Tag Archives: espio

Pentax Espio 738S (738G)

Junk Camera Finds, , , , , , ,

I put the 738S and 738G versions in the title as I obtained both in a job lot purchase. Looking both over, I could not see any differences between them apart from a few variations on appearance. I sent the 738G to a friend and used the 738S to try out the DX altered film I prepared previously as the camera accepts films with an iso rating from 25-1600. This camera was released around 1998.

As I also have the Espio 928M which I feel is a slightly better camera, I will not be keeping this one no matter how it performs in the test.

The film I chose was an expired truprint 200 I found inside the camera. I changed the DX code so the camera would think it was a 50 iso and took the camera to The Great North Run. I had to drop some family members off at the start and wait for them at the finish. That meant I had a couple of hours to hang around in South Shields, so why not test a camera?

In the end how many photos can you take of people running, so I finished the film off around The Hepworth Wakefield. Here are the results.

Well, changing the iso rating worked really well for this camera and film. The original rating of 200 would have under exposed the shots. The camera is a fine point and shoot, but as I have many others, to keep one it would have to be very special. For me, this one has nothing special to offer. It is fine, it is ok, it does the job without bells and whistles.

Pentax Espio 928M

Swaps and searched for, , , , ,

I have recently tried another point and shoot from Pentax, which I lent to a friend who hasn’t tried film for a very long time. Then the person who gave me that camera sent me a remote for it, bugger. I always regret parting with cameras, but for the sake of my sanity and wallet, it has to be done. Anyway, in order to try the remote, I looked for a cheap but good replacement. Hello 928M.

The zoom on this 1999 camera was not as long as on the other one, but 28-90mm was still ok for me. I chose this one as I read somewhere that it did multiple exposures. I won’t link to that article, because it doesn’t. Though this one also has a bulb mode which is rather good for a point and shoot. It also accepts DX coded film up to 3200asa, available apertures range from f3.5 – f9, and has a maximum speed of 1/400s. That is all quite impressive really. Here are some more technical details.

I used this camera on a day out in Doncaster, exactly as a point and shoot might be used. One film, one location but I saved a couple of shots to use with the remote, gosh I have been enjoying fish and chips lately looking at my increase belly size. The remote worked perfectly, and the case even had a little pocket to keep it in. Cameras with a brushed metallic finish are always lovely to hold. It was quick and responsive, but the proof is in the pudding or photo whichever you prefer.

Golly, I think this one did well. Even the tricky shot of the market roof is perfectly exposed. I might be converting to Pentax as my main camera of choice. And what the heck is happening to the weather? The day in Doncaster was the warmest day on record for February in the UK, warmer than most summer days. Look at it now, barely a dry day in sight.

As for the camera, I think I will keep this a while seeing as I the other might not be returned and I now have a remote. These cameras are still fairly easy and cheap to find. If you can find a good example it would be a great one to keep in a handy location.

Pentax Espio 145M Super

Junk Camera Finds, , , , , ,

I am on holiday right now so have more free time. I got lots of films developed all at once, but now am struggling to figure out which camera goes with which film, oops. I am sure I have got it right, but I should have been a little more patient or taken a photo with the name of the camera. I started to do that, then got lazy. I really do need to slow down a little with this camera testing obsession.

Well anyway, for this camera I decided to use a whole film in one shop…just to see if I could. I would have to pick a good shop and one where they do not mind photos being taken. Hello Pokemon Mega Store!

Here is the camera.

and here are the photos…more details after this photo intermission.

Yeah, Pokemon!

Ok, so I better write about the camera. For me, this is a quite recent camera being from 2002. You can read all about the specifications on this website. It looks stunning with the brushed aluminium and it really quiet. One of the quietest cameras I have used recently. That made it perfect for taking photos inside a shop. It has a massive zoom 38-145 as the name suggests, though I did not try it out inside the shop. There is another version with a wooden style trim. If you are looking to get into film photography then this is a great starting camera.

Keep or sell: I have put it on eBay, but if it doesn’t sell I am tempted to keep it.