| Review of: Pentax 645 by fretlessdavis on Mon April 13, 2015 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 76051
Reviews: 11
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After my quest to get more and more into manual cameras, I have discovered that when you're good enough to compose and inherently understand the balance of exposure, a well laid-out, more automated camera becomes a fantastic tool for making consistently excellent photos with no effort. For me, this is the perfect step back into automated cameras while retaining amazing quality.
After a recent life change, I lost my Bronica ETRS kit. I replaced it with a Pentax 645. After shooting with other cameras that are fully manual and make me think so much more, I haven't been shooting as much lately. This camera has changed that for me. The AE is very good with a couple caveats, the mirror is very well dampened, and handling is fantastic. I've had a blast with it with the 55mm f/2.8 lens, and have been getting great results and have been taking many more photos with it than I ever did with my ETRS or Graflex.
Let's start with handling. It handles like a large Super Program, basically. People complain about the push buttons for adjustments, but my favorite 35mm SLR is the ME Super. I feel right at home with the buttons. Once you find the layout of everything, it's very easy to change modes, shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. To me, it handles like a breeze. The angled grip makes hand-holding great, and the mirror is so well dampened that I get sharp shots handheld down to 1/30. 1/60 was definitely the limit on my ETRS due to the massive slapping mirror. Built in motor drive makes things a no brainer, with operation, as does the non-changable (mid-roll) back. To me, handling is basically transparent.
Metering is dead on, but has its limits. Perfect exposures in Program and Aperture-Priority. No exposure lock, and compensation and meter readings in full stops. This would be a bit tricky with slides in a weird lighting situation, but it's more than close enough for color and B&W negatives. Most other MF metered prisms won't do better without spending a ton of money.
As a system, the Pentax 645 setup is sharper than the ETRS rig, and I have a hard time believing the Mamiya 645 would be better. Out of the more budget options, the Pentax is a hands down winner.
Now the big problem, and it is a BIG problem: Price and availability. I'm still trying to track down a 75mm lens for under $200. They just don't seem to be out there right now. And something wider than a 28mm equivalent? That'll cost $450+, and I can really only find 2-3 currently available options for that 645 35mm. For a MF film kit, it's just not worth it, unless you also have a 645D or 645Z. If you can justify the cost of one of those bodies, you'll likely go for the 645N or NII.
To summarize, you can get an ETRS with the 40mm and another lens or two for just the price of the Pentax 35mm, if you can find one. Mamiya stuff is really cheap, too. And, if you want even better quality, RB67 gear is beyond cheap these days.
For me, this camera is totally fantastic, but for the total cost of getting into the system, it's just not worth it. With the 645D and 645Z, it seems like there's a big market for lenses since they have a digital MF application. For film usage, I'd definitely recommend sticking with something in a defunct system/mount and saving $ or upsizing format.
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| Review of: Pentax MZ-5 / ZX-5 by fretlessdavis on Sun March 2, 2014 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 71286
Reviews: 6
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This is THE Autofocus Pentax SLR to get. Can be had for 1/8th of the price of the MZ-S, and for me, had all the features I need.
Very nice control layout. On the left, you have your ASA setting (it has DX coding, which can be overridden. WOOHOO!), and exposure compensation, in 1/3 stops. You also have a metering switch, M, C, and S. This is very helpful, especially if you also shoot LF (spot meter and 35mm camera!). On the right you have shutter speed, set it manually, or set it to A and have the camera pick. Pick your aperture, or set it to A and have the camera pick it. IMO, this is how a camera should be operated.
Battery life isn't the best, but there is a battery grip for it. The viewfinder is a bit dim-- but as good as any DSLR right now.
The only real downside for me was it's cold weather performance. Cold weather makes the batteries suffer, and the rapid and repeated temperture cycling when backpacking kills it as fast as a DSLR. Given that's what I wanted to use this for (backpacking along with my MF or LF, since it's not much bigger than a good handheld meter, and can be used for quick snaps), it doesn't do what I want it to do.
Back to the LF camera, MX, and Weston Master Se meter! :cool:
HOWEVER,
For everyday purposes, you cannot get better than this without spending a fortune.
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| Review of: Pentax K-x by fretlessdavis on Fri February 28, 2014 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 930060
Reviews: 109
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Finally gotten around to reviewing this, as it is the only DSLR I use after getting rid of the K100d.
In comparison to a K100d, the build quality doesn't seem as good. The menus/UI are a bit more confusing, and it took a lot longer to learn how to use this quickly than a k100d. The added features are mostly bloat, and I don't use them.
AF performance is a bit faster than the K100d. Not too relevant to me, but it's there. Handling wise, I can't think of a camera that beats the K100d for handling with MF lenses. The K100d didn't have a green button, but I set the AE Lock button to stop down metering. The green button is there on the K-X, which gives a bit more usability, but it's a bit more awkward to reach.
I would've liked WR, but that's not a big deal, given it's a more entry level camera.
IQ is fanstastic for its 12 MP. It handles noise very well, i.e., at moderate ISO settings, the noise can actually be somewhat pleasing. Not unlike a small amount of grain in a film like Portra 400.
Value wise, they are also excellent. Unless you're a birder, or sports photographer, there's no reason to need anything more than what's here.
I never understand the upgrade arms race, as photos have not gotten appreciably 'better' with upgraded and newer DSLRs since they hit this range. Any fairly recent DSLR in the hands of an artist will produce stunning images. It's as simple as that.
If you're looking for an excellent entry or mid level DSLR, then stop looking here, and get one. They're cheap enough these days. If you're looking for WR in the same price range, it's tough to beat the K20d.
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| Review of: Pentax K100D by fretlessdavis on Wed September 25, 2013 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 69923
Reviews: 23
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A solid 8 overall. I picked this up from a forum member a few months ago as a backup camera. However, the White Balance adjustments seem more subtle and easier to dial in than other models, and image quality is still fantastic.
It definitely holds up image-quality wise to modern 'entry-level' DSLRs.
It has enough features-- almost everything you need, nothing you don't.
AA battery use is an excellent feature-- I have Rayovac Hybrids/Eneloops in this, as well as my speedlites, and can cut down on what spare batteries I take with me.
The AF is slow, noisy, and sometimes innacurate. K100d Super with SDM lenses fixes a lot of these issues.
Menus are a bit of a pain, but once you have it set up, you rarely need to change anything.
Noise-- Great, just don't go over 800.
Overall, this is the best value. Forget spending a couple hundred on a newer P&S or mirrorless, pick up a used one of these and you'll have more fun, and have better image quality.
Also, lowest ISO on this is 200, I don't see this as a disadvantage, though, as the best image quality is 200-400.
Ergonomics are perfect on this! Using mostly manual lenses, the AEL lock takes a meter reading, and is easier to reach than the 'green button'. The thing is light, and fits perfectly in my hands.
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| Review of: Pentax ME Super by fretlessdavis on Tue June 4, 2013 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 189989
Reviews: 38
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Love this camera!
I had been using Nikon for a long time, and always loved my trusty Nikkormat FT3. After borrowing a Pentax ME Super with a few M42 and K lenses, I realized this puppy with a Super Takumar 135mm f/3.5 on it weighed less than my Nikon body alone. The weight balanced out when I put a 200mm on the Pentax, and a 50mm f/2 on the Nikon. This thing will feel weightless around your neck if you're used to cameras and lenses like that.
Size is a personal thing, so it shouldn't effect reviews too much. This is tiny, but fits perfectly in my small-ish hands. Personally, with small fingertips, the buttons for shutter speed are easier than a knob. The lock mode is fantastic, not sure why it's not on every camera. The shutter priority auto makes shooting so simple and easy-- just be sure to use exposure compensation on the rewind side when necessary and it'll take fantastic pictures.
As a camera for M42 lenses, this is perfect. Compose, switch the diaphragm to manual (DOF preview this way, too!), set shutter and click, or just click in auto, switch back to auto. Very quick and easy.
Unfortunately, I struggle a bit if I'm trying to gauge DOF with fast K glass, and usually have to pull the camera away from my face several times to check the focus scale. This only bothers me about 20% of the time, though.
Also, the metering and compensation are only in full stops. If I were really picky, I guess I could do that by changing the ISO dial, though.
If you're thinking about getting one of these, go for it. $40 for a good one on the 'FleaBay' from a 'camera shop', or just get one for $10 that only cocks the shutter every now and then-- give it a few slaps on its butt and it'll be up and running again. :cool:
Example images coming soon (shoot B&W and print with an enlarger, mostly; no film scanner.... yet) but pseudo-irrelevant for a camera body.
EDIT: D'OH! I was just informed the you don't have to turn the EV Compensation dial all the way, so it can be set to any fractions of stops... Metering is still only in full stops, though =/
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