Pentax M42 adapter

[Katastrofo]

Got one of these yesterday, but no focus confirm for M42 glass. I now have
infinity focus, though. Evidently the ist DS model is the first that provides
focus confirm for M42.

[Séamuis]

correct, I assume you have a *istD? did you get your hands on a genuine pentax adapter or one of those bower adapters I keep hearing about?

focus confirm is a good thing to have but I find that (although it can be expensive) replacing the AF style focusing screen with an older manual split-image screen goes a long way in getting more in focus shots.

[Sven]

On my *ist DL I didn't get focus confirm on M42 either, but someone on this forum gave me a tip that the contacts at the lens mount on the camera could be shortened with a piece of foil.
The tip was originally for getting correct metering, bud seems to fix the focus confirm as well.
Some M42 lenses shorts the contacts by themselves if the surface is conductive, but my Super Tak 55 didn't cover the contacts.

[Katastrofo]

@Seamuis, hi, recognize you from the PentaxForum. I'm a newbie there, my
nick is "chubasco". Yes, this is the *istD, so no focus confirm except for
K-mount, but am loving this camera! Yes, the adapter is the OEM one from
Pentax online.

Where would I get a split image focusing screen? Sounds interesting.

@Sven, I think all cams after the D have focus confirm for M42, maybe I'm
mistaken.

Bill

[Séamuis]

yea I spend more time there then I should, (on there right now) there are a couple of places that you can get a focusing screen:

the istD and DS use the same size screen.

Expensive: http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/cat--Pentax-DSLRs--cat_pentax.html

slightly less expensive: http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=25_66 (cut from NOS focusing screens of other cameras)

as I said they are expensive. there was a Chinese merchant on ebay selling screens like the taiwanese linked above for very cheap but he is no longer on the bay. all of these (including the Chinese) have been verified as good quality and work as they should over on the PENTAXforums but for what its worth I would say if you have the money and are willing to make the investment go with KatzEye. they are the best of the best.

I was going to get one for my K110D but decided to wait until I pick up a K10D or whatever Pentax is planning on releasing in the near future.

[Katastrofo]

I think I'd go for the Katzeye, it's the brightest and the best. Forgot about
those guys, should've known they'd make a screen for Pentax. It's not the
first thing next I'll be getting, but it's in the line. Thanks!

Bill

[Sven]