using manual lenses on a digital body

i have just bought a k200d camera and was advised i would be able to use my pentax-a zoom 28-80mm and pentax-a zoom 70-200mm lenses, i a new to digital photography so this may seem like a stupid question, but when i attach the lenses the display flashes with the f but no numbers or any other information and i cant press the shutter button down, what am i doing wrong

If you are not using the lens with aperture ring set to "A" that would be expected. The cameras, by default, are set to work only of the aperture ring is in auto.
You either need to do that, or configure the camera to work with aperture ring set to other than "A". This is done through the menus of course but luckily is a one time change.

thanks for that info, it was very helpful, still not sure how to set via menu, but will just use on setting a, so how do you alter the depth of field on these cameras and lenses, sorry about the ignorance but im new to digital photography,

It depends what mode you're in. In the automatic and semi-automatic modes the camera will set the aperture for you. In aperture-priority and manual modes you set the aperture value via the control wheel located by your right thumb.

Depth of field (DOF) is determined by the aperture setting. The larger the aperture (smaller f number) the narrower the DOF.

Are you new to photography in general, not just digital?

do have a slr camera, was able to use this ok, i knew how use the aperture rings to change the depth of field, the new digital lens has not aperture ring and the old lenses off my slr camera are being set to `A` so am not sure how to set the aperture to change the depth of field now

I recommend leaving the manual in the bathroom.

And a reduced intake of dietary fibre.

For someone called 'laxy', this should be all you need to have a bit more time for essential reading.

im dyslexic so understanding the manual is a bit of a problem, so was looking for any general advice not ridicule.

Thick skin...good sense of haha...and perserverence...
you'll get it.
this site is a really good resource.
you will need to try the manual... "custom functions" "custom menu" if you check the index. look for a chart and then "Using aperture ring"

Well, being dyslexic just adds to the fun: Its Easy... the front thumb wheel is for shutter speed, the back button is for aperture, or is it the other way around? No that was right, but only for the AV its the other way around for TV modes, and maybe the SaV mode... No wait, that's TaV mode. SaV (salve) is what I put on the sores on my fingers from spinning the wrong thumb wheels all day long. Argh!!!

I think it took me a good while to get used to which was which. The K10D allowing you to configure the wheels helped a lot!!

Anyway, as mentioned, look up how to allow the Aperture ring to be set to other than "A", and you'll likely be happier person.

Karen.

To be able to use the aperture ring go into the menus, go across to the custom menu on the far right, go up three to "Using aperture ring" and then choose option 2, permitted.

You are better off, however, using the lens on the A setting and using the dials which are mode dependent. In P [program], Av [aperture priority], TAv [aperture/shutter priority] and M [manual] modes the rear dial near your thumb sets the aperture.

Hope this helps, and enjoy.

Kris.

not sure about the k200, but the k100 works as follows...

depending on the mode, of course.

in AV the little thumbwheel at the back on the right controls the aperture (using an A lens). twiddle it and you'll see the setting change in the lcd screen and the viewfinder (obviously not both at the same time, unless you have very wonky eyes).

in Tv mode the thumbwheel changes the shutter speed and the camera chooses the right aperture.

in Manual mode the thumbwheel alters the shutter speed and to change aperture you have to hold down the +/- compensation button (that one on the top on the right) and turn the thumbwheel.

if you're using a manual aperture lens then set the camera to manual and change aperture on the lens and select shutter speed via the thumbwheel.

i used my k100 on auto for the first month or so until i had played enough to venture further. now my thumb is a blur of activity and i have even been known to get the exposure right at times.

L

thanks for all the advice posted, this has helped a lot, i am usually thick skinned but i was feeling as if i had bought a camera i would never be able to master, when i bought my last camera i was shown how it worked and never has any problems,

That should read wheel Karen.