MZ 50 and compatible lenses ?

Does anybody know what kind of (good) lenses (Pentax; Sigma; Tameron...) would fit my camera ?
Well I am looking for a wide angle lens and also a macro lens ... at an average price (less than £200) ...

I think as soon as I have got some info about that I might buy them second hand online ... humm Any site to advise me too ?

Thanks for your help.

Rosa.

Any lens with a Pentax KA bayonet mount will work on your camera. The "A" is important. It refers to a setting on the aperture ring which allows the camera (rather than the photographer) to set the aperture.

You can see what I mean in this picture:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/wide-angle/A28f2.html

Near the bottom of the lens is a ring with a series of numbers, and to the left is a green "A", next to the 22.

Your camera does not work with lenses which do not have the "A" setting. Such lenses (if made by Pentax) will either be called Pentax-M or just plain Pentax (with no suffix).

Pentax lenses which have the suffix "F", or "FA" or "FAJ" (the last have no aperture ring at all) are autofocus lenses, and all of these will work. The Pentax-A lenses are manual focus, but don't ignore these as they are usually very good, and often cheap to buy. Most were made in the days when construction quality was much greater than it is now.

If you don't have a 50mm lens, buy one (auto-focus or manual) as they are the finest quality of all. The Pentax-A 1:1.7 50mm can often be found on Ebay for around £20.00.

Finally, there are now some "DA" lenses on the market which are designed solely for the small sensor of the *ist D camera, and will not fill the frame of a 35mm camera like yours. Ignore them.

There are some good non-Pentax lenses, but they are usually (but not always) of inferior quality. Those that are good are often (but not always) expensive. Check carefully before you buy, and remember to look for the "A" on the aperture ring.

Remember that zoom lenses are convenient, and that you pay a price for convenience. That price is size, cost, quality and speed (ability to take pictures in low light). It's worth having a few "prime" (ie fixed focal length; not zoom) lenses if these features are important to you.

Go for a 28mm wide-angle for cost/quality reasons, and for a 100mm macro. 50mm puts the subject too close.

Ebay is a very good place to buy. Don't rush in, lurk for a month or so to see what sells for what. Ffordes is a good on-line retailer:

https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

Two useful resources for you:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ (The "Bible"!)

http://stans-photography.info/

Good luck

George

Just seen that Ffordes presently have an SMC Pentax-A 1:4 100mm macro going for £225, and a 1:2.8 28mm for £65.00. Both superb lenses in superb condition (they say). Problem solved!

Both manual focus, but autofocus is wasted on wide-angles, and seldom important with macro (IMHO).

You'd get them cheaper on Ebay, but you'd have to wait.

George

Thank you so much for your precious help. I knew about the A feature on the lenses and what you said helps a lot too... especially the link FFORDES. I'll have a serious look at it (and might get that wide angle lens)

Thanks George.

Rosa.