Author: | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2009 Location: Santa Cruz Mountains Posts: 53 | Review Date: July 5, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
| i got my housemate a PZ-10. It's a camera that can do some rather "high end" stuff,yet is ,if you want,a VERY easy camera to use.
No spot meter or DOF,but a big bright viewfinder and all the auto features. A rather large body,but easy to hold and not heavy. Feels pretty solid. They seem to have sold well and can be had rather cheap. Makes a nice backup or a camera for the "easy technology" shooter who's usually doing auto modes.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2010 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 83 | Review Date: September 19, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 6 |
Pros: | Build quality, handling | Cons: | Automatic, noisy, bulky | | I bought this camera because it was cheap. The Z-10 is definetely not the camera I'd actually choose, the main reason being that it's just too automatic.
First, the lack of controls. I like pushing and pulling my films, but it's not easy with this camera. The shooting modes are somewhat confusing. So far I've figured out that there are only two modes (besides bulb): program mode where the exposure compensation can be adjusted, and manual mode where you set aperture on lens and shutter speed on camera. Fortunately for manual mode users, there is a "green" button.
In manual mode the viewfinder doesn't provide much information on shutter speed as it's only shown as over-, correct and underexposure. The top LCD shows shutter speed and exposure compensation. In program mode there is absolutely no information on exposure.
I'm quite happy with the camera's design and build. Z-10 is bulky (similar to my K10D in size), but that means it's also very comfortable to hold, exept that my little finger doesn't fit on the grip. The camera is plastic, but still feels quite solid, unlike my Pentax *ist. I love the on/off button on Z-10.
The AF is noisy and slow and has only one AF point. It works just like on later cameras, so manual lenses can be used without problems.
All in all, it's a great automatic camera, but not very suitable for more sophisticated users.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Melbs Posts: 1,240 3 users found this helpful | Review Date: January 25, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | Cheap, Automatic | Cons: | Cheap, Automatic | | Think of it as a K1000 with auto film advance and rewind, plus bonus focus confirmation. Maybe think of it as a ME?
With an auto lens (A setting) It defaults as the others have indicated into P mode. You then have no idea what aperture is being selected, nor shutter speed. you just point, and spray
And when you have had a few beers, why not?
Tripping it out of A setting allows proper manual control. Setting the aperture manually you hit the "green" button and it sets the shutter accordingly. (sounds familiar right) Thats the little button up the back. It acts just like you'd expect the 'green' one would on modern pentax's. It's center weighted naturally, and that's fine!
Yes it has a proper K-mount so it will meter correctly with the K, and M lenses. HOORAY! That's right. Move the aperture after you have set the shutter and the meter will complain that its under or over exposed. All whilst still framing everything wide open. Why don't modern DSLR's work like this?? Yes I don't know either.
The 28mm prime you have been using on your APS-C camera also all of a sudden looks wide in this viewfinder.
A bit of common sense has this camera performing wonderfully. Remember, you don't have to wind the film on :P What Luxury.
It's heavy and dare I say bulky, and sounds like a proper VCR, but what fun!
Strap a M 28mm on it, some forgiving 400iso film and I reckon you could dam well take this thing anywhere.
Again. It meters correctly with M and K Lenses!
If you cant control the aperture (I'm looking at you DA35) It will still shoot in P mode. Who knows what ap or s it's selecting tho :P It will just work.
It's a nice bit of fun. If you have a stack of M, and K lenses, there is no need to waste your cash on the others. Unless you really want to see the shutter selection in the viewfinder?
With M and K lenses, it's a K1000 with automatic film advance + rewind + focus confirmation + automatic film selection. Yes it reads the DX codes on the film can. GREAT!
If you want to over and underexpose, remember what film you have in (there is that tiny window) and adjust the shutter accordingly! Piece. of Pi**
Happy | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14 | Review Date: March 19, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | good, very simple film AF-SLR, good viewfinder | Cons: | lack of aperture and time indication in viewfinder,batteries | | very similar to Pentax MV with red and green lamp in viewfinder, but winder, TTL-flash light and AF inluded.
For children or beginners a good idea.
Really very good results. Ideal for snapshots, when sun is shining.
Unfortunately, no information about aperture and time
(Don't forget tripod; when travelling with it)
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2015 Posts: 459 | Review Date: August 5, 2020 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Autofocus, P-mode or manual, good for beginners | Cons: | Manual metering only spot | | This was my first camera. I still have it and I might use it again. Bought in 1993 (more or less). I used it basically always as a point and shoot SLR, not knowing much about photography. Interchangeable lens was something I was interested in but as a student, didnt have the money to buy other lenses. I used it with a Sigma zoom, one of those where the rubber turned into glue. The optical performance however, was fine. Could work today as a backup travel companion.
Recommendation: yes, but for almost no extra money, you can buy a Z-20 which has way more features.
Things I like: - Quite good AF
- Focus confirmation hexagon while focusing manually
- P-mode actually quite useful. Did make good decisions when I am looking back on my old negatives
- EV compensation in P-mode (to override DX ISO)
- Spot metering in manual mode
- Precursor of green button to get right exposure when aperture ring is not on 'A' (manual mode)
- Body is quite small and lightweight but sturdy
- Unobtrusive, goes unnoticed since it doesnt look fancy or worth to be stolen
Thing I dislike: - No center-weighted or matrix-metering when aperture ring is not on 'A', only spot
- Pre-A lenses work only with spot metering
- In P, no indication which aperture is used
- Only +/o/- indications in viewfinder for exposure
- No ISO control
- Quite expensive batteries
Some claims of the other reviews are not correct. The camera has no center-weighted metering mode. In P it is matrix, in manual, ie if the aperture is not 'A' or on K-/M-lenses it is spot.
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