Recommendation for a pentax slr body

[hinman]

I have upgraded from p&s to dSLR with pentax k100D for about 8 months and I have

been loving it. It is not that I need another camera, but I have special

interest in b&w photography, and I am about to buy a lens vivitar 28mm f/2.4

that only works with K mount on slr bodies.

 

My budget is right under $100, perhaps $80 for a decent slr bodies with a short

zoom as in pentax 35-80 f/3.5-4.5 zoom. And I have seen a lot in ebay, please

advice me which models I should look after:

 

1. pentax zx-10

 

2. pentax zx-5n

 

3. pentax zx-7

 

4. pentax pz-1

 

5. pentax mz-50

 

6. pentax mz-30

 

And I don't have the expertise to tell which one stand out from the other. I

want it to have close functionality to my K100D with Auto Focus and Av and Tv

priority. I want a flash shoe mounting sharing an auto flash with K100D. Rough

requirements and uses:

 

1. use to learn b&w

 

2. use to learn slides

 

3. use as backup to K100D

 

4. use for things that I have not thought about that my k100D can't do as

well, e.g. sports. (just wishful thinking)

 

My current gear in Pentax and photoblog

 

gear:

 

http://techtheman.blogspot.com/2007/10/inexpensive-gear-with-pentax.html

 

photoblog:

 

http://hintheman.aminus3.com/portfolio/

 

Thanks,

Hin

[wes_stewart]

The PZ-1 doesn't have particularly good AF, but other than that it is a very capable camera. Of the cameras you listed, however, I would pick the zx-5n. It is very capable, has good AF, DOF preview (if I remember correctly) and takes an accessory vertical grip/battery pack. AV and TV priority are ridiculously easy on the zx-5n. Just grab the aperture ring if you want to change it, and the camera will adjust the shutter accordingly. Or just spin the shutter dial and the camera will adjust the aperture accordingly. EZ.

[michael_kuhne]

Hin, it may not be easy to find a good Pentax AF body, in good shape for under $100. But it could be done. For a friend who shoots Nikon, I recently found an AF 28mm Nikor lens at $60 and F75 dealer demo for $54!! About 1/3 expected auction price. I just kept an eye open, and when I found one with no reserve, I'd wait to the last minute and shoot in a low bid. I usually would not get the item. But since no one else was paying attention, my bid came out the high one. I had bid $100 on each of these, but it did even not take that much to get them. Very few bidders were looking at them at the time.

 

Now is the time to get a good AF film model, because as they become more scarce, the cost may rise.

 

One model you left out is the previous top Pentax, the SF-1n. Quite well-built and capable, which should be available pretty cheap. A flaw is it's built-in flash will not fire with an AF lens wider than 35mm. None of the models you mention or this one has mirror lockup. The PZ-1p does, and realistically you might be able to get a good one for say $150 body only. Maybe less, who knows? A large camera and a fantastic camera. Metering tested among the most accurate. Fine viewfinder. Can take all lenses except, of course, digital only. High flash sync- to 1/250 sec. Control features similar to K10D. The best deal out there for what you get.

 

Check bdimitrov website for particular details on different models.

[denys_meunier]

I just bought a Pentax P30T with 28-80 manual lens for 75.00$,I don't need auto focus for a film camera,like you Hin,want to do black and white and color if I feel like.Will be enough for me,I have the K10D,DA lens,of course DA don't fit but I have 3 more auto focus film lens,those will fit on the P30T so gone a be perfect for second body.

[mc2imaging]

I picked up a PZ-70 with a Tamron 28-300 for $125 off ebay. I could have resold the lens

alone for that. I bought an ME with a 28-200 for $60. That lens could easily sell for $90.

My advice is to be patient and flexible. I have bought several body/lens combos that I

have been able to resell one of the components for what I paid for the set.

 

The trick is that when people are looking for just a lens or just a body, often the really

good deals are passed up because they don't get the same kind of attention. Do keyword

searches AND browse categories. Often the best deals I've gotten were listed under the

wrong category or had a miss-spelled keyword so interested buyers were less likely to find

them (I think the ME was listed in a 'Minolta' category...)

[mel_unruh]

Hin,

 

I have a ZX-7 and a ZX-50. The zx 7 is the better of these two. I have heard good things about the 5n and the PZ-1P. Another body to consider is the ZX-L which has P-TTL flash. I also use a *ist 35mm in studio when taking pictures of kids (for mobility) instead of my big medium format gear. The *ist is another great body unless you are planning on using older lenses (crippled K mount).

 

The key here is to narrow it down to one or two bodies and then watch ebay for a while. It is funny how one camera setup will get all kinds of attention and will sell for a much higher price than you would think and then a few days later a nearly identical setup will just set there at dirt cheap. You just have to watch and wait for the right deal to come along.

 

Good luck

 

Mel

[a few images]

Hmm.. I'd buy the ME-Super for 35mm. No question about it. Or, I'd go medium format and buy the 645 with AF.

[andrewg_ny]

Hin: Based on what you listed, I assume you're looking for an AF SLR so I won't go into the MF choices. I don't expect you to find a good ZX-5n or ZX-L for less than $100. Maybe a ZX-5 (not 'n'). I'm also not sure why you think any of these would be better for sports.

 

The ZX-7 is similar to the ZX-L except with 1/2000 shutter (X-sync 1/100), (instead of 1/4000, X=1/125), no DoF preview, TTL rather than wireless-capable P-TTL, and I believe no spotmeter or bracketing. AA battery grip Fg is nice to have with these compact bodies. The ZX-L/ZX-7 have rather small viewfinders for film bodies, roughly comparable to Pentax Pentaprism D-SLRs like D/DS/DS2/K10D.

 

Another probably even more reasonably priced body is the PZ-20, sort of a baby PZ-1. Ergonomically pretty nice. What's missing from this one is the DoF preview and AE memory lock. It also has only one central AF sensor but I don't think this is a serious drawback. Viewfinder has no diopter adjustment. It does however offer more flexible HyperManual & program shift. Also offers spot metering in manual mode.

 

Both PZ-20 and ZX-7 offer the option of controlling aperture with the body (if lense is 'A'-capable) or with the aperture ring.

 

I also have an SF-1 that I've been playing with. Rather similar to the PZ-20 except it is a little larger, heavier and more square-edged so isn't as comfortable in the hands--kind of a hard plastic brick. Motor drive is particularly noisy. Exposure compensation harder to use without removing eye from viewfinder as it is enabled with switch on right-side top deck. Has a rather annoying 'lock' on the AF/MF switch that makes it more cumbersome to switch to manual focus. Also has AE memory lock. Viewfinder is fairly large but rather dark. Manual aperture control requires use of aperture ring.

 

While the ZX-7 is better in a couple of ways, I recently picked up a PZ-20p in great condition for only $39--hard to beat that. I suspect the ZX-7 will cost at least twice that. My impression is that these bodies were a little more solid than the later MZ/ZX series.

 

Happy Hunting!

[hinman]

Much thanks for all the replies. I have narrowed down to few choices

 

1. pentax pz-1

 

2. pentax zx-5n

 

3. pentax pz-20

 

4. pentax pz-10

 

5. pentax zx-10 (I can get body for $30)

 

and I am watching. Thanks for all the great inputs. I like choices 1, 2 and 3 as those have bigger viewfinders. But I have to say I like the zx-5n body as it is lightweight. And I am sure I will be thrilled to get a good copy of any of the great SLR bodies from Pentax to enjoy photography in another dimension. Not that I will abandon the digital, but I like to experience photography a bit different from the norms as I find the enjoyment with discipline from an slr body that mistakes can't be corrected until later. And that push me to carefully framing the shot and double checking on all settings and not rely on the lcd for preview. I may be onto something contradictory but I find discipline in practices goes a long way for me to improve on photography. I am quite lousy in making repeated mistakes with auto settings such as those in auto-iso, forgetting white balance reset, qucik composition without much thought, and others. And my love for b&w can go up several notches with slr body. Not to mention my admiration on slides that I have not tried but fascinated when I was a kid seeing my elderest brother slides from an antique machine in the dark displaying his flower pictures. Oh man, I am bitten bad with the photography loving bugs. Not LBA but simple love of taking and composing a picture.

 

Thanks,

Hin

[hinman]

I am bad and impatient, my bid assistant in ebay get me the lower choice of the bunch. I get the Pentax pz-10 for $20.50 together with a Pentax 28-80 and I don't quite know with the wording for 'power zoom.' It looks good to me except part of the cover is gone in the lens. Picture of the purchase here:

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<img src="http://i4.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/c2/df/ef4e_1.JPG"></img>

<br> <br>

<img src="http://i22.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/c2/df/efbe_1.JPG"></img>

<br> <br>

<img src="http://i19.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/c2/df/f048_1.JPG"></img>

<br> <br>

<img src="http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/c2/df/f1db_1.JPG"></img>

<br> <br>

The only complaint is on the smaller viewfinder, probably similar to k100d, but not as good as k10d. I want to use this body for also manual focusing lens, even those m42 mount so that I can opt to use this 2nd body to practice for both b&w and manual inexpensive lens with m42.

<br> <br>

Thank you all for the help, <br>

Hin

[michael_kuhne]

$20.50?? Is that a mis-print? The lens alone would normally go for at least 3x that! I hope the camera is in good working order. Its cheif drawback is the very simple 2-segment meter, and no spot or center-weighted available. Good point of the PZ series is the location of the hot shoe so built-in flash can be used at the same time for bounce and fill. Something to experiment with. Unwanted shadows can often be reduced or eliminated with very good effect.

[michael_kuhne]

BTW this is a power zoom lens and camera. (PZ) which is optional. It does take battery power to use, and no rechargeable batteries are generally available. Just the standard ones. Manual zoom can also be used instead. You can download the owner's manual from the Pentax website pentaximaging.com click on customer care and support, then manuals and literature.

[hinman]

No, it is not a misprint, I got it for $20.50 with a max bid that I set in bid assistant with $21.00. The ebay entry is here for your reference:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=270185175421&_trksid=p3984.cWON.m313.lVI

 

And the cover on one side is missing and hence, there may be a problem with the lens. If it works okay, just missing the power zoom feature, I can't fault into the low bid that I get for $20.50 with a reasonable body for slr.

 

Thanks to all for the help and comments. I can't do it without you all.

[andrewg_ny]

Congratulations, Hin. Should be fun for the goal of simplicity--has very simple control set so it should meet that criteria. I hope the power zoom functions work, at least for the fun of trying them out. I think the PZ-10 (like PZ-20) actually has 6-segment matrix metering with spot meter in M mode. A little different than the digital bodies as you have no choice but spot when in M. A reasonable design but requires additional care. Might prove a minor nuisance to have no Av mode when using lenses without 'A' on the aperture ring--will have to shoot M (or Hypermanual) with spotmeter only. Viewfinder also has only +/- indicators rather than the LED analog meter + shooting information like the PZ-20 and MZ/ZX series have.

[hinman]

I am both bad and aggressive at the same time. I saw something too much to pass and I got a pz-20 along with Sigma 75-300 and another perfect Pentax 28-80, a rokunar 2x tele converter, all two lens with polarizer and uv filter for $61 late in the day. So now I have two pz10 and pz20 slr bodies. Picture of pz-20 that I won with Sigma 75-300.

<br><br>

<img src="http://i18.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/c2/e7/b43c_1.JPG"></img>

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<img src="http://i15.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/c2/e7/b720_1.JPG"></img>

<br><br>

I am lucky to have 2 bodies and 3 lens, 1 tele for a total of less than $81.50 today including shipping.

<br><br>

1. pz-10

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2. pz-20

<br>

3. sigma 75-300

<br>

4. Pentax 28-80 (power zoom switch broken)

<br>

5. Pentax 28-800 (a good one)

<br>

6. Rokunar 2x tele converter

<br>

7. 2 uv and polarizer filters

<br>

I am very happy today beyond words. Thank you all for the tremendous help. <br><br>

Hin

[andrewg_ny]

Uh-oh, BBBA (Bargain Body Buying Addiction) is starting to strike. We may need to hold an intervention!

 

I think you'll like the PZ-20. As I mentioned earlier I also picked one up recently and it's a pretty nice body, you can't do much better for the price.

[mel_unruh]

Ok Hin,

 

Back away from your ebay screen and head on over to the camera store for some Ilford delta 400 (or 100) and try some natural light B&W portraits of your wife and kids.

 

Mel

[michael_kuhne]

Yes, the PZ-20 should be nice. As I remember, the Sigma 75-300mm tested quite well.

 

Also try to find some Kodak Ultra Color (UC) Pro ISO 100. It is the most fantastic color print film I have ever used. A print film version of Fuji Velvia slide film, but with better skin tones. I still have several rolls and plan to get more.

[hinman]

Thanks for the needed information on film, what places in bay area of California would do film processing with digital images scanning? Any recommendation for slide film also? I want to practice film body with pz-20 and develop them with both digital and the printing forms in 4x6 or others.

 

Thanks a bunch, you all are awesome!

[mel_unruh]

Hin,

 

Look for a professional lab that can also do traditional b&w prints (sometimes advertised as true b&w prints). Have them scan and print you a proof sheet (contact sheet). Then do yourself a HUGE favor and take one of the shots that you really like and have an old fashioned hand developed print made (5x7 or larger). DO NOT GET MACHINE PRINTS!!!! You want somebody who knows what they are doing in a darkroom to do this for you. It will not be cheap - figure 8-9 dollars to develop and print a proof sheet and then another 10 dollars for an 8X10 that is hand printed. However, with a film like Delta, its worth it. You owe it to yourself to do this at least once, but be warned - good B&W can be habit forming:-)

 

One other thing, before you start shooting natural light pics of your beautiful family, get yourself some type of reflector.

 

I look forward to hearing of your results.

 

Mel

[paddy_macmahon1]

Hin,

 

I can only applaud your decision to go backwards with your technology.

 

You now need to invest in some developing and enlarging equipment (if you're in the US, get a Beseler 23C; if you're in Europe get something by Durst or LPL).

 

You will also soon tire of this 'autofocus' nonsense with the PZs and decide to invest in manual focus kit - you will be amazed at the increase in build quality in pentax manual lenses over the F and FA versions. When you take this plunge, I would recommend a Program A body, but soon you'll start getting the feeling that even this is doing too much for you and you'll have to buy an MX, preferably with a broken meter.

 

You will then dispense with lenses altogether and build yourself a pinhole camera. This will bring you great satisfaction, I guarantee it.