Mirror Lens on ist DL assistance

Moose · 09-07-2007, 03:25 AM

Good evening all,

My name is John, long time reader, first time poster so I hope one of you fine fellow Pentax people can help me.

OK the line up looks like this;

- Pentax ist DL set to MF and with Allow Appature Ring in the setup
- Soligor 500mm Mirror Lens (With three F-stops or ND filters if you like.

The Problem:

Basically I cant get the damn thing to recognise focus.

As I said above, the camera is set in MF, no matter what I do I cant get the green focus alert to come on. Interestingly, I thought I would try trap focusing it, but when I switch from MF to AF, it just stays in MF.

I have used an Asahi 50mm 1.7 MF with no problems, beeps away to its hearts content.

Anyone know why this is and any work arounds?

Cheers
Moose

skaktuss · 09-07-2007, 03:48 AM

I don't know for sure, but try to find something like "FI with S lens used"!

MPrince · 09-07-2007, 03:53 AM

I have a k100d, not a ist dl, and I have a spiratone 500mm mirror lens, not a soligor.

Nevertheless, I'll try to help

On the k100d in the custom setting menu is a setting called "FI with S lens used". The options are Unavailabe and Available.

When set to Available, focus indication works.

If the soligor is a screw-mount lens, and if the ist dl has a similar menu function, give it a try.

Moose · 09-07-2007, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by MPrince

I have a k100d, not a ist dl, and I have a spiratone 500mm mirror lens, not a soligor.

Nevertheless, I'll try to help

On the k100d in the custom setting menu is a setting called "FI with S lens used". The options are Unavailabe and Available.

When set to Available, focus indication works.

If the soligor is a screw-mount lens, and if the ist dl has a similar menu function, give it a try.

Matt you are a gentleman and a scholar, it worked a treat.

Thanks for your help.

Do I need to switch it back at all, or can I leave it?

Cheers
John

MPrince · 09-07-2007, 04:23 AM

You can leave it the way it is -- all it does is enable focus indication for screwmount lenses. No need to switch settings back and forth when you change lenses.

**LeoTaylor** · 09-10-2007, 08:24 PM

I use that setting to allow shake reduction with an old 2x multiplier that did not pass any electrical contacts through. I leave it on, the only surprise is if I power up with a lens cap on the camera prompts for the cap's focal length. It won't proceed until I enter a bogus FL

I wish Pentax did not have such cryptic options. The "S lens" means screw mount and yet the option is useful for any bayonet lens where the contacts are not available.

09-07-2007, 03:25 AM	#1
Moose Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 58	Mirror Lens on ist DL assistance Good evening all, My name is John, long time reader, first time poster so I hope one of you fine fellow Pentax people can help me. OK the line up looks like this; - Pentax ist DL set to MF and with Allow Appature Ring in the setup - Soligor 500mm Mirror Lens (With three F-stops or ND filters if you like. The Problem: Basically I cant get the damn thing to recognise focus. As I said above, the camera is set in MF, no matter what I do I cant get the green focus alert to come on. Interestingly, I thought I would try trap focusing it, but when I switch from MF to AF, it just stays in MF. I have used an Asahi 50mm 1.7 MF with no problems, beeps away to its hearts content. Anyone know why this is and any work arounds? Cheers Moose

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09-07-2007, 03:48 AM	#2
skaktuss Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Latvia Photos: Gallery Posts: 259	I don't know for sure, but try to find something like "FI with S lens used"!

09-07-2007, 03:53 AM	#3
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	I have a k100d, not a ist dl, and I have a spiratone 500mm mirror lens, not a soligor. Nevertheless, I'll try to help On the k100d in the custom setting menu is a setting called "FI with S lens used". The options are Unavailabe and Available. When set to Available, focus indication works. If the soligor is a screw-mount lens, and if the ist dl has a similar menu function, give it a try.

09-07-2007, 04:07 AM	#4
Moose Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 58 Original Poster	Originally posted by MPrince I have a k100d, not a ist dl, and I have a spiratone 500mm mirror lens, not a soligor. Nevertheless, I'll try to help On the k100d in the custom setting menu is a setting called "FI with S lens used". The options are Unavailabe and Available. When set to Available, focus indication works. If the soligor is a screw-mount lens, and if the ist dl has a similar menu function, give it a try. Matt you are a gentleman and a scholar, it worked a treat. Thanks for your help. Do I need to switch it back at all, or can I leave it? Cheers John

09-07-2007, 04:23 AM	#5
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	You can leave it the way it is -- all it does is enable focus indication for screwmount lenses. No need to switch settings back and forth when you change lenses.

09-10-2007, 08:24 PM	#6
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	I use that setting to allow shake reduction with an old 2x multiplier that did not pass any electrical contacts through. I leave it on, the only surprise is if I power up with a lens cap on the camera prompts for the cap's focal length. It won't proceed until I enter a bogus FL I wish Pentax did not have such cryptic options. The "S lens" means screw mount and yet the option is useful for any bayonet lens where the contacts are not available.