Expert: John Oliverio - 9/13/2006

Question
Thanks, John, I was leaning toward the *ist...can you tell me what advantage it has over the Pentax ZX-60 and ZX-M? (Other than, just by looking at it I can tell that it's very ergonomically designed.)  Also, what is your recommendation for best film?  Robin
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Followup To

Question -
John - I'm looking for a new 35mm camera and am considering another Pentax.  I like the way they work.  My first camera was Pentax and it took phenominal pictures for what it was - a little, black, auto-focus given to me somewhere between 1982 & 1987.  The pictures were very sharp and the colors vivid.  I'm disappointed with the picture quality of my current Pentax (IQZoom 115m), but I'm not sure if the camera is entirely at fault.  I think the quality of photo developing has declined over the years... Anyway, I want improve my amateur photography skills toward becoming a professional and I think using an SLR with a manual mode is the best way for me to do that. I've used a Canon EOS Rebel and didn't like it.  The Canons seem very bulky and heavy with the controls in odd places.  My second choice would be a Nikon, but I'm completely lost as to which model to choose.  I shoot a lot of sports-action photos (volleyball, basketball), I'm interested in wildlife photography (birds of prey, mostly), and in the near future I will be taking my daughter's graduation pictures.  Photo quality is top priority; price a close second.  Any advice you can give me is appreciated.  Thanks!

Answer -
Well, Pentax does make a nice little film SLR called the "*ist".  I know...  it's a strange name.  When it comes to film cameras, the body itself has no real say in the picture quality.  That would be determined by the film type, film processing and the quality of the lens.  Pentax lenses have a long history of very high quality.  And any lenses you buy for your film camera will work on Pentax digital camera if you ever wish to go to a digital SLR.  

John

Answer
Robin,

The *IST offers a more advanced autofocus, exposure and flash system.  It is also able to use older Pentax lenses.  (compared to the zx60)  The ZX-M is kind of an "old school" manual focus camera.  No auto-focus and no pop-up flash.  It does have some exposure automation though.

There is no such thing as a "best film".  You should choose the film you use to best suit what, where and when you are shooting.  Also, the final use for your prints can also affect the film you choose.  And having said all that, the best film is also a matter of opinion.  We used to argue the merits of different films like people argue about digital cameras today.  

An example:  I used to shoot pretty much all slide film.... and I would have what are known as Cibachrome prints made from them.  (called Ilfachrome now)  My film of choice was usually Kodachrome 64.  I loved the VERY low grain and the bright contrasty colors.  It really popped reds and yellows and I couldn't wait for fall (I lived in the East then) so I could shoot the leaves when they turned.  At the same time, my shooting buddy preferred Fuji print film.  He felt the colors from Kodachrome were un-realistic and that Fuji did a better job on the cooler colors (which there were generally more of).  Fuji was known as a good landscape film.  As you can see, it's all a matter of taste or opinion.  

It's going to be harder for you to experiment with different films now though.  Unless you have a really good high-end camera store in your area.  I run a camera store on the Oregon coast.  We used to keep dozens of different kinds of film in stock.  And we'd have a fridge full of pro films in both 35mm and 120.  We'd even have a selection of speciality films like infrared and tungston slide film.  But those days are long over.  I can't keep that stuff on hand now because it just goes bad sitting on the shelf.  I don't even have that many purely amature films in stock.  Mostly kodak 200 and 400 MAX print film, 200 fuji superia and some black and white.... stuff you could find in just about any grocery store.  It's also getting harder to find anyone who knows anything about film even in the bigger camera stores.  We've got people working for us now that have never owned a film camera.  So, it may be hard to get decent opinions from the folks behind the counter.  Huh...  I remember we used to have a book in the shop with tons of different pictures taken with different kinds of film for people to look at.  Now I've got a book filled with pictures from different digital cameras!  

Sorry about the long answer.....  I guess I started drifting there.  But I did want you to get a feeling for what you are up against.  If you don't have a good camera store in your area, you might want to search out groups or sites or forums on the net dedicated to film.  I honestly don't know of any.  I've been digital for about 5 years myself.  Or you might want to see if there is a photo club in your area.  If your lucky there will be some old guys in it that still shoot film and love to yak about it.  

And my last bit of advice.....  save up for a good digital SLR.  

John