No love for Pentax?!

[titrisol]

While all of them share the same body; both the ME and MG are Auto-exposure cameras, no manual settings

The ME has Auto,125x (flash+mechanical speed), and Bulb
The MG Auto, 100x, Bulb


The MESuper has manual settings (via buttons), and a brighter viewfinder
Then there is the ME-F which is a MESuper with focus confirmation, saw one in Marktplaats recently.
comparison of ME-MEF



Check the Dimitrov site for more info.

I have the 3 ME from the line you can borrow if you want to try (PM me if interested)

Also do not overlook the programA and the SuperA which are top notch cameras

anyone can reveal the difference between the ME and ME super? and what about the MG? (since I am considering buying an M but will sport it with a Leitz lens)

 

[Jerevan]

I had a Pentax Spotmatic for many years, using the excellent 50/1.4 lens and if it wasn't for the difficulties I had with the microprism matte screen, I would still have it and use it. Sometimes I miss it and wish there was a split prism screen for this camera.

 

[Dean Cho]

I've used some Pentax models (MX, ME Super) over the years and found the Pentax lenses to be generally very good to excellent. However, I've never been particularly impressed with the viewfinder, noise and vibration levels of the cameras. Compared to an OM-1 or OM-2 (the prime competing models), I find the MX and ME Super to have a somewhat unrefined feel, being a lot louder and with a lot more vibration, due to the undampened mirror/shutter assembly. Also, I found the viewfinders not to be as bright as the OMs and I find the Pentax cameras LED viewfinder lights distracting. I also didn't like the push button shutter speed controls of the ME Super. The Pentax cameras do have smoother film advance action when the cameras are unloaded, although my OMs are just about as smooth when loaded with film. Overall, while others may disagree, I find the OMs just more refined and pleasant to use.

 

[dmr]

However, I've never been particularly impressed with the viewfinder, noise and vibration levels of the cameras.

The thing that brought me back to the rangefinder world was when I was shooting in some Chicago subway stations with the Pentax in 2004. I had the lens close to wide open and I was struggling to hand-hold at 1/30 and 1/15. I just knew that the >>KA-WACK!<< of the mirror and shutter was costing me at least an f-stop!

It was at that moment that I started kicking myself for selling my original Mamiya RF years before, as I remembered its very demure {click} and lack of any vibration.

It was my quest for another one of those that eventually led me here. 🙂

 

[ChrisPlatt]

IMO Pentax wins hands down for ergonomics, with certain exceptions.
The MX is a terrific camera but too small for some. Try before you buy.

Chris

 

[TheHub]

My dad got me a K1000 in college. I still have it, though I don't use it so much. I also have a PC35AF.

I wish Pentax had made an RF camera. They seem to be one of the only camera companies out there that didn't.

 

[Nando]

I wish Pentax had made an RF camera. They seem to be one of the only camera companies out there that didn't.

Pentax concentrated on the SLR from the start. You can get the 43mm f1.9 Limited in Leica screw-mount though.

 

[TKH]

I´m still in love with my pentax. Where else in the DSLR world you find a lens that weights 90gr. So I can take my K7 with DA40mm 2.8 whereever I want. For example yesterday night to a happy-new-year-party in a jazz club here in town:



Rainer

 

[smiling gecko]

couldn't resist

couldn't resist

i couldn't resist...😀

 

[radiocemetery]

smiling gecko,
I guess that must be the Texas Pentax you've got there.

Steve

 

[Doug]

Smiling Gecko's shot reminded me of my similar one (P67II at Napili Plaza, Maui) 🙂

 

[NickTrop]

Radioactive, yellowed, leave it out in the sun a couple weeks to fix, 50mm f1.4 Tak - one of my favorite lenses... Shoot it on a Cosina-made Vivitar K-mount bought in the early 90's, K-mart special, my first "real" camera. Love Pentax... I hope they survive. They were late to the digital DSLR party - and their DSLR entry, while fine (don't have but from what I've read), seems rather "vanilla"(?) Not much to distinguish it from other bigger players...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

"Black Press Model" was what we (me, my friends, etc.) called the black cameras back around 1970 or so. I remember the Nikon F had the black model too, but that was out of my price range. They had that "cool factor" that the chrome ones did not. 🙂 I don't think that was the official name. I remember when I was shopping around for mine, I used that term and the salespeople always knew exactly what I meant.

The ONLY camera I regret selling is my black Spotmatic F. Someday I'll get another--that was super dumb of me.

As for Pentax's DSLRs, I think the new K7 is really something. I had it briefly, then sold it when I got sick of DSLRs in general--but it's a real winner, in my book. I think their main problem is sensor technology--the K7 sensor should have been a major upgrade from the K20D, and it wasn't. I didn't mind this, but it isn't going to do anything for their market share.

The new K-x seems like a big winner, though--cheap with great IQ. I'd like to try one out.

 

[Macpod]

one thing with the superprograms is that the LCD int he viewfinder is not backlit and requires you to point it at a light source to see the readings. This can be a problem in dark environments. But i guess you could just leave it on auto and see if the camera is smart enough or use a hand held meter.

I dont often do long exposures so it hasnt been a problem.

Regarding the vibration. I will have to try an OM, but my girlfriends minolta x700 has about the same amount as my pentax superprogram. the monolta has a cloth shutter.

 

[titrisol]

Well, pentax was in the DSLR market long ago with the *ist which came at the same time as film and digital.
I used my father in-law's K100D 2 years ago and it is a great camera, the K7 I could handle for a few minutes and I think is quite apart from the canikons in that it provides in-body stabilization even for M42 lenses.
If I just had the money.....

Radioactive, yellowed, leave it out in the sun a couple weeks to fix, 50mm f1.4 Tak - one of my favorite lenses... Shoot it on a Cosina-made Vivitar K-mount bought in the early 90's, K-mart special, my first "real" camera. Love Pentax... I hope they survive. They were late to the digital DSLR party - and their DSLR entry, while fine (don't have but from what I've read), seems rather "vanilla"(?) Not much to distinguish it from other bigger players...

 

[tedwhite]

Taken this morning through my front door window plus screen door. Pentax K20D.

 

[spystyle]

No love for Pentax? Those words in that exact order = blasphemy !!!

 

[PentHassyKon]

Yes, love for Pentax!
At least in the digital world.
For 35mm SLR, I had Petri FT, Oly 10, Nikon 8008. I eventually succumbed to the P&S world and my cameras collected dust.

Somehow, I rediscovered Pentax in the digital world. In body Shake Reduction means all the lenses will have the benefit of SR. I can use old MF lenses such as the Takumar's and love my Pentax-A 50/1.2. With my k200d, I can still use the benefits of new technology with old MF lenses, including m42 screw mount lenses (with an adapter of course).

Pentax's DA limited lenses are also known as pancakes - check out their DA 15, 21, 35, 40, 77 lenses; they are definitely small and are reminiscent of the RF lenses that are discussed quite a bit here.

Somehow, Pentax is the Rodney Dangerfield of DSLRs; no respect.

 

[tedwhite]

I regularly use my screwmount Super Takumar 300/4 on my K20D. I guess that turns it into a 450 (35mm equivalent)?

I had no idea there were so many closet Pentaxians hiding on RFF.

 

[Sonnar2]

No love for Pentax?
WHAT do you mean? The most beautiful, handy SLR camera ever build -- Except, of course, you prefer Nikon F, Exakta Varex or similar stuff double it's weight!
They set a standard for the world how a SLR should look and handle like. In my home country the whole industry failed because they were to slow in accepting that. 30 years after that, fair sportsmen should accept that this were true BEAUTIFUL cameras.

cheers!