Very naive question!

Okeydokey · 10-06-2013, 03:15 AM

I have a K-m does that mean all K fit, lenses will fit?
I gather some of ye-olde manual lenses are of very good quality and worth hunting down to fit my camera... any opinions that can qualify this?
I'm looking for prime lenses for astrophotography so am about to invest in a 50mm and seperately a 500mm with teleplus x 2 teleconverter.

Many thanks

Adam · 10-06-2013, 03:42 AM

Yes, manual lenses will mount & work without an adapter. Ready this article for more info on how to actually meter with these lenses:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html

Okeydokey · 10-06-2013, 03:58 AM

Thank you very much, exactly what I needed to know!

Giklab · 10-06-2013, 04:50 AM

Hold on a sec. Which 500mm lens? (I assume the TC is a Kenko?) For astrophotography you'd be much better off with an actual telescope instead of 'ordinary' lenses.

Tanzer · 10-06-2013, 06:12 AM

The problem with a lot of old lenses, regardless of mount, is that they are prone to internal fogging and mold. So hunt those lenses down carefully. The marketplace forum here is reliable, compared to craigslist (yikes, you've been warned!) or ebay.

tibbitts · 10-06-2013, 10:09 AM

I'm not knowledgeable about astro photography, but I believe most people who are use a telescope adapter rather than a traditional lens.

Regarding old lenses in general, despite my on-going gripes about newer Pentax lenses (notably the ultra-wobbly 16-45, and the inconsistent 55-300), in general I think newer lenses are better than older ones, and are generally more convenient to use.

Okeydokey · 10-06-2013, 01:03 PM

I find it hard to understand why the Pentax M42 adapter ring is so much more expensive than the grey versions, fleabay throws them out at a few pounds (UK), for the grey versions. I now have a 55mm f1.7 Chinon on its way and the jury is out on the 500mm. I have a scope and have always been in two minds about a large low cost, previously owned lens. Thanks for all your advice!

**boriscleto** · 10-06-2013, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by Okeydokey

I find it hard to understand why the Pentax M42 adapter ring is so much more expensive than the grey versions

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/237060-...dapter+problem

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/167741-...dapter+problem

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/166996-problem...pter-ring.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/135940-...dapter+problem

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/128957-...dapter+problem

etc, etc, etc...

**rbefly** · 10-06-2013, 03:12 PM

Hello Okeydokey, Welcome to the Forum!
The links provided by boriscleto are the tip of the iceberg. If you've never had the nerve-wracking job of trying to remove an inexpensive screw-on adapter from a camera body or lens, I suggest you avoid it.
But that's a lesson many have to learn themselves.
Ron

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-06-2013, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Okeydokey

I find it ihard to understand why the Pentax M42 adapter ring is so much more expensive than the grey versions, fleabay throws them out at a few pounds (UK), for the grey versions. I now have a 55mm f1.7 Chinon on its way and the jury is out on the 500mm. I have a scope and have always been in two minds about a large low cost, previously owned lens. Thanks for all your advice!

I have a decent 500mm f8 mirror lens. I think one reason people use telescopes instead of lenses is that the scope already has a tracking mount. I can get some decent shots of the moon but that's pretty bright. Still I have to raise ISO at 500 or using a TC to get 1000mm, just because the moon moves pretty fast across the frame. Faster 500mm lenses are around but not in my price range.

On the adapter, the Pentax one at least shows you how the thing was meant to work. I have some broken cameras and old lenses to test out off-brand adapters, and most of them will work eventually. If you don't want to adjust and file and pray to the lens gods to get the lens off your DSLR, maybe the extra cost is worth it.

10-06-2013, 03:15 AM	#1
Okeydokey Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 9	Very naive question! I have a K-m does that mean all K fit, lenses will fit? I gather some of ye-olde manual lenses are of very good quality and worth hunting down to fit my camera... any opinions that can qualify this? I'm looking for prime lenses for astrophotography so am about to invest in a 50mm and seperately a 500mm with teleplus x 2 teleconverter. Many thanks

10-06-2013, 03:42 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Yes, manual lenses will mount & work without an adapter. Ready this article for more info on how to actually meter with these lenses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-06-2013, 03:12 PM	#9
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Stuck? Hello Okeydokey, Welcome to the Forum! The links provided by boriscleto are the tip of the iceberg. If you've never had the nerve-wracking job of trying to remove an inexpensive screw-on adapter from a camera body or lens, I suggest you avoid it. But that's a lesson many have to learn themselves. Ron

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10-06-2013, 03:58 AM	#3
Okeydokey Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Thank you very much, exactly what I needed to know!

10-06-2013, 04:50 AM	#4
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Hold on a sec. Which 500mm lens? (I assume the TC is a Kenko?) For astrophotography you'd be much better off with an actual telescope instead of 'ordinary' lenses.

10-06-2013, 06:12 AM	#5
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	The problem with a lot of old lenses, regardless of mount, is that they are prone to internal fogging and mold. So hunt those lenses down carefully. The marketplace forum here is reliable, compared to craigslist (yikes, you've been warned!) or ebay.

10-06-2013, 10:09 AM	#6
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	I'm not knowledgeable about astro photography, but I believe most people who are use a telescope adapter rather than a traditional lens. Regarding old lenses in general, despite my on-going gripes about newer Pentax lenses (notably the ultra-wobbly 16-45, and the inconsistent 55-300), in general I think newer lenses are better than older ones, and are generally more convenient to use.

10-06-2013, 01:03 PM	#7
Okeydokey Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	I find it hard to understand why the Pentax M42 adapter ring is so much more expensive than the grey versions, fleabay throws them out at a few pounds (UK), for the grey versions. I now have a 55mm f1.7 Chinon on its way and the jury is out on the 500mm. I have a scope and have always been in two minds about a large low cost, previously owned lens. Thanks for all your advice!

10-06-2013, 02:44 PM	#8
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Okeydokey I find it hard to understand why the Pentax M42 adapter ring is so much more expensive than the grey versions https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/237060-...dapter+problem https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/167741-...dapter+problem https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/166996-problem...pter-ring.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/135940-...dapter+problem https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/128957-...dapter+problem etc, etc, etc...

10-06-2013, 07:56 PM	#10
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Okeydokey I find it ihard to understand why the Pentax M42 adapter ring is so much more expensive than the grey versions, fleabay throws them out at a few pounds (UK), for the grey versions. I now have a 55mm f1.7 Chinon on its way and the jury is out on the 500mm. I have a scope and have always been in two minds about a large low cost, previously owned lens. Thanks for all your advice! I have a decent 500mm f8 mirror lens. I think one reason people use telescopes instead of lenses is that the scope already has a tracking mount. I can get some decent shots of the moon but that's pretty bright. Still I have to raise ISO at 500 or using a TC to get 1000mm, just because the moon moves pretty fast across the frame. Faster 500mm lenses are around but not in my price range. On the adapter, the Pentax one at least shows you how the thing was meant to work. I have some broken cameras and old lenses to test out off-brand adapters, and most of them will work eventually. If you don't want to adjust and file and pray to the lens gods to get the lens off your DSLR, maybe the extra cost is worth it.