Very sturdy, rugged, construction. Uses K-mount lenses, so plenty of after market lenses are available in all price ranges. Digital meter in Viewfinder. Simple operation. DOF feature included. Sets film speed automatically if you use DX coded film.

Film advance lever is prone to come loose, but is easily repaired on your own if you have a set of watch screw-drivers. Sets speed at 1/100 if you do not use DX coded film.

The P3 is an EXCELLENT camera. So what if it does not have auto-focus? I hardly know any photographer worth his salt who uses the auto-focus feature anyways. It is very easy to use, and can get to know it even in the absence of an Instruction manual. It has a digital meter in the viewfinder which is a luxury if you are used to the needle type meter. My camera is atleast 8 years old, and I have had no complaints, expect for the advbance lever comming loose occasionally. It has a speed upto 1/1000, and a Bulb setting. The Depth Of Field (DOF) feature provided is really useful. And it takes K-mount lenses, so if you are a beginner, you can find good cheap lenses to practice with before you invest in a good lens. It is as good as any other camera in the manual mode, and I seldom use it in the Program mode , which is very good too. Gives beginners the feel of a manual camera, with the program setting giving them the confidence of some automation. Great camera to have as a first SLR, and still great to have as a manual camera or a second body in case you wish to upgrade to a better system like a Nikon F5. Personally I would say Pentax has delivered a great camera in form of the P3.

Customer Service

None required. It's a Pentax.

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Still pretty much full manual, so it's old skool Great Pictures Sturdier build

can only use DX coded film otherwise you're stuck at an ISO of 100 Don't forget to turn off your camera otherwise you're looking at massive corrosion and battery hoggage

I LOOOOOOVE my Pentax P3. The exposure lock is a great addition to the AE adjustment system. It's built heavy and I don't feel like I'm going to destroy it if it bumps into something. Also, I swear by the pentax name, and this camera kicks arse over my previous K1000.

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Pentax K1000 Pentax Spotmatic II

Sturdy economical good features i.e. dof preview

no ISO variability eats batteries

I really like my p30t. It has most of the features that any new autofocus has but it's sturdy like the older slrs. I like how clean the controls are. I've used mine for journalism, inside shots, outdoor people and landscapes. It feels really versatile.

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all around easy to use when you need a quick shot to take, great night shooter as well! takes a beating in rought conditions and keeps on clicking!

gets a bit heavy when you have all you can have on her

It is a great SLR Camera! takes great pictures, it is not cluttered with a bunch of buttons and features you will never use, there are alot of things iv seen been added to this camera so im not sure why people say you cannot upgrade it because iv put alot on myne and is a work of art! iv had this baby take great shots of lightning at night! overall the Pentax P3N is one of the best cameras iv used!

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Nikon, Canon

- Strong and rough for all kinds of photography - Discreet - Economic - Depth of filed indicator

- Heavy to carry

It's been my camera for the last year and a half and I've never had problems. It's reliable in any circumstances, good feeling. I use it with a Pentax SMC 50 mm lens, 1.7 so I find great for night shoots.

Customer Service

NEver needed

ability to use manual settings excellent pictures

with the camera an lenses stored in my bag it gets a little heavy for hiking around places

I received this camera as a gift from an old flame who had a K1000 that I loved. It was the first time I ever owned a camera that even use 35 mm film! Since I learned on his K1000 I was a little annoyed at the auto features but I adusted to them. I still rarely use them though. I''ve never really used this camera with flash but I love it for all outdoor photography. I''ve had excellent results with it over the past 20 years. I have since moved on to a little auto focus for people pics and have recently jumped in feet first with a digital but this camera is still my first love.

Customer Service

once my step daughter spilled something in it and i had to have it cleaned out but otherwise it hasn''t needed service in the 20 years I''ve owned itand I''ve used it heavily.

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none

A good beginer''s camera. Will really teach you how to manually compose a picture. The ergonomics are excellent due to the shape and strategically placed rubber pads. Very durable for its weight.

No chance to upgrade. No option for AF. Manual rewind is a pain and lends to the body opening (rare).

All in all a good camera but quite limiting after a certain point. It comes with all the standards that you would expect from pentax, but nothing else. No real chance to upgrade with this body. Essentially a great piece of equipment to learn on and to have as a spare when you''re $1000.00 + body gets dropped in a river in Colombia.

Customer Service

just once for a bad drop - turned out only to be a cosmetic problem.

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STRENGTH the plastic feeling pads on the front, they bond you to the camera!!!! The positive feel of the buttons, switches etc.

the film wind on is not too reliable

very good camera. The construction feels very rigid. The camera is always on top form and ready for use.Takes very good photos in dull conditions and when shooting through glass. The shape is very good for holding steady.

Customer Service

none required

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none as yet

Because the camera is manual, it is good to use if you are a beginner. One thing that I really like is the digital meter in the veiwfinder. It is much easier to use than the older needle style.

The one thing I really miss is a double-exposure function. Also, because the camera has manual focus, it is hard to take fast action shots.

This camera is an excellant peice of equipment to learn the basics of photography. The camera is a great quality for the price paid. My camera is at least seven years old and is still as good as new. I would highly reccomend this as a camera for beginners who want to be professionals.

Customer Service

Pentax is excellant about making sure I do not have problems. Pentax hosts complimentary cleaning and checkup sessions at local camera stores. So far I have not had a single problem thanks preventive maintenance.

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I have looked at the Pentax ZX-30 and it seems to have all of the amenities (double-exposure, built-in flash, auto focus) which are lacking on the P3.

This is a beautifully build camera. I like it's meetering system. It's shutter relese button has placed nicely at the middle of the shutter speed dial. It's auto expose system gives good results. It's shutter gives only a small sound comparatively to other manual cameras. This is a good camera for biginners. Most of the time I expose my pictures manully & very rearly I used to use autoexpose system. As this camera gives me both options it caters all my needs.

Lack of multy expose facility is the only weakness.

This is a good camera for beginners.

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