[Timos]

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Hello all,

I've been using slrs for more than 25 years now. I'm into dslrs for 5 years and recently I moved from sony-minolta to pentax.

I've ordered an M42 adapter to pentax from ebay, to use my old M42 lenses and a Takumar 50/1.4 I recently bought. However, it seems that something is wrong with the adapter, it is very difficult for it to screw in the camera body and then almost impossible to take it out. The adapter is the following:

M42 to Pentax k10D k100D K110D K20D DL adapter(silver) on eBay (end time 30-Aug-10 09:03:32 BST)

and I use the special tool to take it out but it doesn't move at all, so I had to use 2 screwdrivers and then did not make any other attempt in order not to damage the body.

Did I buy a lemon adapter or do I do something wrong?

Thanks a lot in advance for any tip,

Timos

[boriscleto]

This is exactly why most here recommend getting the genuine Pentax Mount Adapter K.

[RioRico]

With the cheap clones of official Pentax adapters, YOU MUST REMOVE THE SCREW AND CLIP!! Once those are gone, you can screw the adaptor onto a lens and tighten it with a PK rear lens cap, used as a wrench. Failure to remove the screw and clip WILL DRIVE YOU APESHIT!

[davidvandoren]

I am not sure since I use the K-X

My adapter says pentax K not PK like yours.
I think I had the problem in a store with a PK adapter. This however could not be mounted at all.

Taking the adapter off is a little tricky though.

take off the lense
Take a small screwdriver and push the little black blade to the side while carefully pushing it counterclockwise.
Be careful not to slip inside you camera.

Watch for the red point when mounting the lens

[Timos]

Thank you all for the quick replies

My adapter is PK. I removed the screw and clip and it still can not be mounted. This is the first problem, it can not be mounted. And when it mounts, it can not be unmounted. I am not going to bother anymore, I am going to look for manual pentax lenses that are mounted directly on the k-x..

As I understand, all manual pentax lenses, either M or K mount are mounted directly on the k-x, right?

Thanks a lot again..

[boriscleto]

All K mount lenses can be mounted on the K-x. Look out for third party lenses with the "Ricoh pin" as some of them can get stuck. Some older third party zooms have to be modified to fit, they have a large flange that prevents the lens from mounting unless you cut it down.

[Timos]

All K mount lenses can be mounted on the K-x. Look out for third party lenses with the "Ricoh pin" as some of them can get stuck. Some older third party zooms have to be modified to fit, they have a large flange that prevents the lens from mounting unless you cut it down.

Thanks for the tips I am going to stick to pentax lenses, to avoid any potential problems..M mount lenses can also be mounted to the k-x, right?

[Stratman]

Yes, basically ANY Pentax lens with the K-mount will mount on ANY Pentax DSLR with no problems. Some third party, and Ricoh lenses have problems with a small pin that may get stuck in the AF mechanism on the body. But do not let the bad experieince with the M42 adapter stop you, just spend the $35-$40 it takes to get the GENUINE Pentax adapter, and enjoy those Taks !!!

[Jools]

I just want to second Stratman here, don't let this experience discourage you.
There are a ton of nice to excellent M42 lenses out there that can be used effectively with your dslr. Yeah, just get the Genuine Pentax adapter and all your worries will be over.

[Adam]

Here's a good and cheap this party adapter: General Brand Pentax-K Body to Universal Lens Adapter ABPKS -

BTW, I've written an article regarding using Takumar lenses/adapters on Pentax K-mount cameras: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-screw...ml#post1140376

[Stratman]

Here's a good and cheap this party adapter: General Brand Pentax-K Body to Universal Lens Adapter ABPKS -

I dunno Adam, that adapter got some pretty horrid reviews there on B&H. It does look pretty much like the genuine Pentax, but apparently is not as sturdy. For $20 more you can get the real deal, and not have to worry about those things.

Thanks for the tips I am going to stick to pentax lenses, to avoid any potential problems..M mount lenses can also be mounted to the k-x, right?

I'll join the chorus: True, M42 adapters can be a pain. But, if you get a genuine Pentax adapter or find a third party adapter that works for you, there are a lot of good quality M42 lenses to be had. Many at bargain prices.

Just a note of caution regarding adapters: For Heaven's sake, be careful to always screw the adapter on CLOCKWISE. Once, after hundreds of proper mountings, somehow I screwed my (3rd party) adapter counter-clockwise onto my K10D. Yikes! There was no damage to camera or adapter, but I had to remove the lens mount from the body to get the adapter off. Do as I say, not as I did!

[stevebrot]

I dunno Adam, that adapter got some pretty horrid reviews there on B&H. It does look pretty much like the genuine Pentax, but apparently is not as sturdy. For $20 more you can get the real deal, and not have to worry about those things.

Stratman is right. It is the same old Bower/Kalt/<insert name> adapter that has been causing headaches for the last couple decades. Even with the spring removed, the machining is such that there is still a risk over rotation in the mount. Simply not worth the trouble.


Steve

[Mike Cash]

You are unknowingly robbing yourself of some wonderful and satisfying photographic experiences if you let this unfortunate experience with a crap product put a halt to your foray into using your M42 lenses.

The problem is that so many people (my hand is in the air) engage in the false economy of buying a third-party adapter. Every now and then you find a good one, but in the end you end up chucking it and going with the problem-free genuine Pentax adapter....which doesn't cost all that much to begin with. The real economic move is to start with the genuine adapter and skip the third-party headache generators altogether.

Which is cheaper? Buying a bunch of K mount lenses to take the place of your current perfectly usable collection of M42 lenses? Or about $30 for a simple genuine adapter that slips into the camera mount like Cinderella's dainty little foot slipped into those glass slippers? And it comes out with just a fingernail and a slight twist. Picking your nose should be so easy.

[Stratman]

As I've said before Mike, you have a way with words !! lol