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

[Huss]

You may find my comment ridiculous, but I'll still say it: I have small hands and I feel comfoetable with smaller cameras, like M series of Pentax and OM system of Olympus. Nikon FE was nice as well.

The FE/FM is the same size as the K2. I have both.

 

[Paul Howell]

I think the EM, FG and FG20 were the most compact manual focus bodies Nikon made, all built on the same frame.

 

[Les Sarile]

I think the EM, FG and FG20 were the most compact manual focus bodies Nikon made, all built on the same frame.

Dimensionally very similar . . .

 

[narsuitus]

Dimensionally very similar . . .

Did you post the correct photo? The photo is of the FG, F3, and FM3a. The statement was about the EM, FG and FG20.

 

[Les Sarile]

Did you post the correct photo? The photo is of the FG, F3, and FM3a. The statement was about the EM, FG and FG20.

I intended to show dimensionally similar across the whole Nikon line of low to high end and not just the lowend line. Plus, I don't have the full low end lineup but believe they are not dissimilar.

In Nikon's case, the dissimilarity was more on the weight. With Pentax, there is a more pronounced difference in size. Starting with the original Asahi Pentax, they grew noticeably - specially the autoexposure types, and then back to the originals size with the LX while endowing it with the most comprehensive viewfinder system.

 

[Les Sarile]

For those who think the MX maybe a tad too small, you can add a MX winder.

Just got it from KEH listed in EX condition which has always been a guarantee that it is fully functional and great cosmetic condition . . . not disappointed!

 

[CMoore]

For those who think the MX maybe a tad too small, you can add a MX winder.

Just got it from KEH listed in EX condition which has always been a guarantee that it is fully functional and great cosmetic condition . . . not disappointed!

Very Nice..!!!
Do you shoot much Surfing or water sports.?

 

[Les Sarile]

Very Nice..!!!
Do you shoot much Surfing or water sports.?

I wish as I am in the perfect place for it!
And if I did I would only use slide film!

 

[Autonerd]

. My only concern is I keep seeing commentary on plastic, which I personally dont really care for. That being said, the XR-7 and similar bodies look like a great option and sell at a fraction of the Pentax bodies.

Someone was kind enough to publish a PopPhoto strip-down report of the XR-2, which you'll find here. I quote:

"Ricoh has made widespread use of plastics; not only are the top, bottom, and front cover panels made of glass-fiber-reinforced polycarbonate, but the main support plate for the pentaprism, meter, eyepiece, speed dials, and rewind is molded of the same tough plastic. About 10 more parts are plastic, and in every case it can be considered a good choice of materials."

I didn't realize it was polycarbonate -- that's the stuff they use for bulletproof windows. Well, it certainly explains why all my Ricoh and Sears cameras are in such nice shape, even the one that doesn't work. Far better than the plastic used on the P30T, IMO.

I cannot say enough good things about these cameras, btw. I don't care for the hair-trigger on the KR-10 Super and its ilk (the ones with the LCD meters) but I've just been out shooting with a Sears KS Auto I just got (rebadged XR-2s) and it's just wonderful to use. And you can't beat the price... I was the only bidder and paid $7 plus another $8-and-change to ship, and that included a 50/17!

Aaron

 

[Klainmeister]

Figured I'd post a follow up on this thread: ended up finding another Pentax ME Super - in Black - for about $45 with a lens so snagged that and waiting on the light seal kit and tan leather wrap to help refurb it. No complaints here, I really love the ME Supers, so this will be a good BW body.

I'm leaning towards a 24mm 2.8 for my wide-angle lens and possibly splurging on a 50mm 1.2 down the road. I've been shooting the 50mm 1.7 and 135mm 2.8 on the Sony A7R3 body and am just smitten with the results. It should make a nice complimentary kit.

 

[flavio81]

Figured I'd post a follow up on this thread: ended up finding another Pentax ME Super - in Black - for about $45 with a lens so snagged that and waiting on the light seal kit and tan leather wrap to help refurb it. No complaints here, I really love the ME Supers, so this will be a good BW body.

I'm leaning towards a 24mm 2.8 for my wide-angle lens and possibly splurging on a 50mm 1.2 down the road. I've been shooting the 50mm 1.7 and 135mm 2.8 on the Sony A7R3 body and am just smitten with the results. It should make a nice complimentary kit.

Careful, every ME and ME Super out there, that has not went through servicing, will require service so it works reliably. Specifically to the mirror mechanism, and cleaning (and adjusting) of the timing switches around the mirror box. Once you do that it is a very reliable machine. If you don't do that, it will either fail to cock and fire (mirror mechanism stuck), or the auto modes will not work correctly (timing switch failure).

I say this as a camera technician and as a fan of Pentax cameras including the ME.

 

[CMoore]

Careful, every ME and ME Super out there, that has not went through servicing, will require service so it works reliably. Specifically to the mirror mechanism, and cleaning (and adjusting) of the timing switches around the mirror box. Once you do that it is a very reliable machine. If you don't do that, it will either fail to cock and fire (mirror mechanism stuck), or the auto modes will not work correctly (timing switch failure).

I say this as a camera technician and as a fan of Pentax cameras including the ME.

That has been my experience with every 35mm SLR i have ever bought.
Maybe 20 of them.?
I do not have your insight and experience, but. it would seem intuitive.
A camera that is 30-60 years old will need some type of Repair/Adjustment

 

[flavio81]

That has been my experience with every 35mm SLR i have ever bought.
Maybe 20 of them.?
I do not have your insight and experience, but. it would seem intuitive.
A camera that is 30-60 years old will need some type of Repair/Adjustment

Yes, but consider that the ME is an electronic camera. When it fails, it fails abruptly you'll have an almost non-working camera, save for the 1/125 and B speeds.

 

[GRHazelton]

My favorite Pentax SLR is the mighty Pentax LX, evidenced by my ownership of THREE. I'll not bother with a recitation of its many wonders...the only note of caution is that the LX is old. Eric Hendrickson will no longer service them, citing poor parts availability. One of mine has the Dreaded Sticky Mirror Syndrome, alas! I need to cast about for someone who is glad or at least willing to work on them, bite the financial bullet, and get all three CLA'd for future use.
Any fellow LX owners who can suggest good places for a thorough CLA?

 

[logan2z]

I've had a growing interest in Pentax 35mm SLRs and this thread is really stoking it. I've been hunting down a nice unmetered Nikon F or F2 but most of them seem to be beat up (what's with all the dented prism housings?) or more money than I'm willing to spend. I wasn't sure I wanted to start with another system but the Pentax KX is looking really appealing in comparison. I might take the plunge.

Thanks again Photrio for GASsing me up

 

[GRHazelton]

I have a KX. It's very nice, but do note that the power switch is actuated with the wind lever; if you're left-eyed that could be a problem.

 

[flavio81]

I've had a growing interest in Pentax 35mm SLRs and this thread is really stoking it. I've been hunting down a nice unmetered Nikon F or F2 but most of them seem to be beat up (what's with all the dented prism housings?) or more money than I'm willing to spend. I wasn't sure I wanted to start with another system but the Pentax KX is looking really appealing in comparison. I might take the plunge.

Thanks again Photrio for GASsing me up

If I could start again, I would have bought less Nikon gear and more Pentax gear.

Consider also the Pentax KM. I had a KX and the thing i didn't like was the meter switch. While the KM has a simpler circuit that doesn't require to be turned on or off (it does it automatically by turning itself off when the lens cap is fitted). Thus, the KM, just like the K1000, is always ready for use. The ME and ME Super, even more so, thanks to the AE circuit.

Btw, my two cents on the latter two: don't disregard the ME; it's better built than the ME Super and does what you need.

 

[logan2z]

If I could start again, I would have bought less Nikon gear and more Pentax gear.

Consider also the Pentax KM. I had a KX and the thing i didn't like was the meter switch. While the KM has a simpler circuit that doesn't require to be turned on or off (it does it automatically by turning itself off when the lens cap is fitted). Thus, the KM, just like the K1000, is always ready for use. The ME and ME Super, even more so, thanks to the AE circuit.

Btw, my two cents on the latter two: don't disregard the ME; it's better built than the ME Super and does what you need.

I have a Nikon FM and FT3 and have never found the meter switch to be an issue. But I'll check out the KM as well, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[CMoore]

I have a Nikon FM and FT3 and have never found the meter switch to be an issue. But I'll check out the KM as well, thanks for the suggestion.

For me it is not "The Meter" with an FM that is an issue. My F2 meters the same way. That does not bother me.

With the FM, the shutter is activated by the winding lever. It needs to be half-cocked to fire the shutter.
I do not care what anybody, INCLUDING Nikon, say about it............it was a STUPID way to implement a shutter lock.
I suppose you "Get Used To It" after awhile. But it is just natural to slam the winding lever back into the body after you wind it. You wind a 35mm SLR camera, it is ready to go, they ALL work that way.
Plus, it is very easy to bump the lever far enough back in so that the shutter will not fire,
Of all the BILLIONS of photos taken, up to yesterday, how many required the ability to Lock The Shutter.?

 

[Ian Grant]

I have a lot of Pentax SLRs. ME Super, MX, KX, Km, but actually prefer my Spotmatic F, and used a few S1A's alongsideone for orofessional work, now I have a mint SV & meter alongside the F an an originl Sp and an SP 500, there is an S!a I boughtfor parts but fixed. The SV with an SMC Takumar f2 f55 & its meter was £10 just before the Pandemic hit, the seller (at a camera fair) had bought a huge job lot of cameras and after cherry picking what he wanted was just recovering his costs That's the way to get bargains, it's not the first time.

Ian

 

[flavio81]

With the FM, the shutter is activated by the winding lever. It needs to be half-cocked to fire the shutter.
I do not care what anybody, INCLUDING Nikon, say about it............it was a STUPID way to implement a shutter lock.

This!! This!! This!! Finally somebody else notices!!

Really stupid. That's why I never got along very well with FE/FE2.

The Pentax design team has had very good "human engineering" people. Most of their cameras have good or superb ergonomics. The same cannot be said of Nikon, or even Canon (the EF is another ill designed camera in terms of ergonomics).

 

[flavio81]

I have a lot of Pentax SLRs. ME Super, MX, KX, Km, but actually prefer my Spotmatic F, and used a few S1A's alongsideone for orofessional work, now I have a mint SV & meter alongside the F an an originl Sp and an SP 500, there is an S!a I boughtfor parts but fixed. The SV with an SMC Takumar f2 f55 & its meter was £10 just before the Pandemic hit, the seller (at a camera fair) had bought a huge job lot of cameras and after cherry picking what he wanted was just recovering his costs That's the way to get bargains, it's not the first time.

Ian

SPF is a sweet camera.

I regret selling mine, even today. I sold it with the coveted SMCT 28/3.5.

Some months ago i obtained a Spotmatic ESII. It needs a bit of service, which someday i'll do.I always wanted that model.

 

[abruzzi]

For me it is not "The Meter" with an FM that is an issue. My F2 meters the same way. That does not bother me.

With the FM, the shutter is activated by the winding lever. It needs to be half-cocked to fire the shutter.
I do not care what anybody, INCLUDING Nikon, say about it............it was a STUPID way to implement a shutter lock.
I suppose you "Get Used To It" after awhile. But it is just natural to slam the winding lever back into the body after you wind it. You wind a 35mm SLR camera, it is ready to go, they ALL work that way.
Plus, it is very easy to bump the lever far enough back in so that the shutter will not fire,
Of all the BILLIONS of photos taken, up to yesterday, how many required the ability to Lock The Shutter.?

Funny, thats my favorite bit about my later Nikons. My F2 (which I love) I have an annoying lift and twist to lock the shutter. My Pentax MX has a simpler to move shutter lock, but my FM2 and FA, I just flick out the lever. Its so much quicker.

 

[Les Sarile]

Funny, thats my favorite bit about my later Nikons. My F2 (which I love) I have an annoying lift and twist to lock the shutter. My Pentax MX has a simpler to move shutter lock, but my FM2 and FA, I just flick out the lever. Its so much quicker.

BTW, that shutter lock configuration also locks the shutter open for long exposures until you release it. You won't need a locking shutter release cable.

 

[MatchaCub]

Hello all.
This is my first post and seems apt as a loyal Pentaxian to start off in this thread.

I have a few Pentax bodies.

I iked using the K2 and ME.
This was until I got a KX which has been the best SLR that I have used.
I prefer the larger K-series of cameras over the M-series, although the ME has a better viewfinder.
I also use an MZ10 and SFXn. I prefer the chunkier SFXn even if it's a large, noisy beast.

I did consider an MX and even an LX, but can't justify the prices when the cameras that I have are doing the job.
If I were to buy another film camera with an LX budget then I will likely check out a 645.

So, KX gets my vote.