Hey, welcome! There are some threads with general help with manual lenses. I like to link to this one, but there are others as well:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...k-x-k-7-a.html
But it seems you already have this down.
Note that manual lenses come in different types. Some are manual focus, but have auto-aperture. Others have neither.
Originally posted by wanderer2 Is there anything similar that will assist with focus?
Yes, the little hexagon in the viewfinder should light up when the focus is found. This hexagon is called Focus confirm, and it is just beneath the actual frame in the viewfinder (i think this one only works for centre point). The little red overlays might also light up in the viewfinder, but I find those to be a little less reliable. That said, I don't have a K-1, so I am only telling you about how it worked so far. Maybe the K-1 has been improved in this regard.
Catch in focus actually does work for stationary objects, you just have to turn the focus ring slowly enough and the camera will take photo when it focus is locked. You can even use burst mode with this and it will continue taking photos. CiF only works with lenses that have manual focus and short out the AF contacts. Old Pentax K-mount lenses should all allow it, but modern DA and DFA lenses generally do not allow it (the ones that have AF/MF button or focus clamp button would allow it)
Main problem with focus confirm and catch in focus is if lenses are very low contrast or very soft or have a narrow aperture. Basically if not enough contrasty light hits the focusing mechanism. Using a lens hood will help a lot with older lenses.
Then there is Focus Peaking in Live view. There are some youtube videos about this feature, its not difficult to use. The DoF of the peaking might be inaccurate, though