Pentax K200D and m42 lenses: what to check first?

[ntx]

Hi all,
my M42 adapter arrived and now I should buy a M42 lens (expecially to check if the adapter allows infinity focus).
I own a Pentax K200D and I would like to know what I should check first before buying a M42 lens.
For example I see that some M42 lenses have a little peg near the screw-mount or have some sort of aperture preset... do they fit in my camera without hurting anything inside it?
Are there any M42 lenses that won't fit in my camera (I don't want to modify the lenses)?

Thanks,
Jenner

[Orio]

Jenner
there are a few lenses that will not fit your camera - but they are really few (some old aluminium tessar, helios-44, or Biotar-58 models)
The main thing you want to check about your adapter is if it has the pin-stopping flange or not. If not, you will not be able to use the "auto only" lenses, that is, those lenses that only have automation mode and require the pin to be pressed to stop the iris down.
But again, most M42 lenses are either fully manual, or offer both manual and auto modes via a button or switch.

[CarbonR]

Most of the "only auto" lenses can be simply hacked by unscrewing the rear part and block the pin. I almost use only M42 lenses on my K100D (predecessor of the K200D in terms of class), not only Takumars, and never had big problems with them

[Orio]

[ntx]

Thank you for the answers.
And what about the back of the lens? I see some M42 back lens protrudes for many millimeters inside the camera... could it hurt against the mirror?

Thanks again.

Bye
Jenner

[ludoo]

Other lenses that won't fit are: Fujinon EBC lenses, which have an annoying protrusion to transmit aperture information to the camera and which needs to be filed off; Mamiya SX (at least those I've seen) which have the aperture ring that comes in contact with the camera body and again needs to be filed.

Modifying the Fujinons is really easy and a manual file is enough, the Mamiyas require substantially more work with a Dremel or lathe.

Edit: quanti italiani qui, a quando un meeting?

Edit 2: ntx if you want I have a Fujinon 50mm f2.2 non-EBC which I never use and I could give you for free. It's worth next to nothing but it's not a bad lens to test your adapter with.

[Nesster]

Jenner - which adapter did you get? The ones with a flange outside the mount won't allow infinity focus - the real one from Pentax and some of the others (including the one that holds the pin in) fit entirely inside the K mount.

The easiset lenses to use without modification or other steps fall into two categories:
. those with the Auto/Manual switch. You set it to Manual.
. the pre-set lenses. These typically have two aperture rings, one to set the shooting aperture, and a second one that moves freely between wide open and the pre-selected shooting aperture.

All Auto/Tele/Super/S-M-C/SMC Takumars work great. Yashinon DX series works great. There are loads of Vivitars, Soligors etc that also work great.

With the K200D, you can use the Av setting, though usually will have to dial in some exposure compensation. Simply close the lens down (in M, or preset) and shoot. To focus, either open up via aperture ring, or, some people use the A/M switch on the lens.

Manual stop down metering also works of course.

[ntx]

Thank you Nesster for your reply: you give an answer to some other questions I got about Auto/Manual lenses.
The models called "electro" or "electric" could be used?
About the adapter: I bought a clone of the Pentax original adapter. It should allow infinity focus - the seller confirms - but I want to be sure with a test.

@Ludoo: An italian meeting could be nice... maybe not to far from where I live (my car sucks a bit ) ...and thank you for your offer; I think my father still have a russian alluminium body 135mm lens somewhere: I'll take a look with it.

Bye
Jenner

[kuuan]

great info from Nesster!

that 'clone' of the original adapter does not push the pin of lenses without A/M switch which need the pin to be pushed to close down. But it's rather rare..don't worry about it, this adapter should be fine

there are only very few lenses that make problems, most of them already had been listed.
No problem known with the 'electrics'
set the A/M switch to M ( in A the lens will stay wide open only )
the presets mentioned by Nesster are pleasant in use

you may find this guide how to set the Pentax for manual lenses useful ( written for the K100D ):
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=24921509

have fun,
Andreas

[ntx]

Thank you kuuan: I just use some manual lens (Pentax A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax M 28mm f/3.5, Takumar 135mm f/2.5 and Tokina SZ-X 60-300mm f/4.0-5.6). Now that I bought the M42 adapter I would like to add some Zeiss and Meyer... I want to see how good are they and if they fit in my way to take photos.

Bye
Jenner

[kuuan]

there is a big pool of lenses in M42...
yes, CZJ and Meyers, Russians..
..and many japanese if Yashica, Mamaiya, Chinon..many very good Vivitars ( Series 1 and manufactory number starting with 22 made by Kiron, starting with 28 made by Komine ) and above all the Takumars..small well engineered and mostly very good performers

[Helios]

There is a problem with the Helios-40-2 : You have to remove the tripod mount ring to attach it on K200D , because the flash protrusion is more important than Istd models (Istd, Istds, Istdl) , and its position from the body mount is closer (a few millimeters)
Orio , I did have any problem with alu Tessar, with Biotar and Helios.