The Vivitar V3800 and Vivitar V3600 are nice cameras. They have a good mechanical (!) shutter with a speed of 1/2000. However, after practical experience, I changed my requirements to a camera with a Pentax K mount. I also did not like the light meter limitation of the Vivitars.
I still wanted a camera with manual focus only, no exceptions. The camera had to have a shutter speed of at least 1/2000. But I agreed to an electronically controlled shutter. And I wanted the Av mode, where the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed according to the light. And at the same time, the camera had to have a manual ISO setting that could be reduced to very low values (<50) to make it easier to use expired film.
I chose the Pentax Super A (also known as the Pentax Super Program in some markets).
(the Pentax Super A with the Pentax K 30/2.8)
Electronically controlled shutter: 15"-1/2000.
Supports Av mode: the shutter speed is displayed in the viewfinder and on the top LCD screen with the aperture selected on a lens.
ISO range: 6-3200 (manual only, DX is not supported)
Powered by two SR44/LR44 batteries.
I like the Pentax Super A. It is handy and easy to use. The main disadvantage is the age of these cameras. The Pentax Super A was introduced in 1983, so the cameras are quite old. And this is not good for such a complicated camera. My copy has a few minor problems. The Vivitars are not as solid, but are much younger and in better overall condition. However, I prefer to shoot with the Pentax Super A.
See also related notes:
- Mitakon Creator 85/2 II: Pentax K mount (2025-07-07)
- Kiev-6S: Budget medium format film camera (2025-06-11)
- Mitakon [Zhongyi] Creator 35/2: Adapting for Pentax film cameras (2025-06-09)
- NONS SL42 (II): "Instax Mini" SLR camera (2025-05-27)
- Pentax A 35-70/4: Manual focus zoom lens (2025-04-27)
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