Using old Pentax M lens on the K10D Help

Hi I have an old pentax M lens and I set the ring to A which then works the aperture on the K10D in auto etc...

I have to focus the camera lens manuel but I am finding it difficult as the little red focus point in the viewfinder and bleeping sound is very sensative whilst turning the focus ring. It has to be very precise in order to let me take the shot.

Is there any way to turn off this and just let me fully focus the lens myself without any help from the camera.

It's a bit difficult to explain but I am sure you guys understand what I mean

Cheers Pete

Pete,
A few points:

* The red indicator is only an indicator. You should rely on the Green "in focus" indicator at the bottom of the view finder

* If you switch the focus switch to "M" (on the left side of the camera at the front) then the camera will let you take the shot even if it's out of focus. The Green indicator can still be used as focus confirmation.

* Under MENU, SETUP, BEEP you can disable the focus confirmation beep (I hate it )

* Under MENU, CUSTOM SETTING:
- Page 3/6 "AF by Press Halfway". I have mine set to "2" = Off. Then I use the AF button on the back.
- Page 3/6 "Superimpose AF Area". You can set this to "2" = Off to stop the red overlay blinking in the viewfinder.

* Finally, it's best to set your focus dial on the back to "centre" so you know exactly where it's checking.

HTH!
Matt

Pete - try menu - set-up - beep - and toggle 'in focus' off or un-ticked...

Or RTFM

And... how does your M series lens have an 'A' setting? Must be different to all of mine you lucky chap!!!

Beat me to it Matt

None of my "M" lenses have "A" setting either ....... strange!

The A will be on the aperture ring of any automatic metering manual Pentax lenses.




The A on most I've seen is green unlike the one in the picture above.


SPV, you must have this:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/normal/M50f1.7.html

The following is(are) the automatic version(s)
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/normal/A50f1.4.html
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/normal/A50f1.7.html
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/normal/A50f2.html

Amazed by the number of different versions of what is almost the same thing apart from the aperture range. Varying weight, construction and glass layout...

Tyr, if your lens has an A on the aperture ring it is an A lens. M lenses don't have an A setting on them. That is the point the guys were trying to make to Pete too.

Pentax lens nomenclature is rather arcane. However, for persons of Sherlock Holmesian talents, there are a few obscure clues.

One of these can be found by examining the business end of the lens closely. If it says SMC Pentax-A, then a powerful mind, with the aid of a little opium (or Bowmore's) might eventually conclude that this is an A lens.

Similar reasoning can be applied to those lenses that have SMC Pentax-M inscribed on them. The application of rigorous logic will lead eventually to the conclusion that this is an M lens.

Elementary, my dear Watson? Alas, no. Advanced intellects may think that armed with this insight, they can identify any lens. They would be wrong.

G

Petekd,

come back at any time you feel the urge . . . and let us know how any of this helped you ! ! !

Cheers Guys

I havn't had time to try your ideas yet but I will let you know

Pete

I think Pete just meant MF for manual focus as opposed to M for M series.