Any way to use K-mount Pentax lenses on Canon DSLRs?

[Bodryn]

Before buying my Digital Rebel, I would like to know if anybody knows if there is any way that I could adapt and make use of all my old Ricoh/Pentax K-mount lenses (gathered over a number of years), to a Canon DSLR? Some kind of adapter or something? :( I don't hold out a lot of hope for this, but who knows, miracles can happen, eh? ???

[pradeep1]

I don't think this is possible due to the way the K-mount is designed. Check this thread out:

http://www.beststuff.com/forum/read.php?f=12&i=88&t=85&v=f

[ron chappel]

Unfortunately-as linked above-the pentax K mount models can't be adapted easily.
The problem is are the stop down lever and it's protector which protrude too far back .These don't allow the lens to be mounted back far enough to achieve infinity focus.
Apart from this there are no reasons they can't be used ,so if you have a particular favorite lens it would be possible to adapt it to EOS-you'd just have to remove the aformentioned parts and get a new mount plate machined up.Modifying one off an EF lens would probably be easier.

I have adapted several lenses this way,some temporarily and one permanantly so far

Overall though it would have to be a VERY special lens to go to this trouble-remember it's easy to sell old lenses for good prices these days on ebay,plus nikkor and other great lenses can be adapted to EOS very easily

[Hellashot]

Have you looked at the Pentax *istD?

[Bodryn]

Is that the new Pentax DSLR? I just saw one today in a catalog, for the first time. Going to check it out. Not sure if it can be as good as Canon, but it would save a lot $ on lenses.

[ron chappel]

That is the sensible option unless you particularly want to change over to canon.

The *ist D is a very small DSLR that competed well with the 10D but the new 20D is better in most ways.

The *ist Ds is the newer cheaper model that is specifically built to compete with the 300D.It is also tiny in the great tradition of pentax.
A serious allternative to the 300D in it's own right and an obvious choice if you have good pentax glass:D :D

http://dpreview.com/articles/pentaxistds/

[ron chappel]

And also this

http://luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-jan-05.shtml

[S230]

Keep in mind that once you start with one brand, it's expensive switching over to another. Pentax is not a bad camera and I too own a Film SLR Pentax camera. About the *ist D competing against the 300D, this again is competing with a technology over 1 year old and not really fair competition, which also shows that their digital technology is far behind Canon's. The 20D is far better in terms of functions. I had this debate for a very long time in what brand to chose. I was debating the Nik*n D70 over the 300D for a long time. The D70 was much better but eventhough the 300D was old, I do look ahead and see myself buying lens which can be applied to future Canon models. Many folks here at this forum had given me very valuable advices and I too hope I can share this wealth of information. The bottom line is your budget, and what you feel your needs are. If you don't plan on upgrades, you have plenty of options.

Hope this helps.

[Bodryn]

Now I really have my work cut out for me, trying to decide which way to go. Each brand has some special things I like. I could clearly see that beautiful little Pentax in my dreams last night! Thanks, guys, for all your responses.

[PaulB]

There is a way if you don't mind losing the ability to put the lenses back onto Pentax bodies once they have been converted - you proberbly will have to shorten or remove the aperture stop-down lever to get enough clearence for the EOS mirror!
I am at the moment getting ready to send a Pentax K mount (for a 500/4.5 - which isn't auto so will reconvert) to SRB Film Services over here in the UK.
SRB are specialist photographic machinists and can seemingly adapt (almost) anything to anything else.
SRB are at:
http://www.srbfilm.co.uk/
drop them an e-mail and I'm sure they will help you out.