Macro tubes problem

Bought a Pentax-F 50mm f1.7 on Ebay and it came with a set of Panagor PK/A tubes.
The lens seems fine but I am having problems with the tubes, they are not working in the "A" setting .. the "F" on the camera just constantly flashes as if using a fully manual lens.

The contacts look clean and the tubes thenselves look brand new .. just wondering if I am doing something wrong as have never used tubes before.

Thanks.

Most "A" tubes are only automatic in that they have the aperture close-down "finger". Very few extension tubes have electrical contacts - when they do, then the camera can select the aperture as if there were no tubes.

Since you almost certainly have the non-electrical-contact tubes you will need to manually set the aperture using the lens' aperture ring. You must also set the Custom Function to enable aperture ring use other than the "A" setting (That's why the K10D is flashing "--" at you).

Matt

They have the electrical contacts.

Custom function is already set for my "M" 50mm macro and K mount 300mm f4

Mike,
Have you tried just one tube alone?
(Mine have the occasional contact issue, especially when stacking them)

I do seem to remember that someone (probably on this forum) had to scrape away the coating on the tube where there should have been an extra pin... might be worth comparing tube contacts to lens contacts.

Matt

Matt.
Have tried all 3 tubes on their own and still the same, the F is no longer flashing and they work fine in manual mode.
Still getting F--- though so cannot set aperture via camera body.

I will upload a couple of pictures of them when I get back to Spain, cannot do any from here as the laptop I am using is older than the ark.

Ok just a thought, but you're not mounting the "M"50 Macro on the end of the "A" tubes are you ?

It's the kinda thing I would do I'm sure ! I'd probably read the manual twice, search the net for 3 hours before realising !!

Does this help Mike?

Link

Thanks Unlocker - that was where I'd seen it
Matt

Ahhhhhh .... Thanks to all, especially Unlocker for the link.
Worked like a charm ... now to try out the tubes attached to bellow with a 50mm 1:1 macro lens attached.

Actually, that will have to wait until I get back as well.

No problemo!

LOL! Don't go there...

Lol, hoped you'd notice!