Tell me about the Pentax K2 DMD

skierd · 04-03-2015, 08:51 PM

Found this in my local pawn shops old camera collection, along with a grip of other vintage cameras.

Seems to be in good shape. Not sure if I want to keep it or pass it on. Don't know much about these.

Wild Mark · 04-03-2015, 09:03 PM

You could pass it on to me

This is the top of the line K series film camera. It has a few features additional to the K2 (Judas window for starters). It can also be used with a Motor Drive - exceedingly rare. Many say this is a very good camera.

I am awaiting mine to arrive at Eric's for a CLA - hope to better understand this camera in the next month of so.

**jatrax** · 04-03-2015, 09:03 PM

Pentax K2 DMD - Pentax Manual Focus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

Cuthbert · 04-04-2015, 04:17 AM

TAKE IT!TAKE IT!TAKE IT!

This is the only thing you need to know.

VisualDarkness · 04-04-2015, 05:35 AM

It's one of my main want to have Pentaxes after seeing a badly beaten up copy!

**Moe49** · 04-04-2015, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by skierd

Found this in my local pawn shops old camera collection,

Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk

That K2DMD is worth having, even if it needs some service.
I own two K2s, and among the numerous Pentax film cameras I own, the K2 is one of my favorite 'shooters'.

A K2DMD is on my want list, too.

Arvid · 04-04-2015, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Moe49

Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk

That K2DMD is worth having, even if it needs some service.
I own two K2s. Among the numerous Pentax film cameras I own, the K2 is one of my favorite 'shooters'.

A K2DMD is on my want list, too.

A theoretically nice feature about the K2DMD is the AE-Lock - the plain K2 doesn't have it as far as I know. It has been on my wishlist for that reason (and the black color and ISO-range to 6400) for some time, too. Now that I got it I realize that it A) is a pretty hefty camera and B) the AE-Lock button is a little hard to use in practice if you want to correct focus after locking the exposure and last but not least C) the great meter range doesn't really help if you can't read the needle meter in dark conditions. A I got it as a bargin (30€), I still enjoy using it a lot, though. The sound and feel of the shutter are very satisfying and with that heftyness comes great trust in the camera's durability.

Cuthbert · 04-04-2015, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by Moe49

Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk

That K2DMD is worth having, even if it needs some service.
I own two K2s. Among the numerous Pentax film cameras I own, the K2 is one of my favorite 'shooters'.

A K2DMD is on my want list, too.

Yes I spent 100 euros for mine and I'm happy with that.

For some reason it also feels "better quality" than the LX.

VisualDarkness · 04-04-2015, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk

I can comfort you with the fact that you're not alone.

**ChrisPlatt** · 04-04-2015, 12:27 PM

I have owned a couple of K2DMD bodies, both serviced by Eric Hendrickson. I still own a K2 serviced by him.

The K2DMD has AE lock and in-finder aperture display, nice features not included on the K2.
Unfortunately they didn't fix that terrible film speed/exposure compensation ring around the lensmount.

The so-called motor drive barely manages 2 fps. I've never seen one complete with working battery pack.

Not sure why some like the sound of the metal shutters on these cameras. Perhaps it reminds them of a handgun.

Chris

womble · 04-04-2015, 01:45 PM

I picked up one cheapish a short while ago and have just sent it off to Eric for a CLA. I'll get it back on my next trip to the US in May, then I'll have a couple of weeks to run some film through it.

K.

skierd · 04-04-2015, 04:02 PM

What was the cost of a cla? The Asa ring is stuck on this one but everything else seems perfectly fine.

Arvid · 04-04-2015, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

The K2DMD has AE lock and in-finder aperture display, nice features not included on the K2.
Unfortunately they didn't fix that terrible film speed/exposure compensation ring around the lensmount.

[...]

Not sure why some like the sound of the metal shutters on these cameras. Perhaps it reminds them of a handgun.

Chris

I don't have any problems with my film speed ring at all, it just takes some getting used to. This doesn't mean that there's at least 2 or 3 better ways to do it.

As to the shutter sound, on my DMD it's just a dry and not too loud "clack", combined with a smooth feel of the whole process. My MX on the other hand utters different kinds of "CLANK!" when fired, depending on the shutter speed. As much as I like the MX, its handling, size and simplicity, taking a picture with the DMD just satisfies urges on a different level. I never handled a handgun, so this might explain why

**gofour3** · 04-04-2015, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Not sure why some like the sound of the metal shutters on these cameras.

The 6x7 is louder and better!

Phil.

womble · 04-05-2015, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by skierd

What was the cost of a cla? The Asa ring is stuck on this one but everything else seems perfectly fine.

I haven't had the estimate yet, I'll let you know when I do. K.

04-03-2015, 08:51 PM	#1
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472	Tell me about the Pentax K2 DMD Found this in my local pawn shops old camera collection, along with a grip of other vintage cameras. Seems to be in good shape. Not sure if I want to keep it or pass it on. Don't know much about these.

04-04-2015, 10:40 AM	#6
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	That is just SICK Originally posted by skierd Found this in my local pawn shops old camera collection, Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk That K2DMD is worth having, even if it needs some service. I own two K2s, and among the numerous Pentax film cameras I own, the K2 is one of my favorite 'shooters'. A K2DMD is on my want list, too. Last edited by Moe49; 04-17-2015 at 05:56 AM.

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04-03-2015, 09:03 PM	#2
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	You could pass it on to me This is the top of the line K series film camera. It has a few features additional to the K2 (Judas window for starters). It can also be used with a Motor Drive - exceedingly rare. Many say this is a very good camera. I am awaiting mine to arrive at Eric's for a CLA - hope to better understand this camera in the next month of so.

04-03-2015, 09:03 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Pentax K2 DMD - Pentax Manual Focus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

04-04-2015, 04:17 AM	#4
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	TAKE IT!TAKE IT!TAKE IT! This is the only thing you need to know.

04-04-2015, 05:35 AM	#5
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	It's one of my main want to have Pentaxes after seeing a badly beaten up copy!

04-04-2015, 10:50 AM	#7
Arvid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	Originally posted by Moe49 Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk That K2DMD is worth having, even if it needs some service. I own two K2s. Among the numerous Pentax film cameras I own, the K2 is one of my favorite 'shooters'. A K2DMD is on my want list, too. A theoretically nice feature about the K2DMD is the AE-Lock - the plain K2 doesn't have it as far as I know. It has been on my wishlist for that reason (and the black color and ISO-range to 6400) for some time, too. Now that I got it I realize that it A) is a pretty hefty camera and B) the AE-Lock button is a little hard to use in practice if you want to correct focus after locking the exposure and last but not least C) the great meter range doesn't really help if you can't read the needle meter in dark conditions. A I got it as a bargin (30€), I still enjoy using it a lot, though. The sound and feel of the shutter are very satisfying and with that heftyness comes great trust in the camera's durability.

04-04-2015, 10:55 AM	#8
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Originally posted by Moe49 Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk That K2DMD is worth having, even if it needs some service. I own two K2s. Among the numerous Pentax film cameras I own, the K2 is one of my favorite 'shooters'. A K2DMD is on my want list, too. Yes I spent 100 euros for mine and I'm happy with that. For some reason it also feels "better quality" than the LX.

04-04-2015, 12:09 PM	#9
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Moe49 Each time I check out a thrift store or pawn shop, I find only junk I can comfort you with the fact that you're not alone.

04-04-2015, 12:27 PM	#10
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	I have owned a couple of K2DMD bodies, both serviced by Eric Hendrickson. I still own a K2 serviced by him. The K2DMD has AE lock and in-finder aperture display, nice features not included on the K2. Unfortunately they didn't fix that terrible film speed/exposure compensation ring around the lensmount. The so-called motor drive barely manages 2 fps. I've never seen one complete with working battery pack. Not sure why some like the sound of the metal shutters on these cameras. Perhaps it reminds them of a handgun. Chris

04-04-2015, 01:45 PM	#11
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	I picked up one cheapish a short while ago and have just sent it off to Eric for a CLA. I'll get it back on my next trip to the US in May, then I'll have a couple of weeks to run some film through it. K.

04-04-2015, 04:02 PM	#12
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472 Original Poster	What was the cost of a cla? The Asa ring is stuck on this one but everything else seems perfectly fine.

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04-04-2015, 05:17 PM	#13
Arvid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt The K2DMD has AE lock and in-finder aperture display, nice features not included on the K2. Unfortunately they didn't fix that terrible film speed/exposure compensation ring around the lensmount. [...] Not sure why some like the sound of the metal shutters on these cameras. Perhaps it reminds them of a handgun. Chris I don't have any problems with my film speed ring at all, it just takes some getting used to. This doesn't mean that there's at least 2 or 3 better ways to do it. As to the shutter sound, on my DMD it's just a dry and not too loud "clack", combined with a smooth feel of the whole process. My MX on the other hand utters different kinds of "CLANK!" when fired, depending on the shutter speed. As much as I like the MX, its handling, size and simplicity, taking a picture with the DMD just satisfies urges on a different level. I never handled a handgun, so this might explain why

04-04-2015, 10:39 PM	#14
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,089	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Not sure why some like the sound of the metal shutters on these cameras. The 6x7 is louder and better! Phil.

04-05-2015, 07:52 AM	#15
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Originally posted by skierd What was the cost of a cla? The Asa ring is stuck on this one but everything else seems perfectly fine. I haven't had the estimate yet, I'll let you know when I do. K.