I just bought a used Nikon d3200 on Amazon, but realize that I have old Pentax lenses? - 1

Hi, I bought a Nikon d3200 camera on Amazon (my first DSLR) and it has already shipped. I could return it when it arrived.

My mother used to take photos with an old Pentax film camera and I found her old lenses. Would these lenses work with the Pentax K-500? Is it worth returning the D3200 because I found these lenses (I don't want to return the D3200 just because the Pentax is a better camera, only if the lenses will save me hundreds of dollars). I have no idea if the lenses work okay or not. One sounds like it has sand in it and has a hard time being twisted. Did I come across a box of junk box lenses or a gold mine of lenses? Thanks!

With damage of the lens ( sand, microscopic sizes) -------your lens need intense cleansing----but it ain't worth a lot EVEN if it gets repaired---film lenses are CHEAP these days---the NIKON DSLR takes incredible pics with its high megapixels and great features, PENTAX is more of a lemon compared to it

I would forget about the old Pentax lenses.
I guess your new Nikon is coming with a kit lens? If not, it would still be worth while buying an intermediate zoom for it.

I would've bought the Pentax K-500 to start with (this is why I constantly tell people to look at All the alternatives before committing to purchase, and to handle them), but what's done is done.

You'll lose money returning and replacing your camera now, and even working lenses only allow Av and M modes with manual focus - there's no point in buying a new camera to fit a dud lens, so just put it down to experience and move on.

If you do find an adaptor to take Pentax lenses to a Nikon you will find the facilities severly restricted, so best not to bother trying. There's probably a market for old Pentax lenses, though not for much money, since Pentax is a widely-used mount.

If you could return your Nikon DSLR and exchange it for a Pentax DSLR then that might be the route to follow. I have no experience of Pentax DSLRs (I'm a Nikon man), but Hummerhead is probably overstating the diffgerence between Pentax and the other three good brands (Nikon, Canon, Sony). It partly depends on what facilities each brand offers at what price. Indeed if an old lens has sand in it then it probably is not worth spending the large sum needed to repair it.

Note also that there's a "magnification factor" with lenses used on a mid-price DSLR compared with using on a film SLR, thus a 50mm lens used on a DSLR gives the same view as a 75mm would on a film SLR. A wide-angle 28mm works as a "short normal" lens of 42mm.

Keep the Nikon.

Please don't listen to the likes of contributor "hummerhead2002". I just finish (today) hanging a 20x30 print I took with my Pentax Kx (now discontinued) but in the price range of the Pentax K 500. I deveated from a lifelong love affair with Canon products and choose Pentax. An two and 1/2 yrs later I could not be happier. There's a good chance if your mother's lenses where stored properly that they still work. And go to the trouble of checking the cost of repairing sticky iris diapharm blades if some of the lens have them.

You can send them to Pentax and get free estimate for repair! Hopefully your will be able to use some of the lenses in other than manual mode. Call Pentax! If you live in the USA. They are friendly & helpful!

… Www.pentaximaging.com 1-800-877-0155, or 303-799-8000

Additional notes: this is the first DSLR that I can put my glasses on my head see with the adjustable viewfinder my subject in sharp focus! Every lens that I have bought gives me nothing but thriills when I make an enlargement. And I'm 72yrs.old--"still just a kid"