Which film Pentax SLR can be used with DA lenses?

bluesky123 · 06-27-2009, 08:57 PM

Is it possible to use Pentax DA lens with Pentax film cameras?

My daughter is going to take photography class in college and, for some classes, they require film cameras. Having K10D (my daughter and I love it!) with Pentax DA 50-200mm and Sigma 17-70mm DC macro Lens
Amazon.com: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo
I hoped to buy just a body of a film Pentax SLR to use it with one of these lenses. I was thinking of Pentax ZX-60.
Is it possible? Or I need a different film camera, which one?

Thank you,
Boris

SpecialK · 06-27-2009, 09:39 PM

DA lenses only provide the correct coverage on cropped sensors. On a film camera, there will be large black areas at the corners (vignetting). And there is no aperture ring.

But, you can use the older lenses from a film camera on a digital body.

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-27-2009, 09:44 PM

Hit the pawn shops and pick up a used film camera with lens. It will need to have aperture control and shutter control. A Pentax ME will not be a good tool, but the ME Super, which allows changing the shutter speeds with a pair of buttons, would work just fine. If you pick up a Pentax camera, the lens can be used on your digital SLR as well.

bluesky123 · 06-27-2009, 09:48 PM

Thank you for your comment!
I should have thought of that: 35mm film area is 36x24mm while CCD is only 23.5x15.7mm.
Bummer...

emr · 06-27-2009, 09:50 PM

Here's a thread about which DA lenses can be used on a full frame (such as film):

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

bluesky123 · 06-27-2009, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by emr

Here's a thread about which DA lenses can be used on a full frame (such as film):

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

Thanks a lot, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Other than vignetting, mount should be compatible as my lenses worked with K100D, which has the same mout as MZ-60:
"crippled" KAF - MZ-30, MZ-50, MZ-60, *istD, *istDS(2), *istDL(2), K100D, K110D

Boris

Nesster · 06-28-2009, 04:13 AM

Any pentax with Program capability will be able to use DA lenses in Program mode. Ones that can also set aperture from the camera are fully compatible.

My DA16-45 starts to vignette around 21mm and wider. The DA 70 does not vignette. I use both with a Program Plus and a ZX-10, though both cameras will work in Program only.

Often the film camera will come with a lens, which is a good thing.

For college photo class, the camera needs the ability to meter & expose manually, usually. Or at least be able to set aperture and shutter speed separately.

Cosmo · 06-28-2009, 01:13 PM

I believe the DA 40mm limited is the only DA lens that has proper full frame coverage, and only because it is based on an older film lens.

Nesster · 06-28-2009, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by Cosmo

I believe the DA 40mm limited is the only DA lens that has proper full frame coverage, and only because it is based on an older film lens.

Probably true, but my DA 70 doesn't lose much at the edges with film. ZX10, BW400CN

jgredline · 06-28-2009, 07:46 PM

I am surprised no one has suggested the K1000 with its classic 50mm lens and your good to go. Inexpensive and you have a great tool that has been proven over the past few decades.

Erasmo · 06-29-2009, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by jgredline

I am surprised no one has suggested the K1000 with its classic 50mm lens and your good to go. Inexpensive and you have a great tool that has been proven over the past few decades.

I agree with that.

titrisol · 06-29-2009, 03:51 AM

The "kit" lens (17-55) works fine with the MZ-7
specially in panorama mode to avoid the vignetting in the corners.

Andi Lo · 06-30-2009, 05:30 PM

Bodies from the MZ series that ends in 0 have crippled mount that have one or more disabled features with some types of lenses. MZ-7, MZ-L (MZ-6), and MZ-10(? not sure) have full functionality sans the vignetting with DA lenses. The zx-7 can be a good option but a proper 50mm is probably better for a photography class.

Either way if you only have the 17-70 (vignetting below a certain length?) and the 50-200 (virtually unusable) I recommend just getting a K series or M series body with a 50mm. Make sure the meter and shutter works properly. I love the viewfinder on my ME Super and can fully recommend the combination of ME super + M50/1.7.

There are two A series bodies (program plus / super program) on the marketplace right now. I'd say hit that one up after asking the seller to check for functionality, get an A or M 50mm, then you're good to go.

**lawsonstone** · 07-01-2009, 02:43 PM

The K1000 is great, but they are actually pretty expensive online. I have about 5 K1000 bodies and I'm thinking of selling them because they fetch such a nice price. A stack of the 50mm f/2 and f/1.7 lenses too....

A better choice might be a KX or MX. Fully manual. Some good lens buys can be found in the marketplace of this BBS.

odyn · 07-06-2009, 03:05 AM

Should I be buying a film Pentax I would want it to have Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual as K10d does. Some cameras in PZ series and MZ-S (the latter being quite expencive)
But without that requirement, I think MZ-5n is a nice choice.

06-27-2009, 08:57 PM	#1
bluesky123 New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 4	Which film Pentax SLR can be used with DA lenses? Is it possible to use Pentax DA lens with Pentax film cameras? My daughter is going to take photography class in college and, for some classes, they require film cameras. Having K10D (my daughter and I love it!) with Pentax DA 50-200mm and Sigma 17-70mm DC macro Lens Amazon.com: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo I hoped to buy just a body of a film Pentax SLR to use it with one of these lenses. I was thinking of Pentax ZX-60. Is it possible? Or I need a different film camera, which one? Thank you, Boris

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06-27-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	DA lenses only provide the correct coverage on cropped sensors. On a film camera, there will be large black areas at the corners (vignetting). And there is no aperture ring. But, you can use the older lenses from a film camera on a digital body.

06-27-2009, 09:44 PM	#3
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Hit the pawn shops and pick up a used film camera with lens. It will need to have aperture control and shutter control. A Pentax ME will not be a good tool, but the ME Super, which allows changing the shutter speeds with a pair of buttons, would work just fine. If you pick up a Pentax camera, the lens can be used on your digital SLR as well.

06-27-2009, 09:48 PM	#4
bluesky123 New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thank you for your comment! I should have thought of that: 35mm film area is 36x24mm while CCD is only 23.5x15.7mm. Bummer...

06-27-2009, 09:50 PM	#5
emr Guest	Here's a thread about which DA lenses can be used on a full frame (such as film): https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

06-27-2009, 10:12 PM	#6
bluesky123 New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by emr Here's a thread about which DA lenses can be used on a full frame (such as film): https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html Thanks a lot, that's exactly what I was looking for! Other than vignetting, mount should be compatible as my lenses worked with K100D, which has the same mout as MZ-60: "crippled" KAF - MZ-30, MZ-50, MZ-60, istD, istDS(2), *istDL(2), K100D, K110D Boris

06-28-2009, 04:13 AM	#7
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Any pentax with Program capability will be able to use DA lenses in Program mode. Ones that can also set aperture from the camera are fully compatible. My DA16-45 starts to vignette around 21mm and wider. The DA 70 does not vignette. I use both with a Program Plus and a ZX-10, though both cameras will work in Program only. Often the film camera will come with a lens, which is a good thing. For college photo class, the camera needs the ability to meter & expose manually, usually. Or at least be able to set aperture and shutter speed separately.

06-28-2009, 01:13 PM	#8
Cosmo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	I believe the DA 40mm limited is the only DA lens that has proper full frame coverage, and only because it is based on an older film lens.

06-28-2009, 06:31 PM	#9
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Originally posted by Cosmo I believe the DA 40mm limited is the only DA lens that has proper full frame coverage, and only because it is based on an older film lens. Probably true, but my DA 70 doesn't lose much at the edges with film. ZX10, BW400CN

06-28-2009, 07:46 PM	#10
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I am surprised no one has suggested the K1000 with its classic 50mm lens and your good to go. Inexpensive and you have a great tool that has been proven over the past few decades.

06-29-2009, 02:12 AM	#11
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	Originally posted by jgredline I am surprised no one has suggested the K1000 with its classic 50mm lens and your good to go. Inexpensive and you have a great tool that has been proven over the past few decades. I agree with that.

06-29-2009, 03:51 AM	#12
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	The "kit" lens (17-55) works fine with the MZ-7 specially in panorama mode to avoid the vignetting in the corners.

06-30-2009, 05:30 PM	#13
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Bodies from the MZ series that ends in 0 have crippled mount that have one or more disabled features with some types of lenses. MZ-7, MZ-L (MZ-6), and MZ-10(? not sure) have full functionality sans the vignetting with DA lenses. The zx-7 can be a good option but a proper 50mm is probably better for a photography class. Either way if you only have the 17-70 (vignetting below a certain length?) and the 50-200 (virtually unusable) I recommend just getting a K series or M series body with a 50mm. Make sure the meter and shutter works properly. I love the viewfinder on my ME Super and can fully recommend the combination of ME super + M50/1.7. There are two A series bodies (program plus / super program) on the marketplace right now. I'd say hit that one up after asking the seller to check for functionality, get an A or M 50mm, then you're good to go.

07-01-2009, 02:43 PM	#14
lawsonstone Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilmore, KY Posts: 376	The K1000 is great, but they are actually pretty expensive online. I have about 5 K1000 bodies and I'm thinking of selling them because they fetch such a nice price. A stack of the 50mm f/2 and f/1.7 lenses too.... A better choice might be a KX or MX. Fully manual. Some good lens buys can be found in the marketplace of this BBS.

07-06-2009, 03:05 AM	#15
odyn New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 19	Should I be buying a film Pentax I would want it to have Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual as K10d does. Some cameras in PZ series and MZ-S (the latter being quite expencive) But without that requirement, I think MZ-5n is a nice choice.