Using M42 lens on Pentax K10D

Hi,

I am a Canon user but I am thinking about a shift to Pentax side. I own an EOS 400D with some good zoom lens for a year so it would be unfair saying that I am new.

I want to buy some M42 fixed focal lens to use with the K10D, but first of all an adaptor is needed. Apparently I want the Pentax genuine adaptor but I can't seem to be able to find them anywhere, has Pentax stop its production? I can't afford to lose the infinity focus function. Also I have a choice of K mount of M42 mount so I'm not sure which one would work better on my K10D?

I am aware that the M42 would be 1.5 times when used with K10D, does it affect my close-up distance when a macro lens is used? I should note that I want this shift because I thing it would be a great learning opportunity to improve my photo taking skill. Thanks a great deal for caring.
Duc

Hi... I suspect in a moment someone will be along to tell you that there are some issues with using manual lenses on the K10D.... to do with exposure or something...
I use a K100D with M lenses and apparently it is better for this role than its bigger brother.
Lee

Adapters are always available on Ebay. However, the correct adapter sits flush with the lens mount. Some unscrupulous vendors sell what they claim is an M42 - K adapter but it has a wide flange which means it sits proud of the mount, and prevents infinity focus.

Bad: http://tinyurl.com/2ytcl9

Good: http://tinyurl.com/22lu5e

Every M42 and K bayonet lens will crop the image to give a field of view on digital equivalent to a lens with a focal length that is 1.5 times longer.

There are metering problems with non auto-aperture lenses on the K10D - basically the meter reading will be incorrect except at full aperture. Of course, it's easy enough to meter at full aperture and then for every stop you go down on the aperture, you should halve the shutter speed.

Personally, if money were tight I would buy the K10D with the kit zoom and then add the 50-200mm when funds allowed. There are of course much better lenses available, but at a price.

To get the best from the camera, save up for a Limited lens. You won't believe how good they are. But to get a taste, every Pentax 50mm lens is superb, too, and much cheaper.

Here are the twin bibles of Pentax:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

http://stans-photography.info/

The latter is a bit out of date, but still a mine of useful information.

G

Hi guys,

Thank you all for your replies, greatly appreciated!
To be honest, I decided to shift mainly because of the joy of using M42 lens, they are of great quality and sadly enough losing their popularity.

A first though is that M42 works better on Pentax camera so I want to offload my Canon EOS 400D. Apparently both Pentax K10D and EOS can be adapted to use with M42 lens but Pentax K10D is significantly cheaper at better build quality.

I don't mind living with stop down metering....as long as the procedure is no more difficult than with the EOS. As I mainly do portraiture and some macro so I suppose stop down metering has its own advantages.
Thanks again for your help.

not meaning to do Pentax out of a sale here, but you do realise you can get an adaptor to use M42 screw lenses on your Canon right?

Of course there are numerous other very good reasons for switching to Pentax, but I wouldn't want you to spend loads of money only to discover that what you had was good

edit: simultaneous post, I see you have indeed realised the above and I agree with your reasoning 100%

Thanks Mongoose for your quick reply!

As you now agree with my reasoning, it's worth mentioning that I think using M42 on Pentax is easier and gives you better quality than the EOS...after all this is just my own opinion and that's why I need you here to correct my argument.

When I started my photography, I thought great zoom lens would do all the jobs but they don't. I have now been able to clearly define my interest in macro and portraiture, none of my zoom lens could do the job. So I am considering selling all my lens and I though why not selling the whole system.

Clearly, the EOS is an entry-level camera and when your skills are improved, it doesn't take a genius to realise that the Pentax K10D would do the job better.
Just my thoughts!

You might be interested in what this chap is selling:

http://tinyurl.com/257jpg

About a dozen M42 lenses in very good condition.

G