PENTAX question....

WildWolf · 23rd of May 2007 (Wed)

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 · 23rd of May 2007 (Wed)

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

rhys · 23rd of May 2007 (Wed)

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 · 24th of May 2007 (Thu)

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 · 24th of May 2007 (Thu)

Thanks for the replies.

rhys · 24th of May 2007 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 24th of May 2007 (Thu)

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

rhys · 24th of May 2007 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by condyk

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

No NHS opticians any more and Specsavers don't count

cdifoto · 24th of May 2007 (Thu)

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...

23rd of May 2007 (Wed)	#1
WildWolf Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NY Posts: 989 IMAGE EDITING OK	PENTAX question.... 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 __________________ 5D3 Canon 24-105 L IS ; 100-400 L IS 430 EX; Feisol 3442 w/CB50D; Bogen 681B; POTN strap

23rd of May 2007 (Wed)	#2
_aravena isn't this answer a stickie yet? Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Back in the 757 Posts: 12,366 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: PENTAX question.... All old lenses will work as long as they are AF for the most part. __________________ POTN CRUMPLER MAN!!! My Site ~ Gear List ~ Bag Reviews

23rd of May 2007 (Wed)	#3
rhys Dis-Membered Join Date: May 2006 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 5,351 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: PENTAX question.... 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. __________________ Rhys The empire conquers yet more galaxies: www.sageworld.co.uk www.sageworld.org www.sagephotoworld.com Blog: http://360.yahoo.com/thunderintheheavens Free cheese comes only in mousetraps

24th of May 2007 (Thu)	#4
condyk Africa's #1 Tour Guide Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 20,732	Re: PENTAX question.... 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. __________________ Now full! Great African Photo Safari 2013 - Kruger National Park, South Africa click

24th of May 2007 (Thu)	#5
WildWolf Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NY Posts: 989 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: PENTAX question.... Thanks for the replies. __________________ 5D3 Canon 24-105 L IS ; 100-400 L IS 430 EX; Feisol 3442 w/CB50D; Bogen 681B; POTN strap

24th of May 2007 (Thu)	#7
condyk Africa's #1 Tour Guide Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 20,732	Re: PENTAX question.... Ok, I'll get my eyes tested as soon as I can ... __________________ Now full! Great African Photo Safari 2013 - Kruger National Park, South Africa click

24th of May 2007 (Thu)	#9
cdifoto Don't get pissy with me Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 32,711	Re: PENTAX question.... 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... __________________ Did you lose Digital Photo Professional (DPP)? Get it here. Cursing at your worse-than-a-map reflector? Check out this vid!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
An old camera question (Asahi Pentax Spotmatic)	jmw_photo	Canon EOS Digital Cameras	16	12th of April 2008 (Sat) 14:17
Pentax AF220T	jkim05	Small Flash and Studio Lighting	0	15th of June 2007 (Fri) 22:26
5D and Pentax K adapter	Choderboy	Canon EOS Digital Cameras	4	2nd of June 2006 (Fri) 23:50
Pentax MX	monkey_wrench	General Photography Talk	2	17th of June 2005 (Fri) 20:06
Pentax flash on G3 ?	gord1234	Canon G-series Digital Cameras	1	6th of October 2003 (Mon) 07:41