I agree that this method works, and has its advantages, but the suggested, and quicker, way is to press the green button on the D or some other button on the DS.

Personally, I rather like this system. When I want the camera to do all the work, I use an AF lens. When I am in a more actively photographic mode I use a manual focus M or K lens and take my time.

The fact that K and M lenses can be used on the latest DSLRs is a great boon. The fact that they don't offer aperture priority metering is, for me, no big thing. They DO offer spot-metering, which is a great improvement on the MX and LX.

Obviously, others will have their own views.

G

What "stop-down" switch? With both the MX and the digital cameras you set the aperture on the lens. It's exactly the same.

Having set your aperture, you then adjust the shutter dial on the MX to achieve correct exposure, or press a button on the DSLR. The latter is quicker.

I really don't think you've mastered this simple process yet!

G

Hello, John,

Sorry for ascribing the wrong reason to your M lens sell-off.

I do agree that M and K lenses ARE slightly more fiddly to use than A (and later) lenses, but the emphasis is on the word "slightly". In this day and age, where Pentax AF lenses are few and far between, I reckon that M and K lenses are a very good low-cost alternative for using on a DSLR.

George

John Riley is a very experienced photographer, whose views are always worth listening to.

However, I hope he won't mind me saying that he does have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to the use of manual lenses on a DSLR.

Having thought, wrongly, that he had to keep altering the camera preferences when changing from an M or K lens to an A lens, he then sold off some or all of his M and K lenses, and now says that using these lenses on a DSLR is "fiddly".

In fact, it's slightly easier than using the same lenses on an MX, which was JR's favourite camera (I believe) before he bought a digital.

My advice, if you would like several lenses and don't have a huge budget, is to buy M lenses. They're good, and they're cheap, and they're really not too fiddly to use. Unless you are just a "point & shooter", that is. If so, perhaps you shouldn't be buying an SLR.

George

Yes. Virtually all modern cameras have AF.

G

Digital flashes are those with four pins on the hotshoe foot. They are digital because they transmit information between the camera and the flash gun in digital form.

They are:
AF500FTZ
AF400FTZ
AF360FGZ
AF330FTZ
AF240FT

It is not really worth buying them for use on non-AF bodies because most of their functionality is lost.

George

There shouldn't be any problems. All digital flashes work with all AF bodies.

George

Whilst I would agree that auto extension tubes are better than manual ones, the fact is that macro photography is usually a pretty slow-moving process and there is usually ample time to get the right exposure in manual mode with non-auto tubes.

The quality, of course, is the same whether you use auto tubes or manual tubes.

So, if you're on a budget, don't despise manual tubes. I personally haven't felt sufficiently disadvantaged by my manual tubes to rush out and get auto tubes.

When you've got your tubes, start saving for decent lighting. A nice ring-flash is good to have.

George

Modern flash guns are invariably designed to work with particular makes and types of camera.

Some have detachable feet, which are designed to fit different camera makes and types.

Metz and Vivitar are makes you might like to investigate. Otherwise, look here for advice on Pentax guns designed for Pentax AF cameras like the MZ-5n:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/flashes/AF/index.html

George

Almost all SMC Pentax lenses are excellent, especially the primes.

The latest zooms are very good indeed, but for the highest quality and large maximum apertures, go for primes.

The best advice is here:

http://stans-photography.info/

Good luck. I own over twenty Pentax lenses, and am still buying! Ebay is generally the best, but not the only, source.

George