Using a more recent lens with an oldie but goodie

**Tonytee** · 08-27-2013, 01:57 PM

Greetings to all,

I have a Pentax A3000 Film SLR. I typically use a Pentax-A 1:7 prime lens on it. I would like to try an experiment. I want to use my Pentax-A SMC 1:4~5.6 35-80mm lens on the A3000. Are there any caveats I need to know prior to
using this lens on my A3000? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. The lens does have an auto feature on the f/stop ring.

Muchas Gracias,

Tony

Last edited by Tonytee; 08-27-2013 at 02:15 PM.

Adam · 08-27-2013, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Tonytee

Greetings to all,

I have a Pentax A3000 Film SLR. I typically use a Pentax-A 1:7 prime lens on it. I would like to try an experiment. I want to use my Pentax-A SMC 1:4~5.6 35-80mm lens on the A3000. Are there any caveats I need to know prior to
using this lens on my A3000? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. The lens does have an auto feature on the f/stop ring.

Muchas Gracia,

Tony

That particular lens is actually designed for that camera, so you shouldn't have any issues using it

Nesster · 08-27-2013, 02:05 PM

By all means, put it on! Shoot a roll! your 35-80 is made for your A3000

SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm F4-5.6 Reviews - A Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**Tonytee** · 08-27-2013, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Adam

That particular lens is actually designed for that camera, so you shouldn't have any issues using it

Thanks very much. I tellya, this A3000 is a real joy for me to use. A hefty body, however it is very reliable and solid throughout.

Thanks again.

Tony

**Tonytee** · 08-27-2013, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

By all means, put it on! Shoot a roll! your 35-80 is made for your A3000

SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm F4-5.6 Reviews - A Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Made for the A3000? Interesting, since it was attached to the ZX-30 I purchased. I am really impressed with this lens. I do like to photo flowers up close, and the end results would be unimaginable for the price. Crisp, great detail and bokeh and excellent color balance. I do believe that dollar for dollar, Pentax is really the best for your photography purchases. Thanks again.

Tony

elliott · 08-27-2013, 03:28 PM

The ZX-30 is an auto focus camera, so the F or FA series are a better fit for it. That particular lens is one of the later A series and is made a lot like the F series, but lacking auto focus, I assume it was meant for the ZX-M. The F or FA lenses would be fine on the A3000 as well. The FA-J lenses will work, but not in Av mode because they don't have an aperture ring.

**RKKS08** · 08-27-2013, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by elliott

The F or FA lenses would be fine on the A3000 as well.

Of course they can be used. But most F and FA lenses have a very short focus throw to make AF faster, and nearly no damping on a (much smaller) focus ring, for the same reason.

This makes manual focusing more difficult.

08-27-2013, 01:57 PM	#1
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,461	Using a more recent lens with an oldie but goodie Greetings to all, I have a Pentax A3000 Film SLR. I typically use a Pentax-A 1:7 prime lens on it. I would like to try an experiment. I want to use my Pentax-A SMC 1:4~5.6 35-80mm lens on the A3000. Are there any caveats I need to know prior to using this lens on my A3000? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. The lens does have an auto feature on the f/stop ring. Muchas Gracias, Tony Last edited by Tonytee; 08-27-2013 at 02:15 PM.

08-27-2013, 02:00 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Tonytee Greetings to all, I have a Pentax A3000 Film SLR. I typically use a Pentax-A 1:7 prime lens on it. I would like to try an experiment. I want to use my Pentax-A SMC 1:4~5.6 35-80mm lens on the A3000. Are there any caveats I need to know prior to using this lens on my A3000? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. The lens does have an auto feature on the f/stop ring. Muchas Gracia, Tony That particular lens is actually designed for that camera, so you shouldn't have any issues using it Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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08-27-2013, 02:05 PM	#3
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	By all means, put it on! Shoot a roll! your 35-80 is made for your A3000 SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm F4-5.6 Reviews - A Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

08-27-2013, 02:17 PM	#4
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,461 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam That particular lens is actually designed for that camera, so you shouldn't have any issues using it Thanks very much. I tellya, this A3000 is a real joy for me to use. A hefty body, however it is very reliable and solid throughout. Thanks again. Tony

08-27-2013, 02:22 PM	#5
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,461 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster By all means, put it on! Shoot a roll! your 35-80 is made for your A3000 SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm F4-5.6 Reviews - A Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Made for the A3000? Interesting, since it was attached to the ZX-30 I purchased. I am really impressed with this lens. I do like to photo flowers up close, and the end results would be unimaginable for the price. Crisp, great detail and bokeh and excellent color balance. I do believe that dollar for dollar, Pentax is really the best for your photography purchases. Thanks again. Tony

08-27-2013, 03:28 PM	#6
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	The ZX-30 is an auto focus camera, so the F or FA series are a better fit for it. That particular lens is one of the later A series and is made a lot like the F series, but lacking auto focus, I assume it was meant for the ZX-M. The F or FA lenses would be fine on the A3000 as well. The FA-J lenses will work, but not in Av mode because they don't have an aperture ring.

08-27-2013, 04:07 PM	#7
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Originally posted by elliott The F or FA lenses would be fine on the A3000 as well. Of course they can be used. But most F and FA lenses have a very short focus throw to make AF faster, and nearly no damping on a (much smaller) focus ring, for the same reason. This makes manual focusing more difficult.