Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**Spodeworld** · 07-31-2017, 01:41 PM

Decided that I wanted to jump into film a bit, and bid on and won a KX on eBay, along with a few lenses (basically duplicates of ones I already have).

Not really sure where to look to get started with this thing. It will come with a manual, but in terms of tips and tricks...any suggestions?

Also what about film (saw some nice images taken on Kadochrome on Flickr). I haven't checked lately, but I assume you have to go to photography shops to get rolls (I do work in the neighborhood of B&H though)...not even sure what I would get....and then there's where to get them developed.

What have I done????

**aslyfox** · 07-31-2017, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Spodeworld

. . . .What have I done????

started down a slippery slope perhaps

**onlineflyer** · 07-31-2017, 02:09 PM

Start with a cla from Eric.

**boriscleto** · 07-31-2017, 02:10 PM

It will probably need new light seals and mirror bumper at a minimum.

**Spodeworld** · 07-31-2017, 02:17 PM

I did ask him about it...he said CLAs run about $100....

I know he's terrific though.

Originally posted by onlineflyer

Start with a cla from Eric.

pathdoc · 07-31-2017, 03:09 PM - **1 Like**

Start with a couple of rolls of the cheapest name-brand colour print film you can find. Kodak Gold 200 is quite alright, and is a good balance between speed and quality of image - especially if you don't want to be stuck shooting in the realm of 1/1000 and f/22 whenever you are in bright sunlight.

I'm sure the nice folks at B&H will both sell them to you and recommend a good place (perhaps B&H itself) that can get them processed with all due speed.

I would put at least one roll through and get it processed ASAP before I sent the camera anywhere. This will let you know exactly what (if anything) might be out of kilter and enable you to let Eric know if there are specific issues that demand his attention.

It will also let you know just how serious you are about all this BEFORE you send the camera off for CLA. If after a roll or two you go YES, I MUST GO ON DOING THIS FOREVER, TAKE MY MONEY B&H!! then it's CLA time; if you go "Meh, that was okay for a bit of fun, but digital's more my thing," you know where to stop, cut your losses, and sell the gear on. Someone on the forums is bound to buy it from you sooner or later.

victormeldrew · 07-31-2017, 03:11 PM

Won? Woo hoo!!

Oh wait...you mean 'bought'.

Well done though.

Save

MarkJerling · 07-31-2017, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Spodeworld

Decided that I wanted to jump into film a bit, and bid on and won a KX on eBay, along with a few lenses (basically duplicates of ones I already have).

Not really sure where to look to get started with this thing. It will come with a manual, but in terms of tips and tricks...any suggestions?

Also what about film (saw some nice images taken on Kadochrome on Flickr). I haven't checked lately, but I assume you have to go to photography shops to get rolls (I do work in the neighborhood of B&H though)...not even sure what I would get....and then there's where to get them developed.

What have I done????

Before you know it you'll be playing with coffee and orange juice.

**TwoUptons** · 07-31-2017, 05:39 PM

I got a KX with some lenses I wanted, but I have to say I was very pleased with the camera.

It shoots just like a K1000, which makes sense... and it's a big old chunk of a thing, though not clumsy or awkward to use.

My useful tip is to remember to push the button on the bottom before trying to rewind the film. Someone I know may have forgotten to do that once or twice many years ago...

-Eric

murrelet · 07-31-2017, 05:52 PM - **1 Like**

Good suggestions from pathdoc. One thing to add... Make some space on your shelf. You're going to add 5 more film bodies before the end of the year.

ripper2860 · 07-31-2017, 09:59 PM

Cursed GBA! I was about to pull the trigger on a KX and talked myself out of it as it was too much like my K2. So instead of just quitting while ahead, I purchased an MX. While it is purported to be in very good condition, I suspect a visit to Eric is in its future. He has done a CLA on several of my film bodies and he is a craftsman!!

Anyhow -- you'll love the KX -- these bodies feel well engineered and are solid performers. Like my K2 (and it really is close) it will perform and feel fabulous with a nice K55/1.8 or K28/3.5 lens attached!!

Oh -- and get ready to add Eric to your address book as this will not be your only Pentax film camera.

**Spodeworld** · 08-01-2017, 04:17 AM

How is it trying to focus a lens like the 28mm/f3.5 which is nowhere near as bright as say a 50/1.7, for example?

Xmas · 08-01-2017, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Spodeworld

How is it trying to focus a lens like the 28mm/f3.5 which is nowhere near as bright as say a 50/1.7, for example?

The depth of field is larger prefocus frame shoot!

ripper2860 · 08-01-2017, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by Spodeworld

How is it trying to focus a lens like the 28mm/f3.5 which is nowhere near as bright as say a 50/1.7, for example?

The viewfinder is relatively large and bright, so no different than a DSLR, really. (MX supposedly has one of the biggest and brightest VF on a Pentac film camera.) A K, M, or A lens will remain wide open until you fire the shot and the meter compensates for the aperture setting on the lens so as long as you dial it in properly, you should have a properly exposed image. Of course you can use DOF preview to double-check focus depth prior to shooting. Nothing like GREEN BUTTON stop-down metering required.

**Spodeworld** · 08-01-2017, 08:17 AM

How does the KX know what aperture you've set the lens at? Is there a coupling within the mount that automatically detects it? Do you need to enter anything regarding the aperture outside of setting it?

07-31-2017, 01:41 PM	#1
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370	Well...just won a KX Decided that I wanted to jump into film a bit, and bid on and won a KX on eBay, along with a few lenses (basically duplicates of ones I already have). Not really sure where to look to get started with this thing. It will come with a manual, but in terms of tips and tricks...any suggestions? Also what about film (saw some nice images taken on Kadochrome on Flickr). I haven't checked lately, but I assume you have to go to photography shops to get rolls (I do work in the neighborhood of B&H though)...not even sure what I would get....and then there's where to get them developed. What have I done????

07-31-2017, 09:59 PM	#11
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	Cursed GBA! I was about to pull the trigger on a KX and talked myself out of it as it was too much like my K2. So instead of just quitting while ahead, I purchased an MX. While it is purported to be in very good condition, I suspect a visit to Eric is in its future. He has done a CLA on several of my film bodies and he is a craftsman!! Anyhow -- you'll love the KX -- these bodies feel well engineered and are solid performers. Like my K2 (and it really is close) it will perform and feel fabulous with a nice K55/1.8 or K28/3.5 lens attached!! Oh -- and get ready to add Eric to your address book as this will not be your only Pentax film camera. Last edited by ripper2860; 08-01-2017 at 06:53 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature Well, well... look who's back!	gjtoth	Post Your Photos!	10	05-01-2017 06:02 AM
Well ... well ... well ... it looks as if the K-1 price war has begun ...	Newfie	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	43	06-15-2016 04:09 PM
Architecture I won, I won, I won	Culture	Post Your Photos!	12	11-13-2015 11:34 PM
Well, Well, Well....	Caboverde1	Welcomes and Introductions	3	11-22-2009 08:21 AM
Just won a KX off ebay =) what should i do till i get it?	TheTenaciousOne	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	18	10-15-2009 07:53 AM

07-31-2017, 02:02 PM	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by Spodeworld . . . .What have I done???? started down a slippery slope perhaps

07-31-2017, 02:09 PM	#3
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,094	Start with a cla from Eric.

07-31-2017, 02:10 PM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	It will probably need new light seals and mirror bumper at a minimum.

07-31-2017, 02:17 PM	#5
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370 Original Poster	I did ask him about it...he said CLAs run about $100.... I know he's terrific though. Originally posted by onlineflyer Start with a cla from Eric.

07-31-2017, 03:09 PM - 1 Like	#6
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Start with a couple of rolls of the cheapest name-brand colour print film you can find. Kodak Gold 200 is quite alright, and is a good balance between speed and quality of image - especially if you don't want to be stuck shooting in the realm of 1/1000 and f/22 whenever you are in bright sunlight. I'm sure the nice folks at B&H will both sell them to you and recommend a good place (perhaps B&H itself) that can get them processed with all due speed. I would put at least one roll through and get it processed ASAP before I sent the camera anywhere. This will let you know exactly what (if anything) might be out of kilter and enable you to let Eric know if there are specific issues that demand his attention. It will also let you know just how serious you are about all this BEFORE you send the camera off for CLA. If after a roll or two you go YES, I MUST GO ON DOING THIS FOREVER, TAKE MY MONEY B&H!! then it's CLA time; if you go "Meh, that was okay for a bit of fun, but digital's more my thing," you know where to stop, cut your losses, and sell the gear on. Someone on the forums is bound to buy it from you sooner or later.

07-31-2017, 03:11 PM	#7
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Won? Woo hoo!! Oh wait...you mean 'bought'. Well done though. Save

07-31-2017, 04:06 PM	#8
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by Spodeworld Decided that I wanted to jump into film a bit, and bid on and won a KX on eBay, along with a few lenses (basically duplicates of ones I already have). Not really sure where to look to get started with this thing. It will come with a manual, but in terms of tips and tricks...any suggestions? Also what about film (saw some nice images taken on Kadochrome on Flickr). I haven't checked lately, but I assume you have to go to photography shops to get rolls (I do work in the neighborhood of B&H though)...not even sure what I would get....and then there's where to get them developed. What have I done???? Before you know it you'll be playing with coffee and orange juice.

07-31-2017, 05:39 PM	#9
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	I got a KX with some lenses I wanted, but I have to say I was very pleased with the camera. It shoots just like a K1000, which makes sense... and it's a big old chunk of a thing, though not clumsy or awkward to use. My useful tip is to remember to push the button on the bottom before trying to rewind the film. Someone I know may have forgotten to do that once or twice many years ago... -Eric

07-31-2017, 05:52 PM - 1 Like	#10
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	Good suggestions from pathdoc. One thing to add... Make some space on your shelf. You're going to add 5 more film bodies before the end of the year.

08-01-2017, 04:17 AM	#12
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370 Original Poster	How is it trying to focus a lens like the 28mm/f3.5 which is nowhere near as bright as say a 50/1.7, for example?

08-01-2017, 05:20 AM	#13
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Originally posted by Spodeworld How is it trying to focus a lens like the 28mm/f3.5 which is nowhere near as bright as say a 50/1.7, for example? The depth of field is larger prefocus frame shoot!

08-01-2017, 06:59 AM	#14
ripper2860 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 890	Originally posted by Spodeworld How is it trying to focus a lens like the 28mm/f3.5 which is nowhere near as bright as say a 50/1.7, for example? The viewfinder is relatively large and bright, so no different than a DSLR, really. (MX supposedly has one of the biggest and brightest VF on a Pentac film camera.) A K, M, or A lens will remain wide open until you fire the shot and the meter compensates for the aperture setting on the lens so as long as you dial it in properly, you should have a properly exposed image. Of course you can use DOF preview to double-check focus depth prior to shooting. Nothing like GREEN BUTTON stop-down metering required.

08-01-2017, 08:17 AM	#15
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370 Original Poster	How does the KX know what aperture you've set the lens at? Is there a coupling within the mount that automatically detects it? Do you need to enter anything regarding the aperture outside of setting it?

Well...just won a KX

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!