[timw4mail]

By functionality my picks are:

Autofocus:

• MZ-S
• SF10 / SF1 (Depending on how much control you want)

Manual Focus Program:

• Chinon CP-7m (Yeah, that's cheating, but it does program mode with K and M series lenses)

Manual Focus AV:

• ME
• LX

Manual Focus/Manual Exposure/TTL:

• MX for smaller lenses
• KX for larger lenses

Manual Focus/Manual Exposure/TTL M42:

• Spotmatic F

No meter:

• Pretty much any S/H series camera

[pathdoc]

Film camera reached for first: MX. Size and full manual control make this my go-to. I also reach for an ME sometimes, with colour film. My ME's batteries died on me in the field recently, but fortunately the light was low enough that I could go to flash sync speed (1/100) even with 400ASA film in the camera and use my camera's light meter app to help me set the aperture. Thank God for that manual backup.

Sentimental favourite: P3. This was my late father-in-law's, and inheriting it got me back into film.

M42 favourites: Spotmatic F for general use, often with the S-M-C Takumar 50/4.0 macro and colour film loaded as a walkaround lens (because I seldom need anything faster than f/4.0 in summer, and having macro can be useful). S1a when I want to slow down and give my Sekonic meter a workout. I also have a couple of vanilla Spotmatics (one an Asahi, one a Honeywell), one of which I bought to see what the fuss was about and the other which I got with a lens I wanted. Both their batteries appear to be dead, and I should get on and replace those. I could use them battery-less, but the S1a is slightly smaller all round and seems to suit me better ergonomically.

For me, small is beautiful.

[ChrisPlatt]

If we are talking about which is the best "technically", then it's the LX.
But if I had to pick what I think is the best overall, considering reliability and features, for me it would be the KX.

I started in Pentax with a KX. Much later I added an LX, which I eventually sold.
For my needs I prefer the KX. I now own three of them. So I guess I agree!

Chris

[Eyewanders]

In my order of preference:

1. KX
2. LX
3. SV
4. MX
5. MZ-S
6. K2DMD
7. ESII
8. SP-F
9. PZ-1P
10. Anything else with Pentax or Asahi on the prism housing

EXCEPT K1000

I heartily agree with 1-4. After that, it doesn't really matter.

Yup. My 1-4 would be arranged a bit differently, but all the same players.
Number 0 would P67 and/or P67ii however.

---------- Post added 08-05-18 at 12:25 PM ----------

Film camera reached for first: MX. ....
For me, small is beautiful.

Same. Followed by 67ii. Hahaha. Size IS beautiful.

(I think @Swift1 has a nifty shot of a 67 and MX stare-down.)

[pathdoc]

Same. Followed by 67ii.

You Tube

You Tube

[alvaro_garcia]

I'm curious to buy an LX...

[Eyewanders]

Billy Joel - I Go to Extremes (Official Video) - YouTube

Hahahaha.

I hope Colton ( @Swift1 ) doesn't mind me posting this one of his - I love this little image.

[Swift1]

Hahahaha.

I hope Colton ( @Swift1 ) doesn't mind me posting this one of his - I love this little image.

Not at all

[pathdoc]

I'm curious to buy an LX...

So was I once, but remember that if/when the electronics package dies, there will be almost no hope of restoration to full function (because spares are becoming scarce). Definitely one of those cameras that you enjoy while it lasts.

[ChrisPlatt]

So was I once, but remember that if/when the electronics package dies, there will be almost no hope of restoration to full function (because spares are becoming scarce). Definitely one of those cameras that you enjoy while it lasts.

That's one of the factors that led me to sell my Pentax LX a few years ago.

I also sold my Konica Hexar AF, Contax T and Bronica RF645 cameras.
I figured it was far better to sell these electronic wonders while still working.

Chris

[timw4mail]

That's one of the factors that led me to sell my Pentax LX a few years ago.

I also sold my Konica Hexar AF, Contax T and Bronica RF645 cameras.
I figured it was far better to sell these electronic wonders while still working.

Chris

I could see the same problems developing with the ME-F, ME-Super, and Super-Program.


By the time of the SF series, I think electronics are much more durable.

I've also seen issues with cameras where the electronics are fine, but the mechanics are not -- no point in a working meter if the shutter can't fire.

[ChrisPlatt]

I could see the same problems developing with the ME-F, ME-Super, and Super-Program.


By the time of the SF series, I think electronics are much more durable.

I've also seen issues with cameras where the electronics are fine, but the mechanics are not -- no point in a working meter if the shutter can't fire.

I'm keeping the ME-F, for now anyway. Unlike the others I sold it doesn't have a particularly high resale value.
Later Pentax AF film bodies don't interest me, and someday I may need the ME-F's "focus assist" with my Pentax manual focus lenses.

It was when I sold my LX that I decided to concentrate on primarily mechanical models, those that are not dependent on electronics.
I will continue to use some electronic models - e.g. I just bought a Nikon F4 - but they must be proven durable
and/or available cheap enough for me to consider them disposable.

Chris

[grux]

I'll be using my LX until the time comes when one of us isn't with the other. I had Eric CLA/repair it a couple years ago and hope it will last longer than me so the next person can enjoy it.

You raise a good point, one that I have not given much thought about, in particular when applied to fully mechanical cameras ...

I've also seen issues with cameras where the electronics are fine, but the mechanics are not -- no point in a working meter if the shutter can't fire.

I think I'd be more upset should my SV suffer an unrepairable mechanical breakdown than my LX.

[ChrisPlatt]

Mechanical cameras will be repairable as long as we have repair techs.
Parts can always be scavenged from donor cameras.

Chris

[leekil]

But that should also be true with electronic parts from electronic cameras?