Manual lens on Pentax - Tutorial

How to use manual lenses on Pentax DSLR. This video goes over the benefits, and how to actually go about doing it. I hope you enjoyed! Thanks

[paulmoore]

My Dad left me an old unbranded film camera and a stack of Pentax lenses. For a long time I wanted to use them but know nothing about photography, old or new. So... Thanks to your video, I'm about to buy a Pentax K-X and I'm seriously excited about putting his lenses to good use. Thank you!!!

[Inimbrium]

Thanks for the advice. Actually I need to thank you twice. First time for being a part of my decision when I was researching to whether to buy Pentax or other brands, and the second for that pesky green button I didn't know you had to press it in order to the camera to meter correctly and use the aperture selected. Thanks!

I moved from Nikon to Pentax because I collect and love vintage manual lenses. I used manual lenses on my old Nikon D3100 too, but Pentax is quite simply vastly superior when it comes to manual lenses! Buying a Pentax K-5 IIs was the best photography based decision I've ever made!

We also have very similar lenses. I got a 28mm f2.8 m42, a vivitar 135mm f2.8 pk, a vivitar 75-205 f3.8 pk plus 2x matched teleconverter, a sigma 30mm f1.4, a 50mm f1.8 m42 and a few others than aren't as good or I haven't tried on the Pentax yet, even a couple of carl zeiss lenses I need to try. ALL apart from the sigma were under $15 each from what in the UK we call "car boot sales" also from french markets and stuff. I obviously also have the Pentax 18-55 WR edition just in case it rains :)
If anybody wants to see some of my photos taken with the vintage lenses I'm on Instagram as Inimbrium. I've only just begun, so for now there aren't that many photos, but it's quickly building up :)

[argetech]

Holy Cow... 2019 I just bought Pentax Kx from KEH camera ..
I have boatloads of manual lenses so I went for it.. until I saw this video I thought the camera was busted..
Wrong, I just set that aperture setting you did and Works like a charm, ,


THANK YOU :)

[powerforward]

Thanks much! Bought an exceptional K7 from the original owner a few months ago. I have several Pentax manual lenses purchased new in the 80’s that I wanted to use. I was able to use these manual lenses except one without knowing about these settings...but I will go in and change them so nothing quirky occurs and so I don’t damage any of the cameras sensors, etc. Other than AF, some of these older Pentax DSLR’s are exceptional for their time-period. Peace.

[bobjohnson]

was ready to throw my LIKE NEW made in 2015 Ks2 with 955 actuations in the trash can because of the now famous CHINA made aperture block solenoid failure. so I purchased a new Takumar-A manual lens the shutter would not release nor could I shoot in video mode. So now thanks to YOU sir I can and use this wonderful MANUAL LENS only camera and feel like a time traveler back in the 70s - 80s with my SP100 and Asahi SL Pentax 35mm film cameras but with the added benefit of being able to change ISO on the fly as needed instead of carrying 2 cameras with different rated films in each camera for the different lighting/time of day or one for Color and one B/W film. thanks again for the help, your a life saver at least for this camera as I was ready to run it over with my truck.

[tatasaccount]

I have a pentax K-x with an M 50mm 1.7 and I really love the setup. :) I already knew all this but thanks for getting this info out there.

[annawerner]

Thank you so much! It saved me a lot of time. My Cosina 55mm f1.2 works great:)

[raulsifuentes]

I just started buying lenses. I did not know this. Thank you.

[asifulislamnavid]

Love you man. Yesterday, I had watched your video and my problem was solved.

[kchud]

Thank you for that. Wish we had found this vid earlier today, but we didn't. I really wanted to get some amazing shots of a local area with a second hand Tamron. But now we know we'll be out there having a field day. IF only I give it up for him to use on his....

[fongchong]

I just got a Pentax K-1, i also got a smc Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm lens. thank you for the tip about the aperture ring, it worked. I am new to the non auto camera, so if its possible, would you please do a step by step tutorial video for Pentax K-1 basic set up, that will be great. i know there are people like me who will really appreciated. Thank you.

[tarotcaba]

Great video. I just purchased a K10D and hope to get legacy cool cheap glass in the near future. Thanks

[andyvan]

also if you have a k1000 film body you can have a lens you can use on both film and digital bodies.
one point if you have a K200D or the like you also can adjust what the green button does in M mode, set it for Tv function ( allows you to use the aperture ring on the lens, and the camera sets shutter speed for you, aka stopped down metering like in an old slr camera). this works for the old M & K lenses too ( ones that fitted on the ME, K2, K1000 film slrs) not just the lenses designed for the digital bodies.

[chrisballantyne]

Great video. Keeping it simple and informative. As a beginner hobbyist I appreciate it. Thanks.

[entropytango]

Good video. Might be worth while mentioning to set your dial to M and focus to manual for those first timers :)

[CTSCAPER]

I'm a little confused. I looked up that Tamron lens you mentioned 23a 60-300, and I noticed it has a blade coming out the back. What purpose does that blade serve? Does it still auto-focus once you set the aperture? Thanks for any help you can give.

[plestj]

Thank you for this video, Peter! I just bought a K-5 on eBay without a lens, and my intention was to use a series of my various manual and Pentax A lenses on it. Your video is just what I needed. When using the manual lenses, what is the dial at the top of the camera set to? Thanks again. Anthony.

[AndrewDoakCooks]

Peter, thank you. Very informative. Do you know why my Pentax 645D has nearly the exact same menu structure but no option for Using Aperture Ring? I have an adapter and a few M39 lenses and I would like to adjust my settings, but the 645D has me stumped. Any thoughts or a solution? Thanks for the help.

[PrashantRawat]

this is why I'm moving to Pentax from canon .. I will keep canon though but I am planning to buy K1 .. would yiu recommend k1?

[dbkfrogkaty]

Thanks for the manual lens refresher. I've been using Pentax manual lens for years with my K10D and now my K-5II. I kind of got away from my photography hobby for a while because of hurricane Harvey (flooded my house. I saved my equipment). I have some auto lenses too and have been using them more lately. But I decided to get back to the manual glass and just ordered a SMC Pentax-M 35mm f/2.8. Always wanted a fast 35. Do you use your manual lenses in AV mode or full manual? This video reminded me how good my old manual lenses are. Not just the M series but also the real old M42 Takumars.