Usage of maual SLR camera lens for Digital SLR

[sureshnanda]

I have a Vivitar 28-210 mm lens (f3.5-f5.6), which I was using with my Pentax manual SLR. Can I use the lens in my Pentax K 10 D SLR ? When I have loaded the lens, the operating screen goes blank.

Suresh Nanda

[OsmosisStudios]

The operating screen will go blank because, as far as the camera's concerned, there's nothing attached to it!

That lens doesn't have the electronic contacts your dSLR does. You can use it, but you'll lost some functionality.

[inkista]

I think you can still compose with the viewfinder.

I'd recommend reading over this guide on using manual-focus lenses on a Pentax dSLR.

[i speak in math]

Yes, if it is K mount, it will work just fine. You might need to read up about stop down metering to maximize its usefullness.

I am using a pentax smc 50mm f/1.4 (often called a K series lens) circa 1975. There are no aperture contacts on the lens. In order to meter the light, I have to set the aperture on the lens, hit the green button and let the camera set what it thinks is right for the shutter speed.

Its an absolutely beautiful lens. And one of the best things about pentax cameras is that the shake reduction (or vibration reduction) is built into the camera body which means even old lenses, like those k series from 1975, are stabilized.