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jschoonj · 11-27-2019, 05:26 AM

Hi everyone,

I just bought a Pentax MZ-S and noticed the film door on the left hand side of the camera isn't what I'd describe a very close fit.

I can press down on the door when it's in it's closed position, and you can physically feel the door going down, as well as see a bit of travel.
Is this common on the MZ-S and is it just constructed this way? I've yet to put through any film and check if it would cause any light leaks.

Thank you guys in advance for your input!

Cheers,

Joni.

**ismaelg** · 11-27-2019, 05:37 AM

How are the light seals? Maybe they are deteriorated or missing causing it not to fit snugly.

Thanks,

jschoonj · 11-27-2019, 05:46 AM

There’s just those two small ones on the top and bottom. They look comparable to what I find online.

Not a Number · 11-27-2019, 08:28 AM

My ZX/MZ-50 has no foam light seals on the body or data back except around the film cassette window. It uses light traps instead of foam seals.

Perhaps the catch is bent or broken. It is plastic on the both the door and body on the MZ-50.

jschoonj · 11-27-2019, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

My ZX/MZ-50 has no foam light seals on the body or data back except around the film cassette window. It uses light traps instead of foam seals.

Perhaps the catch is bent or broken. It is plastic on the both the door and body on the MZ-50.

Honestly the catch does not seem broken or bent. It’s just that there’s a bit of travel when pressing down.

The MZ-S is definitely more traps than foam seals, those two small ones are the only thing there. My Z-1 has traps on the back as well.

stevebrot · 11-27-2019, 11:20 AM

Many cameras will exhibit some give when the latch side of the door is pressed down. At least several on my shelf do. It is the seals doing their job be being springy.

Steve

Eyewanders · 11-27-2019, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by jschoonj

Honestly the catch does not seem broken or bent. It’s just that there’s a bit of travel when pressing down.

The MZ-S is definitely more traps than foam seals, those two small ones are the only thing there. My Z-1 has traps on the back as well.

How much travel is a "bit" of travel? Are you able to post a video with the door closed to demonstrate?
Mine also has a "bit" but we should quantify "bit".

Also, does that travel go away when a film is loaded?

Not a Number · 11-27-2019, 11:59 AM

There is almost no play at all on my MZ-50 when pressing on the door - less than the width of a hair off my head at most.

Try putting a small key chain LED light in the film cassette compartment and check for light leaks in a dark room or closet.

dsmithhfx · 11-27-2019, 01:06 PM

Run a film through it in strong sunlight. If it has no objectionable light leaks (i.e. that penetrate into the frame) then it's usable. Most of my bodies have light leaks, but none are show-stoppers. I could try to replace the light seals myself, but thus far it's not worth the bother (maybe it will come to that in future). Sending them out would cost more than I paid for them.

jschoonj · 11-27-2019, 01:09 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by chickentender

How much travel is a "bit" of travel? Are you able to post a video with the door closed to demonstrate?
Mine also has a "bit" but we should quantify "bit".

Also, does that travel go away when a film is loaded?

I've made a quick video to quantify

dsmithhfx · 11-27-2019, 01:15 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jschoonj

I've made a quick video to quantify

Looks within 'normal' parameters to me. The fact that it springs back means it is probably the foam light seals reacting to the pressure.

Eyewanders · 11-27-2019, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by dsmithhfx

Looks within 'normal' parameters to me. The fact that it springs back means it is probably the foam light seals reacting to the pressure.

I would agree.

Load and spool up a film cassette. 10 bucks says it nearly goes away. (At present it's really only a fraction more play than mine displays. Rest your weary head.)

And by the way, in case you weren't aware, you can set the camera to leave the leader out when rewinding (so you needn't worry about having to shoot the roll you load right now).

jschoonj · 11-27-2019, 01:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dsmithhfx

Looks within 'normal' parameters to me. The fact that it springs back means it is probably the foam light seals reacting to the pressure.

Originally posted by chickentender

I would agree.

Load and spool up a film cassette. 10 bucks says it nearly goes away. (At present it's really only a fraction more play than mine displays. Rest your weary head.)

And by the way, in case you weren't aware, you can set the camera to leave the leader out when rewinding (so you needn't worry about having to shoot the roll you load right now).

Thanks for the input you guys!
Will try not to overreact next time

**ismaelg** · 11-27-2019, 07:46 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jschoonj

Will try not to overreact next time

What fun would that be?

jschoonj · 11-28-2019, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by chickentender

And by the way, in case you weren't aware, you can set the camera to leave the leader out when rewinding (so you needn't worry about having to shoot the roll you load right now).

I noticed my Z-1 has this function as well.
Freaked me out the first time I opened it up and expected a fully rewound film cassette.

11-27-2019, 05:26 AM	#1
jschoonj Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Leuven Posts: 621	Pentax MZ-S film door (loose fit) Hi everyone, I just bought a Pentax MZ-S and noticed the film door on the left hand side of the camera isn't what I'd describe a very close fit. I can press down on the door when it's in it's closed position, and you can physically feel the door going down, as well as see a bit of travel. Is this common on the MZ-S and is it just constructed this way? I've yet to put through any film and check if it would cause any light leaks. Thank you guys in advance for your input! Cheers, Joni.

11-27-2019, 01:09 PM - 2 Likes	#10
jschoonj Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Leuven Posts: 621 Original Poster	Originally posted by chickentender How much travel is a "bit" of travel? Are you able to post a video with the door closed to demonstrate? Mine also has a "bit" but we should quantify "bit". Also, does that travel go away when a film is loaded? I've made a quick video to quantify Vimeo

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11-27-2019, 05:37 AM	#2
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	How are the light seals? Maybe they are deteriorated or missing causing it not to fit snugly. Thanks,

11-27-2019, 05:46 AM	#3
jschoonj Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Leuven Posts: 621 Original Poster	There’s just those two small ones on the top and bottom. They look comparable to what I find online.

11-27-2019, 08:28 AM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	My ZX/MZ-50 has no foam light seals on the body or data back except around the film cassette window. It uses light traps instead of foam seals. Perhaps the catch is bent or broken. It is plastic on the both the door and body on the MZ-50.

11-27-2019, 09:57 AM	#5
jschoonj Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Leuven Posts: 621 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number My ZX/MZ-50 has no foam light seals on the body or data back except around the film cassette window. It uses light traps instead of foam seals. Perhaps the catch is bent or broken. It is plastic on the both the door and body on the MZ-50. Honestly the catch does not seem broken or bent. It’s just that there’s a bit of travel when pressing down. The MZ-S is definitely more traps than foam seals, those two small ones are the only thing there. My Z-1 has traps on the back as well.

11-27-2019, 11:20 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Many cameras will exhibit some give when the latch side of the door is pressed down. At least several on my shelf do. It is the seals doing their job be being springy. Steve

11-27-2019, 11:23 AM	#7
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by jschoonj Honestly the catch does not seem broken or bent. It’s just that there’s a bit of travel when pressing down. The MZ-S is definitely more traps than foam seals, those two small ones are the only thing there. My Z-1 has traps on the back as well. How much travel is a "bit" of travel? Are you able to post a video with the door closed to demonstrate? Mine also has a "bit" but we should quantify "bit". Also, does that travel go away when a film is loaded?

11-27-2019, 11:59 AM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	There is almost no play at all on my MZ-50 when pressing on the door - less than the width of a hair off my head at most. Try putting a small key chain LED light in the film cassette compartment and check for light leaks in a dark room or closet.

11-27-2019, 01:06 PM	#9
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,154	Run a film through it in strong sunlight. If it has no objectionable light leaks (i.e. that penetrate into the frame) then it's usable. Most of my bodies have light leaks, but none are show-stoppers. I could try to replace the light seals myself, but thus far it's not worth the bother (maybe it will come to that in future). Sending them out would cost more than I paid for them.

11-27-2019, 01:15 PM - 2 Likes	#11
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,154	Originally posted by jschoonj I've made a quick video to quantify Looks within 'normal' parameters to me. The fact that it springs back means it is probably the foam light seals reacting to the pressure.

11-27-2019, 01:18 PM	#12
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by dsmithhfx Looks within 'normal' parameters to me. The fact that it springs back means it is probably the foam light seals reacting to the pressure. I would agree. Load and spool up a film cassette. 10 bucks says it nearly goes away. (At present it's really only a fraction more play than mine displays. Rest your weary head.) And by the way, in case you weren't aware, you can set the camera to leave the leader out when rewinding (so you needn't worry about having to shoot the roll you load right now).

11-27-2019, 01:38 PM - 1 Like	#13
jschoonj Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Leuven Posts: 621 Original Poster	Originally posted by dsmithhfx Looks within 'normal' parameters to me. The fact that it springs back means it is probably the foam light seals reacting to the pressure. Originally posted by chickentender I would agree. Load and spool up a film cassette. 10 bucks says it nearly goes away. (At present it's really only a fraction more play than mine displays. Rest your weary head.) And by the way, in case you weren't aware, you can set the camera to leave the leader out when rewinding (so you needn't worry about having to shoot the roll you load right now). Thanks for the input you guys! Will try not to overreact next time

11-27-2019, 07:46 PM - 2 Likes	#14
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by jschoonj Will try not to overreact next time What fun would that be?

11-28-2019, 02:17 AM	#15
jschoonj Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Leuven Posts: 621 Original Poster	Originally posted by chickentender And by the way, in case you weren't aware, you can set the camera to leave the leader out when rewinding (so you needn't worry about having to shoot the roll you load right now). I noticed my Z-1 has this function as well. Freaked me out the first time I opened it up and expected a fully rewound film cassette.

Pentax MZ-S film door (loose fit)

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