| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Posts: 2,065
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 21, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Quite a looker, sturdy, good lightmeter, automatic mode, great exporsure compensation ring, accepts modern batteries | | Cons: | ISO settings | |
It is one of better 35mm film cameras I ever hold in my hand. There were some more modern ones, more valuable ones etc. but this one has something special and comparing to LX which replaced it K2 is really, really underappreciated.
It is solid, old school solid. Metal brick you could use to kill someone and then document the deed. Operation is great and intuitive (other then ISO). If you are using automatic time settings then exposure compensation is great to use and really intuitive. You can just set it without moving your hand away from the lens. I find it lots better then standard one, even if you forget the setting, it is move it fully downward (for -) or upward (for +) and then you are at -1, one click for half less/more, another one and you are on zero. No need to look at it, check, it is just so nice.
Viewfinder is great, I like exposure needle, it is nice and easy to read. Though LED from other cameras are better in dark I suppose. Exposure is great, always spot-on, never had any complaints. It also accepts modern batteries so step upward from Spotmatics. There is mirror lockup and DOF preview, so nothing to complain on this front either.
Shutter sound is great, old school, even if bit loud. But I like it, it has this nice mechanical clank, not the soft dampened one from more modern cameras.
I think only con I have with this is ISO ring. It is easy to unstick with some good lube so no complains there but I often forget to change it when I switch film. Classic position at film rewind or shutter settings was somehow not creating this issue 
I highly recommend anyone this piece of gear. With Pentax-M lens is great, cool looking, great operating film camera. And for tiny slice of LX price.
I am proud owner, I must say:
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2007 Location: Gwynedd, Wales Posts: 89
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 7, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $33.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | so solid, has excellent handling in most ways. almost indestructible and available for cheap because of the K1000 cult | | Cons: | Awkward ISO ring, prone to get stuck. | |
Excellent solid and fairly full featured camera, has the DOF preview that I lament is missing from so many later Pentax cameras. As I am left eyed it doesn't have the disadvantage of the KX's winder. I did previously have a KX that was stolen and the only feature I miss from that is the Judas window that let you see the aperture in the viewfinder. I haven't owned this camera for long, but am very impressed with it. It is built so strongly it may well outlast my other K-mount film cameras. I do have a K1000, rescued from a friends knife drawer for free, but I cannot imagine why anyone would pay more more for a K1000 than a K2 (or KX, for that matter, if they are right handed)
The easiest cure for the awkward ISO ring (for which I knocked off a mark) is silicone spray externally applied. It was stuck on this example when I acquired it but is now fine, as is the exposure compensation, something I rarely use. No dismantling needed for the fix.
The lack of aperture indication cost it the other mark. Apart from those two items it may well have rated a 10.
Edit: I should add that this is a good solid heavy item. It's much better balanced with Takumar screw mount lenses and the Tamron Adaptall 2's that I like than my beloved ME-F.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2014 Posts: 27
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 25, 2020 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | very solid beauty | | Cons: | exposure compensation location | |
My favorite Pentax 35mm camera, actually prefer it over the LX which was my previous favorite. The LX has a far more advanced metering system, but the metering of the K2 is very quick and responsive and I like the match needle layout of the viewfinder. Since I had both I compared the quality of their viewfinders, and while the viewfinder of the LX is just a little brighter, the finder of the K2 is quite a lot sharper and has more contrast which makes it easier to focus. It is nice to have an exchangable viewfinder but in reality I never changed it on my LX so why bother?
When on a cold winter day I pressed the shutter of my mint LX to take a photo, and the camera decided to fire half a second later, I decided to sell it and be happy with the K2.
Pluspoints:
-great viewfinder, very easy to 'nail' focus even without the use of the microprism.
-super smooth advance lever
-very sturdy build quality
-fast silicon metering cell
-nice sounding, fast reacting Seiko shutter which is made of titanium.
-mirror lock-up
-depth-of-field preview
-mechanical speed of 1/125 s.
-Aperture priority auto exposure
-great 'classic' looks
Minuspoints:
-exposure compensation setting almost impossible to see
-ISO setting ring needs lubrication after a few decades
The idea of using a ring around the lens mount for exposure compensation by itself is not a bad idea; Nikkormat and Olympus OM both have their shuttter speed controlled at the same location. What is really bad design however is that you can hardly see the little red spot that indicates the setting of exposure compensation. That spot is half hidden... something to take into account if you are using compensation a lot. Also the viewfinder does not show whether compensation is activated, while the LX viewfinder does give such an indication. So, turn compensation back to 1x after having compensated, otherwise you might forget and your whole roll of film will be either over- or underexposed.
Changing ISO value can be hard, but the solution if it got stuck is pretty simple. If you unscrew the bayonet from the camera, you get access to the ring that moves around when the ISO value is changed (coupled to the exposure compensation). You'll see some dirt or small remains of old lubricant, which can then be removed using a cotton stick and some white spirit for example, before lubricating it again. Just be carefull with the little flat spring positioned at the top of the ring; this should not be lost and repositioned when the cleaning is done.
If you can live with the awkward ISO/ compensation dial then I can fully recommend the K2. It feels nice, looks nice, has the build quality of the old Spotmatics, and because it's an underrated camera you can get the finest copy for about a third of the price of the LX.
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Posts: 4,823
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 15, 2019 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Microprism focus assist | | Cons: | None | |
I do not currently own this camera.
It was the first camera I bought, and I bought it brand new. Prior to purchasing it I had owned an Olympus Pen half-frame camera which I found under the seat of a second hand car I had bought.
But the K2 was my pride and joy. I think I bought it shortly after the birth of my second son, but quickly got into trouble for filling most film rolls with birds, butterflies and the like.
It came with a 50mm F1.4, if I remember correctly. I did add a wide-angle, the 400mm 5.6, and a 40-120 (or was it a 45-120?) zoom.
I found the microprism focusing system fantastic - was always getting comments about how sharp my photographs and slides were. I did use its mirror lockup feature when shooting with a Pentax 5.6 400mm lens.
I loved the exposure metering inside the view finder, and watching it work as I opened up or shut down the aperture setting on whatever lens I was using.
I bought a shoulder-brace to allow me to use the 400mm hand-held, for shooting birds in flight, and visited local radio-controlled model aeroplane meets to shoot the model aeroplanes in flight. I still have the shoulder brace.
It wasn't until after my whole kit, in an aluminum case, was stolen, and I was forced to replace it with the new ME model, that I appreciated how solid the big-bodied K2 felt in my hands. In contrast, the ME felt like a toy - it felt too small, and too light, and I always found it difficult to get a "feel" for it.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2018 Posts: 8
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 27, 2019 | Not Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 1 |
| Pros: | Well thought out | | Cons: | ISO RING - Time has taken it's toll on many of these cameras. | |
The K2 is a wonderfully designed camera. However, the camera is close to 25 years old (right now 2019) and most of them have never had a CLA. I've bought 3-4 of these hoping for a good one, each time they arrive with stuck ISO ring. It's almost impossible to move the ISO setting and if you do, you might not be able to return it to a usable ISO setting. Another common fault (in my experience) erratic metering.
I don't know if they are repairable or not. Best choose a mechanical shutter Pentax.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 15
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 16, 2019 | Not Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | What it does and how it does it | | Cons: | Old with many electrical parts to go wrong. Heavy. | |
A brilliantly made and lovely to use, solid, camera.The benchmark of perfection when the K-mount series cameras came out. The lovely K1000 is a reduced function - and more basic camera - then the K2. The K2 has lots of benchmark extras; automatic and manual function being the best. That auto/manual function, plus the other functions it has, makes it a better camera than any other in the K Pentax range. Because of the vanities and internet market-style oddities of the secondhand/vintage market, the K2 sells for less that the incredibly - and laughably - over-inflated K1000. That makes people with limited knowledge of what cameras can do opt for the more expensive (bizarre but true) K1000 camera. Why? Who knows? In the hope they spend more and get more? To look and feel cool? One reason why the K1000 is better than the K2 is that the K2 is packed with many electrical parts around the shutter speed and metering systems. In old cameras, and these often go wrong. The K2 was not readily available outside of Japan, where it was primarily released. So the secondhand market makes it a rare one to see in Europe and some parts of the world. The only odd thing about the K2 is that the ASA dial around the lens that can seize up if not used regularly, or if the previous owner forced the ring without realising there is a button there for a reason. I never see that as a fault of the camera, but as the fault of the owner. Some say the exposure compensation mechanism (on the other side of the lens) can be easily shifted by mistake, but you'd need to be exceptionally butter-fingered to do that. Light metering can also play up if you don't use the K2 often, mainly because the K-Mount slider mechanism dries up and becomes rigid. So if you buy one, use it. Famed for getting corrosion in the prism (what many people wrongly call "fungus"), but this is often minor and causes no problem at all if the K2 is looked after well. And, hey; what do you expect with a camera this old? Otherwise, it's a superb camera that does what it is designed to do very well, as every other K series Pentax camera does; which means there are better and more enjoyable ones to use out there. That's why I would not recommend this camera; because Pentax made much better ones before it with the M42 mount, and after it with the K Bayonet mount.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2017 Posts: 41
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 17, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Very solid in my hands | | Cons: | Setting the ASA/ISO - Clumsy | |
Last year, I found a couple of Pentaxes (SP-II and ES-II) at a garage sale. Owner stated they were "shot". Got the pair for $20.
Solution to repair? - Re-orient batteries. Problem solved. Great cameras and a pleasure to use.
Which brings me to the K2. I've seen a number of K2, KX, and KM models around but never wanted a large K-mount model, that is, until I saw a K2 at a used camera store. It had a great feel in my hands, and upon some research, found it was really the scion of the ES-II. Snapped it up the next day.
The camera is a pleasure to use. For me, it brings back the pleasure of hearing a solidly made camera firing, and hearing the shutter and mirror go off. It came with the 55mm f/1.8 lens, so I've "limited" myself to using it as a "single lens outing" camera.
While I can use it in manual mode. The aperture preferred mode works superbly for me. The first roll of film was primarily of still subjects, and in my experience, I can manipulate the lens aperture very quickly when a moving subject arises.
I have the smaller Program Plus and Super Program models, but the hand filling feel of the K2 makes it a superb "walk around" camera.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2012 Location: Queensland Posts: 4,299
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 31, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $140.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | One of the finest examples of Pentax film cameras. | | Cons: | Lack of an exposure lock on automatic. | |
The $140 price included a good 55mm f1.8 lens. I won't repeat some the excellent points previously made, but rather give a personal opinion on this camera. My biased preference of pure manual cameras made me hesitate adding this K2 to my "K" collection, but I am glad I did. To be honest, I mostly used it on manual, but I can see how some would like to use aperture priority on automatic. (On manual, I set the speed, and crank the the aperture to match the needles.)
It took me awhile to figure out that I had to hold down a fixed button in order to rotate the ASA ring, but the odd arrangement of ASA and exposure compensation can become used to.
If you are thinking of getting one of these, then you will end up with one of the finest examples of Pentax film cameras. If you also end up with a KX, MX and LX even better. The K2 was the first bayonet Pentax and came out in 1975, but was short lived because the M series were in the works. There is a wonderful quality to these metal works of art that reflects in their primary mission of only being a camera, and not a computer that happens to have a lens on it.
Edit, adding information, July 2022: The reason I tend to shy away from automatically functioning cameras, is their dependency on notoriously capricious electronics. Light-meters are likely to fail long before the mechanical aspects of a camera do. If the meter fails on the K2, you have a one-speed camera, 1/125 second only plus Bulb. Regardless, I do love this K2 for its quality construction and it is a joy to use.
I also have a Pentax ES2, the predecessor of the K2, and it is more forgiving without a battery/meter, allowing all speeds at and above 1/60 sec. It too has a robust construction, being the last of the Spotmatics. (In my opinion, comparing build quality, the ME Super - unlike the MX - is a frail descendent.)
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: March 18, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | really heavy SLR | | Cons: | missing aperture indicatiion in viewfinder | |
without batteries 1/125 sec possible.
It saved me a wedding shooting, when batteries of digital were empty.
My advice: never forget an analogue film SLR, when shooting feasts, during holidays in extreme temperature.
in time of lacking full sensor size by Pentax the best alternative for very nice wide angle shootings.
with mirror locking device!! (against vibrations of the mirror movement)
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: Rochester Posts: 73
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 7, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $45.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | fit n finish. quality. will last for year. great center weight meter. SHUTTER!! | | Cons: | heavy (but i like it) otherwise none | |
This camera can always deliver consistent results. Its build quality is of the spotmatic series but in a K mount form. Heavy, can take abuse ( but please don't  ) and after 35 years... still works as new. Yes Eric has serviced this for me and the other 3 I own but work as they did from day one. I can say that that parts being around in another 20 - 30 years they will still be. Any "con" you can think of i think is negated by just routine maintenance. ((sticky ring etc)) It never leaves my bag and as a great man once said... you can have it when you pry it from my cold dead hands  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 328
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 24, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very well built & rugged. Keeps on going | | Cons: | asa (iso) adjustment ring / foam seals | |
I was actualy bidding on a lens attached to this my first K2 body and got both very cheap. Mechanically, the K2 was working perfectly in every respect except for the stiff asa (iso) adjustment ring and the foam seals needed replacing. Both of these are, I understand, the most common problems on this camera. I love the aperture priority automatic (my favorite automatic function), the fast flash sync of 1/125, the beautiful shutter sound, very nice focusing screen. I have large hands and it fits them very well and I love the weight of it. I took it by my repair guy and he is replacing the foam seals, lubricating the asa ring and giving it a good cleaning. I should have a pretty good body for total out of pocket of $75.
This is one tough camera. The body I have has a big ding on the prism and another big ding on the base plate. It has received at least two big hits over its lifetime with no affect on function. Try dropping a K5 twice from 5 or 6 feet and see what happens to it.
I also have a KX body and find the differences very interesting. The biggest is the sound and feel of the film advance. Nothing against the KX, but the K2 is sooooo much smoother. Maybe it has to do with the Seiko shutter. Slow shutter speeds up to 8 seconds is pretty good as well.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 6, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Nice handling, well-made, excellent auto-exposure | | Cons: | Lousy ASA/ISO setting, shutter is a compromise | |
My first Pentax, bought in 1979 as a mistake. The shop thought they were selling me a bargain K1000, and I ended up with Pentax's flagship camera. Beat this camera to death over the years, took great pictures all over Europe and India. Finally got to trust auto-exposure. Aside from the ridiculous film-speed adjustment, the weak point is inevitably the electronically-controlled metal-bladed shutter made by Copal/Seiko It's good, but will not last as long as Pentax's classic fabric shutter, and indeed I've started to have problems with it. Otherwise, a very good camera, one that has served me well.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 16, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $112.50
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build & looks. Metal shutter, automatic shutter speed option. | | Cons: | ASA ring, no Exposure Compensation Warning and no “Judas Window." | |
| Pros | Build & looks. Metal shutter, automatic shutter speed option. | | Cons | ASA ring, no Exposure Compensation Warning and no “Judas Window". | | Rating | 9 | | Price | Black - $150.00, Silver - $75.00 (Estimated, was purchased in a kit) | | Years Owned | 2 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
The K2 was released in 1975 as part of the new “K” series line of film cameras & lenses, featuring the new bayonet mount. The K2 was the top of the line.
The K2 is technically the best of the original 1975-77 “K” series film bodies and has these extra improvements over the KX:
- Extra shutter speeds of 2, 4 & 8 seconds.
- Automatic shutter speed option.
- Dedicated mirror lockup button.
- Improved film pickup and advance system.
- Exposure Control dial.
- Faster flash sync of 1/125 sec.
- 5-bladed metal shutter.
On the negative side the K2 does not have Aperture-reader (Judas) window and has the infamous dreaded ASA film speed dial. The ASA ring is also prone to getting stuck, which makes it more costly a camera to CLA. Even though the K2 has an Exposure Control dial, it does not have an Exposure Compensation Warning indicator like the K2DMD. At some time or another using the K2 you will find half way through a roll of film that you left the setting off the normal 1x. 
Camera Review
I bought two K2s in 2008 and enjoy them very much. I use them mostly around town and in specialty situations, like indoor macro work & night shooting, when I need the extra camera features. I still prefer my KX for traveling.
The metal shutter in a K2 is truly amazing and its best feature as far as I’m concerned! The automatic shutter speed option is also handy if you want to shoot using a specific aperture and not have to worry about the meter needles aligning.
I would rate the K2 close to a 10, the ASA ring and the missing “Judas Window” is stopping it from getting a perfect score!
| | | | | Moderator
Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 | | Review Date: May 8, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Well made and reliable | | Cons: | none | |
| Pros | Well made and reliable | | Cons | none | | Rating | 10 | | Price | $85 | | Years Owned | 2 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
I have a black one and a chrome one. The camera took over where the ES & ES II left off with an automated stepless metal shutter. This body has a true mirror lock up.
Camera Review
This is my favorite K-mount manual focus body followed a close second by the ME F (or Super) and SuperProgram (a very different beast). I have a black body paired with a M 50mm f1.4 and a chrome one paired with a M 50mm f1.7 as normal lenses supported by a plethora of other Pentax and 3rd part lenses from the era. Some people freak over the ISA dial around the lens mount. I guess seeing this arrangement for the shutter speed and ASA on the Mamiya NC 1000 and one of the early Nikon Bodies, it didn't surprise me like it does some people. It is o.k once you get the hang of it. Kind of like loading film. I'm not going to give it a 9 because of the ASA dial because the other K's don't have this shutter (except the DMD version of this one).
Note: The price is the average for both bodies.
 | | | | | Administrator Registered: September, 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 4,409
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 25, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Solidly built, big mirror suitable for use with long tele lenses. Auto and manual exposure. | | Cons: | Setting EV compensation and ISO is difficult | |
If I want an easy-to-use, manual focus work horse camera I may still grab my K2. The only feature I miss is exposure lock (which was luckily later added on the K2 DMD) so I tend to use manual exposure mode so that I avoid fiddling with the cumbersome exposure compensation.
On the plus side counts the generously sized mirror which means that there is no darkening of the top part of the viewfinder with super telephoto lenses.
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