Hi George, I don't think there's an actual fault with the camera. The autofocus is inconsistent even with a lens that works. You often have to press the button a few times until it actually gets it right. It's always been like that from day one. I don't expect that there's anything Pentax could or would do for it. It does seem a a bit better with Lithium batteries though but I didn't have any last week for my sons prom when I was using the FA24-90.

The FA35 it just hates more than any other lens so I think it would need the capability that the K10 and K20 have to programme different lenses in.

I had been considering getting a K10 but it was the fact that you couldn't adjust for individual lenses that put me off and the possible inferior noise performance. I didn't like the increase in size, weight and the squarer shape of the grips and body felt uncomfortable. I can't use my macro flash on it either.

Hi George, because I like the DS body and I don't like the new ones.

It's a bit chicken and egg, I might buy a new body and that might not be any good either or I might find some work and some don't like the DS.

Given that the K20 has individual settings for each lens they admit there is a lens to lens problem.

I don't like the K20 so what's my alternative ?

I used the DS last week for some important pictures and they were all back focused using the FA24-90 so I thought not much point keeping the lenses that don't work and I didn't fancy paying £700 for a body I don't like much.

I've stuck a couple of these up here before but there we're no takers some of the stuff I haven't put up before so check these out if you like. Anybody buying it from this forum in the IK contact me and I'll knock off the postage from the price.


MZ5N FA28-70 F4 etc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160258487843&a...

FA35

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160258498461&a...

DA70

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160258507341&a...

FA 50mm F1.4, FA50mm Macro, FA 100mm F2.8, FA 135mm F2.8, "M" series 20mm, 50mm F1.4, 85mm F2, 100mm F2.8, 135mm F3.5 and 200mm F4 and of course the 43mm Ltd when it's on somebody elses camera.

Actually I had a Tamron 28mm F2.5, Fujica 55mm F1.8 (best standard I ever had) and takumar 85mm F1.9, that was my favourite lens ever, soft but beautifull pictures.

I did look at some old slides I'd taken with my MZ5 and there were some absolute crackers taken with a Sigma 70-300 I had. I'd always thought is was rubbish as I never had much use for it but when I finally did use it the results were outstanding.

Yes it is the cheapest option. I just meant that I'd only use it if I absolutely had to. Probably worth £50 but I'd rather use something like a 70-300 Sigma, tamron or Pentax lens and enlarge it a bit.

I have the old Tamron but I wouldn't say it's very good optically. It doesn't seem all that sharp and is of very low contrast.

Mechanically it's a pleasure to use and is very handy as it's so small. Very smooth focusing, very good close focus and the tripod collar makes it easy to mount and rotate.

If it's a very sunny day and the light has good contrast then you'll probably get usable shots but I don't think it's as good as any "glass" lenses. You can post process however to boost both the contrast and sharpness.

If I was desperate I would use it but mostly it stays at home.

Hi I'm getting shot of all the lenses that won't focus correctly on my DS ( which is most of them ).

Dan tried this one on his K10 and it focused fine but like the majority of Pentax lenses my DS doesn't like it.

The condition is very good, optically perfect. I did get a few specs of dust falling on the front element as I was taking these photos but that's it.

Always had a filter etc. Photozone gave this lens a 4 star rating ( which is as goof as they get ) and gave it a big highly recommended thumbs up.

I believe it has just been discontinued so get it while you can.

Comes with original box, hood, filter and case. Cosmetically very good too. Full frame lens so if the Samsung FF thing works out this will be useful.

Price is £165 plust £10 postage. Drop me a line if you're interested.

What shop was that Dan ?

Lovely Body









FA 28-70 F4 AL lens front could be cleaner, back is spotless but no signs of any mechanical or optical problems that some examples of this lens show.









Big flash tilts and swivels etc. I've used this combination for weddings and it does very good fill in flash.





Wide angle adaptor for the flash makes it do 24mm on film or 16mm on digital.



A selection of cases the wee one for a 50mm or 43mm, the middle one for the FA28-70 and the big one for the FA24-90 or maybe 70-210 if you have one. These cases are all brand new and will fit any of the MZ series.




I have the manual for the flash but not the camera but you can download it from Pentax USA website.
New batteries fitted ( well only one film since putting them in last month )

Well I bought the MZ-5N from Dan and it works perfectly. He'd left an unstarted slide film in it, I exposed the whole lot and they all came out perfectly. The flash doesn't pop up but you can either hold it up with a finger or much better use the flash that comes with this lot.

To give you something to use on the camera I also have the legendary FA 28-70 F4 AL constant aperture zoom lens, a legend in Pentax circles and the standard lens for this camera.

Also we have one used AF400FTZ flash. This is a big powerfull beast that tilts, swivels bounces etc. It's a TTL unit so works on all the MZ series and also the digital D & DS. On more recent digital models it only works in manual as far as I know. Supports leading and trailing flash sync. There's also a clip on wide angle adaptor to extend the coverage of the flash to 24mm. The flash zooms too from 28mm to 105mm though you have to set it manually (not motorised). The flash projects a beam to help low light focusing too. It's quite a powerfull beast and works really well with the NZ5N and my DS.

Finally I have the ever ready two piece case for the camera. Now this is a treat. All the cases are brand new and I have them all small ( for use with a single prime lens ), medium for use with the supplied zoom and large for use with anything up to about 70-200.


Why am I selling ? Well I bought the MZ5N for nostalgic reasons but then realised that that I'd grown used to the Z1P so I don't expect it will get much use. I'm putting in the other stuff to make it a decent package. I have the AF360 flas so I don't suppose I need two though the AF360 doesn't swivel like the 400.

I'll try and do a few photos later in the week.

Asking price is £100 plus postage, which I don't think is bad for what you're getting.

Cheers John.