How to use a manual lens (M, K, or M42) on a Pentax DSLR

[@Bappah]

When I was 22, I spent a tremendous amount of money (for me) on a Pentax ME cameral. I had 4 lenses; 28mm 50mm, 75mm and a 80-200mm zoom. This tutorial works for the K100 DSLR too but it has a little different "buttonology". on the TV shift. I am 56 now so it pays to hang on to things for 34 years

[@vansantsam]

You can also set the camera to "Catch-In-Focus" and set the auto focus to "AF.S", instead of manual focus. then hold the shutter button down and turn the focus ring, when the subject comes into focus the camera will fire... almost like having an auto focus lens... You can also set the camera to "Focus Peaking" turned on and while in live view you can use the focus peaking to assist in focusing...

[@ViciousTuna2012]

You're doing God's work my friend! I just bought my k30 and I'm so psyched to use it. Thanks for the info.

[@vansantsam]

Good deal - enjoy.

[@Seyer40]

Does this work on a K-01?

[@vansantsam]

@@Seyer40 I don't know - does the K-01 have "catch in focus", if it does then probably it will work..

[@lobertdelacruz7436]

hey, good day Jim. I have a rikenon 105 mm macro lens, i can't use it as it should be due to the fact that I have no knowledge of using it in a pentax k3 camera. Could you suggest any tip on how can i best use this lens in my pentax k3. thank you in advance \

[@markg1689]

Thank you all at Pentax Forums for this (and other) video tutorials.

[@krustysurfer]

Thank you! just used a SEARS Macro 80-200 F4 on my K3 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big Glass is sharp! takes a really awesome picture! wall hangar- the manual lens was 30$ used off of a forum website - set up the shot- used tripod- set dial to *Manual -set F-stop on Lens aperture ring to F11(green number) used green button on camera body to set exposure and shutter speed - set ISO to 100 - used 2 second timer - i now have a work of art thanks again for the tutorial ...Aloha

[@westyavro]

Love the forums. Such a great source of information. Thank you all.

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Just to help beginners, when you press the green button to meter, the result is the shutter speed which is then calculated and set by the DSLR. Clear explanations. Thank you.

[@kryststar6800]

Sweet just got a k-30, I love Pentax cameras, thank you love you :)

[@dbkfrogkaty1]

I tell you what, it's hard to beat Pentax for old lens usage. I have a decent collection of M42 Takumar lenses and one bayonet mount M-50mm f/1.7 lens and they are such a joy to use. You can pick up 3 or 4 of these for the cost of one modern autofocus lens. Talk about "Pure Photography"!

[@krustysurfer]

Absolutely

[@krustysurfer]

My M 50 1.7 is as sharp as my modern 50... The 70-200 macro im just figuring out macro and back focus issues... A little frustrating but still worth hanging onto.

[@ikonographics]

How do I customise the green button on the K70? There is no option under button customisation

[@BloodBath1234]

Works great! My only question would be do I have to set any of the menu items back, when I put the original auto-focus lens back on the camera?

[@PentaxForumsNews]

No you do not. The menu settings changes are a one-time thing, and you can leave them that way forever.

[@jelenaerceg3491]

@@PentaxForumsNews Hi, could you also use save this setting for U1 when you need to use manual lense rather than go each time to change all this on K-50?

[@PentaxForumsNews]

​@@jelenaerceg3491 You can permanently leave this setting enabled, as it doesn't change anything when non-manual lenses are mounted.

[@serbanmih]

Hi, guys! Any of you have any idea how to control the aperture of this manual lenses during a video? I use them all the time for pictures, but I wanted to experiment with video a little. Sadly, the lenses stay wide-open during filming. It is possible to change the aperture while filming on the Pentax-M series?

[@MestizoFilipino]

So there's no way for Fstop to display on the camera? Thanks :p

[@PentaxForumsNews]

Right, because the camera doesn't know the F number.

[@jarosawzon4272]

Ok but what about exposure metring when we use old manual lenses. As far as I know it's a really big problem.

[@PentaxForumsNews]

It not a problem at all. With most Pentax bodies you simply press the green button to set the correct shutter speed just before taking the shot. On the Pentax K-3 III, the entire process is made automatic. More details in these articles: www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter-manual-m42-lenses-all-pentax-dslrs-k-1-k-3-k-5-k-30-etc.html and www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/k-3-III-how-to-using-m-and-k-lenses.html

[@jarosawzon4272]

@@PentaxForumsNews For example. I use Zeiss MC Flektogon 2.4/35 electric. It's equipped with an auto/manual switch. Obviously I use M mode because only in this mode aperture works. I use this lens in two ways. First with Av mode. I choose aperture while the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed. Secondly in M mode with green button. I choose aperture then press green button and choose shutter speed indicated by a camera. ISO is always set to 100. My photos are usually overexposed by at least 1.5 EV. Sometimes are underexposed. Thanks for links.

[@PentaxForumsNews]

@@jarosawzon4272 You might get more accurate exposures in live view, however +1.5EV sounds a bit excessive. To rule out any potential misconfigurations causing this, we'd recommend asking in the troubleshooting forum: www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/

[@jarosawzon4272]

@@PentaxForumsNews I use Pentax K10D. Today I compared exposures. Pentax K10D vs Sekonic L-308S and it was exactly + 1.5 EV. In AV mod I can set -1.5 EV corection and everything will be ok.

[@megansalt]

why do you need to press the green button before you take a picture? thanks.

[@PentaxForumsNews]

It gets the camera to set the correct shutter speed based on the available light.

[@joebeard7387]

Hi, please advise re aperture ring with non-manual lenses, should the setting be to disable? Thank you for posting this helpful video. I have subscribed and look forward to more of your YT videos. Regards and thanks, Joe.

[@PentaxForumsNews]

It's a "set it and forget it" setting. No need to change it back ever.

[@joebeard7387]

Pentax Forums Hi, so should it be left on disable please if manual lenses only are not used. I look forward to your reply, thanks and regards, Joe.

[@Kenri_Basar]

Just a note for everyone.... At first I thought my camera is broken because this setting wasn't working then I realised after playing with various settings that the camera needs to be at a fixed ISO (not Auto ISO) for this setting to work at least for Pentax K-01.

[@PentaxForumsNews]

Indeed. This is because on the K-01, M mode (on the dial) with auto ISO enabled is actually TAv mode. This also applies to a handful of other bodies around the same era, such as the K-30 and K-50.

[@emvallet]

Thanks a lot!!!!!! :)

[@etipi4286]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!:-)