| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2008 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,350 | | Review Date: May 29, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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The P3n/P30n was the defining body in the P-series cameras with a total production time of 1996-1997. I'd suggest all review material be consolidated in that thread rather than having it repeated here.
The only functional differences in the P-t's was the diagonal split image finder and a plastic film door.
The P-bodies served Pentax well for nearly a decade as a consumer-level, non-auto focus SLR with full access to all the lenses and accessories of the brand.
I've owned five different P-bodies and never had any trouble with any of them.
H2
( See next: At one time I used to know how to use tape to modify the DNX code on the film roll.)
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2009 Posts: 488 | | Review Date: May 31, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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Very good, prefect for learning with, as I did.
Apeture priority, and fully manuel controls.
There are only 2 flaws with it;
It's not very nice on the eyes.
You can't choose what iso you shoot the film at, DNX coding automatically sets film speed. So no pushing/pulling film.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: March, 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Posts: 9,363
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 10, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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A nice camera that handles better than the ME Super, IMHO. The diagonal split screen takes a little time getting used to, but is much more useful than a horizontal split screen in the long run. You can't push ISO with this camera, and there are some advanced features missing, but I think it was perfect for its intended audience. the plastic body still feels very sturdy, and lighter than some metal bodies.
A nice camera that doesn't always get the recognition it deserves.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Posts: 1,854 | | Review Date: December 8, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | lightweight, diagonal focusing screen | | Cons: | no copensation or manual ISO setting | |
Interesting camera, feels nice in the hand and the light meter is good.
New lenses (DA) can be used in A mode.
The release cord cable can be used, that is brilliant!
And no light seals!
I wish I could trick the film EI and or apply exposure compensation.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 6, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great handling, light weight, excellent controls. | | Cons: | Can't adjust film speed | |
This camera is a pleasure to use. Like the even smaller MX, it can fairly be described as a "poor man's Leica". Lightweight, quick to use, fairly quiet for an SLR, and unobtrusively gray in color, it's a good street camera. Sure, it's plastic, but it's a very high grade of plastic. The only annoyance is the inability to set the film speed manually; the camera reads the DX code on the film canister and automatically sets the "correct" speed. But it's very easy to switch from auto to manual and adjust exposure that way.
A great camera for someone wanting to get into this new medium, "film".
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Malang (East-Java) Posts: 4 | | Review Date: July 3, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Include Program Mode | | Cons: | Plastic body,DX code build in | |
Just setting camera for A (Auto) and setting lens for A (Auto) too....(only if you attach A-series lens),then camera use with simple....camera support Av mode and Manual mode too....
I use this camera with SMC A - 50mm f/2
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2011 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Posts: 3,458
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | light weight , can use all my lenses on it | | Cons: | | |
I have had this camera for about 9 months now . I enjoy it so much that I shoot almost as much with it as I do my DSLR. The batteries last a long time. In fact I am still on the set that came with the camera. It takes the same batteries as my K1000 so another plus
I like the fact that it can handle all my lenses from m to DAL
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2010 Posts: 30
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 19, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Light body, comfortable grip, the way it looks!, superb viewfinder | | Cons: | Automatic DNX coding | |
Great little camera for walking around. With a fixed prime or even a small 35-80 or so, it has the perfect size and weight for carrying around all day long. It's like having a K1000 that weights half as much, but don't let the plastic mislead you, build quality is great.
Battery life is amazing, you can just keep shooting almost forever without using a spare.
The exposure meter is great, but it takes a little time to get used to. Instead of showing you that you are (say) two steps down like any other camera does, it shows you the "correct" speed you should use.
DNX coding is automatic, so if you want to push or pull film you should always remember which film you're using and adjust the meter manually, instead of just trust the camera.
Despite those (very minor) flaws, the P30t is a really great camera.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: Ames, Iowa Posts: 774
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | good viewfinder, thoughtful control layout | | Cons: | several, but they don't seem to matter | |
A much-used camera, up there with the MX and KM among my practical favorites. It does everything right for the great majority of shooting situations, feels natural in the hand, is neither too bulky nor too light, draws no attention to itself, gets out of the way and lets you do your thing.
Yes, it lacks manual ISO control and exposure compensation. Although the ML lock is supposed to take the place of the compensation dial, its function times out too quickly for me, so I prefer to go to manual control in odd-light situations. The two speed indicators (one solid, one flashing) then act almost like a match-needle arrangement, fairly easy to get the knack of if you've shot a K1000 or similar.
Another odd limitation is the shutter speed range, 1 second to 1/1000 second except in bulb mode. Most of us won't much miss the 1/2000 second setting on the high end, but I was quite surprised to learn that the 1 second low end does not get extended in auto mode. If there's too little light for your aperture, the P30t won't keep the shutter open for 10-15 seconds as ME Super, Program Plus, LX, in fact most other auto-exposing Pentaxes will. Instead it will stop at 1 second and possibly underexpose. But rather tellingly, I used it for a long time before finding this out, and that was only experimentally; it never ruined a shot for me on that basis. Ultimately, if I'm going to push film, or do long automatic exposures from a tripod, I'll use something else, but I don't often have either of those needs.
The P series cameras (except P5/P50) tend to be in low demand, because they don't have the classic 70's SLR "look" and so lack nostalgia appeal. This translates to affordability.
Despite shortcomings, this is a camera with high build quality and pretty good gestalt; it's an easy choice for carrying to events and while traveling.
All of the above observations apply to the P30n as well. Between the two, I prefer the P30t slightly because of its diagonal focus aid.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836 | | Review Date: February 7, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, Program/Av modes, DOF preview, cable release socket | | Cons: | Only works with DX coded film | |
I bought this camera with a fairly decent 28-80 from a local camera shop. The camera works great, it's lightweight, and is reliable. It's mostly plastic, so well-used models will show a lot more finish wear than a comparable metal body like the K1000.
I love having a DOF preview, and this camera has a KA mount so it will work with most of the DA lenses (as long as they cover 35mm), as well as the DFA 100mm WR Macro. You'll only get Program mode with lenses without aperture rings, though.
The DOF Preview is actuated by a plastic lever. Mine broke off but was easily glued back.
My biggest beef with this camera is I can't set the ISO of film manually. It reads DX codes, and if the DX code is missing or isn't successfully read it will default to ISO 100. I bulk roll film, and none of my cartridges are DX coded. It's possible to make your own DX codes, so this problem is easily overcome (indeed by using metered manual mode in the camera and ensuring you're 2 stops underexposed, for example with 400 speed, or making your own DX code). But I don't see why it wasn't included. This also means you can't shoot Tri-X rated at 1600 (as many people do), unless you create a custom DX code or ensure your meter reading and actual exposure are 2 stops off.
Overall, the camera is very nice. I love its lightweight, design, grip, and cable release socket. That's a great addition.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2012 Posts: 18
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Handling, reliability, depth of field preview, absurdly cheap second hand. | | Cons: | No exposure compensation. | |
I've owned 4 P30t bodies (and one P30n). One had to go years ago in part exchange for an upgade to autfocus, and three got stolen from my house last year. They're great cameras, a joy to use, and I had to buy another P30t as soon as I could. They are absurdly cheap for what they are.
Aside from one broken depth of field preview lever, I've never had any reliability or build problems with them.
They do lack exposure compensation, but as full manual exposure is so easy to use, that's a limited drawback. They are also excellent cameras to learn on.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 27
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 7, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $29.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Size, weight, easy viewfinder, ergonomics | | Cons: | No exposure comp, not much else | |
A very underrated camera, in any of the P30 versions. I originally had a P30, which I sold about 7 or 8 years ago.
I managed to come across the P30T for under $30, in new condition, and can't remember why I sold the first one!
The size is great, being somewhere between the older K bodies, and the M/A bodies in size. The 30T especially is a delight to hold, with soft rubberised coverings and rounded corners on the top plate, grip, and bottom. And yes, it's plastic, but the camera feels solid and well-weighted, and I can't fault the fit and finish. There is nothing whatsoever that suggests you are holding anything other than a quality camera.
It is a great, uncomplicated film body with it's Manual/Av/Program abilities. Any 'A' lens will give you virtually point & shoot convenience, otherwise it is very easy to use in either manual or Av. It has been mentioned before, but the viewfinder info IS very much like a match-needle affair, you just move the shutter speed dial until the blinking speed stops blinking... Simple, elegant, and intuitive.
I don't feel the 1/1000th top shutter speed is a detraction really, it's the same as a K1000, you just shoot the film that allows you to use the cameras specifications to their maximum. With exposure-lock, good old cable release socket, self-timer, and DOF, it is just a joy to hold and use.
Get yourself a P30, in any version, before EVERYBODY discovers what a wonderful little body it is. Think of it as your ME Super's younger second cousin.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2009 Location: Kyoto Posts: 72
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 29, 2012 | Not Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | solid, reliable | | Cons: | limited feature set | |
I notice this camera is highly rated. That puts me in a minority position, but so be it.
I love how this camera looks, low-slung, receded dials, and gunmetal grey/black two-tone finish. The style ages quite well I think, far better than most cameras of its era.
It's plastic, but feels robust and has a good hold. Film advance is manual, so it just needs batteries for the electronics, a pair of cheap SR-44s or similar.
I have several gripes, however.
1. Unlike older models, there is no indicator to tell if you remembered to advance the film or not. Trust me that's more annoying than it sounds.
2. No EV adjustment. Program auto is press-and-pray. If you think you need to dial in compensation, you have to take both shutter speed and aperture dials out of "A" setting, and set both, manually.
3. The aperture setting is not displayed in the viewfinder, neither by periscope nor digital readout. This means you have no idea what aperture the camera is using when operated in P mode. That, in my book, is a level 10 oversight.
4. It looks like the camera should support shutter priority operation, you can configure the camera in the expected way, with the aperture to "A" and changing the shutter speed dial manually, but it doesn't work.
Okay, I could forgive some of these, but 2.+ 3. destroy any credibility this camera might have had for being a serious tool. For kicking around on a Sunday afternoon it's fine though I guess...
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2011 Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Stop down metering, easy to use, easy to source, cheap, reliable, light, PKA, lit viewfinder display | | Cons: | DX coding only (Box speed only), Top shutter speed could be faster | |
After lugging around a K1000 for a couple of years, this camera is delightfully light, but still retains enough weight for usability. Grip is pleasing, and the size is just so. It's fantastic ergonomically.
This is obviously a camera for beginners who want to get out and shoot. DX coding and full auto aperture and exposure make it a no brainer for everyday use, effectively turning it into a manual focus P&S camera. Stick a roll of 400 in it and you're ready to go.
It isn't perfect though. Top speed of 1/1000 isn't adequate for a camera of the 1990's, to be able to see aperture in the display would be nice, and auto DX coding will become a drag if you want to rate your film speed manually...
Eventually traded up for an MZ-6 body, which is definitely a better camera, but still hanker for one of these bad boys every now and then. They're fun, and ideal starter cameras for anyone looking to get into film photography.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 6,381
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 22, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small size, ergonomics, P, M and Av modes | | Cons: | No EV, no manual ISO setting, embarrassing failure mode | |
Despite the let-downs described in the "con" section, this camera should be regarded as Pentax's last good manual-focus SLR, and probably the best available to the mass market. It should have been the last, full-stop.
What it loses from the original P3/30 in the plastic body, it gains in far better ergonomics (especially when larger lenses are fitted) and in its aperture priority mode with pre- or non-A K mount lenses. At the same time it's a fully-manual camera for those who want it, and it does have exposure lock if you need to use the camera as a reflected-light spot meter for tricky shots. The depth of field preview is nice to have, as is the diagonal split screen, and the old familiar "match the blinking shutter speed" display is there, together with shutter speed info in P mode in case you're wary of camera shake and want to tripod-mount it or bring out a flash.
Mine arrived used and without a strap, so I bought a cross-body strap that screwed into the tripod mount, and it was astounding how out-of-the-way it then was with a compact prime lens. The light weight really helped here, and the rubberised plastic exterior is probably better for absorbing mild bumps in this context than a metal chassis would be. A great walk-around rig.
Compared to the Pentax ME, which is full-time aperture priority with exposure compensation and manual ISO setting, the manual mode is sometimes a boon, while the program mode is the default if an optically appropriate DA lens is mounted and at least allows these lenses to be used if nothing else is available. This is something the otherwise flexible ME can't do, and in size terms the P30T isn't really that much bigger. In addition, the loading system for this camera is ridiculously simple to the point of being foolproof, and it makes for an easier introduction to film than most of its predecessors, which require you to insert the film leader through the winding spindle.
The automatic DX coding with no override is a pain to some, but IMO wouldn't have been a disadvantage to the consumer or prosumer market at which it appears to have been aimed. It suffers from comparison with the other Pentax film bodies released at the same time, all of which were AF, motor driven, and with far more electronic sophistication.
The worst thing about this camera is a particularly nasty failure mode in which the film-advance lever shears off its spindle, making it impossible to wind on the film any further. If you're shooting and winding-on quickly, it's possible to get overenthusiastic - and if the end-of-the-roll "pause point" of the film advance is in the second half of the stroke where the thumb has maximum mechanical advantage, and the internal spindle is brought to rest by the film "end" while the advance lever is being driven over hard, that's where the shearing is going to happen. I think this is how I broke mine. (EDIT: after repair, this was found NOT to be the case. Although this failure mode has been described, there was in my case a skipping of the gears of some sort which was easily correctable.)
Plastic as the exterior chassis may be, it actually comes across as fairly rugged, and the light weight and rubberised finish mean that any casual knocks and bumps that don't actually break the camera open get absorbed pretty well. But this is the P30T's one weak link, and this is one part that really should have been built the old-fashioned way. As it is, I recommend slow and cautious winding as the end of the roll is neared with pausing and film-rewind at even the slightest resistance - this should at least delay the inevitable, if not put it off indefinitely.
There are only two things that would have made this camera perfect. The first is a no-batteries default to the flash sync speed (1/100 s, which is manually selectable on the shutter speed dial). The second is for a shutter priority capability, with program mode being selected only when both lens and shutter speed dial were set to A, and the displayed shutter speed to blink if something outside the bounds of the lens's aperture range were selected. This would have given at least some ability to guess which aperture the camera was working at in Tv mode, even if it were not displayed directly in the viewfinder. Nevertheless, it is what it is, and it's not at all bad.
In the day it was created I don't think there was any Pentax lens that didn't have an aperture ring, and APS-C wasn't even thought of. That this camera can still at least function with all of them, even the ones that leave ugly black circles around the image, should be recognised and commended. I thoroughly recommend this camera to anyone wanting to dabble with film, as well as to film enthusiasts who want to give an older child their first film camera. Despite the unpleasant malfunction mine suffered, and the cons which more demanding photographers have previously identified, I have given it a ten because of its all-round flexibility, compactness and ease of loading and general use.
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