wideangle Loc: Wisconsin

Hello all. I am new to this forum. I have a dillema. I own 4 great lenses from an old pentax 35mm that I really don't want to part with. They are screw mount. Is it at all possible to get adapters for screw mount to bayonet mount so I can use my lenses with the purchase of a new digital camera body? Would my lenses even work with digital cameras? Would I be losing any camera functionality in keeping my old lenses or would they work with the new technology? I have not seen any new cameras with a screw mount so am assuming they don't exist.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

They sure work on digital cameras, but as you were already suspecting, you would loose camera-lens-functions. It would be an all manual lens, no metering, no autofocus etc., but I think it's still worth to use the lenses, especially if it's good glass! Some of the old optics beat anything new out there!!

the hiker Loc: San Diego

call B&H camera and talk to a rep.they should be able to help you.

cntry Loc: Colorado

You can probably find adapters for your old lenses...I'm guessing that they would be full manual only.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

All you need is simple M42 adapters to whatever camera you are using now. All the old Pentax screw mount lenses were full manual lenses anyway so they will work exactly the same on a DSLR as they did on your old Pentax film cameras. Screw mount lenses have been obsolete since...... well lets just say a LONG time now.

wideangle Loc: Wisconsin

Thanks for the reply. My 28mm was made in East Germany, purchased in West Germany in 1975 for 75 DM, ($35.00). Hate to give that up.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Well being as you invested so much in it and you have hardly got any use out of it I can understand that perfectly! :wink: :lol: :-P

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

One of the best features of mirrorless cameras is that the lens mounting flange is very close to the sensor. That allows almost any combination of older lens with adapter to work (all manual function mind you) while maintaining minimum focus distance and infinity focus. DSLR cameras (mirrored cameras) will usually sacrifice the full focus range of older lenses with adapters which means you will lose the ability to focus to infinity and close up.

If planning a digital camera purchase you may want to consider a mirrorless camera. Personally I recommend Olympus' OMD line of mirrorless cameras.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Whatever brand and type of camera you get, confirm in advance that Pentax screwmount can be adapted to it.

I know for certain they can easily be adapted to Canon DSLRs (which have one of the most versatile bayonet mounts, by design).

Focus and aperture control are fully manual.

However, at least on Canon DSLRs, you do not "lose metering". In fact, you can still use Av or aperture priority auto exposure, if you wish.

Also, at least on Canon DSLRs, for a little more money you can get "chipped" adapters that allow the Focus Confirmation feature of the cameras to work. This can be very helpful, since modern autofocus cameras typically don't have the focus screen features that were there to assist with manual focus, such as split image rangefinders and micro-diaprisms. (There are third party focus screens that can be installed in some camera models, adding some of these features.... but they often mess with metering accuracy, especially in Spot Metering. And the screens can be rather pricey. Plus some camera models require a bit of "surgery" to replace the screen.)

More info about adapting those fine, vintage lenses for use on Canon can be found here:

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/manual_focus_EOS.html

I'm sure some other brands of DSLRs offer similar. And, yes, mirrorless cameras are another possibility, if you are okay using an electronic viewfinder or just an LCD screen on the rear of the camera.

GC-FineArt Loc: WDC

This wikipedia entry → http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M42_lens_mount (see the section "Use on modern cameras" ) will answer your general questions without the snarky remarks or glib nonsense that is the usual fare when this topic comes up on UHH ;)

artistwally Loc: Scotland

You will find inexpensive adaptors for most lenses to most cameras on EBay and as there is no glass in them there is no problem with reduction in quality due to using a cheap adaptor.
But...apart from all functions being manual, a point to remember is that old lenses will not give as sharp an image on a CCD or CMOS as they were designed without computer aid (as new lenses are) or coated elements, and focus differently for film. I know from my experience using genuine Pentax (K fit) lenses on my Olympus bodies, both DSLR and Micro 4/3 – the images compared with Olympus lenses are just that wee bit soft.

macquesta Loc: North Carolina

One more use for the old lenses (28mm to 50mm lenses) is to purchase a reverse mount adapter. Using a reverse mount adapter would allow you to use the lens as a macro lens. You would need to purchase a reverse mount adapter with a diameter that fits the lens' specific filter ring diameter. And the adapter would need to match your new DSLR (for example, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, etc.). Focus would be manual, but you can put the camera in Aperture or Manual Priority and you will still achieve auto exposure. Have fun.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Hello wideangle. I too have a number of older, but fantastic glass, Pentax lenses. I believed that they were so much better than my canon stuff that I gave the entirer canon system to my son and then bought a Pentax mirror-less camera (K-01) and then bought a K-5. I'm livin the life as they say.. And I'm glad to be STILL using Pentax lenses..

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Wideangle.... I also meant to suggest to you that you might acquire a pentax camera, when hoping to be able to continue using your fine pentax glass. It's easily "DO-ABLE". And rewarding.. RJM

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Wow! So many possible age jokes! I was overwhelmed! Could not settle on one.
I was toying with something about you, cave drawings in France, the use of a pin hole drilled through the side of a mountain and how you got your name. ;)