Film Camera that is like modern SLRs??

**landofcourtness** · 10-30-2018, 10:18 PM

Hello,

This may seem like a silly question... but I was wondering if there happen to be a Pentax camera that handles similarly to a DSLR?? Not just a film camera suggestion, but something that has some of the handling as well (scroll wheel(s), AF, etc). I realize that there are many features that are 'digital' in nature. Not asking for it to be like my K-1 or K-5...

For context, I have a K1000, Super ME, and ZX-5 (does give AF above)... but I was allowed to play a bit with a Canon EOS 1, and really felt like it had modern controls... a bit more quality. Was trying to think if Pentax made something similar??

yucafrita · 10-30-2018, 10:26 PM

The camera which would be most close is the MZ-S, I guess. At least for me, it handles this way. Next would be Z-1(P) although the design looks quite different (1990s smooth edged plastic).

**david94903** · 10-30-2018, 10:36 PM

The PZ-1 was the last film camera I bought. And I'd say it'd be a good candidate for what you're asking about. If it wasn't using film in lieu of a sensor, I'd say it pretty much fits the bill of a DSLR.

**pentaxus** · 10-30-2018, 10:40 PM

My daughter has a PZ-1 that she uses for film because the controls are like the K-10 and K-50 she uses for digital.

Andrea K · 10-31-2018, 01:13 AM

Z-1(p)

pschlute · 10-31-2018, 01:32 AM

I still have my Z-1 that I used in the 1990's. Z-1 / PZ-1 | The K-Mount Page

You will recognise the front and rear scroll wheels. Exposure modes : P (Hyper-P); Tv; Av; M (Hyper-M). The P mode has the Hyper-P mode that we still recognise today, so switch from P mode to Tv or Av mode by simply turning front or rear dial.

08amczb · 10-31-2018, 01:44 AM

The PZ-1p (Z-1p) has the two dials and the basic Pentax specific features, AF, modern metering. I really like it. The MZ-S is also good, but that needs aperture ring on the lens, so I do not consider that similar to a DSLR.
The main features of the PZ-1p is the two dials, AF-S and AF-C, green button, HyperP, HyperManual mode, 1/250s flash sync.

Not a Number · 10-31-2018, 04:28 AM

Any of the last generation AF film bodies like the Canon EOS-1V, Konica./Minolta Dynax/Maxxuum 9, or Nikon F401x will have most of the familiar features that were carried over to DSLRs.

Let's not forget the Pentax *ist.

Pentax *ist - Pentax Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

brofkand · 10-31-2018, 04:58 AM

The Z-1p is probably the closest to DSLR controls - it has two control dials. The MZ-S is the youngest pro SLR, but doesn't really handle like a DSLR - it uses the lens aperture ring.

**hyyz** · 10-31-2018, 05:54 AM

Z-1p (Pz-1p) for sure. I think Pentax DSLR borrowed the design of its controls.

**UncleVanya** · 10-31-2018, 06:56 AM

I'm a huge fan of the PZ/Z-1(& PZ-1p). The things that aren't great: doesn't have a battery grip option, just a passive grip which is rare. Uses non rechargeable uncommon battery. Has a plastic bottom plate that cracks. Uses an obtuse system of pf functions to control some features rather than an easy to read menu. I think there are 17 of these on the PZ-1 and while they are not things that you are likely to change every time you shoot; I used to carry a laminated cheat card in my camera bag just to know what did what in case I wanted to change one*. I think it has a single focus point.

The pros are already well covered.

* one example was how to handle the film rewind (leaderless - fully retract film into canister, or leader outside - useful for changing to a different Film mid-roll.)

johnha · 10-31-2018, 10:41 AM

The Z-1(p) is easily the closest. The double dial interface was copied from it to the DSLRs, it includes the exposure "number-line" (for exposure compensation, auto-bracketing etc.), the green button (named the 'IF' button). Each mode works independently and can be combined i.e. from HyperManual you can press the IF button (sets the program line), press AE lock (locks the EV combination) and then spin either dial to enter temporary Tv/Av based on the locked EV value. Or with Auto-bracketing set - move all of the exposures up/down the number-line with exposure compensation.

It also supports non-A lenses with it's non-crippled mount.

Astro-Baby · 11-07-2018, 04:08 PM

The Canon T90 was the last SLR I used that had DSLR style controls, thumbwheels, LCD screen etc but it was a bit of a pig and I have read they haven't aged well as the electronics tend to fail with age and they are near impossible to fix. Sorry - I know the OP was asking for a Pentax that was DSLR like. Personally I always wanted a DSLR that was more like an SLR in its controls and especially with regards too stops and speeds

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-07-2018, 07:07 PM

Around the time film SLRs started becoming like DSLRs I began losing interest in cameras and then photography.

Chris

ctrout · 11-07-2018, 10:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Around the time film SLRs started becoming like DSLRs I began losing interest in cameras and then photography.

Chris

Ironically, these are the ones that got me back into film photography. I think that the closest you will find is the Canon EOS 1v. I have one and I LOVE it!

10-30-2018, 10:18 PM	#1
landofcourtness Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Film Camera that is like modern SLRs?? Hello, This may seem like a silly question... but I was wondering if there happen to be a Pentax camera that handles similarly to a DSLR?? Not just a film camera suggestion, but something that has some of the handling as well (scroll wheel(s), AF, etc). I realize that there are many features that are 'digital' in nature. Not asking for it to be like my K-1 or K-5... For context, I have a K1000, Super ME, and ZX-5 (does give AF above)... but I was allowed to play a bit with a Canon EOS 1, and really felt like it had modern controls... a bit more quality. Was trying to think if Pentax made something similar??

10-31-2018, 01:13 AM	#5
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Z-1(p) Last edited by Andrea K; 11-05-2018 at 02:39 AM.

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10-30-2018, 10:26 PM	#2
yucafrita Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 459	The camera which would be most close is the MZ-S, I guess. At least for me, it handles this way. Next would be Z-1(P) although the design looks quite different (1990s smooth edged plastic).

10-30-2018, 10:36 PM	#3
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	The PZ-1 was the last film camera I bought. And I'd say it'd be a good candidate for what you're asking about. If it wasn't using film in lieu of a sensor, I'd say it pretty much fits the bill of a DSLR.

10-30-2018, 10:40 PM	#4
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	My daughter has a PZ-1 that she uses for film because the controls are like the K-10 and K-50 she uses for digital.

10-31-2018, 01:32 AM	#6
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	I still have my Z-1 that I used in the 1990's. Z-1 / PZ-1 \| The K-Mount Page You will recognise the front and rear scroll wheels. Exposure modes : P (Hyper-P); Tv; Av; M (Hyper-M). The P mode has the Hyper-P mode that we still recognise today, so switch from P mode to Tv or Av mode by simply turning front or rear dial.

10-31-2018, 01:44 AM	#7
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	The PZ-1p (Z-1p) has the two dials and the basic Pentax specific features, AF, modern metering. I really like it. The MZ-S is also good, but that needs aperture ring on the lens, so I do not consider that similar to a DSLR. The main features of the PZ-1p is the two dials, AF-S and AF-C, green button, HyperP, HyperManual mode, 1/250s flash sync.

10-31-2018, 04:28 AM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Any of the last generation AF film bodies like the Canon EOS-1V, Konica./Minolta Dynax/Maxxuum 9, or Nikon F401x will have most of the familiar features that were carried over to DSLRs. Let's not forget the Pentax ist. Pentax ist - Pentax Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

10-31-2018, 04:58 AM	#9
brofkand Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836	The Z-1p is probably the closest to DSLR controls - it has two control dials. The MZ-S is the youngest pro SLR, but doesn't really handle like a DSLR - it uses the lens aperture ring.

10-31-2018, 05:54 AM	#10
hyyz Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 478	Z-1p (Pz-1p) for sure. I think Pentax DSLR borrowed the design of its controls.

10-31-2018, 06:56 AM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	I'm a huge fan of the PZ/Z-1(& PZ-1p). The things that aren't great: doesn't have a battery grip option, just a passive grip which is rare. Uses non rechargeable uncommon battery. Has a plastic bottom plate that cracks. Uses an obtuse system of pf functions to control some features rather than an easy to read menu. I think there are 17 of these on the PZ-1 and while they are not things that you are likely to change every time you shoot; I used to carry a laminated cheat card in my camera bag just to know what did what in case I wanted to change one. I think it has a single focus point. The pros are already well covered. one example was how to handle the film rewind (leaderless - fully retract film into canister, or leader outside - useful for changing to a different Film mid-roll.)

10-31-2018, 10:41 AM	#12
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	The Z-1(p) is easily the closest. The double dial interface was copied from it to the DSLRs, it includes the exposure "number-line" (for exposure compensation, auto-bracketing etc.), the green button (named the 'IF' button). Each mode works independently and can be combined i.e. from HyperManual you can press the IF button (sets the program line), press AE lock (locks the EV combination) and then spin either dial to enter temporary Tv/Av based on the locked EV value. Or with Auto-bracketing set - move all of the exposures up/down the number-line with exposure compensation. It also supports non-A lenses with it's non-crippled mount.

11-07-2018, 04:08 PM	#13
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	The Canon T90 was the last SLR I used that had DSLR style controls, thumbwheels, LCD screen etc but it was a bit of a pig and I have read they haven't aged well as the electronics tend to fail with age and they are near impossible to fix. Sorry - I know the OP was asking for a Pentax that was DSLR like. Personally I always wanted a DSLR that was more like an SLR in its controls and especially with regards too stops and speeds

11-07-2018, 07:07 PM	#14
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Around the time film SLRs started becoming like DSLRs I began losing interest in cameras and then photography. Chris

11-07-2018, 10:26 PM - 1 Like	#15
ctrout Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 444	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Around the time film SLRs started becoming like DSLRs I began losing interest in cameras and then photography. Chris Ironically, these are the ones that got me back into film photography. I think that the closest you will find is the Canon EOS 1v. I have one and I LOVE it!