I was given this 1990's MZ-5 outfit -- the camera+ 28-70mm SMC Pentax-FA f4 and the 100-300mm SMC Pentax-F series -- it is much more 'plasticy' than any of my other Pentaxes ,in fact previous owner had snapped off a small plastic lug which holds up the pop-up flash-- you may ask " how is it then that the flash is UP in the Photo" ? -well it;s held up with a blob of Blue-tack ! The 100mm-300mm lens is sharp at full aperture but does not always 'zoom' - there seems to be a 'catch' in the body which is not 'catching' to engage the zoom . I have tried it with many of my other lenses including screw and they work OK and the TTL flash works. As there was no Instruction book I 'fooled' the DX coding into setting the default of 100 ASA by putting a paper label over the cassette on the 1998 outdated Fuji Super G 400 I loaded for first tests then I found out how to set the ASA/ISO 'manually' !! I took it on Sunday to a very WET London Chinese New Year and used the flash for fill-in held up by a finger. Results ready on Thursday ---- in the photos you will see it has a 35-80mm SMC Pentax-F lens -- I was using the 28-70mm on my K10D.

I have a Pentax KX from the 1970's and have used it with my Mecablitz 45 CL3 in the Hot-shoe and camera has a standard PC synch socket for studio flash leads or the standard Metz flash lead and it all works ---

Try a rubber. The ones on the ends of pencils often work well. K.[/quote]Hope an American member is not reading this about 'try a Rubber' -----

I have just been GIVEN an MZ-5 with the 28-70mm SMC Pentax-FA f4 lens and the 100-300mm SMC Pentax-F f4.5-5.6 zoom -- all in very good condition BUT camera is so 'Plasticky' -- the flash already has a bit broken off so it does noy stay up any more and the 100-300mm zoom does not 'zoom' any more!
I had to buy two new CR2 batteries and got it to work with some 1998 outdated Fuji Super G 400 I rate at 100 ASA as it so old -- well, there was NO instruction book but I 'fooled' the camera into setting 100 ASA by sticking a paper label over the DX coding on the cassette so it would default to 100 ASA and the TTL flash works with my Mecablitz 45 CL3 OK and it works with my 50mm f1.4 SMC Pentax-M lens on manual focus -- then I found an Online instruction book and found out how to 'fool' the DX coding-- but the MZ series are not as substantial as the Spotmatic or the MX and ME supers, would never stand up to 'Professional Use'

Enthusiasts still keep Spitfires and Hurricanes flying !!

PENTAX used to be very innovative -- what happened ? My boy says his School has 30 NIKON D5000 for use in the Art Department -- I asked why not 'PENTAX' and he said that 'PENTAX' is not a very well-known make !

I have a lot of trouble with screw lenses on my K10D -- especially if I am doing football at full aperture on the 135mm f2.5 SMC Takumar -- all the photos were BACK focussed !! You cannot rely on the Green Thingy to get accurate focus !

If I don't do my own C41 35mm processing I take it a High Street Pharmacy where they deal with SigFoto Laboratory ( part of the Sigma Pharmaceuticals Company) and they do a really excellent C41 process -- no scratches, excellent colour balance for £ 6-00 for 36 exp films ( I usually get 39 anyway ! )

Ha ha - YES Folks, it's ME HIMSELF !! I think I got an Asahi Pentax 'helical Extension tube' which I still have - I have done quite well out of the Club magazine over the years - I have the COMPLETE set of the magazine -- most in the loft but some in the bedroom.

Thanks for replies : Yes, the 'White Mess' has probalably leaked into the elecrical contacts !! I will tell the lady to get a quote .