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03-10-2009, 05:39 AM   #1
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*ist Film SLR

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Hi Everyone,

I am very curious about the above camera. I know it is the last 35mm film SLR before the ist series became the digital range. I am trying to find out more information about this camera. Please advise. THanks.

03-10-2009, 06:27 AM   #2
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*ist <-- click here

It's quite rare. It's a pretty and very small camera but the feature set is not all that appealing compared to some other Pentax SLR cameras. The most glaring flaw is that, like the entire DSLR range, it has the "crippled" K-mount which means it will only do stop-down metering with M lenses. I wouldn't want that feature missing on a film SLR when there are so many good options. Viewfinder specs look pretty bad for a full-frame SLR. (0.7x, 90%)
03-10-2009, 06:36 AM   #3
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compared to the ZX-L, i think the things better are the AF select points and explicit metering mode selections. other than that i think the ZX-L is a better camera just because it doesn't use the cripple mount. the lack of explicit center or spot weighting can be overcome partially by AE-L lock.
03-10-2009, 06:43 AM   #4
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Thanks guys for teh quick reply. Looks like I may look around for a ZX-L instead. If I ever decide to buy one.

I now have a top LCD disabled PZ-20 which I bought new in 1992 and a PZ-1 SE from Frank. In addition to a host of other K-mount lenses.

03-10-2009, 01:18 PM   #5
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Check this:
Ex. Pentax Super Program w/50mm lens - eBay (item 160320638956 end time Mar-14-09 11:31:21 PDT)
03-10-2009, 01:40 PM   #6
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my suggestion is look for cameras that can meter in 1/2 stops

that super program is nice and all.. but after using an MZ-S i realized that its "nice" to have certain features.
03-10-2009, 02:13 PM   #7
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*ist is smallest SLR in world, so small that sometimes getting uncomfortable if i work with it for a long time.

03-11-2009, 02:04 AM   #8
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Does anyone have a picture of the *ist compared to an old compact SLR, something like an ME or OM-1, for scale?
03-11-2009, 08:08 AM   #9
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Here's the ist vs, Super Program. Always wanted to stick a DA40 on it and use it as a pocket camera.
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PENTAX Optio A40  Photo 
03-11-2009, 08:11 AM   #10
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wow! that IS small.
03-11-2009, 09:08 AM   #11
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Found this on flickr:

03-11-2009, 09:59 AM   #12
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That looks so nice, I should buy that lens ;-)
03-11-2009, 10:01 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Erik Quote
It's quite rare. It's a pretty and very small camera but the feature set is not all that appealing compared to some other Pentax SLR cameras. The most glaring flaw is that, like the entire DSLR range, it has the "crippled" K-mount which means it will only do stop-down metering with M lenses. I wouldn't want that feature missing on a film SLR when there are so many good options. Viewfinder specs look pretty bad for a full-frame SLR. (0.7x, 90%)
This sounds a little over-critical. Other than the crippled mount, the camera has an excellent feature set bettered by few Pentax film SLRS. Depth-of-field preview, 1/4000 shutter, P-TTL/TTL, support, hard switches for AF points, AF mode, & metering mode. IR remote, multiple exposure, bracketing, 1/2EV metering/comp/shutter, and available battery grip with some portrait shooting controls...16-segment metering, 11 individually selectable AF points.

The viewfinder spec appears close to the MZ-6/ZX-L; on the small side but fairly bright, about the same as the pentaprism-equipped D-SLRs to my eye. Some of the larger autofocus viewfinders on other bodies seem darker.

To me the main issue with the *ist film camera is that the price remains a little high and it might not be the best choice for use with pre-A lenses. But if you use >= A-glass (or even better, autofocus glass) it's a really good choice. Pretty much every Pentax film SLR has at least one achilles heel--on this one it's the crippled mount...but it has just about everything else.
03-11-2009, 10:47 AM   #14
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I got a new Super Program myself. It arrives Friday.
03-11-2009, 06:17 PM   #15
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I have never seen the *ist being sold on ebay or anywhere else. If you all happen to see one, please inform me. Kinda curious to get one to play with.

Cheers...
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