One of the unique features of Pentax DSLRs is their exceptional backwards-compatibility.  In fact, you're able to mount just about any Pentax lens ever made on your DSLR, even if it's 50 years old!  You can also use thousands of legacy third-party lenses from manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Vivitar, and others.  For K-mount (bayonet) lenses, no adapter is necessary.  If you'd like to use M42 screwmount lenses, all that's needed is the affordable M42 to K-mount adapter.

Best of all, thanks to Pentax's in-camera Shake Reduction, even manual lenses will be stabilized!

However, you need to change some settings before being able to use manual lenses on your DSLR.  In addition, there's a special procedure that you need to follow in order to get the camera to meter properly.  That's why we've put together this quick tutorial video to show you how things are done:

If you're currently only shooting with the kit lens, we recommend trying the SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7, which is available second-hand for under $50 and is currently the most popular manual lens for Pentax.

For more videos, be sure to check out the Pentax Forums Youtube Channel.

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On our forum we often get questions about teleconverters from new users. While the objective of the teleconverter - to extend the reach of a lens - is not in question, many other aspects of teleconverters may seem a bit overwhelming at first.

We will try to shed some light on this topic in this article. Our purpose is not to review the many available converters in terms of optical performance, but rather to explain the features and interaction with the camera's exposure and autofocus mechanisms. For product reviews and teleconverter options please consult the user reviews in the lens databases (Pentax teleconverters, Third-party teleconverters).

Pentax calls many of their teleconverters "Rear Adapters". We will use the more common term teleconverter or simply converter in this article.

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The coolant light had been flashing for the last 10 miles or so while we looked for a place to get an hour or two of unconsciousness after the 7 hour drive. This plan had some rather inherent flaws though. You see, before climbing a 540 foot ladder…trying to sleep half in a trunk and half in the back seat of a 95 VW GTI is something of a hazard. There then came a noise I wanted badly to stop, so I tried to ignore it, but I soon realized it was the other group calling to confirm the meeting place so we could head to the location. The small town of hartsville was absolutely dead at 5 AM. There wasn’t another soul to be seen. The town felt legitimately…well, dead. I could only imagine a bustling town with a purpose several decades ago. There was a nuclear reactor to be built! Thing is, that reactor never was completed. That, you see….is where we come in. A rag tag group of self proclaimed explorers. One structure beckoned to me. The cooling tower stood strong amongst the aging and crumbling core buildings.

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Early morning rays shining through the treetops

We're happy to announce the winners of our March, 2013 "Dreams" photo contest! In first place was forum member hobkyl, who captured the photo "Early morning rays shining through the treetops" (pictured above). This photo was shot with a Pentax K-x and an smc Pentax DA 16-45 mm lens.

Our runners-up were forum members novsky on second place with "Pörto Vecchio Dreamy Sunset" and Free Soul on third place with "Beyond Bravest Dreams". Click on any photo for a larger version!

Pörto Vecchio Dreamy Sunset	Beyond Bravest Dreams

We congratulate the winners one more time!

Finally, don't miss our April "Rain" photo contest, which features the same great prizes from B&H and Red River Paper!

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OK, well here goes. First of all the topic, "It's good to be FEARLESS," has several meanings for me. The first is even entering this contest. 

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First off, I would like to say that I think this is a wonderful contest and completely generous of you to do this. I do not have a large post history here on the Pentax Forums, however I spend a lot of time here reading and have found this site extremely invaluable to me. So thank you!

In the fall of 2012 I decided to make a big change in my life. I resigned from a position that was going nowhere and decided to take a journey that has changed me in many ways. As an introvert, a creature of habit and comfort, someone who is used to shying away from the unknown and unfamiliar, I took a chance to do something completely out of my comfort zone both psychologically and photographically.

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In Western France, a few miles from Nantes, there is a conflict between the people and the government; between the people and a multinational - Vinci - which try to build a useless airport.

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I love an adventure. That's why I bought Pentax to begin with. 

Pentax DA 18-55mm WR

I also enjoy cross country skiing. Although I don't compete anymore, I still love going fast downhill, especially through sharp turns and steep slopes. Even for experienced cross-country skiers, this is difficult at best and downright dangerous at worst. The skis are very thin and flimsy, and the tracks are usually just between 2 and 4 meters wide with trees very close, passing at 30-45 mph, giving a great sensation of speed. I've tried to capture in that in the first shot. Simultaneously holding the camera steady just above the ground while flying down a winding slope added to the challenge. Even though I went at reduced speed, I almost lost control in one sharp turn where a lot of people had "braked" leaving only very hard and icy snow.

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