ZX-M question

Still looking at picking up a modern manual camera, and wondered what yall thought of the ZX-M? It appears to be the only manual film camera sold by pentax presently, (on their web site at least). I guess the camera is called MZ something in the UK?.
Took me a while just to decide what I really wanted, cause I have an SFXn, and didn't need another automatic. I wanted something easy and quick to set, and lighter to carry around. It has the topside shutter speed dial but still can be set to control both aperature and sh speed, singly or neither as an option. I gather there is still some kind of readout on top, but no buttons requiring a third hand lol. The other topsite dial handles the bracketing.
I assume i could use the AF lenses for my SFXn with it? In manual focus. Their all bayonet i think. Except for shooting people at parties I use manual on my SFXn almost all the time, mostly in aperture mode, (where i control aperture).

The other 3 reasons I want a new camera is to have a more modern light meter and multy sensor focus, (I'm guessing my SFXn has only one central sensor, based on how old it is)? It only has one small visible set of focus brackets in the center anyway. The 3rd reason is I want a depth of focus preview.

There are probably other semi recent pentax manual camera's out there with modern enough options that would do what i want. But given my criteria above are there any better than the ZX-M? I might get it off Ebay.



fiannor (David)
Texas USA

David,

I've no personal experience of the ZX-M (MZ-M over here) but I think you'd probably be better off with something like an MZ5n.
The SFX has single point focussing and average (centre-weighted) metering whereas the MZ-M has two zone metering and is better able to deal with backlit situations but it is still fairly basic.
The MZ5 is of a similar design and size/weight but much more sophisticated (six-segment / spot metering and 3 point AF) and being an AF camera, you'll have the option for fully manual operation and the full use of your AF lenses whenever you wish.
The MZ5n also has a built-in flash (like the SFX), which at times can be invaluable.

Have a browse through the manuals on Kim's site and see what you think:
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/

Hi,
I would go along with the other Kim's comments. IMHO, the AF lenses do not work that well on manual bodies. Have a look at the ZX-5 as well. There is very little difference between that and the ZX-5n but they tend to be a lot less. The ZX-3 is also a super camera. If you are determined to get a manual, I would look at the older ones. You might find they are better value and were designed as manual cameras rather than a "crippled" AF one.

The other Kim

If I remember rightly, I think the MZ-M only has two-segment metering, not really any sophistication in that respect.

The MZ-5, MZ-5n and MZ-3 all work very well in manual modes and they would be my first choice.

If you want a fully manual camera, then a second hand MX is definitely my favourite. I was using one today, and they are sweet to use!

Maybe I should have mentioned money is an issue. I see a few sites about the MZ5n, and on one the body alone ws over 500 us $. I was looking on ebay because I can't spend over 250$, and would love to get one for half that used.
The MZ5 I found on the net was over 1000, and it's AF anyway which i don't want, and the MZ3 I only found a couple of sites that were in english and didn't give a price. How old are these camera's? And are they all AF? I would want a fairly modern camera, one that i could get still get worked on.
Yea a flash would be nice, I don't know why pentax didn't put one on the ZX-M, though I plan to buy an external one in the near future. I wouldn't object to AF also, as long as it didn't add excessive weight, and the camera had the dials on top instead of a panel and switches. But AF would raise the price and weight, and I'm allready shooting mostly manual on my SFXn AF.

I want a manual camera that takes great pictures, with a DOF preview, with more modern metering options. One that lets you select differen't metering areas would be cool, like other than just spot, (I think that's called metering). Lighter would be nice, though i have an aversion to plastic if it really looks like it, and how tough are they? When i say manual i mean not an AF, (that is what manual means right)? Cause I still want to let the camera handle shutter speed and aperture once in a while.

Ok i think so far that's what i want lol. Process of elimination.

Don't hesitate to tell me if you think some of these options I listed are over rated. Yall probably have used all these. I have never even looked through a camera that has a DOP preview, but at my level, i hate to guess at my aperture options and wait to find out when the film comes back. Not that i assume it's perfect, (and it seems like cheating a bit

Thanks guys, and for the link kimbo.

The classic manual camera is the MX (my opinion!) with top speed dial and centre-weighted metering.

The MZ 3 and 5 models can be used in exactly the same way, top speed dial and centre weighted metering. However, you add matrix and spot metering, motorised film wind, autofocus if you want it (you don't have to use it) and all in a body which is probably lighter than the MX, although not quite as small.

The MZ-M (ZX-M) is cheaper, has fewer functions and is much more "plasticky" although it does everything an ME Super would do (such is progress!)

AS the cameras mentioned are relatively recent the prices may well be higher, so I think you have keen choices to make.

Whichever one you choose, the quality of the pictures remains in the photographer's hands....They are all perfectly capable cameras. eBay could be your most likely source, but do buy carefully.

That sounds pretty good John. What's matrix metering, (choosing differen't metering area's, like center, spot, or all over)? If so that's what i want.
I know some of the new AF's have like 7 to 10 differen't metering choices. Can you give me a general idea of the used cost's of the MZ 3 & 5?
How old are they. I'm not aversed to AF also, if like you say it's reasonably light. And weight is not a huge issue for me if it's a great camera and does what I want.

Does the ZX-M not have motorized film wind?

I'll do some searching on your sugjestions.

Thanks

PS what's the deal with the bold option? It shows up correct the first time i previewed, but couldn't make it work after that.

The MZ-5 doesn't have a dof preview, (I see the MZ5n does), dunno about the 3. But if any of these AF's are recent, their probably out of my price range.
Can you think of any other similar Pentax cameras that's not AF, that has these options? Does Pentax typically make manual camera's with multy spot metering and dof preview? As for the new options like predictive mode, (that's cool), that's most likely on camera's out of my price range I'd guess.

thanks again.

Hi,
Ffordes in Scotland have a couple of MZ-5's at the moment both for less than £100. Even with shipping, this would be within your $250 limit. The sort of metering options you are talking about didn't really come in until the AF cameras. You will find the DOF preview on the KX, MX, LX, Super A (Super Program) and the P50 (P5). All of these use centre weighted metering. The LX and perhaps the MX (because of it's cult status) are likely to be more than you budget. I still think you should be able the get an MZ 5n for within your budget, $500 is way over the top!. If not, you will have to make some compromise.

Regards
Kim

David,

The MZ3 and MZ5n are almost identical: Multi-pattern (matrix) metering, DoF preview, built in flash, film winder and manual focussing when required. Both are small, light weight and incredibly robust and have top plate dials (exactly what you are asking for).
Older manual focus only bodies do not have the advanced metering options, they were smaller and lighter than your SFXn because they did not have built in motor drives, focus motors or flash units.
Things have moved on a long way since the SFX era and modern cameras have all the automation but are about the same size and weight as the older manual cameras.
35mm SLRs have never been available so cheaply and there are a number of potential bargains on eBay, it's impossible to give a value these days but you should definately find something within your budget.

Good help guys. I'll do some more looking tonight when i get up, and get back to you. Sounds promising, maybe the prices I saw were old links.
Thanks much for all the help everyone.

David.

Kimbo
The Pentax manual site is awsome! Thanks much. Is that your site Kim C? I felt like a kid in a candy store, and printed out a few of them. And I had never seen the magazine add like write up on my SFXn, and it has em for lots of camera's. I know what I want now. All of them! For starters I think want a K 1000 to play with, as they seem to be the most numerous and affordable manual camera on ebay of what I've seen, then maybe a little MX later. Eventually 'd like to get the MZ5n as a more modern replacement for my SFXn, but what I've seen of them on ebay their pricey, and I'll have to wait on that. And I want an LX one day just cause their so cool, but man, they cost.


I was looking at Amateur Photographer and noticed all the prices were in pounds, (with some US $ also). I guess it's a British magazine. I assume the Pentax User Magazine British also? I know this is a British user group, and I have a British Pentax, but do these magazines cover both pounds and dollars for most items? And are there any US Pentax magazines?

Hi,
Yes it's my site. Glad you like it. The K1000 has a very strong following because it used to be recommended by schools. As a result they tend to be a bit over priced. I would look at the KX which is a supercharged K1000 with much better metering. Prices on these are going up but they are still cheaper than some K1000,s. The KM is also better in that it has a couple of extra features. The K1000 was originally sold as a budget version in the same way the SP1000 was a budget version of the SPII. Why have cotton when you can have silk for less?

Kim

Kim C

The KX and the KM have everything the K1000 has with added feaures right?
Their not all "manual only" are they, (I don't think the K2 is)? The K1000 is.
The comparison chart of all 4 right above the K1000 is too unfocused to read. Could you tell me the main difference in them?
I see the K series is through the lens metering. I thought all SLR's were, (the oposite being point and shoots with range finders).
Man the light meter fuctioning when the lens cap comes off sounds spooky lol. But I guess it's nearly an antique. What i've read I like the KX, but not compleatly sure of all the diff between it and the KM.
Thanks again for the help.

Older camera gear is great to collect but K series cameras won't do anything that your SFXn can't do - I thought you wanted a modern camera with up to date metering, and I still think you'd find an MZ3 or 5n within your budget.
It's a pity that Pentax didn't (or haven't yet) produced a manual only camera with sophisticated metering options, extensive shutter speeds and built in flash - something along the lines of the Canon T90 perhaps, but they haven't and your choice is limited to the OK-ish MZ-M or the others already mentioned.