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What is the MZ -S like?


Sanford

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Why don't you Pentax MZ-S owners tell of your experiences or thoughts

of it. I've always admired Pentax fron afar and have owned a few from

time to time - Spotmatics, MX, K1000, etc. Took this with a Pentax

Fisheye purchased from a thrift shop not too long ago.<div>005u3h-14305884.jpg.91235a1b20388b0ac684fa53fd2ea98f.jpg</div>

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By the way a VERY nice photo.

 

I've had the camera for about a year. It is a lovely instrument-I still haven't completely grown into all the features. In fact, it may even be more camera than I'll ever need, but it was a wedding gift from my wife so it's never going to end up on ebay ;)

 

Some very nice features-mid film rewind and being able to program the camera to leave the leader out. No longer do you HAVE to finish a roll or get faced with the film digging tool.

 

I find it is a very accurate camera, I shoot in a lot of confusing situations and have been very happy with it. I use the spotmeter a lot so I can pick mid tones out of sceens (I shoot mostly slide).

 

I can find some fault with the camera though too.

 

I'm not entirely crazy about the new shutter release, too expensive, and a little too bulky for my tastes. It is not compatable with other Pentax autofocus cameras (or of course manual camera shutter releases)

 

The camera is not terribly ruggid. Mine had a mishap after falling off a tripod onto soft ground (with a 200 macro attached-ouch!) It required a $200 fix as the mount was bent. I certainly can't say for sure but I'll bet my LX or old Spotmatic F would have brushed off the fall.

 

To be honest though I very likely could have lived a happy life with a ZX-5N. It's still about optics IMHO.

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I really like it. I reckon that no camera has ever been designed to fit the hand like this one, and that's both with and without the extra grip. Whatever the technical specs analysis, a good 'glove' feel is very important - and that's not just about wanting to use it, but being able to use it with just a flick of the wrist. I have a 77mm Limited lens that I'm very happy with, and am waiting to get hold of a 43mm.
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i used it for 1.5 year now. Before i had the z1-p. I like the grip, have the batterypack which makes it even better to hold.

 

i use it for theatre work, weddings, nature etc...

i use it with the 24-90 IF, 50 1.4, 50 macro 2.8, 85 1.4 ED, 135 2.8, 300 4.5 ED.

 

The only thing i don't like is the on/off switch. When in a backback it's possible that it turns itself on when scrapped along the side of the bag. I prevented this by putting extra clothes under the lens so that the camera stands right in the bag.

Besides that i think the battery usage could be better..

 

The 45 degrees panel is nice when working with a tripod. Otherwise i had to standup to look at the panel, now i can see it from behind. Nice is also the + - correction knob which wasn't on the z1-p. This allows me directly to change settings due to light conditions.

 

It's very hard to tell somehting about a camera for someone else. You would have to go on a shoot trip for one day with someone who has one and use it yourself. I have the same with the 645. Should i buy one or not...?

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Hi,

I own two of these cameras and use them all the time. Mostly outdoors, weddings (the second body is for that) and wildlife.

I have had NO bad experiences in over 20 months. Even my old Pentax auto bellows for macro work fitted the MZ-S (with a bit of work on the camera side of the bellows).

 

I would only like Pentax to come up with a MZ-S digital having the same ergonomics and utilising the same lenses, and I will be fully pleased. For now I scan my MZ-S results and am more than happy.

 

The MZ-S might just be one of the best 35mm cameras on the market today, but because it's not called Nikon or Canon it is not taken serious by many.

 

Regards<div>0060Sh-14467484.jpg.87d06626c548a0c0e2dcbfb0cc9bd600.jpg</div>

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What is the MZ-S like? Well, I used to have the ZX-5n and after moving to the MZ-S I have to say that the MZ is huge improvement. I would compare the change to learning to drive in a Ford Escort and getting into a Mustang Mach 1. Sure you can learn to do some fun things with in Escort and learn how to drive. However, the Mustang is bigger, badder, and better. The MZ-S is a joy to work with, accurate metering, no matter the scene, very similar to the ZX-5n only, better. Autofocus is fast and true. It has a very bright finder, especially with the 50 1.4 I use most of the time. It has great balance especially when using large, heavy zooms. The 360FGZ flash is also great with this camera. It is very accurate and handsomely matched to the camera. The only gripe I have is that it eats up batteries, mainly, I think, because i use the data imprinting all the time. I also use rechargables, which I don't think last as long, but in the long run they are very cheap to use, I just keep a couple spare sets in my bag. The camera fits the hand perfect, not too big like the EOS-1. It also has nice ridges to grip, not a round bubble like the F100. If you are thinking to getting yourself into a new camera, this one is the one, if you have Pentax gear, or want it. Everyday I am out shooting with it is another day of great pics.
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If we're talking cars then I think the MZ-S is more like a Volvo to a Mercedes, or a Subaru to a Hummer. It does the same job with more subtlety, quiet sophistication, and grace, all the while being more responsive and cooperative. MZ-S owner�s just cruise on by the big bad boys when they�re broken down on the side of the road, or have been pulled over for a ticket. I love my MZ-S.

 

Gord

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Its most like the Nikon F-100, only smaller, more charming and with some features the F-100 is lacking.

 

The MZ-S is also the smallest and lightest 35 mm AF SLR with metal chassis on the market, a fact N/C users never seemed to appreciate for some reason (unlike us Pentax users). Its light, small and ergonomic, in other words a return in a way to a typical Pentax body. It also has its weaknesses, as any other camera has, of which the greatest are imho the creaky and wobbly plastic backdoor and lack of sealing against the elements.

 

But seriously, its just a camera like any else, only a more durable and nice one. The lens makes the difference.

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