Ease of use
Flexibility
Ergonomics
Great Metering
Wide shutter range

Small range of manual speeds

Bought this as my first 35mm SLR in 1993 (when I was 15) with the SMC A 35-70 f4 zoom. It's seen me through the early stages of all-auto learning to regularly getting great shots on manual mode. It's seen bushwalking, wet weather and a bit of backpack abuse and never let me down. Small, lightweight, reliable and flexible - I'd happily carry three of these. As another reviewer has stated, the button selected shutter speeds DO feel better than a dial.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax P30n
Pentax Super A

durable; easy to use; Pentax glass

a bit small in my hands

I've had this camera since it came out in 1983...took it to Nicaragua for a news assignment. I couldn't get the Nikon I wanted and had to "settle" for this. Never did buy the Nikon. Worked in battlefield conditions; dust, high humidity, lots of banging around...it never failed me. I've never even had it cleaned. (I will now) dusted it off last week and it still takes amazing pics. Looking at the photos people act surprised when I tell them it was a Pentax...they just assume news photogs shoot Nikons (this one won't) get one if you can find one.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

None

Compact metal body. Aperture priority. 1/125 flash sync. Bulb setting is mechanical so it doesn't drain the battery. Exposure compensation. And last but not least, Underrated PENTAX GLASS!

None

I bought this camera a week ago. it is not in mint condition and it is pretty old. I can tell that it's been dropped and possibly dragged. But I just got the first roll of film back today and I have to say that the light meter, exposure compensation and the shutter timing is still in proper working order. Also, the film advance lever is still silky smooth and the mirror is the quietist I've ever heard out of any SLR.

I still can't belive how easy this camera is to figure out and use. I have absolutely no problem with using push buttons to select the shutter speed. In fact I find that it is easier to use the buttons than a dial. Especially while looking through the viewfinder.

The body is quite small which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. It can be hard to hold, but even with a 50mm lens attached, it can fit in a medium sized jacket pocket too.

A few years ago I would never have thought of buying used gear but I bought this camera and a used, though mint, 50mm f2 SMC M lens for less than a new ZX-M kit. And I feel that I got a better built, more durable camera with an better lens to boot.

I can finally appreciate the fact that the beauty of used cameras is that they already have their dings and scratches which makes me not worry about what might happen to the camera. And that allows me to concentrate on composition and exposure.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K1000.
Nikon N60, N65, N70, N80 and FM2n.
Leica M6.