introduction
i hope this will help anyone considering a MZ/ZX series film body. i used my ZX-5n in New York, had such a great time that i wanted to get another body to use two different films at the same time. i thought the ZX-L would be cool because it seemed like a much different body. then after all this talk about the MZ-S, i got one because i thought it's cheaper than a new DSLR and lighter than a rangefinder that i've been craving for and i can't live without autofocus.
to abbreviate, i've called them the -S, -5n, -L. sorry i've used MZ and ZX interchangeably for the -5n and -L/-6 model.
handling
i always thought the -S looked huge, but then i double looked the k-mount page and the physical dimensions aren't actually that much bigger than the other MZ bodies. i prefer the -5n because it has the smallest grip, but enough that it's easy to grab. the -L has a fatter grip. the -S has the most sculpted grip, however, when i was holding it, it felt kind of sharp and not that rounded off (for me). the -S also has an "indigo" style light. the -S gives a more solid feeling than the other bodies probably due to the magnesium shell body. all three bodies are smaller and lighter than the K100D but i like the K100D's meatier rounded grip but overall i like the -5n best.
viewfinder
according to k-mount page, the -S has a smaller viewfinder than the -5n. observationally, it doesn't seem to be the case. the -S has the informational display at the bottom and is nice and clear. the -5n and the -L have the display jutting in a bit from the right which is kind of distracting. the -S and -5n have pentaprisms that are bright, but the -L has the pentamirror which is a bit dimmer. the eyecup on the -L seems really hard and sticks out, it seems to make it more difficult to see the whole screen (eye relief?). the -S eyecup is soft and cushioned. all have a diopter adjustment.
battery grips
again i like the -5n with the grip the best. for me, the -S grip seems kind of awkward, not sure why. i prefer a lighter camera anyways. but the 4xAA battery source is a better option than 2xCR2. the -5n and the -L grips are the same. funny i have two grips for the -L and -5n, one is made in china and the other in japan.
controls exposure
-5n is definitely the easiest to use of all, main controls being shutter speed and EV comp dials. super easy. the -L is more like the current DSLRs with the on-board aperture control with the LCD display. the knob around the shutter controls the aperture and a small button beside the MF/AF selector adjusts exposure comp. the -S has really nice controls as well, but not as apparently obvious as the -5n. exposure comp and bracketing is handled by the left dial which rotates inside for bracketing (nice design). the shutter speed can instantly be adjusted by the dial around the LCD and green button to reset. the -S and the 5n share the same requirement of the aperture ring (no DA lenses on Av). all three have an AE-L button. the -L which does not have an explicit Spot Meter (except some strange method through AE-L). the -5n and -S have a metering method selector externally.
drive mode controls
the -5n and -S have a drive mode selector externally. the -L drive mode is done by cycling the drive mode button.
depth of preview
on the -5n and -L is done on a switch right beside the mount. the -S has the same trigger as the DSLRs.
shutter release
every pentax i've used has a two stage click button, but the MZ-S has a mushy one (but you don't have to push all the way to trip the shutter). not sure why that is? after using a roll with this, i actually like it, i won't suddenly move my hand when the button clicks. and the push isn't very far down to release but at the same time still a big difference between AF lock and shutter release.
other "features"
the -L has the useless scene modes too that are not very useful. the -5n has the useless panorama mode. the -S has a hold switch.
autofocus
iirc, none of these cameras have cross points. because of this, sometimes it may help to hold the camera diagonally to hit a focus point. to me the -S seems the fastest the -5n and -L are still decently quick. i think they are all faster than the K100D. i haven't had any focusing problems. all three bodies have an af method selector switch besides the lens mount. there is the auto method and then the center point method.
the -S goes a bit further and has 6 focusing points arranged in an inverted t-shape. to change focusing points, you push the af method selector switch up and then roll the LCD wheel. not the easiest thing to do, i'll just stick with the center point. the points are indicated in the bottom display. the -S has an AF-C setting switch, i don't use AF-C so don't remember if the -5n or -L have it.
"after shutter release noises"
the MZ-S has the loudest film advance. the -5n and -L are quite quiet. none of these bodies have the loud slap that the K100D has. the softer mirror allows better handholding speeds. i can handhold the FA31 at around 1/15, which i can do with the K100D as well.
pop-up flash
the -5n has a weak manual pop-up flash that relies on a mechanical button on the side of the prism. mine needs viagra because it doesn't stay up. this is a common problem. the -L actually has an electronic release and seems to be stronger and can be triggered by the scene modes. the -S has a mechanical release and has a metal linkage and works fine.
in terms of flash functionality, the -S and -L are better beacuse they support wireless and wireless high speed sync modes the old TTL as well as the current P-TTL. although in practice would much prefer to do any strobist work with digital so it's not that important.
pentax functions
the -L and the -S have a variety of pentax functions that you can set, like the Custom functions on the DSLRs. but you need to check the manual to remember what they do.
film roll-in
-5n is the most basic, only choice is to rewind the film all the way back in. the -L has a Pentax Function to leave the leader out. the -S is the best, it can leave the leader out and also resume from where you left off by holding the green button and rolling the wheel to tell it which frame to advance to. (edit: not magic as initially mentioned
)
more random comments
-S has data printing like an analog exif
-the difference between the -L and the -5n is pretty staggering, besides the look, they'd hardly be considered similar cameras at all.
-shutter speeds the 5n - 1/2000, -L 1/4000, -S 1/6000
-i'd love to have an MZ-3 to replace the -5n, but they're super hard to find. the only difference seems to be faster shutter 1/4000 and faster flash sync.
-the battery doors on all the cameras are cheap!!!. the -L and -5n are particularly bad because they use a plastic hinge that bends. very gross
-the -S has nice metal rings for your straps
-the -L is made in China, the -5n in Japan. I think the -L feels more solid with more "clicky" controls (maybe it wasn't used as much). the -S is made in Japan.
-if i went on a trip, i would probably take the -L. because the flash works properly and it has the 1/4000 shutter, i like fast iso 400+ film. it's the best compromise of all. and the built-in aperture linkage feels like i'm "hurting" my dear FA limiteds less.
Last edited by k100d; 12-23-2008 at 07:54 AM.