Pentax Z-1 : shooting without film ?

cgyed · 03-03-2021, 10:36 AM

Hello,

I recently bought a pentax Z-1 "as is".
With a new battery, a lens (28-70mm f/2.8 Sigma), but no film inside, the lcd display works, and is able to get the information from the lens (auto, etc.).
There is no other working feature : no auto-focus, no information in the viewfinder, no shoot, etc.

I am not very confident, but a possibility is that the camera cannot shoot without film. Could anyone give me information about it ?
I Had a MZ-5N years ago (with the mentionned lens), i'm pretty sure it shooted without film.

Thanks !

**TwoUptons** · 03-03-2021, 11:00 AM - **1 Like**

If you open the back door, then close it again, does it try to wind?

It should make a bit of noise as it tries to load film. If not, there’s your problem...

-Eric

**gofour3** · 03-03-2021, 02:23 PM

Here is a link to a copy of the Z-1/PZ-1 camera manual:

https://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_pdf/pentax_pz-1.pdf

Phil.

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-03-2021, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by cgyed

Hello,

I recently bought a pentax Z-1 "as is".
With a new battery, a lens (28-70mm f/2.8 Sigma), but no film inside, the lcd display works, and is able to get the information from the lens (auto, etc.).
There is no other working feature : no auto-focus, no information in the viewfinder, no shoot, etc.

I am not very confident, but a possibility is that the camera cannot shoot without film. Could anyone give me information about it ?
I Had a MZ-5N years ago (with the mentionned lens), i'm pretty sure it shooted without film.

Thanks !

My PZ1 can focus (I think) without metering, it’s been a while since I used it

Ausable · 03-03-2021, 09:24 PM - **1 Like**

I have a PZ1p (Z1p) and everything (including metering, AF, shutter) works.

**UncleVanya** · 03-03-2021, 11:38 PM

Originally posted by Ausable

I have a PZ1p (Z1p) and everything (including metering, AF, shutter) works.

Ditto

wartaler · 03-06-2021, 02:09 PM

Yes it should normally work without film, but check the mode dial, make sure it's not at the PF_ setting ..

**mikesbike** · 03-07-2021, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Ausable

I have a PZ1p (Z1p) and everything (including metering, AF, shutter) works.

Ditto here too.

cgyed · 03-13-2021, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by mikesbike

Ditto here too.

Thanks for all the information.
It confirms that this Z1 has a serious trouble.

03-03-2021, 10:36 AM	#1
cgyed New Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 6	Pentax Z-1 : shooting without film ? Hello, I recently bought a pentax Z-1 "as is". With a new battery, a lens (28-70mm f/2.8 Sigma), but no film inside, the lcd display works, and is able to get the information from the lens (auto, etc.). There is no other working feature : no auto-focus, no information in the viewfinder, no shoot, etc. I am not very confident, but a possibility is that the camera cannot shoot without film. Could anyone give me information about it ? I Had a MZ-5N years ago (with the mentionned lens), i'm pretty sure it shooted without film. Thanks !

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03-03-2021, 11:00 AM - 1 Like	#2
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,223	If you open the back door, then close it again, does it try to wind? It should make a bit of noise as it tries to load film. If not, there’s your problem... -Eric

03-03-2021, 02:23 PM	#3
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Here is a link to a copy of the Z-1/PZ-1 camera manual: https://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_pdf/pentax_pz-1.pdf Phil.

03-03-2021, 03:30 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by cgyed Hello, I recently bought a pentax Z-1 "as is". With a new battery, a lens (28-70mm f/2.8 Sigma), but no film inside, the lcd display works, and is able to get the information from the lens (auto, etc.). There is no other working feature : no auto-focus, no information in the viewfinder, no shoot, etc. I am not very confident, but a possibility is that the camera cannot shoot without film. Could anyone give me information about it ? I Had a MZ-5N years ago (with the mentionned lens), i'm pretty sure it shooted without film. Thanks ! My PZ1 can focus (I think) without metering, it’s been a while since I used it

03-03-2021, 09:24 PM - 1 Like	#5
Ausable Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 149	I have a PZ1p (Z1p) and everything (including metering, AF, shutter) works.

03-03-2021, 11:38 PM	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by Ausable I have a PZ1p (Z1p) and everything (including metering, AF, shutter) works. Ditto

03-06-2021, 02:09 PM	#7
wartaler New Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 4	Yes it should normally work without film, but check the mode dial, make sure it's not at the PF_ setting ..

03-07-2021, 10:17 PM	#8
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,558	Originally posted by Ausable I have a PZ1p (Z1p) and everything (including metering, AF, shutter) works. Ditto here too.

03-13-2021, 09:19 AM	#9
cgyed New Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikesbike Ditto here too. Thanks for all the information. It confirms that this Z1 has a serious trouble.