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06-15-2009, 10:57 PM
#2 Pentaxian
I bought the P3n not long after they were introduced, and used it regularily until 2005. I chose it over the still-available-new K1000 for the split-prism focus screen, DOF preview, off switch and smaller body. The P3n has a lot more features than that, those were the important ones at the time. As I recall the K1000 was $99 and the P3n was $149.
I had to return my first one; if I tightened a tripod mount too much the shutter wouldn't fire. That's the only problem I had until lately. Lack of use has made it necessary to wind and dry-fire the camera empty a few times before loading film, otherwise the shutter won't fully cock without winding two or three times. I have never had it serviced or taken it apart. I dropped it in 2005 hard enough to break my Sigma 35-70 zoom, but the camera still worked well and has no visible damage.
My sister got a P3 and I was surprised at the differences. The P3n has a cable release socket, Av mode, a grip on the film door as well as the front grip, and a battery door that doesn't require a coin. Both these have a horizontal split-prism. I handled a P30t and it felt more plasticky, but I don't know if that's actually true. The P3 and P30t reviews match my experiences with the P3n.
The camera has a very clean design at the top, and the knobs and controls are all protected. I've seen a lot of other film cameras with broken bits, and I am sure this protected design kept mine from breaking. I traveled everywhere with a barely padded camera bag, P3n, A50/1.7, Sigma 35-70 something, Takumar-A 70-200 f4 and Vivitar 550FD flash. The camera still looks great. Lately I added an eyecup from a ZX series camera, which works well. The markings on the shutter speed dial are painted, not engraved, and worn. They are displayed in the viewfinder, though.
I have a very nice black MX now, and yes, it does have a nicer mechanical feel and the best viewfinder. But I am afraid I'll scratch it. The P3n matches it very well for practical features.
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