Introduce your... film Pentax!

[aruxaru]

Hi fellow film shooters,

I see that there is a quite a significant boost in the number of Pentax film shooters (as I am apart of that movement too). There's lots of talk about different bodies, films and whatnot. So I was thinking having this thread as an introduction to which body is your main body. Also, what lenses do you use? What film do you use? In addition to that, give a reason for why you chose your setup.

Hopefully we can collect an informal database for people wanting more information from everyday shooters.

So to kick things off, I will introduce mine with a picture (inspired by Gooshin's snazzy pic of his mz-s (i believe)):

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

My camera of choice: Pentax MX

My ME is relegated to a back up camera now that I've got my hands on the hefty but dimunitive MX. I love the size and the manual features. I love the feel of its heaviness. It has everything I need and nothing extra.

The limitations I find with this body is that being fully manual and me being fairly new to it, I won't be using this for action or street photography anytime soon. My ME would be better suited for that. Also, not sure how much better my tripod shooting would be with mirror lockup. I've never tried it and don't see the need, yet.

My Lens: Pentax M 50 f/1.7 (need I say more?), Vivitar 28 f/2.8 by Cosina (very sharp and light, good colors), Takumar bayonet 135 f/2.8 (it was affordable, but I really can't complain about it too much. contrasts alittle low, but nice bokeh and is sharp)

Film: As you can see, a wide variety of films. I still like to try out different ones. If i had to choose one film, it would be the Provia. Realistic colors, with punchy tone. Very versatile.

Please share your cameras and views/reasons!

[ajuett]

... see post #94.

[Jimfear]

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

My camera of choice:
Is a Pentax LX, no need to further introduce it, does whatever I ask of it.
If I shoot with two films at once the second film goes into a Pentax KX or rarely a MX.

I have no need for AF (and not auto exposure either though I find it very convenient) so these cameras meet my needs, not to mention what a joy they are to use!


Lenses I always carry:
Sigma 16mm fisheye, my most recent purchase (soon to be the second most recent), I'm getting to like this lens more and more.
Cambron 18-28mm, this lens never stops surprising me with it's colour and contrast.
Pentax-M 28mm 2.8, pretty basic 28mm, will soon be for sale to keep the number of 28mm down.
Pentax 35mm 3.5, LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! <-- do I need to state a reason?
Pentax 50mm 1.4, probably the lens I use most.
Pentax 135mm 2.5, another WOW lens, colour and contrast is amazing and I wouldn't dare complain about sharpness.
Pentax 70-210mm 4.0, one of the few zooms I like (with the Cambron above), performs well and has a nice solid feel to it.


Film:
Velvia, what can I say, love it. When my economy does not allow Velvia I go to Sensia100 which does not disappoint either.
Hitherto I have shot B&W during the winter but now I'm starting to think I want to shoot colour also, thus looking for a low saturated colour film, any suggestions?

For B&W I'm not really that into any specific film and still trying out different types, so far my conclusions are that I like Ilford films. But also Tmax.

[lesmore49]

Well...no picture from me...I can't figure out how to post a pix.

I have:

• '68 Pentax S1a
• '74 Pentax ES11
• '80 Pentax K1000 (my wife's)

I love the K1000, it has the K bayonet mount, rugged and I've taken many a picture.

My Lenses:

• Pentax 35-105 A Macro Zoom- a legendary lens- cost me $ 299 new in '84-picture quality phenomenal
• Takumar 50 Macro
• Takumar 28 mm wide angle

The ES 11 and S1a are screw mount M42 and I have a great Takumar 135, f3.5, 55 f1.8 and 50mm f 2.0...all Takumars all excellent.

I have two Bushnells a 35mm and a 90-230 mm Zoom...both were big disappointments . I bought them back in the early '70's and I got the Bushnells rather than Takumars to save money...I learned...buy the manufacturer's lens and since then only Takumar or Pentax lenses for me, for Pentax camaras.

[Cosmo]

Pentax P-30T



Was my dads. Near perfect, has A on shutter speeds for when I'm lazy and can't be bothered to work manuel. Battery lasts forever. Shutter sounds so dam good. Only problem is that you can't choose what ISO you shoot the film, so I can't push/pull film.


Lenses.

SMC-A Pentax 35-80mm f/4-5.6. Kit lens, so bad, I never use it anymore.
SMC-A Pentax 80-200mm f/4.7-5.6. Also a poor lens that I never use.
SMC-M Pentax 50mm f/1.7.
Cosnia 28mm f/2.8 macro.

Far from my dream lens set up, I'm gonna drop the zooms and the cosina, and build a set of pentax primes.


For colour, I mainly shoot slide film, I'm a fuji fan, and I love shooting Provia 100F. Accurate colour reproduction, medium to high contrast, and pretty much no noise, such incredibly fine grain. For colour negs, the fuji pro series is beautiful.

For B&W, Pan F + 50, Delta 100, FP4+ 125, HP5+ 400.

[fs999]

Pentax 645N

My cameras
Pentax 645N
Pentax *ist

Lenses
Pentax FA 645 75mm f:2.8 ED
Pentax FA 645 150mm f:2.8 ED
Arsat MC 30mm f:3.5

Pentax K 50mm f:1.2
Tokina AT-X 28-80mm f:2.8

Films
Fuji Neopan 400
Kodak TMax 400
Agfa Scala 200x
Agfachrome RSX II 100
Rolleil 80
Rolleil 100
Ilford Delta, XP2+, FP4+, HP5+

Fuji Velvia 100F
Fuji Astia 100
Fuji Provia 400X
Agfachrome RSX II 100, 200

[Zou]

Ooh, I envy your 645.

And Jimfear's LX, of course.

[aruxaru]

jimfear, what kinda color film are u looking for? for low saturated slide film, there is only fuji astia. for negative, you have quite a few more choices. My favorite would probably be fuji 160s. Portra NC is very nice as well. my 2 cents.

PS. I love that 645 setup... I would really like to move up to that system some day.

[ChrisPlatt]

My most recently acquired Pentax (sample picture from The Web):



Chris

[Jimfear]

Originally Posted by aruxaru

jimfear, what kinda color film are u looking for? for low saturated slide film, there is only fuji astia. for negative, you have quite a few more choices. My favorite would probably be fuji 160s. Portra NC is very nice as well. my 2 cents.

Thanks for the tips. I looked at some Astia, Portra NC and 160s pics on flickr and I like the look of Astia and Portra NC, not sure about 160s though. I like slides so I will probably have a go with Astia, but looking at the prices it looks like Portra NC has the upper hand.

But for now, spring is here and it's time to bring out Velvia


PS. That 645 looks sweet!

[monochrome]

Asahi Pentax KX and SMC Pentax 1:3.5/35


Asahi Pentax K2DMD and SMC Pentax 1:1.4/50


Right at the moment I have TMAX, Tri-X, Ektar 100 axd 4x Kodachrome 64-24 (courtesy of Chris Platt) in the refrigerator.
When I get the time to take photos I will add:
Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic F
Pentax MESuper
(Olympus XA)

[Nesster]

We're going on a college visiting trip, NJ -> CT -> Mass -> VT -> Rhode Island. Yes, we're taking the K100d, but this is the kit I'm traveling with:


Asahi Pentax ES II
SMC Takumar 50/1.4
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 28/3.5 with metal hood
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 105/2.8 with metal hood

Also in the bag: set of extension rings, M42 K adapter, 8ND filter, two polarizers (linear and circular), remote release, rolls of Fuji 400H and Kodak 160NC. Oh, I'll throw in the last roll of Ektar too, maybe I'll get around to it.

The tripod goes in the trunk of the car.

[fs999]

Thank you Zou !

All those cameras are so beautiful !

[Jimfear]

I wish I had a black KX, they are so beautiful!

[Mechan1k]

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

Spotmatic SP ... it currently has the Super Takumar 85mm f/1.8 on it at the moment (and not the 50mm pictured above).

Too many lenses to list just right now though.