PentaxLife » K-mount lenses » Newbie K10D lens compatibility confusion!!!!

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  1. NitroFan
    Member

    Hi all,
    I am a first time pentax owner (K10D) having been an Olympus owner for a long time. I am totaly confused as to what older Pentax lenses will and will not fit on my Body.
    Could some kind soul please help me out with the following (The idiots guide to prefered!!)

    What is the "A" thing all about? and how do i know which lenses have it!

    What designations should I look out for on lenses that are manual focus only, yet will allow the camera to operate in Auto Av Tv etc exposure modes when required.

    What older auto focus lens designations should I look out for?

    I do not want to use adaptors and I dont want to be bothered with complicated exposure calculations whilst i am try to shoot!

    Thanks in anticipation.

    Posted: 2007-11-02 17:34:58 #

  2. Vitali
    Key Master

    Every Pentax lens ever manufactured will work on your Pentax digital SLR including screw mount, 645 and 67 lenses with appropriate adapter. If the lens have aperture ring on it and this link haven't A (auto) position all the exposure metering will be made at the aperture settings set on the lens.

    Posted: 2007-11-04 00:03:22 #

  3. NitroFan
    Member

    HI Vitali,
    Thank you for your reply it was helpful.

    Posted: 2007-11-04 19:00:50 #

  4. rvannatta
    Member

    This is only half the story however. While it is true that every pentax lens pretty much in history
    is usable, some work better than others and not all functions work. Until 1975 pentax used a 42mm screw mount, then they switched to a K mount
    which was enhanced to the KA mount about 1980.

    The screw mount lenses often have the the brand name "Takumar" associated with them, and the early K mount may be called "SMC" for "SMC-M"
    the KA mount lenes are often referred to as SMCA or "SMC-A". The SMC is a good thing and stands for super multicoating which is still used.

    Newer lenses (with auto focus) are labeled "F" or "FA" or "DA"
    In my view those without the "A" should be avoided. They are easy to tell by looking at them because the "A" is a position on the Aperature ring, used as an alternative to manually setting the 'F stop'. IT is functionally equilivalent to the new DA lenses which have no aperature ring at all. You set the lens to 'A' and forget it.

    If you have lenses without the "A" you can use them, but I sure wouldn't buy one. I've used Pentax cameras for 40 years, but have gotten rid of all my lenses that are 'pre-A'.

    If you are shopping on EBAY the "A" type lenses don't cost much more than the older ones and are much more convenient to use. I only suggest the
    older ones for purcahse where there is a BIG cost difference.

    Posted: 2007-11-05 16:48:21 #

  5. Vitali
    Key Master

    Thank you for detailed answer, rvannatta. Very useful and informative.

    Posted: 2007-11-07 17:20:53 #

  6. NitroFan
    Member

    Hi rvannatta,
    Wow!! that realy does answer my question completly, thank you very much for taking the time to go into so much detail.

    I have now had my K10D for 3 weeks and enjoy it more each time I use it, I am so pleased I did my research properly before I made my buying decision. My previous front runner a Canon 400D (Digital Rebel)now seems a very second rate option.

    Posted: 2007-11-11 11:14:03 #

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