Pentax or Olympus

[david123]

This is my first post. I have read a lot. There is a lot of information here.
I am still learning about photography. I have a Canon 7n elan, and a
Mamiya 645 pro. I would like a manual 35mm camera. I have found a
good deal on a Pentax K1000 and another one for two cameras, OM1
and OM2. Would like input from anyone who owns one of the cameras.
thanks for all response

 

[jeroldharter]

Either would be fine. for the money nowadays, you might find a Pentax LX. The K1000 is a very simple camera. The Olympus system is more extensive than Pentax, especially for macro work if you are interested in that. If you already have Canon gear, you could get an F1.

 

[BetterSense]

I tend to go with olympus simply because they focus properly. Pentax normals are better and Olympus wide angles are better.

 

[Darkroom317]

If you already have Canon gear, you could get an F1.

The OP said he has a Canon 7n Elan. This camera uses EF lenses and would not be compatible with an F-1. The F-1 uses FD lenses.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I would go for the OM-1 because of it's smaller size. BTW welcome to APUG!

Jeff

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

The K1000 has no DOF preview and the meter is always on (not good if your lens cap is usually off).

The Olympuses have their shutter speeds and diaphragms in the "wrong" place.

How important any of these factors are is a matter of taste.

In the Pentax world, you can probably get the better K2, KM or KX for the same price or less than the K1000 (because of the continually repated myth about the K1000 being the perfect learner camera).

 

[Carl V]

All three models you mention are fine cameras. The Pentax K1000 and Olympus OM1 are manual only which means they are mechanical and not dependent on batteries (apart from the meter). I'd probably go for the OM1 as it offers better specifications than the K1000 and Olympus/Zuiko lenses are excellent quality.

The OM2 offers aperture priority as well as manual, and again it's a fine camera. In fact I've always maintained the OM1 and OM2 are probably the finest SLR's made by Olympus - but of course, that's just my opinion.

Either way, you won't go wrong with whichever model you opt for. I should also mention the Pentax is a bulkier camera than either of the two Olympus's, but in any case all three of these cameras are very reliable.

 

[Ian Grant]

My suggestion is go for a K mount Pentax rather than an Olympus because there's far a greater variety of lenses and accessories available from a wide variety of manufacturers, and the mount is still current.

However I'd look for a Pentax MX because it's smaller than the K100, alternatively the KX & KM are often cheaper than the K1000 but with better features.

Ian

 

[Carl V]

However I's look for a Pentax MX because it's smaller than the K100, alternatively the KX & KM are often cheaper than the K1000 but with better features.

Ian

Ah, you beat me to it.

I was just about to write the same thing regarding the MX. I had one myself for several years, and it is about the same size as the OM1. As you say, it's better specified than the K1000, offering features such as depth-of-field preview and self timer. Certainly an excellent camera to consider.

 

[Steve Smith]

The K1000 has no DOF preview.

The KM is almost the same camera but has a DOF preview. It's usually cheaper too as it doesn't have the K1000's cult status.


Steve.

 

[ricksplace]

I agree. The KX is just a K1000 with mirror lock up and dof preview. Usually sells for about half the price of the K1000 since it doesn't have the cult status of the K1000 either. I have always liked pentax. My advice is to stay with the Pentax K mount. The MEsuper is also a great small camera with auto exposure option.
You can get an adapter for using screw mount lenses with your K mount body. Pentax is the only camera manufacturer (IIRC) that offers 100% backwards compatibility with their lenses. You can use any lens Pentax ever made with a K mount body (film or digital). The only exception is the short lived Pentax 110slr. Adapters are made to use 645 and 67 lenses on K mount cameras too. This has caused an upward push in used lens prices as the digishooters are buying up the used lenses. If you know someone who shoots Pentax digital, ask him/her if they have a film body or two kicking around they might let you have for cheap. A colleague at work GAVE me a Pentax Spotmatic and a KX body, both with working meters. He bought them off ebay for the lenses, and had no interest in the film bodies.

 

[Rick A]

I've been an Oly owner since 1969, owned OM-1's, 2's, 4's, the original FTL, and a couple of OM-10's. Needless to say, I would tell you to go with an OM-1 , 2, 3(if you can find one and afford it, or 4. Never under any circumstance buy a POS OM-10(Oly fell flat on their faces with that one). The controls on the Olympuses are in the perfect place so you do not have to look away from the viewfinder to change shutter speed or aperture. Yes, it takes some getting used to, but once you feel where they are, you wont want to go to any other style. My currant shooters are an OM-1 and my 4 is at the shop for cla.

Rick

 

[VaryaV]

I have several K1000's and a couple of OM2's. I prefer the Olympus just because I have lost several rolls of film in the K1000. Problems winding the film on the take up spool for me, whereas, the Olympus is basically fool proof. Though I have some great lenses for the Pentax I need to use it more. I do love the cult status of the K1000 though like Steve pointed out. I would use both

 

[david123]

Thanks for all the replies. I have found the Pentax and two lenses, 50mm f2
and 28mm f2 for $50. I think I would like the MX, LX, or KX better. The
OM1 and OM2 have a 50mm and 80-205 lens for $100. The OM1 needs a
battery, so I don't know if it is the mercury or not. I have also check KEH.
I am leaning toward the OM's.

 

[frank]

The OM1 requires a mercury battery but there are solutions to that.

 

[Galah]

I would suggest you stay away from the Olympus OM1 or OM1n, simply because of the battery issue (designed to take an unavailable mercury battery)

I have several Olympus bodies (OM2, OM2n, OM2sp, and OM10) and various associated lenses. I regularly use and love them all. ( I have a film in an OM2 right now)

I also have several Asahi Pentax bodies, incluuding S1, SPF, KX, and MX and various associated lenses (which I alternate with the OMs).

The benenfit of the later screwmount (after the Spotmatic II) and the K-mount bodies is they all use the relatively readily available silver oxide 1.5v batteries.

Moreover, in my experience, although somewhat "less sophisticated", the Asahi Pentax bodies are more robust and less trouble-prone than the Olympus OMs. The lenses are equally good, and frequently cheaper and more available.

Overall, I would recommend the Pentax line (starting with the Spotmatic F), for trouble free operation. ( I, personally, would opt for the match-needle metering models , as I find them much more user friendly under a wider range of conditions in the field than models with LEDs in the viewfinder metering display)

The Olympus OMs are great, and very charismatic, but inclined to be somewhat more tempermental and prone to malfunctions (in my limited experience).

 

[wiltw]

The Olympus OM-n models (single digit) have always been made for the professional market, the Pentax K1000 has always been made for the entry level amateur. Assuming two bodies of the same age, the professional body is superior purchase to the entry level body, all else being equal. The shutters and other components of pro bodies are designed to last for more total exposures. The frame of the camera of a pro body is manufactured to be sturdier, too.

 

[Rick A]

Batteries for the OM-1 really isn't an issue. There are adapters and new style zinc-air batteries that can also be adapted in with common items. I use a Wein cell, and its been in camera for over a year and still performs well. The battery lasts a good long while due to only operating the meter(provided you turn the meter off when not in use). Solid, rugged, and built for the pro market. My OM-1 is 25 years old, and is just now in need of minor touch-up.

Rick

 

[Chan Tran]

The OM's are ok.
If you go for the Pentax find something else rather than the k1000. compared to the KX,KM,MX it probably commands the most money BECAUSE it was sold for less and was the worst of the bunch.

 

[Ken N]

Beware. Not for the weak:

OM-3Ti, Zuiko 35-80 F2.8, T45 Flash, OM-4T, 35 Shift lens.

 

[eSFotos]

I have a number of Pentax cameras including old spotties, K series and smaller M series.
They are good cameras but I always prefered my trusty OM2n. It feels so good.
No battery issue. And Oly lenses are so wonderful.

 

[Steve Roberts]

I tend to go with olympus simply because they focus properly.

Can't say I've ever been aware of any issue with Pentax focussing!

I've had/still have just about every model of Pentax from the Asahiflex to the MX (not interested in anything post M-series) and with the exception of the M's have found them all to be easy to use, reliable and to produce excellent results. The KX is a particular favourite of mine for all the reasons one would expect - far better value for money than the cult K1000. Personally, I have reservations about the M series. I've had two MXs, an ME and an ME Super and they have all given me problems (usually related to metering, which one would hope would be more robust than match needle, but hasn't proved to be so).

As for Olympus, I was given an OM1n a few months back. I have no reason to doubt its build quality, but the ergonomics left me cold, though perhaps that's just down to what you get used to.

On the other hand, as the adverts used to say "Trust your hands to tell you it's Pentax".

Steve

 

[Pumal]

Oly all the way. I have them all; even the M-1. For the OM1 or OM-1n (MLU) you can use PX675 Air Zinc batteries. No problems. Use . La OM-2 is good for nocturnal pics. The best of the lot for me is the OM-4 T (multiple spotmetering). All are small, built like a tank, and light. They fell great in your hands. The Zuiko Macro is the best ever made. All Zuiko glass is excellent., Welcome to APUG:

 

[BetterSense]

Can't say I've ever been aware of any issue with Pentax focussing!

They focus fine as long as you don't mind the focus ring turning opposite the proper way. Let me know if you want to get rid of that OM1 or trade it for pentax lenses/bodies.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

They focus fine as long as you don't mind the focus ring turning opposite the proper way. Let me know if you want to get rid of that OM1 or trade it for pentax lenses/bodies.

LOL! I never noticed that before (had to check my lesnes).

Though Nikon is also "wrong" (as are some Meyer, Schacht, Enna & Arsat ones)....