k10d Lens Compatibility

llimmj · 09-27-2008, 05:01 PM

Hi everyone... great forum that you have here, I hope that someone can help me out. I recently purchased a K10D from one of your members. It seems to be in immaculate condition, and I could be happier, except for one small factor... I can't take any pictures.

I assume that I have chosen an incompatible lens so was hoping that someone could confirm this and maybe give me some advice so that I don't make the same mistake again.

Here's the lens: SMC Pentax-A 1:1.7 50mm

Now, I had read that the k10d was compatible with the KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses. Isn't the Pentax-A a KA Mount lens?

If I remove the lens, the camera seems to operate normally, but with the lens attached nothing happens. Thanks in advance... Joe

Stratman · 09-27-2008, 05:05 PM

Do you have the lenses aperture ring set to the "A" position? If you do not, you should try it

You'll be able to use all of the exposure modes that way. If you want to use the aperture ring, you'll need to go to the custom menu, and scroll for "Using aperture ring" and set that to "Permitted" then shoot in Manual mode, set your aperture with the ring, then hit the green button to set your shutter speed. And you can use ANY Pentax K mount lens on your K10D, but the old manual lenses require stop down metering with the green button. ( you can also use 3rd party K mount lenses, but there are a few out there that may cause problems, such as ones designed for Ricoh program type SLRs , there is a pin on those lenses that MAY cause the lens to get stuck on your camera )

llimmj · 09-27-2008, 05:12 PM

Stratman... thanks so much... problem solved. I have much to learn... being able to take pictures is a good first step! Thanks again.

Stratman · 09-27-2008, 05:14 PM

I went through the exact same thing the first day I had my K110D, tried a fully manual lens, and got the flashing F in the LCD, figured it out, and been using manual lenses a lot since !! Happy shooting !!

Stratman · 09-27-2008, 05:33 PM

AND, you can also use the old screw mount lenses with the proper adapter....

**Canada_Rockies** · 09-27-2008, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by Stratman

AND, you can also use the old screw mount lenses with the proper adapter....

... Providing you set [Using Aperture Ring] to [Enabled] in the Custom menu.

Stratman · 09-27-2008, 09:41 PM

Good point Albert, forgot to mention that, lol

**Canada_Rockies** · 09-27-2008, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by Stratman

Good point Albert, forgot to mention that, lol

Yeah, but right after I posted it, I noticed someone had already mentioned it above.

since that someone was, er, uh, YOU, and you mentioned it there I need a few more red face smilies.

Damn Brit · 09-27-2008, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Yeah, but right after I posted it, I noticed someone had already mentioned it above.

since that someone was, er, uh, YOU, and you mentioned it there I need a few more red face smilies.

Nothing wrong with reiteration Albert.

**Ash** · 09-27-2008, 10:29 PM

And... as other members have mentioned before, you can even use Canon and Nikon lenses

with the right adapters too...

Happy snapping.

llimmj · 09-27-2008, 10:52 PM

Very cool... I have a friend who is about ready to make the switch from Canon to Nikon... I might have to take some of the Canon lenses off his hands

**Ash** · 09-28-2008, 01:06 AM

But why you would want to is beyond me!
Pentax has comparable glassware and would have fewer problems with the auto features.
I certainly couldn't vouch for those Canon lenses being autofocus on the K10D regardless of the adapter you find.

Your A 50/1.7 is one of the best rated fast fifties - enjoy it!

Bramela · 09-28-2008, 01:26 AM

I reiterate Ash's comments. I feel that you would need to have a really good reason to go for Canon lenses, when the range of Pentax lens from as far back as 30-40 years is great. There some really superlative lens there and nowhere near as expensive as Canon (in most cases)!

llimmj · 09-28-2008, 11:33 AM

Thanks to everyone for the advice.... I have a few friends who have recently purchased the 450D. I'm glad that I went against the grain and chose the Pentax. I've read great things about Pentax glass... I'm very happy with the A 1.7 50mm so far. I'm really just in the learning stage at the moment, so I want to learn as much as I can using the prime lens and then move to a nice telephoto (without breaking my bank account of course

... one of the reasons that I chose to go with a Pentax system)

I realize that an auto focus lens will likely set me back quite a bit... does any one have any advice on a good telephoto lens to get my feet wet? Thanks again.

**Ash** · 09-28-2008, 01:38 PM

For the price, you cant beat the Tamron 70-300 for an AF telephoto. Otherwise the Sigma 70-300 APO isn't too bad either. If you don't have a wide angle, the DA 18-55 is very cheap yet reasonably good too.

09-27-2008, 05:01 PM	#1
llimmj New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 4	k10d Lens Compatibility Hi everyone... great forum that you have here, I hope that someone can help me out. I recently purchased a K10D from one of your members. It seems to be in immaculate condition, and I could be happier, except for one small factor... I can't take any pictures. I assume that I have chosen an incompatible lens so was hoping that someone could confirm this and maybe give me some advice so that I don't make the same mistake again. Here's the lens: SMC Pentax-A 1:1.7 50mm Now, I had read that the k10d was compatible with the KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses. Isn't the Pentax-A a KA Mount lens? If I remove the lens, the camera seems to operate normally, but with the lens attached nothing happens. Thanks in advance... Joe

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09-27-2008, 05:05 PM	#2
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Do you have the lenses aperture ring set to the "A" position? If you do not, you should try it You'll be able to use all of the exposure modes that way. If you want to use the aperture ring, you'll need to go to the custom menu, and scroll for "Using aperture ring" and set that to "Permitted" then shoot in Manual mode, set your aperture with the ring, then hit the green button to set your shutter speed. And you can use ANY Pentax K mount lens on your K10D, but the old manual lenses require stop down metering with the green button. ( you can also use 3rd party K mount lenses, but there are a few out there that may cause problems, such as ones designed for Ricoh program type SLRs , there is a pin on those lenses that MAY cause the lens to get stuck on your camera )

09-27-2008, 05:12 PM	#3
llimmj New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 4 Original Poster	Stratman... thanks so much... problem solved. I have much to learn... being able to take pictures is a good first step! Thanks again.

09-27-2008, 05:14 PM	#4
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	I went through the exact same thing the first day I had my K110D, tried a fully manual lens, and got the flashing F in the LCD, figured it out, and been using manual lenses a lot since !! Happy shooting !!

09-27-2008, 05:33 PM	#5
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	AND, you can also use the old screw mount lenses with the proper adapter....

09-27-2008, 09:35 PM	#6
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Stratman AND, you can also use the old screw mount lenses with the proper adapter.... ... Providing you set [Using Aperture Ring] to [Enabled] in the Custom menu.

09-27-2008, 09:41 PM	#7
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Good point Albert, forgot to mention that, lol

09-27-2008, 10:16 PM	#8
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Stratman Good point Albert, forgot to mention that, lol Yeah, but right after I posted it, I noticed someone had already mentioned it above. since that someone was, er, uh, YOU, and you mentioned it there I need a few more red face smilies.

09-27-2008, 10:24 PM	#9
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Yeah, but right after I posted it, I noticed someone had already mentioned it above. since that someone was, er, uh, YOU, and you mentioned it there I need a few more red face smilies. Nothing wrong with reiteration Albert.

09-27-2008, 10:29 PM	#10
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	And... as other members have mentioned before, you can even use Canon and Nikon lenses with the right adapters too... Happy snapping.

09-27-2008, 10:52 PM	#11
llimmj New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 4 Original Poster	Very cool... I have a friend who is about ready to make the switch from Canon to Nikon... I might have to take some of the Canon lenses off his hands

09-28-2008, 01:06 AM	#12
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	But why you would want to is beyond me! Pentax has comparable glassware and would have fewer problems with the auto features. I certainly couldn't vouch for those Canon lenses being autofocus on the K10D regardless of the adapter you find. Your A 50/1.7 is one of the best rated fast fifties - enjoy it!

09-28-2008, 01:26 AM	#13
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	I reiterate Ash's comments. I feel that you would need to have a really good reason to go for Canon lenses, when the range of Pentax lens from as far back as 30-40 years is great. There some really superlative lens there and nowhere near as expensive as Canon (in most cases)!

09-28-2008, 11:33 AM	#14
llimmj New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thanks to everyone for the advice.... I have a few friends who have recently purchased the 450D. I'm glad that I went against the grain and chose the Pentax. I've read great things about Pentax glass... I'm very happy with the A 1.7 50mm so far. I'm really just in the learning stage at the moment, so I want to learn as much as I can using the prime lens and then move to a nice telephoto (without breaking my bank account of course ... one of the reasons that I chose to go with a Pentax system) I realize that an auto focus lens will likely set me back quite a bit... does any one have any advice on a good telephoto lens to get my feet wet? Thanks again.

09-28-2008, 01:38 PM	#15
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	For the price, you cant beat the Tamron 70-300 for an AF telephoto. Otherwise the Sigma 70-300 APO isn't too bad either. If you don't have a wide angle, the DA 18-55 is very cheap yet reasonably good too.