Christopher, The late screw mount Pentax cameras generally had the best viewfinders. That includes the ESII, Spotmatic F, and even the Spotmatic II. If you happen to have SMC lenses, you may wish to consider the ESII (automatic) or Spotmatic F, although the Spotmatic II will work just as well but without automation or open-aperture metering (you'd be stopping down).
The factory offered a range of optional screens. I have split image and plain matte screens in a couple of mine. The microprism is OK for some things, as are the other two for various applications. No one screen is perfect for everything. The combined split with microprism found in some cameras is a nice nod in that direction but it was not a catalog offering for the Spotmatic cameras. Recent eBay evidence suggests that screens can still be fitted to these cameras for affordable prices so that may be an option. As for deciding between the three cameras suggested above? Personal preference. I think this enters into opinion. I don't know if there will be a lot of dispute on this point but the Spotmatic II is probably the least complex and most reliable. The Spotmatic F comes next in that category, just for the meter system being more complex, less reliable and somewhat ill designed (it is "ON" if the lens cap is removed. The ESII (when you find a good one, which isn't too hard, but not guaranteed) is a great camera and can be trusted to make good automatic exposures with judicious use, and has the added benefits of open-aperture metering and shutter speed displayed in the viewfinder. I think that is probably enough from me as now the disputes will begin! Just my opinion. ppro http://whitemetal.com/pentax/index.htm > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Christopher Lillja > Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 12:08 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Spottie Questions (Enablement Needed) > > > > As I have been building my Pentax system I have found some screw mount lenses to be >great value for the money. I > generally use them on a beat up ME with a M42/KM adapter. I'm thinking about getting >a real M42 body, and of course a > nice Spottie would probably fit the bill nicely. > > Here's the thing: which Pentax M42 camera has the best view finder/focusing aids? >I've read all the major pages on the > topic and little is mentioned about the various finders. I would happily trade TTL >metering for a really good finder or > perhaps a really small (ME like) chassis... > > I have a K1000 and I find the little tiny microprisim dot in the middle of the >ground glass not much fun to use. I love > the finder on the ME, and I could live with something in between those two. I'm >happy with the viewfinder brightness of > both cameras, BTW..... > > Now remain calm please, I have also looked at information on many M42 cameras, some >(gulp) non-Pentax. If anyone has some > suggestions along these lines, feel free to answer me off-list. > > Well, what I guess what I really want is an MX with an M42 lens mount. What the next >best thing? > > Christopher Lillja > Publications Coordinator > The Pennington School > www.pennington.org > - > This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, > go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to > visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
