[cahudson42]

I have a raft of excellent M42 lenses from my Spotmatic days - including the 85mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4, 35mm 2.0 and 3.5 etc - and have been looking over the last couple years for a DSLR to use them. Bought several K-M42 genuine adapters when available in preparation.

Now I might have enough saved to finally get something. Until the K-3, I was pretty much settled on the K-50, though, with my nice lenses, I liked the idea of the K-5 IIs without the AA filter.(but the rest seemingly obsolete). Now the K-3 - with the attraction of no AA, plus the 3/2 display. But double the money.

Anyone able to post their experiences yet with good M42s on both the K-3 and K-50?

Any and all experiences, recommendations and opinions appreciated. Which should I get?? Is the K-3 worth twice the cost - given the lenses I plan to use?

Thanks!
Chris

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Last edited by cahudson42; 11-14-2013 at 02:04 PM.

[Adam]

I have a raft of excellent M42 lenses from my Spotmatic days - including the 85mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4, 35mm 2,5 etc - and have been looking over the last couple years for a DSLR to use them. Bought several K-M42 genuine adapters when available in preparation.

Now I might have enough saved to finally get something. Until the K-3, I was pretty much settled on the K-50, though, with my nice lenses, I liked the idea of the K-5 IIs without the AA filter.(but the rest seemingly obsolete). Now the K-3 - with the attraction of no AA, plus the 3/2 display. But double the money.

Anyone able to post their experiences yet with good M42s on both the K-3 and K-50?

Any and all experiences, recommendations and opinions appreciated. Which should I get?? Is the K-3 worth twice the cost - given the lenses I plan to use?

Thanks!
Chris

The K-3 does have more resolution and a nice screen on the back, but the K-50 has everything you need for takumars, in a way: a nice pentaprism viewfinder and great image quality. I would say the K-50 (currently $499 here: Pentax K-50 Digial SLR Camera Body - Black 10883) is a much better value for what you need.

Don't get me wrong- you will get improved image quality from the K-3, but it all boils down to the price you're willing/wanting to pay.

I have both cameras so perhaps I'll be able to do a comparative shoot this weekend just to see how those old Takumars fare on the K-3.

[wizofoz]

Hi

I don't have a K-50, but I do have a K-3, K-5, K7 and K-x, and lots of M42 lenses.

The only M42 lens I have tested so far is the super - takumar 85mm 1.9. If the other lenses give the results that this one does, I would say hat the K-3 is the best camera I have used for these venerable lenses. The additional level of detail afforded by the 24mp sensor is outstanding.

If I get a chance later today, I'll set up a tripod and do a comparison test between the K-5 ( which I believe is the same sensor as he K-50?) and the K-3 for you using a variety of lenses.

[kenafein]

A used K-01 would make a great home for Tak lenses on the cheap.

[wizofoz]

One other thing that just occurred to me.
With the K-3 the inbuilt flash can be used in M mode and powered down to 1/128, (or 7 stops) with the M42 lenses. Very useful for a bit of fill flash. If I'm not mistaken, the other K mount bodies can only do a flash compensation of -2 EV, and the ttl flash metering with these manual lenses seems iffy at best.

However, as Adam has pointed out the K50 for $500 is a steal, for that price you can buy a nice external flash as well, and still have change from he price of a K-3.

[Namajam]

Hi

I don't have a K-50, but I do have a K-3, K-5, K7 and K-x, and lots of M42 lenses.

The only M42 lens I have tested so far is the super - takumar 85mm 1.9. If the other lenses give the results that this one does, I would say hat the K-3 is the best camera I have used for these venerable lenses. The additional level of detail afforded by the 24mp sensor is outstanding.

If I get a chance later today, I'll set up a tripod and do a comparison test between the K-5 ( which I believe is the same sensor as he K-50?) and the K-3 for you using a variety of lenses.

Thanks for the input wizofoz! I have a ton of old M42, 'K' and 'M' series lenses that I've been waiting to hear how the K-3 'green' meter button works.

[cahudson42]

'A used K-01 would make a great home for Tak lenses on the cheap.'

A fascinating alternative.. K-01 Selling new for $539 with the 2 kit lenses. After I sell them, I'm at maybe $400? (Though Adam makes a great case for the K-50 at $500. :>)

Question is (for me) the viewfinder. I was anticipating needing to use focus peaking via the display anyway for the M42s - so no K-01 disadvantage there.

But Adam specifically mentions the K-50 pentaprism...

Arghhh! Looking forward to adams/wizofoz tests!

(Yes - no WX K-01 sealing - but neither are the Taks...)

Plus the simplicity of the K-01 would make me less concerned about buying it used... which except for lenses - I usually avoid... hmmmm

[wizofoz]

Namjam, the K-3 green button metering seems to work just like it does on the K-5 and K-7. It's one of the least appreciated features of these bodies.

[cahudson42]

LOVE to see comparison of the new K-3 24mp sensor with the 16mp - using something like the SMC Macro Takumar 50mm F4 M42.. Anyone??

[mamba909]

I just got my K-3, but I haven't tested my Takumars on it yet. BUT, I can vouch for the K-01 option. Focus peaking is a great boon for manual shooting. I'm sure that you'll enjoy shooting with a K-01/Takumar combo because of focus peaking. I find it much, much easier to manual focus on the K-01 than with any of my Pentax DSLR bodies. Here are a couple of shots with my SMC 50/1.4 and one with the DFA 100/2.8 on manual.

[LeRolls]

You can get used K-01s for $300 and less without too much trouble. I use my Taks on my K-01 regularly and they work well. The focus peaking is very handy and I love the look of the results I get from those old lenses.

Bought a yellow and black K-01 for $250 a piece and they were new. Used ones routinely go up on these forums for $300 or less. I use my Helios lens with the M42 adapter all the time and with results I'm quite happy with.

[stevebrot]

ttl flash metering with these manual lenses seems iffy at best.

Yep, that would be the case since no Pentax dSLR since the *ist series supports TTL flash. Sorry, could not resist.

That being said, even P-TTL is iffy in that it is also not supported for lenses lacking the A-contacts on the mount. When using your Takumars you are limited to a calculated f/stop based on guide number or an auto-thyristor flash with on-flash sensor. Be aware that many older flashes have trigger voltages that can fry your camera's innards.


Steve

[cahudson42]

Seems a number of Members like the K-01 with M42 because of its Focus Peaking,

From K-01 review: 'the K-01 performs quite well overall and its CDAF system has been significantly improved over that found in Pentax DSLR Live View modes. The K-01 also has some new features to make focusing easier, such as auto-zooming and focus peaking.'

Is this still correct, or are the K-3 (and K-50?) now 'improved' and the same as the K-01?

Or is Focus Peaking still somehow different from the K-01? Is there also auto-zooming?

[cahudson42]

for the replies and suggestions... Invaluable to me.

Based on all these, I decided to start by 'dipping my toe in the water' with a lightly used K-01 - in large part since I intend to use the camera only with my M42 lenses, and focus peaking/focus zoom with it appears useful enough.

My first 'new' Pentax since I bought my Spotmatic ES-II 'a few years ago'.....

So far, so good. Maybe a K-3 in future sometime, but for now the $250 K-01 is great for me..

Chris

[LeRolls]

for the replies and suggestions... Invaluable to me.

Based on all these, I decided to start by 'dipping my toe in the water' with a lightly used K-01 - in large part since I intend to use the camera only with my M42 lenses, and focus peaking/focus zoom with it appears useful enough.

My first 'new' Pentax since I bought my Spotmatic ES-II 'a few years ago'.....

So far, so good. Maybe a K-3 in future sometime, but for now the $250 K-01 is great for me..

Chris

I think you'll learn to love it! I know I love all three of mine!