Pentax's Best 35mm K mount SLR?

I think maybe this went a little astray from what the OP originally asked about. I guess this is probably known as "hijacking" a thread. Totally unintended, and though it has been fun, there have been a few votes cast here and there so maybe there are some others who have their own Pentax memories, and preferences that want to chime in. I am certainly biased but it does look as if the K1000 is out in front followed by the LX and MX.

Les Sarile said:

The quality of construction and mechanical refinement of the Original can be appreciated even today. The only automation anyone needs is an instant mirror return . . .

Click to expand...

And a truly magnificent example as well. Wow, nice shot!

Since Ricoh and Pentax are now one, we don't need to hide them in the closet anymore
The XR7 and the ME Super are similar in size, weight and functionality, the XR7 additionally has DOF preview, AE lock, dedicated multiple exposure control and more traditional shutter speed control.



The ad that brought it to my attention.
Link to larger version -> Ricoh XR7 ad

Pioneer said:

And a truly magnificent example as well. Wow, nice shot!

Click to expand...

Thanks,
I took advantage of Kodak Portra's super wide latitude and reached deep into the shadows.

Been awhile since I had some great Basque food and drinks in Elko!

I like my Portra as well, and you certainly used it to great advantage there.

Things change everywhere and there have been changes here as well but some things never seem to change. The Basque food is still a great draw, and for a darn good reason. The Star is still in the same place and the Basque Cider and Picon Punch as potent as it ever was. The end of January is a great time to come and experience the Cowboy lifestyle with the Cowboy Poetry gathering. But you have to get your hotel reservations early because there is not a room to be found in this town during that week.

Les Sarile said:

Since Ricoh and Pentax are now one, we don't need to hide them in the closet anymore
The XR7 and the ME Super are similar in size, weight and functionality, the XR7 additionally has DOF preview, AE lock, dedicated multiple exposure control and more traditional shutter speed control.

The ad that brought it to my attention.

Link to larger version -> Ricoh XR7 ad

Click to expand...

I have an XR7, or actually two. Had one, loved that camera in spite of the fact the meter was always a stop underexposing (set film speed accordingly) and a repairman messed up the f/stop view window. But eventually the rewind knob broke. Bought another off eBay and the seals died. I bought a (cheap, but it will do) seal kit, but I'm not at all sure I'm up to replacing them, silly as it sounds.

It's light because it's lightly built and has a lot of plastic, but the XR7 is a joy to shoot with. Every feature I could really want (except possibly the OTF flash metering of my LX) including the missing-from-Pentax AE lock, and ergonomics that just feel right. I need to take a swing at replacing those seals.

Although I like the K1000. I think the best K mount is my ME Super.
2bits

ME Super said:

There were three things that got my attention in comparing the ME Super to the K1000:

1. The ME Super has an auto exposure mode. The K1000 doesn't.
2. The ME Super has a higher top-end and lower bottom-end shutter speed
3. The ME Super showed me the shutter speed in the viewfinder.

The advantage the K1000 had over the ME Super: All shutter speeds were available with no batteries. But then the ME Super used two button cells that lasted for years so that was less of an issue.

Click to expand...

Then there's the disadvantages of the ME Super, mainly its slow and quirky button control of manual shutter speeds, I had one after my two Chinon CE-4's were stolen and much preferred my MX.

Ian

MX - Like small size and watch-like action. Don't like LED display that's hard to see in bright sun (not a problem this summer!)
ME Super - Like convenience of auto and manual and small size. Don't like auto metering that throws wobblies (2 x MES's, one from new).
K1000 - Like robustness, simplicity and independence of batteries if necessary. Don't like lack of DoF preview and HATE lack of meter switch!!!!!
KM - As above, but it has DoF preview, so partly forgiven!
KX - Like robustness, independence from batteries if necessary, MLU. Don't like - can't think of anything!
K2 - Like handling, shutter speed range,shutter sound, auto/manual choice. Don't like dependence on batteries. Potential huge repair bills if electronics play up.
LX - Like wealth of features I'll probably never need (but you never know!) Don't like LED display that only indicates full stops in manual mode. SMC-A series lenses that were supplied with most. The focussing action doesn't have the silky smoothness of the pre-A lenses and the aperture ring tends to be stiff and graunchy.

Overall, if a future government decrees that we are each allowed to keep only one Pentax K-mount SLR camera (don't laugh - it could happen!!!!), mine would be the KX.

Steve

I've got most of their manual focus bodies now (thanks to jumping on ebay auctions which were finishing cheaply or freshly-listed low buy it now prices).

I would say the K2, KX, MX, and P30/P30n/P30t.

I started with a K1000 but the KX and K2 are much nicer bodies to use. They have a more accurate meter, better viewfinder display (although I wish the K2 had the aperture display of the KX - I know the K2DMD does but prices for those in working order are mad), self timer, mirror lock-up, DOF preview, etc. If you don't yet know what to do with any of that you can still shoot them like a K1000, the controls and meter display are just as intuitive (when the black needle is on top of the translucent needle then exposure is correct). The only problem with the K2 is the film speed setting which is renowned for being awkward to use. Mine's not too bad and I've seen suggestions involving a dab of silicone grease on the moving parts to make them easier to use.

The MX adds user changeable focussing screens and the option of adding two types of winder and a databack, plus it's smaller. It doesn't have mirror lock-up but the LED light meter display is easier to read in poor light, although in good light I prefer the KX/K2 display.

The P30 series are black sheep. They're derided as plastic and usually cost less to buy than a crate of beer. Yet the chassis are diecast metal, the viewfinder displays the shutter speed, they have wonderfully simple controls, they're light and very unobtrusive. A P30n or P30t with a 35mm prime makes a brilliant street camera as it doesn't shout "mug me" and you have Av mode for grab shots (the AE lock button is more useful than exposure compensation too).

I'd suggest a P30n or P30t over a K1000 for someone wanting to try film as they can get a fully working example for very little money, the metering is more accurate, and they can be used as a fully manual camera. The lack of an override for the DX coding is probably a bit annoying if you're into pushing or pulling film but you can either remember to under/overexpose to taste or use tape to alter the contact strips on the film cannister.

I like the LX.

Toss up between the MX and LX. Each have their pluses. If you find one in good shape, get it.

I'm really getting tired of these threads. (Even though i started a few)

The "best" camera depends on the requirements.
Will it be heavily used by a pro?
Is it a starter camera?
Does price matter?
Will it be used mainly in dim light or bright?
Will you be carrying it long distances?
Etc. Etc. Etc.

The best camera is the one you use.

Galadur.com

darinwc said:

I'm really getting tired of these threads. (Even though i started a few)

The "best" camera depends on the requirements.
Will it be heavily used by a pro?
Is it a starter camera?
Does price matter?
Will it be used mainly in dim light or bright?
Will you be carrying it long distances?
Etc. Etc. Etc.

The best camera is the one you use.

Galadur.com

Click to expand...

If you don't like these threads don't comment.

On my side I like them and I comment: first place is the LX...because it's a LX. Second place for the K2DMD, that is a faboulus camera, feels even better than the LX and also has AE lock.

cuthbert said:

If you don't like these threads don't comment.

On my side I like them and I comment: first place is the LX...because it's a LX. Second place for the K2DMD, that is a faboulus camera, feels even better than the LX and also has AE lock.

Click to expand...

The problem with these threads is that they dont really serve a purpose, since there is so much written about each camera model already. They seem to be re-asked every year. And everyone chimes in with a different 'favorit'.
Sorry if I sound grumpy.. get off my lawn!

Thanks for mentioning the K2DMD.. i have never heard of that before. Sounds like it is much better than the K1000. -I never cared for the K1000. it was the Pentax 'student' camera. While it is capable of fine results, it always seemed clunky and less refined compared to say a spotmatic.

The LX was pentax's first and only top-of-line 35mm camera. So in most respects it is the best Pentax K mount camera ever. -But what does that mean? Does it take better pictures than others? Are you a better photographer if you have it? Will it still be working 100 years from now?

darinwc said:

The problem with these threads is that they dont really serve a purpose, since there is so much written about each camera model already. They seem to be re-asked every year. And everyone chimes in with a different 'favorit'.
Sorry if I sound grumpy.. get off my lawn!

Thanks for mentioning the K2DMD.. i have never heard of that before. Sounds like it is much better than the K1000. -I never cared for the K1000. it was the Pentax 'student' camera. While it is capable of fine results, it always seemed clunky and less refined compared to say a spotmatic.

The LX was pentax's first and only top-of-line 35mm camera. So in most respects it is the best Pentax K mount camera ever. -But what does that mean? Does it take better pictures than others? Are you a better photographer if you have it? Will it still be working 100 years from now?

Click to expand...

1) Some people enjoy these threads, let's face, the specs of 99% of the film cameras around have been discussed over and over again, but we still like to talk about what we have and our experiences with our gear.

2) For the K2DMD, it's more alike the LX than the K1000, while the latter is a bare to bone camera, the DMD is a sort of professional SLR without interchangeble screen and finder, but it had AE aperture priority (with AE lock, unlike the LX) capable of long exposures, full info finder (aperture and shutter speed), it could use a motordrive and databack (but they are very rare today as they were very expensive, like the camera itself, more than a Canon F-1 or a Nikon F2A).

3) The LX is the top of the range and some of its features help taking better pics, for instance in shutter priority I set the aperture I want (and I don't have to remove the eye from the finder because I see the aperture inside), I focus and I shoot very fast, even faster with the winder that is important when you have little time to find a good composition. Also its long exposure feature allows you to take pics in near total darkness, pictures that wouldn't be feasible with another camera. Its small weight allows me to walk for hours in a huge town like London without getting too tired and therefore avoiding errors, so for me yes this cameras can make a better photographer of me in certain conditions. Will it last 100 years? That I don't know but I doubt I'll last 100 years so I don't really care.

darinwc said:

The problem with these threads is that they don't really serve a purpose,

Click to expand...

Crunchy guy, we enjoy it and that serves a purpose.I think you enjoy it too or why be on a forum (yeah I know, occasionally a real question gets answered). Have a great day.

Pentax LX, though a reliable one may be hard to obtain these days. 1/2000 shutter speed, legendary auto-exposure metering, interchangeable viewfinders, and good-looking to boot.

The MZ-S and PZ-1P are more modern and full-featured, but the SF-1n sports a good list of options for much less money because it is large, ugly, and noisy enough to frighten children.

kivis said:

Crunchy guy, we enjoy it and that serves a purpose.I think you enjoy it too or why be on a forum (yeah I know, occasionally a real question gets answered). Have a great day.

Click to expand...

You have a point! (grumble grumble lawn grumble)

Thanks a lot. This thread threw me into GAS turmoil. I just ordered a chrome MX and K 50/1.4 lens. Oh no another Rabbit hole!!! Paid $159 for the two.