I have two Pentax MX. I suspect they will last me the rest of my life, and anyone can fix them. Much more durable than an ESII. But the camera I depend on most is an LX. If you look for late model versions, there are still a lot of very low mileage copies out there. Again, more durable than an ESII. Some here whine about LX durability, but mine has been faultless through several thousand rolls. I expect to own it until I take my last breath. Paul Stenquist
Mike Johnston wrote: > > > If one day...I cannot buy a new camera body that > > supports my investment, then I will feel betrayed. > > Boz.... > I hate to say this, but that day is pretty much here for me. Has been for a > while now. > > Here's my big dilemma. I like buying bodies new, simply because I like to > know there are no hidden problems, and I like to be able to replace a body > immediately and with no hassle in case of loss. Plus, I like to know I have > the latest in the basic technology--screens and light meters and such. > Finally, I like to be able to find accessories. > > But the kind of camera I prefer is on life support. > > I've said it before--I like metal, manual, mechanical cameras. "Classic"-era > SLRs. But the only company that's released one in recent years is Nikon. > > Much as I love my ES II, it's an antique. If it broke, or I dropped it, or > it was stolen, it would take a lot of work to find a replacement. It has > some peculiarities; it's outdated in some ways. It's o-l-d. I feel it every > time I take it out of the house: it's not just a tool, it's a treasure. > > I keep coming back to the same conclusion: that I should just get an FM3a. > If Pentax still made _one_ old-style metal-manual-mechanical SLR...one > classic Pentax...but it doesn't. > > It's not like the FM3a is any great paragon. It's no modern F2 or Spotmatic > or anything. It's kind of a cheap-ass, crappy example of the genre, > actually. > > But it's the genre I prefer. And it's what's out there. > > Tough problem. > > So tell me what you'd do. Comments, jokes, opinions, sympathy, ridicule, > from anybody, all welcome. > > --Mike
