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New Camera for Kit - Pentax ZX-5n
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 4:20 am    Post subject: New Camera for Kit - Pentax ZX-5n Reply with quote

Well, I broke down and purchased an AF body; only because it is a very good
manual focus body as well. In fact, I've only used the AF on a test shot,
and it seemed to work okay, but I still like the preciseness of focusing
manually.

This is a plastic camera, although it does have metal lens mount and
tripod receiving thread.

Actually, I love the retro "wheels" for overriding settings, as well as setting
shutter speeds, aperture amounts by hand. Much better than electronic
switches for me. This is why I bought the camera.

Also, the focusing is a dream because the viewfinder is so bright! Shocked
It also uses an "in-focus" beeping sound if wanted.

Here are some of the things that seem handy to me:

Exposure Modes: Programmed AE; Aperture Priority (Av);
Shutter-Priority (Tv); Metered Manual (M); Bulb; TTL Flash.
Metering: Multi(6)-segment; Spot; Centre-weighted. Meter
range of EV0 to EV21 at ISO 100. Shutter Speeds:
30-1/2000sec+B. Focusing: TTL phase-matching multi-
(3 points) autofocus; Focus Lock, Spot AF and Manual focus
are available. Built-in Flash: Retractable TTL Auto Flash
(with or without red-eye reduction);
Guide number 11 (ISO 100/m); Day-light sync;
Slow-speed sync; Contrast-control sync; automatic flash
discharge. Drive Modes: Single; Continuous; Self-
timer (12 secs); Automatic film rewind; Mid-roll rewind.
Exposure Compensation: -3EV to +3EV (in 0.5EV stop
increments). Exposure Bracketing: 3 frame consecutive shots
1 EV or 0.5 EV step increment. Depth of Field Preview: Yes.
Mirror lockup: Yes. Power Zoom: When 'Power Zoom'
Pentax-FA lenses are used. Film Speeds: 24-5000 ISO
(DX coded film); 6-6400 ISO (if set manually).

I particularly like the focus lock, spot metering, mirror lock-up, and the auto-bracketing. Shocked

Don't know how long a plastic body like this will last, but I don't treat my
cameras too badly, even when hiking.

Right now, this is my basic 35mm kit, and it seems to be all I need.
Nothing too fancy, except of course the wonderful CV90. But they are
all plenty sharp enough for me, and I don't think you have to have the
best lenses in the world to take decent images.

Left to right: Takumar 300/6.3; Helios extension tubes; Komura Telemore 95 2x multiplier; Pentax 55/1.8; CV90/3.5, Soligor C/D 35-70; Tokina 19-35/3.5 on camera (new).


Here are some images of the camera, which is actually quite ergonomic
and very lightweight of course. I love the control I can have over my
manual focus lenses with this camera. Hope it holds up.







PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That looks like a very good camera. Plenty of features to use.

Enjoy!!


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very good camera Laurence, nice buy, I always aspired to one but never got one. I did have an Sf7 which has many of the same features and although ugly was a good performer with both mf and af lenses so I hope you enjoy it Very Happy Very Happy


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 10:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fab camera, and yes, these plastic ones are so very light to carry... not to mention, while I wouldn't attach a motor drive to a lever-advance camera, when one's built in, it's a treat. I ended up with a ZX-L last year, consistent with my policy of going "one model below the top", I still haven't read the manual to see what all it can do for me.

The big print of your photo is awesome.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

martinsmith99 wrote:
That looks like a very good camera. Plenty of features to use.
Enjoy!!


Thanks Martin! I think that, for its type of camera (plastic fantastic), it is
pretty much full of the functions that I think will come in handy at times.

I am not abandoning the Revueflex 3003 of course, as it is a fun
basic camera with all manual controls.

If I'm not taking my Pentax 645 on harder hikes, I'll opt for this lightweight
body. Again, I need to see if it's going to be sturdy enough.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Poolhall wrote:
Very good camera Laurence, nice buy, I always aspired to one but never got one. I did have an Sf7 which has many of the same features and although ugly was a good performer with both mf and af lenses so I hope you enjoy it Very Happy Very Happy


It was a pretty good buy at $48 in pretty much mint condition. I'll have to
use it a while to see if it's going to break down on me. Appreciate the
encouragement!


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As pretty as that camera is, it was a steal for $48! Very nice product photos
and agree with Jussi, that print looks awesome!


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nesster wrote:
Fab camera, and yes, these plastic ones are so very light to carry... not to mention, while I wouldn't attach a motor drive to a lever-advance camera, when one's built in, it's a treat. I ended up with a ZX-L last year, consistent with my policy of going "one model below the top", I still haven't read the manual to see what all it can do for me.

The big print of your photo is awesome.


I had actually came very close to getting ZX-L Nesster! Shocked The only
thing that turned my head to the ZX-5n was that I was able to get it at a
price that was currently cheaper than the ZX-L I was looking at. The ZX-L
has just about all the functions of this model. I LOVE the simplicity, and
the fact that things can be pretty much figured without even looking at
a manual. And the retro "wheels" are very very nice.

I guess these models in the ZX line were about the last production that
Pentax had of the plastic body / metal lens mount AF/MF cameras.

I also bought the 19-35 new in the box for less than $100 which seems
like a decent bargain. I've heard mixed reviews, with some negatives
about corner sharpness wide open. But I rarely shoot wide open, so
am giving it a try.

Of course, I heard a lot of negative "reviews" of the medium format
Pentax 55/2.8, and it has turned out to be a wonderful lens (for me). The
Internet certainly needs to be taken with a grain of salt, and one can only
try to separate the good and bad comments by just seeing for myself.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Katastrofo wrote:
As pretty as that camera is, it was a steal for $48! Very nice product photos
and agree with Jussi, that print looks awesome!


Hey, thanks Bill! The print is a 16x20 of the moss and rocks image I
showed last year, from the high country "moss fields" that were catching
the meltwater from a local snowfield. I like the sizzling greens and yellows
in the transparency, so felt it made a good enlargement. I guess I could
have matted it, but I had the 16x20 frame already, so popped it into
that frame.

I am staying quite "minimal" with my 35mm gear, and I think that the
current lenses will give me plenty to use for various focal lengths. The
Takumar 300/5.6 has proven to me that it is a good "underdog" lens.
Again, it's not fast, but I don't really need fast for most of my imaging.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

congrats!! Amazing background Wink


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice kit there.

I have the same camera, only european version called MZ-5n.

It's a nice camera, and I also like the retro handling on it.
My copy has couple of faults common to these... the onboard flash doesn't stay up anymore as the spring is dead and the film winding system doesn't always work correctly due to wear in the plastic gears (=overlapping frames sometimes). This is the main reason it doesn't see as much use anymore in my case.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
congrats!! Amazing background Wink


Thanks Attila. It's always good to hear from you.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

soikka wrote:
Nice kit there.

I have the same camera, only european version called MZ-5n.

It's a nice camera, and I also like the retro handling on it.
My copy has couple of faults common to these... the onboard flash doesn't stay up anymore as the spring is dead and the film winding system doesn't always work correctly due to wear in the plastic gears (=overlapping frames sometimes). This is the main reason it doesn't see as much use anymore in my case.


Regarding the film winding, I understand from a local camera repairman,
that the plastic gears can be replaced with a metal rod, flange, and gear
wheels which would add considerably to the life of the camera. However,
it's the usual "might as well buy one rather than spend for repairs." Confused

The onboard flash is no big deal to me, since I don't use flash very
often, and when I do, I use auxiliary flash rather than on-camera.

Thank you much for the tips! I appreciate it.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

snappy ...


PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

soikka wrote:

I have the same camera, only european version called MZ-5n.

I also have a MZ-5n, good camera, easy simple operation. The only drawback - it seems he has a plastic eyepiece, may eventually become paler from scratches.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kamerer wrote:
soikka wrote:

I have the same camera, only european version called MZ-5n.

I also have a MZ-5n, good camera, easy simple operation. The only drawback - it seems he has a plastic eyepiece, may eventually become paler from scratches.


Thanks Kamerer, I am glad to know that. I have the rubber eyepiece
protector, but I often keep my glasses on when shooting, since I have
the diopter corrected for my glasses. I'll be doubly careful in protecting
the plastic eyepiece.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:06 pm    Post subject: Re: New Camera for Kit - Pentax ZX-5n Reply with quote

Laurence wrote:
I particularly like the focus lock, spot metering, mirror lock-up, and the auto-bracketing. Shocked


Hi Laurence, I have always been a fan of your photos... congrats on your new cam. Just a clarifrication... I have owned a MZ 5 (not the n) myself and always had thye notion that the one of the major difference was the absence of the depth of field preview in the 5, but was not aware that the 5n had a mirror lock up function. Is it done with the self timer or does it have a dedicated function?

Enjoy the 5n. I specially like the bar graph in the viewfinder.


PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:47 pm    Post subject: Re: New Camera for Kit - Pentax ZX-5n Reply with quote

Shiladitya wrote:
Laurence wrote:
I particularly like the focus lock, spot metering, mirror lock-up, and the auto-bracketing. Shocked


Hi Laurence, I have always been a fan of your photos... congrats on your new cam. Just a clarifrication... I have owned a MZ 5 (not the n) myself and always had thye notion that the one of the major difference was the absence of the depth of field preview in the 5, but was not aware that the 5n had a mirror lock up function. Is it done with the self timer or does it have a dedicated function?

Enjoy the 5n. I specially like the bar graph in the viewfinder.


Hello Shiladitya: The mirror-up function was not listed in the manual,
but when I put the camera on timer, the mirror goes up and stays, or
at least I THINK it does, due to the eyepiece going black when I'm on
self timer. I need to take a long exposure and see if I can hear the
characteristic sounds of the shutter, followed by the sound of the
mirror dropping.


PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I thought so. Even my MZ5 used to do that. It is actually quite useful and a nice workaround for the dedicated MLU. The CW metering on this camera is one of the best I have ever found among the cameras that I have used. It automatically changes to CW when used with a manual focus lens without electronics.