Pentax AF cameras
Posted 20/04/2008 - 12:29
Link
So, you're asking the people at Pentax User whether you should buy a Pentax or a Canon?
Are you expecting a non-biased response?
I've just sold an MZ-5n, it was a nice camera, but I hadn't used it since moving to digital, hopefully it's going to get more use from it's new owner. Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
No fiddling around pressing buttons, you just turned whatever dial you needed to. Had a depth of field preview too, which I like.
Focusing was fast and accurate.
Hope that helps!
Dan
P.S. Did use a Canon 5000 (I think), briefly at a friends house. Didn't like it, but the photos turned out fine.
Are you expecting a non-biased response?
I've just sold an MZ-5n, it was a nice camera, but I hadn't used it since moving to digital, hopefully it's going to get more use from it's new owner. Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
No fiddling around pressing buttons, you just turned whatever dial you needed to. Had a depth of field preview too, which I like.
Focusing was fast and accurate.
Hope that helps!
Dan
P.S. Did use a Canon 5000 (I think), briefly at a friends house. Didn't like it, but the photos turned out fine.
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 20/04/2008 - 14:21
Link
Yes the 5's controls seem to be more akin to the dials and twists of the P30 than to the jog wheel approach of the Z20/EOS controls. I do enjoy using the P30t but AF really is a joy and there is little adjustment other than whole stops on the P30. The 500 was a reasonable camera , if a bit plastky, the problem is the £200 or so spent on lenses - not much but I have an MF Bronica and a darkroom to feed as well
Posted 20/04/2008 - 21:42
Link
The MZ-5n was my first SLR, which I've only stopped using since going digital this year, and that chiefly because of the cost of film processing. The MZ-5n was a fantastic hands-on camera, basic dials instead of a complex LCD screen, but with AF lenses. I used 50 and 100 manual primes on it, besides the 27-70 AF kit. Sturdy construction, but light (hadn't realized how light until after using K100 D Super). 3 metering modes, too. Really enjoyed it!
Hmm. Getting the urge to finish that roll of B/W film . ''
Hmm. Getting the urge to finish that roll of B/W film . ''
Keith
K100D Super, DA 18-55, M 50 1.4, M 100 4 Macro
"The present is the object of vision, and what I see before me at any given second is a full field of color-patches scattered just so. The configuration will never be repeated." ~ Annie Dillard
K100D Super, DA 18-55, M 50 1.4, M 100 4 Macro
"The present is the object of vision, and what I see before me at any given second is a full field of color-patches scattered just so. The configuration will never be repeated." ~ Annie Dillard
Posted 20/04/2008 - 21:52
Link
One of the things I liked about the MZ5/MZ3 series was that the conventional shutter dial made it possible to handle the camera in a very similar way to my old favourite the MX.
I still have a pristine MZ3 with its equally pristine 24-90mm lens and if only I had the need to use it more it would still be a pleasure.
The last film use I had was the Images of England project, which has now sadly finished. It was fun while it lasted!
I still have a pristine MZ3 with its equally pristine 24-90mm lens and if only I had the need to use it more it would still be a pleasure.
The last film use I had was the Images of England project, which has now sadly finished. It was fun while it lasted!
Best regards, John
Posted 21/04/2008 - 22:33
Link
If you decide that you'd like an MZS, I have one for sale. Body £300 plus PnP
Posted 22/04/2008 - 13:26
Link
Quote:
Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
If you think about it, this is more or less what we now call Hyper-Program. Amazing how yesterdays "well that's just how it works" turns into tomorrows "super duper new feature!!"Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
DOF preview is another example of the same thing. No DOF preview on an M42 camera, it just happens automatically.
you don't have to be mad to post here
but it does help
but it does help
Posted 22/04/2008 - 18:02
Link
Quote:
DOF preview is another example of the same thing. No DOF preview on an M42 camera, it just happens automatically.
I dont want to be pedantic or picky but the Spotmatic F gave full aperture metering and DOFP was achieved by pushing up the button that used to switch on the meter on the earlier Spotmatics.Daniel Bridge wrote:
Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
If you think about it, this is more or less what we now call Hyper-Program. Amazing how yesterdays "well that's just how it works" turns into tomorrows "super duper new feature!!"Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
DOF preview is another example of the same thing. No DOF preview on an M42 camera, it just happens automatically.
Ken
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Posted 22/04/2008 - 18:44
Link
Even my Praktica MTL5 had DOFP (albeit as stop down metering).
Dan
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 24/04/2008 - 10:26
Link
Quote:
Ken
my point was that before open aperture metering (i'd forgotten the F) DOFP wasn't a feature, it was just something that happened when you stopped down to meter.Mongoose wrote:
DOF preview is another example of the same thing. No DOF preview on an M42 camera, it just happens automatically.
I dont want to be pedantic or picky but the Spotmatic F gave full aperture metering and DOFP was achieved by pushing up the button that used to switch on the meter on the earlier Spotmatics.Quote:
Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
If you think about it, this is more or less what we now call Hyper-Program. Amazing how yesterdays "well that's just how it works" turns into tomorrows "super duper new feature!!"Selecting exposure modes was a delight:
If you moved the shutter speed dial away from 'A' and onto a specific speed, you were in Shutter Priority.
If you moved the Aperture ring away from 'A' and onto a specific aperture, you were in Aperture Priority.
If both were away from 'A', you were in Manual.
Put them both on 'A' and it was in Auto (program).
DOF preview is another example of the same thing. No DOF preview on an M42 camera, it just happens automatically.
Ken
The fix to put this back after open aperture metering broke it then became a pro feature for which you paid a premium.
Not saying OA metering is a bad thing, just an observation.
you don't have to be mad to post here
but it does help
but it does help
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
2 posts
18 years
I have a Z20 which I bought on a whim and I really like it , for a step up I would consider an Mz-5n or Z1 (Silly,Silly cheap prices on eBay) . On the Canon side I'm looking at 600, 1 or 1n - I want a camera with a few more creature comforts such as auto bracket etc.
Obviously the Canon lenses fall into 'consumer' and 'decent' camps but Pentax seem to produce just good ones - apart from the macro zoom that came with the P30t!
Anyone any opinions ?
Cheers CJB