I hate to ask. I have a couple of screw mount lenses gathering dust.

magnum1 · 01-14-2009, 06:40 PM

I know this has probably come up a gazzilion times but I need to ask.

Pentax has this for about $31US

Ever the tightwad, I was wondering about 3rd party adapters. Do they perform the same? Are they worth the savings? Do ther cause any major problems ( thought I read something about hanging up)?

Thanks as always,
Tom

*dugrant153* · 01-14-2009, 06:43 PM

Don't buy third party adaptors. They simply don't fit as well as the Pentax authentic one does.
I'd rather spend the extra $20 and get the good one from the get go.

I have both, so I speak from experience

magnum1 · 01-14-2009, 06:44 PM

Thank you, and sorry to the admins. Wrong area.

jsherman999 · 01-14-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by magnum1

I know this has probably come up a gazzilion times but I need to ask.

Pentax has this for about $31US

Ever the tightwad, I was wondering about 3rd party adapters. Do they perform the same? Are they worth the savings? Do ther cause any major problems ( thought I read something about hanging up)?

Thanks as always,
Tom

Tom,

This question comes up all the time, but it's worthwhile to ask - just get the genuine adapter for $30. Don't try to save $10-15 here, it's not worth it.

If the adapters have the flange, they wont allow infinity focus. If they don't and do allow infinity, they often don't come off the camera as easily and reliably as the genuine Pentax adapter. I once got one stuck on the camera and needed to turn the lens 360 degrees beyond the latch point, grinding, forcing it off the camera.

Ever since then, it's been only genuine ones for me. Your Taks and your camera body will thank you.

.

*KungPOW* · 01-14-2009, 06:47 PM

Yes, the real one is worth 31 bucks.

It fits. It is easy to remove. It allows focus to infinity. It is very well made.

So you get a knock off and save 15 bucks. It might not fit, it might need a tool to be removed, it might have a flange that prevents focus to infinity. But you saved the cost of a beer and a movie.

The real expense comes when you start buying Takumars, and Soviet erra lenses...

magnum1 · 01-14-2009, 06:49 PM

Once again, thanks folks. Always the great help you are. (<----Yodda?)

rfortson · 01-14-2009, 08:06 PM

I tried a 3rd party adapter and the first time I tried a lens, the adapter got stuck on the camera. I thought I'd broken my camera when it finally came off, but luckily the adapter broke. That was my first and last screwmount lens.

I know others that swear by screwmount lenses, but I decided it wasn't worth the worry to me. Besides, my MF skills are terrible.

*rpriedhorsky* · 01-14-2009, 09:23 PM

You might also be interested to search around for the aluminum foil trick to let you shout in Av mode.

Sharkonwheels · 01-14-2009, 10:16 PM

There are MANY horror stories of the cheapies breaking and getting stuck.
I've seen a few websites describing CAS - Cheap Adapter Syndrome

And it's results on cameras.

Tony

Shaloot! · 01-15-2009, 08:39 AM

Tom,
I just ordered my from the pentax web store on saturday and it arrived today! I too felt like you but then decided the headaches were not worth the $ savings...

*newarts* · 01-15-2009, 08:56 AM

My experience with the $12.95 adapter from Adorama has been fine.

I've got at least three of them. They fit well & don't get stuck. They can be removed without using the tool if you've got a fingernail to move the spring.

They are certainly sufficient my purpose, which is to remove the spring & leave them on the lenses.