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Andi Lo · 03-07-2009, 12:44 PM

I just got my MZ-L and I know I should be out there shooting instead of measurebating but I just can't help asking =) Which pentax 35mm film cameras have the brightest, biggest viewfinder? I had the MZ-M for a brief period before selling it new and that viewfinder feels like it dwarfs my MZ-L. Spec wise the MZ-M is only slightly better than the MZ-L so I'm guessing it's not all about the specs.

I'm guessing the viewfinder on MZ-L is not as good because pentax doesnt think an autofocus body needs MF capabilities... are the manual bodies all as good or better than the MZ-M? Thanks for the answers in advance =)

k100d · 03-07-2009, 02:04 PM

the weakness of the ZX-L (besides the plastic construction) is the viewfinder. it is small, the eye relief isn't that great, and not that bright. the pentaprisms of the MZ-5n and MZ-S are better.

i think the best is the MX, with a 95% coverage 95% magnification viewfinder. i have a ME Super which is supposed almost as big and the LX is right up there too.

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 03-07-2009, 02:20 PM

I've said it before. Whenever I shift suddenly from one of the DSLRs (K20D, *istDS) to one of the 70-80's film bodies (MX, LX, Super-A) I almost get vertigo.

Wheatfield · 03-07-2009, 02:45 PM

The LX and MX probably are the best finders Pentax has made, with the ME-Super not far behind.

**Digitalis** · 03-07-2009, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

The LX and MX probably are the best finders Pentax has made, with the ME-Super not far behind.

I second that.

frank · 03-07-2009, 09:01 PM

Holding my MX camera right now, with a 50/1.7 lens mounted. Oh man, that viewfinder is big and bright! I don't care too much about its film winder, but just the viewfinder alone would allure me over

Stevopedia · 03-07-2009, 09:33 PM

I can discern no difference between the size and brightness of the viewfinders on my ME Super and KX. But I prefer the KX viewfinder because it shows shutter speed AND aperture info

Andi Lo · 03-08-2009, 08:54 AM

Thanks for the answers everyone =) Now I kinda know which direction I should go if I'm to get a manual focus body

**ChrisPlatt** · 03-08-2009, 09:18 AM

Bigger and brighter isn't necessarily better.
I find my K-series cameras easier to focus than my M-series cameras, especially in bright light.
The focus just seems to "snap in" more decisively...

Chris

jgredline · 03-08-2009, 01:25 PM

I love the view finder in my ME SUPER. Wish my DSLR's had that!

Pumalite · 03-08-2009, 05:52 PM

I agree with the comments above: K1000, ME Super

8540tomg · 03-08-2009, 05:54 PM

I own three Pentax cameras and just did a viewfinder comparison test with the same lens. I tried my M 50mm 1.4 on the K2, K10 digital and MX. If I had to pick one viewfinder I preferred from this group it would be the MX. It is brighter than either the K2 or K10 and I always loved the aperture window.

Tom G

03-07-2009, 12:44 PM	#1
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	The best viewfinder... I just got my MZ-L and I know I should be out there shooting instead of measurebating but I just can't help asking =) Which pentax 35mm film cameras have the brightest, biggest viewfinder? I had the MZ-M for a brief period before selling it new and that viewfinder feels like it dwarfs my MZ-L. Spec wise the MZ-M is only slightly better than the MZ-L so I'm guessing it's not all about the specs. I'm guessing the viewfinder on MZ-L is not as good because pentax doesnt think an autofocus body needs MF capabilities... are the manual bodies all as good or better than the MZ-M? Thanks for the answers in advance =)

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03-07-2009, 02:04 PM	#2
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	the weakness of the ZX-L (besides the plastic construction) is the viewfinder. it is small, the eye relief isn't that great, and not that bright. the pentaprisms of the MZ-5n and MZ-S are better. i think the best is the MX, with a 95% coverage 95% magnification viewfinder. i have a ME Super which is supposed almost as big and the LX is right up there too.

03-07-2009, 02:20 PM	#3
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	I've said it before. Whenever I shift suddenly from one of the DSLRs (K20D, *istDS) to one of the 70-80's film bodies (MX, LX, Super-A) I almost get vertigo.

03-07-2009, 02:45 PM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	The LX and MX probably are the best finders Pentax has made, with the ME-Super not far behind.

03-07-2009, 05:18 PM	#5
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	Originally posted by Wheatfield The LX and MX probably are the best finders Pentax has made, with the ME-Super not far behind. I second that.

03-07-2009, 09:01 PM	#6
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Holding my MX camera right now, with a 50/1.7 lens mounted. Oh man, that viewfinder is big and bright! I don't care too much about its film winder, but just the viewfinder alone would allure me over

03-07-2009, 09:33 PM	#7
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	I can discern no difference between the size and brightness of the viewfinders on my ME Super and KX. But I prefer the KX viewfinder because it shows shutter speed AND aperture info

03-08-2009, 08:54 AM	#8
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924 Original Poster	Thanks for the answers everyone =) Now I kinda know which direction I should go if I'm to get a manual focus body

03-08-2009, 09:18 AM	#9
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Bigger and brighter isn't necessarily better. I find my K-series cameras easier to focus than my M-series cameras, especially in bright light. The focus just seems to "snap in" more decisively... Chris

03-08-2009, 01:25 PM	#10
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I love the view finder in my ME SUPER. Wish my DSLR's had that!

03-08-2009, 05:52 PM	#11
Pumalite Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 80	I agree with the comments above: K1000, ME Super

03-08-2009, 05:54 PM	#12
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	I own three Pentax cameras and just did a viewfinder comparison test with the same lens. I tried my M 50mm 1.4 on the K2, K10 digital and MX. If I had to pick one viewfinder I preferred from this group it would be the MX. It is brighter than either the K2 or K10 and I always loved the aperture window. Tom G

The best viewfinder...

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