M42 lens focussing problems in infinity

skien68 · 05-11-2011, 02:41 AM

Got my hands on a 1:1.8/55 auto-takumar, use a PK adapter ring and started shooting.

while trying out it's capabillities I came over a problem, I can't get it to focus on distances of 10mtr/30ft. and beyond.

Shorter distances give perfect pictures. (at least when I do the right things)

Am open for any suggestion since I'm stuck here.

calicojack · 05-11-2011, 03:11 AM

What camera are you using this on? Screw Mount? K mount? If K mount, what adapter are you using? Is it flush with the face of the K mount or does it stick out a bit?

skien68 · 05-11-2011, 03:23 AM

Oh, sorry here some extra info
I use a K20D, so I have to use an adapter ring to fit on it.
The adapter ring has a face thikness of about 0,8mm

**boriscleto** · 05-11-2011, 04:00 AM

You will need to get an adapter that allows infinity focus.

Hin's Tech Corner: Genuine Pentax M42 to K Adapter

skien68 · 05-11-2011, 04:22 AM

Thanks, understand now that even the 0,8mm extra gap will infuence the focusing. Had I used my head before i bought the ring I use now, I'd use a few extra bucks for one that will work on infinity.
So here I am buying an other one, sometimes using ones abilities to read are very usefull, should have used it before running nose first in the wall.
thanks guys for your help, much apreciated.
sorry for my lousy english

wtf_cowboy · 05-11-2011, 08:27 AM

Did you change lenses just to make sure it's the adapter?

I use a fotodiox (10 bucks on amazon) on my k110d and haven't looked back.

Good luck, and happy shooting.

RioRico · 05-11-2011, 05:32 PM

Keep the wide-flange NIF (non-infinity-focus) adapter. It's useful with 1) some old teles and mirrors (that focus past infinity), and 2) shooting close-ups (where infinity doesn't matter) and portraits (where you WANT infinity to be out-of-focus). Yes, to shoot infinity, you need a thin-flange adapter, as suggested. But on your ST 55/1.8, the NIF adapter should drop close-focus from 45cm to 30-35cm, real handy when you want to close in on something.

calicojack · 05-11-2011, 05:36 PM - **1 Like**

Just think of it as the smallest extension tube.

05-11-2011, 02:41 AM	#1
skien68 New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Skien Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 14	M42 lens focussing problems in infinity Got my hands on a 1:1.8/55 auto-takumar, use a PK adapter ring and started shooting. while trying out it's capabillities I came over a problem, I can't get it to focus on distances of 10mtr/30ft. and beyond. Shorter distances give perfect pictures. (at least when I do the right things) Am open for any suggestion since I'm stuck here.

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05-11-2011, 03:11 AM	#2
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	What camera are you using this on? Screw Mount? K mount? If K mount, what adapter are you using? Is it flush with the face of the K mount or does it stick out a bit?

05-11-2011, 03:23 AM	#3
skien68 New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Skien Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 14 Original Poster	Oh, sorry here some extra info I use a K20D, so I have to use an adapter ring to fit on it. The adapter ring has a face thikness of about 0,8mm

05-11-2011, 04:00 AM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	You will need to get an adapter that allows infinity focus. Hin's Tech Corner: Genuine Pentax M42 to K Adapter

05-11-2011, 04:22 AM	#5
skien68 New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Skien Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks, understand now that even the 0,8mm extra gap will infuence the focusing. Had I used my head before i bought the ring I use now, I'd use a few extra bucks for one that will work on infinity. So here I am buying an other one, sometimes using ones abilities to read are very usefull, should have used it before running nose first in the wall. thanks guys for your help, much apreciated. sorry for my lousy english

05-11-2011, 08:27 AM	#6
wtf_cowboy Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston, Tx Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 52	Did you change lenses just to make sure it's the adapter? I use a fotodiox (10 bucks on amazon) on my k110d and haven't looked back. Good luck, and happy shooting.

05-11-2011, 05:32 PM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Keep the wide-flange NIF (non-infinity-focus) adapter. It's useful with 1) some old teles and mirrors (that focus past infinity), and 2) shooting close-ups (where infinity doesn't matter) and portraits (where you WANT infinity to be out-of-focus). Yes, to shoot infinity, you need a thin-flange adapter, as suggested. But on your ST 55/1.8, the NIF adapter should drop close-focus from 45cm to 30-35cm, real handy when you want to close in on something.

05-11-2011, 05:36 PM - 1 Like	#8
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	Just think of it as the smallest extension tube.