Pentax ZX-7 / MZ-7.

 

<p >Camera: 1999-2001 <a href="http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/bodies/film_MZ-ZX/mzzx7.html">Pentax ZX-7 (MZ-7) </a></p>

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<p >I've been wanting the ZX-L, been trolling and hadn't found the right one at the right price, found this and thought I'd upgrade later. I was mainly after the ZX-L because it's supports PTTL for the flash, I was also interested in the panoramic feature and this would be my first auto everything SLR, my seconded auto camera (the first being the <a href="../modern-film-cameras-forum/00YXnk">Fuji Discovery 3000</a>).</p>

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<p >The camera came with the coveted Olympus 28-90mm lens. I was only shopping for the camera body, my surprise when this great lens was attached! Just kidding, I know the lens don't have great reviews but honestly I didn't think it did all that bad, I've not used the lens on the ZX-7, but I did use it on my Pentax K110D, which you can see the results in Pentax forum in <a href="../pentax-camera-forum/00Ya5f">POTW</a>.</p>

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<p >I was not planning on doing a write on that lens, because I didn't use it, but I thought I'd just mention it, because I also used it to take the production picture of the camera listed below.</p>

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<p >I found this camera a real pleasure to use, it was light and the shutter was very quiet unlike the big clunk from my K110D. I like the fact that I can use all my accessories on both cameras (except the wired remote), another selling point. I found during a dry test, that this camera does support PTTL, the flash adjusted and popped accordingly, I was very surprised, so I wont need to upgrade after all.</p>

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<p >For the test I used the Tamron 70-300mm and Ilford Delta 400 B&W 24exp. This is the seconded time using this film and the first time I really liked the outcome. I really like the tonality and the grain, I can see great value in using it for vintage style shots. The hardest part of all of this was to figure out which pictures to post, so I hope you don't mind the extra shots! :) I shot in *Green Mode* for all, not sure what the difference is between Green and Auto? I read Green did good, so that's why I selected it.</p>

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<p ><strong>The Camera And Lens:</strong></p>

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<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/camera/JB_001.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p ><strong>The Pictures:</strong></p>

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<p >#1</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_001.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >Testing out the panoramic mode. 70mm.</p>

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<p >#2</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_002.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p >#3</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_003.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p >#4</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_004.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p >#5</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_005.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >70mm.</p>

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<p >#6</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_006.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >Sun & shade.</p>

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<p >#7</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_007.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >One of my favorites. 300mm.</p>

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<p >#8</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_008.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >Old Glory. 300mm.</p>

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<p >#9</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_009.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p >#10</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_010.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >Another favorite. Greyhound Bus station. 70mm.</p>

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<p >#11</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_011.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p >#12</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_012.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p >#13</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_013.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >300mm.</p>

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<p >#14</p>

<p ><img src="http://www.pn.jacksjunk.com/2011/04-22-2011/pentax_zx-7/pictures/JB_014.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p >70mm.</p>

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<p >The Tamron is my favorite lens to work with. Film processed at my local specialty camera shop, printed on Fuji paper, prints scanned at 600DPI on a HP3970, resized for the web. As always, the scans don't do the prints any justice!</p>

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<p >Thanks for viewing!</p>

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<p >~Jack</p>

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<p>Jack - I am not familiar with this camera. But that link helped and it seems to be a good performer in your hands. The 'Greyhound bus station' shot has beautiful lighting. Thanks for sharing. Do you often print and scan too? I process at Target. They will give me negatives, contact sheet and scanned to CD.</p>

<p><strong>Jack</strong> - thanks very much for this. The ZX-7 was the first SLR I ever bought myself, and I still have it. Unfortunately I have barely touched it in the last 7 years and even tried to sell it once (heavens!) but the B&H guy told me not to bother it wasn't worth much (best advice ever). You've inspired me to pick it up once again and give it some exercise.</p>

<p>Thanks guys, I am very pleased with this camera so far. It is now a permanent part of my camera bag. Looking forward to any future posts you may have.</p>

<p>~Jack</p>

 

<p>Nice to see what you've done with a ZX-7, <strong>Jack</strong>. Many of these "consumer grade" SLR's are still under-rated, and the ZX-7 is one of them. As I understand it, in "Auto" mode the camera uses "Smart Picture" technology to choose any of the Mode settings it deems most appropriate to the users intentions. "Green Mode" is pretty much standard Programmed AE, selecting combinations of stops and speeds. Thanks for an interesting post, and you could consider posting from lab scans. Far less work!</p>

<p>Great job. The ZX-7 is indeed underrated. The Pentax ZX series does give up a few features from the earlier Pentax AF models, but more than makes up for that with operating ease as well as a more tradional styled camera rather than the "ergonomic blob" look that many have.<br>

I have the ZX-5 and really like it. I use it mostly with a Sigma 28-80 HF (a great lens for the money).</p>

<p>I'm a little confused about your reference to a Quantaray 28-90 as an Olympus 28-90.</p>

<p>Anyway, I do have a ZX-L and can confirm that they're lightweight, nice-handling little cameras. The Fg battery grip (takes 4xAA) is a nice & inexpensive add-on, definitely improves the handling with lenses larger-than-tiny, plus then you don't need to buy the lithium batteries that seem to come in too many sizes so that every camera seems to need a different type. The viewfinders are a little small for film cameras but not that terrible--reasonably bright & comparable to decent APS-C pentaprism-equipped viewfinders. Autofocus seems relatively snappy. Another nice thing about these models is that the mount hasn't been crippled so you can actually choose whether to use the aperture ring on the lens or have the body control the aperture--unlike the more serious ZX-5 and MZ-S which have more traditional ergonomics and force use of the aperture ring for manual and aperture-priority shooting.</p>

<p>If your ZX-7 is like my ZX-L, the 'Auto Pict' (I think this is 'green') mode automatically selects between the other scene modes based on focal length and subject distance (possibly other factors too?). The dial itself lights up to indicate which is selected, and there are also indicators in the viewfinder. The 'regular' program AE mode is the 'Normal' scene mode, indicated by a cute little smiley-face. If you're going to use the scene modes, I'd say a quick read of that section in the manual is worthwhile.</p>

<p>The MZ/ZX models have been let down a bit in terms of reliability--there's a plastic gear on the mirror motor that sometimes gives out (the replacement part and later editions will have a metal gear) and I've read of an above average number of complaints on the popup flashes.</p>

<p>I was recently given a MZ-7 by a fellow photographer who no longer uses it, complete with battery pack. I picked up a Tokina 19-35mm F/3.5-4.5 lens to go with it. Only had the chance to develop a test spool of Velvia 50 from it, but have a roll of the Illford XP2 400 waiting to be handed in.<br>

As a child of the digital era, it's been quite a change of pace to shoot film, and inspite of it's size, I do find it quite comfortable to shoot with.Now just to get out more . . .<br>

As an aside, I found this article on how to make a cable release for this camera: http://www.photosig.com/articles/1088/article<br>

And glad to know the Tamron performs well on this body. Will have to keep an eye out for one.</p>