KX and K2 who are the better one for collecting

cpysz123 · 11-19-2019, 03:08 PM

I have a chance to get one of KX or K2 in 60 dollars. Who is the better one?

dantonvb · 11-19-2019, 03:14 PM

My vote is for KX. Fully mechanical, batteries only used by exposure meter.

**gordon_l34** · 11-19-2019, 03:21 PM - **1 Like**

Hi,

If you are heading down the slippery collector trail and they are in good condition why not get both?

Regards,
Gordon.

stevebrot · 11-19-2019, 03:21 PM

Good question. At this point in history, neither model is particularly collectible (in the serious sense) unless new-in-box or possessing an unusual feature such as motor drive support or split-image focus screen.

Now if one is primarily interested in owning a K-series body as a matter of "having", personal interest and/or potential use, any of the original three bodies might worthy. I own a very clean KX and might also purchase a K2 or KM if one were to appear at an attractive price. The question one might ask oneself may be the same one makes for purchase new, "What model reflects my style of shooting and needs in a camera?

Steve

cpysz123 · 11-19-2019, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by gordon_l34

Hi,

If you are heading down the slippery collector trail and they are in good condition why not get both?

Regards,
Gordon.

I and my friend jointly purchased them two, now how to divide ownership

**ismaelg** · 11-19-2019, 03:44 PM - **1 Like**

To collect? both!
To use? Assuming both are in the same shape:KX
To brag and use as jewelry? K2

In summary? Both

kevinWE · 11-19-2019, 04:03 PM - **2 Likes**

Collecting is not about monetary value. Most people collect items for nostalgic reasons, if they so happen to become valuable, so be it. There are those who collect with high hopes of monetary gain, but they are not the majority and 9 out of 10 times they are disappointed. There is no wrong or right way to collect anything, it's a personal quest for the majority, and for most it brings enjoyment. What may be a hot commodity today may fall by the wayside tomorrow, but for the person who simply wants the item in their collection for the love of it, that item is a treasure to that collector no matter what the market dictates.

A collection should make you happy, if it doesn't then perhaps collecting isn't the road you should travel.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-19-2019, 04:39 PM

Neither is collectible except in some very small circles.
Even Pentax unloaded their collection of historic cameras.

They are excellent users though. My personal choice is the KX.

Chris

**TwoUptons** · 11-19-2019, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by cpysz123

I and my friend jointly purchased them two, now how to divide ownership

Looks like you're going to have to rock, paper, scissors for them...

I have (and love) a KX, but I grew up with a (nearly identical) K1000.
The K2 and its foreign electronics scares me

Really, they're both cool. You can't really lose...

Pick the one you like, unless one is broken...

-Eric

Aaron28 · 11-19-2019, 06:49 PM

both!! have a K-2 its very nice but no metering in manual making the KX the better choice

**pentaxus** · 11-19-2019, 11:09 PM

When I had my original KX/K2 oufit I used the K2 for low light/longer exposures. I did like the KX for most other things for some reason. The K2 DOES meter in manual in the same way that you meter with the KX, by matching the needle with the shutter indicator bar. Without batteries, however, you only get 1/125 and bulb.

nickthetasmaniac · 11-19-2019, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by cpysz123

I have a chance to get one of KX or K2 in 60 dollars. Who is the better one?

Personally I’d prefer the mechanical KX to use, but as others have said, neither has any real collectors value unless it’s NiB or has some kind of odd, limited run feature.

**RobA_Oz** · 11-19-2019, 11:27 PM

Is the K2 just a K2, or is it a K2 DMD? If the latter, I’d say get that, but otherwise I’d defer to the others who suggest the KX, as I have no experience with that model.

**From1980** · 11-20-2019, 12:27 AM

I remain a fan of the whole K series line and have been concentrating my efforts on these and their contemporary lenses. As was mentioned, if you are going to get one, however, the KX is probably the reliable one and easier to find in top condition. Also, don't forget about the KM. It should be a little less $ than a KX, leaves out a couple features, but is also fully mechanical.
The more rare K2DMD, although electronic, was the top of the line and remains important to collectors when in AA condition.

**richard0170** · 11-20-2019, 05:52 AM

I have both the KX and K2. In fact 2 K2's. The K2 in my opinion is more lovely to have and to hold and to shoot with - but not by much. The big downside with the K2 is the appallingly executed ASA control ring. On both mine it has jammed up requiring the cameras to have a service, which is going to cost about £110 each. The KX (and the KM I own however) soldier on without any hassle, yet. Although I do expect a non-returning mirror at some point, which is a reasonably easy fix.

11-19-2019, 03:08 PM	#1
cpysz123 New Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 21	KX and K2 who are the better one for collecting I have a chance to get one of KX or K2 in 60 dollars. Who is the better one?

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11-19-2019, 03:14 PM	#2
dantonvb Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 86	My vote is for KX. Fully mechanical, batteries only used by exposure meter.

11-19-2019, 03:21 PM - 1 Like	#3
gordon_l34 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 779	Hi, If you are heading down the slippery collector trail and they are in good condition why not get both? Regards, Gordon.

11-19-2019, 03:21 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Good question. At this point in history, neither model is particularly collectible (in the serious sense) unless new-in-box or possessing an unusual feature such as motor drive support or split-image focus screen. Now if one is primarily interested in owning a K-series body as a matter of "having", personal interest and/or potential use, any of the original three bodies might worthy. I own a very clean KX and might also purchase a K2 or KM if one were to appear at an attractive price. The question one might ask oneself may be the same one makes for purchase new, "What model reflects my style of shooting and needs in a camera? Steve

11-19-2019, 03:24 PM	#5
cpysz123 New Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 21 Original Poster	Originally posted by gordon_l34 Hi, If you are heading down the slippery collector trail and they are in good condition why not get both? Regards, Gordon. I and my friend jointly purchased them two, now how to divide ownership

11-19-2019, 03:44 PM - 1 Like	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	To collect? both! To use? Assuming both are in the same shape:KX To brag and use as jewelry? K2 In summary? Both

11-19-2019, 04:03 PM - 2 Likes	#7
kevinWE Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 497	Collecting is not about monetary value. Most people collect items for nostalgic reasons, if they so happen to become valuable, so be it. There are those who collect with high hopes of monetary gain, but they are not the majority and 9 out of 10 times they are disappointed. There is no wrong or right way to collect anything, it's a personal quest for the majority, and for most it brings enjoyment. What may be a hot commodity today may fall by the wayside tomorrow, but for the person who simply wants the item in their collection for the love of it, that item is a treasure to that collector no matter what the market dictates. A collection should make you happy, if it doesn't then perhaps collecting isn't the road you should travel.

11-19-2019, 04:39 PM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,693	Neither is collectible except in some very small circles. Even Pentax unloaded their collection of historic cameras. They are excellent users though. My personal choice is the KX. Chris

11-19-2019, 06:38 PM	#9
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	Originally posted by cpysz123 I and my friend jointly purchased them two, now how to divide ownership Looks like you're going to have to rock, paper, scissors for them... I have (and love) a KX, but I grew up with a (nearly identical) K1000. The K2 and its foreign electronics scares me Really, they're both cool. You can't really lose... Pick the one you like, unless one is broken... -Eric

11-19-2019, 06:49 PM	#10
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	both!! have a K-2 its very nice but no metering in manual making the KX the better choice

11-19-2019, 11:09 PM	#11
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	When I had my original KX/K2 oufit I used the K2 for low light/longer exposures. I did like the KX for most other things for some reason. The K2 DOES meter in manual in the same way that you meter with the KX, by matching the needle with the shutter indicator bar. Without batteries, however, you only get 1/125 and bulb.

11-19-2019, 11:23 PM	#12
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by cpysz123 I have a chance to get one of KX or K2 in 60 dollars. Who is the better one? Personally I’d prefer the mechanical KX to use, but as others have said, neither has any real collectors value unless it’s NiB or has some kind of odd, limited run feature.

11-19-2019, 11:27 PM	#13
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Is the K2 just a K2, or is it a K2 DMD? If the latter, I’d say get that, but otherwise I’d defer to the others who suggest the KX, as I have no experience with that model.

11-20-2019, 12:27 AM	#14
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	I remain a fan of the whole K series line and have been concentrating my efforts on these and their contemporary lenses. As was mentioned, if you are going to get one, however, the KX is probably the reliable one and easier to find in top condition. Also, don't forget about the KM. It should be a little less $ than a KX, leaves out a couple features, but is also fully mechanical. The more rare K2DMD, although electronic, was the top of the line and remains important to collectors when in AA condition.

11-20-2019, 05:52 AM	#15
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,032	I have both the KX and K2. In fact 2 K2's. The K2 in my opinion is more lovely to have and to hold and to shoot with - but not by much. The big downside with the K2 is the appallingly executed ASA control ring. On both mine it has jammed up requiring the cameras to have a service, which is going to cost about £110 each. The KX (and the KM I own however) soldier on without any hassle, yet. Although I do expect a non-returning mirror at some point, which is a reasonably easy fix.