Upgrade?

Markok765 · Nov 5, 2007

I was wondering if I should upgrade my pentax spotmatic to something newer, eg automatic Nikon?

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 5, 2007

Probably better to learn with the Spotmatic than switch to an automatic camera. What do you think you're missing with the Pentax?

Pinholemaster · Nov 5, 2007

Spotmatic is a great camera. I learned on a Spotmatic II. Wish I still had it.

ricksplace · Nov 5, 2007

The spottie forces you to use your brain rather than the camera making decisions for you. As for the lens quality, Super Taks are second to none. I'd say stay with the spottie.
If you want something different, try medium format. Borrow a TLR from someone and give it a try.

Markok765 · Nov 5, 2007

Automation. I like manual, but when I go to shoot downtown, for street, it is easier to have a auto camera. I also don't really like having to have a flash bracket.

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Nov 5, 2007

Depends what you mean by auto. The Nikon FE is aperture-priority automatic; the FA is both aperture/shutter/program. More recent models like the F100 are all that, autofocus, plus fancy matrix metering etc.

Meters are easily fooled when the light is complex; sometimes doing the decisions oneself is easier. Personally I'm good with sunny f/11, f/5.6 for the shade.

I'm myself switching from Pentax to Nikon (FM2n), but only because I'm using my SLR more and more for work, and it helps to be in a standard system when I have to rent extra equipment. Lens quality is in the same ballpark, but Nikkors are easier to find than good M42 lenses.

PS: If it's the flash bracket that really annoys you, I have a Spotmatic F for sale...

copake_ham · Nov 5, 2007

Markok,

Just about everyone here is older than you and so just about everyone has gone through a learning curve that just about everyone here thinks you must go through to.

If you can afford an auto camera - get it. But don't give up on your manual gear because of it. Instead, carry both. Load one with B&W and the other with 'chrome or color neg.

Play around with both cameras.

I think you will find that you will develop a "desire" for one or the other for different purposes at different times.

A good life is never an "either/or" choice. Rather, it is a series of options where you have the independence and presence of mind to choose what is best for the given circumstance.

BrianShaw · Nov 5, 2007

Markok765 said:
Automation. I like manual, but when I go to shoot downtown, for street, it is easier to have a auto camera. I also don't really like having to have a flash bracket.

Might be a real good move for you to make. For that kind of work, you'll probably wonder why you waited so long.

Markok765 · Nov 6, 2007

Thanks, and I was looking at a 1992 [I think] F90. It is styled older than my friends F80, why is that?

mawz · Nov 6, 2007

Why not look for a Spotmatic ES or ESII, which will give aperture priority AE, a hotshoe and also full-aperture metering with SMC Takumar lenses.

Or you can go to any Pentax K mount body with AE modes except for the film *ist or the 2-digit MZ/ZX models, add a K mount adaptor(which Pentax still sells) and use all of your current lenses.

I wouldn't look at Nikon for a Spottie shooter. Nice cameras, but why replace all your lenses.

JBrunner · Nov 6, 2007

Auto exposure has blown more great shots than all other foibles combined.

Tim Gray · Nov 6, 2007

I can't imagine shooting some of the concerts that I've been doing without autofocus and a good spot meter (AE optional). My Canon 1V has been great for it.

Of course, at times, I've had to do manual focus or manual exposure. The spot meter still helped except for the time when the only illumination was a strobe light.

Paul Howell · Nov 6, 2007

mawz said:
Why not look for a Spotmatic ES or ESII, which will give aperture priority AE, a hotshoe and also full-aperture metering with SMC Takumar lenses.

Or you can go to any Pentax K mount body with AE modes except for the film *ist or the 2-digit MZ/ZX models, add a K mount adaptor(which Pentax still sells) and use all of your current lenses.

I wouldn't look at Nikon for a Spottie shooter. Nice cameras, but why replace all your lenses.

Rather than a ES or ESII look for a Chinon CE 4 with a winder. Takes 42mm lens, Apature priority exposure with manual override. the winder is only so- so but a lot cheaper than a working ES with winder. If you really want a newer camera I would look at a Nikon N90s and a couple of zooms.

Shawn Mielke · Nov 6, 2007

The below is such excellent, level headed advice. AF and AE are indeed tools and therefore options that shouldn't be thought of as replacing thinking and the need assess light and focus. The question should always be: am I getting the results I like and want. If yes, business as usual. If no, what can I do about it? It should be said, too, that AF and AE have learning curves. Prepare for this, should you go there.

copake_ham said:
Markok,

Just about everyone here is older than you and so just about everyone has gone through a learning curve that just about everyone here thinks you must go through to.

If you can afford an auto camera - get it. But don't give up on your manual gear because of it. Instead, carry both. Load one with B&W and the other with 'chrome or color neg.

Play around with both cameras.

I think you will find that you will develop a "desire" for one or the other for different purposes at different times.

A good life is never an "either/or" choice. Rather, it is a series of options where you have the independence and presence of mind to choose what is best for the given circumstance.

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Markok765

David A. Goldfarb

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Pinholemaster

ricksplace

Markok765

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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copake_ham

BrianShaw

Markok765

mawz

JBrunner

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Tim Gray

Paul Howell

Shawn Mielke

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