Any reason why DFA lenses still use an aperture lever?

2351HD · 04-30-2016, 04:16 PM

Just sitting here looking at my lenses and wondering why the newest 645 lenses still use an aperture lever. The A and FA lenses do, sure I get that as they come from another era.

This is obviously the limiting reason why we can't adapt these lenses to a K-1.

Are the new 645 zooms on the roadmap likely to have a lever also, probably so.

Na Horuk · 04-30-2016, 04:34 PM

Isn't the real problem the lack of aperture ring on (some of) these lenses? Well, I guess if the aperture would be completely digitally controlled, there could be some more communication, even through a (genuine) adapter.

2351HD · 04-30-2016, 04:45 PM

That's the point really, 1980's tech in 2016.

stevebrot · 04-30-2016, 06:06 PM

Perhaps because they are Pentax 645 mount the same as the camera?

Steve

virusn3t · 04-30-2016, 06:09 PM

Maybe Hoya then Ricoh, think the r&d for this is not worth at this point, while it could be easy for us to just ask for it, maybe is a software nightmare for the engies, from the easy solution of add instruction of the aperture from the camera and the lens respond in automatic, to, all the software must be rewrite to add this feature....

A dont think is imposible, today lenses dont have the aperture ring, maybe in a few generation the lever will be electronic.

stevebrot · 04-30-2016, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by 2351HD

This is obviously the limiting reason why we can't adapt these lenses to a K-1.

Just to be clear, as with the 645Z, no K-mount camera is able to signal in-lens aperture control on any lens, so you would need a little more than a revamp of the lens.

Steve

Adam · 04-30-2016, 06:37 PM

The aperture lever isn't a problem really, just an old fashioned way of implementing aperture control. Getting rid of it would kill backwards compatibility with older bodies (think Nikon E lenses).

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:

2351HD · 04-30-2016, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Just to be clear, as with the 645Z, no K-mount camera is able to signal in-lens aperture control on any lens, so you would need a little more than a revamp of the lens.

Steve

So let's be clear here Steve, you are saying that they just released the biggest camera for them in 15 years and still the K1 has no electronic aperture control? What about the 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, 150-450, are they still mechanical aperture control?

If that's the case then.......wow. I will stop asking then because that's clearly some backwards thinking. Their claim of backwards compatibility with the K1 is standard issue for them then because nothing has changed for 20 years.

I guess that explains why the Novoflex K lens adapters have a ring on them for aperture control. I wonder why we can't have that for 645 lenses on K mount too.

**clackers** · 04-30-2016, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by 2351HD

Their claim of backwards compatibility with the K1 is standard issue for them then because nothing has changed for 20 years.

Try '41 years' - lenses going all the way back to 1975 can be used, and the green button gives you fast stop-down metering. ☺

Legacy glass really works.

The lower model Nikons can't even drive the AF on their older lenses, for instance.

stevebrot · 04-30-2016, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by 2351HD

So let's be clear here Steve, you are saying that they just released the biggest camera for them in 15 years and still the K1 has no electronic aperture control? What about the 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, 150-450, are they still mechanical aperture control?

Ummm...yes.

As for backward thinking, I do believe that is the intent. The D FA K-mount lenses are backward compatible to all K-mount bodies that support body-controlled aperture. Likewise, I do believe the D FA 645 lenses are backward compatible to the original Pentax 645 film camera, though with the loss of AF on some models having internal focus motors. As with Nikon, Pentax places a high value on both backward and forward compatibility.

Steve

stevebrot · 04-30-2016, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Try '41 years' - lenses going all the way back to 1975 can be used, and the green button gives you fast stop-down metering. ☺

...and with appropriate M42 adapters, all the way back to the mid-1950s.

Steve

stevebrot · 04-30-2016, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by 2351HD

I guess that explains why the Novoflex K lens adapters have a ring on them for aperture control.

Yes, those allow K-mount lenses to be used with full manual aperture on cameras lacking mechanical aperture control.

Steve

stevebrot · 04-30-2016, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by clackers

The lower model Nikons can't even drive the AF on their older lenses, for instance.

I don't remember for sure, but don't the upper level Nikon bodies support all AI lenses with all but G-series and E-series FF lenses being backward compatible to the earliest F-mount bodies (1959)? (IIRC, G-series are compatible with all bodies capable of automated aperture control back to the early 1980s).

Steve

**pentaxus** · 04-30-2016, 10:54 PM

Nikon has mechanical aperture control still ( not to be confused with meter coupling ). So does Sony/Minolta. When Canon changed mounts they changed everything. Pentax probably didn't want to do a lens mount change again.

**clackers** · 04-30-2016, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I don't remember for sure, but don't the upper level Nikon bodies support all AI lenses with all but G-series and E-series FF lenses being backward compatible to the earliest F-mount bodies (1959)? (IIRC, G-series are compatible with all bodies capable of automated aperture control back to the early 1980s).

Steve

There's no screwdrive on the 3000 and 5000 series bodies, AFAIK, Steve.

04-30-2016, 04:16 PM	#1
2351HD Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 750	Any reason why DFA lenses still use an aperture lever? Just sitting here looking at my lenses and wondering why the newest 645 lenses still use an aperture lever. The A and FA lenses do, sure I get that as they come from another era. This is obviously the limiting reason why we can't adapt these lenses to a K-1. Are the new 645 zooms on the roadmap likely to have a lever also, probably so.

04-30-2016, 06:21 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by 2351HD This is obviously the limiting reason why we can't adapt these lenses to a K-1. Just to be clear, as with the 645Z, no K-mount camera is able to signal in-lens aperture control on any lens, so you would need a little more than a revamp of the lens. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 04-30-2016 at 06:26 PM.

04-30-2016, 06:59 PM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by 2351HD Their claim of backwards compatibility with the K1 is standard issue for them then because nothing has changed for 20 years. Try '41 years' - lenses going all the way back to 1975 can be used, and the green button gives you fast stop-down metering. ☺ Legacy glass really works. The lower model Nikons can't even drive the AF on their older lenses, for instance. Last edited by clackers; 04-30-2016 at 07:04 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any reason to consider an original Canon 5D when I have a K5?	Codazzle	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	16	11-24-2012 10:57 PM
Why have my DA lenses still the aperture simulator pin	glasbak	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	39	07-31-2012 04:04 PM
"Why do you still use M lenses?!"	jboyde	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	64	03-05-2011 02:57 AM
Is there any known official reason why the K7 Didn't Have Full Manual Video Mode?	Christopher M.W.T	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	08-24-2009 06:57 AM
Why do Pentax DA lenses still use 35mm focal lengths ?	DMH	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	09-12-2007 07:46 PM

04-30-2016, 04:34 PM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Isn't the real problem the lack of aperture ring on (some of) these lenses? Well, I guess if the aperture would be completely digitally controlled, there could be some more communication, even through a (genuine) adapter.

04-30-2016, 04:45 PM	#3
2351HD Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 750 Original Poster	That's the point really, 1980's tech in 2016.

04-30-2016, 06:06 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Perhaps because they are Pentax 645 mount the same as the camera? Steve

04-30-2016, 06:09 PM	#5
virusn3t Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 676	Maybe Hoya then Ricoh, think the r&d for this is not worth at this point, while it could be easy for us to just ask for it, maybe is a software nightmare for the engies, from the easy solution of add instruction of the aperture from the camera and the lens respond in automatic, to, all the software must be rewrite to add this feature.... A dont think is imposible, today lenses dont have the aperture ring, maybe in a few generation the lever will be electronic.

04-30-2016, 06:37 PM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	The aperture lever isn't a problem really, just an old fashioned way of implementing aperture control. Getting rid of it would kill backwards compatibility with older bodies (think Nikon E lenses). 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:

04-30-2016, 06:42 PM	#8
2351HD Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 750 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Just to be clear, as with the 645Z, no K-mount camera is able to signal in-lens aperture control on any lens, so you would need a little more than a revamp of the lens. Steve So let's be clear here Steve, you are saying that they just released the biggest camera for them in 15 years and still the K1 has no electronic aperture control? What about the 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, 150-450, are they still mechanical aperture control? If that's the case then.......wow. I will stop asking then because that's clearly some backwards thinking. Their claim of backwards compatibility with the K1 is standard issue for them then because nothing has changed for 20 years. I guess that explains why the Novoflex K lens adapters have a ring on them for aperture control. I wonder why we can't have that for 645 lenses on K mount too.

04-30-2016, 07:03 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by 2351HD So let's be clear here Steve, you are saying that they just released the biggest camera for them in 15 years and still the K1 has no electronic aperture control? What about the 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, 150-450, are they still mechanical aperture control? Ummm...yes. As for backward thinking, I do believe that is the intent. The D FA K-mount lenses are backward compatible to all K-mount bodies that support body-controlled aperture. Likewise, I do believe the D FA 645 lenses are backward compatible to the original Pentax 645 film camera, though with the loss of AF on some models having internal focus motors. As with Nikon, Pentax places a high value on both backward and forward compatibility. Steve

04-30-2016, 07:04 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by clackers Try '41 years' - lenses going all the way back to 1975 can be used, and the green button gives you fast stop-down metering. ☺ ...and with appropriate M42 adapters, all the way back to the mid-1950s. Steve

04-30-2016, 07:06 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by 2351HD I guess that explains why the Novoflex K lens adapters have a ring on them for aperture control. Yes, those allow K-mount lenses to be used with full manual aperture on cameras lacking mechanical aperture control. Steve

04-30-2016, 07:18 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by clackers The lower model Nikons can't even drive the AF on their older lenses, for instance. I don't remember for sure, but don't the upper level Nikon bodies support all AI lenses with all but G-series and E-series FF lenses being backward compatible to the earliest F-mount bodies (1959)? (IIRC, G-series are compatible with all bodies capable of automated aperture control back to the early 1980s). Steve

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-30-2016, 10:54 PM	#14
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	Nikon has mechanical aperture control still ( not to be confused with meter coupling ). So does Sony/Minolta. When Canon changed mounts they changed everything. Pentax probably didn't want to do a lens mount change again.

04-30-2016, 11:58 PM	#15
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by stevebrot I don't remember for sure, but don't the upper level Nikon bodies support all AI lenses with all but G-series and E-series FF lenses being backward compatible to the earliest F-mount bodies (1959)? (IIRC, G-series are compatible with all bodies capable of automated aperture control back to the early 1980s). Steve There's no screwdrive on the 3000 and 5000 series bodies, AFAIK, Steve.