Shucks, no one answered my little closer about the Plustek Optifilm 7200 film scanner. Perhaps no one has any experience with one?

And, yes, I'm going to buy the Pentax *ist DS. I've been developing and printing (on Agfa Portriga Rapid) Tri-X, Plus-X, DMax, Ilford HP5, etc., for 35 years and I'm very much ready for something new and different. (I also bought the Plus Tek scanner - on its FED-X way as I write - and I'll file a user report soon).

Ted

Well, we are all aware of the 'either/or' thinking fallacy - in this case either digital or film - and my answer is both, of course. Many of my best b/w images hanging on my walls were taken with a beat up Rollleicord, others with a Spotmatic SP. Using the Rollei is, at least for me, more of a contemplative experience. The Spotmatic also, though it's very good in a fast moving environment. I am not one who enjoys spending hours in front of a computer fixing digital images or images scanned from 5x7 positive proofs. Nor, for that matter, spending hours in a darkroom, though the latter is still more rewarding creatively. Nothing better than the beauty of a properly done 11x14 or 16x20.

But I don't have a photolab at present to dabble around in, so I'm on the point of buying a film scanner because I continue to shoot with Spotmatics and my rangefinder Bessa R and L. I can easily process TriX or Ilford at home, and see a film scanner as a way to continue making my own b/w enlargements via computer and Epson printer. (I am also on the point of purchasing my first DSLR, a Pentax *istDS).

I have read some positive stuff about the Plustek OpticFilm 35mm Film & Slide Scanner (quite cheap these days at $200 USD) and wonder if any of you folks have any experience with one.

Ted

You could go to Yahoo Groups and find the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Users Group. These guys know everything there is to know about these cameras and can not only answer your questions but probably fix you up with a manual. They can also give you some info regarding its value. I belong to this group, but I'm a user, not a collector nor a techie.

Ted

John, George. I thank you both for the information. I see there's no free lunch here. If I do get the camera, I'll certainly get it with the 18-55 plus the K-mount adapter. It may be that I'll find the old screwmount lenses are better left on screwmount bodies.

Ted

I'm considering purchasing a *ist DS. I will buy the lens normally supplied with the kit, but I have about 8 or 9 M42 mount Super Takumar lenses, all of which are superb, and I hear that they can be used with this camera. Apparently one needs a K-Mount adaptor. Is this indeed the case?

Ted

Gentlemen:

Thank you for the clarity of your explanations. I now get the picture, so to speak. Nice to know that the Pentax has the same sensor as the D series Nikons, which, I assume, cost more money.

Ted

I'm seriously contemplating purchasing a istDS. However, I read on another website that it has APS-C. What does that mean?


Ted

Thanks for the info, Kim. Noticed you on this site the other day.

Actually, when I first read your posts on the Spottie group, and saw that you lived in "Lincoln," I thought it was Lincoln, Nebraska. Then I noticed syntax and spelling variations and realized I was several thousand miles off the mark.

I assume if I were to purchase a Pentax digital SLR, the "Later software upgrades" would be easily obtainable?

The "fiddly" part is mildly off-putting, but I suppose it's like most strange encounters in the wonderful world of photography, fiddle long enough and you get it figured. Like my first film loading experience with a FED 2.

Ted

johnriley suggested that the classic was the MX.

I would step back to the Spotmatic. I have several that have been CLA'd and brought up to snuff. I have noticed very little difference between images made with the Spotmatic's comparatively crude metering system and images made with the new Voigtlander Bessa R's TTL metering system. Just that the stop-down moment for metering is a bit annoying with the Spotties, but once you've got a baseline meter reading, you don't have to meter every frame.

As I've never owned any Pentax cameras later than Spotmatics I can't comment on the nature of metering improvements in later models.

I am currently contemplating the purchase of a new Pentax digital SLR, and I hope my collection of wonderful M42 lenses can be adapted to it.

Thanks, I'll check out current prices, thought right now I'm not sure of the differences between the*istDS and the *istDL.