Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
06-19-2016, 12:22 AM   #1
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2012
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 351
If you could only have one?

Hello! I figure this may have already been asked, but it couldn't hurt to ask again....

If you guys had to pick just one film body and lens, what would they be, and perhaps more importantly, why?
Obviously, there's likely to be a preference for Pentax here, but if there's another brand, feel free to say too.

I won't lie, I have a bit of an ulterior motive to ask, as I'll only be able to reasonably bring one body after I leave for school for about the next 6 months until I get back home.

06-19-2016, 12:39 AM   #2
Pentaxian
Jonathan Mac's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 10,847
From the film bodies I have and have used I think the one I like most is the Ricoh X-RM. It's well built, goes to 1/2000s, takes AA batteries, is comfortable to hold due to the large grip to accommodate those batteries, has a very good viewfinder and does double exposures without having to waste an extra shot afterwards.

The lens would have to be a 50/1.4. I don't have much preference between the three K-mount ones I own - the K, the M and the Auto Revuenon, they're all great.

However, if I could only keep one and had to sell the rest off I could use the money to get an LX and an A 50mm f/1.2, and even though I've never used either, I suspect that would be a match made in heaven.

Having written all of the above I realise I've focused entirely on 135 format. The combo which gets me my best images is in fact the 645 with 75mm f/2.8.

So there you have it, you asked for one and I gave you three. It just goes to show my complete inability to choose one option over another, which is why I have so many cameras and lenses.

If you need to choose only one, make sure it's reliable - something strong that has never let you down. For a lens I'd say it needs to be fast and at a normal focal length that suits what you want to photograph - something between 35mm and 55mm and at least f/2. That will depend on your style of shooting.
06-19-2016, 12:43 AM   #3
Veteran Member
Eyewanders's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Land of the Salish Sea
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,343
We need more parameters!

No, I posed this same question a little while back:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/305603-one-i...nd-camera.html
06-19-2016, 12:48 AM   #4
Moderator
Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Sandy Hancock's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,254
I have the LX and A50/1.2
That'll do me.

06-19-2016, 12:48 AM   #5
Veteran Member
Eyewanders's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Land of the Salish Sea
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,343
... parameters like
"do we keep it for infinity?"
"is film endlessly available in the format of our choice?"
"does weight matter, e.g. will we have a sherpa at our service as well?"
"will Eric H. be reachable in this hypothetical land, or will our chosen camera just continue to work forever?"

You know, stuff like that.

It matter what each person shoots, I'd say.... so you know, "it depends". But then my answer is usually: Pentax MX ... there are other choices I would make based on some of the above conditions, and there are other cameras that are my "favorite", but the MX is usually the one I'd keep.
06-19-2016, 01:11 AM   #6
Pentaxian
nickthetasmaniac's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,360
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
06-19-2016, 02:12 AM   #7
New Member




Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1
With film I prefer medium format: my old Bronica GS1 6x7 with 100 or 65 mm. I like the handling, sound and the large negatives. You know, bigger is better...

06-19-2016, 02:21 AM   #8
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
microlight's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 2,127
Out of the stuff that I own...

K2 + SMC 50mm/f1.2
06-19-2016, 03:58 AM - 2 Likes   #9
New Member
Karénine's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 19
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) :

Name:  Bretagne-France.jpg
Views: 780
Size:  430.0 KB

Last edited by Karénine; 06-19-2016 at 04:13 AM.
06-19-2016, 04:17 AM   #10
Veteran Member
sarge's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Illinois
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 460
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
06-19-2016, 05:25 AM   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hamilton, Texas
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 773
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.)
06-19-2016, 05:57 AM   #12
Senior Member




Join Date: Jun 2015
Photos: Albums
Posts: 235
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.
06-19-2016, 07:28 AM   #13
Veteran Member
bertwert's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Golden, BC
Posts: 15,173
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.
06-19-2016, 08:46 AM   #14
Senior Member
LoneWolf's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 141
QuoteOriginally posted by Tony Belding Quote
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.)
ME Super with out any doubt!

Had one for years. It was my most used body before I got my first (Pentax) Digital Camera.
06-19-2016, 08:49 AM - 1 Like   #15
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nagoya
Posts: 577
Super A, A50/1.7 and an endless supply of HP5+, please
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!
body
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What if you could only have 1 camera with one lens.... RonHendriks1966 Pentax DSLR Discussion 104 11-05-2016 11:31 PM
If you could only have one lens amorificus Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 66 03-20-2012 05:57 PM
If you could only have one TTL flash.. geekette Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 2 05-02-2011 07:13 AM
if you could only have one lens.... Andrzej Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 48 03-19-2010 09:41 AM
If you could only have one prime Pentax lens… rams Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 41 07-23-2009 10:41 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:30 PM. | 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