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**BigMackCam** · 03-10-2018, 02:01 PM

OK, I'm watching the first episode of "The Looming Tower", a recent (and rather good, so far) show on Amazon. At 29'24" in, one of the characters starts taking photos of a government building, and I was surprised to note that it's a Pentax. I'm not 100% sure which model, but I think it might be a ZX-50. The lens appears to be the Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 DL Hyperzoom Macro. I can't identify the flash.

So, what camera / lens / flash combo do you think this is?

Attached Images

Last edited by BigMackCam; 03-10-2018 at 02:21 PM.

MarkJerling · 03-10-2018, 02:39 PM - **1 Like**

Looks like an ZX-50. (Also called an MZ-50) No idea re the flash. Nice wristwatch!

**PKMike** · 03-10-2018, 06:42 PM - **1 Like**

Flash = 500 FTZ?

**BigMackCam** · 03-11-2018, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by PKMike

Flash = 500 FTZ?

I believe you're right!

The Pentax badge has come off the front, or they've blacked it out...

Dartmoor Dave · 03-11-2018, 02:12 AM - **1 Like**

It's always good to see a movie or TV still where it looks like the actor actually knows how to use a camera. This guy either gets it or is faking it very well: elbows drawn in, supporting the weight of the camera and lens with his left hand, with his thumb and index finger in the right place to operate the aperture ring. How often do we see technique like that from a thespian?

**BigMackCam** · 03-11-2018, 02:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave

It's always good to see a movie or TV still where it looks like the actor actually knows how to use a camera. This guy either gets it or is faking it very well: elbows drawn in, supporting the weight of the camera and lens with his left hand, with his thumb and index finger in the right place to operate the aperture ring. How often do we see technique like that from a thespian?

Good point, Dave... Clearly the actor has some experience of photography, or someone has taught him the correct hold for the sake of accuracy.

Kudos to the prop master, too... This particular scene takes place a few days prior to the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi, and the ZX / MZ-50 was released in 1997. The AF500FTZ flash was, I think, released around 1992. Not sure about the lens, but it's certainly film era.

I do like it when shows and films get the little details right

MarkJerling · 03-11-2018, 02:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Good point, Dave... Clearly the actor has some experience of photography, or someone has taught him the correct hold for the sake of accuracy.

Kudos to the prop master, too... This particular scene takes place a few days prior to the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi, and the ZX / MZ-50 was released in 1997. The AF500FTZ flash was, I think, released around 1992. Not sure about the lens, but it's certainly film era.

I do like it when shows and films get the little details right

That's something I look out for in movies as well. I've been involved in the making of a few where I had brought props from home because they did not have the right era radio or TV in the room.

**PKMike** · 03-11-2018, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I believe you're right! The Pentax badge has come off the front, or they've blacked it out...

Had one many moons ago to use with PZ-1. Called it a "Flame Thrower". Maybe the best Pentax unit until 540 FGZ and maybe still. I replaced mine with the 540 to gain PTTL.
BTW does appear to me that Penax logo may have been (hastily) blacked out.

**TwoUptons** · 03-12-2018, 02:40 PM

I always laugh when the shutter noise is wrong...

... and smile when I know it’s right...

-Eric

**BigMackCam** · 03-12-2018, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

I always laugh when the shutter noise is wrong...

... and smile when I know it’s right...

Yeah... they usually get the viewfinder / focus screen overlay wrong, too

03-10-2018, 02:01 PM	#1
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,706	Identify the camera, lens and flash in a TV show? OK, I'm watching the first episode of "The Looming Tower", a recent (and rather good, so far) show on Amazon. At 29'24" in, one of the characters starts taking photos of a government building, and I was surprised to note that it's a Pentax. I'm not 100% sure which model, but I think it might be a ZX-50. The lens appears to be the Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 DL Hyperzoom Macro. I can't identify the flash. So, what camera / lens / flash combo do you think this is? Attached Images Last edited by BigMackCam; 03-10-2018 at 02:21 PM.

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03-10-2018, 02:39 PM - 1 Like	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Looks like an ZX-50. (Also called an MZ-50) No idea re the flash. Nice wristwatch!

03-10-2018, 06:42 PM - 1 Like	#3
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 628	Flash = 500 FTZ?

03-11-2018, 01:55 AM	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,706 Original Poster	Originally posted by PKMike Flash = 500 FTZ? I believe you're right! The Pentax badge has come off the front, or they've blacked it out...

03-11-2018, 02:12 AM - 1 Like	#5
Dartmoor Dave Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dartmoor, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,890	It's always good to see a movie or TV still where it looks like the actor actually knows how to use a camera. This guy either gets it or is faking it very well: elbows drawn in, supporting the weight of the camera and lens with his left hand, with his thumb and index finger in the right place to operate the aperture ring. How often do we see technique like that from a thespian?

03-11-2018, 02:42 AM - 1 Like	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,706 Original Poster	Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave It's always good to see a movie or TV still where it looks like the actor actually knows how to use a camera. This guy either gets it or is faking it very well: elbows drawn in, supporting the weight of the camera and lens with his left hand, with his thumb and index finger in the right place to operate the aperture ring. How often do we see technique like that from a thespian? Good point, Dave... Clearly the actor has some experience of photography, or someone has taught him the correct hold for the sake of accuracy. Kudos to the prop master, too... This particular scene takes place a few days prior to the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi, and the ZX / MZ-50 was released in 1997. The AF500FTZ flash was, I think, released around 1992. Not sure about the lens, but it's certainly film era. I do like it when shows and films get the little details right

03-11-2018, 02:16 PM - 1 Like	#7
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by BigMackCam Good point, Dave... Clearly the actor has some experience of photography, or someone has taught him the correct hold for the sake of accuracy. Kudos to the prop master, too... This particular scene takes place a few days prior to the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi, and the ZX / MZ-50 was released in 1997. The AF500FTZ flash was, I think, released around 1992. Not sure about the lens, but it's certainly film era. I do like it when shows and films get the little details right That's something I look out for in movies as well. I've been involved in the making of a few where I had brought props from home because they did not have the right era radio or TV in the room.

03-11-2018, 05:52 PM	#8
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 628	Originally posted by BigMackCam I believe you're right! The Pentax badge has come off the front, or they've blacked it out... Had one many moons ago to use with PZ-1. Called it a "Flame Thrower". Maybe the best Pentax unit until 540 FGZ and maybe still. I replaced mine with the 540 to gain PTTL. BTW does appear to me that Penax logo may have been (hastily) blacked out.

03-12-2018, 02:40 PM	#9
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	I always laugh when the shutter noise is wrong... ... and smile when I know it’s right... -Eric

03-12-2018, 02:46 PM	#10
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,706 Original Poster	Originally posted by TwoUptons I always laugh when the shutter noise is wrong... ... and smile when I know it’s right... Yeah... they usually get the viewfinder / focus screen overlay wrong, too

Identify the camera, lens and flash in a TV show?

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