Are there any Pentaxians on board?

**Rivguy** · 03-30-2012, 04:26 PM

Gentlemen,

I have been an amateur photographer for a number of years and for quite some time have used Pentax cameras as my camera of choice. When digital cameras became popular I went with Sony point and shoot cameras but still preferred my 35 mm Pentax SLR. About a year ago I took the plunge and purchased a Pentax digital SLR and I have been very pleased with the choice. I looked at others, but the draw was the fact that I had some pretty good Pentax glass that I wanted to continue to use. I am curious if there other Pentax users on B&B.

Regards,

Doug

**1369** · 03-30-2012, 04:34 PM

Yep, I shoot a K20D. Also shoot some old manual Ricoh glass.

**legrandfromage** · 03-31-2012, 02:39 PM

I've been using Pentax cameras since the sixties; actually still have my old Spotmatic. Have four 35mm cameras, two DSLR's (DS & K!0D) and a 40+ years accumulation of lenses. I have always been pleased with the cameras/lenses and think that they are under appreciated and good value. My K10D (now three generations old) is still adequate for my needs and I still use the DS when I want to carry a smaller camera. I can print up to 10X15 from the DS, and larger from the K10, with quite good results. Still shoot some film and would probably have bought some MF Pentax film equipment if I didn't have a old Mamiya already. I'll probably get the next generation DSLR when it surfaces.

I'm hoping that the Ricoh acquisition will add to/enhance the Pentax offerings. Wouldn't mind a 645D, but the only way that would happen would be to win the lottery.

**mannj14** · 03-31-2012, 09:07 PM

I too shoot a K20D. I have also had a K10D and and istD. I love Pentax.

**Rivguy** · 04-01-2012, 08:15 AM

I still have my Honeywell (Pentax) Spotmatic as well and some nice glass from that era. I have the adaptors for the screw type so I can use them on my K-mount bodies. I currently shoot a K-5 and like it very much. I saw where Pentax was offering a rebate that brought the K-5 down to $999,99 for a limited time. That is a good deal!

Regards,

Doug

**RHVette** · 04-01-2012, 10:39 PM

Just entered the SLR world myself with a Pentax P3n.

**miamijuggler** · 04-04-2012, 11:13 AM

Yeah, bona-fide Pentaxian here. I shoot a K20d, but have been working mostly on a film project recently, using my Holga. I love the lenses available, especially my PENTAX-M 50mm f/1.4.

How is the P3n, RHVette?

**jkingrph** · 04-10-2012, 09:46 AM

Yes I have two Pentax Spotmatics, One a Honeywell model, the other an Ashai(sp). They actually need a bit of work as some of the rubber/foam seals inside are crumbling. Does anyone know of a good repair source.

I also have an assortment of lenses, wide angle, a fast 1.2 lens, 200mm and a 70-205 zoom and a few aftermarket lenses.

After I got back to the states from a two year tour in Turkey, I picked up another with a nice Carl Ziess lens for my sister.

**mmack66** · 04-10-2012, 11:25 AM

I still have my first camera, a K1000, along with an ME Super, and an *istDS.

**desmoface** · 04-13-2012, 07:12 AM

**D.Gray** · 04-15-2012, 09:05 AM

Started years ago with a Pentax Spotmatic, upgraded to an ME super (broke the shutter button on that one, bought two more ME Super bodies used), and let my photography hobby go fallow for a few years. Later I purchased a K20d and loved it and then purchased a K7 and love it. I use the Sigma 50-500mm f 4-6.3 lens the most, but love the old Pentax lenses for their clarity.

Dave

**Rivguy** · 04-16-2012, 06:49 PM

I just returned from a visit with my oldest son near Seattle. We drove through Stevens pass in the Cascades where I tried out my new Pentax 12-24 wide angle lens. I am very pleased with the results so far. I am going to spend more time analysing the shots to fine tune my technique with this lens.

Regards,

Doug

**mayhem** · 04-17-2012, 10:20 AM

2 K-1000's, ME-Super, SF-1, and now using a K10-d. (Still have them all floating around somewhere..) I've used Pentax cameras since I was a kid.

**Blix** · 04-17-2012, 10:49 AM

I have a ME-Super that's well loved and have served me well for a number of years.
My first DSLR was a Nikon D70, then I bought a K10D, while the K10D was great on many levels, the AF sucked, so I had to buy a Canon 400D just to get a wedding shoot done right, the Pentax was just not up for quick on the move "journalist" type of wedding photos.
But I heard the newer Pentax DSLRs are better, I might have to look into them again, my Canon is showing it's age....

**wstruth** · 04-28-2012, 06:38 AM

I started with a MX and now I am shooting with a K-5. when I was ready to purchase a DSLR I cam close to buying a Nikon but stayed with Pentax because of being able to use my old lenses and because the K-x, what I bought, had just as similar image quality to a mid level Nikon for much less. I've always like smallish cameras too, so Pentax fits the bill there as well. SWMBO has the K-x now. and my daughter has a purple one!

**ladykate** · 04-28-2012, 06:49 AM

Long ago, far away, in an evil land, I started using Pentax cameras. I had a couple each of ME, MX - even a K1000. Dozens of lenses. Won my category in the Air Force photo contest with work done with one of them. Published, etc. Then... one by one, they started crapping out. It was after years of use but I just didn't have the urge to repair them. Sold everything on eBay and went to digital. Dark room work just took too darn long and I had other interests (making money and raising the family was the biggy). I am now a simple digital guy but I do remember my Pentax days. Fun stuff.

**Doc4** · 04-28-2012, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by ladykate

... - even a K1000. ... Then... one by one, they started crapping out. ...

I have a K-1000, bought in the early 80s ... back when they were still made in Japan. It's still going strong, but I don't use film much since I got my digital video camera (that takes photos as well ... adequate but certainly up to my general needs.)

Anyhow, as best I remember, Pentax eventually decided to move production offshore, and durability suffered.

**legrandfromage** · 04-29-2012, 07:19 AM

I just took my old (four or five generations) DS on a European vacation; wanted to travel light. Took one lens with the DS, a 35mm FA 2.0, in an attempt to get out of the zoom lens habit and back to the 35mm camera/50mm lens mind set of my past. Worked out quite well; the DS/lens combo gave me very sharp, beautifully rendered pictures that print up to 10 X 15 with ease. I bought the DS probably back in 2004 and it's still going strong; I actually prefer the way it renders color to my K10D. As I said in an earlier post, I think that Pentax equipment is under appreciated and a terrific value.

**Lesmore** · 05-07-2012, 01:03 PM

I have had and used Pentax SLR's and DSLR's since 1968. My first camera...a Pentax SLR (S1a)...still works and I still have it. Current DSLR's include a K10D, KM and a K-5.

Have about 9 Pentax lenses (modern list only) and just bought a DA 70mm F 2.4 Limited (Silver) about a week ago.

I've stuck with Pentax for over 4 decades due to quality, durability.

Check out the Popular Photography website and review lenses tests. You will see that many Pentax lenses are very highly rated....many higher than their Canon and Nikon contemporaries.

BTW, I also have/use Mamiya film medium format (system with 3 lenses), Leica Rangefinder film, Olympus film and Canon digital.

Love photography and many years ago (1960's) when I worked in publishing, I earned part of my living as a in house photographer for a small publishing company. That's how I started using Pentax. other company photographers used the brand.

**Rivguy** · 05-10-2012, 12:04 PM

I agree that the quality of Pentax lenses are excellent and the reason I still shoot Pentax. My latest purchase was a DA 12-24 wide angle lens. I purchased this for our upcoming trip to Alaska. I am pleased with the results so far but I think that more practice is in order. I still use some of my older K mount lenses from time to time on my K-5 with excellent results.

Regards,

Doug