Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
09-29-2010, 06:38 PM   #1
New Member




Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 2
Recommendations For a Pentax K Mount Camera w/ AE Lock

I recently went through some old photos from about 8 years ago just to see how the cameras I was using then compared to the ones I have now. What surprised me was how good the shots from a Pentax K1000 a 50 2.0 lens were! Good stuff.

So I sold my expensive Leica R gear. Mostly because I just need a small walk-around 35mm camera for those times when I don't want to carry a TLR. My first purchase was for another K1000 and 50 2.0 lens, but I quickly saw I was going to have difficulty w/ a focus screen that wasn't a split prism. Next was a Ricoh KR5 that had the right screen, and worked very well for what I paid for it ($20). Unfortunately the shutter is really loud, much more so than the K1000. So next was a ME SE Super. Wow, this is a neat camera. Tiny, light, has a quiet shutter, and I love the viewfinder display. But using the camera in Manual mode is really quirky, and slow for me. The AE works fine, but where's the AE lock? Having to reach up on top of the camera to dial in compensation is not at all convenient, especially to someone that's used to the convenience of simply hitting the AE lock and taking the shot. After some more research I discovered that AE lock isn't on any of the Pentax cameras until you get to the P's. Even the expensive LX doesn't have it. Why Pentax decided this wasn't a feature people would want is beyond me because it makes shooting so much faster and easier.

Does anyone have any recommendations for me? The other alternative is to get a MX and just manually adjust the aperture for compensation. That would work fine, but having been spoiled by the ALMOST perfect ME SE Super I'd still like to have that little AE lock dealie. It wouldn't have to be a Pentax brand, but nothing w/ a loud shutter please. Thanks.

09-29-2010, 07:33 PM   #2
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,584
I'd recommend you start by taking a look at our Pentax Film SLR Database. Don't have time for a full reply right now, but that should prove helpful!

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Last edited by Ole; 10-17-2010 at 07:25 PM.
09-29-2010, 11:18 PM   #3
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
Ricoh XR7 -- Av, M modes with +/-2 stops exposure compensation and AE lock. Full info viewfinder too.


Steve
09-30-2010, 12:44 AM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
ChrisPlatt's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Rockaway Beach NYC
Posts: 7,682
I agree, AE lock is a powerful feature unfortunately not included on too many Pentax models.

If you can live with no manual film speed setting (DX only) without reservation I recommend the Pentax P3N or P30T.
These offer aperture preferred auto, program auto and manual exposure modes via a conventional shutter speed dial.
Besides AE lock other nice features include depth of field preview, electronic self timer, easy film loading system and built-in grip.
They are also a terrific bargain. I see many of these in like-new condition for very little money.
Also, being a Pentax, one of these can be repaired at a reasonable rate if necessary.

Chris


Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 09-30-2010 at 05:09 PM.
09-30-2010, 02:53 AM   #5
Senior Member




Join Date: May 2009
Location: Delaware
Posts: 177
Ricoh XR-10 has a AE-L lock. Nice little camera, the shutter sound isn't too obtrusive but almost all of my SLRs are louder than my ME Super.
09-30-2010, 04:28 AM   #6
Veteran Member
blende8's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Bremen, Germany
Photos: Albums
Posts: 1,521
Phenix is producing new PK cameras.

Overview:
Phenix, a famous optics manufacturer: cameras, microscopes, telescopes, binoculars...

Example:
Phenix, a famous optics manufacturer: cameras, microscopes, telescopes, binoculars...

Not sure about AE-Lock.
09-30-2010, 06:40 AM   #7
Veteran Member
Nesster's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NJ USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 13,072
Wow, I knew about the Vivitar but that's manual. The Phoenix according to a Swedish site etc does have AE-L - and AE-L has an indicator in the view finder.

09-30-2010, 09:54 AM   #8
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by Nesster Quote
Wow, I knew about the Vivitar but that's manual. The Phoenix according to a Swedish site etc does have AE-L - and AE-L has an indicator in the view finder.
I believe that both the Phenix and Vivitar are Cosina-made along with the Nikon FM10 with somewhat different feature sets depending on model. I was unaware that any of those cameras had AE lock, but if so, that is a good thing.


Steve
09-30-2010, 10:33 AM   #9
Veteran Member
Nesster's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NJ USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 13,072
I did some digging and the Phenix/Phoenix is not Cosina, but rather a separate Chinese company. Looks interesting too, they have some nice looking range finders as well... and apparently make much of what LOMO sells.
09-30-2010, 04:34 PM   #10
Veteran Member




Join Date: May 2010
Location: melbourne
Posts: 937
What about a Pentax Super A.....a very under rated camera with good auto & manual features.....are you familiar with it?
Cheers, Pickles.
09-30-2010, 05:08 PM   #11
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by pickles Quote
What about a Pentax Super A.....a very under rated camera with good auto & manual features.....are you familiar with it?
Cheers, Pickles.
No AE lock. As noted by the OP, the feature was missing from the line prior to the P-series bodies. Too bad the P bodies are DX only for film speed setting, otherwise the P5 or P3n would be my choice.


Steve
09-30-2010, 05:31 PM   #12
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by Nesster Quote
I did some digging and the Phenix/Phoenix is not Cosina, but rather a separate Chinese company. Looks interesting too, they have some nice looking range finders as well... and apparently make much of what LOMO sells.
You probably read these two threads?

The Camera Collector - Phenix

Kenko Introduce Three Film SLRs - PhotoMalaysia Community

Reading the comments, it appears that the Phenix is a pretty close Cosina clone if not from the same factories. Like you, I was interested in the rangefinders, particularly the JG-50 in red leather. It looks like that model may still be available!


Steve
09-30-2010, 08:01 PM   #13
Veteran Member
KungPOW's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,699
The K1000 SE has a split screen.
09-30-2010, 08:16 PM   #14
Pentaxian
filmamigo's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 797
I can heartily recommend the following models with AE lock. From cheapest to most expensive (usually):
  • P3n
  • MZ-7
  • MZ-M/ZX-M
  • MZ-S

Two of these cameras are AF. That is a drawback if you have MF lenses... as you note, the split finder is really necessary.

I have a feeling that the MZ-M is exactly what you are looking for. It has a very lightweight plasticky feel, but is actually VERY sturdy and well equipped. Probably one of the most advanced manual-focus cameras every produced(!)
09-30-2010, 08:58 PM   #15
Veteran Member




Join Date: May 2010
Location: melbourne
Posts: 937
QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
No AE lock. As noted by the OP, the feature was missing from the line prior to the P-series bodies. Too bad the P bodies are DX only for film speed setting, otherwise the P5 or P3n would be my choice.


Steve
No worries....for a bit of a "newbie" could you please explain what an "AE LOCK" is. I know that the Super A operates in either aperature priority or shutter priority & auto, so I thought it fitted the bill.
Cheers, Pickles.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
ae, camera, cameras, compensation, k1000, lens, pentax, screen, shutter
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Recommendations for camera bag? asdfTT123 Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10 02-22-2010 10:16 AM
Looking for recommendations for a film camera RichyX Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 21 10-07-2009 09:23 AM
Daily...carry around camera-recommendations lesmore49 Pentax DSLR Discussion 29 02-12-2009 02:40 AM
Camera-mounted flash recommendations Miguel Photographic Technique 3 06-30-2008 06:38 AM
T.O.P. Top 10 Camera Recommendations Wethphotography Pentax News and Rumors 0 10-08-2007 05:11 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:20 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top