Harmless, easy and quick survey for long time film users

jovo · Sep 3, 2015

I bought my P67 in 1998 from Wall Street Camera in NYC (I think they went out of business some time ago.) I have gradually added to the kit that now has a metered prism and six lenses (45, 55, 105, 135, 200, 300). It's incredibly rugged and reliable. I'll use it until film is no longer available should that sad day ever come.

Jim Jones · Sep 3, 2015

When upgrading from a Praktica FX3, I first tried a Miranda (good optics, unreliable body) and then Nikon for its comprehensive system. Later I sometimes carried a Spotmatic only to use a sharp Soligar 400mm lens. The Spotmatic was neat, but limited in readily available accessories. I liked the screw mount; simple, reliable, and practical. Unlike early Nikons, the Spotmatic meter didn't rely on stable battery voltage. Most of my SLR and DSLR photographs over the past 50 years have been with Nikon.

GarageBoy · Sep 3, 2015

I have a weird nostalgia (I'm 26 btw) for imagining the pre Spotmatics and early Spotmatics being the enthusiasts choice. Less expensive to obtain than the Nikon F, less "versatile" - it was the everyman's SLR- The Beatles on vacation shooting a pre Spotmatic seals that image

flavio81 · Sep 3, 2015

jovo said:
I bought my P67 in 1998 from Wall Street Camera in NYC (I think they went out of business some time ago.) I have gradually added to the kit that now has a metered prism and six lenses (45, 55, 105, 135, 200, 300).

I have made the calculations, and assuming those are the latest (lightest) SMC lenses, and the 55 is the f4 version, your lenses combined weight 4536 grams. Wow!

estevam · Sep 4, 2015

I think Pentax were very competitive amateur and sub-pro cameras, mostly before autofocus.

Enviado de meu XT1039 usando Tapatalk

Paul Howell · Sep 4, 2015

estevam said:
I think Pentax were very competitive amateur and sub-pro cameras, mostly before autofocus.

Enviado de meu XT1039 usando Tapatalk

The LX was a pro level system camera, interchangeable viewfinder and screen, motor drive and winder, 250 back, all the features of a Canon F and Nikon F3. You are correct that in my view Pentax did not make a pro level autofocus, some would argue that the MZ S was pro level but it is not in the same league as the F5 or EOS 1V.

nrparsons · Sep 4, 2015

Bought my first Pentax, an S1a, with clip-on meter and two lenses, in 1968 because the PXs near me were out of Spotmatics at the time. Pentaxes were used by my squadron's photographer, and he recommended them highly for their accuracy, dependability, and price.

k.hendrik · Sep 4, 2015

Never bought one! in the early '70 they where too expensive for me, so i got a Ricoh singlex TLS. When money came in: Nikon '80 a FM and April this year i got myself a F5.

GRHazelton · Sep 4, 2015

PDH said:
The LX was a pro level system camera, interchangeable viewfinder and screen, motor drive and winder, 250 back, all the features of a Canon F and Nikon F3. You are correct that in my view Pentax did not make a pro level autofocus, some would argue that the MZ S was pro level but it is not in the same league as the F5 or EOS 1V.

And of course neither Canon nor Nikon ever made anything to compete with the PentaX 6 X 7 cameras, or the Pentax 645nii, which were pro-level cameras.

Hatchetman · Sep 4, 2015

I knew nothing about cameras in the 90s when I first had enough money to actually buy a camera. There was Nikon, Canon, and Pentax in that order. I figured Pentax was lower quality because the name just sounded "cheesy" to me as a 20-something. Pentax - it sounds generic.

Forward to about 2007 when somebody gave me a still-in-the-box Spotmatic. Instant love! Best. Camera. EVAR.

narsuitus · Sep 6, 2015

GRHazelton said:
And of course neither Canon nor Nikon ever made anything to compete with the PentaX 6 X 7 cameras, or the Pentax 645nii, which were pro-level cameras.

If the Pentax 645 had been available in the 1960s when I bought my first 35mm and my first 2 1/4 square, I would have purchased it instead, I would have needed nothing else, and I would still be shooting Pentax 645 today.

ColColt · Sep 8, 2015

When you think of Pentax from the film era, what are the first things that come to mind?

I never owned a Pentax 35mm but had several 6x7's. Marvelous, built like the proverbial tank, large negative approaching 4x5 film quality, good assortment of great lens, and more importantly, mine never gave any problems. Very dependable and robust.

For 35mm I would have picked the LX.

Peltigera · Sep 8, 2015

Just bought a Pentax ME Super - that makes 4 Pentax cameras now.

jovo · Sep 8, 2015

flavio81 said:
I have made the calculations, and assuming those are the latest (lightest) SMC lenses, and the 55 is the f4 version, your lenses combined weight 4536 grams. Wow!

That's 10.0046 pounds. Light for six lenses, no?

MattKing · Sep 8, 2015

Does anyone else get concerned when they see a thread title that refers to a "harmless" survey?

Sirius Glass · Sep 8, 2015

MattKing said:
Does anyone else get concerned when they see a thread title that refers to a "harmless" survey?

Oh yes. The first thing I thought of was when I was in second grade and some of the not so bright second graders were throwing rocks at a hornet's nest in the trees of the play ground.

:munch::munch::munch::munch::munch:

gzinsel · Sep 8, 2015

harmless, is correct !!!! we are probably arguing/debating/discussing the same issues as the OP with out he/she clarifying. . . . . . so ya . . . . . its harmless alright

DannL. · Sep 9, 2015

MattKing said:
Does anyone else get concerned when they see a thread title that refers to a "harmless" survey?

My biggest fear is that WikiLeaks will get their hands on this information and leak it to the internet. Then I'll have to change my Apug handle and move to some exotic paradise island, to suffer and live out the rest of my life.

GRHazelton · Sep 9, 2015

narsuitus said:
If the Pentax 645 had been available in the 1960s when I bought my first 35mm and my first 2 1/4 square, I would have purchased it instead, I would have needed nothing else, and I would still be shooting Pentax 645 today.

Well, 645s and the improved 645n cameras are out there, at asking prices a fraction of their original new prices. An APUG member/subscriber has an outfit available right now! Try it...You'll love it!

I have the 645n and several lenses including the stellar 35mm (think about 21mm 35 equivalent, and the merely excellent 120macro, infinity to 1 to 1 without tubes, etc. The 645n handles like a big 35mm. Wonderful....

Sirius Glass · Sep 9, 2015

This thread is harmless, no unprocessed film was fogged in the posting of this thread.

Cropline · Sep 11, 2015

First thought: K-1000
Second thought: How nice it would be to have the 645n ll

Jeff Bradford · Sep 11, 2015

Pentax has been my brand since 1985. I have owned other brands and even keep a couple of Nikons around for display purposes. When I went digital, I bought Canon, then switched to Nikon, then sold both and went back to Pentax. All of my serious work, art work, and paid work in 35mm and 645 has been done with Pentax cameras and lenses. For 6x6 I use a Mamiya C22. For 6x9 I use a Kodak Medalist II. For pictures of kids wearing a sombrero and sitting on a donkey, I use a Polaroid Automatic 100 (best paying gig ever!).

If you are experiencing "camera bias" from someone, consider it more an aspect of their personality than a statement about cameras.

Peltigera · Sep 11, 2015

OK, these threads are dangerous! I now own five Pentaxes having just bought an MX. Please don't mention the medium format Pentaxes, I just cannot afford it. (Yes, I know, but I don't do will-power.)

flavio81 · Sep 11, 2015

Peltigera said:
OK, these threads are dangerous! I now own five Pentaxes having just bought an MX. Please don't mention the medium format Pentaxes, I just cannot afford it. (Yes, I know, but I don't do will-power.)

But the Pentax 67 is an extremely nice machine, you know? I own one and it's so smooth yet strong, and it feels soooooooooooo gooooooooooood in the hands, and the sound it makes when you release the shutter is just addictive. And the shutter release is so smooth yet firm, reassures you of being able to capture the right moment. And the lenses look like better made than the 35mm SMC lenses you own, you should try them, you know? Also, the P67 / P6x7 prices are still low, so you MUST BUY A PENTAX 6X7 RIGHT NOW...

Sirius Glass · Sep 11, 2015

Peltigera said:
OK, these threads are dangerous! I now own five Pentaxes having just bought an MX. Please don't mention the medium format Pentaxes, I just cannot afford it. (Yes, I know, but I don't do will-power.)

To relieve the strain on you, instead of buying the next Pentax for you, buy it for me instead. Problem solved.

Harmless, easy and quick survey for long time film users

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