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03-22-2012, 09:45 PM - 2 Likes   #16
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Yeah, I'm enjoying the K-01 quite a bit. I agree the manual should have a better explanation. I actually first found this forum years back because of searching how to use K & M lenses on the K100D! This is the info I based my above comment on:

Important! The hard part is to get the camera to actually fire when a manual lens is mounted. In order to accomplish this, enter your camera's custom function menu, select the "Using Aperture Ring" setting (#21 on the K-7, #27 on the K-5), and set it to 2 (allowed). Once you do this, the shutter will at least fire, as it wouldn't have with this setting disabled (you would simply have seen an F-- indication on the top LCD/info screen). The setting description should read: 'Shutter will release when aperture ring is not set to the "A" position' when "allowed" is selected.

Now, let's discuss metering. Since manual lenses don't feed aperture data to the camera, the only way for the camera to check how much light is being passed through the lens is to measure the light while the lens is stopped down. Follow this procedure to properly meter with a screwmount, M, or K lens:

  1. Set your camera to M mode using the mode dial (your camera won't fire in other modes*)
  2. Compose and focus your image.
  3. Using the aperture ring (the ring at the very back of your lens; it will have numbers such as 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8 written on it), select your desired aperture setting. Note that the smaller the aperture number is, the more light passes through the lens, and the blurrier the out of focus areas of your photograph will be (and vice-versa).
  4. [Screwmount lenses only] Switch the diaphragm clutch on your lens to "Manual" (you can leave it on Auto when composing and focusing if you don't want a dark viewfinder).
  5. Measure the light by either pressing the "Green Button", or pushing your power button to DOF preview mode (only available on select bodies). Your camera will automatically set the shutter speed for you.
All that's left now is for you to press the shutter release button to take your photo. Congratulations- you've now learned how to use M42 and M & K manual lenses with Pentax DSLRs!

Located here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html

Cheers!

- Jeff

03-23-2012, 03:56 PM   #17
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Has anyone else used M42 lenses with green-button shutter speed setting on their K-01? If so, does the green button work correctly with every M-42 lens you've tried?

I've now gone back through my M-42 collection and have tried them all, and now I find that none of them work with the green button. As I thought earlier, I believe it has something to do with the failure of these lenses to make proper contact with the pins on the camera lens mount when I'm using an official Pentax M42-to-K lens adapter. Some lenses are too small in diameter to contact the pins, and those that do contact the pins are painted or anodized, which apparently is enough to block electrical contact.

If I use an adapter that has a flange, making contact with the pins with bare metal, the green button works. If I use a Deckel-to-K lens adapter--also with a bare-metal flange--the green button works.

Has anyone else had this problem with M42 lenses on their K-01? Is this a problem with all K-01s, or just mine? Am I missing some setting that would allow use of these problem M42 lenses with the green button? (And yes, I've been over the manual more times than I can count and have tried a number of different settings.)

I can use M42 lenses in M mode on my camera by turning the thumbwheel to change shutter speed, using the exposure scale as a guide, but I'd like to use the green button as usual, if possible. And my Pentax-M and -A lenses work just as they are supposed to with the green button, but I don't have some of the same focal lengths in M and A.

Please try your M42 lenses with the K-01 in M mode and let us know the results here.

Last edited by nparsons13; 03-23-2012 at 04:03 PM. Reason: correction
03-26-2012, 12:01 PM   #18
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nparsons13: When using the official m42 to K adapter (the only adapter I own) I experience the same thing you do. I can still use the lens by adjusting the e-dial until I I get a reading in the center of the exposure bar (like M mode with any auto lens) but the green button does nothing. IN FACT... if I do press the green button, it locks the exposure at whatever it is currently set at and the only way to get the e-dial to work again is to turn it off and back on. I believe this is because the camera is trying to "sense" something (maybe that a lens is mounted) but since it can't, it just freezes. Furthermore, I believe that you are 100% correct about the contacts. When I touch something metal to the first contact down on the left side (the first "thing" below the pin,) the green button works as it should. But since the adapter sits in the lens mount and the lens doesn't extend out enough to touch the contacts, it does not do what it's supposed to.

Not sure why this might have been changed from the k-5. At the end of the day I guess it's not a huge deal to me. I would rather use the green button since that is how I am used to doing it but, at least there is still away to use the m42 lenses.

Good call on pointing this out nparsons13!
03-26-2012, 02:04 PM   #19
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Thanks for the confirmation, sunny16. I was beginning to wonder if my camera alone was at fault.

I agree, there's still a way to use the M42 lenses--in fact, it's even more "manual" than using the green button, which really was a kind of automation, if you think about it.

It's interesting to note that all my M42 lenses are black painted or coated on the base of the lens mount. I have a couple of big lenses that do cover the pins, but apparently the coating blocks the flow of electrical current. Pentax-M and A lenses have bare chrome metal on the base, so they make good contact.

Anyway, I have an email in to Pentax describing the problem and asking if they have any solution. Maybe a software update can fix it. Or maybe a piece of aluminum foil under the edge of the lens?

03-26-2012, 02:50 PM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by nparsons13 Quote
Thanks for the confirmation, sunny16. I was beginning to wonder if my camera alone was at fault.

I agree, there's still a way to use the M42 lenses--in fact, it's even more "manual" than using the green button, which really was a kind of automation, if you think about it.

It's interesting to note that all my M42 lenses are black painted or coated on the base of the lens mount. I have a couple of big lenses that do cover the pins, but apparently the coating blocks the flow of electrical current. Pentax-M and A lenses have bare chrome metal on the base, so they make good contact.

Anyway, I have an email in to Pentax describing the problem and asking if they have any solution. Maybe a software update can fix it. Or maybe a piece of aluminum foil under the edge of the lens?
I have seen a post where that solution was postulated - pin 7 I think. 1/4" square of double-sided scotch tape with foil stuck to it.

Last edited by monochrome; 03-26-2012 at 06:11 PM.
03-26-2012, 02:55 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by nparsons13 Quote
After reading the manual again, I decided to forget the Tv Shift and set the green button for Preview. Well, it doesn't really preview--instead I get a flash of overexposed picture on the LCD--so I'm still missing something, but at least pressing the button doesn't lock up the exposure setting now.

Photo below a quick one from the garden this morning; f/5.6 with a Super-Tak 35/3.5.

Now back to the manual . . .
+1 - exactly my frustration from last night - the LCD looks like the camera did something, but mounted a K35/3.5 and in declining sunlight whatever it did I sure can't figure out what it is.

[EDIT] Was having a little meltdown there. OK - I got the Green Button setting right in M Mode for TvShift. I just mounted a K35/3.5 and I can adjust the shutter speed with the e-dial and meter with the Green Button (i.e. if I hit the Green Button the camera adjusts the shutter speed to compensate). The AE-L button does that LCD flash whatever it is with no discernible effect.

The DoF lever on the K10D and VF LED's were easier, but not all that different in the end.

Last edited by monochrome; 03-26-2012 at 07:26 PM.
03-26-2012, 09:03 PM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
[EDIT]OK - I got the Green Button setting right in M Mode for TvShift. I just mounted a K35/3.5 and I can adjust the shutter speed with the e-dial and meter with the Green Button. . . .
Yes, with K-mount lenses the Green Button appears to work as usual (press the button to set the shutter speed). Please try a screw-mount lens with a genuine Pentax adapter or other adapter without a flange.

QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
The AE-L button does that LCD flash whatever it is with no discernible effect.
I'm in the middle of a series of emails with Pentax tech support about the Green Button problem. I'm still trying to get them to read my emails and understand what I'm saying. I haven't taken up the LCD flash problem with them yet. One thing at a time. . . .

03-26-2012, 09:22 PM   #23
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Just found this in another thread:
QuoteQuote:
Have not tried my K5 but on the k7 you need to scratch some finish off and let pin 7 short to the lens mount. Pin 7 is furthest away from the lens locking pin
This issue was raised when the K7 first came out.
Not sure why they changed the program to not allow an open circuit pin 7 for manual lenses.
I think I'll try a little piece of aluminum foil on pin 7 in the morning, and if that works I'll try scraping a little of the black finish off the base of one of my less valuable lenses.
03-27-2012, 04:13 AM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by nparsons13 Quote
Yes, with K-mount lenses the Green Button appears to work as usual (press the button to set the shutter speed). Please try a screw-mount lens with a genuine Pentax adapter or other adapter without a flange.
I haven't gotten to the Tak's yet - but I'll try that tonight.
QuoteOriginally posted by nparsons13 Quote
I'm in the middle of a series of emails with Pentax tech support about the Green Button problem. I'm still trying to get them to read my emails and understand what I'm saying. I haven't taken up the LCD flash problem with them yet. One thing at a time. . . .
I wonder whether P-USA even has a tech support area for user operating guidance. I made a call to Apple last month, took 30 seconds. Miraculously with one operator setting change I was able to keep all my children's laptops and phones connected to the wireless network. Pentax isn't Apple.

Whenever we get this all figured out this will be a very nice camera. When I get an exposure "right' it is better than the K10. I hope (we) are taking notes so we can write a sticky article for the User areas
03-27-2012, 04:21 AM   #25
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Please "sticky article" this info ...

QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
...Whenever we get this all figured out this will be a very nice camera. When I get an exposure "right' it is better than the K10. I hope (we) are taking notes so we can write a sticky article for the User areas
Bonjour monochrome et al,

SVP - Oui, please document and sticky in PF ... I'm seriously looking at the K-01, but not until the year-end holidays.

It would be great not to search through all of the pertinent threads, etc. to find info maybe and/or maybe there. I'm reading and following you (all) in the discovery of the K-01, so thanks again for all of that info and feedback.

Salut, J Frog
03-27-2012, 04:46 AM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by nparsons13 Quote
Just found this in another thread:


I think I'll try a little piece of aluminum foil on pin 7 in the morning, and if that works I'll try scraping a little of the black finish off the base of one of my less valuable lenses.
That's the post I was thinking of, along with some historical memory of how to ground a pin without scratching paint off by making a foil dot. I think there is an article posted on that subject
03-27-2012, 04:48 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by John Poitiers Quote
Bonjour monochrome et al,

SVP - Oui, please document and sticky in PF ... I'm seriously looking at the K-01, but not until the year-end holidays.

It would be great not to search through all of the pertinent threads, etc. to find info maybe and/or maybe there. I'm reading and following you (all) in the discovery of the K-01, so thanks again for all of that info and feedback.

Salut, J Frog
Yes. I've kept notes as a went along, for the most part. We can get something written between us.
03-27-2012, 07:49 AM   #28
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I just received a response from Randall S. at Pentax:
QuoteQuote:
I've passed along this information to our senior technical support staff in the corporate office. They are testing the K-01 with a screwmount lens and the mount adapter K to see what if any limitations there may be with the camera in this configuration. I'll let you know what I find out.
We'll see what comes of that.

In the meantime, let's all keep testing our K-01s, trying different things--and yes, keeping notes.
03-27-2012, 01:25 PM   #29
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WRT the +/- button, do you suppose it operates as the DoF lever on a dSLR, in that it calls up the EV bar? Link to another post

Last edited by monochrome; 03-27-2012 at 01:51 PM.
03-28-2012, 11:19 AM   #30
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Here's the latest from Pentax US, as of this morning:
QuoteQuote:
Our technical support product specialists in the corporate office have reproduced your issue when using screwmount lenses on the K-01and have submitted it for further review and testing to PENTAX in Japan. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will let you know what we hear from Japan.
monochrome, I haven't tried out the +/- button for DoF yet. Last night I did put a little piece of foil over pin 7, and it did enable Green Button speed setting. I should have tried the +/- button with that setup. I'll try it again.

What is the process of using screw-mount lenses with the K-5 and K-r? Is one of the buttons used to set shutter speed on those models?
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