Whats the best Pentax manual camera?
24,145 posts
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 21:20
Manual could mean two things here. Manual focus may well be a given, but the second thing will be manual controls for exposure. As opposed to say an ME Super with aperture priority auto exposure.
For a fully manual camera that only needs batteries for the meter, I prefer the Pentax MX. In screw thread, the Spotmatic.
Best regards, John
For a fully manual camera that only needs batteries for the meter, I prefer the Pentax MX. In screw thread, the Spotmatic.
Best regards, John
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 21:31
ME Super it is then, cheers JOhn
This Lx seems to be a good camera
Learn how to live and you'll know how to die; learn how to die, and you'll know how to live.
Check out ones photographs on Flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/
This Lx seems to be a good camera
Learn how to live and you'll know how to die; learn how to die, and you'll know how to live.
Check out ones photographs on Flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 21:32
The LX has a lot of auto as well!
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 21:39
Thumbs up for the MX, I have 2 and still use them a lot, great feel.
Digital
K-30, GX-10, DA 16-45, DA 18-55 and DAL 55 - 300
Film
ME Super, 2 x MX, SP 500 and SP F
and lense or 2
Digital
K-30, GX-10, DA 16-45, DA 18-55 and DAL 55 - 300
Film
ME Super, 2 x MX, SP 500 and SP F
and lense or 2
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 21:39
QuestionableCarrot wrote:
ME Super it is then
ME Super it is then
Don't rule out an original ME or the MG which is similar (bought an MG c/w 50mm f2 at a boot sale recently for a fiver!)
John K
John K
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 22:10
Another vote for the MX - first camera I bought with hard-saved pocket money after learning on my dad's Spotmatic (purchased from Tecno in Manchester, I remember it well....). It's a pretty rugged little camera although worth checking the shutter, and worth assuming that you will need to replace the light seals if they've not been done already....a relatively easy DIY job.
Jon
Some occasional random stuff at The Photographers Block: link
Jon
Some occasional random stuff at The Photographers Block: link
Link
Posted 02/12/2013 - 23:48
As others say ... Manual what?
Focus, Aperture, speed, wind on ...
Te MZ-S offers full manual capability if you want it or you can just have manual focus and leave exposure to teh camera ...
Focus, Aperture, speed, wind on ...
Te MZ-S offers full manual capability if you want it or you can just have manual focus and leave exposure to teh camera ...
Link
Posted 03/12/2013 - 11:08
All modern Pentax DSLR's can be used manually, even with old screw mount, K series, and M series lenses. So the answer to your question is the Pentax K-3 (you didn't stipulate film camera). There's no need to dig up a dinosaur.
Stands back to avoid flying daggers
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
Stands back to avoid flying daggers
Peter E Smith
My flickr Photostream
Last Edited by Mannesty on 03/12/2013 - 11:09
Link
Posted 03/12/2013 - 11:15
First need to narrow it down to film or digital.
As Peter says, even the latest digitals are fine with manual lenses. Actually the K-01 handles them very conveniently to my surprise.
John K
John K
As Peter says, even the latest digitals are fine with manual lenses. Actually the K-01 handles them very conveniently to my surprise.
John K
John K
5 posts
Link
Posted 03/12/2013 - 11:38
Film cameras are the only one's I know. As stated MX and ME are great. The medium format 645 is a chunky piece of serious kit. The LX is king in my view though, the one I have taken 80% of my photographs on. But it comes at a high-ish second-hand price. It's becomes a personal friend and is beautiful to handle and understand. Available at times on ebay.....Watch out for the sticky mirror problem though with the LX.
"The Latent Image that exists before development is a truly mystical and exciting entity and some subsequent individual photographs can make the spine tingle."
Good Fortune:
Gray Summers. Website www.graysummers.com
"The Latent Image that exists before development is a truly mystical and exciting entity and some subsequent individual photographs can make the spine tingle."
Good Fortune:
Gray Summers. Website www.graysummers.com
Link
Posted 03/12/2013 - 17:39
The LX is my favourite 35mm camera, closely followed by the MX. For cheap-as-chips excellence the ME Super is hard to beat. It was a best seller for a few years and as a result is very common.
K.
Kris Lockyear
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
K.
Kris Lockyear
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
Link
Posted 03/12/2013 - 17:54
How about the elegant simplicity of the K1000.
Try them all - they are cheap enough (not the LX).
You can see some of my photos here if you are so inclined
Try them all - they are cheap enough (not the LX).
You can see some of my photos here if you are so inclined
Last Edited by DrOrloff on 03/12/2013 - 17:54
Link
Posted 03/12/2013 - 18:13
The LX is the best (but most by now will require repair for the sticky mirror problem I suspect). The MX, K1000 & ME Super are widely available and if you have 'A' lenses you might want to try the Super-A (although it's manual mode isn't as intuitive as the others).
My preference though is the K1000 (my LX needs a repair), a little bit bigger than the MX and it feels more robust (but feels clunkier - which I quite like).
PPG Flickr
My preference though is the K1000 (my LX needs a repair), a little bit bigger than the MX and it feels more robust (but feels clunkier - which I quite like).
PPG Flickr
75 posts
Link
Posted 04/12/2013 - 14:56
The LX is the highest spec'ed Pentax manual focus body, but I sold mine.
It was more camera than I need.
I have owned nearly all Pentax K manual focus models. My favorite is the KX.
Chris
Bring back the latent image!
It was more camera than I need.
I have owned nearly all Pentax K manual focus models. My favorite is the KX.
Chris
Bring back the latent image!
Add a Comment
You must be registered or logged-in to comment.
QuestionableCarrot
Member
Very interested in getting one because I have started to buy a lot of manual lenses.
Cheers
QC
Learn how to live and you'll know how to die; learn how to die, and you'll know how to live.
Check out ones photographs on Flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/