Pioneer's Reviews - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

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Review of: Pentax *ist DL2 by Pioneer on Fri November 24, 2023 | Rating: 9

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Reviews: 6

I picked up this camera back in 2010 as my first digital camera. I thought the price was right and the size was definitely right. I had been looking for something that I could use to take family photos and I did not want to carry around a monster camera (sorry Nikon fans). When I did my research and looked at the photographs I was very impressed with the tonal and color output of these Pentax cameras. This little Pentax has been terrific and it still takes great photos. Out of curiosity I did a check of the number of shutter actuations the other day. I was absolutely blown away when I realized that I had used this camera to take the equivalent of over 200 36 exposure rolls of film. I had no idea that I had used this little camera that much in the last 13 years. And you would never guess it by looking at the appearance. It still looks brand new. Though I use this camera quite a bit I can no longer say that it is my primary digital camera, though it was for a number of years. Since I bought this camera I have obviously bought and owned a number of other digital cameras, and several with far more features then this one has. Right now along with this DL2 and a DS, I own and frequently use a K5iiS and a Q7, both of which are terrific Pentax cameras in their own right. But this DL2 still gets used a lot, in large part because it is so easy to work with. It fits my hand almost perfectly, slap just about any Pentax lens on it and you can go out and get pretty decent pictures anytime you want. Right now my little SMC Pentax-F 35-70 zoom lens pretty much has a permanent place of honor on this camera's versatile K-Mount lens mount. Obviously, if you check the lens reviews on this forum you will find that this little zoom, though not horrible, is not considered the top of the line in anyone's book. But on this camera, with this little 6 megapixel CCD sensor, that pedestrian little zoom turns in one great photographic performance after another. Along with good pictures the combo is very handy and easy to use. Obviously this camera was never intended to be a professional tool, so it does have a few little issues that crop up from time to time that can create headaches. The one that has been the biggest problem for me has to be the viewfinder. I am personally very fond of nice, clear, bright viewfinders such as the one found on my Pentax LX. Sorry, this poor thing just does not qualify in the same league as the LX. Instead of the nice pentaprism viewfinder found on the D or DS, Pentax cut a few corners and put what they call a pentamirror viewfinder on it instead. The best thing we can say about this viewfinder is that it works...just barely. There have been a number of times in low light situations where I have been less than happy about what I could, or couldn't see, in that pentamirror viewfinder. It is a good thing it has autofocus because this is not the viewfinder you want with a manual focus lens, especially in the evening. Speaking of autofocus, this is another feature that is not stellar. It is accurate, that much I will say, but it is not fast. Once the little green light in the viewfinder indicates focus has been reached you can almost always be sure that the lens is properly focused. But I have always stuck religiously with the center focus spot and reframed if necessary. At least that way I knew what was in focus without having to judge through what I could see in the viewfinder. Another problem I dealt with from time to time was the flash control. This camera does not have TTL flash support. Being an old, dyed in the wool, film photographer I have a relatively large selection of very capable TTL electronic flashes. None of them really work as designed with this camera. Pentax does have a nice flash, the AF 360FGZ, that is purported to work very well with this camera. Unfortunately I don't own that flash and never found one at a price I was willing to pay. I usually manage to work around this because I am able to use my various flash units on manual settings but it would have been nice to be able to put my AF 280T on Auto and go fire away without any performance concerns. However, I ended up buying a very nice *ist DS at an unbelievable price that does allow me to work with TTL flash while still enjoying the wonderful output of that terrific little CCD sensor, so everything is working out ok for me. I use the DS when I need flash and the DL2 when I don't. If I do get caught in a situation where flash is needed it does have a semi-useful built-in flash on board. The final problem is very recent and has actually become more of an issue lately. It would seem that the batteries being produced now days do not work as well as batteries used to work. I run into fairly regular situations where the camera shows brand new batteries as being dead and it sometimes takes several attempts to get them to work as they should. And then they seem to go dead much faster then it seemed they did in the past. However those are really all very small problems and I find myself turning to this camera and my almost identical ist DS much more often then I thought I would. One of the biggest reasons for this is the awesome output of these little 6.1mp sensors. So many people seemed to run to the larger sensors as soon as they became available that I am not real sure they spent much time working with this marvelous sensor. I am aware that most people won't believe me when I say this but I get really great 8x10 prints all the time, and I can even get very good 11x14 prints from the output of these sensors. And the tones and colors are still absolutely wonderful even up to 11x14. It is so rare that I need a print larger than 11x14, or need the additional detail that more megapixels provide, that I find myself reaching for my little DL2 at least as often as my K5iiS, even though that newer camera is definitely worlds ahead of these little 6 mp cameras. Of course there are a lot of you who already know all this, and for the rest, enjoy Pentax's larger offspring of these little cameras. They are great camera in their own right and it would be a real shame if everyone realized the bigger cameras were major overkill most of the time. I mean really folks, how many times have you taken a file from that wonderful 24 mp sensor and set your 8x10 print to 300 pixels per inch and threw half of that sensor's output right out the window? Not too mention the amount of memory space your files are hogging up on your computer? I'm kidding, I'm kidding! At least I think I'm kidding. But I do smile a little inside once in awhile.

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Review of: Pentax S1a (H1a) by Pioneer on Mon June 22, 2015 | Rating: 10

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For what Asahi Pentax intended, this camera fulfills its role perfectly. With the 55/1.8 lens this camera is not noticeably larger or heavier than my Leica M3 with the Summicron 50/2. Actual weights with lens included and film loaded is 2 pounds 12.75 ounces for the H1a and 2 pounds 14.5 ounces for the Leica M3. This camera is very easy and very comfortable to use. Ergonomically and stylistically Pentax certainly got it right with this camera and the SV. From loading film, to advancing film, adjusting shutter speed and aperture through to focusing and pressing the shutter; everything is very intuitive. Though this is one of Asahi's earlier camera designs it is the obvious predecessor of all the ensuing Pentax cameras through the MX. In fact, a close look at today's Pentax DSLRs reveals many of these same design cues. Image quality is a very important part of a camera and it is in this category where the Pentax H1a brings home the bacon. The Takumar lenses are very high quality. In fact I really feel they are easily the equivalent to many of Leica's lens designs from this same period in history. You are definitely not under-gunned in the lens category. Remember, the m42 lens mount was really a Universal mount in its time and was used by many camera manufacturers and even more lens manufacturers. So if you just cannot make the Takumar work for you, or there is a gap in the Takumar line-up, there is almost certainly a high quality lens out there for you that can be found in the m42 lens mount. When you are working with cameras that are 50 years or more old, reliability can be a concern. While no Pentax camera is built to the tank-like level of the industrial designed Nikon F, I feel that the Pentax SV and H1a are extremely reliable. While they may be marginally less tough than the Spotmatic (I kind of question this) they are smoother to work and nicer to hold in my opinion. I really don't think there are any clear repair records available but I have found my H1a to be very reliable in day to day use. I do own a couple Pentax SVs that are a tad touchy when the temperature drops below 20 degrees F, my H1a has never had a problem in freezing weather. Nothing is ever perfect, though this camera is pretty close. For one, the H1a has no self timer so you can't set the camera on a tripod, set the timer and put yourself in the picture. Though it is obviously not a deal breaker it is still handy. The SV does have this feature and it can be quite handy. Next, the viewfinder in this camera is a bit darker than other Pentax cameras of this same period. If you look through this viewfinder then change quickly to the SV you will definitely see a difference. Obviously, if you use a lens with a wider aperture it won't be quite as obvious an issue. The only time I find it limiting is when I am using the 200mm f/4 in lower light. If you want to use this camera indoors a lot then I think f/2.8 is the limit you should consider. Finally, though it is listed by others, the last disadvantage really is not a disadvantage at all. Though the shutter dial does not have a marked setting for 1/1000 (the dial stops at 1/500) there is a 1/1000 speed following the 1/500 setting. As time goes on I find myself using and enjoying this camera more and more often. Now all I need is to find one of the old Honeywell Pentax clip on meters that work.

Review of: Pentax K10D by Pioneer on Sun March 23, 2014 | Rating: 9

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I picked this camera up a while back for the CCD image sensor. I have used the *ist DS and the *ist DL2 for years (still do) and I love the color rendition of their sensors. But there are times when I want a bit more resolution. Short of going out and buying a 645D, this was about the best I could do with Pentax. I have not been disappointed. I have been told that their should be no quality difference between the CMOS and CCD sensors, but my eyes see it differently. Maybe it was the algorithms that Pentax used but, whatever it is, it is certainly real. The image quality from this camera using RAW, and converting using the latest tools from Adobe, are magnificent. So far I have been using it primarily for macro work but I can easily see me expanding my use. If you own and use Pentax digital SLR cameras this one will be easy to use. Controls are similarly placed and menu layout is almost identical. In essence, there really are no surprises. The camera can be used in RAW+jpeg if you like. It uses the DNG RAW format so the files are easily opened in most digital imaging programs. All lenses can be used, even those which use SDM or DC focusing motors in the lens. I use the new Pentax DA 18-135 zoom as my kit lens and it focuses it quickly, quietly and accurately. My typical workflow with a digital SLR is different than my workflow with a film camera. With film I work almost exclusively in manual exposure modes, but with digital I usually use Program Mode with spot metering and exposure lock. Then I make my adjustments using the Exposure Compensation controls. With this camera the Exposure Lock button is very easy to locate and activate. Likewise, the Exposure Compensation button is equally simple to locate and press with my thumb while I manipulate the front control wheel. With an Exposure Compensation of plus or minus 3 stops this is a quick and easy way to adjust for lighting differences. If I need more than that I move to Manual Mode, which is also quick and easy to do. Ergonomically the camera is easy to handle. My only real complaint in this area is the increased weight and size. For most people this probably doesn't mean a lot but I use the *ist series of Pentax digital cameras a lot, and I love their small size and minimal weight. First, I find it easier to reach certain controls on the *ist series cameras because the cameras are smaller to start with. Additionally the grip size and configuration is a bit different and I am just now coming to grips (pun alert) with that change. The weight is even a bigger change for me. I am no longer young and when I am hiking in the mountains taking macro shots of wild flowers the weight of my equipment is more important than it used to be. But, considering the quality of the image, and the increase in resolution, I will learn to work with the weight and size. Another possible downside to this camera for some is the noise whenever you increase the ISO sensitivity above 400. This is actually less of an issue for me since I almost always use either a small tripod or a monopod. With these accessories I can shoot at the native ISO sensitivity even though my shutter speeds may be too long to handhold the camera. But, even with film, I rarely ever go over ISO 400. If I need more light I am not afraid of firing up some flash. Obviously there are places where flash is not welcome but if that is going to be a problem I usually bring a different camera. Finally, I have read a few reviews here where people are concerned with the speed of the camera's autofocus. In comparison to other Pentax cameras from this era I really don't personally see what the problem is. No, the K10D is not as quick as a Pro level Nikon or Canon camera, but it isn't one of those cameras. I will say this, the K10D autofocus is very accurate so I rarely need to fine tune the focus. Low light is where the biggest problem occurs. In this situation I usually use manual focus. I have installed a Katzeye focus screen and I use manual and autofocus lenses interchangeably with relative ease. I have shot film using manual focus cameras for years so switching back and forth between auto and manual focus doesn't really bother me. To be completely honest, I usually use film cameras, and there are actually very few digital cameras that excite me that much. I have used some nice digital equipment over the past few years and still own several of them. This is the first digital camera I have picked up that has excited me in quite awhile. The image quality of this sensor is exceptional and produces some stunning prints, at some very nice enlargement levels. It reminds me a lot of film and it takes very little post processing for me to get decent output. I find it interesting that I can use a camera that many consider to be obsolete to produce digital prints that can easily compete head to head with some of the finest cameras out there. Don't misunderstand, this is no Nikon D800, nor is it a Sony A7R. But if you print at or below 16x20 you will find it very, very difficult to tell if you used one of those multi-thousand dollar cameras, or this nice little Pentax that cost less than $200. Attach a nice Pentax Limited prime, DA or FA, and you may just surprise yourself with the quality of your images. And that my friends is the real story here. Stunning digital images at a terrific value. That is the entire reason that I have rated this 2006 digital camera as a 10, even though it is now 2014.

Review of: Pentax 645NII by Pioneer on Fri May 3, 2013 | Rating: 10

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This is my all-time favorite camera. I have shot hundreds of rolls of film in this camera and it has never once let me down. The lens selection is awesome and the lens quality is amazing. Ergonomically it is a dream to use. Even though it is a large camera, once you start shooting you really forget about it. It is simple to use it in Program Mode, just put all the dials on Green. If you want to use Aperture Priority, just set the aperture wherever you want. If you want Shutter Priority then set the Shutter wherever you want. If you want Manual Mode, set both the shutter and the aperture to whatever you want. The meter is amazing. I can shoot in Matrix Metering and be very confident that I am getting good shots. But then, if I am really into highlighting something, I can use the spotmeter to get exactly the reading I want in a specific part of the image. The viewfinder is great. It is huge! And I particularly like the fact that you are seeing in landscape mode when you put it to your eyes. If you want portrait, flip it just like you would any SLR. And there are even two tripod sockets so you can flip the camera to the tripod orientation that you want. I have two quick release plates attached to mine so I can quickly change orientation of portrait to landscape and back again. I am not a pro, but I use this camera for everything. I even shoot grandkid sports with it and get amazing results. I am learning new things everyday, but this camera makes the process fun. The 645N is the same camera without the mirror lock up so it should be just as much fun. If you are interested in shooting medium format, this particular camera makes this entire process very easy, especially if you are experienced with 35mm. The only thing that will take a little practice is loading the film.

Review of: Pentax Q by Pioneer on Wed January 30, 2013 | Rating: 10

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I sold my K7 last year to buy this kit and I have not regretted it once since then. This is the ultimate portable, interchangeable lens, camera and I literally carry it everywhere with me. I rarely print images larger than 11x14 and the image output from this camera is perfect to that size. It may have a small sensor but this camera has big ambitions. I have only two complaints, one which I can work around, and the other I hope will change with time. First, I would like to have a coupled, electronic viewfinder. I use different viewfinders in the accessory/hot shoe, and they are certainly useable, but being able to see what the camera is doing through a coupled finder would certainly be helpful. Second, though I love being able to use lenses from other systems through the use of adaptors, I would like to see more prime lens options in the native Q-Mount. I have both zooms but rarely use them as I am not much on zoom lenses. I have the 8.5mm prime the camera came with, and a 25/1.1 portrait telephoto from MS Optical, both dynamite lenses, but I would like to see more options. Hopefully this will get better with time. However, all that aside, I am absolutely thrilled with the Q. I have not once been even mildly tempted to go back to those monstrous dSLRs since I received this beautiful little camera. :D

Review of: Pentax LX by Pioneer on Sat May 5, 2012 | Rating: 10

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Reading through the other reviews posted here it is quite obvious that there is not much I can say about this wonderful little camera that has not already been said more than once. So I will discuss the things I personally love about this camera. My LX sports a bleeding edge, full frame, interchangeable sensor. ISO sensitivity all the way to 3200. 20+ megapixel resolution. Solid, compact, all-metal body. Supports every lens Pentax has manufactured since 1977, and several more that were manufactured before that using an adaptor. Reliable and accurate, off the sensor, center weighted metering, that is accurate within a range of -6.5 EV to +20 EV. The most crystal clear, penta prism, viewfinder I have ever used with 98% coverage and split prism focus assistance. Interchangeable viewfinders and screens. Battery life that is literally measured in years, not number of shots. Dedicated synch port for studio lighting. This magnificent photographic instrument is no longer manufactured but if you have it cleaned, lubed and adjusted, then treat it right, it will most likely outlive you. It was in production for 19 years and still has features that no other camera ever manufactured has ever replicated. It is the smallest pro camera system ever produced and it is still capable of producing professional results. I still cannot get over this viewfinder. It is the most beautifully clear viewfinder I have ever used. I love it.

Review of: Pentax MZ-60 / ZX-60 by Pioneer on Sat May 8, 2010 | Rating: 0

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[table] Pros | Light, Mirror Lockup, Fast Focus Cons | Plastic Lens Mount, No DOF Preview, mirror motor failures Rating | 8 Price | 99.00 Years Owned | 1 [/table] I can recommend this camera: Yes Value, Features, Performance & Size Strengths - • Uses the wonderful Pentax autofocus prime lenses • Very light • Mirror Lock Up • Inexpensive • Timer • Exposure memory lock • Fast Autofocus • Manual Meter settings Weaknesses - • You cannot use any of the great manual focus lenses that Pentax has made over the years. • No depth of field preview • Built of Plastic (which is why it is so light) • Slow shutter speeds • Slow frame advance speed • Plastic lens mount • Mirror motor is prone to failure (plastic gear) Camera Review Even though I agree that this is a plastic camera, that isn't necessarily all bad. Having used this camera quite a bit over the past 4 months I feel I need to present an alternative view. But, before I go any further, I need to be perfectly clear. My review here is based on some very, very specific uses for this camera. It is pretty obvious that this little camera is certainly not for everyone, and would probably even offend some purists. But, within its niche, this is quite a decent little camera. In my opinion this camera has three distinct niches. As a backup camera, as a hiking camera and as a starter camera for someone who is looking for an inexpensive starter kit. With that in mind, lets get started with an alternative viewpoint. Although it is certainly nowhere near the highest quality camera that Pentax ever produced this Pentax ZX-60 may be one of the finest backup 35mm cameras ever built. A back up camera is a camera you carry with you in case your primary camera breaks down. It needs to be able to use the same lenses, and take the same types of photographs as your primary camera. But it also needs to be light enough that it is very unobtrusive. For me this ZX-60 fulfills those needs perfectly. That is the main reason I own this camera. It is the camera I carry to backup my MZ-S. That may sound hard to believe but this little camera performs that duty perfectly. But it is actually more then just a backup. It stands on its own in certain situations. When you are headed for the back country for several days, with everything you will need on your back, every ounce counts. If you pair this camera up with a light tripod, you may just have the finest hiking camera that Pentax has made. Sporting the Pentax F 50mm lens, loaded with film and batteries, and with the Pentax strap, this camera weighs 23 ounces, slightly less then one and a half pounds. This camera is light. The digital Olympus E410 is touted as a great hiking camera and it weighs 3 1/2 ounces more than this camera setup before you add a battery or a lens. Two weeks ago I took an early spring trip into the back country carrying this camera, a light duty Slik U9000 tripod and the F 50mm and FA 77mm lens. The camera worked perfectly and, although the film hasn't been developed yet, I sincerely doubt that you will be able to tell that the pictures were taken on a plastic, inexpensive Pentax. For someone who really wants to be able to take the quality photographs, with the shutter response times that only a single lens reflex camera can provide, but can hardly afford the cheapest digital point and shoot, this camera provides an excellent alternative. The ZX-60 is currently available on the used market for about $40, and a decent 28-105mm Pentax autofocus zoom can be had for less then $60, so an entire package can be had for less then $100.00, even with shipping. Lest anyone take offense remember, a picture taken through that Pentax 28-105mm lens will look just as good whether it was taken on this camera or on the newest Pentax K7, maybe even better. And by spending a few more dollars on a little Pentax F 50mm f/1.7 autofocus prime, will provide a beginner with an excellent starter kit for very, very little cash. Now when you begin to compare specs, on paper this little camera hardly seems worth considering. But this is one of only two autofocus 35mm cameras built by Pentax equipped with mirror lock up. The other is the flagship Pentax MZ-S, which can go for well over $600 (or more) even in today's digital world. If you like to take landscape pictures with your 35mm, you want and need mirror lock up. Obviously, there are several, very nice, Pentax manual camera choices which feature mirror lockup. But if you have trouble using manual focus lenses and want to stay with autofocus cameras, this is your only choice as a back up to the MZ-S, besides another MZ-S. Actually, if the MZ-S is out of your price range, it will be your only choice. Obviously the MZ-S comes with far more bells and whistles, some of them that are very, very handy, but this camera has the necessary features to take some very high quality pictures in its own right. If you do your part you certainly won't be disappointed by the results. For me the autofocus on this little camera has been a wonderful surprise. It is amazingly fast. In fact, although I haven't timed it, I think it may even be faster than any of the other Pentax 35mm cameras I've used, even the MZ-S, and certainly faster then the digitals I've used. I shoot Nikon cameras as well, and they certainly have very fast and accurate autofocus. This is the only Pentax I've ever used where I felt like the autofocus could keep up with my F100. Of course, very low light causes problems as it seems to do with most Pentax cameras I've owned. Although there are several exposure options available, you are not stuck with the pre-programmed settings with this camera. Aperture priority, shutter priority and manual metered settings are all available and reasonably easy to use as well. The controls are very simple and most everything is done through menus. You can even "push" or "pull" your film by changing the ISO settings if you want. Finally, although you cannot use manual focus lenses (see below) you can manually focus your autofocus lenses if you need. The ZX-60 has exposure memory lock and auto bracketing as well. As you can see, it is quite a well featured little camera. But, as with everything, there are compromises and there are several that we should discuss. First, this camera is built entirely of polycarbonate plastic, even the lens mount. Back when this camera was built that was most definitely a demerit, and in the minds of many it still is today, but I actually have a problem with this attitude. I love the well designed metal cameras from the past as much as anyone but we use plastic in almost everything we use today, with excellent results. Even though the use of plastics may not be as "aesthetically pleasing" as the construction of the older Pentax cameras, it is still very practical. Even the lens mount on the ZX-60 is plastic, and from what I read in online reviews and on almost all the forums, this is the ultimate sin. But again, I'm not sure that anyone has any real evidence that plastic lens mounts are any better or worse then metal ones. Maybe in 50 or more years this may prove to be a problem, but that is not even certain. It may turn out to be better if only because they do not corrode or dent. I do know that under normal use I doubt anyone would even notice if they weren't told. Having used this camera for the past month I can't say that I notice any difference. When I mount or dismount a lens it sounds and feels the same on this camera as it does with one using a metal mount. The next compromise is certainly a bigger issue in my mind then the plastic construction. This camera has what is know as a "crippled lens mount". It can only use Pentax autofocus lenses. If you try to install the SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.4, the SMC Pentax M 50mm f/1.4, or even the SMC Pentax A 50mm f/1.4, or any of the hundreds of other Pentax K, M or A lenses, this camera won't even turn on. So there are lots and lots of great Pentax and 3rd party lenses that can never be used on this camera. For me, since my eyes are not good enough for me to do a good job with manual focus lenses, this was not really a big issue. Besides, there are some really great autofocus Pentax lenses. But for others this may be a deal breaker. Another compromise is that there is no depth of field preview on this camera. For me this is a bigger problem then not being able to use autofocus lenses, but I have found that I can do without it. Where I have the biggest problem is when I'm shooting a macro lens. But I still seem to get the pictures I want, and when I don't it wasn't the lack of depth of field preview that caused the problem. Now for the next issue. If you need blazing speed, go somewhere else. The ZX-60 will not satisfy a sports fanatic. It does lock focus really quick, but the speed ends there. The frame advance speed is a measly 1 frame per second. My K200D does better then that. And the shutter speeds stop at 1/2000s. In other words, don't load ISO 1600 film, go outside in bright sunlight, and expect to shoot wide open af f/2 or more, it just ain't gonna happen! But, I used my ZX-50 for years and didn't notice any problems, and the shutter speeds on that camera are identical. Another compromise which could cause problems is the flash. This camera does have built in flash, although the strength is not all it could be. It is also capable of making use of some pretty powerful Pentax flash units. Although P-TTL is not available, TTL is with the right dedicated flash unit. This is all very nice but the compromise rears its head with the flash synch shutter speed. The fastest shutter speed that the ZX-60 can synch at is 1/100s. This doesn't really become a problem until you need to use fill flash in the daylight. Then this slow synch speed can cause all kinds of difficulty. Needless to say, if you use fill flash a lot, this may not be the right camera for you. The final compromise is something you can't see or feel and may be the biggest problem of all. In Pentax's attempt to cut costs, the plastic construction continued inside the camera, and it isn't as benign as the plastic outside. All of these MZ and ZX models (except for the MZ-S) are plagued with plastic gears on the mirror motor. These gears are subject to stripping or breaking, and the ZX-60 is no different. When this happens the mirror locks in the up position and won't drop back down. It doesn't happen to every one of these cameras, but it is certainly a risk. In my reading it seems to be more prevalent with those cameras that have been allowed to sit for years, then picked up and used again. I have a ZX-50 that I have owned and used since 1999, that is sitting in the closet in need of this repair. There are replacement shutter motors available with metal gears, but the repair usually costs more then the cameras are worth. If you are very handy it may be worth it to try the repair yourself. This is a chance you take with any of these cameras. But I used my ZX-50 for ten years before the mirror locked. In conclusion, for the money, and for very specific purposes, this is a very nice little camera. Is it a nicer camera then similar Nikons or Canons? I don't really know. Owning an inexpensive Nikon and an inexpensive Canon, this camera is at least their equal in my opinion. Since neither of the Nikons I own, or the Canon, have mirror lock up, then this camera has a leg up in my opinion. Is it a better deal then the other Pentax autofocus cameras? That is an even tougher question. But again, since most of them do not have mirror lockup, this camera is more useful to me. So, in my opinion, for these very specific purposes, the Pentax MZ-60 is a great deal. It is most certainly less expensive then most of the other cameras on the used market. If you need a backup autofocus Pentax camera, that has mirror lock up, this is about your only option, unless you are willing to spring the big bucks for a second MZ-S. Regardless of whether you like digital or film, I really believe that you will be hard pressed to find a better value than this little 35mm single lens reflex camera.

Review of: Pentax SFXn / SF1n by Pioneer on Thu October 29, 2009 | Rating: 0

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Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to use a number of different types and brands of 35mm cameras including Canon, Olympus, Minolta and Pentax. Over the years all of them have gone away except for a few Pentax cameras. I currently use three Pentax cameras on a regular basis, a KX (totally manual), a K200D (totally digital) and this SF1n. I really like all my Pentax cameras, and they all have their uses, but my SF1n is really something special. First, it is built like a tank and mine has worked perfectly for me since I bought it in 1989. It is an autofocus camera and it was bought specifically for taking pictures of my kids. It has now graduated to become my primary grandkid chasing 35mm camera for all the same reasons. The autofocus works fast, locks on and gets the shot with absolutely no fuss. The pictures I get back are almost always first rate memories, and even turn out to be pretty good photographs much of the time! Although it is a little heavier then some of the digital single lens reflex cameras currently on the market, it balances very well, especially with slightly heavier zoom lenses mounted. In fact, the Pentax FA 28-200mm is almost perfectly balanced with this camera. Because of this balance I can often get blur-free shots with this camera that I have struggled to get with other cameras. In fact, this is why most of the other cameras I've owned have gone away over time. This one just takes better pictures. Next, it is really simple to use. The controls are simple-to-use switches that can be used without even looking at them once you are used to them. The exposure setting information is displayed in the viewfinder as well as a display screen on top of the camera. It has Program mode with several different types of available programs, aperture priority mode, shutter priority mode as well as full manual. It synchs flash at 125s and has a built-in TTL flash with a GN of 14. I have several flash units that work very well with this camera, the AF280T being my favorite, but it works quite well with the built-in flash. For a long time after I first bought this camera my only autofocus lens was a 50mm although I did own a couple of old manual focus lenses. I now own several lenses and many of them are manual focus prime lenses which give very nice pictures. Even though this is an autofocus camera, it is a snap to use those manual focus lenses with this camera. This camera beeps at you and shows a green square in the viewfinder when the focus is correct. And the viewfinder is clear as a bell so it is much easier for me to see that I'm properly focused with this camera then it is with my much newer K200D. With all the pictures I've taken with this camera I think my pictures have come back focused on the wrong thing only a handful of times. Same with my KX but then that one is manual focus. I think that the viewfinder in the KX is slightly nicer but this one is still very good. For someone like me who's eyes have changed over the years this viewfinder is a nice plus. Since manual focus lenses are often less expensive then their autofocus brothers this is a great feature. I finally had to break down and send this camera to Eric the other day to re-attach the rubber grip on the side. While it is there he will also give it a good cleaning. It may sound a bit strange in this day of digital photography, but I have missed it since I sent it off. Although it doesn't get used quite as often as it used to, it still comes out at least once a week and it is not unusual for me to have two or three rolls of film to send off for developing by the end of the week. I find myself grabbing the K200D for those kid-related occasions (school plays, etc.) where the SF1n used to be the mainstay, but it still gets lots of use. There are obviously many Pentax film cameras available, many of them with more features then the SF1n. If I need mirror lock-up or DOF preview, I grab the KX. When I travel, which I do quite a bit for my work, I take the K200D. Most of my landscape shots are taken with the KX. I am learning to take pictures of birds and I find that the K200D seems to work well for this task. But when the grandkids are in the house, or I just feel like running around town to take some street shots, the SF1n is almost always the camera that goes along for the ride. Most of us on this forum have very nice Pentax cameras that we are happy with, so this was not intended to change anyone's mind. Overall, I feel that the SF1n is a very good camera and, if you are at all interested in shooting film along with digital but haven't settled on a camera, this one is a great alternative that can frequently be found at a very reasonable price on Ebay or any of the used camera sites on-line. My SF1n has taken uncounted thousands of pictures for me over 30 years of use, and it still gets called on to do the same today. Quality products are hard to find today, but they are still out there if you really know what you are looking for. This camera is a quality product. I like it so much that I went out and bought a spare.

Review of: Pentax KX by Pioneer on Sat October 10, 2009 | Rating: 0

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I was lucky enough to find my Pentax KX, complete with a Pentax 50mm f/1.2 lens, in a pawn shop in Reno, Nevada, back in 1979. It was used, but just barely, and over the years it has sealed the deal for me on Pentax. I can't imagine myself without a Pentax camera. Since then I've added three more Pentax cameras to my slowly growing collection, but I still use this one because it is so easy to work with. In fact, if it wasn't for trying to keep up with children, and now grandchildren, with a manual focus lens (it is possible to do but it takes serious concentration), I may never have bought an autofocus camera at all. Well...I probably would have anyway:p This Pentax KX, with it's 50mm lens, has been the perfect companion. The viewfinder is sharp enough that I can still use it, even though my eyes are no longer nearly as good as they were when I bought it. The meter reading is simple to use and tells you in a minute whether your exposure is good or not. With this camera I can change shutter speed and aperture and see exactly what they are in the viewfinder. When shooting wildlife or kids (very close to the same in terms of having to keep a close eye on them when you are trying to take a picture), being able to track them in the viewfinder while you're adjusting exposure is a great advantage. In fact, I was seriously disappointed when I found out my first autofocus camera didn't have that little window to show me the aperture setting. Even though this camera uses batteries, it is possible to take pictures without any batteries in it. I know because I've done it. The light meter won't work but you would be surprised to know how many pictures turn out just fine by using only the Sunny F16 rule. They probably won't get accepted by Arizona Highways or similar magazines but most of us won't be getting any pictures in those magazines anyway, even though we are using $1,000 plus digital cameras with $1,000 lenses. I have recently gotten more serious about my photography and I should note that, until a few months ago, I had never used the mirror lockup or the depth of field on the KX. (I probably should have read the manual but that wasn't something I was known for doing back then, or even now for that matter.) I probably have thousands of pictures of kids, pets, birthday parties, hunting and vacation trips that were all taken handheld with this camera using nothing but Kodak ISO 400 and 800 film, and most of those pictures turned out great. I admit, a lot of the kid shots came back a little blurry but that wasn't the fault of the camera and a tripod would not have made any difference. I actually didn't even know the camera could lockup the mirror or tell you the depth of field, and I know I didn't know what those features were used for. I actually had to go find the user's manual (I am so glad my wife knows where everything is) when I read my first photography book about a year ago and learned what those controls could do for me. Here it is, 30 years later, and this camera is still advanced enough that it does everything I really need to take great pictures, some of which might get into a magazine someday. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my new digital Pentax, especially being able to see the picture as soon as I take it, but I still love looking at the results I get from this camera. I only hope that my digital is as tough as this KX, but I'm afraid it probably isn't. This KX has been used in the back country of Nevada since I brought it home from the pawnshop in 1979, on backpacking trips and 4-wheeling, and it has never required any professional service in all that time. In fact, I've learned the hard way, that if I am headed for the hills, I am far better off carrying this camera then bringing my digital. Shortly after buying my K200D I took a bike trip into the back country. Naturally, I left the "old" KX home and took my digital with me instead. Imagine my surprise when I returned home and found that several of my digital pictures had visible dust spots. I repeated this same exercise twice more (I'm a slow learner) and I learned that I can get dust bunnies on that digital sensor in nothing flat, even though I carry it in a ziplock bag. In three months I've had to have it cleaned twice. But the KX just shrugs off the dust and keeps on putting out great pictures. I do keep it in a ziploc bag now, but that is a fairly recent practice I adopted with my autofocus camera (it wasn't quite as resistant to dust as the KX seems to be although it is lots better then the digital). A good dusting outside with some canned air (formerly a camel hair brush), and a little careful cleaning with a Q-Tip inside, has been all the maintenance this camera has ever needed. I have recently found a pretty good camera repair service in Reno (when I needed to get my digital sensor cleaned) and I'll be taking this KX in for it's first professional cleaning. I am not by any stretch of the imagination an expert on cameras, and I'm barely a semi-competent amateur photographer, so take this for what it's worth. This is a great camera! If, for some reason, I found out tomorrow that I could only keep one camera, and all the rest had to go, this is the one I would keep. I scanned in one of the recent pictures I have taken with this camera to give you a sample of what it is still capable of. This was taken with my KX and my Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 lens (another fairly recent purchase.) Please forgive the scanner (it is my first try at this) and the photographer.

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/Auditor_2009/Stump2-PentaxKXscanuntouched.jpg

Review of: Pentax K200D by Pioneer on Mon August 31, 2009 | Rating: 0

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I bought my K200D a little over a month ago and absolutely love it. I finally burned through the first set of Energizers yesterday after well over 1,000 pictures so, even though those batteries are a bit expensive, it is a whole lot cheaper then having film developed. I bought this one because I could use my older Pentax lenses and because it was weather sealed. I will say that this camera is a lot heavier then I expected when I ordered it on-line. This is my first dslr having only owned film slrs and point and shoots before this one. But, after having lugged it all over Nevada and overseas as well I have to say that I don't find the weight a big deal. Even though I am pretty much an amateur, the pictures I get with this camera are very good, and I even think that some of them are real keepers. I know I am new to this digital game but I have read some of the posts regarding the lack of a high iso as a bit amusing. Prior to this camera I had never shot any film with a higher iso than 800 so when I learned that this one had the ability to shoot at 1600 iso I was amazed. So far, although there may be a touch more noise in my pictures at 1600 iso, I have not been disappointed. All the lenses I owned for the MX50 have worked out great. Interestingly, I had noticed some focus difficulties with my film camera with my 80-320mm telephoto but I had thought that it was a problem with my own technique. After having used that same lens on this digital I have learned that the infinity focus on that telephoto is a bit out of whack and I sent it back to Pentax for repair. It took quite a bit of experimenting at different apertures and shutter speeds to pin this down and the fact that I didn't have to pay a fortune to develop all those pictures is what allowed me to discover this problem. I am also able to use my older manual focus lenses (even though I actually had to read the manual for that one) and this was a major selling point for me. Some of my finest film era pix have come from those old manual lenses. Since I am a hobbyist I expect that this camera will do everything I need for a very long time, my film camera satisfied me for almost 20 years and I have no doubt that this one will do likewise. Who knows what will be available by then? This shot of one of granddaughters is one of my keepers -

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/Auditor_2009/Kee.jpg