[Eyewanders]

if all were magically always-in-good-repair, batteries were always available as well as film ...

Pentax LX w/ FA31/1.8
or
67ii w/ 55/2.8
or
it keeps changing in my head.

[TomB_tx]

My M4, and either my 50 or 35 Summicron. I've had all since 1969, and despite all additions since, I keep reaching for these, and they get the most use,and give the most enjoyment.

[gofour3]

If asked this question 20 years ago, when I only had a small kit of a KX, K28/3.5, K55/1.8 & K135/3.5, I would have answered the KX & K55/1.8.

Too much gear now and too hard to narrow it down, so I'll stick with the above choice.

Phil.

[Canada_Rockies]

For scenery, I used a KX and M 28/3.5. Hard to fault a camera that showed the shutter speed setting on a blue needle with a black needle from the meter to match exposure and a periscope that showed the f/stop. Others no doubt prefer the MX, but I didn't like it the few times that I tried it. The exposure metering light bulbs just weren't my cup of tea. And the KX works perfectly without a battery in the meter; you just have to use the little piece of paper that comes with the film (Sunny 16).

[ChrisPlatt]

Pentax KX with K 35/2 lens

Chris

[redrockcoulee]

Pentax ZX-5n with Sigma 28-105mm F3.8-5.6 UC-III lens, possibly with the AA battery grip too.

It's the plastic fantastic system with absolutely nothing in the way of nostalgic charm, but it's a hero in terms of actually getting the shots. (In daylight, at least.)

It is my choice for Pentax 35mm cameras too but if any make or format the Hasselblad 500 C/M, just love using it.

[Fire Angel]

A Pentax K-1000 and an SMC-M 50mm f1.4. I own both and love them. The K-1000 gets little use since I went digital but I can't bring myself to part with it. A battery is only needed for the light meter and lasts for years.

[SpartanD63]

Lots of interesting thoughts here, and lots of LX, MX, and KX.

Out of the stuff I actually own...

M2, VM 28/f2 and TMax400.

If it were a 'dreamworld' scenario, I'd swap the Voigtlander for a 28mm Summicron and the M2 for a MA (if only for the reliability of a new body).

Why Because my favourite type of photography tells a story, and I think 28mm works very well as a storytelling lens. There's no where to hide with a wide-angle

I've heard that said of wide angle many times. And I can see it in the shots people get with them, I just can't seem to think any wider than about 40-50mm

Pentax ZX-5n with Sigma 28-105mm F3.8-5.6 UC-III lens, possibly with the AA battery grip too.

It's the plastic fantastic system with absolutely nothing in the way of nostalgic charm, but it's a hero in terms of actually getting the shots. (In daylight, at least.)

Nothing wrong with plastic cameras if they get the shot.

Upon the Pentax cameras I know well and love, that would be one of my black KX. Regarding the lens, the K 28mm 3.5 for sure, it has always been my most consistent lens to deliver outstanding pictures (even though I like the K 50mm 1.4 a lot too).

One of the most recent with this setup and Ektar 100 (Bretagne, France)

That's a good looking shot! And a black KX is certainly on my wishlist, though I have a KX I need to send in to Eric.

I've never used either of these cameras (or film full stop) but I'd probably choose an LX and A 50/1.2 or an MX with the M40/2.8 pancake.

That MX with M40/2.8 would certainly be compact!

ME Super with out any doubt!

Had one for years. It was my most used body before I got my first (Pentax) Digital Camera.

While the controls are a bit clumsy, I find myself loving the ME Super. Just a nice solid little camera.

Out of the stuff that I own...
K2 + SMC 50mm/f1.2

K2 is an interesting choice. Don't see them much.

For film it would be a Hasselblad 501CM with an 80mm F2.8.
If it had to be 35mm film I would say an LX with a 50mm F1.2

Both good choices, and I gotta say, the Hasselblad is gorgeous.

All I need is the brown leather SE K1000, and most definitely my Takumar 50mm f1.4 with M42 adapter. I could shoot Tri-X for days and days and still be okay. Can't go wrong with a fast fifty and one of the best Pentaxes ever.

The K1000 SE is a nice looking camera. And of course very capable.

If asked this question 20 years ago, when I only had a small kit of a KX, K28/3.5, K55/1.8 & K135/3.5, I would have answered the KX & K55/1.8.

Too much gear now and too hard to narrow it down, so I'll stick with the above choice.

Phil.

Having a KX and K55/1.8, I'd say that'd still not be a bad choice.

My M4, and either my 50 or 35 Summicron. I've had all since 1969, and despite all additions since, I keep reaching for these, and they get the most use,and give the most enjoyment.

I like Leica, but my wallet could never justify it

For scenery, I used a KX and M 28/3.5. Hard to fault a camera that showed the shutter speed setting on a blue needle with a black needle from the meter to match exposure and a periscope that showed the f/stop. Others no doubt prefer the MX, but I didn't like it the few times that I tried it. The exposure metering light bulbs just weren't my cup of tea. And the KX works perfectly without a battery in the meter; you just have to use the little piece of paper that comes with the film (Sunny 16).

The KX is certainly easy to read. I'd imagine the MX system would work very similarly to the other M series cameras, in which case, it works, but it's not the most pleasing to use.

[monochrome]

KX and K35/3.5 with a supply of Velvia 100. I could think of many other combinations but for color this lens with reversal film is sublime.

The KX match-needle metering is intuitive and accurate. It so happens I have a split-image focusing screen model.

[CarlH]

My choice is my KX with the 50mm/1.7 just the feel and sound it makes when you use it, just like a camera should be!

[nickthetasmaniac]

I've heard that said of wide angle many times. And I can see it in the shots people get with them, I just can't seem to think any wider than about 40-50mm

I used to struggle, then I spent a year pretty much only using a GR

[AquaDome]

For nearly 20 years it was a K1000 with M50/2. Now it's a KX with a K55/1.8

[SpartanD63]

I used to struggle, then I spent a year pretty much only using a GR

That would certainly do it....

[Eyewanders]

That would certainly do it....

It's pretty much impossible to be able to think in a particular focal length until you've spent a significant amount of time with only that focal length.

[Moe49]

If you guys had to pick just one film body and lens, what would they be, and perhaps more importantly, why?

Only one film body & lens?
Well .... from my current inventory I would have to choose
Pentax MZ-S &
Pentax FA* 28-70mm

The MZ-S auto focus and scene metering is the best among the cameras I own, and with manual focus lenses, the focus confirmation system is very nice.
The FA* 28-70mm is the most used lens I own*, for some years now. It is an excellent lens that does wide shots, 'normal', and short telephoto very well.
A no brain'r choice if there is only room for one lens.

I shot several rolls of Ektar 100 with this camera/lens combo during our Alaska vacation last month

*Vivitar S1 28-105mm PKA mount, was the most used lens I own prior to buying the FA* 28-70mm.