Upgrade from Cosina CS-2

davpapp · 10-12-2015, 01:20 AM

Hi Pentaxians,

First of all, thanks for having me here. I'm actually relatively new Pentax film SLR user. Having had a K100D, I really miss those colours that CCD sensor gave me, I sold all my Pentax DSLR gear years ago but one lens, the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7, which I actually got as a present from someone I hold dear.

When jumping into film photography this year I picked up a dirt cheap K mount body that could accommodate my lens, which turned out to be a Cosina CS-2. After shooting couple of rolls with it, it's shortcomings became apparent. The things I miss most is the AE lock and spot metering and to be honest I am not a really huge fan of the busy look of the body (sigh, I know it's not the most important thing), so I decided to have a look around and see what the market gives me in terms of new bodies.

The most important things:

Spot metering
AE Lock
Clear, big viewfinder with pentaprism
Robust build quality with streamlined looks (I am a huge fan of the Contax SLR bodies in terms of these two)
Manual film operation
I don't need all the bells and whistles and bulk the pro grade SLRs give me, plus I don't want to pay for those if I don't have to

Do you have any suggestions in terms of K-mound SLRs, that could fit the bill? It doesn't necessarily have to be a Pentax body.

I asked pretty much the same question on another forum and they advised me to have a look at the P series, however even those don't have spot metering option.

**UncleVanya** · 10-12-2015, 04:33 AM

PZ-1, page 41 of the manual shows how to enable spot metering.

It is a big bulky plastic hulk not beautiful but it does a fantastic job. My favorite k mount film camera.

**Odinz** · 10-12-2015, 05:29 AM

Ricoh XR-7 (Sears KS-2) can probably pick one up pretty cheap. I bought one of these new in 1981 and used it almost exclusively for several years. Even though I mostly use my LX when I shoot film, I have many other cameras to pick from but I still find myself going back to this one from time to time and it still works like a champ.

RMabo · 10-12-2015, 06:39 AM

Pentax Super A/Program Plus. Excellent body.

**UncleVanya** · 10-12-2015, 06:50 AM

I did not know these last two mentioned had exposure lock and spot metering.

Cuthbert · 10-12-2015, 07:41 AM

K2DMD if you can get one, not spot metering but strong center weighted pattern.

davpapp · 10-12-2015, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciated. Actually I managed to find a P30T locally for a pretty good price. It seems to fit all the requirements, except for the spot metering, however I suppose it would be a bit flimsy after the all metal SLR, the CS-2.

Has any of you used a P3/P30? How is it holding up from that perspective?

filmamigo · 10-21-2015, 10:56 AM

There's no easy route for what you want.

If you are willing to spend the money, and can accept motor-wound film, then the MZ-S is beautiful, small, well built, with AE-Lock and selectable metering (including spot.) I happily used it with manual-focus lenses, though it is an autofocus camera.

The P3n is a good camera, and on the other end of the budget range. No spot metering, but it does have exposure lock. This is modern manual focus shooting, and this camera deserves much more recognition than it gets. I find it sturdy, reliable, and quick to shoot with.

Swift1 · 10-22-2015, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by davpapp

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciated. Actually I managed to find a P30T locally for a pretty good price. It seems to fit all the requirements, except for the spot metering, however I suppose it would be a bit flimsy after the all metal SLR, the CS-2.

Has any of you used a P3/P30? How is it holding up from that perspective?

The P30t is actually a very tough camera. I would bet that it would fair better if you dropped it than a Pentax MX would.
I gave my daughter a P30t when she was 5 and that camera has taken some seriously hard knocks and still functions perfectly.

10-12-2015, 01:20 AM	#1
davpapp New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 3	Upgrade from Cosina CS-2 Hi Pentaxians, First of all, thanks for having me here. I'm actually relatively new Pentax film SLR user. Having had a K100D, I really miss those colours that CCD sensor gave me, I sold all my Pentax DSLR gear years ago but one lens, the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7, which I actually got as a present from someone I hold dear. When jumping into film photography this year I picked up a dirt cheap K mount body that could accommodate my lens, which turned out to be a Cosina CS-2. After shooting couple of rolls with it, it's shortcomings became apparent. The things I miss most is the AE lock and spot metering and to be honest I am not a really huge fan of the busy look of the body (sigh, I know it's not the most important thing), so I decided to have a look around and see what the market gives me in terms of new bodies. The most important things: Spot metering AE Lock Clear, big viewfinder with pentaprism Robust build quality with streamlined looks (I am a huge fan of the Contax SLR bodies in terms of these two) Manual film operation I don't need all the bells and whistles and bulk the pro grade SLRs give me, plus I don't want to pay for those if I don't have to Do you have any suggestions in terms of K-mound SLRs, that could fit the bill? It doesn't necessarily have to be a Pentax body. I asked pretty much the same question on another forum and they advised me to have a look at the P series, however even those don't have spot metering option.

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10-12-2015, 04:33 AM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,406	PZ-1, page 41 of the manual shows how to enable spot metering. It is a big bulky plastic hulk not beautiful but it does a fantastic job. My favorite k mount film camera.

10-12-2015, 05:29 AM	#3
Odinz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 259	Ricoh XR-7 (Sears KS-2) can probably pick one up pretty cheap. I bought one of these new in 1981 and used it almost exclusively for several years. Even though I mostly use my LX when I shoot film, I have many other cameras to pick from but I still find myself going back to this one from time to time and it still works like a champ.

10-12-2015, 06:39 AM	#4
RMabo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 845	Pentax Super A/Program Plus. Excellent body.

10-12-2015, 06:50 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,406	I did not know these last two mentioned had exposure lock and spot metering.

10-12-2015, 07:41 AM	#6
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	K2DMD if you can get one, not spot metering but strong center weighted pattern.

10-12-2015, 07:43 AM	#7
davpapp New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback, really appreciated. Actually I managed to find a P30T locally for a pretty good price. It seems to fit all the requirements, except for the spot metering, however I suppose it would be a bit flimsy after the all metal SLR, the CS-2. Has any of you used a P3/P30? How is it holding up from that perspective?

10-21-2015, 10:56 AM	#8
filmamigo Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	There's no easy route for what you want. If you are willing to spend the money, and can accept motor-wound film, then the MZ-S is beautiful, small, well built, with AE-Lock and selectable metering (including spot.) I happily used it with manual-focus lenses, though it is an autofocus camera. The P3n is a good camera, and on the other end of the budget range. No spot metering, but it does have exposure lock. This is modern manual focus shooting, and this camera deserves much more recognition than it gets. I find it sturdy, reliable, and quick to shoot with.

10-22-2015, 06:52 PM	#9
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	Originally posted by davpapp Thanks for the feedback, really appreciated. Actually I managed to find a P30T locally for a pretty good price. It seems to fit all the requirements, except for the spot metering, however I suppose it would be a bit flimsy after the all metal SLR, the CS-2. Has any of you used a P3/P30? How is it holding up from that perspective? The P30t is actually a very tough camera. I would bet that it would fair better if you dropped it than a Pentax MX would. I gave my daughter a P30t when she was 5 and that camera has taken some seriously hard knocks and still functions perfectly.