Program-A

Morning
Bought a K-X last year as a first SLR of any kind. I was then able to pick up a Program-A for £30 purely because it had a Pentax-A f1.7 50 attached to it. Undecided what to do with it but the 50 is back on it as I treated myself to the Sigma 50.

I'm enjoying the photography so much I'm thinking of getting some film and having a play. I just wondered what the Program-A was like and what film I should get. I only do landscapes so it would just tag along with the other stuff.

The Program A was the cheaper version of the Super A, but all Pentax SLRs can get great results so don't be put off. See here for full specifications, and Google should lead you to a manual if you don't already have one.

My advice for film would be to have a look at the Ilford website. They offer a variety of B&W films, one of which can be processed using the same chemicals and techniques as colour negative film so you can safely take it to your local Boots if specialist processing is unavailable. Talking of Boots, they still sell process paid colour slide film which is good for a bit of nostalgia.

If you want to shoot landscapes with it I'd recommend looking for a wider angle lens. Try the Pentax-M 28mm f3.5 (better than the f2.8 version) if you can find one, the Program A will work with this in Av or M modes and it will also fit your K-x. A series lenses like your 50mm will tend to cost more as they're easier to use on DSLRs, but the Program A has no trouble using any lens. Just stick to lenses which have SMC Pentax on, as they have made cheaper lenses with lesser coatings which aren't as nice (and given they seem to fetch similar prices it's not worth buying the non-SMC stuff).

Thanks Matt

I have a couple of other older lens as well - the M 135mm and the A 35-105 f3.5 which might be the best choice.

I've used Super A's a lot and v fond of them. The Programme A is the same but for a few added function such as TV and TTL flash.

I'd endorse pretty well all that Matt said in his posting, other than my preference for film would be Fuji Pro 160C. This version has a slight bias towards green, so good for landscapes.

I've used colour process B & W films but haven't found the results that pleasing (Fuji Neopan 400C).

Your SMC A 35-105 isn't quite wide enough - need to go down to 28mm or wider such as a 24mm (if you can find one at an affordable price).

Steve

Definitely try the 35-105mm, it's a very well-regarded lens and won't cost anything to try. If you do decide you want a wider angle then look for the 28mm I mentioned, if you're patient you will probably get one for around £50 (they do come up, just not all the time).

There are a few particularly nice lenses from the K, M, and A series, just don't be dragged into paying stupid money for them.

You should be able to pick up a Tamron 28mm f2.5 from ebay for between £10 and £20. If your patient, you'll find one with the K mount already on. Otherwise, thats probbaly another tenner

Cheers guys - I'll get a roll of film and have a dabble with the 35-105. If its fun I'll have a look round for other lenses. Nice to have something different.

There is a lot of choice for BW but if you want an easy chromogenic BW film I have used Kodak BW400CN film with quite some success.

Of the more traditional BW films I like Ilford Delta 100. On Saturday I bought a selection of 8 different BW films from Silverprint including Rollei Retro just to try and compare and see what I like.

For colour, I really like the newish Kodak Ektar 100. I find the "consumer" grade colour print films disappointing but Ektar is lovely.

K.

Looks nice - good colour and a nice set. I keep on seeing shots with velvia - hope I've got that right - which looks nice.

Fuji's Velvia 50 is probably THE best slide film around. Colour saturation is quite brilliant. It ceased production for about 18m then Fuji brought it back after a lot of pressure from Pro users. Velvia 100 is also very good and I've shot a lot of rolls of it with good results all the way (quality of my input hasn't always matched that of the film though :blush.

Velvia's stable mate Provia also worth a try. Supposed to have a good tolerance to being pushed or pulled compared to Velvia.

The only thing you need to remember with slide film is you need to be far more accurate with your exposures than with digital or print films.


Steve

I warn you, it is a dangerous slope. I'm now seriously considering a Bronica medium format camera rather than upgrading my K-m as I have far more fun with film...

I have a Program A and I have had good success with Kodak BW400CN and Kodak Ektar 100.

Fuji Pro $00H seems good as well if you need something a little faster. For cheaper films I've found the Fuji Superia 400 Xtra to be decent, only used this with my Nikon F70 but the results have been pleasing.

I use film more than my K200D now.....

I keep looking at Pentax 67 ads and wondering if I should sacrifice my K5 fund...

Rather than a Bronica, why not the Pentax 645 in one of its versions. All the features such as motor wind and AE are already built in and the lenses are plentiful and inexpensive. And also excellent.

In addition, the operational logic of the camera is the same as every pentax DSLR, so no glitches to be found there.

Having used the Pentax, Bronica and mamiya 645 cameras I wouldn't even consider the rather primitive Bronica and Mamiya systems.

However, be aware that for a really dramatic jump in quality from 35mm film you really need to be looking at the Pentax 67.

Jings, I knew it was a bad idea joing this forum