series from 1967 to 1974. Yashica acquired Tomioka. It is said that many lenses are made by Tomioka, but some of the later period have similarity with Cosina or Chinon.

Here are the main types:

• type 1: semi-auto diaphragm control, marked AUTO YASHINON, for early period of J series
• type 2: preset diaphragm control, marked YASHINON, for early period of J series
• type 3: with auto/manual switch, marked AUTO YASHINON, for J and early period of TL series
• type 4: with auto/manual switch, marked AUTO YASHINON-DX, for TL series
• type 5: auto diaphragm control only, marked AUTO YASHINON-DS, for TL series

List of lenses:

• 50/2.0 Auto Yashinon (type 1,3)
• 50/2.8 Yashinon (type 2) Tessar type
• 50/1.9 Auto Yashinon-DS (type 4)
• 50/1.9 Auto Yashinon-DS (type 5)
• 50/1.7 Auto Yashinon-DX (type 3)
• 55/1.8 Auto Yashinon (type 3, marked 5.5cm)

Zeika

• Rojar 80mm f/3.5 (manual)

Zeiss

Carl Zeiss Jena

The first 42mm screw lenses were released for the Contax S, and made by Carl Zeiss Jena.The main types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type 0: black or alu finish, slim barrel, manual or preset diaphragm
• type I: alu finish, knurled focusing ring, manual, preset or semi-auto diaphragm
• type II: black with one chrome ring and leatherette on the focusing ring, auto diaphragm
• type III: black and chrome with a bumpy rubber focusing ring, auto diaphragm
• type IV: black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type V: all black with a diamond pattern on the focusing ring, auto diaphragm, later with MC multicoating

Some lenses of the type IV and V existed with electric contacts for the last Praktica bodies using the M42 mount.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

A prototype Sonnar 1:2 f=57mm lens is known on prototype Contax S cameras, marked Zeiss-Ikon Dresden, not Carl Zeiss Jena.

A R-Biotar 75/1.5 (0) existed for X-ray photography.

Carl Zeiss Oberkochen

Made by the Western Carl Zeiss company.

Designed for the Icarex TM and SL706:

• 25/4 Distagon (few produced)
• 35/3.4 Skoparex
• 50/1.8 Ultron (concave front element)
• 50/2.8 Tessar
• 135/4 Dynarex

Designed for the VSL 1 (TM), and sold with Voigtländer or Rollei markings:

• 25/2.8 Color-Skoparex = 25/2.8 Distagon
• 35/2.8 Color-Skoparex
• 50/1.4 Nokton
• 50/1.8 Color-Ultron = 50/1.8 Planar
• 85/2.8 Color-Dynarex = 85/2.8 Sonnar
• 135/4 Color-Dynarex
• 200/4 Color-Dynarex

These two ranges of lenses are required to activate the open aperture exposure reading of the SL706 and VSL 1 (TM).

The 50/1.8 Color-Ultron existed under the name Ifbagon 50/1.8 to go with the Ifbaflex M102, a name variant of the VSL 1 (TM).

Notes

1. ↑http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~hw6k-asi/old-lens/old-lens-biokor50-100.html
2. ↑Miyazaki, p.53.
3. ↑Miyazaki, p.53.
4. ↑Page at Photo.net
5. ↑Miyazaki, p.53.
6. ↑Miyazaki, pp.53–4.
7. ↑Seen only once at an ebay auction.
8. ↑Miyazaki, p.51.
9. ↑Miyazaki, p.52.
10. ↑Miyazaki, p.54.
11. ↑Miyazaki, p.54.
12. ↑Exclude the Tomioka impostor
13. ↑Tomioka 55mm f/1.2 lens formerly shown in Kensetsu's camera collection (archived). There are doubts that it's over-estimated and many more fast fields/woods/lanes standard lenses are ilegally sold as 'tomioka-made', see Kameradoktor about Tomioka hype
14. ↑20/2.8 Flektogon (V MC) at mflenses.com
15. ↑35/2.4 Flektogon at vintage-camera-lenses.com

Links and sources

• Miyazaki Yōji (宮崎洋司). Yomigaeru ka, M42 maunto renzu no sekai o yuku: Kokusan kamera mēkā to M42 renzu (よみがえるか、M42マウントレンズの世界をゆく：国産カメラメーカーとM42レンズ). Shashin Kōgyō (写真工業), April 2003. Pp.47–56. This issue of the magazine also has other articles about M42.
• artlimited.net (archived), dedicated to M42
• Günther Kadlubek u. Rodulf Hillebrand: 'Kadlubeks Objektiv Katalog', Neuss 2000 (1)
• Database of M42 lenses (archived) at PhotoPentax.com
• [Lens reviews] Lens reviews of most M42 Pentax lenses at [Pentax Forums ]