Anyone using a Z-1 or Z-1p?

6BQ5 · 08-28-2015, 07:01 AM

I'm thinking of upgrading from my PZ-20 to a Z-1 or Z-1p. Does anyone here actively use one of these Z's? The online reviews here seem very favorable.

Also, I'd like to hear opinions on how much of a step up the Z is to the PZ-20 I have now.

Thanks!

bscott · 08-28-2015, 07:08 AM

I used a PZ-1P before using a K3 and I always enjoyed the PZ-1P. It is easy to use, light, small, and I never had any problems and I did drop mine on a couple occasions.

**blackcloudbrew** · 08-28-2015, 07:15 AM

I don't know the PZ-20 but my PZ-1p has gotten a lot of use. Takes a while to learn the camera but as it was a flagship camera in it's day, it works very well. I think I may have two bodies...

Dean Bradshaw · 08-28-2015, 07:16 AM

Not yet, but soon. I literally just took delivery of one today, a Z-1P.
Just been working through the manual on the couch tonight, loaded the first film, but yet to press the shutter!
Certainly a comprehensive range of modes and settings...included some weird options if you have a power zoom lens...
If I manage to use it in the next few days I'll update with my impressions...though I'm currently not (yet) a film shooter, so no comparisons to make.
Cheers
Dean

**UncleVanya** · 08-28-2015, 08:03 AM

That is my favorite film body. I love that it packed full autofocus all the exposure goodies and a reasonable motor drive in such a package. Big hands love the camera. Try to get or make a PF functions card there are 17 or so settings the camera displays as numbers that affect operations. They came with a laminated card to make it easy to use.

sbc · 08-28-2015, 08:54 AM

Z-1 and Z-1p are the only Pentax SLR with 1/250sec sync!

Plaidshirt · 08-28-2015, 10:45 AM

I've got a Z-1p and ergonomically it's the best camera I've ever used. The 1/8000 shutter speed is pretty handy.

Last edited by Plaidshirt; 08-28-2015 at 01:51 PM.

manntax · 08-28-2015, 10:53 AM - **1 Like**

I got two of those. one use with AF lenses and one with manual lenses. Terrific camera, especially great with super rare grip

Originally posted by Plaidshirt

I've got a Z-1p and ergonomically it's the best camera I've ever used. The 1/6000 shutter speed is pretty handy.

1/8000th

rob1234 · 08-28-2015, 11:21 AM

My main film camera - absolutely fantastic, if slightly bulky (especial with Grip Fd).

vrolok · 08-28-2015, 11:38 AM - **1 Like**

Love it.

---------- Post added 08-28-15 at 08:40 PM ----------

Originally posted by manntax

I got two of those. one use with AF lenses and one with manual lenses. Terrific camera, especially great with super rare grip

1/8000th

I'm trying hard to find its grip... very very rare indeed.

---------- Post added 08-28-15 at 08:43 PM ----------

My two favorite 35mm film cameras...

**boriscleto** · 08-28-2015, 11:44 AM

There's a PZ-1 on shopgoodwill ending tomorrow. No bids...

**UncleVanya** · 08-28-2015, 12:06 PM

Contrast control flash with onboard flash and the AF330FTZ was awesome. Much better than anything I have used since. Shadows eliminated gentle lighting... and the 330 lacks bounce.

Dipsoid · 08-28-2015, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

There's a PZ-1 on shopgoodwill ending tomorrow. No bids...

wow, great deal if you grab that one.

The PZ-1/PZ-1P is built like a tank, reliable, comfortable, and packed with features. It's amazing camera, just do it.

Plaidshirt · 08-28-2015, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by manntax

I got two of those. one use with AF lenses and one with manual lenses. Terrific camera, especially great with super rare grip

1/8000th

Ha ha even better! Thanks, I fixed my post so I don't confuse anyone. Don't want to undersell the P-Z1p.

wkraus · 08-29-2015, 09:09 AM

There has been enough praise so no need to repeat what has been said before, although I agree 100%. Issues you might want to avoid: the bottom plate tends to break near the battery door. I had mine replaced after heavy use years ago and the new one broke again. Functionally this is irrelevant but if you can get a body with the bottom plate intact it is much nicer. And the major design shortcoming that comes to my mind (otherwise I find it just perfect): the viewfinder window is not a coated glass lens but a piece of plastic that is just glued in. Mine came off after about 25 years of use; I replaced it with a M -1 correction lens that I had ground to the right shape by an optometrist--now the finder is better than ever.

08-28-2015, 07:01 AM	#1
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Anyone using a Z-1 or Z-1p? I'm thinking of upgrading from my PZ-20 to a Z-1 or Z-1p. Does anyone here actively use one of these Z's? The online reviews here seem very favorable. Also, I'd like to hear opinions on how much of a step up the Z is to the PZ-20 I have now. Thanks!

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08-28-2015, 07:08 AM	#2
bscott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 482	I used a PZ-1P before using a K3 and I always enjoyed the PZ-1P. It is easy to use, light, small, and I never had any problems and I did drop mine on a couple occasions.

08-28-2015, 07:15 AM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	I don't know the PZ-20 but my PZ-1p has gotten a lot of use. Takes a while to learn the camera but as it was a flagship camera in it's day, it works very well. I think I may have two bodies...

08-28-2015, 07:16 AM	#4
Dean Bradshaw Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 322	Not yet, but soon. I literally just took delivery of one today, a Z-1P. Just been working through the manual on the couch tonight, loaded the first film, but yet to press the shutter! Certainly a comprehensive range of modes and settings...included some weird options if you have a power zoom lens... If I manage to use it in the next few days I'll update with my impressions...though I'm currently not (yet) a film shooter, so no comparisons to make. Cheers Dean

08-28-2015, 08:03 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	That is my favorite film body. I love that it packed full autofocus all the exposure goodies and a reasonable motor drive in such a package. Big hands love the camera. Try to get or make a PF functions card there are 17 or so settings the camera displays as numbers that affect operations. They came with a laminated card to make it easy to use.

08-28-2015, 08:54 AM	#6
sbc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Photos: Albums Posts: 357	Z-1 and Z-1p are the only Pentax SLR with 1/250sec sync!

08-28-2015, 10:45 AM	#7
Plaidshirt Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 29	I've got a Z-1p and ergonomically it's the best camera I've ever used. The 1/8000 shutter speed is pretty handy. Last edited by Plaidshirt; 08-28-2015 at 01:51 PM.

08-28-2015, 10:53 AM - 1 Like	#8
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	I got two of those. one use with AF lenses and one with manual lenses. Terrific camera, especially great with super rare grip Originally posted by Plaidshirt I've got a Z-1p and ergonomically it's the best camera I've ever used. The 1/6000 shutter speed is pretty handy. 1/8000th

08-28-2015, 11:21 AM	#9
rob1234 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wiltshire/Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 1,760	My main film camera - absolutely fantastic, if slightly bulky (especial with Grip Fd).

08-28-2015, 11:38 AM - 1 Like	#10
vrolok Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Caesaraugusta Posts: 104	Love it. ---------- Post added 08-28-15 at 08:40 PM ---------- Originally posted by manntax I got two of those. one use with AF lenses and one with manual lenses. Terrific camera, especially great with super rare grip 1/8000th I'm trying hard to find its grip... very very rare indeed. ---------- Post added 08-28-15 at 08:43 PM ---------- My two favorite 35mm film cameras...

08-28-2015, 11:44 AM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	There's a PZ-1 on shopgoodwill ending tomorrow. No bids...

08-28-2015, 12:06 PM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Contrast control flash with onboard flash and the AF330FTZ was awesome. Much better than anything I have used since. Shadows eliminated gentle lighting... and the 330 lacks bounce.

08-28-2015, 01:16 PM	#13
Dipsoid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 241	Originally posted by boriscleto There's a PZ-1 on shopgoodwill ending tomorrow. No bids... wow, great deal if you grab that one. The PZ-1/PZ-1P is built like a tank, reliable, comfortable, and packed with features. It's amazing camera, just do it.

08-28-2015, 01:53 PM	#14
Plaidshirt Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 29	Originally posted by manntax I got two of those. one use with AF lenses and one with manual lenses. Terrific camera, especially great with super rare grip 1/8000th Ha ha even better! Thanks, I fixed my post so I don't confuse anyone. Don't want to undersell the P-Z1p.

08-29-2015, 09:09 AM	#15
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,065	There has been enough praise so no need to repeat what has been said before, although I agree 100%. Issues you might want to avoid: the bottom plate tends to break near the battery door. I had mine replaced after heavy use years ago and the new one broke again. Functionally this is irrelevant but if you can get a body with the bottom plate intact it is much nicer. And the major design shortcoming that comes to my mind (otherwise I find it just perfect): the viewfinder window is not a coated glass lens but a piece of plastic that is just glued in. Mine came off after about 25 years of use; I replaced it with a M -1 correction lens that I had ground to the right shape by an optometrist--now the finder is better than ever.