request from a novice

I think I may have just bought an MZ7 + battery grip from the classified section. It seemed too good to turn down. I have only had a DSLR since Nov but always intended to buy a film body as well (one of the reasons is I really like B&W and film seems to have a beautiful quality). Have I made a good buy? is this model easy to use?- What B&W film should I use ?any tips for what to do next would be very much appreciated!

I have yet to do the manual for the MZ7 or ZX7 as it was known in the US. It is a good AF body and has full compatibility with the older lenses.

If you need the manual you can download it from the Canadian Pentax site here:

http://pentax.ca/pdf/o_manuals/om_MZ7_e.pdf

The C41 based monochrome films might be a good start as they are easier to get processed.

Kim

Thnaks very much- the seller has linked me to the manual so I will have a look. A steep learning curve to follow.

One of these days I will get time to scan the MZ7 manuals and then there will be a much better quality one available.

I'm not sure what lenses you have for the DSLR but if you are looking for a really good mid range FF zoom for the MZ7, I would suggest the 28-70/4 FA. They tend to go very cheaply but are one of the best quality mid range zooms that Pentax did. The IQ is almost on a par with the 28-70/2.8 !!

Kim

Thankyou, thats very helpful. I have a manual focus 50mm F2.0 (i think it used to be the kit lense on older film bodies). I have the new 35mm F2.4 which I believe works on older bodies and is okay full frame. I also have a Tamron 90mm F2.8 which maybe compatible and I have the SMC 50mm F1.4 which is fab on my DSLR and is originally a film lense I think.

I tried one of those MZ7s in a local shop - felt like a lovely camera and the AF seemed pretty quick! I would imagine the transition would be quite easy if you are used to a DSLR, the controls will just be in a slightly different place. I believe the rocker around the shutter button is used for changing aperture etc, for example, a bit like the edial on the front of a K7.

I found this beautiful shot taken on the MZ7 (and the maligned 28-80mm kit zoom) the other day....

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Africa/Cote_dIvoire/West/Haut-Sassandra/Digba/p...

I had an MZ7 with the 28-70mm F4 for years, a fabulous combination!
A very easy camera to use, only bettered by the ist* film camera, which I still use.
I beleive the MZ6 has a couple more features but the MZ7 will serve you very well.
You can't go wrong with the MZ7 in my opinion.

.......PS. Mine cost over £300 when I bought it new....you got a bargain!!!

Depending on which FA 28-80mm they used it isn't a bad lens. I've got the PZ one and the f3.5-5.6 version which seems to be optically identical but minus PZ and slightly slower at the long end, both are capable of decent results.

I do think most of the problems with older consumer-grade lenses are due to us making much higher demands of them now. Most people in film days would have sent the roll off and had a pack of standard postcard-sized prints back. Nowadays we can and do crop and enlarge images ruthlessly to get the shot we want, which magnifies any imperfections in the lens.

My son has the *ist. I must admit I don't like but that is just down to me. Didn't "like" the Z1P either LOL

M favourite is still the MZ-S. That is the best one they ever made!!

Kim

Nice little camera, much better with the grip so your not having to rely on CR2 batteries, and if you put the MZ7 into Auto and switch it on, it lights up like a Christmas Tree with pretty coloured lights, well worth the money just for that

If you want to play with BW film there are lots to try with very different characteristics. A good start as Kim suggested is one of the chromogenic ones. I used Kodak BW400CN which is available from Boots with their 3 for 2 offer. This has a wide exposure latitude (and is thus very forgiving of dodgy exposures) and can be processed by a high street lab as it is the standard colour print C41 process. The only problem is that high street labs do not control well in the printing/scanning process and the images come out with a greenish colour cast. Easily got rid of on the scans of course. I prefer to spend a bit more and get high quality dev and scan done by "The Darkroom UK". Once you decide to move beyond that film there are lots of choices available from specialist retailers such as Silverprint. I personally like the Ilford Delta films (100 and 400). Rollei Retro is a high contrast film which is excellent in the right circumstances. Then there are cheaper smaller firms such as Adox and Foma....

Have fun!

K.