Originally posted by butangmucat Another question is why cameras like the KM is about 200 grams heavier than ones like Program Plus? Is this related to how rugged they are?
Size, materials, construction, and technology. The KM is a fully mechanical camera and is the last step in the evolution of the Pentax Spotmatic. The design is well-proven and robust. While not large by standards of the day, it is somewhat bulkier and heavier than the compact SLRs of the late 1970s into the 1980s. The Program Plus and other A-series bodies are second-generation electronic cameras where most of the functions except for film transport are done using (then) state of the art technology. The construction of those cameras is solid, though they do have vulnerabilities common to all electrical/electronic devices. Conventional wisdom goes like this:
- The 1980s are generally considered to represent the high point of 35mm SLR development
- Cameras of that era have proven themselves to be robust and dependable
- Cameras of that era may be difficult to service due to the nature of how they are made and the unavailability of parts
- A good rule of thumb is that an 80s vintage camera in clean and working condition will likely continue to operate quite with only basic maintenance, though when it dies, it will be dead
- Some highly desirable professional models may be worth attempting expensive repairs, but most are not
The actual construction of 1980s vintage bodies is variable. Some are traditional metal exterior over metal chassis. Others are (mostly) polycarbonate exterior over metal and the remainder are polycarbonate exteriors over reinforced resin chassis. Almost all are both smaller and lighter than traditional SLRs. I don't know for sure where the Program Plus falls. Both it and the Super Program have metal chassis, but I am not sure if the exterior bits are metal.*
Steve
* This is sort of silly since I own the Super Program. My feeling has been that it has plastic top and bottom plates with a metal film door. Other forum members have reported metal top/bottom. I have no interest in carving either up to see.
Last edited by stevebrot; 09-30-2016 at 06:17 PM.