Pentax ZX-5n (MZ-5n)

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Does anyone here have this camera? I'd like an affordable Pentax AF body for my DSLR lenses, and this one looks great, with lots of analog controls and several program modes. The specs seem more than adequate to me, but I'm most curious about how it feels. Is it plasticky? Or does it feel solid?

I believe there's a version (MZ-3 maybe?) that goes up to 1/4000, but it seems to be rather obscure and hard to find.
 
mabelsound said:
Does anyone here have this camera? I'd like an affordable Pentax AF body for my DSLR lenses, and this one looks great, with lots of analog controls and several program modes. The specs seem more than adequate to me, but I'm most curious about how it feels. Is it plasticky? Or does it feel solid?

I believe there's a version (MZ-3 maybe?) that goes up to 1/4000, but it seems to be rather obscure and hard to find.
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I have the ZX5, not the 'n' version. I like it very much, and find it a nice complement to my *ist DS if I decide to shoot both film and digital at the same time.




Only one problem when using both...I have grown used to the UI of the *ist DS and now the 'knobs' of the ZX5 confuse me for a second when rapidly switching back and forth. I thought perhaps of one of the later ZX models that used a less 'original' SLR interface and more *ist DS - like, but haven't bothered with it so far.

The body is somewhat plasticky, but not disturbingly so to me. I added the optional battery-pack, it was good to have, as I think the non-AA battery for the power-winder in the standard model is bogus - I do not want to have to hunt down a CR2 or whatever it is if it dies on me - AA's are the way to go. Makes the camera tiny bit more bulky, but oh well.

I have not tried any other AF Pentax film SLR's, so my experience with them is limited, but I am happy with this one.

EDIT: Oh, yes. One thing - the pop-up flash on the things never seems to work. If you want to use it (and I never do), you have to help the thing up - the spring is too weak due to bad design at the factory. Icky.
 
Ha ha!, you look like quite the "photog" there with the cameras dangling from your neck, well done. I usually shoot a K20D and think it's great...but my SLR is an ME super and increasingly I feel as though, if I want manual focus, I'll just use my RF rig.

Thanks for the advice!
 
mabelsound said:
Ha ha!, you look like quite the "photog" there with the cameras dangling from your neck, well done. I usually shoot a K20D and think it's great...but my SLR is an ME super and increasingly I feel as though, if I want manual focus, I'll just use my RF rig.

Thanks for the advice!
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Well, if one wanted to play detective, they would soon spot the error I've made that undoes that 'photog' imagery and repaints me as an idiot. I put my kit lens from my *ist DS on my ZX5, duh, it's a digi-only lens. Got some clever vignette circle-shaped photos, though. Sigh. Fortunately, I realized my mistake after about a roll of film.

When I really want to shoot MF, film, SLR, I get out my Canon FX. That's a camera, and with the world's least-expensive go-fast lenses, too. This was from a $25 eBay 85mm f/1.8, taken last summer. Where else can you have this much fun, this cheaply?

 
MZ5 is fine MZ5n a little better - both somewhat plastic but the knobs/dials give them a good trad camera feel - if by any chance you use a pentax 645N or NII the layout, metering and AF is very similar. Nice compact cameras.

Now the negative for me is the poor (all makes seemed to have it at the time) metallised finish. The only answer to that was the MZ3 in black (rare, but I lucked on one cheap, with the excellent black 43f1.9). The MZ3 also has higher shutter speed and (I like this less) built in date mode.

Really very nice cameras if you want a compact slr (less than half the size of a Nikon F4) with good AF, metering, motor drive, but a fairly traditional look and layout. My advice is to match one with some of the great Pentax AF non-zoom lenses (unfortunately a lot of people are after them so reasonable price but not cheap) - eg 20f2.8, 35mmf2, 50f1.7, macro 100f2.8, 135f2.8.

If AF and motorwind are not needed then I suggest you go right back to MX, ME Super or K2 or 42mm Spotmatic - all have a great feel and high quality.
 
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Though I prefer Pentax manual focus SLRs of the '70's and '80s
I bought a ZX-5n for future use, when my vision deteriorates.
I like the conventional control layout, but not its mostly plastic construction.

Chris
 
i just used the ZX-5n on a trip to New York. it was great for all my film needs, to me it felt like it focused faster than a K100D. super easy to use, no controls and secret menus to fiddle around with. great camera.

i also bought the grip for it so it can use AA batteries and is easier to hold and just put an order for a ZX-L.
 
mabelsound said:
Does anyone here have this camera? I'd like an affordable Pentax AF body for my DSLR lenses, and this one looks great, with lots of analog controls and several program modes.
Click to expand...

I've got the non-"n" ZX-5 as well (11 years old). I don't think the feel is that plasticky. I chose it for its simple control layout (shutter speed and EV compensation dials), but please do understand that they are probably not "analog". I think they are basically skeuomorphic pseudo-dials sitting atop circular electronic controls, because they do not feel like there's any load or friction upon turning them as there would be with truly analog controls. Still, they do work to make the interface very clean and simple. Overall, a very nice, basic SLR.

I'll second Bill's comment above about the bad construction of the cyclops flash. Mine definitely needs a dose of Viagra, as the spring not only fails to pop it up, but also fails to keep it up once opened. I have to hold it up with my left index finger while firing. But you shouldn't be using that thing anyway!

--Dave
 
I think I've used the pop-up flash on my K20D once. Nah, I'm not after an all-analog camera...I just want something I can use with my Pentax AF limiteds. I'm actually hoping there won't be too much vignetting with my DA 35 macro, my favorite SLR lens, to get to use it on film...there's no aperture ring but it should work in shutter-priority mode. And I have a Pentax-FA 77/1.8 in the mail (or, given that I bought it from Prodigital, it's probably still in a warehouse outside Toronto) that the 5n should work great with.

An RFF'er just offered to sell me one, so I'll soon see if it fits the bill.
 
FWIW I have just got a MZ50 and a MZ7 (european versions) since I was interested in the lenses that were attached to them for Xmas presents.
The MZ50 was DOA but the MZ7 is quite an interesting camera. I have only shot 4 rolls - mostly yesterday at Xmas market in Dusseldorf - btu I lke the AF and the quiet motor.

I have been using it alongisde my father in law and his K100D. Focus is a bit faster in the K100D but it is as efficient.
Picture modes are good and provide several options including long shutter sync flash (night mode), macro mode, and portriat mode. It can also do multiple exposures but the leader of the film is "eaten" when it rewiends (this was fixed in the ZX-L - MZ-6)

The MZ5/n is the same camera IMHO however the dials and controls are easier for people used to old school cameras. I wanted to buy one in 1999/2000 but had no money at the time.
 
Well, you could probably afford one now!

According to the Pentax Forums people, my DA35 should work fine on the ZX-5n, save for a touch of vignetting at wide apertures. Good news.
 
It does yes
I tried the 17-55 that comes with the DA kit and works great.
Vignetting stops at about 25-28 but cropping can give you great fotos
Also using the 17mm and Panorama Mode there is barely any vignette

PS. Even @KEH the prices of the Pentax film cameras are ridiculous
here in Netherlands they are a bit more expensive but still affordable.
For about 100 Euros I got the MZ50 with Sigma 28-80 and 100-300 (The one i was after) and a MZ7 with a 28-80 Pentax
 
I'd like to find an FA 28-200 for dirt cheap on eBay, attached to a camera nobody wants. I think that would be the choice inexpensive autofocus zoom of choice...they seem to go for around $150 otherwise, not unreasonable, but also not what I feel like paying.
 
mabelsound, these are attractive for those like me with roots in past Pentaxes. The controls are still pretty obvious, with nice knobs instead of layers of menus. I have a ZX-5n (MZ-5n), an MZ-3, and ZX-M (MZ-M). The 3 is cool in having faster shutter, and the M models are also cool in NOT having the dumb popup flash (and a better focusing screen due to no AF). Yep, consistent with the P645NII...

They are a bit plasticky, but only on the surface I think, as there's a nice metal frame underneath. The M models and other lesser ZX/MZ models do have a plastic lens mount, though. They are surprisingly and pleasingly light in weight for easy carry.

Fast easy film loading and consistent number of exposures, like the Hexar RF and Contax G.
 
the DA35 and the MZ-5n will not allow you to use Aperture Priority because it relies on the lens being set to a certain aperture. however the DA35 has no Aperture Ring.

you need an MZ-6 or MZ-7 to do that.
 
mabelsound said:
I'd like to find an FA 28-200 for dirt cheap on eBay, attached to a camera nobody wants. I think that would be the choice inexpensive autofocus zoom of choice...they seem to go for around $150 otherwise, not unreasonable, but also not what I feel like paying.
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i believe it's the same as the Tamron 28-200mm which i had difficulty selling for $100
they come up on PentaxForums once every so often
 
FA Limited said:
the DA35 and the MZ-5n will not allow you to use Aperture Priority because it relies on the lens being set to a certain aperture. however the DA35 has no Aperture Ring.

you need an MZ-6 or MZ-7 to do that.
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Yes, I know that--I already have the DA35! It should work in shutter priority, though.

Doug, I am going to keep my eyes peeled for the MZ-3. It appears to be kind of rare. I would indeed prefer 1/4000 maximum shutter speed but it's not a dealbreaker...I'm not gonna throw out my M2 for only going down to 1/1000!
 
mabelsound said:
Yes, I know that--I already have the DA35! It should work in shutter priority, though.

Doug, I am going to keep my eyes peeled for the MZ-3. It appears to be kind of rare. I would indeed prefer 1/4000 maximum shutter speed but it's not a dealbreaker...I'm not gonna throw out my M2 for only going down to 1/1000!
Click to expand...

i just picked up a ZX-L, it has the 1/4000 and the on-board aperture control. but i believe it has a dimmer pentaprism finder as well but i think it would make a good pair w/ my ZX-5n.

if you find a few extra MZ-3's i'd be interesting in knowing where you find them! i haven't seen any in the usual channels.
 
I think most MZ3s were sold in Europe and Japan, in the final version as a kit with 43mm f1.9 Ltd and a cool brown leather strap (Pentax realised the MZ5/n/3 was a special camera and wanted to commemorate it) - the black kit (black body and lens) was I think only marketed in Japan, but some got to Europe.

Anyone know how to bid in Japanese on Yahoo auctions? -- I believe someone offers a bidding agent service - anyone used it?
 
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