M42-K adapter availability

**TomB_tx** · 11-07-2011, 03:39 PM

Many posts have questioned the availability of new Pentax-made M42 to K mount lens adapters. I just got one from an Asian source, and in the green Pentax pouch it included a multi-language notice about the company name change due to the sale to Ricoh. That seems to show that Pentax either still makes or is packaging the adapter; so it is likely to still be orderable from the Pentax web store.
It works very well, and I'm surprized that I seem to be able to focus my old Super-Takumar 50 1.4 more accurately than my Pentax-M version on my K-5; even with the stock screen. The ideal focus point seems more detectable. The "focus indicator" on the K-5 seems useless for accurate focus with a 1.4, as it indicates in-focus for too broad a band of lens movement. Anyway, I'll enjoy using the Takumars again.

jackseh · 11-07-2011, 03:47 PM

Good info, did they ever announce they would discontinue this product?
If so, its certainly not a shrewd marketing pitch to make people buy new lenses.

**boriscleto** · 11-07-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by jackseh

Good info, did they ever announce they would discontinue this product?
If so, its certainly not a shrewd marketing pitch to make people buy new lenses.

AFAIK it's never been discontinued, but they only seem to do one production run a year. It really shouldn't be a problem finding one. It is a part that has been in production for more than 35 years.

aurele · 11-07-2011, 04:32 PM

this adapter is what makes Pentax so appealing for most of us

atomic · 11-08-2011, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by TomB_tx

Many posts have questioned the availability of new Pentax-made M42 to K mount lens adapters. I just got one from an Asian source, and in the green Pentax pouch it included a multi-language notice about the company name change due to the sale to Ricoh. That seems to show that Pentax either still makes or is packaging the adapter; so it is likely to still be orderable from the Pentax web store.
It works very well, and I'm surprized that I seem to be able to focus my old Super-Takumar 50 1.4 more accurately than my Pentax-M version on my K-5; even with the stock screen. The ideal focus point seems more detectable. The "focus indicator" on the K-5 seems useless for accurate focus with a 1.4, as it indicates in-focus for too broad a band of lens movement. Anyway, I'll enjoy using the Takumars again.

I got the same thing and got mine thru B&H sounds like same description, green pouch. I probably paid way more then you. I was trying to figure out was mine a geniue pentax one or knock off. In any event it works well. Since saw a post of people having a problem with the knock offs and went to pentax store site and saw that they were on back order. I then called b&H.

vonBaloney · 11-08-2011, 01:43 PM

I ordered one from B&H last week after they were surprisingly listed as in-stock. (Cause they are out of stock everywhere.) It is supposed to arrive today -- hopefully it is the real thing. I was going to post that they had them but now they are back to "temporarily unavailable".

------------

Update: got my adapter from B&H today -- it is the real thing. I shouldn't have doubted coming from B&H, but since they have been nowhere to be found lately I thought maybe it was a mistake. It is marked Philippines instead of my older one which says Japan, and it does have the Ricoh announcement in there as well, so it is pretty new...

wolfiegirl · 11-08-2011, 08:54 PM

I saw a couple on ebay from Japan going for around $60 last week. I've misplaced the link though. No idea if it's a new or old one though?

**Arn** · 11-09-2011, 11:02 PM

I have 2 adapters - found 1 on the forum, and got the other on craigslist here in Vancouver. The first was in a $100 tub of lenses, and the second I found for $30 in the Marketplace. Both are Pentax adapters, but were made at different times - one says Asahi Pentax and Japan, while the other says Pentax and Japan. Both identical to the one at Pentax Mount Adapter K reviews - Pentax Camera Accessories: Database and Reviews, with the printing on the reverse side from the adapter in the photo. Both work just great.

wolfiegirl · 11-10-2011, 01:47 AM

Those are two pretty good scores Arn! I paid around $40 odd for mine. It's been worth it simply because I can now use the 10+ m42 lenses in my stash.............

**Arn** · 11-10-2011, 12:32 PM

There's currently one for sale at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/164711-sale-g...t-adapter.html

wolfiegirl · 11-10-2011, 03:40 PM

Cool! Unfortunately 'US Only'

Ah well. I've got one which is the most important.... a second would be nice as back up, but not urgent.

11-07-2011, 03:39 PM	#1
TomB_tx Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,130	M42-K adapter availability Many posts have questioned the availability of new Pentax-made M42 to K mount lens adapters. I just got one from an Asian source, and in the green Pentax pouch it included a multi-language notice about the company name change due to the sale to Ricoh. That seems to show that Pentax either still makes or is packaging the adapter; so it is likely to still be orderable from the Pentax web store. It works very well, and I'm surprized that I seem to be able to focus my old Super-Takumar 50 1.4 more accurately than my Pentax-M version on my K-5; even with the stock screen. The ideal focus point seems more detectable. The "focus indicator" on the K-5 seems useless for accurate focus with a 1.4, as it indicates in-focus for too broad a band of lens movement. Anyway, I'll enjoy using the Takumars again.

11-08-2011, 01:43 PM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 4,989	I ordered one from B&H last week after they were surprisingly listed as in-stock. (Cause they are out of stock everywhere.) It is supposed to arrive today -- hopefully it is the real thing. I was going to post that they had them but now they are back to "temporarily unavailable". ------------ Update: got my adapter from B&H today -- it is the real thing. I shouldn't have doubted coming from B&H, but since they have been nowhere to be found lately I thought maybe it was a mistake. It is marked Philippines instead of my older one which says Japan, and it does have the Ricoh announcement in there as well, so it is pretty new... Last edited by vonBaloney; 11-08-2011 at 07:34 PM.

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11-07-2011, 03:47 PM	#2
jackseh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 118	Good info, did they ever announce they would discontinue this product? If so, its certainly not a shrewd marketing pitch to make people buy new lenses.

11-07-2011, 04:00 PM	#3
boriscleto Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Liverpool, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,550	Originally posted by jackseh Good info, did they ever announce they would discontinue this product? If so, its certainly not a shrewd marketing pitch to make people buy new lenses. AFAIK it's never been discontinued, but they only seem to do one production run a year. It really shouldn't be a problem finding one. It is a part that has been in production for more than 35 years.

11-07-2011, 04:32 PM	#4
aurele Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 2,926	this adapter is what makes Pentax so appealing for most of us

11-08-2011, 01:39 PM	#5
atomic Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 27	Originally posted by TomB_tx Many posts have questioned the availability of new Pentax-made M42 to K mount lens adapters. I just got one from an Asian source, and in the green Pentax pouch it included a multi-language notice about the company name change due to the sale to Ricoh. That seems to show that Pentax either still makes or is packaging the adapter; so it is likely to still be orderable from the Pentax web store. It works very well, and I'm surprized that I seem to be able to focus my old Super-Takumar 50 1.4 more accurately than my Pentax-M version on my K-5; even with the stock screen. The ideal focus point seems more detectable. The "focus indicator" on the K-5 seems useless for accurate focus with a 1.4, as it indicates in-focus for too broad a band of lens movement. Anyway, I'll enjoy using the Takumars again. I got the same thing and got mine thru B&H sounds like same description, green pouch. I probably paid way more then you. I was trying to figure out was mine a geniue pentax one or knock off. In any event it works well. Since saw a post of people having a problem with the knock offs and went to pentax store site and saw that they were on back order. I then called b&H.

11-08-2011, 08:54 PM	#7
wolfiegirl Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Outside of Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,066	I saw a couple on ebay from Japan going for around $60 last week. I've misplaced the link though. No idea if it's a new or old one though?

11-09-2011, 11:02 PM	#8
Arn Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,745	I have 2 adapters - found 1 on the forum, and got the other on craigslist here in Vancouver. The first was in a $100 tub of lenses, and the second I found for $30 in the Marketplace. Both are Pentax adapters, but were made at different times - one says Asahi Pentax and Japan, while the other says Pentax and Japan. Both identical to the one at Pentax Mount Adapter K reviews - Pentax Camera Accessories: Database and Reviews, with the printing on the reverse side from the adapter in the photo. Both work just great.

11-10-2011, 01:47 AM	#9
wolfiegirl Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Outside of Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,066	Those are two pretty good scores Arn! I paid around $40 odd for mine. It's been worth it simply because I can now use the 10+ m42 lenses in my stash.............

11-10-2011, 12:32 PM	#10
Arn Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,745	There's currently one for sale at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/164711-sale-g...t-adapter.html

11-10-2011, 03:40 PM	#11
wolfiegirl Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Outside of Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,066	Cool! Unfortunately 'US Only' Ah well. I've got one which is the most important.... a second would be nice as back up, but not urgent.