How do I get my old film version Pentax Lenses to work on my *st DS Digital SLR?
Really I only want to be able to use my SMC Pentax-M 1.7 50mm However it doesn't seem to recognize the lens when I switch on my camera. It won't allow me to take shots with it. I've read articles from people who say they use them so can anyone let me in on the trick/s to get it to work?
Photography - 3 Answers
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1 :
If Pentax lenses are like most other auto-focus, linked lenses, it will have to have an IC chip installed as well as some contacts. I know that some lens repair shops provide this service for some Nikon lenses, however you will have to call around and see if such a service is available for Pentax lenses. Or you can call the Pentax help line.
2 :
I can sympathise with you: my first lens was an SMC Takumar 55 mm f1.8 lens on my Pentax Spotmatic II, and it was the best lens I ever had. Trouble was it was screw-mount, just before the bayonet mounts were developed. I doubt very much whether your lens would be automatically recognised by the new-fangled digital cameras: but there may well be an adapter of some kind you can use. SMC Takumar lenses still have a surprisingly large following; just browse them on Google and you will find a bunch of enthusiasts exchanging tips. (BTW, I recently discovered that Takumar lenses were initially jointly developed by a Japanese company and the German iconic lens company, Zeiss.)
3 :
If it is a K mount lens, it will go on, but you have to shoot it with the camera in Manual. It will not do any of the auto focus, shutter speed and aperture stuff. If it is a screw mount Takumar, you will need an adaptor from screw mount to K mount and then all of the above is still true.
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