Pentax p30 is it any good?

Mike Jackson

Mike Jackson

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A friend has asked me whether her SLR is worth keeping or flogging. I've had a look on e-blag and they go for sweet FA but it occurred to me that if the lenses were compatible with any modern cameras it would be worth splitting them. As far as I can work out they are K mount with a manual aperture ring. The lenses are a tamron 80 -210, a sigma 28mm Macro, a Mitakon 28 - 80 and a pentax 50.

If they're not compatible with anything my feeling is she may as well hang onto it as flog it for a paltry amount.

Before I give it back I may well stick a film in it and have a play as well.

Mike
 
Not sure about compatibility, but I have one too, and for what was a low budget slr in its time, it produces some very nice images - split focus screen is lovely to use again. Can't comment on the lenses you list either I am afraid, as the ones with mine are all pentax too, apart from 70-300 which I think is a siggie, though haven't tried it yet, mainly due to it having a very nice 50 which is stuck on there permanently :lol:
 
The manual aperture adjustment really showed me the difference in apertures on the 80-210. I tried looking through it and all I could see was a small circle of light, it was set to f/22 I took it back to its max aperture and the difference was immense. No wonder I need flash when I've got my macro lens set on f/22.
 
It depends on the type of lens mount really. Is it a K type bayonet mount of the M42 screw thread?

Pentax still use the K mount on thier DSLRs meaning that the older lenses are compatible, just with manual aperture adjustment unless there is an "A" on the aperture ring on the lens. If thats the case then the aperature can be controlled from the camera. Of course, it will be manual focus though.

As such, pentax DSLRs are popular due to the number of older lenses compatible. There is certainly a market for the second hand lenses. I'd be interested to see prices should she sell them.
 
There is an A on the aperture ring so it looks a bit better price wise for her. I'll be very tempted to make her an offer for the camera with the 50mm and suggest she flogs the rest.
 
If it has the "A" setting on the ring then you are laughing. The camera will still be able to meter, all you'll be missing is Auto Focus, which is no biggie really.


What 50mm is it? I have an old 50mm off of an ME Super, its a cracking lens, fast too, f1.7. Focus ring is uber smooth :-D

The Tamron 80-210mm, whats the widest aperture?
 
If there's a KA Adaptall mount on the Tamron, it'll be worth a fair bit, and should be sold separately. Even the K mount should be.

The Sigma macro should do OK, but shows you that they were 3rd-rate in build quality back then.

The Pentax 50mm is always sought after, with better prices for the KA mount.
 
The mount on the Tamron says Adaptall 2 AE but I can't see how it comes away from the lens.

The 50mm says smc PENTAX-A 1:2 50mm.

The widest aperture on the Tamron is 3.8

Just looked at camera side and it has P/KA on the back so I assume this is good news for Sue.
 
To remove the Adaptall mount:

Remove lens from camera.

Hold lens with rear element towards you and press left button (or the one most clockwise) on the mount, if necessary, to unlock the aperture ring, by rotating it from the AE position. (The AE setting is used on any Pentax camera with an auto setting, and for aperture adjustment from bodies with a command wheel, such as the digital range.)

Rotate the aperture ring anticlockwise to the maximum aperture (smallest number, 3.8 in this case).

Find the other release button, adjacent to the three electrical contacts on the mount. Press the button with your left thumb while rotating the mount about 1/8th turn anticlockwise with your right hand, to remove it from the lens.

To refit the mount:

Set aperture to maximum.

Line up green dots on mount and lens.

Rotate clasps on mount to match detents in lens, if necessary.

Rotate mount clockwise until it clicks into place.

If AE is required, rotate aperture ring and press button to allow it to lock into place.
 
Mike Jackson said:
The mount on the Tamron says Adaptall 2 AE but I can't see how it comes away from the lens.

The 50mm says smc PENTAX-A 1:2 50mm.

The widest aperture on the Tamron is 3.8

Just looked at camera side and it has P/KA on the back so I assume this is good news for Sue.
Click to expand...

The 50mm is worth around £25 .. the f2 version is about the least sought after. The Tamron mount (if it is PK/A) is worth around £50. If the Sigma is a 28mm f2.8 miniwide II KA then around £20, the 80-210mm about £25. I have no idea on the Mitakon .. never heard of the make.

The camera itself .. not more than £20 probably.
 
Cheers Mike. I'll have a chat with Sue and may put some bits in the classifieds for her if she's interested. I think the Mitakon may well go on e-blag. I'm sorely tempted to hang onto the camera with the 50 myself.
 
Mike Jackson said:
Cheers Mike. I'll have a chat with Sue and may put some bits in the classifieds for her if she's interested. I think the Mitakon may well go on e-blag. I'm sorely tempted to hang onto the camera with the 50 myself.
Click to expand...

Personally I would use Ebay for the lot.
The main body of users on this forum use Canon/Nikon .. you will get a much wider audience on Ebay.
 
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