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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009
Posts: 3462
Location: Northern Ireland
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 Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:27 pm Post subject: DSLR for Pentax Takumar M42 lenses |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
The older I get (I'm nearly 50), the harder it is for me to focus my mf lenses. I wear glasses and I've had my eyes tested recently and my current prescription is fine.
At the moment I use a Canon 10D DSLR for my takumar lenses. I now want to change it for a new higher resolution camera. I'm drawn towards a Pentax model because of their internal shake reduction and because I've been told that a Pentax is the best match for my Pentax lenses.
My biggest priority is ease of focusing and compatibility with my lenses. Could anyone with experience of Pentax DSLR's give me some advice?
Thanks in advance.
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kuuan
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 4569
Location: right now: Austria
Expire: 2014-12-26
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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kuuan wrote:
Edgar I am a stout believer that Pentax dSLRs are the best for using M42 lenses, it is the system with the biggest sensor / smallest crop factor stabilizing old manual lenses, only a simple mechanical adapter needed and the lenses fit snugly on the camera. Viewfinders are relatively big and bright, by now very precise focus confirmation, decent metering of M42 lenses.
However a FF camera will have a much bigger and brighter viewfinder and thus sure should be the better option still
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Rolf
Joined: 02 May 2009
Posts: 4123
Location: NRW/Germany
Expire: 2015-12-26
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Rolf wrote:
Well Edgar, I use the Taks mainly with a Pentax K200D. Good all around cam with focus light and not very expensive.
Here few samples with a Helios 44-2 lens
http://www.foto-bochum.net/Historical-Equipment/Lens-Helios-44-2-f258/8951294_ZDbkG#594583449_hdvry
and here with Tak 4/200mm on Pentax K200D
http://www.foto-bochum.net/Events/Ruhr-Reggae-Festival-Summer/9070571_hvUjN#604003244_RgtMZ
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Rolf
Last edited by Rolf on Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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LucisPictor
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 17633
Location: Oberhessen, Germany / Maidstone ('95-'96)
Expire: 2013-12-03
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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LucisPictor wrote:
| kuuan wrote: |
| However a FF camera will have a much bigger and brighter viewfinder and thus sure should be the better option still |
As long as you've got those Taks that can be used on a 5D.
I would otherwise opt for the K7 or the K-x. Andreas has pointed out the reasons already.
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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009
Posts: 3462
Location: Northern Ireland
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
| LucisPictor wrote: |
| kuuan wrote: |
| However a FF camera will have a much bigger and brighter viewfinder and thus sure should be the better option still |
As long as you've got those Taks that can be used on a 5D.
I would otherwise opt for the K7 or the K-x. Andreas has pointed out the reasons already. |
I must admit, I'm very interested in the K-x. Do you know whether the focusing screen is interchangeable with a split image type? Off course, if I eventually choose a K-x, that throws up another problem - what colour does one choose? 
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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009
Posts: 3462
Location: Northern Ireland
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
| kuuan wrote: |
Edgar I am a stout believer that Pentax dSLRs are the best for using M42 lenses, it is the system with the biggest sensor / smallest crop factor stabilizing old manual lenses, only a simple mechanical adapter needed and the lenses fit snugly on the camera. Viewfinders are relatively big and bright, by now very precise focus confirmation, decent metering of M42 lenses.
However a FF camera will have a much bigger and brighter viewfinder and thus sure should be the better option still |
To obtain open aperture metering on a K-x with M42 lenses do I need an adapter with or without a flange?
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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009
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Location: Northern Ireland
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
Is the focus light on the K200D accurate with M42 lenses or do you use a split image screen?
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kuuan
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 4569
Location: right now: Austria
Expire: 2014-12-26
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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kuuan wrote:
| DigiChromeEd wrote: |
I must admit, I'm very interested in the K-x. Do you know whether the focusing screen is interchangeable with a split image type? Off course, if I eventually choose a K-x, that throws up another problem - what colour does one choose? |
I am using K-x and installed a Katz Eye split focus screen.
On Pentax K10D / K20D / K-7 the change is more straight forwards as it is made to be interchangeable, on the K100D / K200D / K-x it is a bit more difficult, you can download the installation guide pdf and have a look: http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/page--Focusing-Screen-Installation-Guides--guides.html
the color...well..
| DigiChromeEd wrote: |
..
To obtain open aperture metering on a K-x with M42 lenses do I need an adapter with or without a flange? |
hm, metering only will be done with the lens stopped down to desired aperture which darkens the viewfinder. Usual method is to open up the lens for bright viewfinder / focusing, then to stop down, next do the metering by pressing the 'green button' and then release
( alternatively Av mode, which saves pressing the green button, can be used, but is less accurate, need varying dail in of exposure compensation depending on aperture chosen )
so the flange won't help for open aperture metering.
there are adapters with an 'inner' flange which will press the pin on the lens which have pin but no M/A switch, thus enabling stopping down the lens.
there are adapters with an 'outer' flange which introduce more distance between lens and mount, they should be avoided because they will disable infinity focus.
All Super, S-M-C and SMC Takumars have A/M switch which must be put to M, old presets do not have pin nor switch, some Auto Taks do have pin but no switch but a lever to push open instead, in short for none a flanged adapter is required. The original Pentax adapter does not have any flange
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ellepi
Joined: 07 Aug 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Treviso - Italia
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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ellepi wrote:
Hallo Edgar,
you need an adapter ring with every kynd of DSRL to use M42 lens.
Pentax is the best choice for me for stabilization on camera (that can helps you with all lenses), for colors and for a filological choice.
For simple focusing, the best Pentax is K7 (100% of viewfinder coverage). K-x take the best pictures with high ISO setting, *istD is the first DSRL that pentax made and is the best choice for price/qulity interaction.
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K | Pentax M40/2.8, K 55/2, A 50/1.7, M 50/1.7, M 135/3.5 - Jupiter 37-AM
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mo
Joined: 27 Aug 2009
Posts: 8979
Location: Australia
Expire: 2016-07-30
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| Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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mo wrote:
Hi
I have just acquired the K200D,I like it.The focus for me is faster than what I can do with a manual camera  It is heavy and weather sealed.
I have been reading through these "stickys" on the pentax forum site
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/
They run through issues with the K-x,K200D and many other DSLRs and the use of the "green button".
Here is the katzeye quotes for pentax focus screens
http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/cat--Pentax-DSLRs--cat_pentax.html
It's hard choosing which camera but once you chose... 
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kuuan
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 4569
Location: right now: Austria
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 1:53 am Post subject: Re: DSLR for Pentax Takumar M42 lenses |
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kuuan wrote:
| DigiChromeEd wrote: |
| The older I get (I'm nearly 50), the harder it is for me to focus my mf lenses. I wear glasses and I've had my eyes tested recently and my current prescription is fine... |
hey, I just turned 50, my eyes have turned bad, +2.5 for reading, no glasses for distance but I see double image.
the only time I see 'sharp' is, after focused achieved, through the viewfinder 
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 6602
Location: San Francisco, USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:32 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
I'm a few months from 50 also ! Odd isn't it ?
I have +10 glasses AND bifocals.
Anyway, I've also got a K-x and a K100D
The stabilization is a wonderful thing indeed, it makes the use of long lenses an entirely different game.
The diopter adjustment on both is the same and very necessary for ancient characters like us. It works very well for me.
The focus confirm seems to be better on the K-x than the K100D, but it isn't perfect by a long shot. It takes some practice to get a feel for when you are really in focus.
The argument for a flanged M42 adapter on these Pentax DSLR's is to connect some of the metering contacts on the front plate. If this isn't done there can be metering problems. I am not sure this is true.
If I use an M42 with the flush-mounted adapter (like the original Pentax M42-PK) I have to put in +2 or +3 EV.
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DigiChromeEd
Joined: 29 Dec 2009
Posts: 3462
Location: Northern Ireland
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| Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:29 am Post subject: |
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DigiChromeEd wrote:
Thanks for the links Mo
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Transit
Joined: 20 Jun 2010
Posts: 52
Location: Wanganui
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| Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 3:15 am Post subject: |
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Transit wrote:
In body shake reduction is brilliant.
I bought the K-x for my daughter and the results are great with old lenses.
So far I have 4 K-M42 adapters (flush mount) that live on my favourite Takumars 
Metering can vary but is easy to correct.
Using old preset aperture lenses is sweet in Av
Sexy beast
Have fun
Pete
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Transit
Joined: 20 Jun 2010
Posts: 52
Location: Wanganui
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| Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 3:48 am Post subject: Re: DSLR for Pentax Takumar M42 lenses |
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Transit wrote:
| DigiChromeEd wrote: |
The older I get (I'm nearly 50), the harder it is for me to focus my mf lenses. I wear glasses and I've had my eyes tested recently and my current prescription is fine.
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I'm further over the hill here
I stuck a split prism focusing screen in my K100D and it is the bomb for manual focusing. Katzeye or ebay jobs are available. I cut down a Pentax MG screen myself.
Pete
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