Pentax 400-600 Mirror lens on K-1

adam49 · 02-06-2018, 06:23 AM

I have tried the 400-600 Pentax Mirror lens on my Pentax K-1, but the camera refuses to work. On the display F-- flashes, and the camera won´t fire. I understand, that the lens camera contacts are short-circuited (the lens has no contacts). How can I get the K-1 to work with this lens ? Any idea would be greatly appreciated.

**boriscleto** · 02-06-2018, 06:53 AM

Have you set 'Using Aperture Ring' to 'Permitted' in the Custom menu?

pschlute · 02-06-2018, 07:41 AM

You may have to change that setting as boriscleto advised, even though that mirror lens is a constant f8. Use Av or Manual exposure mode.

adam49 · 02-06-2018, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Have you set 'Using Aperture Ring' to 'Permitted' in the Custom menu?

No I didn´t. Maybe this is the culprit. I´ll try it out. Thanks for the help !

---------- Post added 02-06-18 at 08:31 AM ----------

In the manual mode it didn´t work too. I´ll try the boriscleto method. Thanks !

**Bob 256** · 02-06-2018, 09:38 AM

Don't expect to get an f stop reading with any method. Although the F-- flashes, the camera should take a picture. I had that issue with a manual lens until I the preceding settings were suggested here. The K-1 may also ask for the focal length the first time the lens is used. Another issue is if the AF is turned on (it should be in manual focus for this lens) and a sharp focus isn't achieved, the camera may not fire.

Adam · 02-06-2018, 09:42 AM - **2 Likes**

You have to change the aperture ring setting first. Then, since the aperture value never changes, you can use Av mode to meter, as if this were an M42 lens.

See this thread:

How to use/meter Manual & M42 Lenses on all Pentax DSLRs (K-1, K-3, K-5, K-30, etc) - PentaxForums.com

adam49 · 02-07-2018, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by Bob 256

Don't expect to get an f stop reading with any method. Although the F-- flashes, the camera should take a picture. I had that issue with a manual lens until I the preceding settings were suggested here. The K-1 may also ask for the focal length the first time the lens is used. Another issue is if the AF is turned on (it should be in manual focus for this lens) and a sharp focus isn't achieved, the camera may not fire.

Possible, this is that ! The sharp focus was not achieved, I will play with the focus again. The AF-switch was on M, therefore. Thanks for the help !

**Bob 256** · 02-07-2018, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by adam49

Possible, this is that ! The sharp focus was not achieved, I will play with the focus again. The AF-switch was on M, therefore. Thanks for the help !

There's an override in the menu for the focus lock, I believe, which would allow the shutter to trip even if a sharp focus isn't achieved.

adam49 · 02-08-2018, 12:27 AM

Originally posted by Bob 256

There's an override in the menu for the focus lock, I believe, which would allow the shutter to trip even if a sharp focus isn't achieved.

Yes, but if "F--" flashes, the shutter won´t work. It have to be the C4 menu setting. Thanks !

02-06-2018, 06:23 AM	#1
adam49 New Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 22	Pentax 400-600 Mirror lens on K-1 I have tried the 400-600 Pentax Mirror lens on my Pentax K-1, but the camera refuses to work. On the display F-- flashes, and the camera won´t fire. I understand, that the lens camera contacts are short-circuited (the lens has no contacts). How can I get the K-1 to work with this lens ? Any idea would be greatly appreciated.

02-06-2018, 09:42 AM - 2 Likes	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	You have to change the aperture ring setting first. Then, since the aperture value never changes, you can use Av mode to meter, as if this were an M42 lens. See this thread: How to use/meter Manual & M42 Lenses on all Pentax DSLRs (K-1, K-3, K-5, K-30, etc) - PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-06-2018, 06:53 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Have you set 'Using Aperture Ring' to 'Permitted' in the Custom menu?

02-06-2018, 07:41 AM	#3
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	You may have to change that setting as boriscleto advised, even though that mirror lens is a constant f8. Use Av or Manual exposure mode.

02-06-2018, 08:28 AM	#4
adam49 New Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto Have you set 'Using Aperture Ring' to 'Permitted' in the Custom menu? No I didn´t. Maybe this is the culprit. I´ll try it out. Thanks for the help ! ---------- Post added 02-06-18 at 08:31 AM ---------- In the manual mode it didn´t work too. I´ll try the boriscleto method. Thanks !

02-06-2018, 09:38 AM	#5
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Don't expect to get an f stop reading with any method. Although the F-- flashes, the camera should take a picture. I had that issue with a manual lens until I the preceding settings were suggested here. The K-1 may also ask for the focal length the first time the lens is used. Another issue is if the AF is turned on (it should be in manual focus for this lens) and a sharp focus isn't achieved, the camera may not fire.

02-07-2018, 08:13 AM	#7
adam49 New Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bob 256 Don't expect to get an f stop reading with any method. Although the F-- flashes, the camera should take a picture. I had that issue with a manual lens until I the preceding settings were suggested here. The K-1 may also ask for the focal length the first time the lens is used. Another issue is if the AF is turned on (it should be in manual focus for this lens) and a sharp focus isn't achieved, the camera may not fire. Possible, this is that ! The sharp focus was not achieved, I will play with the focus again. The AF-switch was on M, therefore. Thanks for the help !

02-07-2018, 09:43 AM	#8
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Originally posted by adam49 Possible, this is that ! The sharp focus was not achieved, I will play with the focus again. The AF-switch was on M, therefore. Thanks for the help ! There's an override in the menu for the focus lock, I believe, which would allow the shutter to trip even if a sharp focus isn't achieved.

02-08-2018, 12:27 AM	#9
adam49 New Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bob 256 There's an override in the menu for the focus lock, I believe, which would allow the shutter to trip even if a sharp focus isn't achieved. Yes, but if "F--" flashes, the shutter won´t work. It have to be the C4 menu setting. Thanks !