Film Camera Reviews

**PenPusher** · 06-27-2018, 01:51 AM

This may well be in the wrong section but..........

From browsing through the film camera threads it seems that many of us have film cameras from many makers and in many formats plus of course the odd Pentax or two or maybe more.

I was wondering if there would be any interest or even space for members to write their reviews of their off brand film cameras so others might know the good and bad points.

As there are only a very few film cameras now made and most that we use are quite old and maybe even in the antique category I would not think it would impinge on the Pentax brand.

Yes I know there are many reviews scattered over the net but I thought it would be nice to have them in one location.

CD

08amczb · 06-27-2018, 02:09 AM

I would like to read some Nikon F100, F5, F6, Canon 1V reviews from pentax users too!

Jonathan Mac · 06-27-2018, 03:09 AM

Like many here, I use non-Pentax gear along with Pentax. As much as reviews of that gear could interest me, I don't think that a Pentax site is the right place for it. I believe PentaxForums has a sister Canon site, so Canon reviews could go in there.

Maybe an exception could be made for non-Pentax K-mount or M42-mount film cameras, as many of them will be used with Pentax lenses.

**Tas** · 06-27-2018, 03:39 AM

Here might be a good place to generate some interest: Non-Pentax Cameras: Canon, Nikon, etc. - PentaxForums.com

08amczb · 06-27-2018, 05:02 AM

The Nikon forums and Canon forums does not have a similar camera database. The nikon forums has one, but only one film slr listed, it's incomplete.

I would like to read comparisation reviews too, ergonomics are much harder to compare then just spec sheets.

timw4mail · 06-27-2018, 05:53 AM

At the very least, it seems like Ricoh should get its due with its film cameras.

As far as other K-mount cameras, there's Cosina, Chinon, Vivitar, and Phoenix, off the top of my head.

**PenPusher** · 06-27-2018, 06:05 AM - **1 Like**

I was thinking a little bit more outside the Pentax Box, like 6x9, 6x7, 6x6, 6x4.5, Large Format, rangefinders, TLR's, folding cameras and the like as well as those that use K and m42 lenses, yes I do know that Pentax have nice, but expensive, 6x7 and 6x4.5 film cameras the lenses for which have gone up in price lately possibly due to their current 6x4.5 digital models.

**WPRESTO** · 06-27-2018, 06:22 AM

Quick comments on two other-brand cameras I have owned.

1) Canon EF, felt like a brick = heavy, solid. Did not like the aperture-priority auto-exposure system; meter quit the first time the camera got a bump; excellent viewfinder. The PC socket was located at the upper left end of the body, unusual position, and was covered by a spring-return rotating metal cover, a convenient system I've not seen on other cameras.

2) Nikon FA with winder. Like the Canon, heavy and solid-feeling compared to the Pentax bodies I was accustomed to using. The winder worked better than the one on my LX, and the grip it provided was appreciated because the camera + winder was way too heavy. Great finder, reliable exposure, faster flash sync speed than any Pentax available at the time (the LX was dismal in this regard). The electrical contact for the winder's wired-remote became unreliable, but so did the similar contacts of the LX winder.

I bought the Canon to be able to use a Canon 24mm TSS, and that is still the benchmark lens of it's kind in my mind. Good system for adjusting both tilt and shift, excellent IQ. The camera's meter could not be trusted when this lens was used as either shifting or tilting the lens meant the incoming light did not strike the meter properly. The lens came with instructions pointing out this problem and advocating using a hand-meld meter, which i had and did use (a Sekonic, cannot remember the model)

I bought the Nikon to get a combination of high sync speed for flash (delivered in spades) and a superior really long lens = Nikon 500mm f4, used in combination with a 2X Nikon teleconverter = an excellent combination, 100% satisfactory IQ, about the best super-long tele system I've ever used.

stevebrot · 06-27-2018, 08:22 AM

I believe this idea was formally suggested a few months back and was being mulled over by higher powers.

Steve

**TwoUptons** · 06-27-2018, 04:11 PM

Do Nikon and Canon still make cameras? I thought they were DOOOOOMED!!!11!

I was thinking about it the other day and realized I've never owned either a Minolta or a Canon. My wife has one of each, and I've used them, but I've never been pulled in that direction.

Would be fun to read some reviews, though...

-Eric

**Eagle94VT** · 06-27-2018, 05:50 PM

My Pentax MZ-S and K1000 are nice and small. But I put more rolls of film thru my EOS 3 and EOS 1v. I am sparse on lenses - only use the Tamron 35 1.8 and the Canon 85 1.8. The gigagntic zooms are all gone. The 3 is light with a shutter that scares anyone who has never heard it. The 1v is solid and I could probably use it to pound nails. They are battery hogs. I use rechargeable batteries from a company I cannot pronounce and the battery grips so I can use rechargeable AAs.

LesDMess · 06-28-2018, 05:13 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by PenPusher

From browsing through the film camera threads it seems that many of us have film cameras from many makers and in many formats plus of course the odd Pentax or two or maybe more.

The immersion has been a lot of fun . . .

Gives you a better appreciation of what Pentax has provided!

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-28-2018, 05:39 PM

Here's a book I like:

McBroom's Camera Bluebook: A Complete Up-To-Date Price & Buyer's Guide to Cameras, Lenses, & Accesories by Michael McBroom

It was compiled near the end of the film camera era and gives specs and brief reviews of many popular models.

Chris

stevebrot · 06-28-2018, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Here's a book I like:

McBroom's Camera Bluebook: A Complete Up-To-Date Price & Buyer's Guide to Cameras, Lenses, & Accesories by Michael McBroom

It was compiled near the end of the film camera era and gives specs and brief reviews of many popular models.

Chris

Cool!

Steve

Eyewanders · 06-30-2018, 03:22 PM

For my part, I'd be interested in contributing as well as perusing if the powers-that-be decide it's worthwhile as @Stevebrot mentioned. I think that it is.
I was in fact considering this just a few days back - the PF review section is a phenomenal resource for Pentax related photo equipement and lenses of every sort. Nothing really exists (that I am aware of) with as much width and breadth for any other maker. Information is pretty disparate for film equipement especially. I've wished that such a well of knowledge/opinion was around for, in particular, Konica cameras insofar as I'm concerned lately. It'd take quite a while to reach anything approaching the scale of the Pentax reviews section, but it'd certainly be valuable in general, if not necessarily at PF.

---------- Post added 06-30-18 at 03:26 PM ----------

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Here's a book I like:

McBroom's Camera Bluebook: A Complete Up-To-Date Price & Buyer's Guide to Cameras, Lenses, & Accesories by Michael McBroom

It was compiled near the end of the film camera era and gives specs and brief reviews of many popular models.

Chris

Very cool indeed, though it can't take into account what an ongoing and living, web-located review section can... namely how each piece of equipment ages and values/devalues over extended time, and is limited in scope from the onset (even one so all-encompassing as that!).

06-27-2018, 01:51 AM	#1
PenPusher Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,048	Film Camera Reviews This may well be in the wrong section but.......... From browsing through the film camera threads it seems that many of us have film cameras from many makers and in many formats plus of course the odd Pentax or two or maybe more. I was wondering if there would be any interest or even space for members to write their reviews of their off brand film cameras so others might know the good and bad points. As there are only a very few film cameras now made and most that we use are quite old and maybe even in the antique category I would not think it would impinge on the Pentax brand. Yes I know there are many reviews scattered over the net but I thought it would be nice to have them in one location. CD

06-27-2018, 06:22 AM	#8
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Quick comments on two other-brand cameras I have owned. 1) Canon EF, felt like a brick = heavy, solid. Did not like the aperture-priority auto-exposure system; meter quit the first time the camera got a bump; excellent viewfinder. The PC socket was located at the upper left end of the body, unusual position, and was covered by a spring-return rotating metal cover, a convenient system I've not seen on other cameras. 2) Nikon FA with winder. Like the Canon, heavy and solid-feeling compared to the Pentax bodies I was accustomed to using. The winder worked better than the one on my LX, and the grip it provided was appreciated because the camera + winder was way too heavy. Great finder, reliable exposure, faster flash sync speed than any Pentax available at the time (the LX was dismal in this regard). The electrical contact for the winder's wired-remote became unreliable, but so did the similar contacts of the LX winder. I bought the Canon to be able to use a Canon 24mm TSS, and that is still the benchmark lens of it's kind in my mind. Good system for adjusting both tilt and shift, excellent IQ. The camera's meter could not be trusted when this lens was used as either shifting or tilting the lens meant the incoming light did not strike the meter properly. The lens came with instructions pointing out this problem and advocating using a hand-meld meter, which i had and did use (a Sekonic, cannot remember the model) I bought the Nikon to get a combination of high sync speed for flash (delivered in spades) and a superior really long lens = Nikon 500mm f4, used in combination with a 2X Nikon teleconverter = an excellent combination, 100% satisfactory IQ, about the best super-long tele system I've ever used. Last edited by WPRESTO; 06-27-2018 at 06:31 AM.

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06-27-2018, 02:09 AM	#2
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	I would like to read some Nikon F100, F5, F6, Canon 1V reviews from pentax users too!

06-27-2018, 03:09 AM	#3
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,902	Like many here, I use non-Pentax gear along with Pentax. As much as reviews of that gear could interest me, I don't think that a Pentax site is the right place for it. I believe PentaxForums has a sister Canon site, so Canon reviews could go in there. Maybe an exception could be made for non-Pentax K-mount or M42-mount film cameras, as many of them will be used with Pentax lenses.

06-27-2018, 03:39 AM	#4
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	Here might be a good place to generate some interest: Non-Pentax Cameras: Canon, Nikon, etc. - PentaxForums.com

06-27-2018, 05:02 AM	#5
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	The Nikon forums and Canon forums does not have a similar camera database. The nikon forums has one, but only one film slr listed, it's incomplete. I would like to read comparisation reviews too, ergonomics are much harder to compare then just spec sheets.

06-27-2018, 05:53 AM	#6
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	At the very least, it seems like Ricoh should get its due with its film cameras. As far as other K-mount cameras, there's Cosina, Chinon, Vivitar, and Phoenix, off the top of my head.

06-27-2018, 06:05 AM - 1 Like	#7
PenPusher Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,048 Original Poster	I was thinking a little bit more outside the Pentax Box, like 6x9, 6x7, 6x6, 6x4.5, Large Format, rangefinders, TLR's, folding cameras and the like as well as those that use K and m42 lenses, yes I do know that Pentax have nice, but expensive, 6x7 and 6x4.5 film cameras the lenses for which have gone up in price lately possibly due to their current 6x4.5 digital models.

06-27-2018, 08:22 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I believe this idea was formally suggested a few months back and was being mulled over by higher powers. Steve

06-27-2018, 04:11 PM	#10
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,223	Do Nikon and Canon still make cameras? I thought they were DOOOOOMED!!!11! I was thinking about it the other day and realized I've never owned either a Minolta or a Canon. My wife has one of each, and I've used them, but I've never been pulled in that direction. Would be fun to read some reviews, though... -Eric

06-27-2018, 05:50 PM	#11
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291	My Pentax MZ-S and K1000 are nice and small. But I put more rolls of film thru my EOS 3 and EOS 1v. I am sparse on lenses - only use the Tamron 35 1.8 and the Canon 85 1.8. The gigagntic zooms are all gone. The 3 is light with a shutter that scares anyone who has never heard it. The 1v is solid and I could probably use it to pound nails. They are battery hogs. I use rechargeable batteries from a company I cannot pronounce and the battery grips so I can use rechargeable AAs.

06-28-2018, 05:13 AM - 1 Like	#12
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by PenPusher From browsing through the film camera threads it seems that many of us have film cameras from many makers and in many formats plus of course the odd Pentax or two or maybe more. The immersion has been a lot of fun . . . Gives you a better appreciation of what Pentax has provided!

06-28-2018, 05:39 PM	#13
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	Here's a book I like: McBroom's Camera Bluebook: A Complete Up-To-Date Price & Buyer's Guide to Cameras, Lenses, & Accesories by Michael McBroom It was compiled near the end of the film camera era and gives specs and brief reviews of many popular models. Chris

06-28-2018, 09:08 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Here's a book I like: McBroom's Camera Bluebook: A Complete Up-To-Date Price & Buyer's Guide to Cameras, Lenses, & Accesories by Michael McBroom It was compiled near the end of the film camera era and gives specs and brief reviews of many popular models. Chris Cool! Steve

06-30-2018, 03:22 PM	#15
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	For my part, I'd be interested in contributing as well as perusing if the powers-that-be decide it's worthwhile as @Stevebrot mentioned. I think that it is. I was in fact considering this just a few days back - the PF review section is a phenomenal resource for Pentax related photo equipement and lenses of every sort. Nothing really exists (that I am aware of) with as much width and breadth for any other maker. Information is pretty disparate for film equipement especially. I've wished that such a well of knowledge/opinion was around for, in particular, Konica cameras insofar as I'm concerned lately. It'd take quite a while to reach anything approaching the scale of the Pentax reviews section, but it'd certainly be valuable in general, if not necessarily at PF. ---------- Post added 06-30-18 at 03:26 PM ---------- Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Here's a book I like: McBroom's Camera Bluebook: A Complete Up-To-Date Price & Buyer's Guide to Cameras, Lenses, & Accesories by Michael McBroom It was compiled near the end of the film camera era and gives specs and brief reviews of many popular models. Chris Very cool indeed, though it can't take into account what an ongoing and living, web-located review section can... namely how each piece of equipment ages and values/devalues over extended time, and is limited in scope from the onset (even one so all-encompassing as that!).