Gallopingphotog

Do mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses like DSLRs? If so, can lenses used with a DSLR be used also for a mirrorless? I have a Pentax k-DII but as I get more arthritic, the weight becomes more a factor. Unfortunately, we the nearest camera store is a 2-hour drive away (I do not consider Best Buy a camera store) and it doesn't carry Pentax so I'm just kind of noodling around looking for information. Thanks!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Pentax does not make a mirrorless camera AFAIK.

BebuLamar

Actually when they call a camera mirrorless it does have interchangeable lenses (a lot of cameras don't have mirror like P&S, Smart Phone, Bridge cameras etc.. but they don't call them mirrorless). DSLR lenses can be used for mirrorless camera however since there is no mirrorless Pentax you could use your K mount lenses on other brands of mirrorless but with very limited functionalily. Auto focus is not going to work.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

What we call "mirrorless" is just a shortened version of the real name for the type of camera: "Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera" or "MILC".

Pentax has made the corporate decision to be the one major camera company that DOES NOT make mirrorless. They have fully committed to just making DSLRs, which most other manufacturers are phasing out.

In answer to your question.... Yes, in general it is possible to adapt many modern DSLR lenses to a newer mirrorless camera. This is usually just when it's the same brand... such as Canon DSLR lenses adapted for use on Canon mirrorless cameras, or Nikon F-mount lenses adapted for Nikon Z-mount cameras. Canon and Nikon both produced adapters to allow their faithful DSLR users to more easily transition to their new mirrorless systems. Canon got a lot more creative with their adapters, offering four different types. Canon's most basic adapter is also much less expensive than Nikon's comparable "FTZ II".... $100 for the Canon EF to RF vs $250 for the Nikon! There also are a number of 3rd party manufacturers making adapters for EF lenses on RF cameras. There are none making Nikon F to Z adapters that support AF and aperture control, only adapters for "D" type lenses that have a manual aperture ring.

There are some brand "crossovers" (for lack of a better term) such as Canon EF mount lenses can be used on Sony E-mount cameras via a Sigma MC-11 adapter which allows auto focus and aperture control. In most cases, though, modern autofocus lenses that use electronic aperture control cannot be adapted to another manufacturers cameras.

It's a different story with legacy or vintage manual focus lenses that have a manual aperture control ring... since there is no need for electronic communication between camera and lens, there are literally dozens or hundreds of different possibilities. Old lenses from film SLRs and rangefinders can be fitted onto many modern mirrorless with simple, inexpensive adapters. There are even some of these types of lenses still being made, so it's not just the legacy and vintage gear. It is quite a bit slower to shoot with these types of lenses, though. Not something you'd want for sports or active wildlife, but can do the job for more relaxed types of shooting.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Arthritis can hamper anyone’s ability to move. Photography is no exception. While everyone is jumping on a mirrorless bandwagon, I haven’t as yet. I have a Canon 5D which I love. I also have a Canon EOS 2000 Rebel. It is so light and easy to operate. The drawback is that as a film camera it does have many limitations. If you don’t like spending a fortune on gear, you could rent it. If you aren’t satisfied with the results, bring it back and rent another. After two or three different models, you probably will pick up a camera you become fond of.
The nicest Pentax is the K-1 Mark II. It looks light and easy to operate. It seems. that Pentax doesn’t follow other manufacturers. Perhaps that have their own product design. They might prefer quality design as opposed to a massive Quantity line. This may produce far more solid designs in cameras. An interesting business model. Try renting a K-1. It may be suitable for you. One more thing, don’t forget to take your meds.

Gallopingphotog

Thanks! I'm kind of thinking now that I'll stick with what I've got. My first non-film camera was a Spotmatic more years ago than I'm gonna admit, and from some of the abuse I've put various cameras through I know Pentax are solidly made. Also, it sounds like my current lenses may be less than ideal for a mirrorless body and buying new ones is not financially a real good idea. Maybe instead I should look for the perfect way to carry the one I have, a backpack or sling bag. At any rate, thanks for your explanations.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A YouTuber showed a Pentax mirrorless from 2012. I doubt I could find it again. It might be on the page linked below.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2012+pentax+mirrorless

Bayou

Your full frame Pentax is quite a handful. Perhaps a "bridge" camera (with a permanently attached lens would be a good choice for someone looking to reduce weight and bulk, the smaller sensor models in particular. The Lumix FZ300 or similar. They're inexpensive and look and handle much like the familiar (D)SLR cameras.

Yes, bridge cameras are a step back in terms of ultimate image quality compared to your , but can be quite good when properly used. People love to carry on about how great cell phone pics can be, but compared to the tiny sensor of a cell phone, the typical 1/2.3" sensor of a bridge camera is much larger.

Gallopingphotog

Thanks. I'll add that to my research. I gotta say that it is doggone annoying to not have a local camera store.Whenever husband and I are in a city that does have a store, I make time to go and at least wander around and look at stuff.

Bayou

Ain't that the truth, and sadly, it's the way of today's world. There are so few left. Some of more vivid childhood memories were my visits at about age 11 to the local camera store...a world of beautiful lenses, SLRs, medium format cameras, enlargers, processing chemicals...on my bicycle!

BebuLamar

Well I do feel sad but I know all of those were all decisions made by the majority of people in our world and they are (or should be) happy about that so we should let the majority have their way to live together.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

If one wants a small very light MILC there is the R100 which is pretty much a Rebel 7 but lighter and small.
Sadly for Pentax users you are stuck with DSLRs, which BTW, Pentax makes some very good high quality ones. Even the K70 is weather sealed where others in it's class are not and it is very light.
If you are invested in Pentax this is a great option to look at.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Since weight is becoming "more a factor", you might want to change systems at this time. Rather than stay with full frame or even APS-C, you might want to consider getting a 4/3rds or all-in-one camera.

Right now, Sony makes some of the best all-in-one cameras. Something like the RX10 or RX100 might be of some interest to you. These are sort of a "one and done" camera. Although they will come with a good range zoom lens, it requires that you buy a new camera to get any "changes" to features.

4/3rds will offer you a system type camera that you are already familiar with. Because the sensor is smaller (but bigger than the all-in-ones), it allows for the systems to be built smaller, lighter, and cheaper while retaining the same manufactured quality of the full frames and APS-Cs. There are some 4/3rds advantages in that there are over 120 lenses available and the two main manufacturer's bodies and lenses are interchangeable for all basic functions. OMDS and Panasonic both are continuing to put out new bodies and lenses that win awards in the industry.

Assuming that you are probably more interested in still photography (rather than still photography plus video - Panasonic's speciality), OMDS offers some of the best bodies and lenses that might be of some interest to you. Most of OMDS and Panasonic bodies and lenses are weatherproof and require no further gear for adverse weather condition. Both manufacturer's image stabilization (IS) is the industry's best IS. And for the same full frame angle of view, the systems are smaller, lighter, and less costly.

Gallopingphotog

Found it, but is the model really mirrorless? The only place that word is used is in the headline for the clip. The clip indicates that B&H is the source but on the store's web site it never mentions "mirrorless. Now, I'm not the sharpest knife in the photography drawer, but it seems like this might be a misuse of the term.

BebuLamar

Yes it's a mirrorless but with the Pentax K mount which has the advantage of using your K(KA) lenses without adapter but then it also has the same flange distance as the DSLR (or SLR) which negates a number of the advantages of the mirrorless. No longer Pentax made it only for a short time.