| Author: | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 27 | | Review Date: October 16, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $170.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, full viewfinder info | | Cons: | | |
One of my favourite vintage Pentax cameras, like it as much or maybe a bit better then the LX. Main reasons for liking it are its scarcity, reliability and quality of viewfinder image. Also it addressed some weaknesses in the original K2 design. Best of all you never have to deal with sticky mirror sydrom that will allways 'stick' to the name of the LX.
The viewfinderfinder/ focussing screen of the LX is a little brighter and also is known to be one of the brightest, which is nice, However especially when I want to focus in a dimly lit situation, with the LX I need to use the split image to nail the focus, while with the K2dmd and also with the original K2 I don't have to. The image on the focusing screen is pretty much sharper compared to the LX, and I prefer sharpness over brightness regarding focusing screens.
The shutter makes a great sound and just like the one in the LX has been made of titanium, although in the K2(dmd) it's a vertical shutter so has higher sync speed at 1/125 vs. 1/75.
The K2dmd has AE lock! While you do have to press a button for it, it is quicker to measure and readjust your composition then to compensate or swich to manual. Would have liked the button to be on the right hand side, but it is easy to use as it is.
As mentioned in the previous review the K2dmd has a built in viewfinder blind. That this is only an option in Automatic mode makes sense: it is to be used as to prevent wrong readings being in automatic mode.
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 93 | | Review Date: July 29, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Build quality, exposure compensation control placement | | Cons: | Exposure lock placement, finder blind only in auto mode | |
I have one of these, however the meter won't stay on with the advance lever cocked part way like it's supposed to. I think it was abused somewhat despite it's almost otherwise prestine condition. That's ok, it works like my Minolta XD 11, which I love and will never sell.
The best feature of the K2 and K2dmd in my opinion is the exposure compensation control placement which is operated via a ring around the lens mount. The only cameras that got this right were these Pentax's and the Olympus OM 2. (Maybe later OM's but I've never owned any of those) So easy to use.
The only thing that I absolutely can't understand is the placement of the exposure lock function. Why?! Nikon got this right with the FE and F3 via the self timer and a simple button near the self timer respectively. Just not well thought out I guess.
Anyway, I can strongly recommend this camera despite the one and only design flaw I could find.
Edit: Two design flaws. The finder blind only works in auto mode, the only canera I've owned with this limitation. I've adjusted down to an 8. Not very nice of me considering what I paid for it...
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897 | | Review Date: March 20, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Solid build, decent features | | Cons: | Worries about electronics, doesn't work without a battery, only 1/1000s | |
After picking up two K2s at different times and finding both have gummed-up insides (a very common problem) which requires a full CLA to fix, I found a DMD version at a good price. The camera and genuine K to M42 adapter actually worked out free once I sold off the other stuff that came with them, so that partially makes up for the €180 I spent on the two non-functional K2s.
The K2DMD is a good, solid camera that produces good results. I use mine on the automatic (Av) mode and exposures seem fine. It feels good in the hand as it's quite large and heavy, which I like in a camera (as long as I'm not using it for travel - I have other cameras for that).
As with many cameras, the 1/1000s maximum shutter speed can be quite limiting, I'd prefer 1/2000s or even 1/4000s as I live in a sunny part of the world, so I have to mess around with ND filters if I want to use this camera on a sunny day at wider apertures. That same criticism can be levelled at almost all Pentax film cameras though.
All-in-all, I like using the K2DMD but I've read multiple comments online of the electronics failing and when that happens, if the camera still works at all, it will be limited to a single shutter speed (1/125s??), a limitation which is also present if you find yourself without a battery for it. The KX, which is broadly similar to the K2DMD, doesn't have that limitation as the shutter is fully mechanical. The same goes for the other K series cameras. So I am always a bit worried that the electronics might fail when I'm using it. Of course any camera this old can spontaneously fail for any number of reasons while out and about but the electronics is just another thing on the list.
Though the K2DMD is superior in features, the Minolta SRT cameras (which are almost identical in size and operation as the K series bodies) are a bit more pleasant to use, working more smoothly and 100% mechanical apart from the light meter. The K2 is nicer to use than the other K series bodies, if for no other reason than the nicer shutter sound (which may seem minor but I'm a fool for a great-sounding shutter).
I'll add as a side-note a feature which doesn't seem to be mentioned here at all: when exposure compensation is engaged a little red/orange colour filter drops down over the viewfinder window where the aperture can be seen on the lens, so you can see in the viewfinder what is essentially a warning that exposure comp is on. Different colours for positive and negative comp would have been nice but I suppose that would be too much to ask.
Here's a picture of mine with one of the aforementioned Minoltas.
IMGP6967a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 168 | | Review Date: April 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | full of features, brick solid, feels great | | Cons: | AE-lock implementation | |
The K2 DMD offers a lot of features that have been described already, I just wanted to add my 2 cents.
The infamous ASA-ring really isn't as bad as some people want you to believe. To be honest, I use a handful of film-SLRs and it really feels a little awkward in the beginning, but it's not impossible to manipulate the ring. On my camera it works better the less I force it.
The main feature of the DMD over the original K2 is the optional motor drive, which I don't really care for. Same goes for the optional data back, which I don't own either. The possibility to add such data back comes with great danger, so be careful (I just wasted half a roll of film to that): There is a switch on the bottom of the camera that you have to twist if you want to use the data back. If that switch is set to "ON", you will have a small black square in the upper left corner of each frame where the data would be imprinted. That square is about 6x6mm big, so if you have it in your picture without knowing about it, it takes up quite a lot of space. Make sure to have that switch set to off all the time!
I mainly bought the camera for its added AE-lock feature, which I think makes sense on a camera that offers automatic exposure. The way you have to use it was a let down for me at least. You activate the exposure lock with your left hand thumb on the switch that also is used for the MLU. The problem for me is that I prefer to take a picture in the following order: lock the exposure, focus and recompose, maybe refocus a little if something seems off, snap. Especially with lenses that have a stiff focus ring, you really need that thumb, though. If you let go of the AE-L button, the metering is lost. I have no idea why they didn't put the button somewhere in reach of your right hand as all that this hand has to do is hold the camera and press the shutter button.
Maybe the awkward position of the AE-lock button is something I have to adjust to, because otherwise I really like to use this camera. It is way more bulky than the MX or ME super I own, but it gives me a very satisfying feel when taking a picture. There is no mirror slap, the shutter button has a nice breaking point and the whole thing looks and feels like it could take a good beating. As I got it cheap and a little banged up already, I have no regrets throwing it around and will enjoy it until it breaks.
All in all it is a great camera, but I don't like how the feature (AE-L) that sets it apart for me from the original K2 is implemented. This and the trouble with the "data-square" mentioned above (I have to glue that switch to OFF) seem to be really disappointing design choices which take away from my rating.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 1,740 | | Review Date: October 11, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | features, building quality, reliability | | Cons: | no interchangeble screens or finders, accessories hard to find | |
The K2DMD was a late arrival (October 1976) additional to the original K series introduced in 1975, it's very rare no doubt because of the stratospheric price of $566.5 for the body only (the motordrive costed 343.95, battery grip 124.95 and the databack 447.5) that made it even more expensive than a Nikon F2 or a Canon F-1 of the era.
It was the first attempt from Pentax to produce a "professional" camera, and it was a pretty good one, besides the fact that it lacked two things absoletely necessary to compete with Nikon, Canon and Minolta: interchangeble finders and screens (these were made available on the much simpler MX, sadly), besides that it might considered a worthy competitor: it offered a high building quality, a wide lens system (including the first 50mm f1.2 ever made for SLR), motordrive, databack, aperture priority WITH mirror lockup (ironically this feature wasn't made available to its successor, the LX), quick flash synch speed (1/125s) thanks to the vertically travelling Seiko shutter (the same used on the "simple" K2), mirror lockup and a split screen not available on the K2. Also, it has something that a lot of people think the K2 missed: the window for seeing the lens aperture inside the finder.
The aperture priority mode looks like the predecessor of the LX system: it allows very long exposures in scarce light (I've measured 35 minutes) but it doesn't react to any change of light like on the LX, however it is an impressive feature IMO.
My camera is the serial number 7182035, it's black (the only colour available for the DMD), and it has become my favourite Pentax body besides the LX: it's very heavy and built like a tank, the standard lens of choice for me it's a K50mm f1.4 (IMO M lenses look tiny on K bodies) and I've shot many excellent pics with it.
I would definitely recommend it and despite of not being a true system camera I consider it a pro model, the only real drawback is its rarity and therefore high price on the used market.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 10, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $194.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, features | | Cons: | How does it meter with the mirror locked up? | |
I'm glad to give this camera another 10. It's one of the sturdiest, most substantial cameras I've ever use. It has the best trim level of any Pentax manual focus SLR, including the LX (the LX lacks the eyepiece shade but is, on balance, a better camera.) I don't agree that this is the best Pentax, but I think it's a VERY close second to the LX. Were I asked which one someone should get, I'd tell them to flip a coin.
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: June, 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Posts: 2,398 | | Review Date: August 9, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Durable, feature-packed, beautiful camera | | Cons: | Heavy | |
I've owned the regular K2, and honestly I wasn't a big fan of it (I know a lot of people love the K2 though), especially compared to the K2 DMD. I love this camera. This camera is all anyone needs to take great pictures, although it is much heavier than any of my other film cameras.
Exposure lock is a great feature. Here's a picture taken using exposure lock with the K2 DMD:
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $354.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Shutter, build & looks, Split-microprism focusing screen, “Judas Window”. | | Cons: | ASA Ring | |
| Pros | Shutter, build & looks, Split-microprism focusing screen, “Judas Window”. | | Cons | ASA Ring | | Rating | 10 | | Price | $475.00 & $233.00 (Estimated, was purchased in a kit) | | Years Owned | 3 Months |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
The K2 DMD is a beefed up version of the top of the line "K Series" K2 film body. It was released one year after the K2 in 1976 and remained in production for four years.
In addition to the features of the K2 Pentax added the following on the K2 DMD:
- The “Judas Window” Aperture Read-Out
- Exposure Compensation Warning
- Built-in Eyepiece Blind
- Low Battery Voltage Warning
- Photo Memory Lock
- Extended Photo Memory
- Split-Microprism Focusing Aid
- Interchangeable Backs
- Motor Drive Unit (Optional)
- Battery Grip (Optional)
- Data Back (Optional)
Prices in January 1978 were as follows:
K2DMD Body, Black - $566.50
Data Back MD - $447.50
Motor Drive MD - $343.95
Motor Drive Battery Grip M - $124.95
Motor Drive NiCad Battery Pack M - $124.00
Motor Drive Charge Pack M-120V - $33.35
Motor Drive Power Pack M - $207.00
Motor Drive Power Cord M 3M - $15.00
Motor Drive Power Cord M 10M - $25.00
Motor Drive Trigger Cord M - $15.00
Camera Review
I only have the K2DMD body, without the expensive options listed above. I found a close to mint CLAed copy a few months ago and already I can tell this is the best K series film body that Pentax made. With all the additional features added to the already great K2, this is a perfect film body without being too complicated. The build & looks of this camera is second to none and it’s only available in black! 
Even with the infamous ASA ring, that truthfully you get used to after awhile, this camera has no faults.
And yes the sound of that metal shutter will give you Goosebumps!! | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 674
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 17, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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Great camera with a old-world pro-quality feel about it.
Yes it is built like a tank but its achilles heel is the electronics.
My camera developed a problem with the electronically-controlled shutter speed. I was told that it was irrepairable as the problem was in the circuit board and parts are no longer available for this camera - let alone new circuit boards.
In the end I had to sell it to someone who wanted it for spare parts. A very sad end for a great camera.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: March, 2008 Location: Working From Home Posts: 26,276
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 28, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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The Asahi Pentax K2 DMD follows in the line of the K1000, KM, KX and K2 as somewhat large, sturdy, nearly indestructible cameras, introduced just as Olympus set the world on its ear with their small camera body.
I prefer the size and heft of this camera body style to the M-series, since I have size 10+ hands. The heavy, brass and aluminum K-series lenses balance well on this camera and make a nice, integrated package. The mass of a 135/2.5 mounted on this body offers a very stable platform for hand held shooting - I can't prove it, but I swear I gain a stop if I manage breath control.
The K2 DMD is a complete package for the enthusiast film shooter today:
- when desired it can be a fully-mechanical camera
- when desired it can be an Automatic Av camera with a stepless, electronic Seikosha shutter
- when necessary it offers Exposure Lock
- it offers mirror lock, self-timer and DoF preview
Pros: The large, bright viewfinder comes standard with a split-image focusing reticule, surrounded by a micro-prism ring and the matte screen. The oversized mirror prevents any kind of image impairment due to lens length.
If you can find them, there is a fairly complete suite of system accessories for action shooting - data back, including a mechanical clock to imprint date and time on images, 250 shot bulk film back, motor drive / grip (1/2 - 2 FPS and single) powered by either a rechargeable NiCad battery pack (the bateries usually need to be replaced now) or a long handle holding 12 penlite battereis (AA). A 3 meter and 10 meter power cable were available for remote shooting, usually of skittish fauna on a tripod from a blind, or hazardous-area shooting. There was even an AC power source similar to the LX studio power source (maybe the same item).
Viewfinder information (mechanically linked) incudes the aperture setting through a backlit Judas Window, shutter speed, match needle meter and exposure comensation indicator. The ASA ring never bothers me - just another thing to become accustomed to, then it is fine.
There really isn't much on a modern digital camera that a K2 DMD didn't have in analog form - except ASA (sensitity) control (without changing film!!).
Oh, and for a machine-lover like me, the feel and sound of the Seiko shutter firing is sublime - nothing in the ACT of taking a photograph is more satisfying to me (unless it is the KX shutter firing).
Cons: I can imagine it would be tiring to shoot with this heavy camera all day long - while carrying a bag full of K-series lenses. I rarely use it for more than an hour or two at a time so that doesn't affect me.
1/125 Flash Sync
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: June, 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 96 | | Review Date: May 24, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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I picked this one up for a bargain together with some lenses.
Haven't done much shooting with it, I'll update this when I have.
Pros:
Seems like a very sturdy and rugged camera. I'm pretty confident this thing would survive a war 
A lot of features, especially for a camera this old. Things like DOF preview, self-timer, X-sync socket, manual as well as automatic lighting, ... (see chart above)
Winder available, yet hard to find. Once you attach it it'll give you 2 fps.
These aren't as easily found as some other models, so if you see one definitly check it out. Also, this one came with a 50mm 1.4 as standard lens, which only shows that this camera was aimed at the more advanced photographers. So if you see one 2nd hand, be sure to check out the lens.
cons:
The ASA dial is extremely awkward to use. It's positioned around the lens mount, which is a very illogial place, especially if you compare it to the ease of the mechanism on the K1000 (at the shutter dial).
Takes a while to get used to, and always seems to block when you're in a hurry
Compared to models as the K1000, it's pretty heavy. I can imagine that combined with the grip, this thing might get a little too heavy for some people.
Doesn't have a TTL flash mechanism, but I'm not an expert in flash photography with film, which is why i avoid it, so this doesn't bother me.
Conclusion:
Nice, sturdy camera, which is built to last. Apart from some weird design choices that were corrected in later models, this is a camera that'll be a pleasure to use even after so many years.
These were just my initial impressions, but I'll update this once I have some more experience with this camera after this summer.
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