New to DSLR

Hello all,

Finally made the jump to DSLR's and have gone for the Pentax K-m (2000d?) with the 18-55mm and 50-200mm twin lens kit.

Expect lots of "numpty" questions from a novice.......

Lynton

Hello Lynton welcome to the forum.

The kit seems to become quite popular here, I wasn't sure if the K-M will sell but it seems to be doing well and I'm glad to see that

Don't be afraid to ask questions, you will help also others on the forum wit them so don't hold back

Hi Lynton,

Welcome aboard

Hi Lynton, welcome

Hello lynton

Hi Lynton: This is the third time I have written this note...not sure how I keep lossing my post?

Anyhow...welcome indeed. I too am knew to the K-M, and I do so love the camera. I have been trying to use the "old" with the "new". I have been incoperating my "old" flash and "old"telescopic lens with my new K-M. All my equiptment is from my trusty old K-1000 bought in 1978.

So for you and I to build up our new found knowledge base, from all the masters..and pro's on this forum, let me present a problem I am having..of course I am neither a master or pro.......


I am trying to take pictures with my pentax K-M using my old lens from my K1000.....I have put the setting on 'permit' for lens and set my camera to manual...however all my telescopic photos are very dark...is this my ISO setting??

If I lighten them by photoshopping;it becomes very washed out.

Hey Lynton....maybe you can help me???

As Ever; JudithAnn

Judith, I what mode are you shooting, AV, M, Etc.?
The Newer digital kameras tend to underexpose with old lenses so you might need to set the exposure setting to over expose your image, it's quite frustrating.

A new member started an topic about it with the K200D just hike along with that please to not go to much off topic here. https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/k200-under-exposure-11543

Using old (non A) lenses in Manual mode is a specific matter. You need to press a button to get a meter reading and set the shutter speed according to that reading. Sorry I don't know what button this is on the K-m.

On other models at least, if there is any error with shooting with manual-exposure lenses, it's usually over rather than under exposure. Then you have to compensate manually.

By the way, when you just want to use the largest aperture, Av mode works as normal with these lenses.

Judith - my guess is you have an old lens without the "A" position
Let me explain:

The K1000 (and similar) had a special mechanical "finger" that let the camera read where the aperture ring was set to. The camera takes a meter reading with the lens wide open (ie at it's smallest f-number), and would calculate the shutter speed for the aperture that you had selected. When you press the shutter button the K1000 would close down the aperture (say to f/11) and use the correct shutter speed.

However... Pentax removed this "finger" linking on all the dSLR cameras Many have asked for it to be added on at least some cameras, but alas, they don't have it. If your lens has an "A" setting, then the camera can choose the aperture - and knows about it. However, with lenses without the "A" setting, the camera will meter wide-open and expect the lens to remain wide-open when you take the shot.

Consequently, if you have a zoom lens that has f/4 as its widest aperture, but you have rotated the aperture ring to f/8, then the shot will be 2-stops underexposed

As Pete says, Pentax added the ability to perform "stop-down-metering" on most of the digital bodies. I'll download the K-m manual and see how it's done...

Matt

Ok - page 242 of the K-m manual documents how to do it
The bottom row of the column:
All Lenses - M (Manual) mode
Hope that helps!
Matt

Hello Lynton welcome to the forum.

Hello Lynton and welcome

Thank a million fellows...I will try this and oh by the way Anvh (Mr Potter) I will join the thread suggested.....
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/k200-under-exposure-11543

as Ever; JudithAnn Ohhh I have so very much to learn!

Once again, Welcome Lynton

Sorry Lynton but the link i gave went about a new DA lens, was thinking about other things then stop down metering gladly Matt knows what to do

Welcome to the mad world of Pentax Users, I'm slowly learning we are all mad or nutters here.