PENTAX question....

[WildWolf]

Anyone know if you can use the older Pentax glass with the Pentax digital SLR's? My buddy has an old Pentax SLR with approx 5 lenses that he loves. Anyone know for sure? Thanks in advance

[_aravena]

All old lenses will work as long as they are AF for the most part.

[rhys]

As fas as I know, all Pentax, T2 and M42 mount lenses will work with Pentax DSLRs (the M42 and T2 lenses need an adaptor).

The problem that I have seen is that Pentax users rave over Tukkumar lenses but from the results I have seen so far, the lenses have a reputation not bourne out by the photos I see.

While the lenses may have been excellent for film, digtal seems to have different and more exacting needs. Thus perhaps backward compatibility isn't everything it's alleged to be.

I would say yes the lenses are usable although the quality of the output may not be as exciting as it was with film. Try it anyway. Pentax has some very interesting digital SLRs. One of my friends bought a K100D because it has IS and takes AA batteries. He lives on a remote farm and generates all his own power from the sun and wind so he tends to use AA batteries rather extensively - more so because he has a solar charger for AAs.

[condyk]

My Pentax lenses are top notch: I have a 50mm 1.4 and 1.7 and a 200mm 4.0. Maybe you have seen bad photo's.

[WildWolf]

Thanks for the replies.

[rhys]

My Pentax lenses are top notch: I have a 50mm 1.4 and 1.7 and a 200mm 4.0. Maybe you have seen bad photo's.

I have seen the photos that people have posted, demonstrating how "good" their lens is and to be honest the much raved about lenses judging from the photos are poor. The photos I have seen have thus far been:
1. heavily afflicted by colour-cast - normally yellow
2. soft - possibly as soft as the non-USM 18-55 wide open.
3. A fair bit of chromatic aberration.

This leads me to suspect that Pentax lenses are not as good as claimed. I did at one time have a Pentax 35mm SLR but found that wasn't as good as was claimed. Friends with K-mount cameras at the time normally used lenses other than Pentax. Maybe there was a reason because Pentax's own lenses were a lot cheaper than the lenses everybody bought.

[condyk]

Ok, I'll get my eyes tested as soon as I can ...

[rhys]

Ok, I'll get my eyes tested as soon as I can ...

No NHS opticians any more and Specsavers don't count

[cdifoto]

I only have one Pentax branded M42 lens and it seems fine to me. The coatings are a bit yellowish but it doesn't seem to affect the images. Correct white balance is correct white balance...