File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
What does /p/ think of the Pentax Asahi Honeywell for beginners?
Looking to take up photography, so whatever other cameras are good for amateurs would be nice too
>> Anonymous
That is a perfect camera for a beginner. It's rugged, effective, and there are more lenses available for it than any other camera ever made.
>> Anonymous
Best choice you can make, though it's not the honeywell.. It's called the Pentax Spotmatic.
>> Anonymous
The only problem is that they run off mercury batteries.
>> des
>>136065
and have a horrible viewfinder
and are outclassed by pretty much every japanese m42 body
>>135765
If you picked this because you can get one cheap or free, do it, the lens(es) you get with it are worth it.
>> Anonymous
>>136162
Horrible viewfinder?

Clearly you have never shot with a Zenit (lol 64% coverage)
>> VF-19
Ahh yes, the Spotmatics. I've got a Spotmatic II, and it's been great. You actually can either buy a weincell or an alkline battery. The lightmeter will take 1.5 volts with no problems. That or, you can actually replace the battery door cover with one that has a little resistor that will drop the voltage down to what the mercury batteries put out.

You could also consider one of the K series body (KX, KM, K1000 etc), so that you can access the K series of lenses, and with an adapter the M42 lenses.
>> Anonymous
I like my Spotmatic II well enough; got it for free with two Takumars. I've had trouble with the mirror sticking in the retracted position though, so it's on the shelf until I can get it cleaned up a bit. It could just be a cold weather thing, but a lady photographer I know who also uses a Pentax had the same problem with hers.
>> des
>>136404
My S1a does that too, on mine it's sticky damper foam related. I'm just too lazy to change it.