RadFi Review: The Pentax P30t

A Radical Fidelity review of the Pentax P30t film SLR. Manufactured from 1990 through 1997, this was one of the very last manual-focus Pentax SLR's.
Brief clips from Jared Polin and Grainydays appear within this video.
Jared Polin: / jaredpolin
Grainydays: / @grainydaysss

[@dominicwroblewski5832]

The Pentax P30T was my favorite manual focus SLR. It was so well laid out. They say the last of a technology is always the best. That camera was a joy to use.

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

I was given a P30n for my 17th birthday in ‘97 and it began what would be my career. I got around the lack of manual ISO by rolling my own film onto film canisters with a different DX code. Unfortunately the n didn’t have a cable release option, so very gently pressing of the normal release button, or self timer was the way to go…I never missed an image due to the lack of one though. Still have the camera today, still runs beautiful. As you say, beautiful simplicity.

[@39exposures]

what a lovely video about this humble camera. what I really miss in it is exposure compensation.

[@GamingInfested]

we dont forget Pentax its only company which will still produce film cameras. and we love them. even tho I am a sony fanboy

[@NoLieIm51]

I love this video so much I found this camera at good will in great condition. I love learning about the cameras. It feels great in my hand I want to see how the pictures come out I might is it more than my minolta x370.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I bought the P3n new way back early 90’s. The way you see the shutter speed adjustments in the viewfinder really makes shooting manual a breeze and very quick. No need for exposure compensation or adjustable iso because of that. Not sure how that compares to the P30t but probably the same. For me it is a light fast handling little street shooter camera. With a big supply of affordable and great glass. In fact all these years later and i am starting to shoot that very same camera again.

[@achaycock]

I'm necro'ing a thread I know, but the P30t is very similar. The one thing that it has that I love over most other cameras is a diagonal split screen viewfinder that makes manual focussing utterly lovely. Sadly the P3n (P30n in Europe) does not have that.

[@mrphotomanseattle]

This is the camera Pentax should re-release. Put metal top and bottom plates on it and go.

[@clatrell]

Nice video, great voice and text. I like my P30t just fine, with its minimal Darth Vader look.

[@goldenhourkodak]

Great video! Thanks

[@NoLieIm51]

Right I found this camera and I’m happy to learn about it

[@stacy3]

@@NoLieIm51 where did you find it

[@NoLieIm51]

@@stacy3 a goodwill near me I was so excited

[@stacy3]

@@NoLieIm51 With big and long lens?

[@NoLieIm51]

@@stacy3 No it had a 50mm on it

[@zackxtnly444]

Which lens is using this pentax p30t how can i find it on amazon or ebay?

[@patrickolivier]

i still have mine in mint pristine condition as if it just came out of the box

[@garethhayes9982]

Show me on this teddy bear 🧸 where the pentax touched you, brutal opinions 😮

[@TribitFanOpex]

P30t has AF.

[@Jbonn6141]

No it doesn't