Lens suggestions for MZ-5n

pureanalog · 12-09-2012, 01:14 PM

Just bought one from ebay in good condition and perfect working condition for 12 euro. Around 20-22 incl. shipping. Is this a good price? I think it was great.

I would like a suggestion for a zoom lens or maybe prime lens suggestions.

I do have an original pentax m42 to k adapter as well as a couple of non-original ones. I have lots of Takumars. But I'd rather have K auto focus lenses.I already have a TAMRON 80-200 lens for it too.

I read the reviews on the 28-80 and 35-80 SMC film lenses that came as kit, and they seem to be bad lenses with no sharpness. I'd like to avoid.

Any suggestions that will stay in low budget like the camera body.

I also have two 18-55 DA's from my istDS and my K20D. Could I also use those for a range in which they don't vignette? Will the aperture work? Is vignetting fully visible in the viewfinder? I don't use them anymore because I use the 16-45 DA lens which is incredible.

Last edited by pureanalog; 12-09-2012 at 01:21 PM.

Adam · 12-09-2012, 01:32 PM

This is a pretty good walkaround lens:
SMC-Pentax FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I'd also get a 50mm if you don't already have one.

gabriel_bc · 12-09-2012, 08:46 PM

I'd recommend looking for the F35-70 zoom - it's great for film and digital, and has a much better reputation than the FA35-80.

I'll second Adam's recommendation for a fast AF fifty as well - the F50 1.7 is probably the least expensive.

pureanalog · 12-10-2012, 01:31 AM

thanks for the suggestions. What generation of bodies did those lenses normally come with? Sometimes bundles of bodies + lens are cheaper than buying the lens itself.

Jonathan Mac · 12-10-2012, 01:51 AM

I'd recommend a fast fifty to start with. The FA 50/1.4 is still produced and is not too expensive. An F or FA 50/1.7 will be cheaper but harder to find, though sharper than the f/1.4 version.

wpvv · 12-10-2012, 05:28 AM

I liked the 28-70 4.0 on my MZ5. Very nice film camera.

aurele · 12-10-2012, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by pureanalog

I also have two 18-55 DA's from my istDS and my K20D. Could I also use those for a range in which they don't vignette? Will the aperture work? Is vignetting fully visible in the viewfinder? I don't use them anymore because I use the 16-45 DA lens which is incredible.

the DA 18-55 will vignette from 18 to 24 as far as i remember.
DA 16-45 will vignette from 16 to 21 according to Nesster

have a look at this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html

the F 35-70 is tack sharp even if not fast. AF is very fast.

builttospill · 12-10-2012, 09:31 AM

Here's another vote for the F 35-70 or the FA 28-70/4. Both are sharp, quick to focus (AF), and less than $100. Instead of a 50 I'd recommend you go big and get the FA 43. It will work perfectly on your film and digital cameras and is a joy to use on both.

Also, the MZ-5n does not control the aperture from the body, so the 18-55 and 16-45 won't work well on it. Lenses must have an aperture ring to control this.

pureanalog · 12-10-2012, 03:03 PM

The 28-70 has a more attractive range than the 35-70 but the reviews here claim that the 28-70 is a mediocre lens in contrasty to the 35-70 which is considered a great one.

Opinions on that?

I am almost decided on the 35-70 but you got me wondering about the 28-70 which covers more of a wide angle. But I don't like soft lenses.

aurele · 12-10-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

Also, the MZ-5n does not control the aperture from the body, so the 18-55 and 16-45 won't work well on it. Lenses must have an aperture ring to control this.

use it by choosing speed, the body will show the aprture set. It's using Tv mode to get the Av

pureanalog · 12-10-2012, 03:12 PM

but they will work with the aperture at full closed?

gabriel_bc · 12-10-2012, 04:16 PM

What Aurele is saying is that lenses without an aperture ring will work on the MZ-5n if you use shutter priority mode (Tv). You set the shutter speed, and the camera selects an aperture for the lens to match your selected speed. The camera can choose and set any f-stop the lens is capable of.

In program mode (P) the camera will choose both the f-stop and the shutter speed (if the MZ-5n has P mode, not sure if it does). Again, the camera can set any f-stop the lens has, even if it has no aperture ring.

The MZ-7, MZ-6 and PZ-1/PZ-1p can all set aperture on any lens from within the body, so you can use a DA lens on these film cameras in Av mode.

As for the F35-70 vs FA28-70 toss up, there are pros and cons. Both are sharp for zooms, though the 35-70 has a slight edge (in my opinion, YMMV).

F35-70: pros - fast AF, useful close focus mode at 70mm, great colours, faster at 35mm (f3.5). cons- shorter zoom range, not constant aperture.
FA28-70: pros - wider zoom range, constant aperture, faster at 70mm (f4 vs. f4.5). cons - prone to element separation (rendering the lens useless), slightly less intense colours.

If you can cover the 28mm length with a prime or another quality zoom, go for the 35-70. Or, get both - they're cheap enough.

gabriel_bc · 12-10-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by pureanalog

thanks for the suggestions. What generation of bodies did those lenses normally come with? Sometimes bundles of bodies + lens are cheaper than buying the lens itself.

Sorry, forgot to answer this in my reply:

The F35-70 and F50/1.7 lenses are often paired with the SF1, SF1n, SFX or SF10 bodies. The FA28-70/4 can often be found with any of the MZ / ZX bodies. That said, I've pretty much seen it all on ebay (i.e. very odd pairings). Sometimes those odd pairings are the best deals if they aren't well described and folks miss what's there.

12-09-2012, 01:14 PM	#1
pureanalog Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 25	Lens suggestions for MZ-5n Just bought one from ebay in good condition and perfect working condition for 12 euro. Around 20-22 incl. shipping. Is this a good price? I think it was great. I would like a suggestion for a zoom lens or maybe prime lens suggestions. I do have an original pentax m42 to k adapter as well as a couple of non-original ones. I have lots of Takumars. But I'd rather have K auto focus lenses.I already have a TAMRON 80-200 lens for it too. I read the reviews on the 28-80 and 35-80 SMC film lenses that came as kit, and they seem to be bad lenses with no sharpness. I'd like to avoid. Any suggestions that will stay in low budget like the camera body. I also have two 18-55 DA's from my istDS and my K20D. Could I also use those for a range in which they don't vignette? Will the aperture work? Is vignetting fully visible in the viewfinder? I don't use them anymore because I use the 16-45 DA lens which is incredible. Last edited by pureanalog; 12-09-2012 at 01:21 PM.

12-09-2012, 01:32 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	This is a pretty good walkaround lens: SMC-Pentax FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I'd also get a 50mm if you don't already have one. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

12-10-2012, 09:31 AM	#8
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Here's another vote for the F 35-70 or the FA 28-70/4. Both are sharp, quick to focus (AF), and less than $100. Instead of a 50 I'd recommend you go big and get the FA 43. It will work perfectly on your film and digital cameras and is a joy to use on both. Also, the MZ-5n does not control the aperture from the body, so the 18-55 and 16-45 won't work well on it. Lenses must have an aperture ring to control this. Last edited by builttospill; 12-10-2012 at 09:38 AM.

12-10-2012, 04:16 PM	#12
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	What Aurele is saying is that lenses without an aperture ring will work on the MZ-5n if you use shutter priority mode (Tv). You set the shutter speed, and the camera selects an aperture for the lens to match your selected speed. The camera can choose and set any f-stop the lens is capable of. In program mode (P) the camera will choose both the f-stop and the shutter speed (if the MZ-5n has P mode, not sure if it does). Again, the camera can set any f-stop the lens has, even if it has no aperture ring. The MZ-7, MZ-6 and PZ-1/PZ-1p can all set aperture on any lens from within the body, so you can use a DA lens on these film cameras in Av mode. As for the F35-70 vs FA28-70 toss up, there are pros and cons. Both are sharp for zooms, though the 35-70 has a slight edge (in my opinion, YMMV). F35-70: pros - fast AF, useful close focus mode at 70mm, great colours, faster at 35mm (f3.5). cons- shorter zoom range, not constant aperture. FA28-70: pros - wider zoom range, constant aperture, faster at 70mm (f4 vs. f4.5). cons - prone to element separation (rendering the lens useless), slightly less intense colours. If you can cover the 28mm length with a prime or another quality zoom, go for the 35-70. Or, get both - they're cheap enough. Last edited by gabriel_bc; 12-10-2012 at 04:26 PM.

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12-09-2012, 08:46 PM	#3
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	I'd recommend looking for the F35-70 zoom - it's great for film and digital, and has a much better reputation than the FA35-80. I'll second Adam's recommendation for a fast AF fifty as well - the F50 1.7 is probably the least expensive.

12-10-2012, 01:31 AM	#4
pureanalog Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 25 Original Poster	thanks for the suggestions. What generation of bodies did those lenses normally come with? Sometimes bundles of bodies + lens are cheaper than buying the lens itself.

12-10-2012, 01:51 AM	#5
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I'd recommend a fast fifty to start with. The FA 50/1.4 is still produced and is not too expensive. An F or FA 50/1.7 will be cheaper but harder to find, though sharper than the f/1.4 version.

12-10-2012, 05:28 AM	#6
wpvv Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 251	I liked the 28-70 4.0 on my MZ5. Very nice film camera.

12-10-2012, 06:28 AM	#7
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by pureanalog I also have two 18-55 DA's from my istDS and my K20D. Could I also use those for a range in which they don't vignette? Will the aperture work? Is vignetting fully visible in the viewfinder? I don't use them anymore because I use the 16-45 DA lens which is incredible. the DA 18-55 will vignette from 18 to 24 as far as i remember. DA 16-45 will vignette from 16 to 21 according to Nesster have a look at this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31629-da-lens-...ts-thread.html the F 35-70 is tack sharp even if not fast. AF is very fast.

12-10-2012, 03:03 PM	#9
pureanalog Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 25 Original Poster	The 28-70 has a more attractive range than the 35-70 but the reviews here claim that the 28-70 is a mediocre lens in contrasty to the 35-70 which is considered a great one. Opinions on that? I am almost decided on the 35-70 but you got me wondering about the 28-70 which covers more of a wide angle. But I don't like soft lenses.

12-10-2012, 03:05 PM	#10
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by builttospill Also, the MZ-5n does not control the aperture from the body, so the 18-55 and 16-45 won't work well on it. Lenses must have an aperture ring to control this. use it by choosing speed, the body will show the aprture set. It's using Tv mode to get the Av

12-10-2012, 03:12 PM	#11
pureanalog Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 25 Original Poster	but they will work with the aperture at full closed?

12-10-2012, 05:32 PM	#13
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	Originally posted by pureanalog thanks for the suggestions. What generation of bodies did those lenses normally come with? Sometimes bundles of bodies + lens are cheaper than buying the lens itself. Sorry, forgot to answer this in my reply: The F35-70 and F50/1.7 lenses are often paired with the SF1, SF1n, SFX or SF10 bodies. The FA28-70/4 can often be found with any of the MZ / ZX bodies. That said, I've pretty much seen it all on ebay (i.e. very odd pairings). Sometimes those odd pairings are the best deals if they aren't well described and folks miss what's there.