Pentax camera similar or the same as a rangefinder

Dear Pentax Users

Im looking specifically for a 35mm film camera 'similar to' or 'the same as' a RANGEFINDER camera.

Ive GOOGLE'd for hours and hours trying to see if Pentax ever made a Rangefinder. Nikon and Canon both made them as did Minolta and many other Japanese manufacturers also.

IF Pentax never, ever made a Rangefinder then could someone please recommend any camera that PENTAX made which is nearest in design to a rangefinder and by this I mean LEAF SHUTTER, NOT SLR, COMPACT, 35mm, METERING but not TTL and manual/auto exposure.

Ive got a feeling that the nearest camera that fits this bill will have to be an SLR and something like a K1000.
(This is no bad thing - Im just after the smallest, lightest, quietest PENTAX 35mm film camera).

PLEASE help ANYONE/EVERYONE! Many thanks.

Ed
Gaiman, Patagonia
www.edgold.co.uk

P.S. I have to use Pentax and nothing else will do!

Pentax never made rangefinder cameras. Try Leica or Voigtlander.

If you want a SLR as compact as the rangefinder design, then the Pentax ME Super with the SMC Pentax-N 40mm f2.8 lens is as close as you are going to get.

Well I can't see why you'd want a Pentax rangefinder as Leica are probably the best in that class. I never used a Contax which I would regard as their only rival but the two Leicas I had were simply a joy.

It's not just size that makes a rangefinder so good it's the whole ethos of them.

Incidentally I doubt you'll get a sensible camera with a leaf shutter. It's possible the Rollei 35 (was it) had a leaf shutter.

If you want quiet then go Leica!

Mike

The Rollei 35 did indeed have a leaf shutter, but unfortunately no rangefinder. I was never any good at estimating distances so I found them a bit unsatisfactory.

One of the best made cameras I have ever owned by the way was the Voigtlander Bessamatic - a SLR with a leaf shutter. Beautiful cameras but far too expensive and far too complicated. The Pentax range were much simpler and a fraction of the price.

The Pentax MX is similar in size to a Leica M series and is relatively quiet due to its rubberised silk shutter (like a Leica, other Pentax cameras have metal shutters). There is still some mirror noise to contend with but it's reasonably well damped.

As John and Mike have said, there has not been a Pentax rangefinder and the only leaf shutters I know of are the ones for the (much larger) 67 series medium format cameras.

A Pentax MX teamed with the Pentax FA43 Limited will give you Leica-like results for a fraction of the price.

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Dear All

Many many thanks for all your answers. What an incredible forum/website...lots of answers straight to the point and quickly too! I should have explained a bit more about my work and requirements but didnt want to get all long-winded about it...
It looks like you all know your stuff and I appreciate that photo of the MX hefty - it does look small.

After all is said I have to stick with the Pentax brand and I dont have the money anyway to buy a Leica.
IF the MX/ME is the smallest option then I will go for one of those...I was hoping to get away from SLR's on this one but looks like its the only way. Incidentally is there an autowinder for the MX/ME and the maximum I should pay for the a body, a wide prime and the winder - from ebay?

Thanks again
Ed

Hi Ed,

Not sure without looking for the MX, but the ME definitely has an autowinder as an optional extra.. I have one. Sadly though, neither are for sale. I seem to remember that ebay prices were a bit silly a year ago, I saw an ME body in excess of £100, but then as it hasn't been made for a long time, it will probably increase in price naturally anyway.

Cheers

Liam

Look for the ME Super, the best of the ME line. This will give you aperture priority and manual exposure modes. The MX is totally manual.

Both have winders (different ones) and the MX also has a motor drive system, but that is rare and expensive.

I would suggest the Super A. Same size as the others, but more up to date, with a choice of P, Av, Tv and M exposure modes. In addition to the winder there is a motor drive, and TTL flash.

It's much the best manual-focus Pentax body having a full choice of exposure modes. And furthermore, it is likely that you will be buying a younger camera.

G

That's all true, George, it depends how literally the OP's request for the smallest option is taken. The A series are slightly bulkier than the ME series and nothing is as compact as that incredible 40mm lens.

Just as an aside, if the age of the cameras wasn't an issue, perhaps a new boxed ME Super vs a new boxed Super A, which do you think is the most elegant design?

The Super A is smaller than the MX in width and depth, and higher in height. But there's very little in it. Compared to the ME Super, there's even less difference. I have always believed that the Super A had the same "chassis" as the ME Super.

G

And I also think that the Super A is Pentax's prettiest-ever camera.

If I had a black 43mm, I'd almost go back to shooting film with it.

G

Pentax 110?

Colour print film is still available from some places.

If you wish to compare specifications / sizes / accessories / etc for all the generations of Pentax camera then this is the best place to start: Link

As for prices on eBay, these are a few that have sold recently to give you an idea:

MX

Recently serviced, good condition, case, eye cup, two (boxed) focus screens, M28/f3.5 lens (with original metal hood). No winder though. Sold for £79.00.

Body only, good condition with manual. Sold for £34.50.

Winder (MX) only, mint condition, working. Sold for £16.00.

M-28mm / f2.8 lens in good condition with case. Sold for £30.01.

ME Super

Body only, good working order (sold by a forum member!). Sold for £26.00.

Winder (ME II) only, good working order. Sold for £17.25.

For lens, see under "MX" section above.

Super A (Super PROGRAM in USA)

Body only, excellent working condition. Sold for £41.00.

The Super A is compatible with the winder ME II so see above for price.

A-28mm / f2.8 lens. Good clean condition. Sold for £37.66.


That should give you an idea but prices vary wildly depending on a number of factors so you'll have to do your own investigations - good luck!

Sorry to butt in to your post PENTAXinPATAGONIA. Just a little message for hefty1. Pentax did make a leaf shutter lens for the 645. I have one. It can shoot up to 1/500th. sec. It makes the camera shoot at 1/8sec. and then opens and closes at its own speed while the camera shutter is open. (flash at 1/500sec) great. CHEERS Vic.