Just got my first DSLR, a K-5! Any tips on using manual lenses?

Ropuchy · 08-11-2018, 10:37 AM

Hello!

My K-5 came early! It was estimated to come Monday, but came Saturday!

The battery is charging while I write this, I got it out of the box a little bit ago.

Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general.

I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit...

**twilhelm** · 08-11-2018, 10:55 AM - **1 Like**

If you have A series lenses- set the aperture to “A” and you control the aperture through the body. You just have to manually focus.
For K and M series, you set the aperture on the lens, in the menu you must set “use aperture ring” on. Set the camera to Manual and use stop down or green button metering. Some older lenses can be off by up to 1 1/2 stops on the K5, so check the histogram after the shot and adjust as needed.

You are better off to be a little underexposed rather than overexposed.

Good luck and enjoy!

Ropuchy · 08-11-2018, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by twilhelm

If you have A series lenses- set the aperture to “A” and you control the aperture through the body. You just have to manually focus.
For K and M series, you set the aperture on the lens, in the menu you must set “use aperture ring” on. Set the camera to Manual and use stop down or green button metering. Some older lenses can be off by up to 1 1/2 stops on the K5, so check the histogram after the shot and adjust as needed.

You are better off to be a little underexposed rather than overexposed.

Good luck and enjoy!

Alright!

One of my lenses has Aperture Priority mode. Would that be an A-series lens, or is it something different?

And yeah, I'll have to see how much each lens might be off.
Thanks!

**Videopilot** · 08-11-2018, 11:13 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ropuchy

Alright!

One of my lenses has Aperture Priority mode. Would that be an A-series lens, or is it something different?

And yeah, I'll have to see how much each lens might be off.
Thanks!

What twilhelm said.

The K-5 is a great camera, had one for awhile and loved it.Enjoy it.

**Cerebum** · 08-11-2018, 11:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ropuchy

Hello!

My K-5 came early! It was estimated to come Monday, but came Saturday!

The battery is charging while I write this, I got it out of the box a little bit ago.

Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general.

I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit...

Woohoo

there is a thread somewhere on here that tells you the best settings. Enjoy

Ropuchy · 08-11-2018, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by Videopilot

What twilhelm said.

The K-5 is a great camera, had one for awhile and loved it.Enjoy it.

Yeah, I'm having a blast with it! Trying to take pictures of this gigantic caterpillar on the vines outside my window!

---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 11:25 AM ----------

Originally posted by Cerebum

Woohoo

there is a thread somewhere on here that tells you the best settings. Enjoy

Alright, I'll go look for it!
Yeah, thanks!

**boriscleto** · 08-11-2018, 12:13 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ropuchy

Alright!

One of my lenses has Aperture Priority mode. Would that be an A-series lens, or is it something different?

And yeah, I'll have to see how much each lens might be off.
Thanks!

A mode is different than Aperture Priority (which is an exposure mode on the camera). The A setting was originally for Shutter Priority. Aperture was set using the aperture ring for Aperture Priority before the 'crippled' K-mount.

On the K-5 the A setting will allow you to use all of the exposure modes, and to set aperture from the camera body.

For lenses without the A contacts you will have to use M mode and the Green Button for stop-down metering. Make sure that you set Using Aperture Ring to Enabled in the Custom menu.

Pentax Green Button Guide - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Using Manual Lenses (M42 Screwmount, M , K) on Pentax DSLRs F-- - PentaxForums.com

Ropuchy · 08-11-2018, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

A mode is different than Aperture Priority (which is an exposure mode on the camera). The A setting was originally for Shutter Priority. Aperture was set using the aperture ring for Aperture Priority before the 'crippled' K-mount.

On the K-5 the A setting will allow you to use all of the exposure modes, and to set aperture from the camera body.

For lenses without the A contacts you will have to use M mode and the Green Button for stop-down metering. Make sure that you set Using Aperture Ring to Enabled in the Custom menu.

Pentax Green Button Guide - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Using Manual Lenses (M42 Screwmount, M , K) on Pentax DSLRs F-- - PentaxForums.com

Ok, thanks for the clarification!
Yep, I've got the Aperture Ring option enabled and have been messing around in Manual.

**david94903** · 08-11-2018, 12:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Cerebum

is a thread somewhere on here that tells you the best settings.

Congratulations on the K-5. Fantastic camera. I still have my K-5 and K-5iis. Hard to let them go.

As for settings, there are a few old threads that might help...

Pentax K-5 Review - Walkthrough | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Recommended settings for new K-5 owner - PentaxForums.com

K-5 setting for sports - PentaxForums.com

Setting ISO 100 on K-5? - PentaxForums.com

Ropuchy · 08-11-2018, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by david94903

Congratulations on the K-5. Fantastic camera. I still have my K-5 and K-5iis. Hard to let them go.

As for settings, there are a few old threads that might help...

Pentax K-5 Review - Walkthrough | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Recommended settings for new K-5 owner - PentaxForums.com

K-5 setting for sports - PentaxForums.com

Setting ISO 100 on K-5? - PentaxForums.com

Yeah, I'm very glad I got it! I've been having a lot of fun shooting some macro-ish shots.

Alright, I'll look through those once I have more time. Thanks!

BirdDude007 · 08-11-2018, 01:29 PM - **2 Likes**

I really like using the A lenses, I can set the camera in whatever mode I want and the just worry about mailing the fo us, I dislike having to constantly step down the lens on every shot it take.....but that's just me....

alamo5000 · 08-11-2018, 01:58 PM - **1 Like**

Tip #1. Try to wear out the shutter on the camera

Tip #2. Experiment a lot. It's free. While you are at it start keeping a small notebook so when you have aha! moments you can write it down.

GlennG · 08-11-2018, 01:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ropuchy

Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general.

I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit...

Congrats. I have a K-5 and it is indeed fine. My initial SLR experience was with a film Pentax and I just thought the split screen for focusing was just how it would always be done. Imagine my dismay when the DSLR's i found DON'T have the split screen! So focusing manual lenses was much more difficult for me and the results were more varied. I'm told that the k-5 has live view but I have not tried it. If I was using only manual lenses, that is what I think I'd try.

I think it is wise to read the manual, and maybe some other photo texts, depending on your prior level of experience.

And be sure to have fun!

Ropuchy · 08-11-2018, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by alamo5000

Tip #1. Try to wear out the shutter on the camera

Tip #2. Experiment a lot. It's free. While you are at it start keeping a small notebook so when you have aha! moments you can write it down.

Yeah, I got a 64GB SD card, so I've got a lot of photos I can take!
Good idea with the notes. I'll write them down on my phone when I come across them!

---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 02:11 PM ----------

Originally posted by GlennG

Congrats. I have a K-5 and it is indeed fine. My initial SLR experience was with a film Pentax and I just thought the split screen for focusing was just how it would always be done. Imagine my dismay when the DSLR's i found DON'T have the split screen! So focusing manual lenses was much more difficult for me and the results were more varied. I'm told that the k-5 has live view but I have not tried it. If I was using only manual lenses, that is what I think I'd try.

I think it is wise to read the manual, and maybe some other photo texts, depending on your prior level of experience.

And be sure to have fun!

Yeah, I'd love to have split-screen focusing on the K-5. But it's alright without it. There's a button on the back that has "LV" printed on it. That's the live view button. I've noticed it's great for shots where you don't want to press your face down against the ground

And yeah, the whole point of getting a DSLR was to have fun with it! I sure have been so far.
I posted some photos I've taken in my other thread: What's a decent budget DSLR for a newbie? - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

**aslyfox** · 08-11-2018, 02:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ropuchy

Hello!

My K-5 came early! It was estimated to come Monday, but came Saturday!

The battery is charging while I write this, I got it out of the box a little bit ago.

Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general.

I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit...

are you sure you should be using it

may be you should wait until Monday before using it

as originally planned ?

________________________

if you have any money left, you might consider this:

Instantly download your Pentax eBook! (K-1, K-70,K-3, K-5, K-50, K-S2 and more DSLRs) - PentaxForums.com

and this might help with the focusing:

PENTAX Magnifier Eyecup O-ME53

https://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/pentax-magnifier-eyecup-o-me53.html

___________________________________________________________________

as others have said, have fun with it

and if you want, let us see the results

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08-11-2018, 10:37 AM	#1
Ropuchy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 207	Just got my first DSLR, a K-5! Any tips on using manual lenses? Hello! My K-5 came early! It was estimated to come Monday, but came Saturday! The battery is charging while I write this, I got it out of the box a little bit ago. Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general. I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit...

08-11-2018, 10:55 AM - 1 Like	#2
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	If you have A series lenses- set the aperture to “A” and you control the aperture through the body. You just have to manually focus. For K and M series, you set the aperture on the lens, in the menu you must set “use aperture ring” on. Set the camera to Manual and use stop down or green button metering. Some older lenses can be off by up to 1 1/2 stops on the K5, so check the histogram after the shot and adjust as needed. You are better off to be a little underexposed rather than overexposed. Good luck and enjoy!

08-11-2018, 11:01 AM	#3
Ropuchy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by twilhelm If you have A series lenses- set the aperture to “A” and you control the aperture through the body. You just have to manually focus. For K and M series, you set the aperture on the lens, in the menu you must set “use aperture ring” on. Set the camera to Manual and use stop down or green button metering. Some older lenses can be off by up to 1 1/2 stops on the K5, so check the histogram after the shot and adjust as needed. You are better off to be a little underexposed rather than overexposed. Good luck and enjoy! Alright! One of my lenses has Aperture Priority mode. Would that be an A-series lens, or is it something different? And yeah, I'll have to see how much each lens might be off. Thanks!

08-11-2018, 11:13 AM - 1 Like	#4
Videopilot Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Jersey Photos: Albums Posts: 481	Originally posted by Ropuchy Alright! One of my lenses has Aperture Priority mode. Would that be an A-series lens, or is it something different? And yeah, I'll have to see how much each lens might be off. Thanks! What twilhelm said. The K-5 is a great camera, had one for awhile and loved it.Enjoy it.

08-11-2018, 11:19 AM - 1 Like	#5
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by Ropuchy Hello! My K-5 came early! It was estimated to come Monday, but came Saturday! The battery is charging while I write this, I got it out of the box a little bit ago. Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general. I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit... Woohoo there is a thread somewhere on here that tells you the best settings. Enjoy

08-11-2018, 11:24 AM	#6
Ropuchy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by Videopilot What twilhelm said. The K-5 is a great camera, had one for awhile and loved it.Enjoy it. Yeah, I'm having a blast with it! Trying to take pictures of this gigantic caterpillar on the vines outside my window! ---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 11:25 AM ---------- Originally posted by Cerebum Woohoo there is a thread somewhere on here that tells you the best settings. Enjoy Alright, I'll go look for it! Yeah, thanks!

08-11-2018, 12:13 PM - 1 Like	#7
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by Ropuchy Alright! One of my lenses has Aperture Priority mode. Would that be an A-series lens, or is it something different? And yeah, I'll have to see how much each lens might be off. Thanks! A mode is different than Aperture Priority (which is an exposure mode on the camera). The A setting was originally for Shutter Priority. Aperture was set using the aperture ring for Aperture Priority before the 'crippled' K-mount. On the K-5 the A setting will allow you to use all of the exposure modes, and to set aperture from the camera body. For lenses without the A contacts you will have to use M mode and the Green Button for stop-down metering. Make sure that you set Using Aperture Ring to Enabled in the Custom menu. Pentax Green Button Guide - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com Using Manual Lenses (M42 Screwmount, M , K) on Pentax DSLRs F-- - PentaxForums.com

08-11-2018, 12:23 PM	#8
Ropuchy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto A mode is different than Aperture Priority (which is an exposure mode on the camera). The A setting was originally for Shutter Priority. Aperture was set using the aperture ring for Aperture Priority before the 'crippled' K-mount. On the K-5 the A setting will allow you to use all of the exposure modes, and to set aperture from the camera body. For lenses without the A contacts you will have to use M mode and the Green Button for stop-down metering. Make sure that you set Using Aperture Ring to Enabled in the Custom menu. Pentax Green Button Guide - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com Using Manual Lenses (M42 Screwmount, M , K) on Pentax DSLRs F-- - PentaxForums.com Ok, thanks for the clarification! Yep, I've got the Aperture Ring option enabled and have been messing around in Manual.

08-11-2018, 12:34 PM - 1 Like	#9
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	Originally posted by Cerebum is a thread somewhere on here that tells you the best settings. Congratulations on the K-5. Fantastic camera. I still have my K-5 and K-5iis. Hard to let them go. As for settings, there are a few old threads that might help... Pentax K-5 Review - Walkthrough \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Recommended settings for new K-5 owner - PentaxForums.com K-5 setting for sports - PentaxForums.com Setting ISO 100 on K-5? - PentaxForums.com

08-11-2018, 01:24 PM	#10
Ropuchy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by david94903 Congratulations on the K-5. Fantastic camera. I still have my K-5 and K-5iis. Hard to let them go. As for settings, there are a few old threads that might help... Pentax K-5 Review - Walkthrough \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Recommended settings for new K-5 owner - PentaxForums.com K-5 setting for sports - PentaxForums.com Setting ISO 100 on K-5? - PentaxForums.com Yeah, I'm very glad I got it! I've been having a lot of fun shooting some macro-ish shots. Alright, I'll look through those once I have more time. Thanks!

08-11-2018, 01:29 PM - 2 Likes	#11
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	I really like using the A lenses, I can set the camera in whatever mode I want and the just worry about mailing the fo us, I dislike having to constantly step down the lens on every shot it take.....but that's just me....

08-11-2018, 01:58 PM - 1 Like	#12
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Tip #1. Try to wear out the shutter on the camera Tip #2. Experiment a lot. It's free. While you are at it start keeping a small notebook so when you have aha! moments you can write it down.

08-11-2018, 01:59 PM - 1 Like	#13
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	Originally posted by Ropuchy Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general. I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit... Congrats. I have a K-5 and it is indeed fine. My initial SLR experience was with a film Pentax and I just thought the split screen for focusing was just how it would always be done. Imagine my dismay when the DSLR's i found DON'T have the split screen! So focusing manual lenses was much more difficult for me and the results were more varied. I'm told that the k-5 has live view but I have not tried it. If I was using only manual lenses, that is what I think I'd try. I think it is wise to read the manual, and maybe some other photo texts, depending on your prior level of experience. And be sure to have fun!

08-11-2018, 02:07 PM	#14
Ropuchy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by alamo5000 Tip #1. Try to wear out the shutter on the camera Tip #2. Experiment a lot. It's free. While you are at it start keeping a small notebook so when you have aha! moments you can write it down. Yeah, I got a 64GB SD card, so I've got a lot of photos I can take! Good idea with the notes. I'll write them down on my phone when I come across them! ---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 02:11 PM ---------- Originally posted by GlennG Congrats. I have a K-5 and it is indeed fine. My initial SLR experience was with a film Pentax and I just thought the split screen for focusing was just how it would always be done. Imagine my dismay when the DSLR's i found DON'T have the split screen! So focusing manual lenses was much more difficult for me and the results were more varied. I'm told that the k-5 has live view but I have not tried it. If I was using only manual lenses, that is what I think I'd try. I think it is wise to read the manual, and maybe some other photo texts, depending on your prior level of experience. And be sure to have fun! Yeah, I'd love to have split-screen focusing on the K-5. But it's alright without it. There's a button on the back that has "LV" printed on it. That's the live view button. I've noticed it's great for shots where you don't want to press your face down against the ground And yeah, the whole point of getting a DSLR was to have fun with it! I sure have been so far. I posted some photos I've taken in my other thread: What's a decent budget DSLR for a newbie? - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

08-11-2018, 02:15 PM - 1 Like	#15
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by Ropuchy Hello! My K-5 came early! It was estimated to come Monday, but came Saturday! The battery is charging while I write this, I got it out of the box a little bit ago. Anywho, does anyone have any good tips and suggestions for using this camera with manual lenses? Or just any tips in general. I have the manual, which I plan to read through, but it's going to take a bit... are you sure you should be using it may be you should wait until Monday before using it as originally planned ? ________________________ if you have any money left, you might consider this: Instantly download your Pentax eBook! (K-1, K-70,K-3, K-5, K-50, K-S2 and more DSLRs) - PentaxForums.com and this might help with the focusing: PENTAX Magnifier Eyecup O-ME53 https://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/pentax-magnifier-eyecup-o-me53.html ___________________________________________________________________ as others have said, have fun with it and if you want, let us see the results