can I use any of my old Nikon gear w/ my new pentax system?

360fish · 08-06-2008, 09:40 PM

I didn't see anything on the forums regarding this - I've got a nice Nikkor ED AF 80-300 2.8 zoom and a speedlight sb-22 but finding it hard to get info on adapters. Could I use the flash as a slave? it has an pc/xSync port which my k200d lacks, I'd love to get it working some way.

I understand mount adapters can result in the lens unable to focus to infinity, but I can't find if even a non-infinity-focusing adapter is available.

UPDATE - found this thread about nikon flashes with pentax, I guss I'll have to play around with it but sounds like it'll work! the lens is a much bigger deal though...

thanks for any info.

D

flyer · 08-07-2008, 04:16 AM

The Pentax and Nikon lens mount are almost identical, so I think with a little work, one could be made to work with the other.

JJJPhoto · 08-07-2008, 04:38 AM

When I switched from Nikon and Fuji to Canon I sold all my Nikon gear ... except my Nikon flash units. When I switched from Canon to Pentax I sold all my Canon gear ... but I still kept the Nikon flashes.

IMHO, Nikon simply does a FANTASTIC job with their flash units. The SB800s in particular are my favorite flashes.

I have several P-TTL flash units from Pentax, but I still use the Nikon speedlights as off-camera flash units ... and sometimes just as a fast-recycling Auto flash on camera.

Anyway, I wasn't a huge fan of Nikon DSLRs, but I'll never give up my Nikon flashes ... unless another manufacturer wakes up and makes even better flash units for roughly the same price (or less).

HGMonaro · 08-07-2008, 05:28 AM

buy one of these and tell me if I should buy one

(Will be manual focus and stop-down metering as no aperture or electrical contacts)

Nikon lens to Pentax K10d k20d k100d k200d DS adapter - eBay (item 350084478389 end time Aug-06-08 10:42:24 PDT)

innershell · 08-07-2008, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by HGMonaro

buy one of these and tell me if I should buy one (Will be manual focus and stop-down metering as no aperture or electrical contacts)

Nikon lens to Pentax K10d k20d k100d k200d DS adapter - eBay (item 350084478389 end time Aug-06-08 10:42:24 PDT)

Wow, never knew that existed. But then again, this is only worth it for those of you already with Nikon gear. Nikon lenses (from what I've seen) are significantly more expensive than Pentax ones.

reeftool · 08-07-2008, 09:14 AM

I've never heard of those adapters. I have a couple of Nikon paperweights they may work on but I don't know if I want to be the guinnea pig.

ryan s · 08-07-2008, 10:57 AM

The older (pre)AI lenses already fit in the Pentax bayonet and focus to infinity...

Nico · 08-07-2008, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by HGMonaro

buy one of these and tell me if I should buy one (Will be manual focus and stop-down metering as no aperture or electrical contacts)

Nikon lens to Pentax K10d k20d k100d k200d DS adapter - eBay (item 350084478389 end time Aug-06-08 10:42:24 PDT)

I have seen this item before but there is a optical element in it. I wonder how good the optics are for the price.

woof · 08-07-2008, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by ryan s

The older (pre)AI lenses already fit in the Pentax bayonet and focus to infinity...

I can confirm this. I have an old pre-AI 300mm Nikon lens as well as a 105mm and a 28mm, all of which I have used on occasion.

I should take a few pics and add them to the "off brands" thread.

woof!

HGMonaro · 08-07-2008, 04:36 PM

I just tried to mount both Ais (105/2.5) and Pre-Ai (135/3.5) Nikkors to my K10D and they didn't fit. Bayonet fits the hole but won't turn more than a mm or so. Can take a picture but lens is close to falling off! Not recommended.

stevebrot · 08-07-2008, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by woof

I can confirm this. I have an old pre-AI 300mm Nikon lens as well as a 105mm and a 28mm, all of which I have used on occasion.

I should take a few pics and add them to the "off brands" thread.

woof!

Someone beat you to it. Quicksand posted some pics from his Micro-Nikkor 55/3.8.

Steve

Big Dave · 08-07-2008, 07:41 PM

Hi,
The Nikon manual lenses fit the K-mount when properly positioned. You must make sure that the light baffle doesn't protrude more then 8.5mm into the body past the mount. Insert the lens with the index dot at about the 6 o'clock position. Seat gently. Take using the camera, since the lock pin isn't seated. Here is a photo of my 35/2 mounted on my K100DS.

Dave

Originally Posted by HGMonaro

I just tried to mount both Ais (105/2.5) and Pre-Ai (135/3.5) Nikkors to my K10D and they didn't fit. Bayonet fits the hole but won't turn more than a mm or so. Can take a picture but lens is close to falling off! Not recommended.

HGMonaro · 08-08-2008, 03:26 AM

thought I tried all positions... I'll give it another go!

dave sz · 08-09-2008, 06:24 PM

I just got a promaster 28-200 that the seller said was for pentax, it's actually nikon mount. The lens mounts just fine two ways. One way is to align the red dots almost perfectly, the other is to mount the lens upside down, aperture markings on bottom of the lens. Are both of these ways safe? Should I try to remove the pin/blade on the lens to prevent any damage or will that ruin the lens?

dave sz · 08-10-2008, 11:21 AM

nevermind, the upside down method or the 2 oclock method do not work. The lens goes in but there is no support, just falls out. Only way it stays is if I line up the dots almost perfectly and get a small turn in...