Samyang lenses and film bodies

**Tony Belding** · 02-21-2015, 06:12 AM

This might possibly be a dumb question, but I have to ask before spending money... Have any of you used recent Samyang lenses with your older film SLR bodies? And specifically, does the aperture setting give any kind of problems?

Can I put one of these new lenses on my ancient Ricoh XR-7 and expect it to be fully functional? My intuition is that it should. It should work just like a Pentax-A series lens, right? I just want to double-check before I buy a lens and then find out there's some sort of obscure "gotcha" involved, though.

Adam · 02-21-2015, 07:05 AM

They all have aperture rings and yes, they work like A-series lenses. I don't see how there could be any problems

**Tony Belding** · 02-21-2015, 07:20 AM

Thanks. I guess I'll have to give one a spin.

I feel like the old war horse with modern wonder-film (Ektar 100) and modern wonder-lenses (Samyang) could get a new lease on life.

**THoog** · 02-21-2015, 07:44 AM

Keep in mind that while most of the Samyang lenses are FF compatible, a couple are APS-C only (the 16mm and 10mm come to mind).

LesDMess · 02-21-2015, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by Tony Belding

This might possibly be a dumb question, but I have to ask before spending money... Have any of you used recent Samyang lenses with your older film SLR bodies? And specifically, does the aperture setting give any kind of problems?

Can I put one of these new lenses on my ancient Ricoh XR-7 and expect it to be fully functional? My intuition is that it should. It should work just like a Pentax-A series lens, right? I just want to double-check before I buy a lens and then find out there's some sort of obscure "gotcha" involved, though.

If the XR-7 is ancient, what does that make it's predecessors . . .

**Tony Belding** · 02-21-2015, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

If the XR-7 is ancient, what does that make it's predecessors . . .

I also have a Ricoh Diacord G, by the way. I took it to the flea market last weekend. Very few people seemed to recognize it as a camera or realize I was snapping photos. The few who did recognize it were delighted to see a TLR taken out of the museum and being used.

**baro-nite** · 02-21-2015, 09:27 AM

I have the 24mm tilt/shift. This is not an A-type lens, and the mount was not constructed quite correctly to allow metering on manual film bodies. Just guessing, but the other Samyang lenses probably have the same issue. KA mount cameras should be fine for lenses set to A, but earlier bodies (e.g. K1000, KX, MX) won't meter.

disconnekt · 02-21-2015, 11:27 AM

Ya know, I was wondering the same thing when I was looking at some of their lenses a few days ago. It won't hurt to email Samyang and ask though.

Bryce K · 02-21-2015, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by LesDMess

If the XR-7 is ancient, what does that make it's predecessors . . .

If cameras were steaks, that Singlex is a porterhouse! 826g!

LesDMess · 02-21-2015, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by Bryce K

If cameras were steaks, that Singlex is a porterhouse! 826g!

Heaviest fixed viewfinder SLR body I've encountered so far!
Clearly the trend was to go smaller and lighter . . .

stevebrot · 02-23-2015, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by Tony Belding

Can I put one of these new lenses on my ancient Ricoh XR-7 and expect it to be fully functional? My intuition is that it should. It should work just like a Pentax-A series lens, right? I just want to double-check before I buy a lens and then find out there's some sort of obscure "gotcha" involved, though.

As long as a lens has a functional aperture ring and covers the 35mm image format, it should be backward compatible to your XR7. At least that is how it works on my two copies of that camera.

Steve

(...loves his XR7s...)

**Tony Belding** · 02-23-2015, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

At least that is how it works on my two copies of that camera.

I also have two, except that one of them is a Sears KS-2. Same camera, different label, makes it easy to tell them apart!

I am giving one of the Samyang lenses a spin, I'll let y'all know how it works for me.

**Tony Belding** · 02-26-2015, 06:25 PM

Just received the 35mm f1.4 lens.

It does meter on the XR7. It may not be perfectly accurate, since I've read the calibration was changed when "A" lenses were brought in, and I'm not sure how significant that change was in practice. Nonetheless... Here's a modern lens that will apparently work on every K-mount camera I've got, from oldest to newest. That's cool.

Wow! What a monster this is! I knew it was big, but holding it in my hand... It's something like 3X the size and weight of vintage 35mm lenses. Is it because of all the super-modern style optics? Is it because it's f1.4? Or... Is it because people these days want to be seen with a "professional" giant lens on their cameras? Because if that's the look you're going for, I think this will do it.

**baro-nite** · 02-27-2015, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by Tony Belding

Is it because of all the super-modern style optics? Is it because it's f1.4? Or... Is it because people these days want to be seen with a "professional" giant lens on their cameras?

Certainly the first two. 12 elements compared to typically 5 or so in an older 35mm prime, and making a wide prime faster than f/2 requires a large front element. Pentax once designed a 35/1.4 but never released it.

osv · 02-27-2015, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by Tony Belding

Wow! What a monster this is! I knew it was big, but holding it in my hand... It's something like 3X the size and weight of vintage 35mm lenses.

you should see it mounted on a mirrorless camera

anyway, be sure and check for lens defects, i've had to return my 35/1.4 twice now, hoping that the third time is the charm.

02-21-2015, 06:12 AM	#1
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 780	Samyang lenses and film bodies This might possibly be a dumb question, but I have to ask before spending money... Have any of you used recent Samyang lenses with your older film SLR bodies? And specifically, does the aperture setting give any kind of problems? Can I put one of these new lenses on my ancient Ricoh XR-7 and expect it to be fully functional? My intuition is that it should. It should work just like a Pentax-A series lens, right? I just want to double-check before I buy a lens and then find out there's some sort of obscure "gotcha" involved, though.

02-21-2015, 07:05 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	They all have aperture rings and yes, they work like A-series lenses. I don't see how there could be any problems 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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02-21-2015, 07:20 AM	#3
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 780 Original Poster	Thanks. I guess I'll have to give one a spin. I feel like the old war horse with modern wonder-film (Ektar 100) and modern wonder-lenses (Samyang) could get a new lease on life.

02-21-2015, 07:44 AM	#4
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Keep in mind that while most of the Samyang lenses are FF compatible, a couple are APS-C only (the 16mm and 10mm come to mind).

02-21-2015, 08:06 AM	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Tony Belding This might possibly be a dumb question, but I have to ask before spending money... Have any of you used recent Samyang lenses with your older film SLR bodies? And specifically, does the aperture setting give any kind of problems? Can I put one of these new lenses on my *ancient Ricoh XR-7* and expect it to be fully functional? My intuition is that it should. It should work just like a Pentax-A series lens, right? I just want to double-check before I buy a lens and then find out there's some sort of obscure "gotcha" involved, though. If the XR-7 is ancient, what does that make it's predecessors . . .

02-21-2015, 08:15 AM	#6
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 780 Original Poster	Originally posted by LesDMess If the XR-7 is ancient, what does that make it's predecessors . . . I also have a Ricoh Diacord G, by the way. I took it to the flea market last weekend. Very few people seemed to recognize it as a camera or realize I was snapping photos. The few who did recognize it were delighted to see a TLR taken out of the museum and being used.

02-21-2015, 09:27 AM	#7
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	I have the 24mm tilt/shift. This is not an A-type lens, and the mount was not constructed quite correctly to allow metering on manual film bodies. Just guessing, but the other Samyang lenses probably have the same issue. KA mount cameras should be fine for lenses set to A, but earlier bodies (e.g. K1000, KX, MX) won't meter.

02-21-2015, 11:27 AM	#8
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Ya know, I was wondering the same thing when I was looking at some of their lenses a few days ago. It won't hurt to email Samyang and ask though.

02-21-2015, 02:25 PM	#9
Bryce K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 93	Originally posted by LesDMess If the XR-7 is ancient, what does that make it's predecessors . . . If cameras were steaks, that Singlex is a porterhouse! 826g!

02-21-2015, 03:19 PM	#10
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Bryce K If cameras were steaks, that Singlex is a porterhouse! 826g! Heaviest fixed viewfinder SLR body I've encountered so far! Clearly the trend was to go smaller and lighter . . .

02-23-2015, 10:02 AM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Tony Belding Can I put one of these new lenses on my ancient Ricoh XR-7 and expect it to be fully functional? My intuition is that it should. It should work just like a Pentax-A series lens, right? I just want to double-check before I buy a lens and then find out there's some sort of obscure "gotcha" involved, though. As long as a lens has a functional aperture ring and covers the 35mm image format, it should be backward compatible to your XR7. At least that is how it works on my two copies of that camera. Steve (...loves his XR7s...)

02-23-2015, 10:08 AM	#12
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 780 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot At least that is how it works on my two copies of that camera. I also have two, except that one of them is a Sears KS-2. Same camera, different label, makes it easy to tell them apart! I am giving one of the Samyang lenses a spin, I'll let y'all know how it works for me.

02-26-2015, 06:25 PM	#13
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 780 Original Poster	Just received the 35mm f1.4 lens. It does meter on the XR7. It may not be perfectly accurate, since I've read the calibration was changed when "A" lenses were brought in, and I'm not sure how significant that change was in practice. Nonetheless... Here's a modern lens that will apparently work on every K-mount camera I've got, from oldest to newest. That's cool. Wow! What a monster this is! I knew it was big, but holding it in my hand... It's something like 3X the size and weight of vintage 35mm lenses. Is it because of all the super-modern style optics? Is it because it's f1.4? Or... Is it because people these days want to be seen with a "professional" giant lens on their cameras? Because if that's the look you're going for, I think this will do it.

02-27-2015, 07:19 AM	#14
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by Tony Belding Is it because of all the super-modern style optics? Is it because it's f1.4? Or... Is it because people these days want to be seen with a "professional" giant lens on their cameras? Certainly the first two. 12 elements compared to typically 5 or so in an older 35mm prime, and making a wide prime faster than f/2 requires a large front element. Pentax once designed a 35/1.4 but never released it.

02-27-2015, 08:36 AM	#15
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by Tony Belding Wow! What a monster this is! I knew it was big, but holding it in my hand... It's something like 3X the size and weight of vintage 35mm lenses. you should see it mounted on a mirrorless camera anyway, be sure and check for lens defects, i've had to return my 35/1.4 twice now, hoping that the third time is the charm.