Pentax K10d and Manual focus lenses

[Abbazz]

In this thread, I noticed an interesting discussion between Attila, Flor27 and PapadakosPanagiotis regarding the lack of support for MF lenses from majors brands producing DSLRs.

As stated by PapadakosPanagiotis, "at least Pentax K10D supports it"!

Yes, definitely. And that's the main reason why I bought a K10d. It's a real pleasure to be able to use my Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 180/2.5 in aperture priority automatic mode, with AF confirmation and image stabilization. As the K10d is an APS-C format camera, the lens has the same field of view as a fast f/2.5 275mm lens.

And if I need some more reach, I can always add the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter and, voil?! my lens becomes a powerful f/4.0 306mm telephoto, equivalent to a 468mm lens on full frame 35mm. I shouldn't state this on a forum dedicated to manual focus lenses, but the 1.7x AF adapter also turns MF lenses into AF lenses, albeit with a limited AF range.

Here's a picture taken wide open with the Tamron 180/2.5 at 1/160sec. with image stabilization:



Maybe you noticed the tiny ant on the bitter gourd. Here it is, at 100% size:



And now a picture taken wide open with the Tamron 180/2.5 and the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter (306mm resulting focal length) at 1/100sec. with image stabilization:



There are two drawbacks when using manual focus lenses on the K10d.
- Lenses with automatic diaphragm actuation need to have an "A" setting on the diaphragm ring in order for the camera to be able to meter in automatic mode with aperture priority (Av). It means that old Pentax K and Pentax M bayonet lenses will only allow the use of "M" mode on the K10d, with manual metering at the push of a button prior to the exposure. This is not a problem for Tamron Adaptall lenses, because they have an "AE" setting on their diaphragm ring. M42 lenses can also be used in "Av" mode, but only with stopped down metering when the lens is switched to the "Manual diaphragm" setting.
- The exposure metering on the K10d is very accurate with KAF lenses. With manual focus lenses, it's OK but only when the lens is used wide open. When the lens is stopped down, the exposure tends towards overexposure and needs to be compensated. The more one lens is stopped down, the more compensation is needed, sometimes exceeding the -2EV range of the camera.

Even with these shortcomings, I find the K10d a very nice complement to my Canon EOS 1Ds. I use the Canon mostly for landscape and cityscape work with wide angles and in the studio with moderate telephotos, while I prefer the Pentax for family events, wildlife shooting and travel photography. I am very glad than these two cameras can share a wide range of lenses. In fact almost all my lenses (MF, of course) can be used on both cameras.

Cheers!

Abbazz
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[niblue]

The *istDS (and similar) generation of Pentax DSLR's is actually better than the K10D with pre-KA lenses for a couple of reasons:

1) It supports TTL flash as well as P-TTL (P-TTL doesn't work with lenses without an 'A' setting). That includes the built in flash.
2) It doesn't suffer from the inaccurate metering when stopping down in manual mode with pre-KA lenses

The K10D is still pretty good with older lenses - with older lenses I just meter wide open then manually work out the necessary shutter speed when stopping down. Fortunately the AF360FGZ flash has an auto mode as well as TTL & P-TTL so that can be used with older lenses as well.
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Regards
Steve

[poilu]

The Pentax Corporation will be disbanded on March 31, 2008
This will finally mark a full stop to the 88-year old Asahi / Pentax company which was first established in the November of the Year 1919.

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2007/10/hoya-is-to-dismiss-pentax-by-this.html
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Have a nice day

[Abbazz]

[niblue]

[Abbazz]

[poilu]

what I don't understand is how the k10d know the focal length of the adaptall-2. In the first shot the exif report 180mm and with 1.7x it report 300mm. That's nice, with the canon I have to modify exif myself.
Does it work also with zoom; does it work with other mount than adaptall-2.
btw 300mm at 1/100 is really impressive
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Have a nice day

[niblue]

[Orio]

[poilu]

[niblue]

[TDN]

[TDN]

[Abbazz]

[hacksawbob]

You mean you can mount M42 lenses AND use IS with them! why am I wasting my time with canon!
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