Originally posted by Shellinaya Sorry to hijack your thread bjake but I also have a lens question. I have a new K-r and have never purchased a lens for it except the one it came with. I am looking at these two lenses: Pentax SMC-A 50mm f/2 Prime and a Takumar 50mm F1.4 lens. I've been told that the Takumar will not meter properly with the k-r and will not fit without a screw mount, so that one is probably out. Is the other lens a good one for indoor photos such as portraits? Thanks for your help.
They will both work on your camera. The difference is, you need an M42 - K mount adapter to use the Takumar (and it is Far superior to the A50 f2.0). Depending on where you are, that adapter could be quite expensive. To have the best of all worlds and not go broke getting there, look into a Pentax A 50mm f1:1.7 (if you're after a 50).
With the Tak, the difference (other than above) is the camera will not control the lens. The way you meter with it is live in one of the auto modes (Av or Tv) and operate the aperture ring. The camera will default to Av in both those modes anyway. It actually works quite well if you're willing to give up camera aperture control (and give up Recording the Aperture).