Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses

On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:48:38 GMT, "Pete D" <no.TakeThisOut@email.com>
wrote:

>
>"Denny B" <dmrbaptie.TakeThisOut@sprint.ca> wrote in message
>news:4N_mf.334$GR4.1205@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
>> Will the Pentax ist be able to use all the light meter functions
>> using the manual lenses?

>Yes, you just use the stop down metering function, easy to use and works
>great. When you manual focus you still get both an audible and optical
>indication that focus is correct, nice system.

Not quite Pete - it can use average or spot metering with
any lens, but matrix metering requires at least an "A" lens
or any AF lens. So it can't use "all the light meter
functions" that Denny asked about with all manual lenses.

--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

John, thank you for your reply. Do you consider it a big
disadvantage not being able to use the matrix metering?
Is the matrix metering not the most accurate metering?
Do all digital cameras have a "histogram readout'
includint the Pentax ist?.
Please correct me if I am incorrect with the word "histogram"

Thanks kindly
Benny B


"John Bean" <waterfoot.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:651pp159cqvb3qd6aa1ibqvtlutv055c2d@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:48:38 GMT, "Pete D" <no.RemoveThis@email.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Denny B" <dmrbaptie.RemoveThis@sprint.ca> wrote in message
> >news:4N_mf.334$GR4.1205@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
> >> Will the Pentax ist be able to use all the light meter functions
> >> using the manual lenses?
>
> >Yes, you just use the stop down metering function, easy to use and
works
> >great. When you manual focus you still get both an audible and
optical
> >indication that focus is correct, nice system.
>
> Not quite Pete - it can use average or spot metering with
> any lens, but matrix metering requires at least an "A" lens
> or any AF lens. So it can't use "all the light meter
> functions" that Denny asked about with all manual lenses.
>
> --
> John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 15:58:32 -0700, "Denny B"
<dmrbaptie.DeleteThis@sprint.ca> wrote:

>John, thank you for your reply. Do you consider it a big
>disadvantage not being able to use the matrix metering?
>Is the matrix metering not the most accurate metering?
>Do all digital cameras have a "histogram readout'
>includint the Pentax ist?.
>Please correct me if I am incorrect with the word "histogram"


Histogram on review, yes. No SLR has live preview so you
only get to see the histogram after you've taken the
picture. This gives you a very good idea of how to
compensate and re-shoot if the exposure was wide of the
mark.

The loss of matrix metering is not a major obstacle; most of
my lenses are manual non-"A" so I use centre-weighted
metering almost all the time. The *ist cameras have
accurate, reliable metering with old lenses using an
automated stop-down method which removes any guesswork or
errors due to worn mechanical linkages. In some ways it's
more accurate than the methods used with more modern manual
or AF lenses, but it does require the user to press a button
to activate the meter. Very simple and effective.

--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

"John Bean" <waterfoot DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:651pp159cqvb3qd6aa1ibqvtlutv055c2d@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:48:38 GMT, "Pete D" <no DeleteThis @email.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Denny B" <dmrbaptie DeleteThis @sprint.ca> wrote in message
>>news:4N_mf.334$GR4.1205@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
>>> Will the Pentax ist be able to use all the light meter functions
>>> using the manual lenses?
>
>>Yes, you just use the stop down metering function, easy to use and works
>>great. When you manual focus you still get both an audible and optical
>>indication that focus is correct, nice system.
>
> Not quite Pete - it can use average or spot metering with
> any lens, but matrix metering requires at least an "A" lens
> or any AF lens. So it can't use "all the light meter
> functions" that Denny asked about with all manual lenses.
>
> --
> John Bean

Hi John,

You are of course correct, missed that last bit as I was just about out the
door heading to work. Centre weighted seems to work perfectly well for M
lenses even "S" mount lenses.

Cheers.

Pete
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

"John Bean" <waterfoot.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6ifpp1953jpdik5f7q8999emsvbc56u5ru@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 15:58:32 -0700, "Denny B"
> <dmrbaptie.RemoveThis@sprint.ca> wrote:
>
> The loss of matrix metering is not a major obstacle; most of
> my lenses are manual non-"A" so I use centre-weighted
> metering almost all the time.

The *ist cameras have
> accurate, reliable metering with old lenses using an
> automated stop-down method which removes any guesswork or
> errors due to worn mechanical linkages

John. thank you kindly for this relevant information.
Will you explain to me what you mean by
"automated stop-down method "
All my lenses I have to stop down of up manually.

Thanks
Denny B


In some ways it's
> more accurate than the methods used with more modern manual
> or AF lenses, but it does require the user to press a button
> to activate the meter. Very simple and effective.
>
> --
> John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 05:53:28 GMT, "Pete D" <no RemoveThis @email.com>
wrote:
>Centre weighted seems to work perfectly well for M
>lenses even "S" mount lenses.

It certainly does

--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 07:09:20 -0700, "Denny B"
<dmrbaptie.DeleteThis@sprint.ca> wrote:
>Will you explain to me what you mean by
>"automated stop-down method "
>All my lenses I have to stop down of up manually.

There are three classes of lens you could mount on the *ist:

1. Lenses with electrical contacts (all AF, "A" type MF)
2. Lenses with no contacts but "automatic" diaphragm linkage
(most Pentax K lenses)
3. Lenses with no linkages at all (screw mount with adaptor,
T-mount lenses etc, etc)

Type 1 lenses either have no aperture ring, or have an
aperture ring with an "A" position. Aperture control is by
the camera body not by the aperture ring. The *ist will
operate a lens like this in any mode.

Type 2 covers all those lenses that stay wide-open as you
turn the aperture ring, stopping down only when the picture
is actually taken. Because of the lack of contacts to supply
information to the camera, these lenses can only operate in
manual mode. You set the aperture you want on the lens'
aperture ring, then press a button (which button depends on
the exact model). This single button press will stop down
the lens to the aperture you selected, take a meter reading,
and set the appropriate shutter speed. This is the
"automatic stop-down method" to which I was referring.

Type 3 lenses will stop down as you turn the aperture ring
and can still be used exactly as type 2. They also will work
just fine in aperture-priority mode as well as manual
because they are "what you see is what you get" from the
meter's point of view.

There is no working lens that you can fit to a Pentax body
that will fail to meter correctly.

--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

"John Bean" <waterfoot RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ll9rp1t68j4nphcl7tp769cub9qnvahil1@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 07:09:20 -0700, "Denny B"
> <dmrbaptie RemoveThis @sprint.ca> wrote:
>>Will you explain to me what you mean by
>>"automated stop-down method "
>>All my lenses I have to stop down of up manually.
>
> There are three classes of lens you could mount on the *ist:
>
> 1. Lenses with electrical contacts (all AF, "A" type MF)
> 2. Lenses with no contacts but "automatic" diaphragm linkage
> (most Pentax K lenses)
> 3. Lenses with no linkages at all (screw mount with adaptor,
> T-mount lenses etc, etc)
>
> Type 1 lenses either have no aperture ring, or have an
> aperture ring with an "A" position. Aperture control is by
> the camera body not by the aperture ring. The *ist will
> operate a lens like this in any mode.
>
> Type 2 covers all those lenses that stay wide-open as you
> turn the aperture ring, stopping down only when the picture
> is actually taken. Because of the lack of contacts to supply
> information to the camera, these lenses can only operate in
> manual mode. You set the aperture you want on the lens'
> aperture ring, then press a button (which button depends on
> the exact model). This single button press will stop down
> the lens to the aperture you selected, take a meter reading,
> and set the appropriate shutter speed. This is the
> "automatic stop-down method" to which I was referring.
>
> Type 3 lenses will stop down as you turn the aperture ring
> and can still be used exactly as type 2. They also will work
> just fine in aperture-priority mode as well as manual
> because they are "what you see is what you get" from the
> meter's point of view.
>
> There is no working lens that you can fit to a Pentax body
> that will fail to meter correctly.
>
> --
> John Bean

And that includes any lens you can fit by using an adapter including
elescopes and spoting scopes, microscopes, etc.
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

John thank you once again for your reply. I think I am
beginning to really understand that my lenses will work on
the *ist body.

This is what I have.
Pentax Bodies.........MX........KX.........SuperME

1)Lenses..............Pentax-A 35---105 f3.5 when you
press a small black button near the A which is next to the f22
it clicks into the A mode and stays there, you have to press
the small black button again to unclick it from the A mode.
I believe what I have discovered is this lens has an "A"mode.
Do I now understand correctly that this lens will operate in ANY
light metering mode on the *Ist body?

2) Other lenses I have, all for the Pentax bodies above are.
Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 it has an AE--f32 mode , next to
the f22 stop. I take it that this lens too has an AE mode.
Do I now understand correctly that this lens too will operate
in ANY light metering mode on the *Ist body?

3) Another lens.....Tamron SP 35--80mm f2.8, f3.8
it too has a AE--f32 mode.
Do I now understand correctly that this lens too will operate
in ANY light metering mode on the *Ist body?

4) My other lenses....Pentax 50mm f1.4
5)............................Pentax 28mm 3.5
are manual lenses and do not have the "A" of 'AE" modes
John if I understand you correctly these two lenses only work
in the "automatic stop-down method"

Thanks kindly.
Denny B


"John Bean" <waterfoot.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ll9rp1t68j4nphcl7tp769cub9qnvahil1@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 07:09:20 -0700, "Denny B"
> <dmrbaptie.TakeThisOut@sprint.ca> wrote:
> >Will you explain to me what you mean by
> >"automated stop-down method "
> >All my lenses I have to stop down of up manually.
>
> There are three classes of lens you could mount on the *ist:
>
> 1. Lenses with electrical contacts (all AF, "A" type MF)
> 2. Lenses with no contacts but "automatic" diaphragm linkage
> (most Pentax K lenses)
> 3. Lenses with no linkages at all (screw mount with adaptor,
> T-mount lenses etc, etc)
>
> Type 1 lenses either have no aperture ring, or have an
> aperture ring with an "A" position. Aperture control is by
> the camera body not by the aperture ring. The *ist will
> operate a lens like this in any mode.
>
> Type 2 covers all those lenses that stay wide-open as you
> turn the aperture ring, stopping down only when the picture
> is actually taken. Because of the lack of contacts to supply
> information to the camera, these lenses can only operate in
> manual mode. You set the aperture you want on the lens'
> aperture ring, then press a button (which button depends on
> the exact model). This single button press will stop down
> the lens to the aperture you selected, take a meter reading,
> and set the appropriate shutter speed. This is the
> "automatic stop-down method" to which I was referring.
>
> Type 3 lenses will stop down as you turn the aperture ring
> and can still be used exactly as type 2. They also will work
> just fine in aperture-priority mode as well as manual
> because they are "what you see is what you get" from the
> meter's point of view.
>
> There is no working lens that you can fit to a Pentax body
> that will fail to meter correctly.
>
> --
> John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 23:19:04 -0700, "Denny B"
<dmrbaptie.DeleteThis@sprint.ca> wrote:

>John thank you once again for your reply. I think I am
>beginning to really understand that my lenses will work on
>the *ist body.
>
>This is what I have.
>Pentax Bodies.........MX........KX.........SuperME
>
>1)Lenses..............Pentax-A 35---105 f3.5 when you
>press a small black button near the A which is next to the f22
>it clicks into the A mode and stays there, you have to press
>the small black button again to unclick it from the A mode.
>I believe what I have discovered is this lens has an "A"mode.
>Do I now understand correctly that this lens will operate in ANY
>light metering mode on the *Ist body?

Yes, no restrictions whatsoever.

>2) Other lenses I have, all for the Pentax bodies above are.
>Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 it has an AE--f32 mode , next to
>the f22 stop. I take it that this lens too has an AE mode.
>Do I now understand correctly that this lens too will operate
>in ANY light metering mode on the *Ist body?

If the Tamron is an Adaptall lens it depends on the exact
adaptor you use - Tamron made "PKA" adaptors (which make it
like a Pentax-A lens) or normal "PK" adaptors which don't.
Fon't be fooled by the "AE" marking on the lens - it's the
adaptor that determines which features are available to the
body.

Either will work but PKA is obviously more flexible.

The SP90 is a superb lens which works very well on the *ist
cameras.

>3) Another lens.....Tamron SP 35--80mm f2.8, f3.8
>it too has a AE--f32 mode.
>Do I now understand correctly that this lens too will operate
>in ANY light metering mode on the *Ist body?

Same comment as for the other Tamron. If the mount has
electric contacts it's a PKA and will work in all modes, if
not it's a PK and will work in stop-down manual mode. In any
case you can still buy PKA mounts if you shop around, so you
can convert the lenses if need be.

>4) My other lenses....Pentax 50mm f1.4
>5)............................Pentax 28mm 3.5
>are manual lenses and do not have the "A" of 'AE" modes
>John if I understand you correctly these two lenses only work
>in the "automatic stop-down method"

Exactly. Incidentally I have the old K28/3.5 and it's one of
the best Pentax lenses I've used, along with the 35/3.5 of
the same era. The 28/3.5 makes a *superb* "standard" lens
for the *istDS.

--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

"John Bean" <waterfoot RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:reatp1tvucpj8e5b87ghmbdo15rvibih2p@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 23:19:04 -0700, "Denny B"
John, thank you for your wealth of knowledge. I have collected
my equipment over the last 30 years and have always been
a Pentax person and am so pleased I can stay that way, thanks
to your information.

> >2) Other lenses I have, all for the Pentax bodies above are.
> >Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 it has an AE--f32 mode , next to
> >the f22 stop. I take it that this lens too has an AE mode.
> >Do I now understand correctly that this lens too will operate
> >in ANY light metering mode on the *Ist body?

I have just checked my 90mm Tamron Adaptall mount
and it has this on it......... P/KA.
So as I understand from your information I can meter
with all functions on the *ist


>
> If the Tamron is an Adaptall lens it depends on the exact
> adaptor you use - Tamron made "PKA" adaptors (which make it
> like a Pentax-A lens) or normal "PK" adaptors which don't.
> Fon't be fooled by the "AE" marking on the lens - it's the
> adaptor that determines which features are available to the
> body.
>
> Either will work but PKA is obviously more flexible.>
> The SP90 is a superb lens which works very well on the *ist
> cameras.
>
> >3) Another lens.....Tamron SP 35--80mm f2.8, f3.8
> >it too has a AE--f32 mode.
> >Do I now understand correctly that this lens too will operate
> >in ANY light metering mode on the *Ist body?

Checked the Tamron SP 35--80mm and it has
Adaptall.......P/K
So I understand I cak only use this in the stop- down manual mode.


> >4) My other lenses....Pentax 50mm f1.4
> >5)............................Pentax 28mm 3.5
> >are manual lenses and do not have the "A" of 'AE" modes
> >John if I understand you correctly these two lenses only work
> >in the "automatic stop-down method"
>
> Exactly. Incidentally I have the old K28/3.5 and it's one of
> the best Pentax lenses I've used, along with the 35/3.5 of
> the same era. The 28/3.5 makes a *superb* "standard" lens
> for the *istDS.

Thank you for this information on the28/3.5 lens.

John one further question how is the focusing. I take it I will
have to use manual focusing. If so does the *ist have some
indication when the lans is focused?

Thank you
Denny B
>
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:23:43 -0700, "Denny B"
<dmrbaptie DeleteThis @sprint.ca> wrote:
>John, thank you for your wealth of knowledge. I have collected
>my equipment over the last 30 years and have always been
>a Pentax person and am so pleased I can stay that way, thanks
>to your information.

You're welcome. The SP90 will allow all modes, the other
Tamron (and the older Pentax lenses) will offer stopdown
metering in manual mode as you surmised.

Manual focusing is surprisingly easy; the screen is fine,
bright and quite large by digital standards. In addition the
green AF "focus confirm" LED will also work with manual
lenses should you wish to use it but I find it easier and
better to just use the matte screen.

Pentax's fierce adherence to backward compatability is one
of the major attractions of the brand to me. Very old Pentax
lenses may lose some options when used on a current body but
they are all guaranteed to meter, focus, and take pictures -
no matter how old they are. Pentax lenses were never
intended to become paperweights

Which *ist are you proposing to buy? Maximum compatability
with some other things like old flashes varies from model to
model. The D and DS will work correctly with pretty much any
flash ever made for a Pentax, but newer (cheaper) models
like the DL require a modern P-TTL flash. I thought I'd
throw this in since you are an existing Pentax user and are
not buying all new kit.


--
John Bean
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses 

"John Bean" <waterfoot.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e5ntp1toot533m1h31t31683ceu4lg5emb@4ax.com...
> Which *ist are you proposing to buy? Maximum compatability
> with some other things like old flashes varies from model to
> model. The D and DS will work correctly with pretty much any
> flash ever made for a Pentax, but newer (cheaper) models
> like the DL require a modern P-TTL flash. I thought I'd
> throw this in since you are an existing Pentax user and are
> not buying all new kit.

> John Bean

John, once again thank you for clearing up the lens
situation for me, also the focusing situation. I now know
that I have lenses that will work well on the *ist.
The 28-105mm f3.5 has been the lens I have used
mostly for the last couple of years, I also use the Tamron
SP 90mm, yes as you know it is a very sharp lens.

John the question you ask above is exactly what I was
going to ask you. "Which *ist are you proposing to buy? "
Frankly I don't know. Today I looked up the Pentax website
and was surprised to see how many *ist's there are.
*ist DL
*ist DS2
*ist DS
*ist D
I have a Vivitar 283 flash that I have used for a number of years.
Thats basically it flash wise.

John I will really appreciate it if you state what *ist's to stay away
from.
Have you an opinion as to what the "Best?" *ist is, if there is a
best.
Are they all equally rugged? I wonder if all these bodies are
available,
or is Pentax discontinuing the previous models as the newer ones
come out?

Thank you
Denny B
 >> Stay informed about: Pentax Digital ist and manual Pentax lenses