Pentaxians... Any out there?

I don't know that I am a Pentaxian. I first used a Spotmatic about 1975, in my office in Korea. A full kit, including a 1000mm telephoto. I don't recall what the wides were. I never really used it other than to experiment, as I preferred my Fujica ST 901.

About 7 years ago I bought an SV. Nice camera. I probably haven't put 3 rolls through it. It had the aux meter that sat on the pentaprism, and it worked!

About a year ago, I got an ME Super and have used it some. It is a nice little camera with the 50mm f/2. It may yet go to my grandson. More recently I got another ME Super, with a 50mm f/1.4. Nice. I hope to test that against my other two 50mm f/1.4 lenses. I like the ME Super, but haven't fallen in love with it over my Fujica ST 901 nor my Contax 167mt.

So although I like Pentax, I haven't committed to it over my other two SLR systems. Maybe if I had more lenses (as if I needed another lens line :bang: :p).
 
Hi,

Funnily enough, I shot a roll with my P30 this weekend - first time in a decade+ I have used it for anything. Appeared to still work a charm, I will develop the film tonight and see whether there are any light leaks or shutter issues.

In addition to the P30, I have a Pentax MG and a 67. The 67 sees quite a lot of use, but in 135 Nikon serves my SLR needs nicely. I've kept the MG for nostalgic purposes - it is just too basic to be of much use.
 
Pentax MX, with 50mm. or 28mm.

Rides usually in a Domke F6 bag with my Nikon S2.
Camera capabilities are complimentary. ( Option of Rangefinder or SLR, as appropriate.)
 
akptc said:
Nice grip. Do you happen to recall which ebay vendor sells them?
Click to expand...
Sorry, no idea.

This particular item I bought second-hand from ffordes - it had no markings on it, and nobody knew who made it. I've seen very similar grips pop up occasionally for sale on eBay, usually by Chinese sellers, but unfortunately I never made a note of who they were.
 
I have the Pentax MX grip. IIRC the Korean eBay seller described it as Horusbennu brand.

Vertical grip prevents easy use of self-timer/DOF preview lever due to insufficient clearance.
If you use either control frequently a half case is probably a better choice.

Chris
 
Love the pre-Spotmatic models. I picked up a SV and 55mm f/2 Takumar for £20. Best SLR & lens purchase i've made in a long time. The lens is so smooth in operation. Same goes for the film advance.
 
Got my first Pentax when I was about 12 years old. My Grandfather gave me one of his duplicate ME Supers. Still have that camera along with a MX and a KM. I have a handful of Pentax lenses including the 28/3.5, 50/2, 50/1.7, 55/1.8, 135/3.5 in K mount and 28/3.5 and 135/3.5 Taks in M42. The 28 Takumar and 135 K mount are my favorites.
 
I recently came across a box of Kodachrome slides which I shot in 1976 with my Spotmatic. They document the progress of a nest of Great Horned Owls on San Bruno Mountain south of San Francisco.

02c.jpg


Still shooting the same camera.
 
The cases are here and look good


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280902730356&clk_rvr_id=656096759526&afsrc=1


An early Zhou Bessa R case will also fit (the ones marked Rangefinderforum!) you do need a spacer at the bottom of the case, around 3mm high density foam or rubber does the trick, to line up strap lugs.

Try also the Cosina CSR (old SLR) case or CV case for the Bessas - both of roughly the same size and heritage, but mayalso need a small spacer.


My grip was from a Korean seller - not sure of the ebay name. DOF lever is ok, self timer is fiddly.



ChrisPlatt said:
I have the Pentax MX grip. IIRC the Korean eBay seller described it as Horusbennu brand.

Vertical grip prevents easy use of self-timer/DOF preview lever due to insufficient clearance.
If you use either control frequently a half case is probably a better choice.

Chris
Click to expand...
 
Nice! I have to ponder though, since it's more than what I paid for the MX.

Too bad it's not a more universal option.
 
Besides my great 6x7; I have a Spot (1969), 2 P3n, SFn, ZX-5. I like the P3n for many reasons; viewfinder the most. I bought the SFn, and the ZX-5 to have an auto, AF camera. I like the ZX-5 the best of the AF cameras, but they are very prone to failure. All that said, my thing, about Pentax, because most all manufacturer bodies are all the same, I like the ZX-5 the best for AF (it has analog dials), but the failure possibility makes me keep the SFn. As I've said the P3n is tough, small, great viewfinder, but DX only.

Some from France:

5239327572_c8a8ffef61.jpg


5222318592_26f3ac3b74.jpg
 
Lenses yes, camera no. I bought an M 50/1.7 to use on an Olympus E410 with an adapter, which piqued my curiosity for giving film a go. I ended up with a Ricoh XR7 (pretty good balance of features IMHO), and subsequently a very, very cheap KR10. I predominantly use the 50/1.7 a 50/2.0 (made in Taiwan oddly) and a 28/2.8 (I also have a non-Pentax 24mm, 35mm and 135mm - none particularly good).

This is the 50/2.0 on the KR10 (Ilford XP2), a trip to Melbourne:

14307850917_2f6a8000b7_c.jpg
 
I got the KM and 50 1.4 off of ebay a couple of days ago. There was a dent on the top plate and it wouldn't focus on infinity. I checked at 1m on a tripod and it read 0.7m!
I took the top plate off, very easy on these SPotmatic/K bodies and knocked out the dent. I then took the prism off and gave that a clean out. All looked normal and it did focus at infinity with another lens so after putting it all back together I turned attention to the lens.
Unscrewed the front ring using a rear cap and a piece of rubber inner tube and then removed the 3 screws holding the filter mount. This reveals a brass coloured ring held by 3 screws. Loosen these and turn the focus ring approx 1cm and re tighten 1 screw. Quick check at infinity and then a fine tune at 1m. After a couple of adjustments re tighten. I checked at 0.45, 0.7 and 1m on the scale against a tape measure from wall to film plane and all looks good. I'll film test it this week. Oh and a new battery had the meter back to life and accurate. I really like the bracket and needle meter on these.
 
I love my SMC Takumars 28/3.5, 55/1.8 and Macro 50/4. They are the best built lenses, period. It's amazing how so many of them still look basically new after 40 years, or so.
I own MF Nikkors and Leica-R lenses, and the SMC Takumars have better materials and smoother operation than either. I use them on my MX and ME Super with adapter. I prefer using these small and quiet cameras over my Leica M gear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom