Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus When I use manual focus (Pentax K and M) lenses on my K-7 they work in AV and the other modes and give me an exposure based on the aperture ring of the lens. Sure it's more convenient to set the aperture in camera with A lenses but it's not the stop down metering like you're describing. Is it different with Takumars?
Really? When you change the aperture setting on the lens aperture ring, the body adjusts the shutter speed? Well, yes, that'll work if you leave the lens WIDE OPEN, but if you stop down, there is (AFIK) no way for the body to know the aperture setting on the lens, since (again, AFIK) ALL digital Pentax bodies have a "crippled" K mount, that leaves out the mechanical coupling used on earlier film bodies to be able to sense the tension on the aperture coupling lever to determine the current lens aperture setting via the aperture ring.
I'm still shooting the heck out of my ol' K100D super. I use the green button (well, AE-L button on this body) and just drop the shutter speed .7 to 1 stop faster (depending on the lens) with my M and K glass, and shoot! Takes all of about 1 second and I'm good to go.
However, to me, the inclusion of the mechanical coupling/sensor on a "pro" Pentax body would seriously make me consider the purchase of a new body, and show a certain commitment to the "pros" shooting with Pentax, since the concept of a professional isn't how much money they spend on gear but the results they get. I have to say (not ship-jumping right now, that's for sure! In-body SR and all the great manual glass that's out there just keeps me having fun with this system), but the fact that Nikon recognized the value of their legacy/vintage glass and it's usability was a huge nod to it's user base, especially those that value image quality over bells and whistles. As well, they threw in the ability to profile lenses mounted that do not have any electronic communication with the body. THAT's a nice touch!
Someday we'll see this on a pentax DSLR?