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Are manual lenses really any use ?

stub
Posted 03/09/2013 - 11:09 Link
Last night at my camera club. I was given a Pentax MV1 and four fully manual lenses. Should I be looking to use any of the lenses on my K5II or K7, Or just dispose of them. The lenses were a
Vivitar close focus wide angle 28mm f2.8.
Pentax M 50mm f2
Super Paragon 80-200 macro F4.5
Super paragon 2x converter.

Cobra 300 ttl flash unit

I already own equivalent or faster AF lenses So don't see any advantage to me. Though I cant wait to have a fun dabble with the film camera.
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
Edited by stub: 03/09/2013 - 11:27
DrOrloff
Posted 03/09/2013 - 11:17 Link
Why not attach them to you K5II and see if you like the results. Some of my favourite lenses are manual.
Mongoose
Posted 03/09/2013 - 11:20 Link
If you want to have some fun with the MV1 they'll match to that beautifully, as to using them on your DSLR, well try it. Some people love the feel of old manual lenses, others can't get on with the lack of automation. It very much deppends on your preferences and your style of photography.
you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help
MrB
Posted 03/09/2013 - 12:42 Link
Does anyone know if any of those non-Pentax lenses has a Ricoh pin because, if it does, it might get stuck on a DSLR body.

Philip
Mongoose
Posted 03/09/2013 - 13:28 Link
MrB wrote:
Does anyone know if any of those non-Pentax lenses has a Ricoh pin because, if it does, it might get stuck on a DSLR body.

Philip

ooo very good point, I don't know the lenses in question but I think I'm right in saying you just have to make sure there aren't any protruding bits on the mount?
you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help
Stuey
Posted 03/09/2013 - 13:38 Link
I have a Komine made Vivtar 28mm - not the close focus one but it focusses at the same distance??? - I like it a lot once stopped down a little
K10D, K5 plus plenty of clueless enthusiasm.

My Flickr site link
Don
Posted 03/09/2013 - 14:50 Link
try them for video....
I use a lot of M and A series lenses just for video and as back ups for my af lenses for stills or studio work.
.
Fired many shots. Didn't kill anything.
screwdriver222
Posted 03/09/2013 - 15:18 Link
I have got a M50 f1.7 which I hardly use so I have just fitted to very cheap extension tubes and get excellent macro shots. See my portfolio for a few low res pics and my flickr link for full size. link
Edited by screwdriver222: 03/09/2013 - 15:29
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 03/09/2013 - 17:40 Link
Manual lenses are great fun to use, much more rewarding than modern ones and can provide excellent photos. I don't know that any of the ones you've been given is very highly regarded though, but I'd recommend trying them out to see if you like the results.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
swarf
Posted 03/09/2013 - 17:42 Link
I have the Komine made Vivitar 28mm (A03 version)- it's nice to use (at least I like using it) and produces really good results.

DrOrloff wrote:
Why not attach them to you K5II and see if you like the results. Some of my favourite lenses are manual.

However, I agree with Dr.O - give them a try and if you don't like, then get rid of them.

Phil
K-5iiS; K-r; ME Super; ME; DA* 16-50 f2.8; DA 18-135 WR; DA 55-300 WR; HD DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited; FA 50mm f1.4; A50mm f1.7; DAL 18-55mm; M40mm f2.8; + assorted non-Pentax lenses

My Flikr Page link
MrB
Posted 03/09/2013 - 18:28 Link
This is the Ricoh pin on my Clubman 28mm f/2.8 manual focus KA mount film camera lens -

Comment Image

This lens got stuck on my K100D. Fortunately, after a lot of jiggling around (and also jiggling the lens and camera), I managed to unstick it, and I won't be attaching it again!

However, Pentax manual lenses work well on DSLR, and they are fun to use if you can do the manual focusing.

Philip
Edited by MrB: 03/09/2013 - 18:30
stub
Posted 03/09/2013 - 18:37 Link
Quote:
Does anyone know if any of those non-Pentax lenses has a Ricoh pin because, if it does, it might get stuck on a DSLR body.

No they don't. Which is all well and good.
Quote:
I have got a M50 f1.7 which I hardly use so I have just fitted to very cheap extension tubes and get excellent macro shots.

I also have the M 50 1.7. What a great idea. I had been using my Sigma 105 macro. be good to experiment.

Quote:
I use a lot of M and A series lenses just for video and as back ups for my af lenses for stills or studio work.

Great comment.. Never thought of that.

Quote:
I have a Komine made Vivtar 28mm

How do I find out who made my lens. I assumed it was Vivitar.... This is a lens a really fancy taking some time with..

I would be interested if any one has any comments on the image quality of film lenses compared to modern day AF lenses.. I don't mind fully manual, as long as the images are better. But if they are not then its AF all the way for me. Like everyones says I will have a better idea once ive taken them out and about..
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
Edited by stub: 03/09/2013 - 18:40
swarf
Posted 03/09/2013 - 19:00 Link
Quote:
How do I find out who made my lens. I assumed it was Vivitar.... This is a lens a really fancy taking some time with..

Have a look at:

http://photografica.robinparmar.com/vivitar.html

Various posts elsewhere on the web suggest that this is the definitive list of the makes for all of the vast number variations of the Vivitar 28mm lenses made.

Phil
K-5iiS; K-r; ME Super; ME; DA* 16-50 f2.8; DA 18-135 WR; DA 55-300 WR; HD DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited; FA 50mm f1.4; A50mm f1.7; DAL 18-55mm; M40mm f2.8; + assorted non-Pentax lenses

My Flikr Page link
johnriley
Posted 03/09/2013 - 19:01 Link
Some film lenses are superb, others abysmal and every step in between those extremes.

Digital lenses are designed to be telecentric, that is the light rays exiting are as parallel as possible. Film lenses did not need to direct light in the same way so especially wide angles have light rays striking the film/sensor at quite oblique angles. This causes light loss and chromatic aberration on digital.

The FA Limited lenses were designed for film and are still superb on digital. Others vary. The 50mm lenses should be a safe bet.

So, time for a practical test to see what the lenses you have been given will do.
Best regards, John
MrB
Posted 03/09/2013 - 20:20 Link
Stuart's Vivitar close focus wide angle 28mm f2.8 would certainly be worth trying out, John. The 28mm is not really a wide angle on a DSLR, so it might work OK. This is a shot taken last year with a 28mm Pentax-A lens, about 2/3 crop Jpeg SOOC, EXIF intact, unprocessed except for re-sizing -

Comment Image

Philip

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