Pentaxian Guidance: What's your favorite Pentax SLR body?

[CMoore]

I've owned the Spotmatic, Spotmatic IIa, Spotmaitc F, K1000, MX, ME, MG, and P30 (P3).

They're all nice cameras but the MX I really really like. I ended up owning four cameras. Now I'm down to two MX, one is by my side right now. Fantastic camera. I also kept the Spotmatic F because it really doesn't have any major flaw and in combination with the Takumars (or the Carl Zeiss Jena lenses) gives stunning results.



I think I'd say the same. Had I "discovered" Pentax earlier, I wouldn't have so many Canon and Nikon bodies/lenses.

Yeah..... no negative reflection on Nikon, they are the equal of Pentax or any other brand.......but if i HAD to Pick something to sacrifice i was going to say my pair of Nikon F2S.
Then i might go for the Pentax KX.
In the end........Jimi Hendrix sounded just like Jimi Hendrix whether he was plugged into Fender, Marshall or Ampeg.
No camera or lens, or combination of the two, are going to change the way my photos look.
As the old wise-man said......"Beware the man who owns just ONE Gun".

 

[Autonerd]

The K2 is a camera that I had never seen nor heard of...it looks really interesting! Oddly, they seem rather inexpensive compared to the rest (LX are running near $300). That might be the ticket.

K2 is an excellent (and underappreciated) camera.

The K lineup came out in 1975 with KM, KX, and K2. KM was the most basic: All manual, CdS meter with center-the-needle display, self-timer and DOF preview. The KX added an SPD meter (which had better low-light performance) with an on/off switch, match-needle display, mirror lock-up, and aperture readout in the viewfinder. On top of that, the K2 added an automatic mode and a electronically-timed metal-leaf shutter (with faster flash sync at 1/125).

In 1976, Pentax "decontented" the KM, taking away the self-timer and DOF preview, and that camera became... the K1000!

The LX came out in 1980 as a pro-level camera with more features, hence its high price. Probably worth it, but if you don't need interchangeable viewscreens and absolute indestructibility, a K2 is about as good.

But... the fact that the K1000 commands higher prices than the other K-series cameras makes me shake my head. It's nostalgia at work -- a lot of students shot with K1000s in the 80s and 90s, but all of the other Ks (even the KM!) are better cameras. The KM, KX and K2 were only on sale for 2 or 3 years, so they aren't all that widely known.

Regarding the 1/1000th limit--I've come to the conclusion that in my workflow i can overexpose a negative roughly 4 stops and still have the detail and density to make it work. Maybe I just live with 1/1000 knowing I can still open up the lens a little bit.

Or you can just shoot faster film.

Aaron

 

[fs999]

My *ist with FA* 24mm F2 AL

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I have a K1000, a Spotmatic, and an SL (the SL is basically a Spotmatic without the meter). The K1000 I bought basically because I came across a great deal on it. I quite like it. I only have the 50mm f/2 it came with. The receipt included in the bag it came in indicates it was purchased in 1979 and as near as I can tell it has never been serviced. The shutter stuck at slower speeds when I got it but after playing with a it a bit it now works perfectly.

The Spotmatic I bought to use in the Sunny 16 podcast cheap shots challenge (https://sunny16podcast.com/cheap-shots-challenge/). I got it last year for $20 with a 50mm f/1.4 Super Takumar (seven element). The meter doesn't work—or at least, I can't properly test it because the battery compartment cover slot is stripped and I can't get it off to try a new battery. A sticker inside the camera indicates it was serviced in 1989; other than the meter this camera works perfectly as well. I use the Pocket Light Meter app on my phone and I actually find that because this method requires me to put more thought into what I'm doing, I usually make better exposures than when I'm using my cameras with internal meters. I enjoy shooting it so much it has become one of my favorite cameras. I'd love to get it serviced, but then that would make it ineligible for the cheap shots challenge contests that I bought it for, so I've since bought an SL that I got for a bargain price from an ebay seller who happened to be local to me. I haven't shot the SL yet but it is in pretty nice shape as well, but for a prior owner's name engraved on the baseplate, I intend to send the SL off to Eric Hendrickson for a CLA and full overhaul.

I especially love the the M42 Takumar lenses. The 50mm f/1.4 is just as good as it's reputed to be—easily as good as my 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor AI-S (a much newer and more expensive lens). I have since acquired a 28mm f/3.5 Super Multi Coated Takumar, a 35mm f/3.5 Super Takumar, and a 105mm f/2.8 Super Takumar. The 28 is just as good as the 50, and although I haven't shot the 105 much yet, it seems excellent as well. My 35 has a ton of internal dust, but still seems to make decent images. I want to get it cleaned and serviced. One thing I really like about the Pentax lenses is they have the most legible and useful DOF scales of any lenses I have used. The wides have really useful markings to easily set the hyperfocal distance and basically let you use your SLR like a point and shoot.

 

[flavio81]

In the end........Jimi Hendrix sounded just like Jimi Hendrix whether he was plugged into Fender, Marshall or Ampeg.
No camera or lens, or combination of the two, are going to change the way my photos look.

Wise words, but go against our official forum values which includes "GAS is the most noble way of living."

 

[flavio81]

I especially love the the M42 Takumar lenses. The 50mm f/1.4 is just as good as it's reputed to be—easily as good as my 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor AI-S (a much newer and more expensive lens). I have since acquired a 28mm f/3.5 Super Multi Coated Takumar, a 35mm f/3.5 Super Takumar, and a 105mm f/2.8 Super Takumar. The 28 is just as good as the 50,

In fairness, I feel the 50/1.4 Nikkor AI-S isn't as good a lens as the previous Nikkor-S-C 50/1.4. As for the 50/1.4 takumar, I don't have experience with it but the Pentax-A 50/1.4 is probably my favorite 50/1.4; it perhaps isn't as ultimately sharp as the Canon FD 50/1.4 SSC or Nikkor-S-C 50/1.4 wide open, however the high contrast and far better smoothness of "bokeh" or wide-open rendering makes it a superior image-maker. It never fails to suprise me.

As for the 28, that 28/3.5 is one of the best 28mm lens by any manufacturer. I love mine. I'm eyeing the 35/3.5 because everything points out that is an excellent lens once stopped down a bit and I plan to buy one sooner or later. Really you have some of the best lenses in the M42 lineup.

I have the 28 and also the 135/2.5 (SMC version) which is also a very good lens and relatively quite compact. It makes the Canon FD 135/2.5 feel like a trailer.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

In fairness, I feel the 50/1.4 Nikkor AI-S isn't as good a lens as the previous Nikkor-S-C 50/1.4. As for the 50/1.4 takumar, I don't have experience with it but the Pentax-A 50/1.4 is probably my favorite 50/1.4; it perhaps isn't as ultimately sharp as the Canon FD 50/1.4 SSC or Nikkor-S-C 50/1.4 wide open, however the high contrast and far better smoothness of "bokeh" or wide-open rendering makes it a superior image-maker. It never fails to suprise me.

As for the 28, that 28/3.5 is one of the best 28mm lens by any manufacturer. I love mine. I'm eyeing the 35/3.5 because everything points out that is an excellent lens once stopped down a bit and I plan to buy one sooner or later. Really you have some of the best lenses in the M42 lineup.

I have the 28 and also the 135/2.5 (SMC version) which is also a very good lens and relatively quite compact. It makes the Canon FD 135/2.5 feel like a trailer.

Thanks for the reply. I have no experience with the earlier Nikkor 50mm f/1.4s but I recently bought a 50mm f/2 Nikkor "K" lens converted to AI and am very impressed with it. The images seem to have noticeably more depth ("3D pop") than the f/1.4 AI-S.

 

[Paul Howell]

Shaper than the 50 1.4 which I have is the Takumar 58 F 2.4, another rare Pentax in 35mm is the Takumar 35 2.3, just a bit sharper than the 3.5

 

[bhaning]

I've had a MX and 50mm f2 for about 40 years, my first 35mm camera. It is a nice size for hiking. I really like the look of the LED meter too. It is easier for me to see quickly if the exposure is correct.

 

[flavio81]

I've had a MX and 50mm f2

That's a very good combination. It balances well. I sold my 50/2 and just got a 50/1.7 some days ago. Alas, the 50/2 had better balance with it. The M 28/3.5 and 40/2.8 also balance great, but the 50/2 is easier to use than the 40/2.8: focus ring is easier to grab, and it's 1 stop faster. I also had a Pentax-M 35/2.0 but sold it because it didn't feel so nice on the MX.

The 50/2 gets no respect but it's a nice lens, and one of the very few 50/2 to use only 5 elements.

 

[waynecrider]

Another odd duck KA camera is the Chinon CP 7m, built in autowinder and auto reverse, exposure lock, interval timer, multiple exposure, shutter speed priority that Chinon calls Action, aperture priority called creative, program and manual exposure. Works with K and M42 with adaptor in manual mode. No dials, all controlled with an odd large multi mode button that sets the exposure mode and a couple of slide buttons. Uses either lithium or AA batteries. Just took mine out and will shoot with it next week. Chinon list a nice list of lens, odd no 35 or 105 and one AF lens.

Canon came out with the same body. I think it is a T50 OR 60?, auto everything so very limited. You never know what the shutter speed is if I remember right.

 

[Paul Howell]

The Chinon version has manual, shutter speed and aperture priory modes along with program. Chinon just remained shutter speed speed, and aperture creative, the T50 only had aperture mode, maybe manual, don't recall off the top of my head.

 

[flavio81]

Now that the 'chinon' name was mentioned, it needs to be said that Ricoh and Chinon also made some interesting and useful K-mount cameras.

 

[Huss]

Of course the ultimate K mount SLR is from Zenit.
Ladies and Germs, I give you the 212K! (please take it)



A design so advanced Leica copied it when they released their R8 boat anchor. (The Zenit made it to production 2 years before the Leica).

 

[GRHazelton]

I absolutely love my Spotmatic SP1000 black body, and the Super Takumar lenses for it.

If I could start from scratch and build a dream system for Pentax, though, I'd definitely return to the LX -- an absolutely marvellous and elegant SLR, and pair it with a 50 (1.2, I think Pentax made one?), 28 and short tele.

Pentax made a 50mm f1.2. I have one to share among my THREE LXs. Some of us get carried away! Yes, you WANT the mighty 50mm f1.2 Repeat again..... BTW, do get the "A" f1.2, that way you can use it on other Pentax aperture priority auto exposure cameras, like the ME Super. Get that bad boy - ideally in basic black - with a winder and you have perhaps the ultimate street camera. Again, repeat after me, Yes, you want.....

 

[Les Sarile]

My first Pentax slr acquisition was a rather ignoble transaction and the seller wasn't trying to impress (given the price) as they came in a plastic shopping bags . . .

Inside the disintegrating camera cases were a K1000SE and an MX. This was the MX that changed my perspective about manual focus SLRs!

Another shopping bag of lenses too and some came in leather lens cases too . . .

This was some years ago now and I have since tested everything. Both cameras were good to go and the four Pentax lenses have proven themselves. I was using Canon "L" lenses just prior so I didn't think much about these lenses since they were used and cheap. After much use, they have since proven to be exceptional performers. Used properly, they will not be the reason I can't get good results!

 

[Steve Roberts]

I've had or still have all the 35mm Pentaxes from the original 1950s Pentax K up to the M series. After that they became too lightweight and plastic for me and I lost interest. The KX is my favourite for build quality, handling and durability. The split image focussing screen version is excellent if a little unusual.
Too much automation and electronics usually spells trouble sooner or later, especially after a few decades, so much as I like my K2 and ES series models, I wouldn't use them as my 'only' cameras on a trip to the Moon. The attraction of the LX is rather lost on me - it doesn't have the quality feel of the KX or Spots, metering in manual mode is only in one stop LED increments and though I have two of them they rarely get used. Big gripe with the later Pentaxes is the 'A' series lenses. They just don't have the smooth, refined action of the Takumars or the SMC Pentax lenses, especially the crunchy action of the aperture rings.
Steve

 

[Huss]

I've had or still have all the 35mm Pentaxes from the original 1950s Pentax K up to the M series. After that they became too lightweight and plastic for me and I lost interest. The KX is my favourite for build quality, handling and durability. The split image focussing screen version is excellent if a little unusual.
Too much automation and electronics usually spells trouble sooner or later, especially after a few decades, so much as I like my K2 and ES series models, I wouldn't use them as my 'only' cameras on a trip to the Moon. The attraction of the LX is rather lost on me - it doesn't have the quality feel of the KX or Spots, metering in manual mode is only in one stop LED increments and though I have two of them they rarely get used. Big gripe with the later Pentaxes is the 'A' series lenses. They just don't have the smooth, refined action of the Takumars or the SMC Pentax lenses, especially the crunchy action of the aperture rings.
Steve

Ya while I like my LX, it perhaps is the most over rated 35mm slr available. Aside from it's OTF long exposures ability (that the Oly OM2 and OM4 also has), it does nothing that my dirt cheap Pentax slrs can't do. In some cases less - no AE hold.
And yet it is perhaps the most unreliable Pentax currently on the market! I just bought a (2nd) Nikon F4 that is like new, works perfectly, for $100 less than my LX. The F4 is built way better, and it has real additional features that actually make a difference in photography. AF, AE hold, different metering patterns, a range of shutter speeds that make sense/are useable in 'normal' every day photography. I'll take 1/8000 sec over 4 minutes any day!
Yes the F4 is much bigger, but I don't care. If I'm carrying a camera, I'm carrying a camera.
Don't get me wrong, I like my LX but for emotional not pragmatic reasons.

 

[Les Sarile]

After that long winded diatribe... the LX is the best one as long as it works.

Don't get me wrong, I like my LX but for emotional not pragmatic reasons.

Sounds like one of those complicated love hate relationship . . .

 

[Huss]

Sounds like one of those complicated love hate relationship . . .

It is now I've finally got it to work, but given the choice to do it again... I wouldn't. Really the only thing it has going for it is the 'hey look at me I'm the smallest system camera!" thing.
But I've dumped too much money into mine now not to use it!

 

[Chan Tran]

Ya while I like my LX, it perhaps is the most over rated 35mm slr available. Aside from it's OTF long exposures ability (that the Oly OM2 and OM4 also has), it does nothing that my dirt cheap Pentax slrs can't do. In some cases less - no AE hold.
And yet it is perhaps the most unreliable Pentax currently on the market! I just bought a (2nd) Nikon F4 that is like new, works perfectly, for $100 less than my LX. The F4 is built way better, and it has real additional features that actually make a difference in photography. AF, AE hold, different metering patterns, a range of shutter speeds that make sense/are useable in 'normal' every day photography. I'll take 1/8000 sec over 4 minutes any day!
Yes the F4 is much bigger, but I don't care. If I'm carrying a camera, I'm carrying a camera.
Don't get me wrong, I like my LX but for emotional not pragmatic reasons.

No AE hold because it's against OTF. Personally I do not like the OTF feature of the LX or OM-2.

 

[Les Sarile]

It is now I've finally got it to work, but given the choice to do it again... I wouldn't. Really the only thing it has going for it is the 'hey look at me I'm the smallest system camera!" thing.

Couldn't be better stated

In the end........Jimi Hendrix sounded just like Jimi Hendrix whether he was plugged into Fender, Marshall or Ampeg.

Yeah, none of my cameras ever said anything. Maybe it's just Alexa tricking you in the background . . .

 

[Huss]

No AE hold because it's against OTF. Personally I do not like the OTF feature of the LX or OM-2.

I don't understand that argument. The camera shows a meter reading before you take a photo, so before the OTF is used. The same way as if you were using it in manual mode.
So it should be able to lock that setting with an AE lock function pre exposure. Mimicking if manual exposure mode was being used.
Pentax just flubbed it.

 

[Chan Tran]

I don't understand that argument. The camera shows a meter reading before you take a photo, so before the OTF is used. The same way as if you were using it in manual mode.
So it should be able to lock that setting with an AE lock function pre exposure. Mimicking if manual exposure mode was being used.
Pentax just flubbed it.

The reasoning for OTF is that the reading before the actual exposure may not be correct as the light may change after the shutter opens. So the shutter speed is adjusted according to this in real time. So holding an exposure is against this idea.

 

[Huss]

The reasoning for OTF is that the reading before the actual exposure may not be correct as the light may change after the shutter opens. So the shutter speed is adjusted according to this in real time. So holding an exposure is against this idea.

Yes I know what it is for. But it does not make for any reason why it should not to be able to hold the exposure value. As it is already giving you one before exposure. Because obviously if you are using AE lock, you have decided on what you want the exposure to be. The camera doesn't vary exposure when in manual mode. AE lock acts as an instant manual override.