Pentax *ist D

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum, so hello. I've recently gone digital on my SLR (did have an old SP100) and bought an *ist D. Althought the stock 18-70mm lens on the camera is rather good, I would like to add a 50mm lens to my collection. I bought the below on ebay and made the custom change to allow the aperture to be changed manually but the light meter doesn't work with the lens ... does anyone have any advice? If this lens is not compatible with the *ist D's light meter, is there a 50mm lens that anyone could recommend?


PENTAX SMC K FIT 50mm Lens


Cheers
Phil

Hi Phil, you'll find the lens only works in Aperture Priority (always fully open) and Manual (any aperture) modes. When metering with a digital body you have to stop the lens down to take a reading. On the K10D this is achieved with the "Green Button" but I'm not sure about the *istD as I've never owned one - I'm sure someone will be along soon who knows though.

The lens *will* work so you haven't wasted your money...

The light meter should work with any lens when the camera is in Manual mode, though there may be some error in some situations. Press the AE-L button to stop down the lens when necessary.

For full compatibility with the auto and semi auto exposure modes, look for a Pentax-A, Pentax-F, Pentax-FA or Pentax-DA lens.

I can recommend Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 and Pentax-FA 50mm f1.4.

For the *ist D (and some other models), it's the AE-L button that stops down the lens in Manual mode.

EDIT: Sorry, It's the Green button on the D and some other models, AE-L button on the DS and some other models!

Phil,

It was Pete and the folk on this forum who taught me this trick on my K110D. Selector on "M", lens aperture ring enabled in menu, lens ring set to chosen aperture, half press shutter, press AE-L, fully press shutter. You'll see the lens stop down as the light reading is taken.

I've set my metering to spot in the menu as well. I'm not sure this is necessary, but I prefer it with all lenses.

You have a perfectly good lens there!

Cheers,

It's been a while since I've used my *istD, but it's got a green button, and I'm sure it meters when this is pressed too.

Just checked, and yes it does. So that's the easiest way of using it (as far as I'm concerned! ).

Dan

Sorry, I was assuming the D was the same as the DS in this way and didn't have a Green button.

I see where the Green button is now:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NPICS1/PENTAX_ISTD_HANDSON_8_L.JPG - top right