Newbie Beginners Lens Question

willwalker · 04-23-2011, 03:30 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

I am totally new to digital SLR photography. I have an old Canon TX film camera with several FD lenses.

I just ordered a Pentax k7 and I am wondering if I will be able to use any of my old lenses with it, or do I have to start with newer lenses.

Appreciate any feedback from the group.

hcc · 04-23-2011, 03:36 PM

I believe that none of the Canon lenses will fit on your K-7 (without a special adapter). Get a Pentax lens (eg the kit lens) for a start.

**Ash** · 04-23-2011, 03:38 PM

You can use those lenses if you have an FD to K-mount converter. I have no personal experience with those, but they may be hard to find (and a Canon lens on a Pentax camera just doesn't look right!

). You may have to find an FD to M42 and an M42 to K-mount if none are available.

Welcome here, and hope you find the forum useful. Perhaps we can stir up some interest in you in the excellent Pentax lenses there are available...

willwalker · 04-23-2011, 03:52 PM

Thanks. That is what I thought.

willwalker · 04-23-2011, 03:56 PM

I will without a doubt being purchasing Pentax products for the camera in future. I'm extremely excited about learning digital photography using the K7!

**boriscleto** · 04-23-2011, 04:01 PM

A FD lens can be mounted with an optically corrected adapter. The adapter works like a short telephoto adapter and adds about 1.4x to the focal length. Without the optics the maximum focusing distance is just a few inches.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/96884-ada...addiction.html

Because of the short flange focal distance of the FD mount, the only digital cameras that don't need an optically corrected adapter are 4/3-m4/3, Sony NEX, and Samsung NX.

DaveHolmes · 04-23-2011, 04:44 PM

Flog the canon lenses on ebay and put the money towards pentax toys...

tibbitts · 04-23-2011, 06:17 PM

I have a bunch of FD lenses but need to sell them. You are much better off getting lenses meant for your Pentax, but you don't need to buy Pentax brand lenses, just those with an appropriate mount.

Paul

RioRico · 04-24-2011, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

Flog the canon lenses on ebay and put the money towards pentax toys...

Originally posted by tibbitts

You are much better off getting lenses meant for your Pentax, but you don't need to buy Pentax brand lenses, just those with an appropriate mount.

Quite right.

How to use Canon FD lenses on Pentax cameras:

* Use an optical adapter, which ruins whatever made the FD lenses special.
* Attempt radical surgery. I've adapted other lenses, but Canon thwarts me.
* Reverse them for close-up and macro work. Oh no, not ANOTHER macro lens!
* You could probably mount them on a Pentax A110 -- same frame size as m4/3.
* Use them as photoshoot subjects, BEFORE and AFTER being smashed apart.

stevewig · 04-24-2011, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by willwalker

I am totally new to digital SLR photography. I have an old Canon TX film camera with several FD lenses.

I just ordered a Pentax k7 and I am wondering if I will be able to use any of my old lenses with it, or do I have to start with newer lenses.

Appreciate any feedback from the group.

CANON FD Lens to Pentax PK Mount Adapter Infinity focus on eBay.ca (item 270572995312 end time 27-Apr-11 11:36:07 EDT)

For 30 bucks you can use your lenses.

I have used a lensed adapter for Pentax to Nikon and vice-versa. Yes there will obviously be degradation because of the extra glass, but it works quite well.

In actual fact now, I never use them because even though its only I that knows that the shots have been degraded - thats enough for me.

willwalker · 04-25-2011, 05:50 PM

Thanks stevewig. Probably will try adaptor until I acquire new lenses.

04-23-2011, 03:30 PM	#1
willwalker New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17	Newbie Beginners Lens Question Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I am totally new to digital SLR photography. I have an old Canon TX film camera with several FD lenses. I just ordered a Pentax k7 and I am wondering if I will be able to use any of my old lenses with it, or do I have to start with newer lenses. Appreciate any feedback from the group.

04-23-2011, 03:36 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	I believe that none of the Canon lenses will fit on your K-7 (without a special adapter). Get a Pentax lens (eg the kit lens) for a start. Last edited by hcc; 04-24-2011 at 03:38 PM.

04-23-2011, 04:01 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	A FD lens can be mounted with an optically corrected adapter. The adapter works like a short telephoto adapter and adds about 1.4x to the focal length. Without the optics the maximum focusing distance is just a few inches. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/96884-ada...addiction.html Because of the short flange focal distance of the FD mount, the only digital cameras that don't need an optically corrected adapter are 4/3-m4/3, Sony NEX, and Samsung NX. Last edited by boriscleto; 04-23-2011 at 04:08 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie lens question	Bill Banks	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	03-13-2011 11:55 PM
Newbie Lens Question	JohnKSA	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	07-27-2010 09:23 AM
Beginners question about video settings	dostic2002	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	05-03-2010 07:23 PM
Beginners K-X question	kinsale	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	03-09-2010 05:00 PM
newbie lens question	arace	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	11-16-2009 02:34 PM

04-23-2011, 03:38 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	You can use those lenses if you have an FD to K-mount converter. I have no personal experience with those, but they may be hard to find (and a Canon lens on a Pentax camera just doesn't look right! ). You may have to find an FD to M42 and an M42 to K-mount if none are available. Welcome here, and hope you find the forum useful. Perhaps we can stir up some interest in you in the excellent Pentax lenses there are available...

04-23-2011, 03:52 PM	#4
willwalker New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17 Original Poster	Thanks. That is what I thought.

04-23-2011, 03:56 PM	#5
willwalker New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17 Original Poster	I will without a doubt being purchasing Pentax products for the camera in future. I'm extremely excited about learning digital photography using the K7!

04-23-2011, 04:44 PM	#7
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Flog the canon lenses on ebay and put the money towards pentax toys...

04-23-2011, 06:17 PM	#8
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,196	I have a bunch of FD lenses but need to sell them. You are much better off getting lenses meant for your Pentax, but you don't need to buy Pentax brand lenses, just those with an appropriate mount. Paul

04-24-2011, 03:11 AM	#9
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by DaveHolmes Flog the canon lenses on ebay and put the money towards pentax toys... Originally posted by tibbitts You are much better off getting lenses meant for your Pentax, but you don't need to buy Pentax brand lenses, just those with an appropriate mount. Quite right. How to use Canon FD lenses on Pentax cameras: * Use an optical adapter, which ruins whatever made the FD lenses special. * Attempt radical surgery. I've adapted other lenses, but Canon thwarts me. * Reverse them for close-up and macro work. Oh no, not ANOTHER macro lens! * You could probably mount them on a Pentax A110 -- same frame size as m4/3. * Use them as photoshoot subjects, BEFORE and AFTER being smashed apart.

04-24-2011, 06:04 AM	#10
stevewig Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 773	Originally posted by willwalker I am totally new to digital SLR photography. I have an old Canon TX film camera with several FD lenses. I just ordered a Pentax k7 and I am wondering if I will be able to use any of my old lenses with it, or do I have to start with newer lenses. Appreciate any feedback from the group. CANON FD Lens to Pentax PK Mount Adapter Infinity focus on eBay.ca (item 270572995312 end time 27-Apr-11 11:36:07 EDT) For 30 bucks you can use your lenses. I have used a lensed adapter for Pentax to Nikon and vice-versa. Yes there will obviously be degradation because of the extra glass, but it works quite well. In actual fact now, I never use them because even though its only I that knows that the shots have been degraded - thats enough for me.

04-25-2011, 05:50 PM	#11
willwalker New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17 Original Poster	Thanks stevewig. Probably will try adaptor until I acquire new lenses.