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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
01-16-2018, 06:44 AM
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Well, you sure dove in with both feet now didn't you! Nice choice. That thing's a beast.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-21-2017, 06:46 PM
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I'll jump in to say that it really depends on what you want from your enjoyment of the hobby. The ME has aperture priority mode which will conveniently allow you to concentrate on composition and focus without the added trouble of worrying about exposure as well. Every auto exposure camera that I have ever used has alway done an excellent job except under the most challenging lighting conditions. Under those circumstances, the bad pictures that I got taught me a valuable lesson. Even with aperture priority auto exposure (AP/AE), you should still be mindful of the aperture that you select, the corresponding shutter speed selected by the camera, and how those settings will affect the image. The shutter speed will affect how the film records motion in the image, while the aperture will affect how much of the foreground and background are in focus.
Having said all that, if you would really like to get a camera that has AP/AE but that also includes a manual mode, the ME Super is basically the same as your ME with a manual mode included. It's a great camera. I have 2 of them and the autofocus version, the ME F. People seem to be somewhat polarized in their thinking concerning classic 35mm SLRs, either condemning the likes of the ME, ME Super, and others, because they have buttons instead of mechanical dials or because the shutter relies on battery power and won't function without the batteries, or praising them as the gems that I believe that they are. Others love the fully mechanical operation of cameras like the K1000, MX, KX, and KM, and the fact that there are no electronics to fail. I like almost all of them for different reasons.
My recommendation to you if you like the ME but want manual control is tu take a look at an ME Super. If you love the small form factor, don't really care about AP/AE and really want reliability, the MX is probably your best bet. I like the MX, but I don't like its meter display or the stiffness of the shutter speed dial. The KX is larget but offers a better meter display, better shutter speed dial, and has more features than the MX. If you don't necessarily need the tiny form factor of the M cameras and want something that you can really grow with, I would highly recommend the KX. If you think that too many bells and whistles might get in your way as you learn, try the KM. It has a dead simple but informative meter display, self timer, and all manual, mechanical operation.
My bottom line recommendation would be to keep the ME because they are a great, fun, handy little camera. I would suggest adding the KX to your bag as a serious learning tool that you would probably eventually appreciate every feature of. If I was forced to liquidate my collection, the KX would be the very last to go.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-20-2017, 09:47 PM
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Well, she sure is pretty, sitting there all gussied up, waiting for her date. I have a brown ME SE that is mint, CLA'd by Eric about a year ago. The ME is a sweet camera for general photography. aperture priority is just about all I ever use, even when using my ME Supers or Super Programs. AP will do almost everything that you'll ever need for basic work if you know how to use your camera. Need some exposure compensation? Just dial in your iso to make the necessary changes. Anyway, enjoy the flash and don't forget to post back after you've had some time to settle in with your new gear.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-20-2017, 08:50 PM
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OP should have the AF280T by Saturday. I'm looking forward to hearing his opinions on bounce vs direct flash once he gets a chance to experiment a bit.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-20-2017, 06:28 AM
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I hear you on never having enough power. I've got an old Metz 60ct4 that I bought new about 25 years ago and I have even exceeded its limits a time or two.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-19-2017, 11:01 PM
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The 280T is probably the best "compact" flash that Pentax made for the manual focus film cameras. I'll agree that the bounce and swivel features are indispensible. I can't think of a single case where I would opt to use the direct light from the 200S rather than light bounced from the 280T. I have both flashes and the only reason I keep the 200S is because I got it for free and I like to tell myself that a free flash is worth keeping. I've never used it. I have three 280Ts and The only thing that they lack is power. Guess what though. You can't get more power and versatility unless you step out of the "compact" flash department. If you need more power, the 400T is really your best option.
Anyway, I'll back up my assertion about the AF-280T by putting my money where my mouth is and offer BLASST one of my AF-280Ts for free. Paypal me the postage and I'll send you one of my three AF-280T flashes. When you have a chance to use it, use it in direct mode and also in bounced mode and then report back here to let us know if you think there is enough difference in your results to make you a believer in bounced flash. PM me if you are interested. Oh yeah, and I mean that you can keep the flash. I don't wwant it back unless you decide that you like the 200Sa better, in which case, I'll pay the postage to have you send my flash back. I'm betting that you'll keep it.
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