Who still uses a PZ-1P af slr, & do you have any issues using 3rd pty af lenses?

**goatsNdonkey** · 05-15-2019, 06:13 AM

I just ordered an "untested" used PZ-1P, with an F-35-70mm lens, for a very cheap price. If either one of them works, I'll get more than my money's worth, but I'm hoping the PZ-1P will work. It doesn't seem to have any of the usual failings I have read about (eventually) wearing our first: breaks around the battery door, broken flash lift/latch assembly, poorly latching film door, or long enough heavy use to cause finish wear on the film pressure plate which could indicate shutter failure isn't far off. Also, the mirror isn't currently stuck up, the death knell of many a Pentax auto focus slr.

Earlier this morning I read or skimmed a few hundred of the forum posts mentioning the PZ-1P/Z-1P, and of the few I ran across that actually showed pictures taken with the camera, all those taken with an af lens used a Pentax af lenses. There's nothing wrong with that, but half of my tiny stable of af lenses are Sigmas. Somewhere I read a strong warning not to use 3rd party af lenses with some Pentax af slr, and, while it may not have been about the PZ-1P, it makes me wonder whether that camera ever has any 3rd party af lens compatibility issues.

pschlute · 05-15-2019, 07:59 AM

I had a Z-1 , the forerunner of your camera from new in 1991. It is a great camera with a lot of functionality you will recognise today.... twin scroll wheels/hyper mode.

The cracking around the battery door afflicted mine but did not prove troublesome. Eventually mine suffered from the mirror locked up which is a symptom of a plastic cog losing it's teeth. Rather than repair I just bought another on ebay. I used it earlier this year, photo attached.

**Pentax Syntax** · 05-15-2019, 09:34 AM

Still shoot my PZ-1p with lots of lenses including a 28-105 sigma and a 600 mm Sigma mirror telephoto. No problem. The camera will probably last longer than my two K-1ii digital bodies :-).

**goatsNdonkey** · 05-15-2019, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

I had a Z-1 , the forerunner of your camera from new in 1991. It is a great camera with a lot of functionality you will recognise today.... twin scroll wheels/hyper mode.

The cracking around the battery door afflicted mine but did not prove troublesome. Eventually mine suffered from the mirror locked up which is a symptom of a plastic cog losing it's teeth. Rather than repair I just bought another on ebay. I used it earlier this year, photo attached.

I like that picture. Is/was that the site of an old hand-operated canal lock?

Is the picture an example of the postively-reviewed metering system in the (P)Z-1(P) cameras?

**goatsNdonkey** · 05-15-2019, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by Pentax Syntax

Still shoot my PZ-1p with lots of lenses including a 28-105 sigma and a 600 mm Sigma mirror telephoto. No problem. The camera will probably last longer than my two K-1ii digital bodies :-).

Good to know about the Sigma lenses. The ones I have work great on my K110D and K10D, so I'm not really expecting a problem. I wish I could remember exactly which Pentaz af film slr was connected to a warning to stick with Pentax lenses.

Do you have some PZ-1P pictures (maybe taken with one of those Sigmas) to post? As long as we are talking about the camera, there is not reason not to create more interest in it among people who don't know it.

abruzzi · 05-15-2019, 11:12 AM

I don’t have any photos to post, but I’ve done some shots with the PZ-1p and a Sigma Superwide 24 f2.8, and a Tamron 28-200 without issues. (Along with a number of Pentax branded lenses.)

Swift1 · 05-15-2019, 11:15 AM

I've been shooting with my Z-1p for over 2 years, but I haven't tried any non Pentax AF lenses.
It's a superb camera though.
Here's a Flickr album of photos I've done with it.
Pentax Z-1p | Flickr

**TwoUptons** · 05-15-2019, 11:40 AM

The ME-af will not autofocus with any Sigma lens

There were some problems with a few Sigma lenses back when the PZ-1 was new, IIRC, but that wasn’t unheard of for any manufacturer...

More recently, there have been problems with some DSLRs, particularly the lens scuffing the camera body, but those shouldn’t be issues on the PZ-1...

-Eric

abruzzi · 05-15-2019, 11:41 AM - **1 Like**

I dug one up with my sigma 24/2.8. This particular lens loves to flare, so when I shoot it I usually try to encourage the flare.

**From1980** · 05-15-2019, 11:59 AM

Looking forward to learning more about PZ-1P. Just acquired a flawless body from Japan. Then a FA 28-105 powerzoom and FA 50/1.4 separately each in minty condition. About US $350 invested. This my first acquaintance with a AF film camera.

**goatsNdonkey** · 05-15-2019, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by Swift1

I've been shooting with my Z-1p for over 2 years, but I haven't tried any non Pentax AF lenses.
It's a superb camera though.
Here's a Flickr album of photos I've done with it.
Pentax Z-1p | Flickr

I like that Flickr page! I wondered if you were using Portra 160 for some of those pictures, but the ones I opened up showed other films.

**goatsNdonkey** · 05-15-2019, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

The ME-af will not autofocus with any Sigma lens

There were some problems with a few Sigma lenses back when the PZ-1 was new, IIRC, but that wasn’t unheard of for any manufacturer...

More recently, there have been problems with some DSLRs, particularly the lens scuffing the camera body, but those shouldn’t be issues on the PZ-1...

-Eric

I did a lot of parallel reading of ebay listings for Pentax AF auto focus slrs that have higher ratings in our reviews here, along with the corresponding PF camera reviews and sometimes other articles, about a week ago, and perhaps the warning about non-Pentax af lenses I read was connected to the ME-af you mention.

**goatsNdonkey** · 05-15-2019, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by abruzzi

I dug one up with my sigma 24/2.8. This particular lens loves to flare, so when I shoot it I usually try to encourage the flare.

That is quite a shower of flare!

pschlute · 05-15-2019, 02:32 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by goatsNdonkey

I like that picture. Is/was that the site of an old hand-operated canal lock?

Is the picture an example of the postively-reviewed metering system in the (P)Z-1(P) cameras?

This is a picture of Walsham Gates, a lock on the Wey Navigation Canal in Surrey, UK. It is a traditional hand operated lock. It was opened in 1653 and is still operational today. Unusually for a canal lock, the normal position is for both gates to be open at the same time. They are only closed when the water level rises above a certain level and the gates are closed to allow the water to flow over the weir next to it. I present another view of the gates and lock-keepers cottage from the other direction.

The metering oin the Z-1 is either centre weighted or spot. For the b+w shot I used spot metering, reading off the shadow areas and then stopping down 2 stops to take the shot.

johnha · 05-15-2019, 03:12 PM - **1 Like**

The Z-1 was the first body with the PZ/SDM contacts. Some independent lenses had a longer baffle by the aperture lever which fouled the new contacts. That might be why you've heard about issues. I used a sigma 70-300 AF zoom on my Z-1 without problems.

Some independent lenses focus the wrong way (infinity to the right), sigmas often do this. it's not usually a problem although the screw drive may drive it the wrong way initially, slowing AF down a bit.

05-15-2019, 06:13 AM	#1
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,730	Who still uses a PZ-1P af slr, & do you have any issues using 3rd pty af lenses? I just ordered an "untested" used PZ-1P, with an F-35-70mm lens, for a very cheap price. If either one of them works, I'll get more than my money's worth, but I'm hoping the PZ-1P will work. It doesn't *seem* to have any of the usual failings I have read about (eventually) wearing our first: breaks around the battery door, broken flash lift/latch assembly, poorly latching film door, or long enough heavy use to cause finish wear on the film pressure plate which could indicate shutter failure isn't far off. Also, the mirror isn't currently stuck up, the death knell of many a Pentax auto focus slr. Earlier this morning I read or skimmed a few hundred of the forum posts mentioning the PZ-1P/Z-1P, and of the few I ran across that actually showed pictures taken with the camera, all those taken with an af lens used a Pentax af lenses. There's nothing wrong with that, but half of my tiny stable of af lenses are Sigmas. Somewhere I read a strong warning not to use 3rd party af lenses with some Pentax af slr, and, while it may not have been about the PZ-1P, it makes me wonder whether that camera ever has any 3rd party af lens compatibility issues.

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05-15-2019, 07:59 AM	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	I had a Z-1 , the forerunner of your camera from new in 1991. It is a great camera with a lot of functionality you will recognise today.... twin scroll wheels/hyper mode. The cracking around the battery door afflicted mine but did not prove troublesome. Eventually mine suffered from the mirror locked up which is a symptom of a plastic cog losing it's teeth. Rather than repair I just bought another on ebay. I used it earlier this year, photo attached.

05-15-2019, 09:34 AM	#3
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Still shoot my PZ-1p with lots of lenses including a 28-105 sigma and a 600 mm Sigma mirror telephoto. No problem. The camera will probably last longer than my two K-1ii digital bodies :-).

05-15-2019, 10:40 AM	#4
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,730 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute I had a Z-1 , the forerunner of your camera from new in 1991. It is a great camera with a lot of functionality you will recognise today.... twin scroll wheels/hyper mode. The cracking around the battery door afflicted mine but did not prove troublesome. Eventually mine suffered from the mirror locked up which is a symptom of a plastic cog losing it's teeth. Rather than repair I just bought another on ebay. I used it earlier this year, photo attached. I like that picture. Is/was that the site of an old hand-operated canal lock? Is the picture an example of the postively-reviewed metering system in the (P)Z-1(P) cameras?

05-15-2019, 10:49 AM	#5
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,730 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentax Syntax Still shoot my PZ-1p with lots of lenses including a 28-105 sigma and a 600 mm Sigma mirror telephoto. No problem. The camera will probably last longer than my two K-1ii digital bodies :-). Good to know about the Sigma lenses. The ones I have work great on my K110D and K10D, so I'm not really expecting a problem. I wish I could remember exactly which Pentaz af film slr was connected to a warning to stick with Pentax lenses. Do you have some PZ-1P pictures (maybe taken with one of those Sigmas) to post? As long as we are talking about the camera, there is not reason not to create more interest in it among people who don't know it.

05-15-2019, 11:12 AM	#6
abruzzi Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Mexico Posts: 788	I don’t have any photos to post, but I’ve done some shots with the PZ-1p and a Sigma Superwide 24 f2.8, and a Tamron 28-200 without issues. (Along with a number of Pentax branded lenses.)

05-15-2019, 11:15 AM	#7
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	I've been shooting with my Z-1p for over 2 years, but I haven't tried any non Pentax AF lenses. It's a superb camera though. Here's a Flickr album of photos I've done with it. Pentax Z-1p \| Flickr

05-15-2019, 11:40 AM	#8
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,214	The ME-af will not autofocus with any Sigma lens There were some problems with a few Sigma lenses back when the PZ-1 was new, IIRC, but that wasn’t unheard of for any manufacturer... More recently, there have been problems with some DSLRs, particularly the lens scuffing the camera body, but those shouldn’t be issues on the PZ-1... -Eric

05-15-2019, 11:41 AM - 1 Like	#9
abruzzi Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Mexico Posts: 788	I dug one up with my sigma 24/2.8. This particular lens loves to flare, so when I shoot it I usually try to encourage the flare.

05-15-2019, 11:59 AM	#10
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	Looking forward to learning more about PZ-1P. Just acquired a flawless body from Japan. Then a FA 28-105 powerzoom and FA 50/1.4 separately each in minty condition. About US $350 invested. This my first acquaintance with a AF film camera.

05-15-2019, 02:12 PM	#11
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,730 Original Poster	Originally posted by Swift1 I've been shooting with my Z-1p for over 2 years, but I haven't tried any non Pentax AF lenses. It's a superb camera though. Here's a Flickr album of photos I've done with it. Pentax Z-1p \| Flickr I like that Flickr page! I wondered if you were using Portra 160 for some of those pictures, but the ones I opened up showed other films.

05-15-2019, 02:27 PM	#12
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,730 Original Poster	Originally posted by TwoUptons The ME-af will not autofocus with any Sigma lens There were some problems with a few Sigma lenses back when the PZ-1 was new, IIRC, but that wasn’t unheard of for any manufacturer... More recently, there have been problems with some DSLRs, particularly the lens scuffing the camera body, but those shouldn’t be issues on the PZ-1... -Eric I did a lot of parallel reading of ebay listings for Pentax AF auto focus slrs that have higher ratings in our reviews here, along with the corresponding PF camera reviews and sometimes other articles, about a week ago, and perhaps the warning about non-Pentax af lenses I read was connected to the ME-af you mention.

05-15-2019, 02:28 PM	#13
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,730 Original Poster	Originally posted by abruzzi I dug one up with my sigma 24/2.8. This particular lens loves to flare, so when I shoot it I usually try to encourage the flare. That is quite a shower of flare!

05-15-2019, 02:32 PM - 2 Likes	#14
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by goatsNdonkey I like that picture. Is/was that the site of an old hand-operated canal lock? Is the picture an example of the postively-reviewed metering system in the (P)Z-1(P) cameras? This is a picture of Walsham Gates, a lock on the Wey Navigation Canal in Surrey, UK. It is a traditional hand operated lock. It was opened in 1653 and is still operational today. Unusually for a canal lock, the normal position is for both gates to be open at the same time. They are only closed when the water level rises above a certain level and the gates are closed to allow the water to flow over the weir next to it. I present another view of the gates and lock-keepers cottage from the other direction. The metering oin the Z-1 is either centre weighted or spot. For the b+w shot I used spot metering, reading off the shadow areas and then stopping down 2 stops to take the shot.

05-15-2019, 03:12 PM - 1 Like	#15
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	The Z-1 was the first body with the PZ/SDM contacts. Some independent lenses had a longer baffle by the aperture lever which fouled the new contacts. That might be why you've heard about issues. I used a sigma 70-300 AF zoom on my Z-1 without problems. Some independent lenses focus the wrong way (infinity to the right), sigmas often do this. it's not usually a problem although the screw drive may drive it the wrong way initially, slowing AF down a bit.