I just got my first DSLR. It happens to be a Nikon D40. My dad gave me his old film SLR and i was wondering if i can still use the lens and flash without breaking the camera....
Thanks
Thanks
The built in flash won't be better... Trust me, even on the Nikon D300 it has given very bad results and I am prepared to bet that it isn't any better on the D40.
I just got my first DSLR. It happens to be a Nikon D40. My dad gave me his old film SLR and i was wondering if i can still use the lens and flash without breaking the camera....
Thanks
No, you will not be able to use a pentax K mount lens on your D40. If it is M42 mount (or regularly called a screwmount lens), you do have a better chance at mounting the lens but you will need to purchase a M42->Nikon adapter.
For the posters who said it is not worth trying the lens, obviously do not know the potential gems that exist among screwmount lenses.
Many pentax takumar screwmount lenses have optical quality that matches - and even surpasses modern lenses. Two such examples - SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4, and the SMC Takumar 135 f/2.5 <- both super sharp.
And do you know what the best part about these old lenses??? Price! Most can be had for less than half of their modern equivalents, and you should be able to find an adapter that works with any mount. Of course you do give up auto metering and auto focus; however, at least it will get you to slow down and think about the picture before clicking away. I notice too many people claiming to be 'photographers' with expensive DSLR's taking hundreds of pictures but only one is good.
BTW, just a quick warning about old flashes that nobody has posted yet.. some old flashes tend to have very high trigger voltages that can fry your DSLR if you mount it. I would highly recommend a google search of the model of flash with the words "trigger voltage" before you mount ANY old flash on your camera.
lastly, it is too bad you did not buy a Pentax DSLR.. the lens would still have been compatible..and its not as crippled as the D40.
Any idea where to get a new one local to Houston?
No, you will not be able to use a pentax K mount lens on your D40. If it is M42 mount (or regularly called a screwmount lens), you do have a better chance at mounting the lens but you will need to purchase a M42->Nikon adapter.
For the posters who said it is not worth trying the lens, obviously do not know the potential gems that exist among screwmount lenses.
...
BTW, just a quick warning about old flashes that nobody has posted yet.. some old flashes tend to have very high trigger voltages that can fry your DSLR if you mount it. I would highly recommend a google search of the model of flash with the words "trigger voltage" before you mount ANY old flash on your camera.
Ooh, Bayonet-mount is much trickier. I have a handful of sigma bayonet-mount lenses hanging around but have had no luck finding an adapter for bayonet-to-nikon mounting.
If you have any luck let us know.
Many pentax takumar screwmount lenses have optical quality that matches - and even surpasses modern lenses. Two such examples - SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4, and the SMC Takumar 135 f/2.5 <- both super sharp.
Ugh more great luck....
Guess i will be calling some camera stores tomorrow...
Also if i where to return the D40 and get a Pentax camera would i be able to use the lens without the adapter? (I'm glad i bought the camera from costco...)
Optical quality is about more than sharpness. Any modern multi-coated lens will pretty-much beat the pants off any old lens in terms of flare resistance for instance- and the new Nikkor nano-coated lenses will beat those. Newer elements will be better in terms of color neutrality as well as contrast too.
A lot of us large format photographers are used to shooting with lenses that are 60+ years old- even so, we understand the strides that have been made in modern optics, especially in the last 10 or so years.
Pentax DSLRs mount all older Pentax lenses as-is. It's up to you, but I'd question changing camera bodies to use one old lens- and I'd check really well into that lens to see if it's worth it- and more importantly if the current lens line will fit your future needs[1].
You can adjust flash exposure for the built-in flash so that it tones down, but off-camera flash is generally the way to go. The D40 shares Nikon's general maximum +250V trigger voltage, which should handle anything Pentax or Vivitar[2] can throw at it and will only have problems with a very few third party flashes over 250V or negative voltages.
Pentax bodies may only have a 30V maximum (they don't document it in the manual for any of their cameras- that figure is reported from a conversation with Pentax Germany,) and there are reports of 13.31V flashes burning out Pentax bodies (their current line of flashes appear to be ~7.8V.)[3] I don't think I'd use anything other than a current production model flash on a Pentax without a Wein Safe-Sync or equivalent.
[1] A 300/4 as the longest supertele sort of kills Pentax as a sports or wildlife line-up for me.
[2] http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
[3] http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2007/03/which-flash-units-are-safe-for-pentax.html
Your built in flash will be better
Wow...
Well from what i could understand i think i will just return my D40 and get a E410 with a lens kit and a speedlight, and just leave my Pentax flash and lens with the film SLR as some times i think i would rather use that..
Opinions?
Wow...
Well from what i could understand i think i will just return my D40 and get a E410 with a lens kit and a speedlight, and just leave my Pentax flash and lens with the film SLR as some times i think i would rather use that..
Opinions?
Thanks for your help every one...
For reference i have no idea how to work the flash...
Pentax Flash
Built in flash
I agree with this.The built in flash won't be better... Trust me, even on the Nikon D300 it has given very bad results and I am prepared to bet that it isn't any better on the D40.
I am rather shocked that the top wasn't the built in flash. But I stand by my agreement with Everythingisnt. Built in flashes can't compete with an external flash unit.Thanks for your help every one...
For reference i have no idea how to work the flash...
Pentax Flash
Built in flash