[Doundounba]

Yes, the reverse mount adapter is for mounting a lens directly on the camera (or bellows or tubes). For stacking lenses you need a macro coupler, a simple ring with male filter threads on each side. So you need the correct filter size(s) (or the appropriate step-up or step-down rings to use with the coupler).

Exactly. In this case, I'm using a 49mm-to-55mm macro coupling ring.

[Joojoo2010]

First pics with M40-80, just hasty try with popup flash. Wow, who did say these old zooms are not good. Very sharp, ok colors, easy to MF. I was not expecting this from lens I did pay 20$,lens looks like new.

[aurele]

First pics with M40-80, just hasty try with popup flash. Wow, who did say these old zooms are not good. Very sharp, ok colors, easy to MF. I was not expecting this from lens I did pay 20$,lens looks like new.

the M40-80 is made of the same optical construction as the M35-70/2.8-3.5 and A35-70/4, both are great lenses.

The M40-80 is probably not much loved because of the unusual FL and the changing aperture. It also need a tad of stop down to be up to modern standards.

[Canada_Rockies]

First pics with M40-80, just hasty try with popup flash. Wow, who did say these old zooms are not good. Very sharp, ok colors, easy to MF. I was not expecting this from lens I did pay 20$,lens looks like new.

Cute snap. Some of the older lenses are very good indeed. I use two regularly.

[MarkJerling]

Yes, the reverse mount adapter is for mounting a lens directly on the camera (or bellows or tubes). For stacking lenses you need a macro coupler, a simple ring with male filter threads on each side. So you need the correct filter size(s) (or the appropriate step-up or step-down rings to use with the coupler).

Thank you! I did not know such a thing exists. Back to e-bay!

[Dewman]

I've owned this lens for about two months but until today, I had never taken it out into the field so see what it was capable of. After shooting 57 images, I can now fully appreciate just how sharp this little bugger is! Color and contrast is terrific. Easy to focus, even with my myopic eyes. And yes, it IS sharp wide open! Much more so that I would have imagined. All in all, a very nice lens and one that now has a permanent place in the new lens case that Mr. John Haggerty of Promaster Products Co. is sending me! It will be right next to the SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm lens. A dynamic duo if there ever was one!

[manntax]

All in all, a very nice lens and one that now has a permanent place in the new lens case that Mr. John Haggerty of Promaster Products Co. is sending me! It will be right next to the SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm lens. A dynamic duo if there ever was one!

I agree that's a worthy companion of the well regarded SMC-A 70-210, shame that 75-150 doesn't have the 'A' setting though , it would come in handy with TAv mode, still a terrific lens nonetheless !

[Dewman]

I agree that's a worthy companion of the well regarded SMC-A 70-210, shame that 75-150 doesn't have the 'A' setting though , it would come in handy with TAv mode, still a terrific lens nonetheless !

So true.... about the "A" setting. I acquired the 70-210mm this past winter and have just now gotten out and used it a little and I'm really impressed with it's capabilities. Very sharp, indeed. Although it's rather big and heavy, it's got that wonderful Pentax-M feel to it. Build quality is second to none!

[Joojoo2010]

the M40-80 is made of the same optical construction as the M35-70/2.8-3.5 and A35-70/4, both are great lenses.

The M40-80 is probably not much loved because of the unusual FL and the changing aperture. It also need a tad of stop down to be up to modern standards.

I did use M40-80 first time outside yesterday. Worst thing for me was front element turning when focusing when using CPL. Lens optics seems to be lower than A35-70/4. But its M-lens and I just like how it feels to use.

[Bob Conrad]

I have owned the M 40-80 since it first came out. It quickly became my favorite lens on my new ME-Super especially for Kodachrome 64. But how does one get it to stop down to smaller apetures. Does everyone cut off the little arm on the back to make it manual aperture only? Is there a less destructive way? Surgery on this old friend is traumatic for me.

---------- Post added 03-13-15 at 10:09 AM ----------

I would like to use my M 48-80 on the K-500. But it only works at wide open apertures. Any ideas?

[Canada_Rockies]

I have owned the M 40-80 since it first came out. It quickly became my favorite lens on my new ME-Super especially for Kodachrome 64. But how does one get it to stop down to smaller apetures. Does everyone cut off the little arm on the back to make it manual aperture only? Is there a less destructive way? Surgery on this old friend is traumatic for me.

---------- Post added 03-13-15 at 10:09 AM ----------

I would like to use my M 48-80 on the K-500. But it only works at wide open apertures. Any ideas?

You need to go into the menus and "Enable Aperture Ring." Once you have done that, you set the camera to M (Manual Exposure). Pressing the Green button (or equivalent on your camera) to set the shutter speed for the aperture selected.

There is a sticky post at the top of the Beginners section that goes into greater detail.

[Bob Conrad]

You need to go into the menus and "Enable Aperture Ring." Once you have done that, you set the camera to M (Manual Exposure). Pressing the Green button (or equivalent on your camera) to set the shutter speed for the aperture selected.

There is a sticky post at the top of the Beginners section that goes into greater detail.

Thanks! I will try that today. This forum is a great way to learn.

[theunartist]

I did use M40-80 first time outside yesterday. Worst thing for me was front element turning when focusing when using CPL. Lens optics seems to be lower than A35-70/4. But its M-lens and I just like how it feels to use.

I'm not 100% sure but almost certain the front element will turn on most manual focus lenses...

I have owned the M 40-80 since it first came out. It quickly became my favorite lens on my new ME-Super especially for Kodachrome 64. But how does one get it to stop down to smaller apetures. Does everyone cut off the little arm on the back to make it manual aperture only? Is there a less destructive way? Surgery on this old friend is traumatic for me.

---------- Post added 03-13-15 at 10:09 AM ----------

I would like to use my M 48-80 on the K-500. But it only works at wide open apertures. Any ideas?

I know what you mean about cutting off arm, you would then be able to use it in AV mode! That's possible to do but you will ruin your otherwise perfect lens. As suggested Custom Settings - Enable Aperture Ring, etc...

re: the 40-80, I have this lens, I think it's a hard lens to use, not very good wide open and it's not the most pretty lens out there!!! But it will produce decent photos, you just got to work it really really hard maybe too hard

Kx + Pentax SMC-M 40-80/2.8-4.0 a couple of older ones...

[Jonathan Mac]

M 85mm f/2 at f/2.8


IMGP2328a by Jonathan_in_Madrid, on Flickr


IMGP2331a by Jonathan_in_Madrid, on Flickr

[Dewman]

I have the FA 50mm f:2.8 Macro, but I'm thinking I'd like the extra distance between lens & subject the 100mm affords. For those of you who have personal experience with both, what is your opinion of the IQ comparison?