Going Crazy Getting Manual Focus Lens to Work

Mass. Wine Guy · 10-17-2015, 04:42 PM

I have a K-50 and a Sigma 35 - 200 mm K mount lens that's not auto focus. I've read a tutorial here about locking the aperture ring to A and changing the camera permission to allow this. Did those. But changing the green button value is eluding me. I can't find an option under any customization menu.

If someone knows how, I'd be very grateful. I'm starting to think this camera is too complicated for me.

Maybe it does have af. Unsure.

SIGMA ZOOM II 75-300mm 4.5-5.6 for Pentax K-af Mount

Last edited by Mass. Wine Guy; 10-17-2015 at 04:49 PM.

**PPPPPP42** · 10-17-2015, 05:18 PM

You are getting your topics crossed up a bit. If the lens has an A setting on the aperture ring then set it and leave it there and it should operate like any modern lens with the exception of needing to focus manually. If you want to manually set aperture on a lens with the A setting you use the dials on the camera to change it electronically, not turning the ring on the lens.
The green button is used for lenses without the A setting where you have to set the aperture on the lens itself. Then you also need to set that permission in the camera since without the A setting the lens isn't communicating properly with the camera.

Mass. Wine Guy · 10-17-2015, 07:41 PM

So the camera sets the aperture itself when the lens ring's on A. Do I then choose shutter speed? It just seems so complex.

Attach lens, turn on camera, set focal length and shutter speed. Do I set the camera on manual focus and shutter priority?

I knew I should have gone on to get that third college degree.

**clackers** · 10-17-2015, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy

So the camera sets the aperture itself when the lens ring's on A. Do I then choose shutter speed? It just seems so complex.

Attach lens, turn on camera, set focal length and shutter speed. Do I set the camera on manual focus and shutter priority?

I knew I should have gone on to get that third college degree.

You definitely don't need a degree.

With the aperture set to A you can vary any of shutter speed, aperture and ISO with your camera's normal controls, no need to touch the lens again.

**Scorpio71GR** · 10-17-2015, 08:41 PM

As long as the aperture ring is set to A the camera will set the aperture. If you use Auto mode the camera will do everything for you. As for other modes it depends on what you are shooting. In the other modes you can adjust settings using the front and rear dials.
This is how my K50 is set up. You change what the front and rear dials do in the menus.
SV: Sensitivity Priority, front dial adjusts f stop, rear dial adust ISO, shutter speed changes according to adjustments.
TV: Shutter Priority, front dial adjusts shutter speed, rear dial adjusts ISO, shutter speed changes according to adjustments.
AV: Aperture Priority, front dial ISO, rear dial aperture, shutter speed changes according to adjustments
TAv: Shutter and Aperture Priority, front dial sets shutter speed, rear dial sets apeture, ISO changes according to adjustments.
You can set the green button to automatically set your settings to your program line or to automatically set your ISO to your current settings.
These settings are found in the menu on page 4 of the camera settings under E-Dial Programming.

If using lenses without an A setting you can use the green button to stop the lens down to take a meter reading for correct exposure. This is only necessary for manual lenses with no A setting.

Hope this helps some.

Michael

**pepperberry farm** · 10-17-2015, 09:03 PM

couple of links that helped me when I started using manual lenses on my K-50:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...k-x-k-7-a.html

Shooting manual lenses on Pentax DSLRs « robertsdonovan.com

stevebrot · 10-17-2015, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy

So the camera sets the aperture itself when the lens ring's on A. Do I then choose shutter speed? It just seems so complex.

Attach lens, turn on camera, set focal length and shutter speed. Do I set the camera on manual focus and shutter priority?

I knew I should have gone on to get that third college degree.

Do you have your camera manual? If not, you can download a copy from:

Ricoh Japan: K-50 Manual (English)

Beyond that:

Put the aperture ring on the lens on the "A" position and confirm that it is locked in that position. There should be a small lock button on the ring.
Mount the lens on your camera
Turn the camera on and confirm the aperture and not "F--" is displayed on the rear LCD.
Turn AF on using the switch on the side of the camera
Put the mode button on "P" and shoot pictures of something stationary and in good light. They should be reasonably well exposed and in focus.

With an auto-focus lens and the aperture ring on the "A" position, your kit should work the same as with the lens that shipped with your camera.

Steve

Mass. Wine Guy · 10-17-2015, 09:17 PM

Thanks very much, everyone.

Good to know I can use auto mode. I'll see what I can do, though I'm still unsure about this camera.

**clackers** · 10-17-2015, 10:18 PM

Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy

Thanks very much, everyone.

Good to know I can use auto mode. I'll see what I can do, though I'm still unsure about this camera.

I don't think you're in any worse position than all of us when learning to use our first "real' camera.

Just leave it in 'P' mode if you want to use it as a very good Point and Shoot camera.

Try some things as your confidence picks up.

**Scorpio71GR** · 10-18-2015, 05:07 AM

Don't distress too much. There are plenty of knowledgeable people here to help you out. The K50 is a great camera.

Oldbayrunner · 10-18-2015, 05:42 AM

Somewhere in the recesses of my memory with the K30/K50 if one wants to use apertures with A lenses or use S or M lenses one not only needs to change the C menu setting to A permitted but also go to page 2 of the E dial programming and change the first line(?) toTV shift which if remembered correctly allows for pressing the green button to stop down.

Edit: I found this on the Ricoh site this may help you also;
http://support.us.ricoh-imaging.com/node/1536

Mass. Wine Guy · 10-18-2015, 05:45 AM

Hmm. Ok. Maybe I'll try taking it with me on vacation. But I'm leaning toward returning it for an OM-D M 10.

Thanks, all.

**Scorpio71GR** · 10-18-2015, 05:53 AM

Keep asking questions if needed you will find plenty of friendly people here. Give this a try to.
Pentax K-50 Review - Recommended Settings | PentaxForums.com Reviews

**pepperberry farm** · 10-18-2015, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy

Hmm. Ok. Maybe I'll try taking it with me on vacation. But I'm leaning toward returning it for an OM-D M 10.

Thanks, all.

why?

will the Olympus be magically-easier to use with manual lenses?

**UncleVanya** · 10-18-2015, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy

Hmm. Ok. Maybe I'll try taking it with me on vacation. But I'm leaning toward returning it for an OM-D M 10.

Thanks, all.

That is a nice camera but it lacks weather sealing and the only advantage with manual focus lenses I can see is that having an EVF it can meter and focus in stopped down mode while giving you a bright viewfinder image.

10-17-2015, 04:42 PM	#1
Mass. Wine Guy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 28	Going Crazy Getting Manual Focus Lens to Work I have a K-50 and a Sigma 35 - 200 mm K mount lens that's not auto focus. I've read a tutorial here about locking the aperture ring to A and changing the camera permission to allow this. Did those. But changing the green button value is eluding me. I can't find an option under any customization menu. If someone knows how, I'd be very grateful. I'm starting to think this camera is too complicated for me. Maybe it does have af. Unsure. SIGMA ZOOM II 75-300mm 4.5-5.6 for Pentax K-af Mount Last edited by Mass. Wine Guy; 10-17-2015 at 04:49 PM.

10-17-2015, 09:13 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy So the camera sets the aperture itself when the lens ring's on A. Do I then choose shutter speed? It just seems so complex. Attach lens, turn on camera, set focal length and shutter speed. Do I set the camera on manual focus and shutter priority? I knew I should have gone on to get that third college degree. Do you have your camera manual? If not, you can download a copy from: Ricoh Japan: K-50 Manual (English) Beyond that: Put the aperture ring on the lens on the "A" position and confirm that it is locked in that position. There should be a small lock button on the ring. Mount the lens on your camera Turn the camera on and confirm the aperture and not "F--" is displayed on the rear LCD. Turn AF on using the switch on the side of the camera Put the mode button on "P" and shoot pictures of something stationary and in good light. They should be reasonably well exposed and in focus. With an auto-focus lens and the aperture ring on the "A" position, your kit should work the same as with the lens that shipped with your camera. Steve

10-18-2015, 05:42 AM	#11
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,666	Somewhere in the recesses of my memory with the K30/K50 if one wants to use apertures with A lenses or use S or M lenses one not only needs to change the C menu setting to A permitted but also go to page 2 of the E dial programming and change the first line(?) toTV shift which if remembered correctly allows for pressing the green button to stop down. Edit: I found this on the Ricoh site this may help you also; http://support.us.ricoh-imaging.com/node/1536 Last edited by Oldbayrunner; 10-18-2015 at 05:46 AM. Reason: Added information

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What is your favorite lens to manual focus?	ZombieArmy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	27	07-06-2015 04:03 PM
how to focus perfectly with manual focus lens?	ghiaauto	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	09-30-2014 02:37 AM
How do I get this manual lens to work?	Michael Piziak	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	29	12-29-2013 02:13 PM
Getting a used manual len will it work?	atomic	Pentax K-r	12	10-22-2011 10:39 AM
going from K20D to GF1--crazy?	kpp80202	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	01-31-2010 09:39 AM

10-17-2015, 05:18 PM	#2
PPPPPP42 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 951	You are getting your topics crossed up a bit. If the lens has an A setting on the aperture ring then set it and leave it there and it should operate like any modern lens with the exception of needing to focus manually. If you want to manually set aperture on a lens with the A setting you use the dials on the camera to change it electronically, not turning the ring on the lens. The green button is used for lenses without the A setting where you have to set the aperture on the lens itself. Then you also need to set that permission in the camera since without the A setting the lens isn't communicating properly with the camera.

10-17-2015, 07:41 PM	#3
Mass. Wine Guy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 28 Original Poster	So the camera sets the aperture itself when the lens ring's on A. Do I then choose shutter speed? It just seems so complex. Attach lens, turn on camera, set focal length and shutter speed. Do I set the camera on manual focus and shutter priority? I knew I should have gone on to get that third college degree.

10-17-2015, 07:55 PM	#4
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy So the camera sets the aperture itself when the lens ring's on A. Do I then choose shutter speed? It just seems so complex. Attach lens, turn on camera, set focal length and shutter speed. Do I set the camera on manual focus and shutter priority? I knew I should have gone on to get that third college degree. You definitely don't need a degree. With the aperture set to A you can vary any of shutter speed, aperture and ISO with your camera's normal controls, no need to touch the lens again.

10-17-2015, 08:41 PM	#5
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,037	As long as the aperture ring is set to A the camera will set the aperture. If you use Auto mode the camera will do everything for you. As for other modes it depends on what you are shooting. In the other modes you can adjust settings using the front and rear dials. This is how my K50 is set up. You change what the front and rear dials do in the menus. SV: Sensitivity Priority, front dial adjusts f stop, rear dial adust ISO, shutter speed changes according to adjustments. TV: Shutter Priority, front dial adjusts shutter speed, rear dial adjusts ISO, shutter speed changes according to adjustments. AV: Aperture Priority, front dial ISO, rear dial aperture, shutter speed changes according to adjustments TAv: Shutter and Aperture Priority, front dial sets shutter speed, rear dial sets apeture, ISO changes according to adjustments. You can set the green button to automatically set your settings to your program line or to automatically set your ISO to your current settings. These settings are found in the menu on page 4 of the camera settings under E-Dial Programming. If using lenses without an A setting you can use the green button to stop the lens down to take a meter reading for correct exposure. This is only necessary for manual lenses with no A setting. Hope this helps some. Michael

10-17-2015, 09:03 PM	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781	couple of links that helped me when I started using manual lenses on my K-50: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...k-x-k-7-a.html Shooting manual lenses on Pentax DSLRs « robertsdonovan.com

10-17-2015, 09:17 PM	#8
Mass. Wine Guy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 28 Original Poster	Thanks very much, everyone. Good to know I can use auto mode. I'll see what I can do, though I'm still unsure about this camera.

10-17-2015, 10:18 PM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy Thanks very much, everyone. Good to know I can use auto mode. I'll see what I can do, though I'm still unsure about this camera. I don't think you're in any worse position than all of us when learning to use our first "real' camera. Just leave it in 'P' mode if you want to use it as a very good Point and Shoot camera. Try some things as your confidence picks up.

10-18-2015, 05:07 AM	#10
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,037	Don't distress too much. There are plenty of knowledgeable people here to help you out. The K50 is a great camera.

10-18-2015, 05:45 AM	#12
Mass. Wine Guy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 28 Original Poster	Hmm. Ok. Maybe I'll try taking it with me on vacation. But I'm leaning toward returning it for an OM-D M 10. Thanks, all.

10-18-2015, 05:53 AM	#13
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,037	Keep asking questions if needed you will find plenty of friendly people here. Give this a try to. Pentax K-50 Review - Recommended Settings \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

10-18-2015, 06:12 AM	#14
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781	Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy Hmm. Ok. Maybe I'll try taking it with me on vacation. But I'm leaning toward returning it for an OM-D M 10. Thanks, all. why? will the Olympus be magically-easier to use with manual lenses?

10-18-2015, 06:33 AM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,468	Originally posted by Mass. Wine Guy Hmm. Ok. Maybe I'll try taking it with me on vacation. But I'm leaning toward returning it for an OM-D M 10. Thanks, all. That is a nice camera but it lacks weather sealing and the only advantage with manual focus lenses I can see is that having an EVF it can meter and focus in stopped down mode while giving you a bright viewfinder image.