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

CMoore · Oct 20, 2021

MatchCub said:
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.

What do you like about the KX more than the K2.?
Thank You

MatchaCub · Oct 20, 2021

CMoore said:
What do you like about the KX more than the K2.?
Thank You

A few small things the KX has over the K2 for me:
One can see the aperture in the viewfinder;
Don't have to depress a small button to turn the shutter speed dial.
Both of these make the KX that bit quicker to operate.
Just that little bit more convenient.

Les Sarile · Oct 20, 2021

MatchCub said:
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.

MatchCub said:
A few small things the KX has over the K2 for me:
One can see the aperture in the viewfinder;
Don't have to depress a small button to turn the shutter speed dial.
Both of these make the KX that bit quicker to operate.
Just that little bit more convenient.

Welcome aboard!

The KX is a fine camera for sure!
BTW, the revised K2 DMD adds the aperture in the viewfinder as well as motor drive option.

MatchaCub · Oct 20, 2021

Les Sarile said:
Welcome aboard!

The KX is a fine camera for sure!
BTW, the revised K2 DMD adds the aperture in the viewfinder as well as motor drive option.

Thanks.
I didn't know that about the K2 DMD.
That model's actually quite pricey here where I live so I never considered buying one.

Les Sarile · Oct 21, 2021

MatchCub said:
Thanks.
I didn't know that about the K2 DMD.
That model's actually quite pricey here where I live so I never considered buying one.

I don't encounter this model much over here - relatively rare probably due to it's short production cycle. Likely pricey if I do.

GRHazelton · Oct 21, 2021

MatchCub said:
Thanks.
I didn't know that about the K2 DMD.
That model's actually quite pricey here where I live so I never considered buying one.

I suspect that the motor drive is probably crafted out of Unobtanium.

Paul Howell · Oct 21, 2021

Over the years I've seem only a few motor drive bodies and drives for Spotmatic F, ES and ESII and K2MD, usually at collector meets, with prices to match. The ME and MX were the first generation with build winder or drive capability in all bodies?

titrisol · Oct 25, 2021

I tihnk there was a motor for the KX/KM
but the M series came with that capability and the ME/MEII winder is relatively easy to find
http://kmp.pentaxians.eu/misc/winders/

Paul Howell said:
Over the years I've seem only a few motor drive bodies and drives for Spotmatic F, ES and ESII and K2MD, usually at collector meets, with prices to match. The ME and MX were the first generation with build winder or drive capability in all bodies?

CMoore · Oct 25, 2021

In the era of 1970s and 1980s and 90s dominated i guess mostly by Nikon and then Canon..............well i guess i know the answer.
I suppose Pentax was not very common with PJ, Sports and News photographers.?
Did Pentax have an AF camera back then.?
Thank You

logan2z · Oct 25, 2021

CMoore said:
In the era of 1970s and 1980s and 90s dominated i guess mostly by Nikon and then Canon..............well i guess i know the answer.
I suppose Pentax was not very common with PJ, Sports and News photographers.?
Did Pentax have an AF camera back then.?
Thank You

I've been looking around for a nice Pentax KX and there are certainly far fewer of those around on the usual sites than Nikons. I have to assume that means they sold in much smaller numbers. I'm not even sure why I want to try one, I've got more than enough cameras already. GAS is a terrible thing...

abruzzi · Oct 25, 2021

Pentax’s development of automated features like ‘program mode’ and AF were fairly well in time with Canon and Nikon. They had a early AF camera—the ME-F—that came out in 1981, but that used a system that they didn’t maintain. After that the ‘real’ AF system came out in 1987 with the SFX (I believe), and those AF lenses still work on current Pentax digital cameras.

Paul Howell · Oct 25, 2021

abruzzi said:
Pentax’s development of automated features like ‘program mode’ and AF were fairly well in time with Canon and Nikon. They had a early AF camera—the ME-F—that came out in 1981, but that used a system that they didn’t maintain. After that the ‘real’ AF system came out in 1987 with the SFX (I believe), and those AF lenses still work on current Pentax digital cameras.

Like Nikon late model Pentax lens without an aperture ring are not backward compatible with most if not all film bodies. I rather like the SF1N, it is next in line for walk at the Zoo.

Les Sarile · Oct 25, 2021

logan2z said:
I've been looking around for a nice Pentax KX and there are certainly far fewer of those around on the usual sites than Nikons. I have to assume that means they sold in much smaller numbers. I'm not even sure why I want to try one, I've got more than enough cameras already. GAS is a terrible thing...

The production run on the KX was very short - like the Nikkormat FT3, likely influenced by the Olympus OM1 and the trend to go smaller. The KX was replaced by the MX and the FT3 by the FM.

logan2z · Oct 25, 2021

Les Sarile said:
The production run on the KX was very short - like the Nikkormat FT3, likely influenced by the Olympus OM1 and the trend to go smaller. The KX was replaced by the MX and the FT3 by the FM.

That makes sense, although I don't see a ton of MXs for sale either, relative to the number of FM/FM2/FM2Ns.

Photomultiplier · Oct 25, 2021

I own several Pentax Spotmatic F. When my grandpa died in 2007 i got his whole camera equipment and that started me on photography. This was also the reason why i used film from the get go, which was prette unusual considering my age and that
this happened in the middle of the digital revolution.
We also had a silver Spotmatic F in mint condition at home which became my main camera until i switched to medium format, but my grandpa's pentax cameras occupy a special place in my camera closet and my heart.
Altough its a bit sad that he didn't live to see me getting started with photography, i know that he would have enjoyed it.

The cameras also had the very nice SMC Takumar 1.4/50 on them. But it was the newer version, not the other one that says "SUPER TAKUMAR" on it and has radioactive glass in the rear element as far as i know

All of them work to this day (the mint one has rarely been used before it got into my hands) and i still use them for documentation-style photography of events in my life.

gordrob · Oct 25, 2021

I got my first Pentax Spotmatic back in the late 1960s and added a lot of accessories in the next few years. In the mid 1970s I was able to get a hold of a Pentax Spotmatic II Motor Drive Set 250. I still have 3 Spotmatics as well as an ESII I picked up in 1978. I try and run at least a couple of rolls through them each year so they are not neglected in the cabinet.

titrisol · Oct 25, 2021

Pentax was very strong in the 70s, the LX was a workhorse for many pros and newspapers.

CMoore said:
In the era of 1970s and 1980s and 90s dominated i guess mostly by Nikon and then Canon..............well i guess i know the answer.
I suppose Pentax was not very common with PJ, Sports and News photographers.?
Did Pentax have an AF camera back then.?
Thank You

MattKing · Oct 25, 2021

logan2z said:
That makes sense, although I don't see a ton of MXs for sale either, relative to the number of FM/FM2/FM2Ns.

That is because (most) people in the market for Pentax were buying MEs rather than MXs.
We offered both for sale, sold lots of MEs, but I can't remember ever selling an MX.
In the enthusiastic amateur world, the MX was looked at as an ME without auto exposure.

logan2z · Oct 25, 2021

MattKing said:
the MX was looked at as an ME without auto exposure.

That's exactly why I like it I guess I'm an anomaly.

abruzzi · Oct 25, 2021

Paul Howell said:
Like Nikon late model Pentax lens without an aperture ring are not backward compatible with most if not all film bodies. I rather like the SF1N, it is next in line for walk at the Zoo.

Not entirely true. I use later DA (APS-C digital lenses) without aperture rings on cameras as far back as the Pentax SuperProgram (or Super-A outside the US). It doesn't give me the ability to set the aperture manually, but it still works in Shutter priority or Program mode. I haven't used many Pentax AF cameras, but it seems like there were two lines--the ones that allowed setting aperture from the body (for example the PZ-1p) and those that didn't (MZ-S). With the ones that could set the aperture on the body, you can use almost any Pentax lens, even current ones. I know recently some of the newest lenses use a solenoid to stop down during taking rather than the mechanical lever. Those won't work on any film camera. Most of the others will. The MZ-S is probably my favorite AF camera of all time, and I use most of my digital era lenses on it. (some of the APS-C lenses don't throw a large enough image circle for 35mm, but some do.)

Paul Howell · Oct 26, 2021

Thanks, I was under the impression that the aperture would set at a single F stop.

CMoore · Oct 26, 2021

gordrob said:
I got my first Pentax Spotmatic back in the late 1960s and added a lot of accessories in the next few years. In the mid 1970s I was able to get a hold of a Pentax Spotmatic II Motor Drive Set 250. I still have 3 Spotmatics as well as an ESII I picked up in 1978. I try and run at least a couple of rolls through them each year so they are not neglected in the cabinet.
View attachment 289117

Wow.........you have had that for a long time now.

gordrob · Oct 26, 2021

CMoore said:
Wow.........you have had that for a long time now.

A long time and it still works. I was in a camera store in Vancouver in 2004 and they had a shelf with all the Pentax Spotmatic accessories for the motor drive unit, film loader 250, relay pack, power pack and 10 meter extension cords. I took everything they had and haven't had any regrets. The sales guy was happy to help me carry it to the car and free up a good chunk of shelf space.

CMoore · Oct 26, 2021

gordrob said:
A long time and it still works. I was in a camera store in Vancouver in 2004 and they had a shelf with all the Pentax Spotmatic accessories for the motor drive unit, film loader 250, relay pack, power pack and 10 meter extension cords. I took everything they had and haven't had any regrets. The sales guy was happy to help me carry it to the car and free up a good chunk of shelf space.

You must be living right.

Well Done Indeed

Paul Howell · Oct 26, 2021

When I was a photographer the Air Force during the last few years of Vietnam war I on occasion bumped into guys from the DIA, surprised me that they had Pentax gear, Fs, ES, and motor drives. At the time the Navy was using Topcon and Canon F1, the Air Force and Army had Nikon Fs, I know a few AF Stateside bases had Spotmatics laying around, the DIA had all the good Pentax stuff. We were not allowed to talk with them, have no idea why the DIA picked Pentax over Nikon or for that matter Topcon, both were full system cameras.

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

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