Pentax has done retro right. At least for them. Te MZ/ZX 5n had was as
modern in it's time an autofocus camera as any mid level camera could
be, but the control layout was as traditional as you could get. I
never warmed to to the DOF lever, (placing it on the switch, where the
locking collar for a mechanical shutter lock would be is an under
appreciated stroke of genius), but otherwise it was the same as any
classic Pentax back to the Spotmatic and earlier.
The K5/K7 is thicker than a traditional film camera, but it has lots of
design hints from classic Pentax cameras from the past. The prism/pop
up flash has the same angular look as the FA-1 hot shoe prism for the
LX. The grip echos the look of the Winder A. The angular body style
pretty much all cameras before they became plastic blobs.
On 2/9/2012 1:59 AM, Anthony Farr wrote:
On 9 February 2012 15:16, P. J. Alling<webstertwenty...@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe because they couldn't even photograph it to look like a Spotty, it was
grossly huge by comparison and looked ungainly.
The i10 on the other hand was about as ordinary a P&S as you could find. In
fact Kodak had a model that had exactly the same specifications silhouette
and control placement. Probably made in the same factory. The only
difference was that it had Kodak emblazoned on it and sold for half the
price.
I can't argue about the 50th Anniversary DSLR's ungainly looks. The
Spotmatic is a difficult camera to emulate. Its proportions are
delicately poised on the boundary of elegance and awkwardness. The
arched ridge at the front seemed dated even in the sixties, in
juxtaposition to its otherwise clean, simple lines.
As for the I-10, it's a good thing that Pentax got the retro bug out
of its system with an unimportant model. That allowed the Q to go
ahead with a fresh new style. It's a gem of a camera, which it
wouldn't have been with the I-10's dumpy, dated appearance.
Sixties/seventies retro might work for Olympus, whose great style
statement and lasting image was the OM series (along with the Trip
which they also rebirthed), but I honestly can't see it working for
Pentax. While it has several landmark camera series in its history
from a fans POV, none of them really stand out as design icons.
But if Pentax were to go down Nostalgia Road, my vote would be split
between the MX for being the sleekest Pentax, the KX for being the
most handsome Pentax, and the K2 for being the sexiest Pentax. Sorry
LX, you're OK looking but a little bland.
regards, Anthony
"Of what use is lens and light
to those who lack in mind and sight"
(Anon)
--
Don't lose heart! They might want to cut it out, and they'll want to avoid a
lengthily search.
--
PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
PDML@pdml.net
http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow
the directions.
