P30 and M series lenses query

Hello everybody, I'm not sure if this is a problem or not but:

I have a P30 body and two M series lenses - 35mm and 50mm, but on the P30 body it doesn't meter the aperture that is selected, to get the proper reading I need to press the depth of field preview. I'm running a film through to see if the camera is actually stopping down when the photo is taken or not, but what I want to know is if this is to be expected with combination of equipment or if my camera/lenses are dicky.

I'll soon find out when I get the film processed but I thought I'd ask for some input from you guys on this.

Using M lenses on the P30T you should be able to meter properly in aperture priority and manual. If you can't, something is amiss. Try reseating the lens, making sure it clicks home properly.

However, you will not be able to set the shutter speed and expect the camera to set the lens aperture (shutter priority) as the necessary contacts are not present on M lenses. You need A lenses or later for that.

Right then, from what you're saying it looks like there's a problem with the body.

Essentially the metering is working. But it's only metering as if the lens is always wide open so when I change aperture (camera on Manual) the light meter stays where it is.

It must be the body as it's less likely that both the lenses are iffy. I think I'll need to get an A lens to try it out and then go from there.

Thanks for the input.

I think from that it is clearly a body problem, especially if it happens with more than one lens. An A lens will not help.

It's always worth trying new batteries.

If it comes to a repair, it might be worth considering buying a replacement, perhaps on eBay, which could well cost you less.

I think this might actually be more to do with the design of the camera.

From memory, there are 3 P30 cameras, the basic p30, the p30n and the p30t, and I was under the impression that you can only use the p30 in program mode with a-series lenses, where m-series aren't supported - it is quite a basic camera. The P30t lets you use any lens and can run in shutter or aperture priority or program, I don't know what the p30n does as I have never used one but I suspect you might only be able to use manual or program - it is the 'in-between' for the p30 and p30t as far as I'm aware. I am basing this on what was told to me by my friend who was disappointed by his p30, and I have used a p30t extensively (it's not a bad little camera).

Does anyone else have any ideas on this? I have looked for a manual, but only found one for the p30t. The p30 and p30n definitely exist and are demonstrably different from the p30t, but as I have never actually used one myself I can't be certain my comments are correct.

Hope this helps


Matt

EDIT - It appears the p30 was also labelled the p3, the manual is available for free download from Pentax USA (www.pentax.com, navigate to download page via US website)

FURTHER EDIT: Right, it appears that you can use the p3/p30 in metered manual only with M series lenses, but you have to use stop-down metering (which by the sounds of it you have done, so hopefully no problems). I base this statement on instuctions in page 42 of the manual (or page 44 of the PDF of the manual), which advises how to use an M42 to k-mount adapter on the p30 - I assume this also holds for straight k-mount (m-series) lenses.

Cool, that's a great bit of info. I'm running a test film through now as I'm going on holiday soon and intend to take it as the main camera. It is slightly inconvenient having to press the DOF button to get the correct meter reading, but I can live with that, and it saves me buying a new body.

I've had the body and lenses for about 5 years, bought them second hand, but only used them once before and then put them aside until I had the time to find out where the problem is (I have other cameras so I wasn't in any rush).

Although I like the P30 a lot (nice size, everything where it should be) my model has a "sticky" shutter speed wheel so it'd difficult to turn it one way compared to the other - any hints on that? I may keep my eye out for a K1000 (I forget about batteries until it's too late), or have even been considering buying an el cheapo Centon K100 or K200. I know it's sacrelige, but it's the lenses that are taking the pictures after all.

Any tips on freeing up the Tv wheel? And thanks again for the input so far - really helpful.

EDIT = just downloaded the manual - thanks Matt