Best Film body to get.

I can tell you that I have seen versions of the MX manual where it does exclude lithium. Or it might be one of the edtions of the Pentax Way.

Lithium batteries do need some caution and correct use, as Boeing are currently discovering and as we found out a whiloe back in Sony laptops.

The Lithium batteries were brought out around the time that the
ME and MX were released. Silver had rocketed to a sky high price
and they were a cheap alternative for some cameras, but not
recommended for Pentax. One of the cameras (ME or MX) was
supplied with Alkaline batteries. It says so in the manual.

Strangely when silver came back down in price they started to
charge more for Litium, because of the greater capacity.

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I never used the battery in my MX. I always used an incident meter.

I checked the manuals (pentax-manuals.com) for MX, ME, ME Super, Super A and P30. The MX was supplied with alkalines, but both the ME and ME Super were supplied with silver oxides. The Super A doesnät state which batteries it comes with, but is said to be powered by 2 alkaline or silver oxide batteries, or one lithium battery. And then again the P30 skips the lithiums.
Indeed the lithium batteries heat up more when used, but since the light meter in ME Super is active only 30 seconds at a time, I'm not too worried... But I do believe it may not be recommended, so I'll add a word of caution for everyone wanting to run the CR1's, you'll do it on your own risk.

I did'nt think of metering batteries, that is something to consider, especially with the Dreamliner in the news.

As I already have the MZ-5n and MZ-50 (with the awful plastic bayonet) I would like a nice metal bodied K-mount body should both my MZ series cameras finally give up on the mirror.
The ME Super and MX both sound rather good, and from your responses, the ones to look out for. As for the Z series, I am not a big fan, pig ugly cameras and big brutes. But having said that, are alright in the hand.

My 35mm Outfit consists of an MX, a Super A and a pair of LXs. If I am doing low-light or tripod work I use an LX if moving around the MX or Super A.

I do like the 1/2 stop metering on the MX though. If I am going somewhere where cold is an issue I will take an LX or the MX.

Trouble is though I rarely do any 35mm stuff anymore as I much prefer using my LF cameras for my personal stuff.

My first proper camera was an MX that I still own and use. Recommended every time. For something more modern, the Super A, P50 or ME Super have fantastic viewfinders and good ergonomics as well as auto or programme modes. The AF models had less bright/usable finders for MF and lose some of the charm of using film IMHO.

The later ones had a charm of their own




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Dont tempt me with an MZ-S Algi. I want one, but never come across one.

I keep drooling over the K2... Might have to get myself in trouble at home...

Me too, although I keep myself out of trouble by looking for a bargain K2DMD which are only marginally less rare than unicorn droppings.

K.

There's a 300 quid DMD on ebay at the minute...

As I said, bargain K2DMDs are almost as rare...! The usual ebay BIN nonsense.

K.

This is a tough one to call, virtually all the MF bodies have their share of weaknesses (yep even the LX!). I would narrow it down to one of the following:

SP, SP1000, SPII, K1000, MX, ME-Super/MEF, Super-A, P30n/P30T, P50, LX, MZ-M

The MZ-M is included above because it has full finder info in all modes (the only MF Pentax to do so), but I would be mindful that the motorised film advance might be troublesome today.

There are a lot of other bodies that are missing features covered by the above (making them less interesting as shooters) including:

ME, MG, MV, P30, SP500, A3 & Program-A

I've not mentioned the other K's because I think they're rare and/or more likely to be troublesome.

Personally I'd go for a K1000 (or better still two K1000's) unless you'll will be using it a lot in low-light, really need a selftimer or Depth of field preview - if so then get an MX.

I have bought lots of the above (many cheap off ebay) and it's the electronic ones that fail the most. K1000s are built like tanks (even the plastic ones), are plentiful and low-risk cameras (my MX feels like exquisite precision machinery and far to delicate to carry around).