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SpeedGeezerButler · 11-11-2014, 05:30 PM

I know this has been discussed, perhaps to death, but I'm curious if there was ever a resolution for getting a non-conductive M42 lens to work properly in "M" mode on a K50.

The upshot is the camera won't set the shutter speed when pushing the green button, unless there is piece of aluminum foil under the lens, shorting out the contacts on the body.

I would really rather not scrape the paint off of the lens. The foil wasn't that big of a deal, but makes it a hassle to swap lenses.

Love the camera. Love the lens. Hate the hassle.

Any tricks I'm unaware of? I've set the green button appropriately and it works fine when "foiled".

MarkJerling · 11-11-2014, 06:05 PM

Is the information on this page consistent with what you're doing? See Using Older Lenses on the PENTAX K-50 | Ricoh Imaging Support

---------- Post added 11-12-14 at 02:11 PM ----------

And, have you read Adam's post on the topic?
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...k-x-k-7-a.html

SpeedGeezerButler · 11-11-2014, 06:12 PM

Yes, those are the instructions I followed.

It seems the body pins must be shorted out to enable metering in "M" mode. Live view works fine. Viewfinder does not.

MarkJerling · 11-11-2014, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler

Yes, those are the instructions I followed.

It seems the body pins must be shorted out to enable metering in "M" mode. Live view works fine. Viewfinder does not.

Yes, I have heard of the shorting issue. I'm not aware of any other workaround.

vonBaloney · 11-11-2014, 06:18 PM

What lens are we talking about? I just use Av mode myself, but for other reasons need to short contacts on some m42 lenses. I use foil or copper tape on the lens mount. More friction when mounting, but works...

Not a Number · 11-11-2014, 06:20 PM

You can buy metallic tape at auto parts shops.

**beachgardener** · 11-11-2014, 06:50 PM

make it easy on yourself, M mode, manual focus, hand held meter, set ISO, aperture and shutter manually, works good for me

stevebrot · 11-11-2014, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler

It seems the body pins must be shorted out to enable metering in "M" mode.

Av mode with M42 lenses for the K-50/K-30. The FAQ at Pentax Imaging is incorrect.

Steve

SpeedGeezerButler · 11-11-2014, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Av mode with M42 lenses for the K-50/K-30. The FAQ at Pentax Imaging is incorrect.

Steve

Yes AV mode works fine, but I'd rather have control of the shutter speed and not have it changing.

I guess the metal tape option is something to try.

stevebrot · 11-11-2014, 09:26 PM

Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler

Yes AV mode works fine, but I'd rather have control of the shutter speed and not have it changing.

I guess the metal tape option is something to try.

Yes, the metal tape or sanding down the lens base

or using an external meter. BTW, I believe you only need to short the data pin.

Steve

**UncleVanya** · 11-11-2014, 09:32 PM

Can you use conductive paint?

schnitzer79 · 11-12-2014, 12:48 AM

its a pain for me as well since I love my M42 lenses and i prefer manual mode too. if its a "controlled environment", i set it to AV mode, i get a reading, then dial those settings in M mode. if light changes slightly by +1 or -1 EV, thats not really a big deal if you shoot in raw. but it would be nice to get the green button to work properly. or get a k-3 instead

SpeedGeezerButler · 11-12-2014, 12:32 PM - **1 Like**

Ah, so this problem has not been resolved and it's AV mode, metal tape/lens sanding or external light meter.

I did try just putting the foil on just the pin at 6 o'clock and the metering works fine in "M" mode.

Thanks everyone for your input; I appreciate it.

The lens in this case is a Cosinon 50mm, f/1.8. I thought I sold it years ago, but there it was in the garage. Turns out it takes beautiful, sharp images. Never thought I would use it again.

MarkJerling · 11-12-2014, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler

Ah, so this problem has not been resolved and it's AV mode, metal tape/lens sanding or external light meter.

I did try just putting the foil on just the pin at 6 o'clock and the metering works fine in "M" mode.

Thanks everyone for your input; I appreciate it.

The lens in this case is a Cosinon 50mm, f/1.8. I thought I sold it years ago, but there it was in the garage. Turns out it takes beautiful, sharp images. Never thought I would use it again.

What a nice find!

**OldChE** · 12-07-2014, 03:54 PM

Could you post a picture showing exactly where the foil should go? I'd like to try the same thing.

Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler

Ah, so this problem has not been resolved and it's AV mode, metal tape/lens sanding or external light meter.

I did try just putting the foil on just the pin at 6 o'clock and the metering works fine in "M" mode.

Thanks everyone for your input; I appreciate it.

The lens in this case is a Cosinon 50mm, f/1.8. I thought I sold it years ago, but there it was in the garage. Turns out it takes beautiful, sharp images. Never thought I would use it again.

11-11-2014, 05:30 PM	#1
SpeedGeezerButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 46	K50, M42 lens and Green Button I know this has been discussed, perhaps to death, but I'm curious if there was ever a resolution for getting a non-conductive M42 lens to work properly in "M" mode on a K50. The upshot is the camera won't set the shutter speed when pushing the green button, unless there is piece of aluminum foil under the lens, shorting out the contacts on the body. I would really rather not scrape the paint off of the lens. The foil wasn't that big of a deal, but makes it a hassle to swap lenses. Love the camera. Love the lens. Hate the hassle. Any tricks I'm unaware of? I've set the green button appropriately and it works fine when "foiled".

12-07-2014, 03:54 PM	#15
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	Where exactly does the foil tape go? Could you post a picture showing exactly where the foil should go? I'd like to try the same thing. Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler Ah, so this problem has not been resolved and it's AV mode, metal tape/lens sanding or external light meter. I did try just putting the foil on just the pin at 6 o'clock and the metering works fine in "M" mode. Thanks everyone for your input; I appreciate it. The lens in this case is a Cosinon 50mm, f/1.8. I thought I sold it years ago, but there it was in the garage. Turns out it takes beautiful, sharp images. Never thought I would use it again.

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11-11-2014, 06:05 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Is the information on this page consistent with what you're doing? See Using Older Lenses on the PENTAX K-50 \| Ricoh Imaging Support ---------- Post added 11-12-14 at 02:11 PM ---------- And, have you read Adam's post on the topic? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...k-x-k-7-a.html

11-11-2014, 06:12 PM	#3
SpeedGeezerButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 46 Original Poster	Yes, those are the instructions I followed. It seems the body pins must be shorted out to enable metering in "M" mode. Live view works fine. Viewfinder does not.

11-11-2014, 06:15 PM	#4
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler Yes, those are the instructions I followed. It seems the body pins must be shorted out to enable metering in "M" mode. Live view works fine. Viewfinder does not. Yes, I have heard of the shorting issue. I'm not aware of any other workaround.

11-11-2014, 06:18 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	What lens are we talking about? I just use Av mode myself, but for other reasons need to short contacts on some m42 lenses. I use foil or copper tape on the lens mount. More friction when mounting, but works...

11-11-2014, 06:20 PM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You can buy metallic tape at auto parts shops.

11-11-2014, 06:50 PM	#7
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	make it easy on yourself, M mode, manual focus, hand held meter, set ISO, aperture and shutter manually, works good for me

11-11-2014, 07:12 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler It seems the body pins must be shorted out to enable metering in "M" mode. Av mode with M42 lenses for the K-50/K-30. The FAQ at Pentax Imaging is incorrect. Steve

11-11-2014, 07:19 PM	#9
SpeedGeezerButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 46 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Av mode with M42 lenses for the K-50/K-30. The FAQ at Pentax Imaging is incorrect. Steve Yes AV mode works fine, but I'd rather have control of the shutter speed and not have it changing. I guess the metal tape option is something to try.

11-11-2014, 09:26 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler Yes AV mode works fine, but I'd rather have control of the shutter speed and not have it changing. I guess the metal tape option is something to try. Yes, the metal tape or sanding down the lens base or using an external meter. BTW, I believe you only need to short the data pin. Steve

11-11-2014, 09:32 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,464	Can you use conductive paint?

11-12-2014, 12:48 AM	#12
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	its a pain for me as well since I love my M42 lenses and i prefer manual mode too. if its a "controlled environment", i set it to AV mode, i get a reading, then dial those settings in M mode. if light changes slightly by +1 or -1 EV, thats not really a big deal if you shoot in raw. but it would be nice to get the green button to work properly. or get a k-3 instead

11-12-2014, 12:32 PM - 1 Like	#13
SpeedGeezerButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 46 Original Poster	Ah, so this problem has not been resolved and it's AV mode, metal tape/lens sanding or external light meter. I did try just putting the foil on just the pin at 6 o'clock and the metering works fine in "M" mode. Thanks everyone for your input; I appreciate it. The lens in this case is a Cosinon 50mm, f/1.8. I thought I sold it years ago, but there it was in the garage. Turns out it takes beautiful, sharp images. Never thought I would use it again.

11-12-2014, 05:16 PM	#14
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by SpeedGeezerButler Ah, so this problem has not been resolved and it's AV mode, metal tape/lens sanding or external light meter. I did try just putting the foil on just the pin at 6 o'clock and the metering works fine in "M" mode. Thanks everyone for your input; I appreciate it. The lens in this case is a Cosinon 50mm, f/1.8. I thought I sold it years ago, but there it was in the garage. Turns out it takes beautiful, sharp images. Never thought I would use it again. What a nice find!

K50, M42 lens and Green Button

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!