This is the first camera in the P30 series or P3 series elsewhere. I have already tried the P30T and loved it. So when a friend cheekily asked for my ME Super in exchange for a few other cameras including this one, I decided to say yes. Though I did think long and hard about it. In the end I realised, yet again, I have far too many cameras and I didn’t NEED the ME so why not let a friend, who really wanted it, have it??
Hello Pentax P30 from 1985…I kept the lens though.
The difference from the ‘T’ is simple, no aperture priority mode. Apparently there is a program mode, as stated in the manual, but mine doesn’t show the ‘P’ with the lens I have attached.
The ISO/ASA is set by the DX coding on the canister and there is no way to override it. Though you could use the method I have written about before or adjust with the manual exposure you choose.
I tried my P30 with an expired film, that I had already half used in another camera, and took it for a walk in the woods on a very dull, windy day. Due to the movement of the branches and leaves I chose a speed of 1/125th which meant I was sometimes choosing f1.7 at some points. That meant a very shallow depth of field.
This camera is fine, in the passive aggressive sense of the word. I don’t like it as much as the P30t or the ME Super, but it does the job. If I was going to use a K-fit camera I would still choose Spiderman. I found it a porridge kind of camera, not bad, not good, sort of ok if that is all you can choose. You can tell I was enthused by the camera by the length of the post.
Camera Go Camera 
Thanks for your perspective. I mean to try one of these one day. I’ll probably think it’s fine, too.
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The p30t definitely looks better IMO.
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This makes me want to go and shoot my P30T now – I’ve not used it in quite some time. It’s a great little camera though, with it sleek gun-metal colouring and controls that lie neatly flush with the top of the housing. I only have a single lens – A Rikenon 50mm f/2 – but sometimes that’s all you need.
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You are right it is sleek, I regret selling it. But at the time I had the ME, now I have the Spiderman chinons I feel a bit better. The p30t though, one of the prettiest cameras.
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‘Porridge’ camera , having used both I’m inclined to agree. I will reserve judgement until I use P30n
Andrew
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And now I want the p30n 😦
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I just acquired a P30n 🙂
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I wondered how long it would take. A little more plastic but not necessarily a bad thing???
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It sort of dropped into my lap, so no big expense needed. Phew!
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First impressions?
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Nicer than the P30, but similar to the t, they do all blend together though as they are so similar.
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