Maybe Adam has been given too many of the latest Pentax lenses (for "reviewing" or whatsoever) so that he has almost forgotten how older Pentax manual lenses would behave on all the Pentax digital bodies. Nevermind, I think it's my take now! Below are two summaries that I compile to let all my readers here know (or got refreshed for the knowledge if already known) about the basic technical features or limitations of our Pentax lenses back to the 60s of the last century and what they could or could not do for us with our Pentax DSLR bodies! :-)
N.B. I don't think that you can find ALL of the information below in any of the Pentax DSLR/lens user/operation manuals! ;-D
Table 1: Lens Data/Function Availability with different Pentax Lenses
| Lens Data and/or Function | Provision Means | M42 | K/M | _A_ | _F_ | _FA_ | FAJ/ DA/ DAL | DFA (1st Gen.) | DFA (2nd Gen.) |
| Wide-opened Metering | Instant Return Aperture Coupler | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Number of Steps Stopped-down (via Aperture Ring) | Mechanical Position Indicator | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | Y | - |
| Maximum Aperture | Array of Electrical Contacts | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Minimum Aperture | Array of Electrical Contacts | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Focal Length | (Advanced/Serial) Electronic Communication | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Focus Distance | Electronic Communication | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lens ID | Electronic Communication | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| MTF Data | Electronic Communication | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Powered/Auto Zoom | Electronic Communication and KAF2 Power Contacts | - | - | - | - | S* | - | - | - |
| In-lens AF (SDM or DC Motor) | Electronic Communication and KAF2 Power Contacts | - | - | - | - | - | S | - | - |
Legend: Y= Yes/Available; "-" = No/Not Available; S = Supported depending on Lens Model (if Feature is Available)
*Remark: Limited/Partial Function - Only Auto Zoom Retract and Powered Zoom are Supported.
Table 2: Pentax DSLR Camera Function Availability with different Pentax Lenses
| Body Function | M42 | K/M | _A_ | _F_ | _FA_ | FAJ/ DA/ DAL | DFA (1st Gen.) | DFA (2nd Gen.) | *Remark |
| Wide-opened Metering | - | -* | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Stopped-down metering is available with a push of button. |
| Multi-segment Metering | - | - | Y* | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Not as accurate as subject distance information is Not available (and hence is not included in the calculation). |
| Off-the-film TTL Flash Auto (*ist D and DS/DS2 Only) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | TTL flash sensor underneath mirror is installed; No Pre-flash is required. |
| Off-the-film TTL Flash Auto (All Others) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | No TTL flash sensor underneath mirror; P-TTL is mandatory for Auto Flash. |
| P-TTL (where P stands for Pre-flash) | - | - | Y* | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Not as accurate as subject distance information is Not available. |
| AF | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | - |
| Lens Correction on Image | - | - | - | - | -/Y* | Y | Y | Y | Only the three FA Limited are Supported. |
Legend: Y= Yes/Available; "-" = No/Not Available
Okay, is it and everything much clearer now? :-> And no need to make thanks to me, thank Adam instead! ;-p After all, I just won't make any reply over his premise to help others (and actually help him to make more money!) anymore (although Adam is really "kind" enough for not banning me!), as I decided and told two-and-a-half year ago! :-D
Further/Reference Read:-
K-Mount Metering and Exposure Bases - A Technical Brief
Related:-
Two Important Custom Functions for Proper Metering
Modding a Rikenon-P 50/1.7 Into an "A" Lens! :-o
Ten Things that I Want Ricoh to Do for Pentax
Hypocrites of the PentaxForums and Their Lies
Updating of my Blog Editing Direction
Logging you in...
Jas Daliwal · 694 weeks ago
You are very quick to point out others mistakes, but never admit when you make one especially when its pointed out to you.
Surprised you didn't bash this guys article http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7333489584/varia...
Ohh wait you wouldn't comment on this at all since it points out errors in your interpretations and articles...It is easy to point fingers we all make mistakes.... well except you.
RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago
As for Pentax, if you have really been with them longer enough, it is not difficult to see that their quality has been deteriorating much in the last ten years. In the past, or maybe still not too far away, when the flagship and top of the line Pentax glass were still made in Japan about ten years ago, one could know what the true and best *Pentax Quality* was!
Nik · 694 weeks ago
RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago
Pentax · 694 weeks ago
RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago
Btw, he will be aware of my response to his post sooner or later for what is linked back here, and the sudden traffic surge to his site will be very likely getting his attention.
P.S. Man, please do NOT use the name of "Pentax" since you are NOT. This is *dishonest*.
Jas Daliwal · 694 weeks ago
Thanks for the lesson in QC. I have shot Pentax for a very long time and QC has gone down yes, but thats across the board, on all brands. Surely back in the day my LX's or 645's K& M mounts were not made by warehoused migrant workers working 16 hours a day, nor were they made by German craftsman. And thats likely why QC in lots of goods are crap. But Pentax does not hold the monopoly on QC issues.
But I ask you how many frames have you shot this last year? How many portraits have you had complaints and non payment due to CA?Or a Samsung sensor? How many times have you used Pentax service overseas to validate your claim it sucks everywhere?
Whats wrong with pointing out Adams error? Most People would just post a correction clarifying the error. But thats most people.
But the point is, your gleeful jubilation when anyone makes a misstep,You have shown your contempt for fellow bloggers before,Yvon Borqe, Adam,DP Review, Ned,TOP etc..... as well as Pentax ( Why if everyone brand is better than do you bother staying with them?) We all know your history on other forums, your free speech being infringed etc.. etc... your bizarre jealousy with Adam/PF etc...Yet you ignore it when other people point out stuff on your blog. Many of your posts are interesting but some are pure fantasy and speculation that have tons of errors that you never acknowledge. Thats hypocritical. And thats the why its wrong to point at others.
RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago
At the end of the day, have you been able to distinguish between "errors" and *opinions*?
Jas Daliwal · 694 weeks ago
But as I said there are many interesting posts,thats why I swing by here. I enjoy healthy 2 way discussions on many blogs . And yes I can distinguish between errors and opinions, the question is, can you? But likely you again will just ignore the questions when its directed to you. Again thats hypocritical. And thats the why its wrong to point and judge others.
RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago
Warpig · 694 weeks ago
RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago