How to know if a lens is made for Pentax???

gut1kor · 07-20-2010, 03:20 AM

Hi,
I am a beginner and I am confronted with a situation where I had seen a bunch of old lenses in a second hand market. I wanted to check if there is any information on the lens that says if the lens fits a Pentax k-mount or canon or Nikon etc. But I was disappointed.

I want to know if there is a way to know (any code on the lens etc) if the lens is made with a Pentax k-mount.

Adam · 07-20-2010, 04:20 AM

Oftentimes, this isn't in the lens name, but rather in the product number. Therefore, always be on the lookout for "for Pentax", and inspect the mount visually.

fearview · 07-20-2010, 05:14 AM

pay attention to its mount. its not that hard actually. somehow it will look confusing at firts time, but you will understand surely.

Uncle_dad · 07-20-2010, 06:27 AM

Might be silly answer but you could take a picture of a K mount (print it of course) and keep with you to compare while out.

hangu · 07-20-2010, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by gut1kor

Hi,
I am a beginner and I am confronted with a situation where I had seen a bunch of old lenses in a second hand market. I wanted to check if there is any information on the lens that says if the lens fits a Pentax k-mount or canon or Nikon etc. But I was disappointed.

I want to know if there is a way to know (any code on the lens etc) if the lens is made with a Pentax k-mount.

Seriously, just bring your camera with you. You're going to want to use the camera to take a few pics to inspect the lens anyway. This really isn't that hard.

builttospill · 07-20-2010, 07:08 AM

A lot of third-party lenses will have a "PK" printed or stamped on the mount or rear cap. That's the easiest way. But often I'll find ones that don't have it too, so I'm sure you'll figure it out after a little trial and error.

Marc Sabatella · 07-20-2010, 09:54 AM

My rule of thumb: if the seller doesn't even know that much about the lens he is selling and you can't test it for yourtself, don't buy the lens. Who knows what else the seller doesn't know (like, lens is completely broken?)

forensicscientist · 07-20-2010, 10:54 AM

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the "famous" Ricoh pin....nothing worse than mounting someones lens to your camera body and then realizing you can"t get the lens off!!

RioRico · 07-20-2010, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by forensicscientist

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the "famous" Ricoh pin....nothing worse than mounting someones lens to your camera body and then realizing you can"t get the lens off!!

Some of these will have 'KR' stamped onto the lens somewhere. Some won't. I have two KR lenses, both with 'soft' pins that don't get stuck on my K20D. But concerned buyers should scan the discussions here for simple instructions on dealing with that infamous Ricoh pin. Removal is pretty trivial.

07-20-2010, 03:20 AM	#1
gut1kor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Photos: Albums Posts: 176	How to know if a lens is made for Pentax??? Hi, I am a beginner and I am confronted with a situation where I had seen a bunch of old lenses in a second hand market. I wanted to check if there is any information on the lens that says if the lens fits a Pentax k-mount or canon or Nikon etc. But I was disappointed. I want to know if there is a way to know (any code on the lens etc) if the lens is made with a Pentax k-mount.

07-20-2010, 04:20 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Oftentimes, this isn't in the lens name, but rather in the product number. Therefore, always be on the lookout for "for Pentax", and inspect the mount visually. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-20-2010, 10:54 AM	#8
forensicscientist Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: DFW Texas and Michigan - I commute :) Posts: 1,012	Be careful.... Be sure to familiarize yourself with the "famous" Ricoh pin....nothing worse than mounting someones lens to your camera body and then realizing you can"t get the lens off!!

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07-20-2010, 05:14 AM	#3
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	pay attention to its mount. its not that hard actually. somehow it will look confusing at firts time, but you will understand surely.

07-20-2010, 06:27 AM	#4
Uncle_dad Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edgewater Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 111	Might be silly answer but you could take a picture of a K mount (print it of course) and keep with you to compare while out.

07-20-2010, 06:30 AM	#5
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	Originally posted by gut1kor Hi, I am a beginner and I am confronted with a situation where I had seen a bunch of old lenses in a second hand market. I wanted to check if there is any information on the lens that says if the lens fits a Pentax k-mount or canon or Nikon etc. But I was disappointed. I want to know if there is a way to know (any code on the lens etc) if the lens is made with a Pentax k-mount. Seriously, just bring your camera with you. You're going to want to use the camera to take a few pics to inspect the lens anyway. This really isn't that hard.

07-20-2010, 07:08 AM	#6
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	A lot of third-party lenses will have a "PK" printed or stamped on the mount or rear cap. That's the easiest way. But often I'll find ones that don't have it too, so I'm sure you'll figure it out after a little trial and error.

07-20-2010, 09:54 AM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	My rule of thumb: if the seller doesn't even know that much about the lens he is selling and you can't test it for yourtself, don't buy the lens. Who knows what else the seller doesn't know (like, lens is completely broken?)

07-20-2010, 12:31 PM	#9
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by forensicscientist Be sure to familiarize yourself with the "famous" Ricoh pin....nothing worse than mounting someones lens to your camera body and then realizing you can"t get the lens off!! Some of these will have 'KR' stamped onto the lens somewhere. Some won't. I have two KR lenses, both with 'soft' pins that don't get stuck on my K20D. But concerned buyers should scan the discussions here for simple instructions on dealing with that infamous Ricoh pin. Removal is pretty trivial.