BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Paul D. Carter		Converting to digital I would like to know if it is possible to buy a digital SLR camera body (camera body only) and use K-mount or Pentax mount lenses on that same camera body. In other words, are k-mount lenses transferable to a digital camera body. I currently use Ricoh KR5 Super II body and also Pentax ZXM camera body with a variety of 50 mm, 28 mm, 28-210mm zoom lens. FILM cameras I am using! Can I take these same lenses and attache them to a digital camera body such as a Pentax digital SLR camera body or similarly compatible digital SLR camera body. Please advise. I think there may be adaptors for this purpose. How do they work, etc.? I still want to control the camera controls manually. I do not mind that the camera body controls may not be automatic. Thanks. This is a rather complicated and confusing issue. I still prefer film cameras but it seems that I may want to convert to digital in the future or that makers may force digital on the entire Planet Earth. Paul Carter To love this question, log in above August 24, 2007

Jon Close		Pentax has several digital models that can directly mount and use manual focus K-mount lenses. K10D, K100D, K110D. Full auto exposure is possible with any KA series lens (has A position on the aperture ring). Older K lenses without the A position can still be used in the camera's Av (aperture priority) and M (manual exposure) mode. To love this comment, log in above August 24, 2007

doug Nelson		The auto exposure with A lenses is a bonus I wasn't aware of. This is a good way to go digital using your presaent investment in lenses. There's a problem, however, if you do a lot of wide angle scenics, landscapes and groups of people. With 1.5x multiplication factor, your 28 becomes a barely wide 42. You'd have to get a 20mm to get 30 coverage. You may want to add a superwide prime or zoom from Pentax or another mfr. If you're a traveller, you might appreciate the Pentax "pancake" lenses in several focal lengths. You'd save weight and bulk, if you're willing a use a bit of "shoe-leather" zoom. To love this comment, log in above August 24, 2007

John G. Clifford Jr		If you want to be able to use autoexposure modes WITHOUT manually stopping down your lenses, then the Pentax line of dSLRs is the only way to go. If you're willing to manually stop down your lenses, then there are adapters available for several cameras (Canon EOS springs to mind) that will allow you to use your Pentax K-mount lenses on them. You'll have to manually focus and set the aperture, but aperture-priority autoexposure should work. I use M42 (Pentax screw mount) lenses on my Sigma dSLRs, with an adapter. The better M42 lenses are as good or better than anything produced today. Carl Zeiss has come out with their new Z line of lenses that is outstanding, with a pricetag to match, for the Canon, Nikon, and M42 mount... so they would work, too. Good luck! To love this comment, log in above August 25, 2007

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