Best Film body to get.
a digital has and also Hyper Mode which meant that if you
changed aperture or f stop using a wheel the camera set the
other one to whatever the meter reading needed.
Hard to find the Grip as well, but with it, it was the
best handling camera Pentax ever made. It just became part
of your hand.
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Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
I still think an MX, ME, or MV. But then again there's the P30 series, all good cameras, easy to find and a pleasure to use.
If offertonhatter just wanted manual settings then he has a MZ-5n, just flip the switch!
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
The best autofocus Pentax I ever had was the MZ5 which was very small, light and the pictures came out well exposed and in focus. This replaced my MX in 1996 when it came out.
The "nicest" autofocus camera I ever had was the Z1 / Z1P great spec beautifull to hold but inaccurate auto focus on both of mine.
Have never tried one but the MZ-M is small and light too.
I think the MF body with the best ergonomics in the P30N. Older cmaeras are nicer overall to use but have much worse ergonomics.
I agree. The P30 and P30n are actually great to use. I have the MX which is a jewel. But the shutter speed dial is not as easy to operate. I have the SuperA. Nice to have Tv mode, but those tiny buttons are of the devil. Another point in favour of the P series cameras is they don't suffer from gummy light seals.
My first Pentax was the MX, such a neat camera. The only fault I found with it was that when shooting into bright light, the led's can be difficult to see; although I never told him, I preferred the needle in my brother's OM1.
I now have the KX as well and enjoy that even more, it is as robust as the K1000 (It will outlive you!)but has all the functionality of the MX - plus a needle exposure indicator and mirror lock up!
If you want to go small and have more automation, the Super A takes the biscuit, but for the real feel of manual, choose one of the X's (K, L, or M).
But hey, don't take my word for it. Look at what other users say on link. The K2DMD is the most highly rated Pentax, but the KX is a very close second, beats both the LX and MX - these are ratings by users. There are not so many about because it was quickly superseded by the MX when small is beautiful became the mantra. They can be picked up for much less than £50 - got mine for £25 on ebay less than a year ago.
Whatever you buy, I promise you will enjoy the investment.
Having used many (but by no means all) Pentax film cameras my favourite is the LX, followed by the MX, the KX and the ME Super (presuming we are sticking to K mount cameras).
My problem (and I emphasise that it is my problem!) with cameras like the SFXn is that they are just a bit too much like using a dSLR. I shoot film partly because I like using older cameras. Using an all singing all dancing whizz bang auto everything film camera, to me, is like having the worst aspects of using a dSLR mixed in with the expense and inconvenience of film. I guess I'm not unique in this in that later all-singing film cameras generally sell for less than older manual cameras.
Anyway, back to the original posting. I still recommend the MX, although I agree the ME Super is lovely (my first ever SLR!) and they are as cheap as chips. I've never used any of the P series camera so I cannot comment there.
Best wishes, Kris.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
My website
Still have the film cameras and sometimes use them but most things are now done with the K20D.
However I would like to have the Super A (or Super Program, same thing). In a similar body you'll get the possibility to adjust aperture in body. This opens up a huge range of lenses which you'll enjoy using on film and digital. Later aperture capable bodies have plasticy build which for me is a slight turn off.
Oh, and regarding batteries, get yourself a CR-1 for the camera to replace the double S/LR-44's, and you've got yourself a cheap battery that'll probably last the better part of your life.
I have a feeling that this isn't stated previously due to the fact that lithium batteries didn't really exist commonly until the release of the Super A. But not to start an argue with it, if you say so I do believe it's not recommended. I'll let you know if anything happens to my beloved ME Super!
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1386 posts
11 years
Richmond/Denbigh
Assorted Pentax/Nikon/Mamiya stuff