Vintage camera, any good????

[norway_dino]

Hello all.

Up to now I have only used pocket cameras, digital.
But, I am getting more and more interested in taking photos.

Looking at old photos when I was a kid is nice, they had some good quality then to.
I have got my hands on a old Pentax Asahi Sportmatic from the late 60`s.

How is these camera to use? Hard?
How is the quality on the photos, if I do it things right? Compared to a new digital camera like Panasonic FZ 200?

The idea of a vintage camera is very interesting to me, but the main thing is if it provides good photos, if I do what I shall.......

Hope some can help me, all tips, ideas and information is good to me.
I need it.


THank you all

[Birdsnapper]

The Pentax is a classic camera and should be capable of good photos if it's good working order. It only has basic controls, which will make you think more about what you are taking - a very good way of learning. On of the disadvantages will be the cost of film and processing, which might restrict how much you practice - it doesn't matter how many pictures you take with a digital (some people will argue that digital encourages sloppiness and lack of care for that reason). You'll need to think about lens with the Pentax, whereas the Panasonic has a good lens with a terrific zoom range.

Best of luck with your photography.

[norway_dino]

Thank you for the reply.
Got it, I need to take photos and photos and so. But, I like to try. The feel of the old Pentax is good, to me. Yes, it is not a expensive Leica or Zeiss, but I like it.

Any good tip to one who just started to learn?
Oh, lenses, yes, it comes with two lenses, original. A 28 mm and a 135 mm.

Thank you.

[Birdsnapper]

Don't take the first shot that you see - view the subject from different angles and positions and try to imagine the final image.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

[norway_dino]

Thank you.
I will get a new battery and some film tomorrow and give it a try.

But, just to ask, how is the lenses on the Pentax, it has the original lenses, any good in todays standard?
How are they in a bit clouded weather?
Strong sunlight? (Well, not taking a photo directly into the sunlight.)

[Birdsnapper]

The lens should give good results if they are not damaged - I think that can be used on digital cameras (you will have to check) but manual focus only.

They should be OK in cloudy conditions. For strong sunlight you will need a small aperture (a large 'f number'). One advantage of more advanced digital cameras is the ability to set the ISO (the sensitivity to light), whereas you'll have to decide the sensitivity of the film you intend using - I used 200 ISO as a general film, but other people might disagree.

[norway_dino]

Thank you for helping me out.
Will lett you know how it goes.
But, it sounds interesting, to learn these way and to do so with a old camera to.

[petrochemist]

Originally Posted by birdsnapper

The lens should give good results if they are not damaged - I think that can be used on digital cameras (you will have to check) but manual focus only.

They should be OK in cloudy conditions. For strong sunlight you will need a small aperture (a large 'f number'). One advantage of more advanced digital cameras is the ability to set the ISO (the sensitivity to light), whereas you'll have to decide the sensitivity of the film you intend using - I used 200 ISO as a general film, but other people might disagree.

M42 lenses can indeed be used on most DSLRs, and have gained quite a following in some circles. Few zooms from such early days are worth bothering with but many of the primes are very good. They are basically fully manual, Even the 'auto' versions only close the aperture to the preselected setting prior to taking the shot (keeping it fully open for composition & focusing).

My own experience with my film SLRs allowed the use of quite wide appertures even in bright sunlight, with f4 being about the limit for ISO100. (My DSLRs have faster shutters so I can just about get away with f1.7 without needing filters, not that I've seen much bright sunshine in the last couple of months)