[Neisey]

Hi everyone! I am new to this board and new to the world of SLRs (beyond putting the camera on automatic and hoping for the best) so I am looking forward to learning how to really use my camera settings.

My husband has a Pentax film SLR (SF1) that he purchased new roughly 18- 20 years ago, Magnicon lenses (macro - 70 and 70 - 210 AF zoom) and a Pentax AF400FTZ external flash. At the time he purchased these items he was informed that in the future the lenses would be able to be used with other Pentax bodies. We have not used this camera since the dawn of the affordable digital point and shoot (and really just used it as a fancy point and shoot in its hey day anyway )) but I would now be interested in enetering the DSLR world and would like to know if these lenses and flash will fit the Pentax digital bodies?

I thank you for helping me out.

[little laker]

Welcome to Pentax Forums Neisey,

And the answer to your question is YES they will work

You'll want the camera aperture ring on the A, but other than that they should work like they did on the old 35mm.

I'm even using some old screw mount lenses on my camerea, with an adapter ring.

I hope that I'll get the chance to see some pictures soon.

[Lowell Goudge]

just a note to tell you that although the lenses are OK, the flash is a different issue, You will need to get a P-TTL compatible flash, to use the newer cameras.

the AF400FTZ with TTL flash only works on *istD, DS and I think DS2 cameras.

[Papersniper]

"...You will need to get a P-TTL compatible flash, to use the newer cameras. ..."

Are there any besides the 360/540 that the K100d (and probably other Pentax) manuals list? I have an older Sunpak 144 which I believe will safefy work with my new K100d, but I think I'm willing to pay $150 or so for something that works a lot easier with my new camera.

[little laker]

Don't scrap your old flashes.
They work fine with radio flash triggers
look here

[SupremeMoFo]

"...You will need to get a P-TTL compatible flash, to use the newer cameras. ..."

Are there any besides the 360/540 that the K100d (and probably other Pentax) manuals list?

Sigma 500 and 530 series flashes are available for P-TTL.

[Chako]

I bought my SF10 with a pair of probably the same Magnicon lenses about the same time from Blacks.

The lenses will work. However, the quality does leave a lot to be desired. I had bought the K10D body with the thought to using these older lenses to save some money. I took the 70-210 out for a golf event, and was mystified at the inconsistency of the lens. It would take a few good photos and then it would simply fall apart in quality. For the 123 shots I took of the event. I was just never sure what the results would be from shot to shot. I quickly bought the 16-45 and 50-200mm Pentax lenses after this event.

Here are a few examples of what I didn't like about the lens.

1. Purple fringe. The odd thing was that it would purple fringe inconsistently. Some of the photos turned out well, and others turned out like this example. Even when I took several shots back to back with the same settings, I was not guaranteed a fringe. I still haven't quite figured this one out yet.


2. Be sure to use a lens hood at all times. This lens is the worst I have seen for this behaviour. Unlike the fringe, I could consistently get this sort of photo with the sun anywhere in front at any angle.


Yes, the lenses work on a digital body. They just aren't as good as I remember them with film. Your millage may vary though.

[Neisey]

Thanks for all the answers and advice. Chako, it was especially good to hear from someone that actually has the same equipment. And these came from Blacks as well. Have you been using these lenses over the years or were they sitting for some time? Perhaps damaged? I will plan on taking identical (or as close as possible) shots with the 2 bodies and will compare the prints.

Thanks again!

[Chako]

I used the lenses extensively on my SF10 for quite a few years. They have been sitting in storage for about 6 years before I took them out and placed them on my K10D. I tend to baby my equipment, so they are in mint condition.

I am positive the lens coating on the glass is subpar, and I would assume that film is more tolerant then digital in some regards. On the digital body, I would have to say the 70-210 gets a woof from me hands down.

Worth a try, and as I did, you have nothing to lose. Just don't be surprised if you eventually upgrade the same way I did.

[RBellavance]

Don't scrap your old flashes.
They work fine with radio flash triggers
look here

Well, for some definitions of "work fine" anyway. They still won't give you P-TTL, will they ?

[JCSullivan]

Welcome Neisey.

Yup, "Magnicon" is Blacks brand of lenses and it would seem they came with any Pentax you bought from them.

I'm fortunate I never purchased any equipment from them besides, they're over priced.

But back to the original thread subject...