How to Use Manual Lenses on Pentax DSLRs

Virtually all K-mount and M42 lenses are compatible!

By PF Staff in Tutorial Videos on Apr 29, 2013

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.

For more information about Pentax manual lenses, we recommend the following resources:

• Pentax Lenses Explained
• Genuine Pentax Lens Database
• Third-Party Pentax Lens Database
• How to Use and Meter Manual & M42 Lenses: Text Guide