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.
Thanks for your perspective. I mean to try one of these one day. I’ll probably think it’s fine, too.
The p30t definitely looks better IMO.
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.
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.
‘Porridge’ camera , having used both I’m inclined to agree. I will reserve judgement until I use P30n
Andrew
And now I want the p30n 🙁
I just acquired a P30n 🙂
I wondered how long it would take. A little more plastic but not necessarily a bad thing???
It sort of dropped into my lap, so no big expense needed. Phew!
First impressions?
Nicer than the P30, but similar to the t, they do all blend together though as they are so similar.