Does this lens autofocus on K-7 and K-x

pakuchn · 12-16-2009, 02:52 PM

PENTAX FA Lens for Digital SLRs and Compacts: smc PENTAX FA 50mm F1.4

pat_123 · 12-16-2009, 02:59 PM

Yes it does.

pakuchn · 12-16-2009, 03:00 PM

Thanks.

Is it safe to assume that all Pentax lenses will autofocus?

**Ash** · 12-16-2009, 03:00 PM

One of the most popular autofocus lenses for Pentax.

Not quite.
See here for more info on the different types of lenses Pentax released:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-articles/64298-pentax-lenses-explained.html

Also see here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/50147-50mm-f-1-4-len...ic-bullet.html

**dadipentak** · 12-16-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

Thanks.

Is it safe to assume that all Pentax lenses will autofocus?

Well, no, not really--it's a bit more complicated than that. Pentax made a lot of manual focus lenses, you know. A little home work is a good idea: the reference Ash recommended is a good one.

Marc Sabatella · 12-16-2009, 09:11 PM

All autofocus lenses will autofocus; no manual focus lenses will - simple as that. There are no lenses that are autofocus lenses but don't autofocus on a given camera (well, except for a couple of newer lenses that won't autofcous on older cameras).

GerryL · 12-18-2009, 03:59 PM

Here's another way to tell them apart if just looking at photos.
If you look at the mount end, if it has electrical contacts, then more than likely it is an autofocus lens.
The manual focus lenses usually just has the "A" pin or one (1) "electrical" looking contact with the other ones as plastic plugs or insulators.

GerryL · 12-18-2009, 04:34 PM

Something like this:

First photo with a lot of contact (full) is AF lens.
Second photo is Pentax-A Manual Focus lens (with "A" pin in the middle).

Actually the AF lens has a screw drive but kinda hard to illustrate from the photo.

pakuchn · 12-18-2009, 06:18 PM

So, how do I tell which lenses here have autofocus?
Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

Peter Zack · 12-18-2009, 06:26 PM

Just look at the designation. DFA, DA, DA L, DA and DA* are all auto focus. Then with older lenses look for FA. FA J, FA* or F. Anything before those are manual focus.

Check the database here for more info as well

Peter Zack · 12-18-2009, 06:28 PM

GerryL Geez you trying to confuse a guy? The contact may mean AF and may not. It's the screwdrive that tells you.. But better yet, every single lens on the Pentax site is auto focus.

noblepa · 12-18-2009, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

So, how do I tell which lenses here have autofocus?
Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

All Pentax lenses that are currently in production are autofocus lenses. So, all the lenses on that site are AF lenses.

Any lens that is called F, FA, DA or D FA is an autofocus lens. Others are not. The F-series are the first generation of Pentax AF lenses, for film cameras. None are being made, but if you buy one used, it will work on a Pentax dslr, with no problems or limitations.

The DA lenses are specifically designed for the APS-C sensor used in all Pentax dslrs. They will physically mount and function on a film autofocus camera, but they may or may not cast a large enough image to fill the 35mm film frame. The FA and D FA lenses do not have this limitation.

GerryL · 12-19-2009, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

GerryL Geez you trying to confuse a guy? The contact may mean AF and may not. It's the screwdrive that tells you.. But better yet, every single lens on the Pentax site is auto focus.

Haha..sorry! I actually did say about the screwdrive but wasn't able to show it. LOL!

I also said if there was only a picture available...heh,heh..a little fine print there.
Anyway, as I always say.."when in doubt..ask"

Sorry, actually more confusing for a noob since still doesn't know what to actually look for if he hasn't done his research on lenses too...my bad!

pakuchn · 12-19-2009, 06:17 PM

Thank you all. And which lens should I get to be able to take pictures in low indoor lights of kids, dinners, etc. I have a $800 limit.

erickallemeyn · 12-19-2009, 06:21 PM

50mm 1.4 - $399 - Amazon.com: Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens: Camera & Photo

12-16-2009, 02:52 PM	#1
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166	Does this lens autofocus on K-7 and K-x PENTAX FA Lens for Digital SLRs and Compacts: smc PENTAX FA 50mm F1.4

12-18-2009, 04:34 PM	#8
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Something like this: First photo with a lot of contact (full) is AF lens. Second photo is Pentax-A Manual Focus lens (with "A" pin in the middle). Actually the AF lens has a screw drive but kinda hard to illustrate from the photo. Attached Images

12-18-2009, 06:26 PM	#10
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Just look at the designation. DFA, DA, DA L, DA and DA* are all auto focus. Then with older lenses look for FA. FA J, FA* or F. Anything before those are manual focus. Check the database here for more info as well Last edited by Peter Zack; 12-18-2009 at 06:32 PM.

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12-16-2009, 02:59 PM	#2
pat_123 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Calif Posts: 43	Yes it does.

12-16-2009, 03:00 PM	#3
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thanks. Is it safe to assume that all Pentax lenses will autofocus?

12-16-2009, 03:00 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	One of the most popular autofocus lenses for Pentax. Not quite. See here for more info on the different types of lenses Pentax released: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-articles/64298-pentax-lenses-explained.html Also see here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/50147-50mm-f-1-4-len...ic-bullet.html

12-16-2009, 04:31 PM	#5
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by pakuchn Thanks. Is it safe to assume that all Pentax lenses will autofocus? Well, no, not really--it's a bit more complicated than that. Pentax made a lot of manual focus lenses, you know. A little home work is a good idea: the reference Ash recommended is a good one.

12-16-2009, 09:11 PM	#6
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	All autofocus lenses will autofocus; no manual focus lenses will - simple as that. There are no lenses that are autofocus lenses but don't autofocus on a given camera (well, except for a couple of newer lenses that won't autofcous on older cameras).

12-18-2009, 03:59 PM	#7
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Here's another way to tell them apart if just looking at photos. If you look at the mount end, if it has electrical contacts, then more than likely it is an autofocus lens. The manual focus lenses usually just has the "A" pin or one (1) "electrical" looking contact with the other ones as plastic plugs or insulators.

12-18-2009, 06:18 PM	#9
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	So, how do I tell which lenses here have autofocus? Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

12-18-2009, 06:28 PM	#11
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	GerryL Geez you trying to confuse a guy? The contact may mean AF and may not. It's the screwdrive that tells you.. But better yet, every single lens on the Pentax site is auto focus.

12-18-2009, 06:34 PM	#12
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Originally posted by pakuchn So, how do I tell which lenses here have autofocus? Camera Lens - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site All Pentax lenses that are currently in production are autofocus lenses. So, all the lenses on that site are AF lenses. Any lens that is called F, FA, DA or D FA is an autofocus lens. Others are not. The F-series are the first generation of Pentax AF lenses, for film cameras. None are being made, but if you buy one used, it will work on a Pentax dslr, with no problems or limitations. The DA lenses are specifically designed for the APS-C sensor used in all Pentax dslrs. They will physically mount and function on a film autofocus camera, but they may or may not cast a large enough image to fill the 35mm film frame. The FA and D FA lenses do not have this limitation.

12-19-2009, 05:05 PM	#13
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by Peter Zack GerryL Geez you trying to confuse a guy? The contact may mean AF and may not. It's the screwdrive that tells you.. But better yet, every single lens on the Pentax site is auto focus. Haha..sorry! I actually did say about the screwdrive but wasn't able to show it. LOL! I also said if there was only a picture available...heh,heh..a little fine print there. Anyway, as I always say.."when in doubt..ask" Sorry, actually more confusing for a noob since still doesn't know what to actually look for if he hasn't done his research on lenses too...my bad!

12-19-2009, 06:17 PM	#14
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thank you all. And which lens should I get to be able to take pictures in low indoor lights of kids, dinners, etc. I have a $800 limit.

12-19-2009, 06:21 PM	#15
erickallemeyn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United States Posts: 112	50mm 1.4 - $399 - Amazon.com: Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens: Camera & Photo