Originally posted by edwardra3 I learned the basics of manual focus and aperature back at a weekend Vo-Tech program in the 90's and my father has an old Sears/Ricoh SLR with an K-type bayonet mount and a few lenses. I've been wanting to take the next step in my food photography and start using a DLSR for more control over the shot. Considering the amount of rust on my knowledge of manual photography, would it be worthwhile to get a Pentax with a compatable mount and get a few hundred dollars worth of lenses free, or forget about them and get a newer kit and slowly work on building up my lenses?
Short answer, yes, long answer, yesssss...
Then again, I may be biased - I shoot almost exclusively with old manual lenses these days. The only exception being the Sigma 10-20, and you simply can't get 'old' in that focal length range.
One advantage is that the old lenses trend towards being inexpensive (or in your case, free). Once you gain a good working knowledge of manual shooting, it will actually help you out on the automated side of things as well ("Why did my modern lens overexpose... oh, it was hitting that shadowy spot..." *manual settings change, nail shot*)
That, and (at least for me) there is simply something tactilely satisfying about manual shooting. It tends to slow you down just a hair, which once you get the hang of things will up your keeper rate as well.