Pros | Solid, versatile, good viewfinder, handling, auto exposure. |
Cons | No self timer and MLU at the same time, ISO range, no AE lock. |
Rating | 9 |
Price | 210€ |
Years Owned | 2 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Pro grade camera for those that want the best that Pentax has to offer.
Camera Review
This is a very nice camera to use, it has a certain feel to it. Also sits very comfortably in at least my hands with the Grip-B in place, and all the dials and buttons are just where you want them. Simply easy and comfortable to use. It has all the accessories you could want and is a very versatile camera.
What I like about the camera:
- Solid, well it is a pro grade camera and built to last, and that is transmitted to a firm feel in buttons et.c.
- Full information viewfinder, big and bright and you have the ability to change focusing screens to a number of different models. It also shows all available shutter times at all times which is a HUGE plus, you just have to look in the viewfinder and you instantly know what time to use. The LEDs are good in low light also.
- Very advanced auto exposure system metering of the film itself, meaning that if something bright comes into the frame during the exposure the camera compensates for it. Very useful for example when shooting concerts with rapidly changing light. Also huge meter range which means auto exposure up to many minutes.
What could be better?
- The single biggest drawback in my opinion is that you cannot use the self timer and mirror lock up at the same time. This is of course totally idiotic as quite often you want to use just those two together to reduce shaking.
- The ISO range only goes to 3200, in my opinion it could very well go to 6400.
- There is no auto exposure lock so in auto mode the centre part of the picture is metered, not so good if you want to compose the picture with the primary feature at one side of the frame.
Over all a very good camera! The MLU self timer blunder pulls it down from the 10, and almost to an 8. This is the one Pentax to have if you shoot manual lenses on don't care for auto aperture or auto focus. It is the best Pentax body I have used (and the ones I have used are: Spottie,KX,MX,LX,ME,ME Super,MG,P30,MZ-5,*istDL,K100D,K10D,K20D).