Algi, you sent me back to the test bench and you are correct, the focus confirmation light comes on without shorting out the contacts BUT catch in focus does not work unless the contacts are shorted, this for M42 and K mount lenses.

Thanks for the exercise.
Greg

[quote:3496ace15f="Bobbinalorry"]I heard somewhere something about "The foil trick", something to do with the use of old lenses on digital cameras; new to me.
Any of you good folk able to enlighten me, please?

The foil trick is used with M42 lenses where the base of the lens does not cover the contact pins on the camera, the same applies to those PK lenses and converters which are painted black and therefore non-conducting. By using the foil or scraping away the paint the contacts are shorted by the foil inserted between the lens and mount. If the contacts are not shorted you can not get MF focus confirmation or catch in focus.

Greg

Hi,

I find them striking, if they could be enlarged to a size where a set of say five framed prints could be hung on a wall, it would make a very interesting and decorative arrangement.

I won't ask how you did it, way beyond my Photo shop abilities.

Greg

Hi Wim,
Welcome, South Africa is a big country, where are you based.
Greg

Thanks for all the thoughts.

I know there is no correct choice between the DA* and the FA Ltds as they meet different needs, both practically and aestheticly. Having had time to thrash the idea around in my mind and reading your comments, I've come to the conclusion that what I was actually looking for was an easy and convenient way to take everyday photos with good lenses and not to keep making my life difficult by insisting on only using the old MF lenses and also to get over the idea that the only good lens is a lens which fits into the classic mould,

Well I've bitten the bullet, to arrive on Wednesday from
Tin Cheung Camera Company HK
DA*16-50mm, DA*50-135mm
US$2,278.60 including shipping.
This is slightly over half the cost of purchasing the lenses from any Pentax agent in South Africa.

It's amazing how a brainstorming session can help one actually see what you are aiming to achieve.

Thanks again,
Greg

Thanks chaps,

Then there is also the question that the FA Ltds are all metal and feel like REAL lenses they can also be used on my LX.

I think that emotions are playing a big part in my thought process at the moment.

Greg

WARNING.
Please, if you're feeling impatient may I recommend you move to the next message.

First let me draw a mind picture, I have a good all round collection of manual focus prime lenses but have a battle to focus them "old eyes". Having only the 18-55mm kit and the FA80-320mm I finally, after much agonising decided to buy the 31mm, 43mm and 77mm FA Limited lenses to get good AF glass for everyday use.

Now the confusion starts, I never get to talk to other photographers, least of all Pentax toting ones and had therefore never seen an SDM DA* lens in the flesh and I've in fact looked down on the DA lenses in general compared to the old primes, which is why I wanted the Ltds. To cut a long story short I went to our local supplier to place an order for the three Ltds BUT there was another chap there with his K7 fitted with a DA*16-50mm and I had a try, which was the worst possible thing I could have done.

I'm now totally smitten by SDM focusing compared to the coffie grinder FAs and am playing with the idea of getting both the DA*16-50mm and DA*50-135mm SDM which would cover the range I need AF for.

Wait, I'm getting to the point of this post...

My problem is, will there be a noticeable difference in the quality of the pictures between the DA* (zooms) and the Ltds (primes), The convenience of not having to continually swap out lenses tempts me but the difference in aperture is also a consideration.

OK, so the long and the short of is which ones do I go for. I'm not talking specialize type photography here but normal carry around opportunistic photography.

The equivalence of a chat over a glass of beer would be appreciated.

Greg

Well my daughter and family were there for the day and in a moment of vindictive maliciousness MMS'd me a photo of my granddaughter holding a K5

Kids know how to screw up their parents.
Greg

The gate for me, I really must learn how to use layers.

Greg

Yes, playing some more this evening I've also found that it's the initial search of the hard drive that takes ages, as you say the actual import is quick

Greg