S/H MZ bodies and standard zooms

Dear All,

I have been looking (on-line) at the used equipment at SRS, with an interest in 28-80 lenses for use on my K10D.

There are various bodies (MZ-30, MZ-60, MZ-7) with 28-80s for sale. An AF body would be a bonus, to fill in the gap between MF and digital.

First question is without knowing the MZ range, are the higher spec cameras generally the ones with lower numbers and..

second question, are the 28-80s likely to be similar between bodies and are they of good optical quality?


Thanks in advance,

Peter

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Peter

Pentax K5
Pentax DA 18-55 Mk1, 50-200 (Samsung), 16-45, 55-300 Mk1, 35 f/2.4
Pentax MZ6 + FA28-90, FA50 f/1.4, M 50 f/1.7
Tamron 80-210mm & 28mm

Check out this site link for all things Pentax

I've got a 28-80 that I bought with my MZ-7. Nice little light-weight lens.

The best bodies are the MZ-3 and MZ-5 followed by the other small numbers. The MZ-S is a higher price bracket altogether.

If you want traditional controls and a shutter speed dial then the MZ-3 and MZ-5 are spot on.

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Best regards, John

AFAIK the single-digit MZ series (as in MZ-5, MZ-7) are higher spec than the double digit ones (as in MZ-50). The MZ-M is manual focus.

Keep an eye on MZ-60s, some of them were sold with a 28-90mm zoom which is a pretty handy performer and the camera was intended as a premium amateur model.

Try not to buy the 35-80mm lens (F or FA versions - same lens with different casing) as it's not especially well regarded. I have one but it hasn't seen much use as it just doesn't match the colours and contrast of my other lenses. I paid £10 for it attached to a mint MZ-50, any more and I wouldn't have been happy!

MZ-50s can expire with a cracked drive cog, usual symptom is that the thing just whirrs when you put batteries in and switch on, it also ignores any buttons.

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Matt

Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.

Both the MZ-30 and MZ-50 are readily available for around £15 +p&p body only. They have a plastic lens mount that spoils the look without a lens fitted.

I've recently acquired a MZ-6 from SRS and am impressed with the control options, everything from idiot proof to full manual can be set.

The thing to remember is that the lower range (MZ-30/50/60) won't work with the older 'M' series lenses, but will work with 'A' series as manual focus only.

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Cheers, HG

K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.

Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...

I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.

I also think that the single-digit MZ series have the contacts for Power Zoom? However, they only seem to support two of the power zoom modes - using the motor to zoom and retracting the lens when you switch off.

I'm actually quite tempted to buy a Z series body and a power zoom lens, as I fancy having a play with the system. Just keeping my eye on ebay for a cheap one.

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Matt

Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.

I am currently offering a 28-80mm Power Zoom lens that has been overhauled by Asahi Optical within the last year.

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Best regards, John

Thanks all, for your comments to-date.

I suppose I would want something that could accomodate my MF lenses (Rikenon 50mm f2, Tamron 28 & 80-210mm).

Therefore as 'Hardgravity' suggests, this would preclude the MZ30/50/60?

Am I right in thinking that power-zooms are operated by a small lever on the camera body, left to go wide and right to go tele?

If so, I don't suppose that would work on a K10D?


Regards,
Peter

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Peter

Pentax K5
Pentax DA 18-55 Mk1, 50-200 (Samsung), 16-45, 55-300 Mk1, 35 f/2.4
Pentax MZ6 + FA28-90, FA50 f/1.4, M 50 f/1.7
Tamron 80-210mm & 28mm

The Power Zoom is operated by turning the zoom ring on the lens. It will work manually in the normal way, or with the motor when the further you turn the ring the faster the zoom.

There is also a switch on the lens that will perform a few tricks when used with a suitable body.

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Best regards, John

As far as I know power zooms work by twisting the lens 'body' left or right to zoom in/out, fine focus is done by the shutter button.

The power contacts are usually visible inside the lens mount. The MZ-6 has them, but not the MZ-7. The power connections can be seen in this shot of a MZ-10

If your considering power zoom lenses to go with a MZ body then check out the 'FG' battery grip as well. It lets you use AA batteries!

You beat me to it John!

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Cheers, HG

K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.

Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...

I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.

Regarding the Battery Grip FG, there is currently a brand new one listed in the UK for £9 with free postage, I'd suggest pouncing if you can spare the cash and definitely plan to buy an MZ-series body.

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Matt

Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.

That's a good price, mine came from the states and cost £20!

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Cheers, HG

K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.

Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...

I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.

Mine came from the states and cost £15, most of which was postage!

Currently attached to the bottom of my mint MZ-50, which I plan to hang onto as I suspect really nice examples may become rare.

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Matt

Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.

The MZ-50 prices are certainly going up, I've just got one, in mint boxed condition with 35-80 lens, for £37.

What amazes me is the price of MZ-60s.

They're not that special but sell for more than the MZ-6!!!

What's going on there?

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Cheers, HG

K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.

Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...

I've some gallerieshere CLICKY LINK! and my PPG entries.

The MZ-6 is a very capable camera which can use pre 'A' series lenses with the added bonus of being completely compatible with the later AF360/540FGZ flashes in that it has P-TTL and wireless flash control. The MZ-6 can usually be had from ebay for about £50.00 give or take a tenner.

The MZ-6 can also set aperture from the body and can therefore use the FA-J and DA lenses having no aperture ring, which is something the 'flagship' MZ-S cannot do as it has no control of aperture from the body.

I have an MZ-6. I had an MZ-S as well which I have always regretted selling. It's a beautiful piece of engineering.

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Peter E Smith

My flickr Photostream