63 years old , used Pentax since my 20's , still do , my first digital slr was the K100D , for a mere 6 megapixel sensor the images were incredibly good , currently still on the K5 , need to consider an upgrade soon , but it still kicks out superb results
It's the lenses that got me into Pentax many, many years ago. When I had a young family, I couldn't afford an expensive camera like a Spotmatic, so I started with a Zenit E (remember those?) with the M42 screw mount, which Pentax also used. That served me well for a few years and I graduated to a Prinzflex, which was a propriety brand of a (now defunct) chain of shops in the UK. It was actually made by Ricoh, so things have come full circle in that respect. Then followed a number of Chinon bodies (including the Memotron CE, which had an ingenious method of stopping the lens down and reading exposure values to give an aperture priority automatic mode). So far, still all M42 mounts. Then Pentax changed to the K mount, and I continued with Chinon, (CE4 and CE5) but now was able to afford a few Pentax lenses. My first proper Pentax was a P30 and that got me completely hooked. Then came a whole succession of film cameras: P50, two MXs, LX, SFx, Z1 MZ-5 and my favourite film camera ever, the Z1p. Naturally, I bought a slew of Pentax lenses along the way. I still have one MX and the LX, and have over the years acquired an ES, a Super A, an MZ-3 and an MZ-S for my camera collection. I started with digital in 2004 with a *ist D (which I later gave to my niece). Then, I had a dalliance with Nikon, which continues to this day, but I will never give up my Pentaxes. I have part-exchanged a few bodies along the way to fund purchases, but I still have my K-7, K-5, K-5 IIs, K-3, K-3 II, a Q, two Q7s, and my beloved K-1, along with a couple of dozen lenses. I will be buying the new APS-C model when it is released. Sorry to ramble on, Lee, but like you, I love the brand and think that they offer amazing value for money as well as possessing stellar IQ. If we lived closer, I would happily let you play with any of my Pentaxes for review. There are too few people on RUclips giving the brand any attention, except to revile them for video features and tracking autofocus (neither of which is of great interest to me). You and Kobie are diamonds in a dung heap of so-called "influencers" who do more harm than good (with some notable exceptions). Keep up the good work, and long may you reign!
The K-30 was my first Pentax as well. I've had Canon, Nikon and Minolta and Kodak. The Pentax has more features for less money and the image quality is excellent. My K-30 finally died but now I have a KS-2, K-70 and the K-3. I love them all!
I still have and use the blue Pentax K-30. I was in India that moment and had to seek the help of a friend of mine to get it all over from the US. It was worth the effort and time. It's an awesome camera. I love it!
I purchased a k7 a few years ago at a really great price off eBay, and was blown away by the camera, features, and amazing photographs produced by this little k7. Picked up great glass lenses at cheap prices. Then moved up to a K5, k50, and then k3. Love them all!
My story was similar to yours! Gave up on photography because it got me nowhere. Sold my Nikon D3200. Then I was strolling through a pawn shop and came across my K-30! It’s great taking pictures with! I haven’t really shot video with it yet...
I had a K1000, as you said, and when I decided to get a DSLR, I got a K100D Super because it would take the same lenses. Totally agree with your analysis of Pentax strengths.
Pentax ME super was my first 35mm camera as a teenager, with a pentax kl000 for backup. Both cameras produced great pics. I even shot a couple weddings with excellent results for family, and friends with good glass, and these two cameras. Those lenses would now be considered prime glass. It was about betting the best exposed pics on film as possible, and sending the film to a pro lab for premium results.
Thanks for the video .Agree with almost everything. Only thing I don't agree with is regarding the current price of the camera. I don't think it can be founded for the $200 that you mentioned. Or at least is not easily. I think it is hard to find the blue one for less than 320-350 (with the lens). And I think that is great !! Because that means that this camera is still a sought-after camera that is sought after by many. I would love a video comparing the K5 II and this K30. Thanks man. Blessings
If i wanted to do a vid about the process of choosing Pentax I would just cut and paste this one. Probably I would do the same using yours about crock potting a pork butt.
Great video again Lee. Ist*do my first, followed by the k30 which I've had for about 3 years now. Absolutely love it. Got my dad one and he loves it. Shoot in an astrophotography group with members touting 1.5 - 2 k mirrorless cameras and it holds its own. Recently tried a Nikon from about 5 years ago, and was appaled by the ergonomics / menu system by comparison. Just seen a k70 body for £400, but think I'm going to wait for the new APC (might regret that when I see the price!).
Lee My first Pentax was a K - 1000 in 1978 my next camera was a Pentax ME SUPER, in 1980 , next camera ME SUPER PROGRAM in 1985 , my , First digital * istDL in 2005 , K50 2015 bought a K70 in 2018
Hello I have two Pentax camaras. I agree with you. There are amazing. But here in South america is very dificult to find this camara and more dificult to find new lences and/or services. It is not well known the Brand.
Yes, I dunno either: why people don't talk aboutthe Penta cameras: seems it 's not kool to have camera brand which shows you can think for yourself. I have several and on the whole satisfied: just that for non-professional use ( ie used to create an income), the highend are outpricing themselves from my budget - I don't follow trends or change / trade in every few years.
I was not a big fan of the k-30. Had it until it stopped working due to a design defect they (k-30's) are all inflicted with.. The grip is horrible too. Not to say it overall was a horrible camera. For the day, it was a good deal. I am just sad it died. That said, my k-5sII is far better. My ks-2 is also much better. Hell, my *ist still works.
63 years old , used Pentax since my 20's , still do , my first digital slr was the K100D , for a mere 6 megapixel sensor the images were incredibly good , currently still on the K5 , need to consider an upgrade soon , but it still kicks out superb results
It's the lenses that got me into Pentax many, many years ago. When I had a young family, I couldn't afford an expensive camera like a Spotmatic, so I started with a Zenit E (remember those?) with the M42 screw mount, which Pentax also used. That served me well for a few years and I graduated to a Prinzflex, which was a propriety brand of a (now defunct) chain of shops in the UK. It was actually made by Ricoh, so things have come full circle in that respect. Then followed a number of Chinon bodies (including the Memotron CE, which had an ingenious method of stopping the lens down and reading exposure values to give an aperture priority automatic mode). So far, still all M42 mounts. Then Pentax changed to the K mount, and I continued with Chinon, (CE4 and CE5) but now was able to afford a few Pentax lenses.
My first proper Pentax was a P30 and that got me completely hooked. Then came a whole succession of film cameras: P50, two MXs, LX, SFx, Z1 MZ-5 and my favourite film camera ever, the Z1p. Naturally, I bought a slew of Pentax lenses along the way. I still have one MX and the LX, and have over the years acquired an ES, a Super A, an MZ-3 and an MZ-S for my camera collection. I started with digital in 2004 with a *ist D (which I later gave to my niece). Then, I had a dalliance with Nikon, which continues to this day, but I will never give up my Pentaxes. I have part-exchanged a few bodies along the way to fund purchases, but I still have my K-7, K-5, K-5 IIs, K-3, K-3 II, a Q, two Q7s, and my beloved K-1, along with a couple of dozen lenses. I will be buying the new APS-C model when it is released.
Sorry to ramble on, Lee, but like you, I love the brand and think that they offer amazing value for money as well as possessing stellar IQ. If we lived closer, I would happily let you play with any of my Pentaxes for review. There are too few people on RUclips giving the brand any attention, except to revile them for video features and tracking autofocus (neither of which is of great interest to me). You and Kobie are diamonds in a dung heap of so-called "influencers" who do more harm than good (with some notable exceptions). Keep up the good work, and long may you reign!
The K-30 was my first Pentax as well. I've had Canon, Nikon and Minolta and Kodak. The Pentax has more features for less money and the image quality is excellent. My K-30 finally died but now I have a KS-2, K-70 and the K-3. I love them all!
I still have and use the blue Pentax K-30. I was in India that moment and had to seek the help of a friend of mine to get it all over from the US. It was worth the effort and time. It's an awesome camera. I love it!
I made a lot of money and had a ton of Happy clients from shooting with my K-30 including 30"x40" signage. It's a remarkable camera!
Thats Pentax Power....
Pentax cameras gave me a job during the pandemic. Realtor photographer..
I purchased a k7 a few years ago at a really great price off eBay, and was blown away by the camera, features, and amazing photographs produced by this little k7. Picked up great glass lenses at cheap prices. Then moved up to a K5, k50, and then k3. Love them all!
Very helpful - Thanks
My story was similar to yours! Gave up on photography because it got me nowhere. Sold my Nikon D3200. Then I was strolling through a pawn shop and came across my K-30! It’s great taking pictures with! I haven’t really shot video with it yet...
I had a K1000, as you said, and when I decided to get a DSLR, I got a K100D Super because it would take the same lenses. Totally agree with your analysis of Pentax strengths.
Pentax ME super was my first 35mm camera as a teenager, with a pentax kl000 for backup. Both cameras produced great pics. I even shot a couple weddings with excellent results for family, and friends with good glass, and these two cameras. Those lenses would now be considered prime glass. It was about betting the best exposed pics on film as possible, and sending the film to a pro lab for premium results.
I just got the K50. I love it. Using older lenses on it and yup... awesomeness.
This is a good follow up video to your one explaining how you got into photography. Cool video. Nice camera.
I just bought my first camera a Pentax K - 30 for $100 and I can’t wait till it comes in
Also have a blue K30. Also a K3, a K5, .a K7 and a K10D Plus a ton of Pentax film cameras and lenses. Like all of your videos.
I also had a k30 and now I have a K70 . Two great cameras .
Thanks for the video .Agree with almost everything. Only thing I don't agree with is regarding the current price of the camera. I don't think it can be founded for the $200 that you mentioned. Or at least is not easily. I think it is hard to find the blue one for less than 320-350 (with the lens). And I think that is great !! Because that means that this camera is still a sought-after camera that is sought after by many. I would love a video comparing the K5 II and this K30. Thanks man. Blessings
If i wanted to do a vid about the process of choosing Pentax I would just cut and paste this one. Probably I would do the same using yours about crock potting a pork butt.
I have that blue camera and it is great. Besides, you talk honestly and look humble, and that is important!
Great video again Lee. Ist*do my first, followed by the k30 which I've had for about 3 years now. Absolutely love it. Got my dad one and he loves it. Shoot in an astrophotography group with members touting 1.5 - 2 k mirrorless cameras and it holds its own. Recently tried a Nikon from about 5 years ago, and was appaled by the ergonomics / menu system by comparison. Just seen a k70 body for £400, but think I'm going to wait for the new APC (might regret that when I see the price!).
Lee
My first Pentax was a K - 1000 in 1978 my next camera was a Pentax ME SUPER, in 1980 , next camera ME SUPER PROGRAM in 1985 , my , First digital * istDL in 2005 , K50 2015 bought a K70 in 2018
Hello I have two Pentax camaras. I agree with you. There are amazing. But here in South america is very dificult to find this camara and more dificult to find new lences and/or services. It is not well known the Brand.
Pentax DSLR's are the best value for the $. Go A's!
My daughter has a Nikon d3200 with a Tamron lens will it fit a Pentax k30 ?
no but Tamron did make Pentax K mount lenses
Yes, I dunno either: why people don't talk aboutthe Penta cameras: seems it 's not kool to have camera brand which shows you can think for yourself. I have several and on the whole satisfied: just that for non-professional use ( ie used to create an income), the highend are outpricing themselves from my budget - I don't follow trends or change / trade in every few years.
I was not a big fan of the k-30. Had it until it stopped working due to a design defect they (k-30's) are all inflicted with.. The grip is horrible too. Not to say it overall was a horrible camera. For the day, it was a good deal. I am just sad it died. That said, my k-5sII is far better. My ks-2 is also much better. Hell, my *ist still works.