problem with m42 lens adapter

joeylives · 01-11-2011, 12:43 PM

hey guys, i know i made the mistake of not buying the official pentax one, but i bought one off ebay that listed as infinity focus m42 to pk adapter, and i think i got completely ripped off. it fits on the m42 lens, but it doesnt turn at all in the k mount? with or without the lens on it, and theres also no screw or spring or anything that iv been seeing with alot of the threads about the adapters. this is the adapter i got, is there anything i can do to use it? at this point i dont even care if it doesnt focus to infinity, id just like to use the lens iv had waiting. or did i get screwed?

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Last edited by joeylives; 01-11-2011 at 03:12 PM.

**boriscleto** · 01-11-2011, 01:59 PM

Not an infinity focus adapter. An infinity focus adapter will fit entirely inside the lens mount. Sorry, but you got ripped off.

Ratmagiclady · 01-11-2011, 02:14 PM

Yep, that's a non-infinity focus adapter. There should be no reason it doesn't work, though: are you sure you've got it aligned right? There'll generally be an indicator there.

The nice thing about these is at least they mount and unmount easily, just like a k-mount lens, (possibly the lens itself could end up turned in a funny direction, though you clearly lose infinity focus and all. If it's made right, the usual release button ought to work.

joeylives · 01-11-2011, 03:11 PM

yea i line up the orange dot and it drops into place, it just doesnt rotate at all

JeffJS · 01-11-2011, 03:32 PM

Some of these are machined so terribly that they will get Stuck on the dSLR mount. Strangely enough, usually they work fine on a film body. If you paid any more than a few bucks for it, return it as not as advertised.

joeylives · 01-11-2011, 03:48 PM

paid around 8 bucks, but i just filed a claim with ebay. il see how it works out and learn from my mistakes. can anyone recommend a safer way to get one, possibly without having to spend the 40 bucks for the pentax one? or is that really the only safe option? i would prefer one that i can leave on the lens because i have other non m42 lenses that i switch frequently

Ira · 01-11-2011, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

Some of these are machined so terribly that they will get Stuck on the dSLR mount. Strangely enough, usually they work fine on a film body. If you paid any more than a few bucks for it, return it as not as advertised.

How are we supposed to archive this thread as another warning to the uninformed?

I forget how you stand on the issue, but even one of my Bowers from B&H wouldn't mount!

Ratmagiclady · 01-11-2011, 05:34 PM

Definitely, I suppose, poor machining's a real possibility with the cheapies, , there. (Hadn't really thought they'd be that bad. I got one like that and felt like I should de-burr the threads a little, (And I did find some filings) but it did work fine after that.

I should add that sometimes that can mean filings in the threads: on general I'd clean such threads some times over with mineral oil and a fine rag or some such, before letting them near your camera's mirror box.

JeffJS · 01-11-2011, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Ira

How are we supposed to archive this thread as another warning to the uninformed?

I forget how you stand on the issue, but even one of my Bowers from B&H wouldn't mount!

I'm never quite sure how to take your responses, Ira. Maybe that's a good thing.. Keep em wondering. All I know for certain is the One and ONLY time I bought a knockoff adapter, it got stuck and I consider myself lucky to have removed it. That was on my (then) brand new K10d that I'd just paid nearly $1000 for. Now tell me. Which is better... a Phked up $1000 camera or spending the couple extra $ to get the proper adapter? I put that right up there with the people who spend $1500 for a K5 and then look for a $2 card. It makes NO sense to me.

Ratmagiclady · 01-11-2011, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

I'm never quite sure how to take your responses, Ira. Maybe that's a good thing.. Keep em wondering. All I know for certain is the One and ONLY time I bought a knockoff adapter, it got stuck and I consider myself lucky to have removed it. That was on my (then) brand new K10d that I'd just paid nearly $1000 for. Now tell me. Which is better... a Phked up $1000 camera or spending the couple extra $ to get the proper adapter? I put that right up there with the people who spend $1500 for a K5 and then look for a $2 card. It makes NO sense to me.

There's definitely that factor, too. The 'genuine Pentax' adapter's really just the way to go, I think. (I wanted a flanged one for my macro bellows, being my own rationale with one. You'd think whoever bothered to make them would bother to make them at least fit, though. )

JeffJS · 01-11-2011, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

There's definitely that factor, too. The 'genuine Pentax' adapter's really just the way to go, I think. (I wanted a flanged one for my macro bellows, being my own rationale with one. You'd think whoever bothered to make them would bother to make them at least fit, though. )

I guess the difference between the bellows and a lens is with the bellows, you don't need infinity focusing. You are correct though and without getting into some never ending debate, I'll just note (in my mind) where most of the Garbage items are made these days.

Ira · 01-11-2011, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

I'm never quite sure how to take your responses, Ira. Maybe that's a good thing.. Keep em wondering. All I know for certain is the One and ONLY time I bought a knockoff adapter, it got stuck and I consider myself lucky to have removed it. That was on my (then) brand new K10d that I'd just paid nearly $1000 for. Now tell me. Which is better... a Phked up $1000 camera or spending the couple extra $ to get the proper adapter? I put that right up there with the people who spend $1500 for a K5 and then look for a $2 card. It makes NO sense to me.

We're on the same page, but I just didn't remember.

JeffJS · 01-11-2011, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by Ira

We're on the same page, but I just didn't remember.

Got ya!

**Greeneg** · 01-12-2011, 07:45 AM

I think that the bottom line take-home here is to buy the genuine Pentax adapter, they are not that expensive and you save a lot of grief later. Unless you use a lot of M-42 Lenses and switch them around you really only need one.

sterretje · 01-12-2011, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by Greeneg

I think that the bottom line take-home here is to buy the genuine Pentax adapter, they are not that expensive and you save a lot of grief later. Unless you use a lot of M-42 Lenses and switch them around you really only need one.

I guess that that depends on where one lives. When I bought mine a year ago, it was roughly 8% of the price of a FA31Ltd

I accepted the price as I got the FA31 with about 10% discount, so basically got the adaptor for free

01-11-2011, 12:43 PM	#1
joeylives New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4	problem with m42 lens adapter hey guys, i know i made the mistake of not buying the official pentax one, but i bought one off ebay that listed as infinity focus m42 to pk adapter, and i think i got completely ripped off. it fits on the m42 lens, but it doesnt turn at all in the k mount? with or without the lens on it, and theres also no screw or spring or anything that iv been seeing with alot of the threads about the adapters. this is the adapter i got, is there anything i can do to use it? at this point i dont even care if it doesnt focus to infinity, id just like to use the lens iv had waiting. or did i get screwed? " /> Last edited by joeylives; 01-11-2011 at 03:12 PM.

01-11-2011, 01:59 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Not an infinity focus adapter. An infinity focus adapter will fit entirely inside the lens mount. Sorry, but you got ripped off. Last edited by boriscleto; 01-11-2011 at 02:06 PM.

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01-11-2011, 02:14 PM	#3
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Yep, that's a non-infinity focus adapter. There should be no reason it doesn't work, though: are you sure you've got it aligned right? There'll generally be an indicator there. The nice thing about these is at least they mount and unmount easily, just like a k-mount lens, (possibly the lens itself could end up turned in a funny direction, though you clearly lose infinity focus and all. If it's made right, the usual release button ought to work.

01-11-2011, 03:11 PM	#4
joeylives New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4 Original Poster	yea i line up the orange dot and it drops into place, it just doesnt rotate at all

01-11-2011, 03:32 PM	#5
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Some of these are machined so terribly that they will get Stuck on the dSLR mount. Strangely enough, usually they work fine on a film body. If you paid any more than a few bucks for it, return it as not as advertised.

01-11-2011, 03:48 PM	#6
joeylives New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4 Original Poster	paid around 8 bucks, but i just filed a claim with ebay. il see how it works out and learn from my mistakes. can anyone recommend a safer way to get one, possibly without having to spend the 40 bucks for the pentax one? or is that really the only safe option? i would prefer one that i can leave on the lens because i have other non m42 lenses that i switch frequently

01-11-2011, 05:02 PM	#7
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by JeffJS Some of these are machined so terribly that they will get Stuck on the dSLR mount. Strangely enough, usually they work fine on a film body. If you paid any more than a few bucks for it, return it as not as advertised. How are we supposed to archive this thread as another warning to the uninformed? I forget how you stand on the issue, but even one of my Bowers from B&H wouldn't mount!

01-11-2011, 05:34 PM	#8
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Definitely, I suppose, poor machining's a real possibility with the cheapies, , there. (Hadn't really thought they'd be that bad. I got one like that and felt like I should de-burr the threads a little, (And I did find some filings) but it did work fine after that. I should add that sometimes that can mean filings in the threads: on general I'd clean such threads some times over with mineral oil and a fine rag or some such, before letting them near your camera's mirror box.

01-11-2011, 05:41 PM	#9
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Ira How are we supposed to archive this thread as another warning to the uninformed? I forget how you stand on the issue, but even one of my Bowers from B&H wouldn't mount! I'm never quite sure how to take your responses, Ira. Maybe that's a good thing.. Keep em wondering. All I know for certain is the One and ONLY time I bought a knockoff adapter, it got stuck and I consider myself lucky to have removed it. That was on my (then) brand new K10d that I'd just paid nearly $1000 for. Now tell me. Which is better... a Phked up $1000 camera or spending the couple extra $ to get the proper adapter? I put that right up there with the people who spend $1500 for a K5 and then look for a $2 card. It makes NO sense to me.

01-11-2011, 05:45 PM	#10
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by JeffJS I'm never quite sure how to take your responses, Ira. Maybe that's a good thing.. Keep em wondering. All I know for certain is the One and ONLY time I bought a knockoff adapter, it got stuck and I consider myself lucky to have removed it. That was on my (then) brand new K10d that I'd just paid nearly $1000 for. Now tell me. Which is better... a Phked up $1000 camera or spending the couple extra $ to get the proper adapter? I put that right up there with the people who spend $1500 for a K5 and then look for a $2 card. It makes NO sense to me. There's definitely that factor, too. The 'genuine Pentax' adapter's really just the way to go, I think. (I wanted a flanged one for my macro bellows, being my own rationale with one. You'd think whoever bothered to make them would bother to make them at least fit, though. )

01-11-2011, 06:09 PM	#11
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady There's definitely that factor, too. The 'genuine Pentax' adapter's really just the way to go, I think. (I wanted a flanged one for my macro bellows, being my own rationale with one. You'd think whoever bothered to make them would bother to make them at least fit, though. ) I guess the difference between the bellows and a lens is with the bellows, you don't need infinity focusing. You are correct though and without getting into some never ending debate, I'll just note (in my mind) where most of the Garbage items are made these days.

01-11-2011, 06:22 PM	#12
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by JeffJS I'm never quite sure how to take your responses, Ira. Maybe that's a good thing.. Keep em wondering. All I know for certain is the One and ONLY time I bought a knockoff adapter, it got stuck and I consider myself lucky to have removed it. That was on my (then) brand new K10d that I'd just paid nearly $1000 for. Now tell me. Which is better... a Phked up $1000 camera or spending the couple extra $ to get the proper adapter? I put that right up there with the people who spend $1500 for a K5 and then look for a $2 card. It makes NO sense to me. We're on the same page, but I just didn't remember.

01-11-2011, 06:23 PM	#13
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Ira We're on the same page, but I just didn't remember. Got ya!

01-12-2011, 07:45 AM	#14
Greeneg Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 146	I think that the bottom line take-home here is to buy the genuine Pentax adapter, they are not that expensive and you save a lot of grief later. Unless you use a lot of M-42 Lenses and switch them around you really only need one.

01-12-2011, 08:01 AM	#15
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Greeneg I think that the bottom line take-home here is to buy the genuine Pentax adapter, they are not that expensive and you save a lot of grief later. Unless you use a lot of M-42 Lenses and switch them around you really only need one. I guess that that depends on where one lives. When I bought mine a year ago, it was roughly 8% of the price of a FA31Ltd I accepted the price as I got the FA31 with about 10% discount, so basically got the adaptor for free