Digital SLRs and old lenses

[Moe_K]

Someday I want to get a digital SLR camera.
I have an old Pentax K 1000 camera (I think that's the model number) with a zoom and macro lens. I'd love to be able to use those lenses on my future digital camera. Is there any table or rule of thumb to tell if the lenses will fit?

Thanks.

[Deafasa]

Hi Moe,
Depending on what era your lenses are will determine how compatable they are. Pentax still uses the K mount on the *IST D so your lens will fit. If the lens are "A" lens (as in Pentax SMC A 50mm f2.0), then you can set the lens to A and everything will be dandy. You will have focus confirmation, but not autofocus (since the A series is not an autofocus lens)
M lenses (as in Pentax SMC M 50mm f2.0) are compatable, but I am not sure what you need to do to get the aperature set correctly.
If you have 3rd party lenses (sigma, tokina, tamron) then look for the A setting on the aperature ring. If it has it, more then likely it is a 3rd party equivilent of the Pentax A lens.
I didn't go into F or FA lenses. Both should be fully compatable but since they are autofocus lenses it is doubtful you would have them on a K1000.

Hope that helped.

[Moe_K]

yeah, they're A lenses from what i remember.
will they work on a nikon digital SLR?

[Gumhead]

yeah, they're A lenses from what i remember.
will they work on a nikon digital SLR?
Nope

But the Pentax *ishD is a great little digital camera! It has the same CCD sensor as the Nikon D100...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxistd/

[Deafasa]

Hi Moe,
As Gumhead pointed out your lenses will not work on a nikon body. Usually a lens mount is different for each manufacturer. Cannon EOS lenses only mount on Cannons, Nikon lens only mount on Nikons, Pentax lenses only mount on Pentaxes, etc. Third party lenses are usually sold with a specific mount that is not changable. Tamron used to sell lenses with a mount they called adaptall. You purchased the lens, and then an adapter that fits your lens mount. If you changed camera brands all you would need to replace is the adapter. I don't think they still sell their lenses that way, but it has been a while since I looked at lenses.