Have any Pentax dSLR users.... - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

03/10/2006 11:23:30 AM · #1

tried using the old style Pentax K bayonette lenses on your *ist... cameras? I am thinking of buying a Pentax *istDL because I have a couple of lenses that go with my Pentax K1000 film camera that I would like to be able to use, but want to know how well they actually work when attached to the new dSLRs.

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

03/10/2006 12:14:33 PM · #2

That is why I went with the *ist DS - I have been using Pentax since 1979 (I still have the K-1000 I received for my 18th birthday) and had a collection of lenses built up over time.

Purely manual lenses - both manual focus and manual fstop settings - aren't easy to use, but those with an Automatic fstop setting work great. The quality of some of the old glass can't be beat.

thomaspeople

Pentax K50

Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL

03/10/2006 12:35:11 PM · #3

I bought my IST DL for the same reason. I have a handful of old K-mount manual lenses that are wonderful. It was difficult to find the correct setting, but once I did my lenses work fine.
I'm enough old school to enjoy manual focus. (On the other hand, this new fangled AF stuff is pretty cool!)
The IST is a great camera in any case. Not a power machine like a canon, but definitely a feature-rich DSLR and with a great price tag.

03/10/2006 06:42:47 PM · #4

Thanks for your responses. It is good to know that they can be used even though it makes the focus manual. (that's what I was used to anyway before the digital!)

Has anyone had any experience with how well the *ist DL works in below freezing temperatures?

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

03/10/2006 06:52:02 PM · #5

My last two lens purchases were a fully manual K-mount 135mm f2.5 and a manual focus Pentax-A* 300mm f4.

Good glass doesn't degrade over time and there are many excellent old Pentax lenses that can be picked up for peanuts.

I'd test out my DS in the freezer for you but I'm not that brave :)

According to the manual the operating temp range, (for the DS anyway), is 0 - 40 degrees celcius but the biggest problem I could see would be with the battery life in cold temps.

Just buy one and give it a try.

cheers,
bazz.

Tokina AF 28-80mm f/2.8 AT-X 280AF Pro for Pentax

03/10/2006 07:05:10 PM · #6

Thanks sir-bazz. I just may head out shoppin' this weekend! I have a Sigma 23mm f2.8 macro and a Sigma 70-200 f4.5 zoom that I really miss being able to use with the digital.

th3ph17

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/10/2006 07:13:34 PM · #7

i picked up a mid 70's Ricoh KR-5 with 3 k-mount lenses, 28, 50, 70-200, still had their filters on so the glass is in good shape...for $2.50 at a thrift store. still need to get the film i found in it developed as a matter of fact.

i was going to use them to build a reverse macro, but if they still work on the digital maybe E-bay would be a better idea.

Message edited by author 2006-03-10 19:16:58.

mcrochip

Pentax K20D

03/10/2006 07:46:10 PM · #8

I've used them too, and they work (once you find the right settings). As for the cold weather, my DS works fine, although there is an impact on batteries. Also, the focus motor may be a bit slow - but manual focus works fine.

The settings: In the menus, find custom. Under there you will find a setting to allow the camera to work with manual aperature... that has to be enabled (check the syntax). That also applies to using any other lens with the aperature ring on a setting other than A.

-Steve

thomaspeople

Pentax K50

Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL

03/11/2006 12:11:32 PM · #9

I spent the day hiking in the woods a few weeks ago when the temp was 19F, and the camera did great. I kept it in a holster bag except when I wanted to shoot something, but I was out for many hours, so I know it got cold.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

03/11/2006 12:59:06 PM · #10

Am I correct that none of the Pentax DSLRs take proprietary batteries and operate instead on either AA NiMH or CRV3 batteries? What kind of usage do you get with these batteries? Is auto focus slowed at all?

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

03/11/2006 01:49:06 PM · #11

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

There are various reports on this subject, and it's hotly debated among some. From personal experience however, using Energizer 2500 mAh AAs, I get between 600 - 900 shots per charge. It helps that if I use flash, it's 99% of the time an external. As for Autofocus, I can't tell you. I don't really pay attention to the speed of it for the most part, although many people will tell you that it is definitely faster with CRV-3s than AAs, although only by a miniscule amount. It's not the fastest AF system going anyway, but Pentax has never been a brand for fast-moving subject (sports), photography.

Leok

Pentax K10D

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG for Pentax

03/11/2006 03:38:59 PM · #12

The comment about autofocus being slow was about cold batteries - not a problem with lenses or cameras. If the batteries are too cold their performance drops, possibly slowing autofocus. Keep your spare batteries as close to your skin as possible... Good quality rechargables will deliver 500+ shots and if they go flat any old AA will work and you can buy them anywhere.

I like the option of using old lenses. Autofocus lenses will all autofocus on the camera. Manual focus lenses stay manual focus but work well. Auto exposure lenses also work as expected. You can even have the camera show a red dot on the subject when the subject is in focus - can be handy especially when learning.

Basically the camera will make the most of any lens fitted to it - the Pentax K mount system is very well designed :-)

You can even use old screw mount m42 lenses with a cheap ($20 at most) m42 to K mount adaptor. I have one and also use it with my 8mm Peleng fisheye lens (version I got didn't include a Pentax adaptor) - great fun!