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01-07-2017, 02:34 PM - 1 Like   #1
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Pentax MZ-S is it worth getting?

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I'm looking for a good 35mm film camera, and always wanted the MZ-S camera back when it released, too expensive for me back then, and had to settle with a Mz-5, loved the camera and use it a lot, specially in panoramic mode, since I was a film student back then.

So I want to know if it's worth getting one now? They're pretty cheap and I have a few old lenses, the only one good is a Tamron 14mm that was about $1,200 CDN back then.
Is the battery still being made and easy to find? Which battery uses? And which are the best lenses I can use with it?

This were all taken with the MZ-5 and positive film.
Travel and Landscape | Flickr
WRC 2005 | Flickr

Thanks in advanced for any info.


Last edited by Pablo Villegas; 01-07-2017 at 02:41 PM.
01-07-2017, 02:45 PM - 2 Likes   #2
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It's certainly not a bad camera. It takes 2 x CR2 batteries which are easy to find.

I prefer the PZ-1P, as it's compatible with lenses that don't have aperture rings, is easier to configure, reaches a higher max shutter speed and flash sync speed, but lacks the cool exposure imprinting features and weight-reduction of the MZ-S. They're truly cameras from different eras.
01-07-2017, 02:50 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by lithedreamer Quote
It's certainly not a bad camera. It takes 2 x CR2 batteries which are easy to find.

I prefer the PZ-1P, as it's compatible with lenses that don't have aperture rings, is easier to configure, reaches a higher max shutter speed and flash sync speed, but lacks the cool exposure imprinting features and weight-reduction of the MZ-S. They're truly cameras from different eras.
Thanks! Those CR2 batteries are getting harder to find and expensive, my Mamiya 645 PRO TL uses that one.

I'm sorry, the Pentax I have is the ZX-5, just checked, I think I'll return to use that one. But I always wanted the MZ-S, still looks incredible.
01-07-2017, 02:53 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pablo Villegas Quote
Thanks! Those CR2 batteries are getting harder to find and expensive, my Mamiya 645 PRO TL uses that one.

I'm sorry, the Pentax I have is the ZX-5, just checked, I think I'll return to use that one. But I always wanted the MZ-S, still looks incredible.
I won't begrudge you how expensive they are, other than that they'll probably last you a year or more, making them cheaper than film, but they're all over Amazon, if that's an option for you.

01-07-2017, 03:00 PM - 2 Likes   #5
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Worth mentioning: rechargeable CR2s are available these days. They're not prohibitively expensive. I've used a pair in my ZX5n without problems.
01-07-2017, 03:00 PM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by lithedreamer Quote
I won't begrudge you how expensive they are, other than that they'll probably last you a year or more, making them cheaper than film, but they're all over Amazon, if that's an option for you.
Thanks, yeah Amazon is an option, unless I'm in a hurry, it takes about 3 weeks to get here on the cheap shipping option, the most expensive gets here fast, but it's about $50 bucks. And most people selling them won't ship to Mexico, where I live.

I still haven't found the DLi90 battery in Amazon, that ships to Mexico, and buying one here with Pentax is very expensive, about $100 USD. So, I only have one battery for my Pentax 645D.
01-07-2017, 03:01 PM - 2 Likes   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pablo Villegas Quote
Thanks, yeah Amazon is an option, unless I'm in a hurry, it takes about 3 weeks to get here on the cheap shipping option, the most expensive gets here fast, but it's about $50 bucks. And most people selling them won't ship to Mexico, where I live.

I still haven't found the DLi90 battery in Amazon, that ships to Mexico, and buying one here with Pentax is very expensive, about $100 USD. So, I only have one battery for my Pentax 645D.
Ouch, that does make Amazon a whole lot less convenient. I think rechargable CR2s are worth looking into, then. I have rechargable batteries for my PZ-1P. The only problem is finding the charger, with how rarely I need to charge it.

01-07-2017, 03:11 PM   #8
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Thanks, yeah, I'll look for a CR2 charger with batteries in the Mexican eBay.

Which are the best lenses that will fit the Mz-S? I'll need a normal and a short tele for portraits.
01-07-2017, 03:15 PM - 2 Likes   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pablo Villegas Quote
Thanks, yeah, I'll look for a CR2 charger with batteries in the Mexican eBay.

Which are the best lenses that will fit the Mz-S? I'll need a normal and a short tele for portraits.
Any K-mount lens with an aperture ring will fit. I quite like the FA Limited 43mm and FA Limited 77mm. Small, fairly fast, great rendering.
01-07-2017, 03:22 PM - 1 Like   #10
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It's worth getting; contrary to lithedreamer, I prefer it to the PZ-1. I have less experience with the PZ-1, but I prefer the MZ-S size and shape, and the autofocus capabilities are quite a bit better.

If you got this crazy deal on Ebay, it would definitely be worth it:

Pentax MZ-S 35mm SLR Film Camera and 50mm f1.4 lens eBayv 27075050488 | eBay
01-07-2017, 03:25 PM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by leekil Quote
It's worth getting; contrary to lithedreamer, I prefer it to the PZ-1. I have less experience with the PZ-1, but I prefer the MZ-S size and shape, and the autofocus capabilities are quite a bit better.

If you got this crazy deal on Ebay, it would definitely be worth it:

Pentax MZ-S 35mm SLR Film Camera and 50mm f1.4 lens eBayv 27075050488 | eBay
That's funny you should say that. I found the AF so much worse on the MZ-S as compared to the PZ-1p that I refused to use the AF at all. It was positively awful. The PZ-1p's AF seems comparable to my K-30's, if not as good as my K-1's.
01-07-2017, 03:28 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by leekil Quote
If you got this crazy deal on Ebay, it would definitely be worth it:
Oh, man! Someone did incredibly well.


Steve
01-07-2017, 03:39 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by lithedreamer Quote
Any K-mount lens with an aperture ring will fit. I quite like the FA Limited 43mm and FA Limited 77mm. Small, fairly fast, great rendering.
Thanks, I'll look for them.

---------- Post added 01-07-17 at 04:58 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by lithedreamer Quote
Any K-mount lens with an aperture ring will fit. I quite like the FA Limited 43mm and FA Limited 77mm. Small, fairly fast, great rendering.

Wow, those lenses are expensive, as much as Pentax 645 FA lenses.
01-07-2017, 03:58 PM - 2 Likes   #14
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Why does the mz-s require an aperture ring, is it to have Av or it doesn't work at all otherwise? I have a super program and with DA lenses it works in Tv and P (they're not called like that though...).

I haven't seen cr2 batteries in regular stores, but amazon and photo stores have them at reasonable prices. And with instax cameras being so popular (that's why I need cr2 batteries) I think they're going to become more common.

edit: Nice wrc pictures!
01-07-2017, 04:04 PM - 3 Likes   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by aaacb Quote
Why does the mz-s require an aperture ring, is it to have Av or it doesn't work at all otherwise? I have a super program and with DA lenses it works in Tv and P (they're not called like that though...).

I haven't seen cr2 batteries in regular stores, but amazon and photo stores have them at reasonable prices. And with instax cameras being so popular (that's why I need cr2 batteries) I think they're going to become more common.

edit: Nice wrc pictures!
It works the same way as your Super Program, Tv and P only.

---------- Post added 01-07-17 at 03:27 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Pablo Villegas Quote
Thanks, I'll look for them.

---------- Post added 01-07-17 at 04:58 PM ----------




Wow, those lenses are expensive, as much as Pentax 645 FA lenses.
I guess? They're much cheaper than the D-FA zooms, but hold their own against them in the professional and amateur work I do. You asked for the 'best glass', after all. If you want a cheaper alternative to FA 43, there are plenty of great 50mm lenses out there. There's not a great alternative to the FA Limited 77mm that's less expensive (just a few that are more expensive, like the FA* 85mm).

This is actually part of the reason I like using the PZ-1p instead, as it lets me use newer glass without aperture rings in aperture priority. I know some people think it's too sharp, but I think if you can control the lighting, the D-FA 100mm Macro is an excellent value.
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