A beautuful and historic camera

[FrankS]

The Pentax ES II : a hybrid shutter like the FM3a, back in the 1970's !
I guess I am a collector (as well as photographer) since I bought one ($30) mainly for it's beauty and historical significance.

http://chemicalcameras.wordpress.com/asahi-pentax-es-ii/

 

[oftheherd]

There was a time when I considered the ESII. I had and liked my Yashica TL Super and its M42 mount lenses. Actually, Yashica lenses were quite good. But I wanted an automatic shutter. I am quite happy I decided to go with the Fujica ST 901. Smaller, lighter, blue cell meter, and Fujica lenses. I don't recall exactly what made me decide, but I think it was a combination of meter cell and pricing, as well as availability. I don't think the Pentax was in the PX catalog as soon as the Fujica.

But from everything I read at the time and since, the ESII was a fine camera. The Takumar lenses were obviously quite good as well.

Congrats on a fine camera at a great price.

 

[back alley]

so, frank really isn't done then?

😉

 

[FrankS]

Oh, I am now. 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Hey Joe, doesn't your iPad automatically capitalize? Do you go back and remove them?

😉

 

[Vickko]

Great find. It is really nice to be able to buy these classics at such affordable prices. I remember anguishing over the ESII, and Fujica, at a time when I couldn't afford either. I remember going to the photo stores and fondling them and asking for the brochures.

Does your ESII still work, Frank?

Vick

 

[back alley]

i'm on the macbook now...you can change that 'feature' if you want...

 

[hans voralberg]

Where on earth do you live that have some many camera around in junk shop?

 

[Mackinaw]

A beautiful looking old Pentax, especially in black.

I always liked Pentax cameras. A friend gave me her Spotmatic II with 50/1.4 and 100/4 macro a few months back. Still sitting on a shelf, but I will put a roll of film in it soon.

Jim B.

 

[FrankS]

This is an eBay camera that is on it's way to me. The seller claims that it is functioning.

Earlier this summer I bought 3 cameras at an antique shop for $30. I live in south eastern Ontario. One of them was a lovely Pentax SV with meter head, 55f1.8 and 35f3.5.

Unfortunately, the super takumar 50f1.4 that I have (from long ago) does not fit the ES.

 

[FrankS]

Here's that SV. The meter is pretty neat.
Also some other fleamarket and craigslist items from this summer.

 

[FrankS]

I found this at an antique junk store. A cute as a button mini slide projector by Minolta. Cast metal case, and the front standard extends as one rotates open the case. How can one not buy this, and a Nikon AL35 AF and Olympus Infinity P+S, for $20. I made room for it on my motorcycle, as I was on a tour that day.

 

[batterytypehah!]

^ I've never seen one of those but that is one brilliant design. Instant GAS attack.

 

[back alley]

love the powder blue bag...😉

 

[FrankS]

It loses very little to an LCD projector and the quality is better.
And just think how smart you would look carrying it in that bag. 🙂

 

[kshapero]

Very lovely find.

 

[NickTrop]

Tiz a thing of beauty, Frank. With a nice Pentax lens slapped on her I'm sure its output would rival the output of anything in 35mm, APSC, or FF digital at any price. Never realized the historical significance of this innocuous 70's Pentax SLR.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Not only are you lucky you have good taste too. That is a great looking Pentax especially in black.

Bob

 

[FrankS]

My SV with meter looks like this one:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Pentax_SV_camera.jpg

 

[johannielscom]

I found this at an antique junk store. A cute as a button mini slide projector by Minolta. Cast metal case, and the front standard extends as one rotates open the case. How can one not buy this, and a Nikon AL35 AF and Olympus Infinity P+S, for $20. I made room for it on my motorcycle, as I was on a tour that day.

I have one like that, but mine is made by Walz and stores in a little case with a handle.

I'm usually scanning my slides but especially for this I'm considering framing a roll of shots I took from my daughter and her best friend, just to project these for them on a winter evening.

They are 16 and have never seen slides projected.