ML FF System for Old Manual Focus Pentax K and M42 Lenses?

edri · 12-03-2020, 12:43 PM

Hello, I have some old manual focus Pentax lenses, K and M42 mount. Which ML FF system, between Nikon Z or Panasonic L, would be more suitable for these K-mount and M42-mount lenses? So far I have only used Pentax APS-C DSLR cameras. Now it's time to switch to a ML FF, but I really want to use the lenses I mentioned. In addition to choosing the ML FF system itself, I am also interested in the existing offer for adapters other than Novoflex. Thank you.

**luftfluss** · 12-03-2020, 01:57 PM

What's your budget?

IMO, if the 2 choices are fairly close in terms of specs & features, it's all about the EVF size & quality.

**jatrax** · 12-03-2020, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by edri

Now it's time to switch to a ML FF, but I really want to use the lenses I mentioned.

Just curious what your reasons are for ML FF rather than a K-1?

And this adapter was recently announced: The world's first PK-FE autofocus transfer ring - PentaxForums.com

stevebrot · 12-03-2020, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by edri

In addition to choosing the ML FF system itself, I am also interested in the existing offer for adapters other than Novoflex. Thank you.

The utility of available adapters may well be what swings your choice.

Steve

**pepperberry farm** · 12-03-2020, 04:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

The utility of available adapters may well be what swings your choice.

Steve

this is true - K&F Concept adapters fit my strategy best and they seem to be well-engineered & built...

mee · 12-03-2020, 05:48 PM - **1 Like**

Being able to zoom the image to 100% straight through the viewfinder as well as focus peaking coloring can be advantages to mirrorless for manual focus shooting.

Please let's not debate or question the man's decision to buy a mirrorless camera, but just respect that he has made a decision for himself on this matter.

Neuse River Sailor · 12-03-2020, 06:34 PM - **2 Likes**

I have used the Fotodiox and Fotasy adapters to mount my Takumar, Pentax, Nikon and Canon lenses to my Fuji and have found these relatively inexpensive adapters work just fine. You should be able to find something that will work with either camera. And then the whole galaxy of older manual lenses made for film cameras will be available. That's the beauty of mirrorless.

edri · 12-04-2020, 02:01 AM

In short, for old lenses I prefer an ML because it offers "focus peaking" in the viewfinder. I also wanted focus stacking (shifting) implemented in the camera.

On the internet I found two scattered posts in which two users of the Panasonic L system complained that their "focus peaking" does not work when mounting vintage lenses without electrical contacts. I wanted to know if this is a general rule for the L system. There is not much information about the use of old lenses on this system, mainly for photography.

**Serkevan** · 12-04-2020, 03:22 AM

If you're going to shoot mostly manual lenses, I'd say the Nikon Z5 should give you the best bang for the buck out of those systems... If you are also willing to consider Sony, there are ridiculously cheap offers on older A7 cameras - the A7ii is on sale for under 900€ here.

edri · 12-04-2020, 04:35 AM

Sony does not offer focus stacking. Indeed, the Z5 is a very good variant, but it is said to have the sensor on the Nikon 750, so technology from 2014. I got used to what KP can do at high ISO, so from an FF I have high requirements

Pen-A · 12-04-2020, 06:56 AM - **2 Likes**

I bought a barely used Z5 two weeks ago for my M42s and manual K-mount lenses. I´ve been using a K&F Concept K-mount to Z adapter with and without the Pentax M42 to K-mount adapter. Two dumb M42 adapters are coming from China someday..

It´s still early days but so far I´m happy I chose Nikon. I considered Pana S5 too, but I didn´t need all those video features and the EVF was smaller. Didn´t go for used Z6 because with Z5 I could use my old SD cards. Z5 EVF is big and seems good enough. S1 EVF would be even better but the body is just too big and heavy for small lenses.. Only Sony that was on my radar was A7RIII but was just too expensive.. And I think 24MP is great for old lenses.

IQ is really good, I think it´s a fine sensor up to 25600 ISO. YMMV.

I set up a user mode (U3) for vintage lenses, M mode with auto ISO. AF-on button is 100% magnification and Fn2 is 200%. Rec button changes lens focal length for IBIS, which works great, almost 5 stops. About a stop better than I get with K-1.

One thing I don´t like.. Focal length is not recorded to Exif.. unless you use the FTZ adapter..

. So it only works with Nikon lenses. Not sure if Pana or Sony does this either?

edri · 12-04-2020, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by Pen-A

I bought a barely used Z5 ....

Does stabilization work with M42 and K lenses? Doesn't the user have to enter the focal length at the beginning, as it should for Pentax for old lenses?

Pen-A · 12-04-2020, 11:44 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, it works with any lens and adapter. IBIS even works with EFCS and silent shooting. You have 20 slots for focal lengths which you access via menu or a custom button and dial. You just have to remember to do so when you change lenses or the IBIS will use the last setting you used. It does not ask you to set it when you power up like Pentax does.

edri · 12-04-2020, 01:27 PM

Thank you. Does focus peaking work properly with old lenses? Can the user also rely on automatic exposure?

automorphism · 12-04-2020, 02:42 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by edri

Thank you. Does focus peaking work properly with old lenses? Can the user also rely on automatic exposure?

Yes, absolutely. Both work!

One thing the Panasonic might have that the Z's don't is zebras in still mode. They can be quite useful for exposure judging...though they are a bit deceptive for Raws. But auto exposure still works quite will and it is easy to see the effects of exposure compensation as well.

12-03-2020, 12:43 PM	#1
edri Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: walking in the air Posts: 1,315	ML FF System for Old Manual Focus Pentax K and M42 Lenses? Hello, I have some old manual focus Pentax lenses, K and M42 mount. Which ML FF system, between Nikon Z or Panasonic L, would be more suitable for these K-mount and M42-mount lenses? So far I have only used Pentax APS-C DSLR cameras. Now it's time to switch to a ML FF, but I really want to use the lenses I mentioned. In addition to choosing the ML FF system itself, I am also interested in the existing offer for adapters other than Novoflex. Thank you.

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12-03-2020, 01:57 PM	#2
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	What's your budget? IMO, if the 2 choices are fairly close in terms of specs & features, it's all about the EVF size & quality.

12-03-2020, 02:17 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by edri Now it's time to switch to a ML FF, but I really want to use the lenses I mentioned. Just curious what your reasons are for ML FF rather than a K-1? And this adapter was recently announced: The world's first PK-FE autofocus transfer ring - PentaxForums.com

12-03-2020, 04:20 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by edri In addition to choosing the ML FF system itself, I am also interested in the existing offer for adapters other than Novoflex. Thank you. The utility of available adapters may well be what swings your choice. Steve

12-03-2020, 04:48 PM - 1 Like	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by stevebrot The utility of available adapters may well be what swings your choice. Steve this is true - K&F Concept adapters fit my strategy best and they seem to be well-engineered & built...

12-03-2020, 05:48 PM - 1 Like	#6
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Being able to zoom the image to 100% straight through the viewfinder as well as focus peaking coloring can be advantages to mirrorless for manual focus shooting. Please let's not debate or question the man's decision to buy a mirrorless camera, but just respect that he has made a decision for himself on this matter.

12-03-2020, 06:34 PM - 2 Likes	#7
Neuse River Sailor Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 531	I have used the Fotodiox and Fotasy adapters to mount my Takumar, Pentax, Nikon and Canon lenses to my Fuji and have found these relatively inexpensive adapters work just fine. You should be able to find something that will work with either camera. And then the whole galaxy of older manual lenses made for film cameras will be available. That's the beauty of mirrorless.

12-04-2020, 02:01 AM	#8
edri Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: walking in the air Posts: 1,315 Original Poster	In short, for old lenses I prefer an ML because it offers "focus peaking" in the viewfinder. I also wanted focus stacking (shifting) implemented in the camera. On the internet I found two scattered posts in which two users of the Panasonic L system complained that their "focus peaking" does not work when mounting vintage lenses without electrical contacts. I wanted to know if this is a general rule for the L system. There is not much information about the use of old lenses on this system, mainly for photography.

12-04-2020, 03:22 AM	#9
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	If you're going to shoot mostly manual lenses, I'd say the Nikon Z5 should give you the best bang for the buck out of those systems... If you are also willing to consider Sony, there are ridiculously cheap offers on older A7 cameras - the A7ii is on sale for under 900€ here.

12-04-2020, 04:35 AM	#10
edri Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: walking in the air Posts: 1,315 Original Poster	Sony does not offer focus stacking. Indeed, the Z5 is a very good variant, but it is said to have the sensor on the Nikon 750, so technology from 2014. I got used to what KP can do at high ISO, so from an FF I have high requirements

12-04-2020, 06:56 AM - 2 Likes	#11
Pen-A Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 675	I bought a barely used Z5 two weeks ago for my M42s and manual K-mount lenses. I´ve been using a K&F Concept K-mount to Z adapter with and without the Pentax M42 to K-mount adapter. Two dumb M42 adapters are coming from China someday.. It´s still early days but so far I´m happy I chose Nikon. I considered Pana S5 too, but I didn´t need all those video features and the EVF was smaller. Didn´t go for used Z6 because with Z5 I could use my old SD cards. Z5 EVF is big and seems good enough. S1 EVF would be even better but the body is just too big and heavy for small lenses.. Only Sony that was on my radar was A7RIII but was just too expensive.. And I think 24MP is great for old lenses. IQ is really good, I think it´s a fine sensor up to 25600 ISO. YMMV. I set up a user mode (U3) for vintage lenses, M mode with auto ISO. AF-on button is 100% magnification and Fn2 is 200%. Rec button changes lens focal length for IBIS, which works great, almost 5 stops. About a stop better than I get with K-1. One thing I don´t like.. Focal length is not recorded to Exif.. unless you use the FTZ adapter.. . So it only works with Nikon lenses. Not sure if Pana or Sony does this either?

12-04-2020, 08:54 AM	#12
edri Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: walking in the air Posts: 1,315 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pen-A I bought a barely used Z5 .... Does stabilization work with M42 and K lenses? Doesn't the user have to enter the focal length at the beginning, as it should for Pentax for old lenses?

12-04-2020, 11:44 AM - 1 Like	#13
Pen-A Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 675	Yes, it works with any lens and adapter. IBIS even works with EFCS and silent shooting. You have 20 slots for focal lengths which you access via menu or a custom button and dial. You just have to remember to do so when you change lenses or the IBIS will use the last setting you used. It does not ask you to set it when you power up like Pentax does.

12-04-2020, 01:27 PM	#14
edri Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: walking in the air Posts: 1,315 Original Poster	Thank you. Does focus peaking work properly with old lenses? Can the user also rely on automatic exposure?

12-04-2020, 02:42 PM - 1 Like	#15
automorphism Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 791	Originally posted by edri Thank you. Does focus peaking work properly with old lenses? Can the user also rely on automatic exposure? Yes, absolutely. Both work! One thing the Panasonic might have that the Z's don't is zebras in still mode. They can be quite useful for exposure judging...though they are a bit deceptive for Raws. But auto exposure still works quite will and it is easy to see the effects of exposure compensation as well.