Next Pentax film body

MattC · 06-03-2011, 08:59 PM

Looking for some help and recommendations for a 'new' Pentax film body.

Currently I have a K1000, and really enjoy using it, however I would like something a bit more 'modern' I suppose.
I also recently brought a pristine P30, which is great (especially the size and weight) except for a couple of things ie no manual ISO setting, and the fact the back has a tendency to pop open when I change the lens!

There will certainly be some light leaks on the test roll!

Basically I am using M lenses, but have a couple of A lenses I would also like to use.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Cheers,
Matt

**Digitalis** · 06-03-2011, 09:08 PM

If you like well constructed manual cameras then I recommend you keep an eye out for the MX, LX and the K2

SteveM · 06-03-2011, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

If you like well constructed manual cameras then I recommend you keep an eye out for the MX, LX and the K2

+1

The LX is a very nice camera, albeit a little more expensive. The ME Super is cheap and the viewfinder is really, really good. I wish they could replicate it on a DLSR.

hcarvalhoalves · 06-03-2011, 09:31 PM

I like the ME series, they are compact, great viewfinder and dead easy to use.

deadwolfbones · 06-03-2011, 09:38 PM

MX is great. If you want the option of some automation I also highly recommend the Super Program/Super-A.

**Digitalis** · 06-03-2011, 10:41 PM

this thread is useless without pictures... Pentax ME super with FA77mm f/1.8 Limited - which is an excellent combination for street photography.

**asaru** · 06-03-2011, 10:45 PM

Go for the last film camera Pentax made, the *ist SLR.

That's basically a digicamera without the digi.

MattC · 06-03-2011, 11:35 PM

wow! Thanks for all the suggestions - will have to do some homework now!
That ME Super does look very nice.

gabriel_bc · 06-03-2011, 11:54 PM

Suprised that with the mention of A series lenses, no one has plugged for the Super Program - basically a ME Super with program capability. I'm going to buck the trend though and suggest the Chinon CE-4s - great body (for M and K series lenses, anyway).

Kim C · 06-04-2011, 01:21 AM

If you want auto to use the A lenses, my vote would also go for the Super A/Super Program.

Lots of useful info with pics here: Pentax Camera Bodies

Kim

ihasa · 06-04-2011, 02:06 AM

Super-A / program does look great as it has Tv mode. The P50 is also a good one, like a more fully featured P30. If you have a digital body how about a Z20 / Z70 or MZ6 / MZ7? These will work with all lenses from K to DA (no SDM of course!) And you may well pay less than you would for an ME Super etc.
You can try these camera bodies for free if you buy body/lens combinations on ebay and then sell the lens

MattC · 06-04-2011, 02:50 AM

Thanks for the info everyone - I have my eye on a couple bodies on a particular auction site, and will monitor the classifieds here.
ihasa - I do have a MZ-50, but I don't think M lenses work on it - at least I couldn't figure it out! It is also a bit too 'modern' for what I want in a film camera

Kim C · 06-04-2011, 03:00 AM

The MZ50 has the crippled mount and the M lenses won't work. It's the same for the MZ30, the MZ60 and the *ist.

They will work with the P series and the MZ3, MZ5, MZ6, MZ7, MZ10 and the MZ-S.

The MZ3 and MZ5 have the feel and look of a "classic" film camera but with AF

Kim

Originally posted by MattC

Thanks for the info everyone - I have my eye on a couple bodies on a particular auction site, and will monitor the classifieds here.
ihasa - I do have a MZ-50, but I don't think M lenses work on it - at least I couldn't figure it out! It is also a bit too 'modern' for what I want in a film camera

deadwolfbones · 06-04-2011, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

MX is great. If you want the option of some automation I also highly recommend the Super Program/Super-A.

Originally posted by gabriel_bc

Suprised that with the mention of A series lenses, no one has plugged for the Super Program - basically a ME Super with program capability. I'm going to buck the trend though and suggest the Chinon CE-4s - great body (for M and K series lenses, anyway).

Ahem!

stevebrot · 06-04-2011, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by gabriel_bc

Suprised that with the mention of A series lenses, no one has plugged for the Super Program - basically a ME Super with program capability. I'm going to buck the trend though and suggest the Chinon CE-4s - great body (for M and K series lenses, anyway).

1+ for both!!!

Throw in the various XR Ricohs for fun!

Steve

06-03-2011, 08:59 PM	#1
MattC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 268	Next Pentax film body Looking for some help and recommendations for a 'new' Pentax film body. Currently I have a K1000, and really enjoy using it, however I would like something a bit more 'modern' I suppose. I also recently brought a pristine P30, which is great (especially the size and weight) except for a couple of things ie no manual ISO setting, and the fact the back has a tendency to pop open when I change the lens! There will certainly be some light leaks on the test roll! Basically I am using M lenses, but have a couple of A lenses I would also like to use. Any suggestions would be most appreciated! Cheers, Matt

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06-03-2011, 09:08 PM	#2
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	If you like well constructed manual cameras then I recommend you keep an eye out for the MX, LX and the K2

06-03-2011, 09:25 PM	#3
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	Originally posted by Digitalis If you like well constructed manual cameras then I recommend you keep an eye out for the MX, LX and the K2 +1 The LX is a very nice camera, albeit a little more expensive. The ME Super is cheap and the viewfinder is really, really good. I wish they could replicate it on a DLSR.

06-03-2011, 09:31 PM	#4
hcarvalhoalves Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,019	I like the ME series, they are compact, great viewfinder and dead easy to use.

06-03-2011, 09:38 PM	#5
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	MX is great. If you want the option of some automation I also highly recommend the Super Program/Super-A.

06-03-2011, 10:41 PM	#6
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	this thread is useless without pictures... Pentax ME super with FA77mm f/1.8 Limited - which is an excellent combination for street photography.

06-03-2011, 10:45 PM	#7
asaru Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton/Vancouver, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 301	Go for the last film camera Pentax made, the *ist SLR. That's basically a digicamera without the digi.

06-03-2011, 11:35 PM	#8
MattC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 268 Original Poster	wow! Thanks for all the suggestions - will have to do some homework now! That ME Super does look very nice.

06-03-2011, 11:54 PM	#9
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	Suprised that with the mention of A series lenses, no one has plugged for the Super Program - basically a ME Super with program capability. I'm going to buck the trend though and suggest the Chinon CE-4s - great body (for M and K series lenses, anyway).

06-04-2011, 01:21 AM	#10
Kim C Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	If you want auto to use the A lenses, my vote would also go for the Super A/Super Program. Lots of useful info with pics here: Pentax Camera Bodies Kim

06-04-2011, 02:06 AM	#11
ihasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Midlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	Super-A / program does look great as it has Tv mode. The P50 is also a good one, like a more fully featured P30. If you have a digital body how about a Z20 / Z70 or MZ6 / MZ7? These will work with all lenses from K to DA (no SDM of course!) And you may well pay less than you would for an ME Super etc. You can try these camera bodies for free if you buy body/lens combinations on ebay and then sell the lens

06-04-2011, 02:50 AM	#12
MattC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 268 Original Poster	Thanks for the info everyone - I have my eye on a couple bodies on a particular auction site, and will monitor the classifieds here. ihasa - I do have a MZ-50, but I don't think M lenses work on it - at least I couldn't figure it out! It is also a bit too 'modern' for what I want in a film camera

06-04-2011, 03:00 AM	#13
Kim C Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 229	The MZ50 has the crippled mount and the M lenses won't work. It's the same for the MZ30, the MZ60 and the *ist. They will work with the P series and the MZ3, MZ5, MZ6, MZ7, MZ10 and the MZ-S. The MZ3 and MZ5 have the feel and look of a "classic" film camera but with AF Kim Originally posted by MattC Thanks for the info everyone - I have my eye on a couple bodies on a particular auction site, and will monitor the classifieds here. ihasa - I do have a MZ-50, but I don't think M lenses work on it - at least I couldn't figure it out! It is also a bit too 'modern' for what I want in a film camera

06-04-2011, 09:24 AM	#14
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by deadwolfbones MX is great. If you want the option of some automation I also highly recommend the Super Program/Super-A. Originally posted by gabriel_bc Suprised that with the mention of A series lenses, no one has plugged for the Super Program - basically a ME Super with program capability. I'm going to buck the trend though and suggest the Chinon CE-4s - great body (for M and K series lenses, anyway). Ahem!

06-04-2011, 10:56 AM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by gabriel_bc Suprised that with the mention of A series lenses, no one has plugged for the Super Program - basically a ME Super with program capability. I'm going to buck the trend though and suggest the Chinon CE-4s - great body (for M and K series lenses, anyway). 1+ for both!!! Throw in the various XR Ricohs for fun! Steve