"P" on aperture ring

zzeitg · 05-26-2015, 11:42 AM

I've found a lens on eBay which has letter "P" instead "A" on aperture ring. It seems to be a K-mount lens without any contacts on the mount.

What's the meaning of "P" in this case?

K57XR · 05-26-2015, 12:05 PM

"Program". I believe that is Ricoh's "A" version lenses. It should work on Pentax bodies but be careful of the so-called Ricoh Pin.
This might help (scroll all the way down): http://www.robertstech.com/compat.htm

zzeitg · 05-26-2015, 12:18 PM

Oh no, again the Ricoh pin? I'll rather ask the seller for more detailed info, but so far I can't see either Ricoh pin or any other electrical contacts on the lens mount. That's why I asked about the "P" meaning.

alamo5000 · 05-26-2015, 12:22 PM

Don't sweat it too much. If there is a pin it's easy to remove. I have a lens with a P marking and its been great. Not even a single hiccup.

Not a Number · 05-26-2015, 12:26 PM

The pin configuration is not compatible with Pentax so the "P" lens will not work as a Pentax "A" lens does. It should be treated as a M or K series lens so you need to do stop-down or green button metering.

vonBaloney · 05-26-2015, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by dcshooter

Not quite. Most "P" lenses have an A contact too and work just fine in A mode with the Ricoh pin removed.

Really? Never seen one that works as a 'A'.

vonBaloney · 05-26-2015, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by dcshooter

Pretty much any 3rd party lens (Vivitar, Kiron, etc.) that is KR will also have the A contact as well. Oddly, many of the Sears lenses too, despite the fact that their bodies were for the most part rebadged Ricohs.

Right, right, I thought you meant Ricoh lenses that just say "P", cause the third-party ones all say 'A' or "(A)P" if they are A...

05-26-2015, 11:42 AM	#1
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	"P" on aperture ring I've found a lens on eBay which has letter "P" instead "A" on aperture ring. It seems to be a K-mount lens without any contacts on the mount. What's the meaning of "P" in this case?

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05-26-2015, 12:05 PM	#2
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	"Program". I believe that is Ricoh's "A" version lenses. It should work on Pentax bodies but be careful of the so-called Ricoh Pin. This might help (scroll all the way down): http://www.robertstech.com/compat.htm

05-26-2015, 12:18 PM	#3
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	Oh no, again the Ricoh pin? I'll rather ask the seller for more detailed info, but so far I can't see either Ricoh pin or any other electrical contacts on the lens mount. That's why I asked about the "P" meaning.

05-26-2015, 12:22 PM	#4
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Don't sweat it too much. If there is a pin it's easy to remove. I have a lens with a P marking and its been great. Not even a single hiccup.

05-26-2015, 12:26 PM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The pin configuration is not compatible with Pentax so the "P" lens will not work as a Pentax "A" lens does. It should be treated as a M or K series lens so you need to do stop-down or green button metering.

05-26-2015, 01:53 PM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by dcshooter Not quite. Most "P" lenses have an A contact too and work just fine in A mode with the Ricoh pin removed. Really? Never seen one that works as a 'A'.

05-26-2015, 03:44 PM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by dcshooter Pretty much any 3rd party lens (Vivitar, Kiron, etc.) that is KR will also have the A contact as well. Oddly, many of the Sears lenses too, despite the fact that their bodies were for the most part rebadged Ricohs. Right, right, I thought you meant Ricoh lenses that just say "P", cause the third-party ones all say 'A' or "(A)P" if they are A...