M lens functionality on *ist DS: How much?

If set properly, does the *ist DS handle exposure settings when an M series lens is attached? Or do all settings -- focus and exposure -- have to be handled manually? I don't yet own the camera, but am looking around for a few used primes in advance of purchase.

Any advice on this, anyone?

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Rolling Eyes

I have made a personal decision to use "A" lenses and later with the *istDs, because this allows full functionality with all the exposure systems in the camera.

It is possible to use K and M lenses, and even to get a meter reading, but I do find the process more fiddly and for me I don't think it's worth the hassle.

Others will and have disagreed, so do consider their comments as well, which you will find on other threads in this forum.

Thanks -- nice to know since I just bid on an M 3.5 135 lens at eBay USA.
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Wink

John Riley is a very experienced photographer, whose views are always worth listening to.

However, I hope he won't mind me saying that he does have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to the use of manual lenses on a DSLR.

Having thought, wrongly, that he had to keep altering the camera preferences when changing from an M or K lens to an A lens, he then sold off some or all of his M and K lenses, and now says that using these lenses on a DSLR is "fiddly".

In fact, it's slightly easier than using the same lenses on an MX, which was JR's favourite camera (I believe) before he bought a digital.

My advice, if you would like several lenses and don't have a huge budget, is to buy M lenses. They're good, and they're cheap, and they're really not too fiddly to use. Unless you are just a "point & shooter", that is. If so, perhaps you shouldn't be buying an SLR.

George

No I don't mind at all, people disagree with me all the time!

You are quite correct that I was also initially confused by the instructions for using M and K lenses (although perhaps you will allow that the mysterious language of the manual doesn't help....)

The reason I sold some of my M series lenses and indeed cameras was a different issue. I had increased my M collection to write an article, and having done that the excess items were then sold to make way for the next project. Unfortunately something has to give in the quest for financial sanity!

The MX is still a firm favourite, and it lends itself naturally to the ergonomics of M lenses. I do find using A lenses or later more convenient on the DSLRs, and I do believe the M and K lenses are, relatively speaking, "fiddly" compared to the more modern optics.

I suppose it depends on how the individual photographer wants to work, and indeed on the type of photography being undertaken.

So I guess I retain some of my blind spot, but I do find that there is a lot to agree with as well in what you say, George!

Hello, John,

Sorry for ascribing the wrong reason to your M lens sell-off.

I do agree that M and K lenses ARE slightly more fiddly to use than A (and later) lenses, but the emphasis is on the word "slightly". In this day and age, where Pentax AF lenses are few and far between, I reckon that M and K lenses are a very good low-cost alternative for using on a DSLR.

George

Hello ppl,

My DS has been playing tricks on me; at first I thought I had done something wrong, but then I could see nothing and the camera kept enjoying my puzzled face...

I was shooting quickly with my Pentax-M 50mm F/1.4, but the shutter was not responding most of the times I pressed the shutter button. After pressing some times and adjusting focus it eventually fired (but the moment was long gone). I could see nothing wrong, and my puzzled semblant was now making my wife quite joyfull as well. I had to leave, so I relunctantly left the DS at home.

Upon returning, I realized my mistake: the Auto/Manual focus switch was on "Auto", so the camera seemingly only fired the shutter when focus lock was achived.

I don't have the manual here with me but, having read it cover to cover, I remember nothing on this point... has this happened to any of you?

Oh, and does this happen with A lens as well?

Thanks!

The shutter release lock using manual focus lens in autofocus mode occurs with all manual focus lenses (K M or A - and indeed I guess even with screwmount lenses and adaptor). It is a feature of the autofocus film cameras as well. It can be used to acheive a 'semiauto' focus mode. Point camra at sbject. Hold down shutter release. Slowly turn focus ring and when the subject is in focus bingo! the shuter fires. (never bothered doing it this way myself though).

amilner:

Yes, that's it! It works exactly as you specified! Although I don't see me using it too much, it may actually come in handy in some situations!

Thanks!

"-- nice to know since I just bid on an M 3.5 135 lens at eBay USA.
"

You will love the combination. I do. Sharp, tight composition, almost as if it were made for the DS.

For what its worth, it is possible to buy a K mount to Canon EOS adaptor and use Canon digital cameras in stopped down metering mode.

The M lenses work on the *st D exactly as they do on the MX. So if the MX is "fiddly", then I suppose all manual lenses are "fiddly".

You can set the camera to release the shutter when the autofocus detects something in focus. This is called "trap focus" shooting. Set the AF point on a spot where your subject (racer, animal, whatever) will be, hold the shutter release down, and when your subject hits the right spot the shutter fires. It's great for stuff like bycycle races and so on.

With the MX, you set an aperture and that is what you get.

With the digital bodies you have to manually stop down the lens to achieve the set aperture, using the stop down switch.

I think the MX suits the process more naturally....

What "stop-down" switch? With both the MX and the digital cameras you set the aperture on the lens. It's exactly the same.

Having set your aperture, you then adjust the shutter dial on the MX to achieve correct exposure, or press a button on the DSLR. The latter is quicker.

I really don't think you've mastered this simple process yet!

G

You're probably right, George, it's much too difficult for me.....