Using Manual Lenses (M42 Screwmount, M , K) on Pentax DSLRs F--

aleonx3 · 08-07-2011, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by wurbledood

Hi guys, im new to the world of dslr's and chose pentax partly because of the possibility to use the m42 lenses (friends and family have a few i could use)
I've had a look around the site and seen the advice not to get the adapter with a flange on but when on amazon I found two which look identical, one makes no mention of infinity focus, the other says it is not possible, could anybody recommend one that will defiantly do the job? (there are non on amazon uk that guarantee they will work and have had some bad luck buying items off of eBay)
Wurbledood

You would want the get the ones without the flange so when the adapter is inserted into mount, it will stay flush with the mount.

unfocused · 08-07-2011, 11:17 PM

This flange/no-flange advice is confusing. I'm looking at my M42-Kmount adapter right now. It's a genuine Pentax one. It has a flange and it sits flush. The Pentax literature says screw mount lenses will focus to infinity but, of course, open aperture metering and auto diaphragm operation are not possible. I can see that if the flange was any thicker or wider it would not sit flush, but a flange it is! Perhaps those with knowledge of third-party adapters could be more specific.

RioRico · 08-08-2011, 05:25 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, the Official Pentax adapter and it's budget clones have small narrow flanges, which extend about 4mm from the adapter throat. And that flange can be ground down a little to be thinner if necessary -- I do that to use Exakta-mount lenses on my K20D.

People are lazy (or like abbreviated terms). When they refer to a flanged M42-PK adapter, they mean WIDE-flanged, which extend about 10mm. Even though the wide and narrow flanges are the same thickness, the narrower flange allows a closer fit, and focus to infinity. So the wide guys are often called NIF (no infinity focus) adapters.

M39-PK adapters also exist, which look like the NIF adapters but with a narrower throat and thicker flange. Many Russian M39 lenses would focus past infinity if mounted with just a cheap M39-M42 ring and a narrow-flange M42-PK adapter, so the extra 1mm of the M32-PK allows for correct registration.

Melanie Crause · 08-11-2011, 11:41 AM

Hi All
I have been playing with my 50 ;1.4 lens, and in daylight its wonderful!! but in lower and indoor lighting, the shutter speeds tend to be way too slow for any action shots, so I'm usually missing out on all the fun shots!!! and by using the flash, it seems to take away the "magic" of this speciffic lens.

Am I expecting too much from this lens, or should I just be more patient? Or maybe I am uninformed and still need to learn how it works!!

Any helpful tips you can share?

JeffJS · 08-11-2011, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by Melanie Crause

Hi All
I have been playing with my 50 ;1.4 lens, and in daylight its wonderful!! but in lower and indoor lighting, the shutter speeds tend to be way too slow for any action shots, so I'm usually missing out on all the fun shots!!! and by using the flash, it seems to take away the "magic" of this speciffic lens.

Am I expecting too much from this lens, or should I just be more patient? Or maybe I am uninformed and still need to learn how it works!!

Any helpful tips you can share?

You are not expecting too much of the lens but may be expecting too much of the camera. What camera Are you using? The typical solution to your issue is to increase the ISO speed so you can get a faster shutter speed. Do note that even with a camera like the K5, Light is still required to take a photo

.

herman1958100 · 09-12-2011, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by Secret Elkina

I've got a pentax k-x and a manual pentax-m 50mm 1:1.7. Even though I set the camera to M modethe F--- keeps on flashing. Pressing the green button doesn't make any difference

Please help !!

support.pentaximaging.com/node/1

I have a K-x too and I have no problem with all the default settigs in place but I hope this can help you . Between us two, the old manual lenses kick butt. The photos I take with the old macro lens are pretty good.
Herman

lensego · 10-22-2011, 03:18 AM

Hi
JUst wondering isn't the EV bar show metering with manual lenses?
Green button does work. But the EV bar shows nothing on k5, is that right?

Last edited by lensego; 10-22-2011 at 03:38 AM.

Marc Sabatella · 10-22-2011, 09:51 PM

Assuming yu mean K-moint as opposed to M42, yes, that,s normal. As explained i this thread, the camera does not know what aperture you have selected, so it cannot meter wide open. You have to do a DOF preview i order to see the meter, just as explained in the article referenced at the start of this thread.

Philoslothical · 10-22-2011, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

Yes, the Official Pentax adapter and it's budget clones have small narrow flanges, which extend about 4mm from the adapter throat.

Rico, do you mean they extent outwards from the mount by 4mm? I haven't seen one like this. Mine, which I assume is a knockoff (it was priced as one) but has Pentax - m42 etched into it, it sits completely flush with the mount. I assumed that was normal?

RioRico · 10-22-2011, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by Philoslothical

Rico, do you mean they extent outwards from the mount by 4mm? I haven't seen one like this. Mine, which I assume is a knockoff (it was priced as one) but has Pentax - m42 etched into it, it sits completely flush with the mount. I assumed that was normal?

Yes, that's normal. By flange width, I mean in diameter, not thickness.

With the narrow-flange infinity-focus clone adapters, those flange edges extend just a wee tiny bit (like 0.5mm) beyond the width of the bayonet blades, so the adapter fits snugly into the camera, flush with the mount.

With a wide-flange no-infinity-focus (NIF) adapter, the flange edges are out about 7mm beyond the bayonet flags; the thickness of that wide flange pushes the lens about 1mm away from the camera. That's why it's NIF.

Philoslothical · 10-22-2011, 11:57 PM

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

lensego · 10-23-2011, 02:58 AM

thanks Marc .
I got it now, and yes I was referring K mount, now I assuming m42 will be the same????

Marc Sabatella · 10-24-2011, 08:48 PM

No. M42 lenses work differently, but again, the links given at the beginning of this thread shold explain.

Viernes · 10-27-2011, 12:54 PM

So it's not really a Manual mode, right? I mean: you set the aperture using the aperture ring, then you press the green button and the body sets the "correct" exposure. Unless I'm missing something, that's an Av Mode, not Manual.

Originally posted by Adam

Manual/Takumar/M42 Screwmount lenses on Pentax DSLRs

I've written two articles on how to use Manual M&K / Takumar / M42 Screwmount lenses on Pentax DSLRs, as well as how to meter.

How to use Screwmount/Takumar lenses on Pentax DSLRs (K-7, K-x, etc.)
Manual Metering on Pentax DSLRs with Manual and Automatic Lenses

In a nutshell:

First, if your camera won't fire, set "Allow aperture setting other than A" to 2 (allowed) in the custom function menu. Then:

Set your camera to M mode using the mode dial (your camera won't fire in other modes*)
Compose and focus your image.
Using the aperture ring (the ring at the very back of your lens; it will have numbers such as 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8 written on it), select your desired aperture setting. Note that the smaller the aperture number is, the more light passes through the lens, and the blurrier the out of focus areas of your photograph will be.
[Screwmount lenses only] Switch the diaphragm clutch on your lens to "Manual" (you can leave it on Auto when composing and focusing).
Measure the light by either pressing the "Green Button", or pushing your power button to DOF preview mode (only available on select bodies). Your camera will automatically set the shutter speed for you.

All that's left now is for you to press the shutter release button to take your photo. Congratulations- you've now learned how to use M42 and M & K manual lenses with Pentax DSLRs!

*Screwmount lenses may also be used in Av mode since they are always stopped down to the aperture you will be shooting at (unlike M&K lenses, which are stopped down only when the shutter is released or when you meter as described above).

You may also find our older discussion thread on this topic very helpful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/59272-shooting-...x-dslrs-f.html
An occasional issue with late Takumar lenses: Why is the Auto/Man diaphragm clutch stuck on my S-M-C Takumar lens?

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-27-2011, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by Viernes

So it's not really a Manual mode, right? I mean: you set the aperture using the aperture ring, then you press the green button and the body sets the "correct" exposure. Unless I'm missing something, that's an Av Mode, not Manual.

No, it is manual "stopped down meterint" mode. It is not varrying, it is set once , if lighting changes your exposure is wrong. At best it is a one time Tv Shift to match light and aperture

If it was Av mode, the exposure would automatically adjust to the aperture setting and prevailing light conditions.

09-12-2011, 09:52 AM	#81
herman1958100 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Strasburg Pa. Posts: 1	Try this web site....... Originally posted by Secret Elkina I've got a pentax k-x and a manual pentax-m 50mm 1:1.7. Even though I set the camera to M modethe F--- keeps on flashing. Pressing the green button doesn't make any difference Please help !! support.pentaximaging.com/node/1 I have a K-x too and I have no problem with all the default settigs in place but I hope this can help you . Between us two, the old manual lenses kick butt. The photos I take with the old macro lens are pretty good. Herman

10-27-2011, 12:54 PM	#89
Viernes Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30	So it's not really a Manual mode, right? I mean: you set the aperture using the aperture ring, then you press the green button and the body sets the "correct" exposure. Unless I'm missing something, that's an Av Mode, not Manual. Originally posted by Adam Manual/Takumar/M42 Screwmount lenses on Pentax DSLRs I've written two articles on how to use Manual M&K / Takumar / M42 Screwmount lenses on Pentax DSLRs, as well as how to meter. How to use Screwmount/Takumar lenses on Pentax DSLRs (K-7, K-x, etc.) Manual Metering on Pentax DSLRs with Manual and Automatic Lenses In a nutshell: First, if your camera won't fire, set "Allow aperture setting other than A" to 2 (allowed) in the custom function menu. Then: Set your camera to M mode using the mode dial (your camera won't fire in other modes) Compose* and focus your image. Using the aperture ring (the ring at the very back of your lens; it will have numbers such as 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8 written on it), select your desired aperture setting. Note that the smaller the aperture number is, the more light passes through the lens, and the blurrier the out of focus areas of your photograph will be. [Screwmount lenses only] Switch the diaphragm clutch on your lens to "Manual" (you can leave it on Auto when composing and focusing). Measure the light by either pressing the "Green Button", or pushing your power button to DOF preview mode (only available on select bodies). Your camera will automatically set the shutter speed for you. All that's left now is for you to press the shutter release button to take your photo. Congratulations- you've now learned how to use M42 and M & K manual lenses with Pentax DSLRs! *Screwmount lenses may also be used in Av mode since they are always stopped down to the aperture you will be shooting at (unlike M&K lenses, which are stopped down only when the shutter is released or when you meter as described above). You may also find our older discussion thread on this topic very helpful: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/59272-shooting-...x-dslrs-f.html An occasional issue with late Takumar lenses: Why is the Auto/Man diaphragm clutch stuck on my S-M-C Takumar lens?

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08-07-2011, 07:48 AM	#76
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by wurbledood Hi guys, im new to the world of dslr's and chose pentax partly because of the possibility to use the m42 lenses (friends and family have a few i could use) I've had a look around the site and seen the advice not to get the adapter with a flange on but when on amazon I found two which look identical, one makes no mention of infinity focus, the other says it is not possible, could anybody recommend one that will defiantly do the job? (there are non on amazon uk that guarantee they will work and have had some bad luck buying items off of eBay) Wurbledood You would want the get the ones without the flange so when the adapter is inserted into mount, it will stay flush with the mount.

08-07-2011, 11:17 PM	#77
unfocused Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 85	This flange/no-flange advice is confusing. I'm looking at my M42-Kmount adapter right now. It's a genuine Pentax one. It has a flange and it sits flush. The Pentax literature says screw mount lenses will focus to infinity but, of course, open aperture metering and auto diaphragm operation are not possible. I can see that if the flange was any thicker or wider it would not sit flush, but a flange it is! Perhaps those with knowledge of third-party adapters could be more specific.

08-08-2011, 05:25 AM - 1 Like	#78
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Yes, the Official Pentax adapter and it's budget clones have small narrow flanges, which extend about 4mm from the adapter throat. And that flange can be ground down a little to be thinner if necessary -- I do that to use Exakta-mount lenses on my K20D. People are lazy (or like abbreviated terms). When they refer to a flanged M42-PK adapter, they mean WIDE-flanged, which extend about 10mm. Even though the wide and narrow flanges are the same thickness, the narrower flange allows a closer fit, and focus to infinity. So the wide guys are often called NIF (no infinity focus) adapters. M39-PK adapters also exist, which look like the NIF adapters but with a narrower throat and thicker flange. Many Russian M39 lenses would focus past infinity if mounted with just a cheap M39-M42 ring and a narrow-flange M42-PK adapter, so the extra 1mm of the M32-PK allows for correct registration.

08-11-2011, 11:41 AM	#79
Melanie Crause New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: George Posts: 9	Hi All I have been playing with my 50 ;1.4 lens, and in daylight its wonderful!! but in lower and indoor lighting, the shutter speeds tend to be way too slow for any action shots, so I'm usually missing out on all the fun shots!!! and by using the flash, it seems to take away the "magic" of this speciffic lens. Am I expecting too much from this lens, or should I just be more patient? Or maybe I am uninformed and still need to learn how it works!! Any helpful tips you can share?

08-11-2011, 11:51 AM	#80
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Melanie Crause Hi All I have been playing with my 50 ;1.4 lens, and in daylight its wonderful!! but in lower and indoor lighting, the shutter speeds tend to be way too slow for any action shots, so I'm usually missing out on all the fun shots!!! and by using the flash, it seems to take away the "magic" of this speciffic lens. Am I expecting too much from this lens, or should I just be more patient? Or maybe I am uninformed and still need to learn how it works!! Any helpful tips you can share? You are not expecting too much of the lens but may be expecting too much of the camera. What camera Are you using? The typical solution to your issue is to increase the ISO speed so you can get a faster shutter speed. Do note that even with a camera like the K5, Light is still required to take a photo .

10-22-2011, 03:18 AM	#82
lensego Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PERTH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 50	Hi JUst wondering isn't the EV bar show metering with manual lenses? Green button does work. But the EV bar shows nothing on k5, is that right? Last edited by lensego; 10-22-2011 at 03:38 AM.

10-22-2011, 09:51 PM	#83
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Assuming yu mean K-moint as opposed to M42, yes, that,s normal. As explained i this thread, the camera does not know what aperture you have selected, so it cannot meter wide open. You have to do a DOF preview i order to see the meter, just as explained in the article referenced at the start of this thread.

10-22-2011, 10:27 PM	#84
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Originally posted by RioRico Yes, the Official Pentax adapter and it's budget clones have small narrow flanges, which extend about 4mm from the adapter throat. Rico, do you mean they extent outwards from the mount by 4mm? I haven't seen one like this. Mine, which I assume is a knockoff (it was priced as one) but has Pentax - m42 etched into it, it sits completely flush with the mount. I assumed that was normal?

10-22-2011, 11:49 PM	#85
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Philoslothical Rico, do you mean they extent outwards from the mount by 4mm? I haven't seen one like this. Mine, which I assume is a knockoff (it was priced as one) but has Pentax - m42 etched into it, it sits completely flush with the mount. I assumed that was normal? Yes, that's normal. By flange width, I mean in diameter, not thickness. With the narrow-flange infinity-focus clone adapters, those flange edges extend just a wee tiny bit (like 0.5mm) beyond the width of the bayonet blades, so the adapter fits snugly into the camera, flush with the mount. With a wide-flange no-infinity-focus (NIF) adapter, the flange edges are out about 7mm beyond the bayonet flags; the thickness of that wide flange pushes the lens about 1mm away from the camera. That's why it's NIF.

10-22-2011, 11:57 PM	#86
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Got it, thanks for the clarification.

10-23-2011, 02:58 AM	#87
lensego Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PERTH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 50	thanks Marc . I got it now, and yes I was referring K mount, now I assuming m42 will be the same????

10-24-2011, 08:48 PM	#88
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	No. M42 lenses work differently, but again, the links given at the beginning of this thread shold explain.

10-27-2011, 01:15 PM	#90
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by Viernes So it's not really a Manual mode, right? I mean: you set the aperture using the aperture ring, then you press the green button and the body sets the "correct" exposure. Unless I'm missing something, that's an Av Mode, not Manual. No, it is manual "stopped down meterint" mode. It is not varrying, it is set once , if lighting changes your exposure is wrong. At best it is a one time Tv Shift to match light and aperture If it was Av mode, the exposure would automatically adjust to the aperture setting and prevailing light conditions.