Film camera recommendations?

someasiancameraguy · 11-19-2020, 07:52 AM

Hi everyone,

As much as I enjoy using the MX with its huge viewfinder, I'm hoping to get some recommendations on other film bodies as I'm a bit tired of shooting all manual all the time. The features I'm looking for are lightweight, small size, and Av metering modes. Normally that would mean getting an ME or ME-Super, but I really don't like the tiny adjustment button and the heavy shutter vibration. It's gonna be a beater camera that's going to be in my bag virtually all the time, so I don't plan on using an LX for this role.

Would really appreciate user feedback suggestions, especially from people that have used the camera's they are recommending. Thanks so much!

Edit: What I mean by the tiny adjustment button is the white dot that needs to be pressed down to change modes on the ME and ME-Super. Honestly hurts my fingers pressing it.

Last edited by someasiancameraguy; 11-20-2020 at 04:45 AM.

**gofour3** · 11-19-2020, 08:15 AM

P5/50 would be my choice, as they are cheep and not too big. (Note all the P Series bodies don't have a manual ISO setting or DX coding override)

Phil.

ChristianRock · 11-19-2020, 08:20 AM

My P30T is not the smallest K-body and not the lightest for sure (my ZX-M was featherlight but the shutter broke, which is very common with those bodies). But the P30T is light enough for my use, and the A position will be Av with a manual aperture ring, and will be P mode if your lens is in the A position. It's a good compromise I think.
The shutter does "clack" with an odd sound, so it won't be your smooth shutter that you'd have with an LX or, I think, the MX... but I got used to it so it doesn't bother me.
You can't set the film speed to push/pull with it. But that's common with those "newer" film bodies. What the P30T really has for it, is that it seems to be made well with good quality components. I just did a little lubbing inside mine and all the gears and important parts seem to be made of metal (not plastic like the cheaper models in the Z series...)

I really liked the ZX-M design though - felt good in the hands, was super-light with a plastic 50mm like the Auto Sears 50 1.7, had the 1/2000 shutter speed and manual controls. Too bad they used so much plastic in the inner parts and those parts are now breaking down. A while back I was looking for one on Ebay just to see what is out there, and every single ZX-M was either broken or "untested", which to me also means broken...

LesDMess · 11-19-2020, 08:42 AM - **3 Likes**

The Ricoh XR7 is like the ME Super but with teaditional controls.

vector · 11-19-2020, 10:14 AM

I can second the P30T recommendation. I like it because of the meter and view finder indicators vs older bodies as well as the diagonal split prism. I also like that the shutter speed wheel is more like on DSLRs where it sticks out the front so you can make easy adjustments with your fingertip while the camera is up to your eye. I can also override the film speed by scraping the paint off the DX code and putting my own on in its place with electrical tape and often push HP5 to 3200 that way. I have 2 and an ME Super, and while the ME Super is certainly nicer to hold and look at, I like shooting with a P30T.

stevebrot · 11-19-2020, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by someasiancameraguy

but I really don't like the tiny adjustment button and the heavy shutter vibration.

Meaning you don't like the metal vertical shutter. In which case, I suggest an Olympus OM2 or similar. Otherwise, I would recommend a Ricoh XR7. I purchased my original copy* over the ME Super in 1982 and have never felt even the smallest pang of regret. I have found the XR7 to be a pleasure in use and very durable despite never having been coddled. I really should post a review, but until I do, the full feature set is posted here on PF:

Ricoh XR7 - Third-Party Manual Focus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

My XR7 #2

At center with XR Winder II between XR-2s and Pentax Super Program

BTW...The XR7 has a secret weapon, AE Lock...

Steve

* That camera was fatally wounded by a defective Soviet fisheye about a decade ago and would likely still be fully functional except for a mangled aperture coupler. I now have two replacements.

**othar** · 11-19-2020, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

My P30T is not the smallest K-body and not the lightest for sure (my ZX-M was featherlight but the shutter broke, which is very common with those bodies). But the P30T is light enough for my use, and the A position will be Av with a manual aperture ring, and will be P mode if your lens is in the A position. It's a good compromise I think.
The shutter does "clack" with an odd sound, so it won't be your smooth shutter that you'd have with an LX or, I think, the MX... but I got used to it so it doesn't bother me.

I don't know about the P30T but if I remember correctly my P30 is either M or P mode, I don't think it's capable of Av though.
That said I like it a lot, the only downside for me is, that the shutter isn't working when the battery is drained.

vector · 11-19-2020, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by othar

I don't know about the P30T but if I remember correctly my P30 is either M or P mode, I don't think it's capable of Av though.
That said I like it a lot, the only downside for me is, that the shutter isn't working when the battery is drained.

P30T does do Av mode.

stevebrot · 11-19-2020, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by othar

I don't know about the P30T but if I remember correctly my P30 is either M or P mode, I don't think it's capable of Av though.

That changed with the P30n/P3n.

Steve

ChristianRock · 11-19-2020, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by othar

That said I like it a lot, the only downside for me is, that the shutter isn't working when the battery is drained.

If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one!

Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av?

Wasp · 11-19-2020, 11:52 AM

I had a Pentax Super A (a.k.a. Super Program) as a second body to my LX back in the eighties and nineties. It never missed a beat and served me well. It doesn't have a shutter dial and uses buttons pretty much the same as the ME Super, so that wouldn't work. The only other K mount body with a shutter speed dial I owned was the MX. Sorry, but I can't help much.

---------- Post added 2020-11-19 at 21:01 ----------

Originally posted by ChristianRock

If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one!

Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av?

The LX is only fully mechanical from X (1/75) and up. If the battery goes dead, that's all you have. Better than the Nikon F3 that only gives you X.

**ismaelg** · 11-19-2020, 12:30 PM

Hello,

I have and use the first and last manual focus K-mount: The mighty K2 and the featherweight ZX-M both do auto exposure. The K2 is not the lightest around (especially with my A70-210 f4)
and the ZX-M doesn't have the biggest viewfinder. If I were traveling I'd consider the ZX-M. For everyday abuse, the K2.

Thanks,

LesDMess · 11-19-2020, 12:45 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av?

There is only one camera that has aperture priority AE and have all shutter speeds available when batteries die and that's the Nikon FM3A.

The Pentax LX and Canon New F-1 are aperture AE capable but only have sync speed and higher available when batteries die. They both also have B (bulb) mode available so you could estimate the slower speeds if pressed.

stevebrot · 11-19-2020, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one!

Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av?

You don't need the Ricoh pin on the Cosina-made KR5 Super II (mount is bog standard Pentax-K) and while it does have a full range of mechanical speeds from 1s to 1/2000s, it does not have Av exposure automation. The batteries power the meter and LED display and nothing else.

Steve

**othar** · 11-19-2020, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one!

Thanks, but as I own enough M42 lenses I currently use the Praktica MTL5B when shooting film since a working battery is no necessity to use this camera too.

11-19-2020, 07:52 AM	#1
someasiancameraguy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 419	Film camera recommendations? Hi everyone, As much as I enjoy using the MX with its huge viewfinder, I'm hoping to get some recommendations on other film bodies as I'm a bit tired of shooting all manual all the time. The features I'm looking for are lightweight, small size, and Av metering modes. Normally that would mean getting an ME or ME-Super, but I really don't like the tiny adjustment button and the heavy shutter vibration. It's gonna be a beater camera that's going to be in my bag virtually all the time, so I don't plan on using an LX for this role. Would really appreciate user feedback suggestions, especially from people that have used the camera's they are recommending. Thanks so much! Edit: What I mean by the tiny adjustment button is the white dot that needs to be pressed down to change modes on the ME and ME-Super. Honestly hurts my fingers pressing it. Last edited by someasiancameraguy; 11-20-2020 at 04:45 AM.

11-19-2020, 10:24 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by someasiancameraguy but I really don't like the tiny adjustment button and the heavy shutter vibration. Meaning you don't like the metal vertical shutter. In which case, I suggest an Olympus OM2 or similar. Otherwise, I would recommend a Ricoh XR7. I purchased my original copy* over the ME Super in 1982 and have never felt even the smallest pang of regret. I have found the XR7 to be a pleasure in use and very durable despite never having been coddled. I really should post a review, but until I do, the full feature set is posted here on PF: Ricoh XR7 - Third-Party Manual Focus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications My XR7 #2 At center with XR Winder II between XR-2s and Pentax Super Program BTW...The XR7 has a secret weapon, AE Lock... Steve * That camera was fatally wounded by a defective Soviet fisheye about a decade ago and would likely still be fully functional except for a mangled aperture coupler. I now have two replacements. Last edited by stevebrot; 11-19-2020 at 10:33 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Film recommendations for photo competition	Tickolas	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	21	06-30-2015 07:58 AM
Film recommendations ?	delegopa	Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom	17	10-07-2014 09:04 AM
B&W film recommendations wanted	NaClH2O	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	24	07-05-2012 03:30 PM
Looking for recommendations for a film camera	RichyX	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	21	10-07-2009 09:23 AM
Film Scanner Recommendations	DAP	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	16	08-27-2007 07:09 PM

11-19-2020, 08:15 AM	#2
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	P5/50 would be my choice, as they are cheep and not too big. (Note all the P Series bodies don't have a manual ISO setting or DX coding override) Phil.

11-19-2020, 08:20 AM	#3
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	My P30T is not the smallest K-body and not the lightest for sure (my ZX-M was featherlight but the shutter broke, which is very common with those bodies). But the P30T is light enough for my use, and the A position will be Av with a manual aperture ring, and will be P mode if your lens is in the A position. It's a good compromise I think. The shutter does "clack" with an odd sound, so it won't be your smooth shutter that you'd have with an LX or, I think, the MX... but I got used to it so it doesn't bother me. You can't set the film speed to push/pull with it. But that's common with those "newer" film bodies. What the P30T really has for it, is that it seems to be made well with good quality components. I just did a little lubbing inside mine and all the gears and important parts seem to be made of metal (not plastic like the cheaper models in the Z series...) I really liked the ZX-M design though - felt good in the hands, was super-light with a plastic 50mm like the Auto Sears 50 1.7, had the 1/2000 shutter speed and manual controls. Too bad they used so much plastic in the inner parts and those parts are now breaking down. A while back I was looking for one on Ebay just to see what is out there, and every single ZX-M was either broken or "untested", which to me also means broken...

11-19-2020, 08:42 AM - 3 Likes	#4
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	The Ricoh XR7 is like the ME Super but with teaditional controls.

11-19-2020, 10:14 AM	#5
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	I can second the P30T recommendation. I like it because of the meter and view finder indicators vs older bodies as well as the diagonal split prism. I also like that the shutter speed wheel is more like on DSLRs where it sticks out the front so you can make easy adjustments with your fingertip while the camera is up to your eye. I can also override the film speed by scraping the paint off the DX code and putting my own on in its place with electrical tape and often push HP5 to 3200 that way. I have 2 and an ME Super, and while the ME Super is certainly nicer to hold and look at, I like shooting with a P30T.

11-19-2020, 10:36 AM	#7
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by ChristianRock My P30T is not the smallest K-body and not the lightest for sure (my ZX-M was featherlight but the shutter broke, which is very common with those bodies). But the P30T is light enough for my use, and the A position will be Av with a manual aperture ring, and will be P mode if your lens is in the A position. It's a good compromise I think. The shutter does "clack" with an odd sound, so it won't be your smooth shutter that you'd have with an LX or, I think, the MX... but I got used to it so it doesn't bother me. I don't know about the P30T but if I remember correctly my P30 is either M or P mode, I don't think it's capable of Av though. That said I like it a lot, the only downside for me is, that the shutter isn't working when the battery is drained.

11-19-2020, 11:22 AM	#8
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	Originally posted by othar I don't know about the P30T but if I remember correctly my P30 is either M or P mode, I don't think it's capable of Av though. That said I like it a lot, the only downside for me is, that the shutter isn't working when the battery is drained. P30T does do Av mode.

11-19-2020, 11:26 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by othar I don't know about the P30T but if I remember correctly my P30 is either M or P mode, I don't think it's capable of Av though. That changed with the P30n/P3n. Steve

11-19-2020, 11:37 AM	#10
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by othar That said I like it a lot, the only downside for me is, that the shutter isn't working when the battery is drained. If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one! Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av?

11-19-2020, 11:52 AM	#11
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I had a Pentax Super A (a.k.a. Super Program) as a second body to my LX back in the eighties and nineties. It never missed a beat and served me well. It doesn't have a shutter dial and uses buttons pretty much the same as the ME Super, so that wouldn't work. The only other K mount body with a shutter speed dial I owned was the MX. Sorry, but I can't help much. ---------- Post added 2020-11-19 at 21:01 ---------- Originally posted by ChristianRock If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one! Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av? The LX is only fully mechanical from X (1/75) and up. If the battery goes dead, that's all you have. Better than the Nikon F3 that only gives you X.

11-19-2020, 12:30 PM	#12
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Hello, I have and use the first and last manual focus K-mount: The mighty K2 and the featherweight ZX-M both do auto exposure. The K2 is not the lightest around (especially with my A70-210 f4) and the ZX-M doesn't have the biggest viewfinder. If I were traveling I'd consider the ZX-M. For everyday abuse, the K2. Thanks,

11-19-2020, 12:45 PM - 1 Like	#13
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by ChristianRock Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av? There is only one camera that has aperture priority AE and have all shutter speeds available when batteries die and that's the Nikon FM3A. The Pentax LX and Canon New F-1 are aperture AE capable but only have sync speed and higher available when batteries die. They both also have B (bulb) mode available so you could estimate the slower speeds if pressed.

11-19-2020, 12:53 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ChristianRock If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one! Has Pentax released another fully mechanical shutter camera with Av? You don't need the Ricoh pin on the Cosina-made KR5 Super II (mount is bog standard Pentax-K) and while it does have a full range of mechanical speeds from 1s to 1/2000s, it does not have Av exposure automation. The batteries power the meter and LED display and nothing else. Steve

11-19-2020, 02:51 PM	#15
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by ChristianRock If you want a fully mechanical shutter with Av mode, other than the LX, the one I know is the Ricoh KR5 Super II... but you'll need Ricoh pin lenses for that one! Thanks, but as I own enough M42 lenses I currently use the Praktica MTL5B when shooting film since a working battery is no necessity to use this camera too.