Choosing an old film camera

[frygge]

Hi all

 

Owning a 43mm Limited and with a 31mm Limited on the way, it strikes me as

just plain dumb not to have a pentax film camera body to which I can attach these

beautiful lenses (With more to come).

 

I've been looking at the MX or the ME Super. Especially the MX looks tempting.

 

Does anyone have experience with these models?

 

Any other experiences with other Pentax film bodies are also welcome.

 

Cheers

 

Fredrik

[jgredline]

while I am far from experienced, I do own an ME Super and a couple K1OOO's...I love my K1000'S very much. I totally love that it is a completely mechanical body and am very happy with the images that come out of.

 

With $99 cents film

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With Tri-x

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.99 cents film

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[zfgauthier]

I use Pentax film bodies as my system cameras, currently an LX and an ME Super. The ME Super is very capable. Small, rugged, aperture priority is there if you want it. I find I get an extra shot per roll since the distance between the film cartridge and takeup spool is so short. My only complaint is the method of changing shutter speed. It's via two buttons on the top of the camera, but you have to look in the viewfinder to see what you're setting. The LX is pretty much perfect. Mirror lockup, DOF preview, interchangeable screens and finders, weather sealed, coolest metering system in the world. But when it comes down to it, my pictures with one aren't better than those with the other.

[frygge]

Javier

 

The k1000 seems like a great camera, but I'd like some VF information.

 

Zach

 

The LX would have been my first choice, but prices are high. I'd really like one though.

 

Cheers

 

Fredrik

[maurycy]

I had ME Super for about 2 years and I liked the camera very much. It was my backup for the ZX-5N back in the film days. I have used it also to take B&W pictures while shooting color in the other camera. ME Super never let me down. I am thinking of picking one up just so I can run some B&W film thru it.

[matt_needham]

I own several different 35mm Pentax SLR's. Personally I hate the way the buttons are set up for adjusting the shutter speed on the ME Super. I very much prefer the dial on the other models.

[mike_rosenlof2]

I'm a big fan of the Pentax LX. It was made for not that many years before the MX came out. It's bigger, kind of the old Spotmatic line with the K-mount on the front.

 

For a while the MX had a reputation for failing meters. I do have an MX body that I use occasionally with an external meter. Anybody know the current MX meter story?

[andrewg_ny]

Did you consider Super Program? Similar to ME Super but a few years newer and includes Tv and P operation when used with the 'A'-capable lenses you mention. Also adds depth-of-field preview.

 

Consider what you want out of the film body. Simple operation? Nostalgic look/feel? The much newer but more plastic-y MZ/ZX series (MZ-5n, MZ-6/ZX-L, MZ-M) are nice too. The PZ-1p has many devotees.

[steve_rasmussen]

I have used the KX for several years and liked it a lot. It was a step above the K1000. The LX was made for the pro shooter and is known by most Pentax 35mm shooters as the best. The fact that it had interchangable finders like their 6x7 sent a clear meaasge from the factory.

[mike_rosenlof2]

GRR, my post a few back.. That's KX that I like and have, not LX. The KX is all mechanical and a few years older than the oldest LX. sorry.

[markus maurer]

Nobody seems to like the SF-series because they are big and loud and slow auto focussing. But they are really cheap used and very solid and if you are lucky the seller forgets to dismount the F-50mm 1.7 kit prime lens:-) The ME super was my first Pentax SLR love....

[steve_bailey2]

I use the MZ-5n and love it. Sure it's not a metal brick, but for travelling around and taking people shots on the run, it's great: light, great layout of functions via buttons and knobs, inexpensive to pick up backup bodies second hand, and there is the option to pick up autofocus lenses if I want to (I only use A and M primes right now). Like the old saying, spend your money on the lenses; the camera's just a box to hold the film.

[mc2imaging]

I like the P3 series, particularly the P3n and the P30t. Program or Manual operation,

split screen focusing, and easy film loading. The only thing I DON'T like about them is

no ISO override on DX coding. Solid and reliable, and they can be had pretty cheep

too...

[snik75]

I have an MX, and like it a lot. I used a K1000 for several years, and was happy with those, but the MX is smaller, lighter and has more features. And I do use DOF preview and the self timer at times, so if I carry a film body it will be the MX. That said I have nothing more modern. I have been thinking about getting a MZ-5n on the recommendation of the other posters, but recognize this as mere addiction to acquiring gear. I find digital so much more convenient, the K100d is what I use 99% now.

 

Oh, and I do have a thrift store ME super I bought with a lens. I like the aperture priority function but hate the manual shutter control mechanism. I haven't used it much.

[monochromekx]

Fredrik: Any of the cameras mentioned on these responses will serve the right photographer well - they are all fine cameras.<p>I'm surprised no one has suggested the K2 - the premier camera of the K-line, targeted at the mid-70's professional.<p>I have owned a KX since 1977 and an MESuper since 1984. Both have had a complete CLA and the KX recently had more of a rebuild.<p>The KX is a large,tank-like camera, fully mechanical, with DoF preview, self timer, MLU, and match-needle metering, etc. The MESuper is a smaller, electronic camera that can operate in manual mode when you want it to, but is at its best with Av automation. It was targeted at the enthusiast consumer, while the similar sized but mechanical MX was targeted at the professional.<p>At current prices you could buy both a KX and an MESuper!<p>I use the KX on a tripod with K-series manual lenses and the MESuper as a pocket camera with a 50mm f/1.7, and as a fun camera with a small number of 60's screwmount lenses and an adapter.<p>I use all these manual lenses on my K10D and my modern FA lenses in manual mode on my older cameras as the mood strikes me.

[jim_b9]

Fredrik,

 

I would recommend the MX over the ME Super for your needs. While the ME Super is

a good camera, it was always aimed at the amateur market. The push-button shutter

speed control is awkward, and there is no depth-of-field preview, and no

interchangeable focus screens. It's also battery-dependent.

 

The MX is in a different league. Rugged and beautifully designed. Aperture readout in

the viewfinder, DOF preview, lots of accessories.

 

While I have used both cameras, I have three MXs (in addition to an LX) and the

meters still work perfectly on all three.

 

Just make sure that the one you buy is in good condition (some used ones were

owned by pros and have very high mileage) and that you budget money to get a CLA

to replace light seals etc.

[zane1664879013]

I like my MX, but it's almost too small for my large hands. Pros: all mechanical, battery used only for metering. Cons: all mechanical, you risk having shutter speeds drift over time.

 

The SuperA/SuperProgram are superb, battery dependent but give you TTL flash automation which is nice. No mirror lock-up.

 

P30t is okay, kind of ugly if that's an issue. To me, it broadcasts the message "don't bother stealing me."

 

Prices are reasonable for everything but the LX, I think.

 

Maybe an MZ-S? Never used one, but it sure looks good on paper.

[matthew_allen1]

I have the ME Super and it's a very nice little camera. It has one of the best viewfinders out there (except probably for a few of the pro bodies like the LX which are MUCH more expensive) and it's small and tough. I happen to quite like the button system for changing shutter speeds. Although you can't see the set shutter speed without looking through the VF, changing speeds is very fast and easy and the LED display is nice and clear.

 

The only bad point I can think of off the top of my head is that the exposure compensation control is clumsy and only offers full stop adjustments. I find it stiff and slow to operate. In fact, it may well be easier to use the ISO setting (same dial, but requires less effort) since this has 1/3 stop steps. The problem there is it's easy to forget you've changed ISO as there's no reminder in the VF. Of course, this won't matter if you intend you use metered manual rather than aperture priority.

 

The best thing about the ME Super is that it can be bought incredibly cheaply. It's not uncommon to see bodies with 50mm lenses (also excellent, Pentax has probably never made a bad fifty) in the $40-50 range.

 

I think the old manual bodies are a great match to the FA Limiteds. They are really easy to focus because they have so much less dampening of the focus ring than MF lenses. I find my 77 works great on my ME Super.

 

Matthew

[frygge]

Hi

 

Thanks all for the great advice. I just ordered a recently serviced ME super in what appears to be in really great condition. Will let you know.

 

Fredrik

[kathyb]

I bought a Pentax K1000 in 1983. I have only gone through about 275 rolls with it. I have found it to be a solid, reliable fully manual 35 mm SLR camera. It has given me 25 years of faithful service. I love it.

[michael_kuhne]

Fredrik, you have some very expensive and top-notch lenses. It makes perfect sense to have a film body allowing their use in their original full frame format pespective.

 

The ME Super is a very nice little camera. My first Pentax. Very small, and wonderful with compact lenses like the 43mm Limited, for instance.

 

Now I have several other film bodies, even some top AF models.

 

Enjoy the experience, and please keep us advised!