PK to EF-S Lens adapter suitability

Bigman80

Bigman80

Suspended / Banned
Messages
70
Name
Oliver
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

This has probably been done to death, but i am looking for a definitive answer, if possible.

I have a plethora of Pentax lenses that i would like to use on a Canon 7D. Is there an adapter that will allow me to do so without having the mirror bounce off the back of the lens?

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but I appreciate any help.
 
I don't think you will have the problem of mirror lens contact with the 7D.... Pentax don't have the issue where APS-c lenses cannot be used on the K-1 or film cameras, like Canon do....
 
welshwizard645 said:
I don't think you will have the problem of mirror lens contact with the 7D.... Pentax don't have the issue where APS-c lenses cannot be used on the K-1 or film cameras, like Canon do....
Click to expand...
So you think the PK lenses will be ok with the 7D (APS-C) ?

Just confirming...quite nervous lol
 
They work as far as I remember (I have adapters somewhere PK to Canon EF, but I only have a Canon EF-S camera, rest have gone), but you will have no autofocus, no auto aperture and soon tire of it especially when used Canon lenses of the same/better quality of the Pentax lenses are not expensive.

The adapters are cheap, why not try it
 
I don't think EF-S matters, AFAIK it's just EF. The EF-S was only (again AFAIK) some Canon bodies which could take EF-S lenses which extended further into the body so any Pentax to EF adapter should be ok.

For what it's worth, I briefly used Olympus Zuiko lenses on my canon 5D but gave up because these cameras just aren't built for manual focus unless the subject is BIG in the frame and detail is easily visible in the relatively poor OVF or back screen if the camera has live view. Mirrorless cameras with their focus aids are IMO the things to use film era or indeed any manual focus lenses on.
 
Thanks @Sangoma & @woof woof

I use the lenses for a bit of fun, and whilst i know they aren't magnificent glass, or particularly expensive, they do have a little sentimental value to me, so i would like to try them on the 7D, even if they don't work great on there.

I have a Sony NEX-6 i have used them with but i find the EVF to be too poor to properly dial in the focus. Just thought the 7D may be a little better for that reason.
 
The secret on mirrorless like the NEX-6 is 'focus peaking' (believe the NEX-6 has it but please correct me if wrong) that will help with manual focus no end. I also like to set a button set to 'focus magnifier' to tap to zoom in and confirm focus in the EVF.

The 7D doesn't have such nice tools.
 
@Gold

Woah, woah, woah....what do you mean:

I also like to set a button set to 'focus magnifier' to tap to zoom in and confirm focus in the EVF
Click to expand...

Please educate me. How is this done?!
 
Bigman80 said:
@Gold

Woah, woah, woah....what do you mean:



Please educate me. How is this done?!
Click to expand...
It looks the more modern Sony cameras have more options but looking at the NEX-6 manual the focus magnifier isn't available but 'MF Assist' is which 'Displays an enlarged image when focusing manually', I'd play around with this and with focus peaking.
 
Gold said:
It looks the more modern Sony cameras have more options but looking at the NEX-6 manual the focus magnifier isn't available but 'MF Assist' is which 'Displays an enlarged image when focusing manually', I'd play around with this and with focus peaking.
Click to expand...

This is great information. I appreciate your effort :)

I'll be messing around with this tomorrow!
 
I think that focusing with a mirrorless camera and the magnified view is arguably the most accurate way to focus if you have the time to do it as you can focus on exactly what you want to focus on. Focusing like this you can see more detail and therefore focus on it than would be visible with any unaided optical system.

For me peaking works beat at wide apertures when very little is shimmering. At smaller apertures much more is likely to be shimmering and it is therefore IMO more difficult to get the focus to be exactly where you want it to be.

Good luck with this Oliver.
 
woof woof said:
I think that focusing with a mirrorless camera and the magnified view is arguably the most accurate way to focus if you have the time to do it as you can focus on exactly what you want to focus on. Focusing like this you can see more detail and therefore focus on it than would be visible with any unaided optical system.

For me peaking works beat at wide apertures when very little is shimmering. At smaller apertures much more is likely to be shimmering and it is therefore IMO more difficult to get the focus to be exactly where you want it to be.

Good luck with this Oliver.
Click to expand...
Thanks,

It's only for fun and generally keeping some old lenses in circulation.

I'll see how I get on.
 
Just a quick update for those who offered some advice:

I spent an hour this morning setting up the MF assist and Focus Peaking on the NEX-6. I attached a OK 135mm lens and went for a test run in the garden, where i spotted a very busy Robin. I spent an hour trying to get a decent photograph of him with this combination, and eventually managed it. I was very pleased with myself.

Then, a knock at the door.

DPD arrived with my new to me 55-250mm Canon lens!

I put it on the 7D and went into the garden. Within 2 seconds the Robin landed on the lads goal post. I quickly took two pictures of him. Both were miles better than any i'd managed to get with the PK lens :rolleyes: lol

I am not disheartened though, as i took a few portraits of family with it and they look really nice to me. I would share them, but the wife found a woodpecker in the garden and somehow managed to format the NEX-6's memory card whilst trying to take a picture :D

....oh well, an excuse for more photos is never a bad thing and i am really happy she tried.

In conclusion, i am really grateful for the input, as i now have an avenue to keep these old lenses in use. I appreciate the advice.
 
Last edited:
Glad to hear you have found a way forward to use them :)
 
Bigman80 said:
Just a quick update for those who offered some advice:

I spent an hour this morning setting up the MF assist and Focus Peaking on the NEX-6. I attached a OK 135mm lens and went for a test run in the garden, where i spotted a very busy Robin. I spent an hour trying to get a decent photograph of him with this combination, and eventually managed it. I was very pleased with myself.

Then, a knock at the door.

DPD arrived with my new to me 55-250mm Canon lens!

I put it on the 7D and went into the garden. Within 2 seconds the Robin landed on the lads goal post. I quickly took two pictures of him. Both were miles better than any i'd managed to get with the PK lens :rolleyes: lol

I am not disheartened though, as i took a few portraits of family with it and they look really nice to me. I would share them, but the wife found a woodpecker in the garden and somehow managed to format the NEX-6's memory card whilst trying to take a picture :D

....oh well, an excuse for more photos is never a bad thing and i am really happy she tried.

In collusion, i am really grateful for the input, as i now have an avenue to keep these old lenses in use. I appreciate the advice.
Click to expand...


TBH, I would have been very surprised if your new (to you) native lens didn't outperform the old one! However, as you say, it's the fun of using older lenses more than the ultimate results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top