Need a new film body

Todd Adamson · 09-22-2011, 12:27 PM

My MX is OK, but issues are starting to crop up, and I don't feel like dealing with them right now. I'm generally happy shooting my Nikon F100...it's solid, dependable, and has become my go-to body. But I can't mount the FA77 to it, so I want another Pentax body. I've got an ME Super, too, but I want something a little newer, and I would prefer it be something inexpensive, so looking for recommendations.

I will be focusing manually, but an autofocus body would be fine, too, if it fits the bill. Main requirement: it has to mount not only the FA77, but also the Zeiss 35/2 (I'm not sure exactly where that mount fits in...?). Mounting M lenses would be cool, but not required. I'd really love something that rewound the film automatically, like the F100 does....better yet with an option to leave a bit of leader out, like the F4 does (is there any Pentax that does that?). Adjustable diopter would be nice, too.

Anything come to mind?

**boriscleto** · 09-22-2011, 12:39 PM

PZ-1 or PZ-1p? 1/250 flash sync, 1/8000 shutter speed. It's the series that introduced the FA. The mount is not crippled so you can use M lenses. You should be able to get one for $100 or less.

Pentax Z-1/PZ-1 - Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews - DSLR and Film SLR Database

Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p - Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews - DSLR and Film SLR Database

Todd Adamson · 09-22-2011, 12:47 PM

Sounds good, thanks. What's the difference between the PZ and the Z? And between having or not having the little p at the end of the name?

**blackcloudbrew** · 09-22-2011, 12:56 PM

No real difference between the z and PZ. The Z was sold in the US? and the PZ elsewhere or something like that. The little p stands for panoramic mode. That's where the shutter is closed in a bit to give a panoramic look to the 35mm image. It's funky. There is a lot of info on Pentax bodies and lenses here: Welcome to Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page

I will also say that there is a difference in functioning between the PZ-1 and PZ-1p menus too ( found that out in a quest for spare parts on my PZ-1p). If you are interested in a PZ-1p body PM me on that. I have a spare, boriscleto a bit under estimated the price of these though.

Oh, and it's a great camera for sure.

**boriscleto** · 09-22-2011, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

boriscleto a bit under estimated the price of these though.

On the PZ-1p maybe, but check out the completed listings on ebay. A PZ-1 sold for $75 and a PZ-1p sold for $150. A PZ-1 with a FA100-300, FA28-105, AF500FTZ flash, and other extras sold for $150. Another PZ-1p failed to meet its reserve (Buy it now for $199) and a PZ-1 failed to sell for $100.

Nesster · 09-22-2011, 01:44 PM

something a bit cheaper - maybe - Pentax MZ-6/MZ-L/ZX-L
my recollection is that there is an option to leave the leader out on rewind, but I don't have the camera or manual handy...

Macario · 09-22-2011, 02:00 PM

If you have a nice budget, the MZ-S is one of the best camera's Pentax have made. Probably the best AF camera from the film era

**boriscleto** · 09-22-2011, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Macario

If you have a nice budget, the MZ-S is one of the best camera's Pentax have made. Probably the best AF camera from the film era

But if you're going to drop $400-500 on a film body why not the LX?

**ChrisPlatt** · 09-22-2011, 03:54 PM

There are currently a couple of Pentax PZ-1P (aka Z-1P) bodies for sale in the PentaxForums Marketplace.
IMO it's worth spending extra for the PZ-1P over the PZ-1 for the improved exposure meter display alone.

Chris

violini · 09-23-2011, 12:16 PM

PZ-1 was introduced in 1991 and MZ-S, ZX-L in 2001. I would expect the electronic technology to advance quite a bit in ten years time span. I prefer the 3rd generation AF cameras such as ZX-5N, ZX-L and MZ-S, SF and PZ series are too heavy and bulky for me.

Todd Adamson · 09-24-2011, 12:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Still looking at other options, and I may pick up the PZ-1p eventually. But today I found a supposedly "near mint" P30t on eBay for $18, so I have that coming this week.

garythesnail · 09-24-2011, 01:25 PM

My daughter had a P30 for her college work. It's quite an uninspiring looking thing (sat next to a brassy old MX which just has 'character'), but is very utilititarian in a 'does-what-it-says-on-the-tin' kind of a way.

These P30 / P50 bodies do offer great value at the prices they achieve on auctions.

I hope it lives up to your expectations.

Macario · 09-25-2011, 03:07 PM

I also have a P30T body, and it is a very nice camera I must say. Only draw back is the 1/1000 top shutterspeed. Sometimes I wish it was a bit higher

09-22-2011, 12:27 PM	#1
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722	Need a new film body My MX is OK, but issues are starting to crop up, and I don't feel like dealing with them right now. I'm generally happy shooting my Nikon F100...it's solid, dependable, and has become my go-to body. But I can't mount the FA77 to it, so I want another Pentax body. I've got an ME Super, too, but I want something a little newer, and I would prefer it be something inexpensive, so looking for recommendations. I will be focusing manually, but an autofocus body would be fine, too, if it fits the bill. Main requirement: it has to mount not only the FA77, but also the Zeiss 35/2 (I'm not sure exactly where that mount fits in...?). Mounting M lenses would be cool, but not required. I'd really love something that rewound the film automatically, like the F100 does....better yet with an option to leave a bit of leader out, like the F4 does (is there any Pentax that does that?). Adjustable diopter would be nice, too. Anything come to mind?

09-22-2011, 03:54 PM	#9
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	There are currently a couple of Pentax PZ-1P (aka Z-1P) bodies for sale in the PentaxForums Marketplace. IMO it's worth spending extra for the PZ-1P over the PZ-1 for the improved exposure meter display alone. Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 09-23-2011 at 01:42 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Selling FA ltd. 43mm, Sigma 105mm macro, K55 1.8, ME film body, 645 MF body...	Nachodog	Sold Items	13	07-25-2011 05:33 PM
Recommendation for Film Body?	potatolicious	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	19	09-28-2010 08:29 PM
another film body, or darkroom?	little laker	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	27	03-20-2010 04:49 PM
For Sale - Sold: Film KM body	tvfd911	Sold Items	4	11-25-2009 06:22 PM
Performance of 31 LTD on a FF/film body	aegisphan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	10-05-2009 10:13 PM

09-22-2011, 12:39 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	PZ-1 or PZ-1p? 1/250 flash sync, 1/8000 shutter speed. It's the series that introduced the FA. The mount is not crippled so you can use M lenses. You should be able to get one for $100 or less. Pentax Z-1/PZ-1 - Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews - DSLR and Film SLR Database Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p - Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews - DSLR and Film SLR Database

09-22-2011, 12:47 PM	#3
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Sounds good, thanks. What's the difference between the PZ and the Z? And between having or not having the little p at the end of the name?

09-22-2011, 12:56 PM	#4
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	No real difference between the z and PZ. The Z was sold in the US? and the PZ elsewhere or something like that. The little p stands for panoramic mode. That's where the shutter is closed in a bit to give a panoramic look to the 35mm image. It's funky. There is a lot of info on Pentax bodies and lenses here: Welcome to Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page I will also say that there is a difference in functioning between the PZ-1 and PZ-1p menus too ( found that out in a quest for spare parts on my PZ-1p). If you are interested in a PZ-1p body PM me on that. I have a spare, boriscleto a bit under estimated the price of these though. Oh, and it's a great camera for sure.

09-22-2011, 01:30 PM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew boriscleto a bit under estimated the price of these though. On the PZ-1p maybe, but check out the completed listings on ebay. A PZ-1 sold for $75 and a PZ-1p sold for $150. A PZ-1 with a FA100-300, FA28-105, AF500FTZ flash, and other extras sold for $150. Another PZ-1p failed to meet its reserve (Buy it now for $199) and a PZ-1 failed to sell for $100.

09-22-2011, 01:44 PM	#6
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	something a bit cheaper - maybe - Pentax MZ-6/MZ-L/ZX-L my recollection is that there is an option to leave the leader out on rewind, but I don't have the camera or manual handy...

09-22-2011, 02:00 PM	#7
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	If you have a nice budget, the MZ-S is one of the best camera's Pentax have made. Probably the best AF camera from the film era

09-22-2011, 02:07 PM	#8
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Macario If you have a nice budget, the MZ-S is one of the best camera's Pentax have made. Probably the best AF camera from the film era But if you're going to drop $400-500 on a film body why not the LX?

09-23-2011, 12:16 PM	#10
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	PZ-1 was introduced in 1991 and MZ-S, ZX-L in 2001. I would expect the electronic technology to advance quite a bit in ten years time span. I prefer the 3rd generation AF cameras such as ZX-5N, ZX-L and MZ-S, SF and PZ series are too heavy and bulky for me.

09-24-2011, 12:53 PM	#11
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Thanks for the suggestions. Still looking at other options, and I may pick up the PZ-1p eventually. But today I found a supposedly "near mint" P30t on eBay for $18, so I have that coming this week.

09-24-2011, 01:25 PM	#12
garythesnail Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South West Wales Photos: Albums Posts: 82	My daughter had a P30 for her college work. It's quite an uninspiring looking thing (sat next to a brassy old MX which just has 'character'), but is very utilititarian in a 'does-what-it-says-on-the-tin' kind of a way. These P30 / P50 bodies do offer great value at the prices they achieve on auctions. I hope it lives up to your expectations.

09-25-2011, 03:07 PM	#13
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	I also have a P30T body, and it is a very nice camera I must say. Only draw back is the 1/1000 top shutterspeed. Sometimes I wish it was a bit higher