I can only buy one camera this month - KX or K2?

[altair]

Hello all! My wife and my shrinking budget for this month means I can only buy one camera over the next 30 days, haha. So please help me choose between an Asahi Pentax KX or an Asahi Pentax K2. Let me know which one you will go for and why. If possible, also provide a rough estimate of how much one in good working condition should cost.

I already have an Asahi Pentax KM, and I love it. However the temptation of the KX's shutter sound and shutter speed & aperture displayed in the VF is too much for me. However, I wonder if upgrading from a KM to a KX is worth it..does the shutter speed & aperture display in the VF justify purchasing it?

I am more severely tempted by the K2, seems to me that the vertical metal focal plane shutter is more robust than the cloth on the KM & KX, and I read somewhere the shutter sound of the K2 is simply sublime. The K2 is more full featured as well..and mirror lock up ability, full manual or Auto Aperture Priority exposure too! BUT therein lies the rub, all the electronics governing the electronic shutter & the K2's dependence on batteries makes me a bit nervous. How well & how long does the electronics last?

So guys, please help me out, I need to decide in 3 days..thanks in advance!

-A guy who is desperately staving off GAS

[Excalibur2]

erm If you don't mind what make of camera, the world is open to you..........me? I'll use anything as it's the lens that counts (well and the photographer).

[benjiboy]

I must be really deprived I've only bought two cameras in twenty five years

[Steve Roberts]

Hello all! My wife and my shrinking budget for this month means I can only buy one camera over the next 30 days, haha. So please help me choose between an Asahi Pentax KX or an Asahi Pentax K2. Let me know which one you will go for and why. If possible, also provide a rough estimate of how much one in good working condition should cost.

I already have an Asahi Pentax KM, and I love it. However the temptation of the KX's shutter sound and shutter speed & aperture displayed in the VF is too much for me. However, I wonder if upgrading from a KM to a KX is worth it..does the shutter speed & aperture display in the VF justify purchasing it?

I am more severely tempted by the K2, seems to me that the vertical metal focal plane shutter is more robust than the cloth on the KM & KX, and I read somewhere the shutter sound of the K2 is simply sublime. The K2 is more full featured as well..and mirror lock up ability, full manual or Auto Aperture Priority exposure too! BUT therein lies the rub, all the electronics governing the electronic shutter & the K2's dependence on batteries makes me a bit nervous. How well & how long does the electronics last?

So guys, please help me out, I need to decide in 3 days..thanks in advance!

-A guy who is desperately staving off GAS

I have all three of these (and often seem to end up saying things about them!)

As you say, the K2 has MLU, but so does the KX. The shutter sound of the K2 is ...errrr.... distinctive. It's an early electronic/metal shutter and isn't something you'd want to use in a quiet environment such as a theatre. The K2 is a great camera, a bit quirky with its fiddly ASA setting dial (that can't be altered if you're using exposure compensation) and shutter speeds to 8 secs. I'm sure I've said this before, but if I was going on a once in a lifetime trip I'd be wary of the K2's dependence on batteries and electronics and would undoubtedly opt to take the KX. In short - K2, interesting and quirky, KX conventional and dependable.

Now, then, what about the K2DMD ??????

Good luck with whichever you decide on!

Steve

[Steve Smith]

My wife and my shrinking budget for this month means I can only buy one camera over the next 30 days

What a dilemna!

I would stick with the KM. I bought one for a friend last year. It's basically a K1000 with a DOF preview but at half the price as it doesn't have the K1000's cult status.

If funds are low, you should concentrate on collecting the lenses you need rather than duplicating the body.


Steve.

[Steve Smith]

I must be really deprived I've only bought two cameras in twenty five years

That's far too sensible.


Steve.

[Steve Roberts]

What a dilemna!
If funds are low, you should concentrate on collecting the lenses you need rather than duplicating the body.


Steve.

That's pretty sensible as well!
Both the KM and K1000 infuriate me (well, annoy me a bit, I suppose) with their daft system of having to replace the lens cap or close the case to switch off the meter. (The KX has a "proper" switch activated by the film advance lever and shutter release). The only time I ever want to put a lens cap on a lens is when I sling it back into the gadget bag along with the sandwich crumbs, fluff and other detritis!

Steve

[Andy K]

I'm happy with the cameras I have and use. I am a photographer, not a camera collector.

[Steve Smith]

I am a photographer, not a camera collector.

I'm both.... but I only buy a camera if I intend to use it.


Steve.

[Excalibur2]

I'm happy with the cameras I have and use. I am a photographer, not a camera collector.

Well I select the lens and get the camera body to fit it e.g. An excellent viv macro was going very cheaply for Minolta and I didn't have a Minolta camera, no prob bought a X-700 and glad I did as it is a very nice camera.....once you have the common makes no more waiting for a lens to fit your camera, more choice and a chance of getting it cheaper.

OH and I always carry at least two cameras around, could be same makes or different.

All above works for me.