Considering cheap (oops, inexpensive): Pentax Program Plus?

[Kodachromeguy]

Hi folks, a Program Plus to mount some K-mount lenses. Great machine, dud, flawed, a junior LX? Thanks!

 

[Paul Howell]

I had one, not a LX Jr, that was the MX. Of the 2, Program + or MX the MX has much better build quality. Until the LX the MX was the pro level K mount body. The program + is fine as long as the electronics hold out. Mine developed issues with the film advance, could not find anyone to repair it. I have a number of K mount bodies, MF and AF, in MF program + level I find the Chinon CP7 work well with all my K mount lens includeding AF. It has program mode, manual mode, aperature perfered auto exposure mode, but no shutter speed perfered mode. Intergrated film winder, about 2 FPS, takes AA batteries. Right now I have a Pentax 28 to 200 AF on it, which of course I use in manual mode. Viewfinder is clear.

 

[xkaes]

Have you checked out the Pentax MZ-M? I'm not a Pentax user, but this camera is superb. A small & light SLR and full of features -- and NO auto-focus.

They're not as old as the Program Plus, and probably less expensive. They sell on EBAY for around $10 -- with a lens.

 

[Don_ih]

I have one, somewhere. And I liked using it. It's a nice little camera.

 

[Chan Tran]

The MX is worth more now in the used market compared to any of the ME variations. Yet the MX was less expensive when new.

 

[dynachrome]

I have an MZ-M. It is pleasant enough to use but is not very robust. Some or most of the gears are plastic and many of the ones offered for sale do not work. Mine had to be repaired when I first got it. The next issue is that the batteries which go in it are expensive. I found the AA battery holder so I solved that problem. All old cameras have their issues. I agree that the MX is nicely made. When the MX gets old, it can be hard to see the LEDs in bright light. Mechanically, it is very good. I like the KM. It is similar to the K1000 but has a depth of field preview button. I find the KX and K2 somewhat fiddly. The ME Super is very pleasant to use when in good working order and has the 1/2000 top shutter speed. If I only used my KMs, I would still have at least one working for a long time.