I had felt my MZ-S rewind was loud compared to others and, although I can't swear to it, it seemed to be louder now than when purchased. It was functioning correctly, (just embarrassingly loud) so I had continued to use it.

I have had recent need to take the camera to Pentax service to have the meter looked at (over exposing by two stops). Funny, the technician wasn't as concerned with the meter as the rewind noise. It is now being looked at for a defective rewind mechanism. As soon as I know more, I'll post.

Several things in response to this request. I have both P series and and M series camera, with eye cups for both.

The M series will fit the P series, a little snug but it will fit. The P series will not fit the M, in my case, due to the diopter adjuster.

The P series eye cup, has a little molded tab cast into the back to keep the eyecup secured to the camera, the M doesn't and has a problem with popping off, if brushed.

I have recently purchased both a p series and m series eyecups from my local dealer, who in turn received them from Pentax. The P series eyecup was a few dollars less money at under $10 (C$). The Pentax part number for the P series cup is "30115 Eyecup P".

Having both, my recommendation is to go with the P series cup, for the P camera, it seems to be a little better built, with the M cup a little on the flimsy side. The securing tab is also a big plus.

For an instruction manual on this camera (and how to load the film), try this site: http://www.pentaxusa.com/docstore/index.cfm?show=6, Good luck. Al

For prints, I've been using Fuji Reala for about a year now. I am very pleased with the results, no unexpected tonal casts.

I've had my MZ-S for about six months, using both the integral, an external flash and strobes connected through the 2P sync. terminal without issue. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised with the effectiveness of the intergral flash.

Some time ago, I aquired a used Metz CT54-1 for use with my Pentax cameras. The unit requires a special Metz cord to adapt the unit to the camera's PC connection. At the time, I had a P-3 and a P30t both of which didn't have a PC connection . A hot shoe adapter was the quick fix. Also, at that time, I purchased a long extension cord to allow me to move the flash unit well away from the camera. This cord was coiled and was a male/female type of set up, which pluggerd directly into the hot shoe adapter and allowed the Metz cord to plug into the out end. Both the hot shoe adapter and the extension cord were not expensive items.

More recenly, I have purchased a peanut slave for use with the Metz flash. This unit plugs directly into the loose end of the Metz cord. As a trigger flash, I have used either a small camera mounted flash (set to bounce) or with my most recent camera aquisition, the small integral camera flash has proven ideal. The peanut slave has allowed me to get rid of the cumbersome mess of wires the former method required

A small note, when using a flash remove the lense hood (if in place). I had read this note in the past, but continue to forget this simple task usually with less that desirable image results.

While at the local photo shop I was recently poking through a collection of unsorted used filters. In the collection. there were a number of very thin screw- in filters (appears to be about half the thickness of the "normal" filter) which I coincidently just learned were specifically designed for use with the wider angle lenses to stop vignetting. I do not recall which makes were there, but I understand thin line filters are usually offered, but may not be on the display rack and may be an "ordered in" item. For regular use, they look very fragile.

Just a follow-up.

I took the leap and purchased the MZ-S with the optional battery grip. I was successful in finding one at a price within my range, but a little distressed at the reasoning provided by the dealer. The dealer indicated the his future was in digital and as such was downsizing inventory of film type cameras, especially those considered less popular in his area.

At home, I continue to be impressed with the camera, having had a greater time to examine it, while relating to the manual, than permitted at the shops. As part of my research, I had read a lot of information and comments on the internet and in print. Unfortunately, some information was confusing and would almost lead you to believe this was a hightly complex unit. I am happy to say the owner's manual that came with the unit is quite clear and the setting of the various Pentax functions is easily understood and accomplished.

The camera itself is very comfortable to handle and I adapted to its feel and function very quickly.

I particularly like the viewfinder display as it returns to the style I was familiar with with my first ME-F and seems to provide a less restricted view. Of the two existing bodies I currently have, the side display had been one of my most distressing features, although very "in your face" readable. Additionally, as a feature of the viewfinder on the MZ-S, is the diopter adjustment. A slight tweaking allowed me to customize the viewfinder to my preference and (from my perception) took a dull viewfinder image to a more workable crisp and clean image. The slight malfunction on the other bodies, without diopter adjustment, has nothing to do with age or eye-sight but is a manufacturing defect in the camera (thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Never admit the human body suffers from wear and tear. Twenty five years ago, I didn't have this problem with my camera, so its got to be related to the Pentax models purchased in the interim).

Under the functions, there is a function (F-1 for turning on/off the optional lense mount index lamp. A little note indicated that if the mount adapter K is used to select the off option as the lamp remains turned on. As the function is of little interest to me and many of my lenses are non-Pentax, manual focus, I decided to disable this option to be safe.

A function feature I like is the imprinting of exposure data in the perforation area of the film. This feature will go a long way to eliminating the need to carry a note book to record settings.

Another feature I liked was the lowly camera strap provided with the unit. Built into the strap ends are two pockets to keep the small items, such as the view finder cover, hot shoe cover, etc while in removed from the camera body. In addition to this well thought out feature, the adjusting clips have a small protrusion used to operate the small buttons such as the data back date or the mid-roll rewind button.

I am particulary pleased with the battery grip. It provides additional surface area to grasp the camera (I've got larger hands and this is a plus), plus it provides a very comfortable second shutter release button for vertical shooting. Another nice feature of the battery grip is the built in IR remote control option. With the use of a IR sender, such as available to the Optio line, the need for a cable release is reduced. Another item I like is that the sender neatly fits in the strap pocket, so it eliminates the forgetfulness factor, which has plagued me from time to time.

A lttle note on a work around. As part of my collection, I have a Pentax bellows unit. The unit used a manual cable release to both trigger the shutter (on previous cameras) and to close the aperature of the attached lense. With the MZ-S's electronic shutter control, I'll need to get work around, but do not perceive a major problem, especially since I plan to keep my older bodies as spares.

Overall I am extemely pleased with the unit and I am glad I avoided the temptations the camera shops waved related to the *ist (or other makes). Out of the box, the features are set-up ready to go, so the complexities of the camera are not a deterrent to immediate enjoyment

I'm off now to have the first few rolls of film developed to confirm what I already beleive is a very good piece of equipment, which I will enjoy for many years to come.