I am partial to the Spotmatics for toughness. There was something about the construction of the bodies back then that inspired confidence that they would function under a lot of different situations. I liked the fact that the meter was the only thing requiring a battery. Everything else was mechanical. I liked to shoot Tri-X back in the Sixties and got to know the combinations of shutter speeds and f-stops needed to get the best exposure. I feel the same about the ES series and, of course, the LX.
Jim A. > From: Shel Belinkoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2004 20:56:34 -0800 > To: PDML <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: The "Toughest" Pentax > Resent-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Resent-Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 23:54:30 -0500 > > Been thinking a bit about the Pentax bodies I have here ... ME S, MX, LX > .. and while I like these cameras quite a bit, they don't seem to be as > rugged as I remember my first Spottie to be. Of course, I may be a bit > fussier these days, and more aware of small problems. Actually, my ME S > has been a great performer. Bought it new and it still seems to > function perfectly, albeit it is time for a thorough CLA and refoaming. > Still, like the Timex watches of old, "it takes a licking and keeps on > ticking," although I don't know why anyone would want to lick an ME S. > > My earlier LX bodies all required a lot of fiddling and maintenance, > but, in fairness, they were bought used. The two new ones have given me > no trouble, but they are only a couple of years old, and I'd be really > miffed about spending as much as i did only to have 'em in the shop > already. > > Both my MX have needed adjustments, and one has to get the shutter > release repaired now as it sometimes sticks. Still, I love the cameras. > > So, which Pentax body do you feel is the toughest ... the one you'd take > through the rain and the mud and the Atacama desert, and toss into the > back of your rattling old pickup and not worry about it getting the crap > knocked out of it? Do you think that any of the newer AF cameras with > their Captain Marvel electronics will last on a trip through hell and > back? Will the LX make the journey? Maybe the MZ S (I saw John's and > liked it ... seemed better built than the other MZ bodies)? >
