Originally posted by Rmpjr7 Hi all!
I want to buy a Pentax auto focus film body and ideally want to spend $125 or less. I have been thinking about the PZ-1 and would like opinions about that or other alternatives. I shoot mostly in aperture priority-very seldom in P or auto mode.
I would like to shoot B&W, and occasional color, but mostly B&W.
Thank you for your help.
Bob
The PZ-1, PZ-1p cameras are great but they usually go for more than $125. The ZX (MZ) series are great but which to buy depends on your preferences. I have both the MZ-5n and the MZ-7. The MZ-5n has a great huge viewfinder, manual dials for most functions but you have to have lenses with apeture rings to use apeture priority. From your signature, that doesn't seem to be a problem but something to keep in mind.
The MZ-7 has scene modes and is generally geared toward the consumer market but it does control apeture electronically so you can use DA and FA J lenses with no apeture ring. The MZ-7 goes for less money in general.
I am about to put one of each of these bodies on e-bay but would consider selling on this forum if you are interested. Shoot me a PM.
PS: I find the focusing on these cameras to be very good as long as you remember that they will not focus on a horizontal line of detail. The focus sensors only see vertical lines. The newer bodies added cross focus sensors so that they can focus on horizontal detail as well. Ironically, I find that the PZ-1p focuses faster than my K100D using the same lenses, as long as you remember the limitation above.