Stepping out with a Fujinon ...

... Notably, an EBC Fujinon 55 f/3.5 Macro, in M42 mount ...

It took me a few weeks before being able to use it, since its diaphragm blades were stuck wide open and the lens was an "auto-only" M42, requiring the rear pin to be pushed for closing the diaphragm ...

The first issue was quite easily solved, but for the second one i had to ask Alex from mflenses.com for a tailored M42 to Pentax-K adapter ring with an inner flange (which, on the other hand, has been really useful for a Yashinon 55/1.8 and for a Meyer Oreston 50/1.8).

And i was forgetting the third issue, a small protruding lug on the back of the lens, which was used by Fuji for coupling with its cameras, but prevents the lens from fully screwing in the adapter, thus making it almost useless. This one was quickly solved by a little dremelling, and now the lens perfectly fits my K10D ...

The first impressions are really positive: this almost underrated lens performs quite well at medium/long distances ...



... as well as at closeup (but, after all, this was the usage it was meant for) ...



But what has really surprised me, is the rendering of the red color (although some people could find it too much saturated):




Clicking on the pictures will lead you to the full res ones, hosted on my Flickr photostream.
Forgot to say, all the pictures are jpegs straight from the raw files without PP, except EV adjust.

My impressions:

• Compact and lightweight lens, despite its full metal body
• Long focusing thread, allowing very precise focus
• Great color rendering and contrast, similar to the Zeiss Biometar 80/2.8
• Diaphragm ring too close to the camera body
• Diaphragm closes in 1 f/stop steps

Now, i'm waiting for the next sunny weekend ;-) ...