I am working at the low end of the cost spectrum here, with the economics of continuing my interest in photography on a low-budget approach with a vintage digital SLR camera fitted with a CCD sensor, the Pentax K-m Digital, and an equally vintage manual focus prime lens, the SMC Pentax A 50mm F2. Both are borne out of the production line at Pentax, with the K-m Digital introduced in 2009, while the SMC Pentax-A was in production from 1985 to 1998.
The SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2 is a lightweight plastic-bodied lens, almost exactly the same as the 1.7 version, except that it struggles a bit in low light as the glass is smaller. It costs less as well but is known to be variable in quality with some working well while others grind, and may have dead focus spots. The A-button, however, is the catch that enables the lens to be matched to the KAF2 mount of the K-m body.
On the K-m, the lens is the equivalent of a short telephoto lens with a focal length of 75mm, and when mounted with the A-switch set, the K-m will trigger the inquest for a focal length input. Once set you can use the camera in its various exposure modes, with the lens triggering the In-Focus button intermittently to indicate that the subject in the frame is in focus. Focusing is still manual though.
Reviews indicate that once the lens is stopped down to 2.8 or more, it's as sharp as you could need for most of your applications. The color rendition is great and the contrast is excellent. Focusing is smooth and there is no reason for you to use the plastic aperture setting adjustment unless you are shooting in full manual mode. This lens has an overall rating of 8+ on PentaxForums, but could very well be a solid 10 depending on how much you pay for it.
Pentax K-m Digital
Introduced by Pentax in 2008 with an APS-C-sized CCD sensor with a 10MP resolution, the K-m is fitted with a Pentax KAF2 lens mount and is designated as a compact and entry-level model. The camera is powered by a set of either 4 AA Lithium, Ni-MH Rechargeable, or Alkaline batteries, and designed to be countable to the plastic mount Pentax DA-L-series lightweight kit lenses, designed for KAF2-mounted Pentax digital cameras with APS-C sensors.
The K-m was lighter in body weight and comes without the weather sealing of the 10MP CCD sensor K200D and the 14.6 CMOS sensor K20D, though sharing the same viewfinder and LCD screen with both. All three cameras were launched in 2008. The K-m was upgraded to the 12MP CMOS sensor Pentax K-x in 2009.
Early Images
Early impressions, an early mid-morning pitch, out on the porch, with the K-m set to Aperture Priority, and the SMC Pentax-A set wide open.
Interesting combination, with a price bracket hovering just over the horizon on the auction market, vintage cameras with CCD sensors, be it a super-compact, a digital bridge, or a full-fledged DSLR with an accompanying lens, may actually have a place within your realm of interest and your love for excellent imagery.
All the best!
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