[Domer]

Hi folks!

I'm the happy owner of a K-x for almost two years now, and in cleaning out my dad's garage, I found some old lenses. I've got a Vivitar 35mm f2.8 "TX" tread mount lens, and a Montgomery Ward 85mm to 205mm thread mount zoom lens.

Can anybody recommend a lens adapter for these finds, or are they just paperweights?

[f750k]

for the screw mount lens there is an pentax original and generic m42 or universal thread adapter for various brands of old lenses- takumar, tamron,sigma,sears,etc. go to the pentax forum lens data base and search there.

for generic brands (chinesemade usually, get the one which is similar to the penrax original adapter as there are generic brands which will not focus to infinity. generics will cost about US$15-25 while the original pentax adapter will cost about US$25 to40. ebay has many sellers. for the vivitar tx mount lens. vivitar issued a set of lens in the 80s wherein you need a tx mount to fit the lens to the camera, each brand has its own tx mount so that for one lens all you need are various tx adapters to use the lens with many camera brands,canon, nikon, penmtax,minolta,etc.

[f750k]

before you get an adapter just browse the pentax forum lens database to find out if the performance of those lenses will be worth getting an adapter. or search the net for lens reviews on the said lenses. also you did noit mention if the lenses are still working properly and without fungus, that is still a factor to consider, cleaning cost.

[RioRico]

The Vivitar TX-mount may be a good lens, but TX-PK or TX-M42 adapters are hard to find, and not cheap. If it lacks an adapter your best options are either to find a cheap lens with a TX adapter, or just hang on to it and sell it when/if it's worth something. If it has a TX-M42 adapter on it, then a cheap M42-PK adapter will make it usable.

The Monkey-Wards zoom may be a generic item made by Kiron or who knows? -- OK but no superstar. If it's heavy (over 800g), 85-205mm f/3.8 with a serial number starting with 22, it's Kiron and may be worth US$20. I've bought and sold a couple of these. Decent optics, but clumsy to use on a dSLR. But it's worth trying with a cheap M42-PK adapter. You might like it.

Yes, if these lenses are in good shape, not encrusted in fungus, then they'll be interesting to use on your Kx. Have fun!