| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2016 Posts: 158
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 6, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, panoramic masking, reliable. | | Cons: | Feels cheap, uses CR2 batteries. | |
I bought this camera in December 1996, in a trip to Chicago, and was my main camera till I bought my first digital Canon T1i in 2008, I’ve used it for Travel and even professional work, it was an amazing camera, I bought a very expensive Tamron 14mm lens for it and used it a lot, I loved that lens, and was a lot better than the Kit one that came with the camera.
When I bought it I didn’t know how to use it and all my Chicago photos have the date printed on them! After that I learned how to turn it off.
I’ve shot hundreds of rolls on it, and still works, the only thing that broke was the pop out flash, but never really used it.
I loved the integrated panoramic masking , since I wanted to go to film school, which eventually did, and now I’m a cinematographer.
Some pictures taken with it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32577294@N06/albums/72157657775555882
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32577294@N06/albums/72157656674156588
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: California Posts: 67 | | Review Date: April 14, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: $12.00
| Rating: 4 |
| Pros: | light, excellent controls, ISO adjustment, cheap | | Cons: | poor build | |
I have 3 bodies, one works, if you want this camera (and there are many reasons to like it) get one without the date back. Even though I chose this camera because it has a real shutter speed dial, and I can set the aperture, it has too many plastic parts. On paper it was my dream AF body, but I just don't trust it. I have to say if I had just the experience with the one that works it would get a high mark.
I still use mine and it hasn't failed me, but I'm nervous it will.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2013 Location: Port Angeles, WA Posts: 505
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 2, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Tiny, light, all the features you need | | Cons: | No Hy-P, no P-TTL | |
This is THE Autofocus Pentax SLR to get. Can be had for 1/8th of the price of the MZ-S, and for me, had all the features I need.
Very nice control layout. On the left, you have your ASA setting (it has DX coding, which can be overridden. WOOHOO!), and exposure compensation, in 1/3 stops. You also have a metering switch, M, C, and S. This is very helpful, especially if you also shoot LF (spot meter and 35mm camera!). On the right you have shutter speed, set it manually, or set it to A and have the camera pick. Pick your aperture, or set it to A and have the camera pick it. IMO, this is how a camera should be operated.
Battery life isn't the best, but there is a battery grip for it. The viewfinder is a bit dim-- but as good as any DSLR right now.
The only real downside for me was it's cold weather performance. Cold weather makes the batteries suffer, and the rapid and repeated temperture cycling when backpacking kills it as fast as a DSLR. Given that's what I wanted to use this for (backpacking along with my MF or LF, since it's not much bigger than a good handheld meter, and can be used for quick snaps), it doesn't do what I want it to do.
Back to the LF camera, MX, and Weston Master Se meter! 
HOWEVER,
For everyday purposes, you cannot get better than this without spending a fortune.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2010 Location: Bechout Posts: 2 | | Review Date: November 21, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Compact, easy to use, price | | Cons: | no major items | |
I bought my first MZ5 a few years ago, including a 35-70 lens. I only paid 50 Euro. It is a small camera, easy to use, good autoficus. The lens was ok, the 50 mm manual focus I bought afterwards was a better deal. I bought a few other lenses, all good users with decent quality.
Compared to other autofocus camera's, this camera is small and light. I own several Canon, Nikon, Minolta camera's (as a collector and user). Compared to e.g. a Canon 500 or a Minolta 600, this camera can focus faster and better.
The only disadvantage to my idee is that this camera looks cheap. The MZ50 is cheaper, not that good performer but looks better due to its black finish.
I recently bought a second one, including a winder and a 28-80 lens for 30 Euro.
Now I have 2 camera's in perfect condition, non has the problem with the flash (with can easily be repaired) and several lenses.
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2009 Location: Westchester County, New York Posts: 29 | | Review Date: October 28, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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To the review above, I would add the following three points:
1. It has the KAF2 mount.
Here's the page on Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page (the "KMP") that explains the evolution of the Pentax K mount: Summary of the K-Mount Evolution, Names, and Features The net of Bojidar's essay is that the pinnacle of Pentax k-mount development in the film camera era was the KAF2 mount. The MZ-5/ZX-5 is a very cost effective way to get a Pentax film body with the KAF2 mount.
2. It beats the pants off my K10d as a travel camera.
One of the issues with having a nice digital camera is that you tend to baby it. It's not hard for the investment in a digital body and a nice lens to push into the $750 - $1000 range. No way around it---as a travel camera a nice digital rig is a tempting theft target. But the sleeper ZX-5? Earlier this year I took my ZX-5, an FA 50mm f1.4 lens, and several rolls of Portra NC 400 film on vacation with the family. Couldn't be happer with the results--both while I was shooting and at development time back home. Op/Tech USA makes a neoprene cover which fits the ZX-5 and a normal lens perfectly. Everything you need in one little, but stunningly effective, package.
3. The panorama mode.
There is a switch on the camera back that toggles between normal photo dimensions and panorama mode. In panorama mode, you end up with prints that are approx. 4" x 10". A very cool feature.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2009 Location: Santa Cruz Mountains Posts: 53 | | Review Date: July 4, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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The ZX-5 packed a lot of sweet stuff into a rather compact body. There's the typical 90's era AF/winder/multi program/pop up TTL flash built in and like it's rivals the body is plastic,ergonomic,fairly light.
The NEAT stuff? The ZX-5's retro shutter speed dial was brilliant and also simplified chosing modes. You can set the shutter or aperture or both to A...or neither.
The ZX-5 has spot meter,has multi-exposure,has built in diopter adjust...all very important to me. It can be had with a power pack/vert grip that lets it use 4 AA's...NIMH works great. The little flash is very auto,and it's easy to slave my 283 Vivitar when I need the extra lighting. Like every Pentax,it's happy to use older glass. I don't much LIKE AF...so usually it's using "A","K" or M42 glass.
The flaws? Most obvious is the chronic matter of the spring on the pop up flash.
Of the units for sale,at least half seem to have a busted spring,so you need to use a spare finger to hold the flash up. I did,eventually,get one that,so far,has a good spring. The viewfinder display almost is invisible in strong light. It tried to be detailed,but went too far. The SF-1 had a much better finder.
The ZX-5n added depth of field preview. Given all the features on the ZX-5,it's odd that wasn't on the original. now, that minor detail meals a used "n" goes for quite a bit higher $.
The ZX-5 gets points for sheer bang for the buck. While a PZ-1 has some advantages,so does the ZX-5...and at less $ typically.
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