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The P30t is a great camera from the latter film days of Pentax. It is manual focus, has full auto exposure (AE) mode, aperture priority AE, and full manual exposure. The metering is accurate enough for slide film in most instances, and it has a exposure lock function to help with tough lighting situations. There is a depth of field preview lever for use in aperture priority and manual modes. The main drawbacks are DX only film speed coding with the lack of manual override, and the lack of a winder or motor drive. The body is a tough plastic, though the lens mount is metal. It is not known to have electrical or mechanical troubles like the later Pentax ZX-M, and has a far better viewfinder also. It can often be found with the SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2.0 lens which, while being slower than the f/1.4, shares every bit of the faster lens image quality at real shooting apertures. Most photography instructors would recommend a Pentax K-1000 over this camera, and that is a great camera, but for a user in the real world and a student camera the P30t is far more capable with its added features, and can be found in great condition far cheaper. If you are shooting Pentax lenses, the P30t is a great film body that can share every lens a full frame digital Pentax can use, as it will use the lenses without aperture control in full AE mode. If you find a good deal on one, don't hesitate to try it out!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Most of the time I'm shooting with my Pentax K-5, but every once and a while I like to dig out a film camera and run a roll of B/W through it. Today's choice was my newly aquired P30T that I took to a local farmer's market. For no-brainier use I put on an A type 35-105mm zoom and shot in 'P' mode. I still like to do my own manual focusing, so all that was left to do was to zoom for cropping and select the shutter speed indicated in the view finder. I didn't completely go through the roll but I think Igot some good snap shots. This camera can also be used manually to either get the required shutter speed or iris setting. For anyone who wants to experience using a film camera, the Pentax P30t is a very good and inexpensive choice. I would recommend using it with Pentax K mount 'A' lenses. For the lightest set up, a fixed focal length lens, maybe a 28, 35 or 50mm length would be good choices for candid shooting. RBRead full review
My first bread and butter, manual control camera was a K1000 about forty years ago. I moved on to a long list, of mainly Pentax cameras with all the bells and whistles as they came out. But, I longed for those simple, straight forward days but those cameras seemed to dry up, only to be found in the secondary market. I happened upon this P30t as a fluke and you know, this is a lot like a K1000 pushed into modernity. It uses the same lenses (Ks and As), is reliable, sturdy, with just enough automation to alleviate tiresomeness when the mood moves you. Otherwise, it will function just like a K1000. You'll need a "A" lens to maximize the automation aspect, but, if you just want aperture priority auto, or full manual, the "K" lenses will work perfectly. You can feel a bit of the heft in the camera, so, I presume there is some beef underneath the plastic. And, I have to say, it is really nice to not be concerned with door seals. Nope. None. There is a mirror buffer but that's it. Simple, reliable, sturdy, flexible, and a dependable meter. Hard to beat one of these for about $30 on eBay. Heck, you might can even get one with a lens and accessories for that same money. Seem to be a good value. Oh! And, keep in mind this is NOT an auto focus camera. You're controlling this camera. Good luck!Read full review
This is the type of equipment that makes photography fun. A very good quality build. This is a rugged machine and functions flawlessly. Small, lightweight but solid all the way through. I have no problem using this camera for work and play. The results are always excellent and rewarding. The meter system is D.O.T., Direct On Target and I could not be happier with my purchase. Thanks for reading, Tony
I still own this camera model and may return to color slide and black/white film use eventually. I owned Mamiya Sekor and Ricoh slrs in the past but I always coveted the old Asahi or Honeywell branded Pentax cameras. The P30t is a step up from the K1000, has a solid feel to it, and delivers decent photographs. Tha ability for it to use K and A mount lenses is a plus for any aspiring photographer.
Verified purchase: No
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