[mcook]

Bear with me I am new to Pentax DSLR. I have purchased a Pentax K-5. Patiently waiting for UPS to deliver it as we speak! Today at a local Goodwill I spotted the following lenses and wondered if they were compatible with my K-5 and worth purchasing? I don't know much yet about the older Pentax lenses as far as the quality, what they might be worth now, or how they will work with my camera. Still learning!

Here is what I found, and I would love any imput you would be kind enough to give.

SMC Pentax M 1:2 50mm $5.50

SMC pentax F 1:4–5:6 35-80 $30.00

SMC Pentax A 1:1.7 50mm $40.00

I'm just assuming these lenses work. They seem in good condition but of course no returns if they don't. One of them is still on the original Pentax camera, hence the bigger price.

Do I need an adapter to use any of these lenses?

Are the lenses worth purchasing? Thanks so much for your opinions. I'm loving this forum already!

[gilsouthwood]

All of those lenses are compatible on your new K-5. Congratulations!


I have never tried the 35-80, but I hear the 50mm f1.7 is a very good lens.

I have something very similar to the 50mm f2, only it is 55mm. That lens has served me well, and judging by it's age (30 years,) it must be practically indestructible.

Old pentax lenses are, in short, brilliant. They are very very cheap, and some of the old primes are amazing value: Today I grabbed a 200mm f3.5 for just £10. They will all work with your camera.

It's good to have you here!

[lammie200]

You might want to check out the Lens Listing & Review section of this site. All three of the lenses are reviewed in that section.

The 50mm f2 is a very common lens. It can be good depending on the condition. I think that there is also some variability amongst copies.

The 50mm f1.7 is somewhat common, but can be a better lens than the 2.0. It is a little faster anyway. I would defintely pick this one up if it is in good condition.

The other one is also very common. I don't think that it is the greatest, but check the reviews.

[jatrax]

The F is the only auto-focus lens in the group if that is important to you. All of them will work, although the M needs to be used in stop down mode as the camera cannot control the aperture on it. Both the A and the F will work just like a modern lens (except the A is manual focus).

The A 50mm f/1.7 is a good lens and that is a good price, I would grab that one. The M 50mm is not as useful as the A. The F 35-80 is very common and does not get good reviews, I would pass unless you want to check out the kit lens of that era. If you do, then the F 35-70 is a much better lens and sells for only a little more than that.

[northcoastgreg]

Are the lenses worth purchasing?

The SMC A 1:1.7 50 is well worth purchasing (assuming it's in good condition). $40 for that lens is a very good price nowadays.

The SMC Pentax M 1:2 50mm is also a good price; but it's not as good a lens as the A 50/1.7, so there's no need to get if you buy the A version 50mm lens. The SMC pentax F 1:4–5:6 35-80 is one of the worst lenses Pentax ever made. $30 is way too much for it.

[hongzhibin1987]

okey you can take a look at the lens database. Even the lens feeling is a personal thing, you can still get some idea from there.
and among the three lenses, try the SMC A 50mm F1.7. If your K-5 comes w/kit lens, i.e. the WR 18-55 one, this can be a good supply to your current lens line, which a large aparture lens. You can try shoot pic with beautiful DOV,
just remember this: compare with the lens in front the camera, the "lens" behind the camera is the one take good pictures.
Have fun with your K-5!
PS a 50mm lens is not standard anymore on a ASPC DSLR. it is about 75mm---a more standard-tele lens.

[TER-OR]

You don't need an adapter for those. You will need to tell the camera to let you use them.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using-ma...x-dslrs-f.html

That A 1:1.7 is the best of the bunch. I'd buy the M50 as well, just to have a full-manual lens (though the A does that as well). I personally think the colors and sharpness of the M50 1:2 I have is really very good, though it's not as convenient as modern lenses. When you have the time to compose and practice, it does produce very good images (for me, at least).

Check out the lens reviews here to see whether spending $30 for the 35-80 is worth your money. The other two definitely are.

[Ash]

Vouch also for the A 50/1.7 - a highly acclaimed manual focus lens. For now, I'd just stick to that as well as the kit 18-55 and 55-300 lenses and later you'll be more informed about the specific lenses you'll need to upgrade to for your photographic needs.

[grhazelton]

Go for the 50 mm 1.7. Since it is an "A" lens it will be easy to use on your K-5. It is a very good lens; you might want to consider a KatzEye screen or its equivalent to aid in focussing manual lenses.

Using the 50mm f 2 would be inconvenient involving stop-down metering. I'd pass on it, even at that price.

[mcook]

Thank you for all the great feedback. I am learning so much! Ran back to the thrift store and got the following:
The SMC Pentax A 1:1.7 50mm (it was actually on a Pentax P30t camera and had a B&W UV filter on the lens; all for - $40
Hoya Magnifying filters set of 3 - $8
Tiffen - Polarizing Filter $2.50

All seem to be in great condition. Looks like I'm headed down THAT road! My camera arrived today by UPS. Seems like a really lucky day! I rarely see used Pentax stuff like this at the Thrift Store. Nice when things work out like that.

Thanks again for all your help. I'm sure I will have MANY more questions! The databases with lens reviews are great!

[twitch]

Buy the A 50/1.7, for $40 it's a bargain.

[jatrax]

The SMC Pentax A 1:1.7 50mm (it was actually on a Pentax P30t camera and had a B&W UV filter on the lens; all for - $40

You did good, the B+W filter is about $25 new and you now have a good 'fast fifty' which I think everybody should have in their kit even if you do not use it much. If you do not want the P30t throw it in the 'bay and recover your costs.

[Docrwm]

Congratulations, you got a deal on a very nice Fast-Fifty lens for your new K-5!

Welcome Aboard!

[hongzhibin1987]

lol good to see you got these.
And hope you have fun with your K5 ha

[mcook]

Thanks for the recommendations on the lenses. You were correct, and I am so happy with my Goodwill find (SMC Pentax A 1:1.7 50mm) The butterflies were also quite cooperative! I think they aspired to a career in modeling!