K2 - Page 2

gabriel_bc · 05-11-2017, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

Yeah I agree, the K2 is good, but the K2DMD is a step up and rivals the LX.

Having had both, I actually prefer the K2DMD to the LX...

The K2, not so much. For me the lack of aperture readout in the viewfinder is a big minus, but the deal breaker is the lack of a split prism.

g026r · 05-12-2017, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by gabriel_bc

The K2, not so much. For me the lack of aperture readout in the viewfinder is a big minus, but the deal breaker is the lack of a split prism.

Depends on your K2. I've had two, and both have had split prisms.

gabriel_bc · 05-12-2017, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by g026r

Depends on your K2. I've had two, and both have had split prisms.

You're right - I'd forgotten about that. I even had a black split prism K2 a number of years ago.

That said, the K2DMD has everything "right" as standard issue: black, judas window, and split prism. The only thing better, in my mind, would be a 45 degree angled split prism, but those don't exist for the K bodies as far as I know (or was there a K1000 variant with a 45 degree split? I can't recall.)

**gofour3** · 05-12-2017, 10:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gabriel_bc

You're right - I'd forgotten about that. I even had a black split prism K2 a number of years ago.

That said, the K2DMD has everything "right" as standard issue: black, judas window, and split prism. The only thing better, in my mind, would be a 45 degree angled split prism, but those don't exist for the K bodies as far as I know (or was there a K1000 variant with a 45 degree split? I can't recall.)

Yep as well as the aperture reading in the Judas window turns red when you are using exposure compensation. I once shot most of a roll of film with a K2 and did not notice the exposure compensation was not at "1".

Phil.

gabriel_bc · 05-12-2017, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

I once shot most of a roll of film with a K2 and did not notice the exposure compensation was not at "1".

You were just pushing (or pulling) the exposure before it was cool.

g026r · 05-12-2017, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

I once shot most of a roll of film with a K2 and did not notice the exposure compensation was not at "1".

Definitely have done that.

(I'll admit to never having used a K2DMD. How is the judas window compared to the KX, as I found that one useless with glasses due to its position.)

**gofour3** · 05-12-2017, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by g026r

(I'll admit to never having used a K2DMD. How is the judas window compared to the KX, as I found that one useless with glasses due to its position.)

Basically the same as the KX, but has the "red" exposure factor indicator as well. I use an eye-cup all the time, so it would be similar to wearing glasses, you have to look up to see the Judas window,.

Phil.

**monochrome** · 05-12-2017, 02:26 PM

I use my K2 mostly on Automatic and I'm quite happy doing that. If I want more control I generally use the KX.

Interestingly, I think the silver K2 is the best looking Pentax released after the SV. It's sort of muscular. I've bought and sold several and swapped one for a KX and I always get sucked into buying it again. I think the design is seductive.

Jonathan Mac · 05-13-2017, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by gabriel_bc

You're right - I'd forgotten about that. I even had a black split prism K2 a number of years ago.

That said, the K2DMD has everything "right" as standard issue: black, judas window, and split prism. The only thing better, in my mind, would be a 45 degree angled split prism, but those don't exist for the K bodies as far as I know (or was there a K1000 variant with a 45 degree split? I can't recall.)

I have a 45 degree split prism in my Ricoh XR-M and I find that I often have to turn the camera 45º to get the precis focusing I need. I understand the thinking but I'd rather have the prism with "normal" orientation.

Swift1 · 05-13-2017, 09:35 AM

Of all the manual focus 35mm Pentax bodies that I have used, the K2 was/is my favorite. I can no longer handhold cameras and shoot, but when I could the K2 was my main 35mm. I preferred focusing with the standard K2 screen much more than the split prism KX I had. I also liked the handling of the K2 more than any other manual focus K-mount body I tried. I used pretty much every different manual focus Pentax except the LX and K2 DMD, and I always liked my beat up black K2 the best.

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05-11-2017, 09:43 PM	#16
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	Originally posted by gofour3 Yeah I agree, the K2 is good, but the K2DMD is a step up and rivals the LX. Having had both, I actually prefer the K2DMD to the LX... The K2, not so much. For me the lack of aperture readout in the viewfinder is a big minus, but the deal breaker is the lack of a split prism.

05-12-2017, 08:11 AM	#17
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Originally posted by gabriel_bc The K2, not so much. For me the lack of aperture readout in the viewfinder is a big minus, but the deal breaker is the lack of a split prism. Depends on your K2. I've had two, and both have had split prisms.

05-12-2017, 08:39 AM	#18
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	Originally posted by g026r Depends on your K2. I've had two, and both have had split prisms. You're right - I'd forgotten about that. I even had a black split prism K2 a number of years ago. That said, the K2DMD has everything "right" as standard issue: black, judas window, and split prism. The only thing better, in my mind, would be a 45 degree angled split prism, but those don't exist for the K bodies as far as I know (or was there a K1000 variant with a 45 degree split? I can't recall.)

05-12-2017, 10:23 AM - 1 Like	#19
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by gabriel_bc You're right - I'd forgotten about that. I even had a black split prism K2 a number of years ago. That said, the K2DMD has everything "right" as standard issue: black, judas window, and split prism. The only thing better, in my mind, would be a 45 degree angled split prism, but those don't exist for the K bodies as far as I know (or was there a K1000 variant with a 45 degree split? I can't recall.) Yep as well as the aperture reading in the Judas window turns red when you are using exposure compensation. I once shot most of a roll of film with a K2 and did not notice the exposure compensation was not at "1". Phil.

05-12-2017, 10:37 AM	#20
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	Originally posted by gofour3 I once shot most of a roll of film with a K2 and did not notice the exposure compensation was not at "1". You were just pushing (or pulling) the exposure before it was cool.

05-12-2017, 11:03 AM	#21
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Originally posted by gofour3 I once shot most of a roll of film with a K2 and did not notice the exposure compensation was not at "1". Definitely have done that. (I'll admit to never having used a K2DMD. How is the judas window compared to the KX, as I found that one useless with glasses due to its position.)

05-12-2017, 01:46 PM	#22
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by g026r (I'll admit to never having used a K2DMD. How is the judas window compared to the KX, as I found that one useless with glasses due to its position.) Basically the same as the KX, but has the "red" exposure factor indicator as well. I use an eye-cup all the time, so it would be similar to wearing glasses, you have to look up to see the Judas window,. Phil.

05-12-2017, 02:26 PM	#23
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I use my K2 mostly on Automatic and I'm quite happy doing that. If I want more control I generally use the KX. Interestingly, I think the silver K2 is the best looking Pentax released after the SV. It's sort of muscular. I've bought and sold several and swapped one for a KX and I always get sucked into buying it again. I think the design is seductive.

05-13-2017, 12:30 AM	#24
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Originally posted by gabriel_bc You're right - I'd forgotten about that. I even had a black split prism K2 a number of years ago. That said, the K2DMD has everything "right" as standard issue: black, judas window, and split prism. The only thing better, in my mind, would be a 45 degree angled split prism, but those don't exist for the K bodies as far as I know (or was there a K1000 variant with a 45 degree split? I can't recall.) I have a 45 degree split prism in my Ricoh XR-M and I find that I often have to turn the camera 45º to get the precis focusing I need. I understand the thinking but I'd rather have the prism with "normal" orientation.

05-13-2017, 09:35 AM	#25
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	Of all the manual focus 35mm Pentax bodies that I have used, the K2 was/is my favorite. I can no longer handhold cameras and shoot, but when I could the K2 was my main 35mm. I preferred focusing with the standard K2 screen much more than the split prism KX I had. I also liked the handling of the K2 more than any other manual focus K-mount body I tried. I used pretty much every different manual focus Pentax except the LX and K2 DMD, and I always liked my beat up black K2 the best.