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joeyc · 03-13-2010, 01:53 PM

Considering my lenses (see signature), what's a good recommendation for a film body? The only consideration is price really - like to under $100. The less the better. I realize that the DA15 and DA18-55 will not cover the full frame, but besides that, I believe I will be OK (at least from my forum searches).

It seems as if any of the PZ's will work, though I am not too thrilled with the pentamirror finder. I suppose for something that will see light use, it's not too big of a deal. The SF series could work - if I could get past the look of it. Any ideas?

GeneV · 03-13-2010, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by joeyc

Considering my lenses (see signature), what's a good recommendation for a film body? The only consideration is price really - like to under $100. The less the better. I realize that the DA15 and DA18-55 will not cover the full frame, but besides that, I believe I will be OK (at least from my forum searches).

It seems as if any of the PZ's will work, though I am not too thrilled with the pentamirror finder. I suppose for something that will see light use, it's not too big of a deal. The SF series could work - if I could get past the look of it. Any ideas?

I bought a ZX-L for that purpose. It was dirt cheap and has worked perfectly. The DA15 on film is very interesting. I've posted a few shots. It is a fisheye circle with rectilinear rendering. I don't think I'd spend much more than the 50 bucks or so I spent on a body for that purpose only.

Steinback · 03-13-2010, 02:55 PM

I went with an MZ-5n because it has shutter priority, AE lock, an exposure compensation dial, and an easy to find AA battery grip (my grip cost less than a single CR2). It works quite well with DA series lenses in the program and shutter priority modes.

The other mid level MZ/ZX series bodies would also be worth looking at. The gear on the mirror return motor is prone to failure, so check to make sure a body functions before buying it.

The SuperProgram also offers shutter priority so that would be another alternative to the cameras you are considering.

little laker · 03-13-2010, 03:28 PM

I have a MZ-6, which I bought for $85.00... including the grip which will save me $ in the battery department eventually.

Plus a PZ-20, which I got for $35.00. There's no grip available, and the batteries are rather pricey

However its a good camera otherwise.

They both treat me good, will work most AF lenses, and I can't complain about either of them.
I'd recommend either one.

brkl · 03-13-2010, 05:49 PM

My ZX-7 seems fine. I don't know whether it has a pentamirror, but the viewfinder seems fine apart from lacking a split image focus screen.

Blue · 03-13-2010, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by joeyc

. . .
It seems as if any of the PZ's will work, though I am not too thrilled with the pentamirror finder.. . .

The PZ-1p and PZ-1 have Pentaprism finders.

Portland Pete · 03-13-2010, 11:13 PM

+1 for PZ-1. Same interface as the digital bodies, pentaprism finder, and there are two PZ-1's on eBay for under $100 right now.

titrisol · 03-14-2010, 05:45 AM

The PZ1 or any of the MZ/ZX single digit cameras (5, 5n, 6,7,L) will work great.
I the ZX7 the panorama switch helps a lot with the wide digitals by elimnating vignetting

jjdgti · 03-17-2010, 10:49 AM

I had in the past the ZX-7, ZX-30 and currently have SF1, SF10 and ZX-10 with grip. The ZX-7 is a very nice modern camera.

The SF series look is not the best but it is very good camera. It is a workhorse and will last for decades. The SF1/SF10 looks better with a F lens attached IMO.

joeyc · 03-17-2010, 06:39 PM

I appreciate all the responses - thanks everyone! I believe the ZX/MZ-3/5/5n probably tops my 'want' list. Looks great, uses a battery grip, has dials... I will be keeping an eye out for one of them. In the interim, I actually just picked up a 'like new' K1000. Obviously all manual, but that's OK - reminds me a little of my Bessa R2 I stupidly sold. For the price I can't complain and once I sell the M501.7 that came with it, it will be an even better deal.

unixrevolution · 03-17-2010, 07:26 PM

I would go PZ-1. The pentaprism finder, 1/8000 Shutter speed and 1/250 sync, plus full autofocus/auto aperture support win it for me.

Mine will get here soon. I got it for $85 on eBay.

I also like the *ist....very lightweight and works great with DA and FA J lenses. requires an A setting if you have an aperture ring though. I paid $120 for mine.

Clicker · 03-18-2010, 01:45 PM

Someone here in the "sales" forum has a very nice and clean MZ5n you better buy because i've been eyeing it for awhile now

but i'm on an M42 crusade

keyser · 03-20-2010, 09:14 PM

I've just put my Z-70 up in the marketplace. I'm hoping to get an AF Canon kit lens in trade for it.

It's a nice camera, I just prefer the older MF bodies.

**Clarkey** · 03-21-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by Clicker

Someone here in the "sales" forum has a very nice and clean MZ5n you better buy because i've been eyeing it for awhile now

but i'm on an M42 crusade

So I shouldn't tempt you with my MZ-5n with a battery grip and cable release and local pickup

joeyc · 04-02-2010, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Clarkey

So I shouldn't tempt you with my MZ-5n with a battery grip and cable release and local pickup

Tell me more...

03-13-2010, 01:53 PM	#1
joeyc Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 478	Autofocus Film Body... Considering my lenses (see signature), what's a good recommendation for a film body? The only consideration is price really - like to under $100. The less the better. I realize that the DA15 and DA18-55 will not cover the full frame, but besides that, I believe I will be OK (at least from my forum searches). It seems as if any of the PZ's will work, though I am not too thrilled with the pentamirror finder. I suppose for something that will see light use, it's not too big of a deal. The SF series could work - if I could get past the look of it. Any ideas?

03-17-2010, 06:39 PM	#10
joeyc Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 478 Original Poster	I appreciate all the responses - thanks everyone! I believe the ZX/MZ-3/5/5n probably tops my 'want' list. Looks great, uses a battery grip, has dials... I will be keeping an eye out for one of them. In the interim, I actually just picked up a 'like new' K1000. Obviously all manual, but that's OK - reminds me a little of my Bessa R2 I stupidly sold. For the price I can't complain and once I sell the M501.7 that came with it, it will be an even better deal. Last edited by joeyc; 03-17-2010 at 06:44 PM.

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03-13-2010, 02:50 PM	#2
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by joeyc Considering my lenses (see signature), what's a good recommendation for a film body? The only consideration is price really - like to under $100. The less the better. I realize that the DA15 and DA18-55 will not cover the full frame, but besides that, I believe I will be OK (at least from my forum searches). It seems as if any of the PZ's will work, though I am not too thrilled with the pentamirror finder. I suppose for something that will see light use, it's not too big of a deal. The SF series could work - if I could get past the look of it. Any ideas? I bought a ZX-L for that purpose. It was dirt cheap and has worked perfectly. The DA15 on film is very interesting. I've posted a few shots. It is a fisheye circle with rectilinear rendering. I don't think I'd spend much more than the 50 bucks or so I spent on a body for that purpose only.

03-13-2010, 02:55 PM	#3
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I went with an MZ-5n because it has shutter priority, AE lock, an exposure compensation dial, and an easy to find AA battery grip (my grip cost less than a single CR2). It works quite well with DA series lenses in the program and shutter priority modes. The other mid level MZ/ZX series bodies would also be worth looking at. The gear on the mirror return motor is prone to failure, so check to make sure a body functions before buying it. The SuperProgram also offers shutter priority so that would be another alternative to the cameras you are considering.

03-13-2010, 03:28 PM	#4
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I have a MZ-6, which I bought for $85.00... including the grip which will save me $ in the battery department eventually. Plus a PZ-20, which I got for $35.00. There's no grip available, and the batteries are rather pricey However its a good camera otherwise. They both treat me good, will work most AF lenses, and I can't complain about either of them. I'd recommend either one.

03-13-2010, 05:49 PM	#5
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	My ZX-7 seems fine. I don't know whether it has a pentamirror, but the viewfinder seems fine apart from lacking a split image focus screen.

03-13-2010, 06:07 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by joeyc . . . It seems as if any of the PZ's will work, though I am not too thrilled with the pentamirror finder.. . . The PZ-1p and PZ-1 have Pentaprism finders.

03-13-2010, 11:13 PM	#7
Portland Pete Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 144	+1 for PZ-1. Same interface as the digital bodies, pentaprism finder, and there are two PZ-1's on eBay for under $100 right now.

03-14-2010, 05:45 AM	#8
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	The PZ1 or any of the MZ/ZX single digit cameras (5, 5n, 6,7,L) will work great. I the ZX7 the panorama switch helps a lot with the wide digitals by elimnating vignetting

03-17-2010, 10:49 AM	#9
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	I had in the past the ZX-7, ZX-30 and currently have SF1, SF10 and ZX-10 with grip. The ZX-7 is a very nice modern camera. The SF series look is not the best but it is very good camera. It is a workhorse and will last for decades. The SF1/SF10 looks better with a F lens attached IMO.

03-17-2010, 07:26 PM	#11
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	I would go PZ-1. The pentaprism finder, 1/8000 Shutter speed and 1/250 sync, plus full autofocus/auto aperture support win it for me. Mine will get here soon. I got it for $85 on eBay. I also like the *ist....very lightweight and works great with DA and FA J lenses. requires an A setting if you have an aperture ring though. I paid $120 for mine.

03-18-2010, 01:45 PM	#12
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Someone here in the "sales" forum has a very nice and clean MZ5n you better buy because i've been eyeing it for awhile now but i'm on an M42 crusade

03-20-2010, 09:14 PM	#13
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376	I've just put my Z-70 up in the marketplace. I'm hoping to get an AF Canon kit lens in trade for it. It's a nice camera, I just prefer the older MF bodies.

03-21-2010, 06:36 PM	#14
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	Originally posted by Clicker Someone here in the "sales" forum has a very nice and clean MZ5n you better buy because i've been eyeing it for awhile now but i'm on an M42 crusade So I shouldn't tempt you with my MZ-5n with a battery grip and cable release and local pickup

04-02-2010, 01:28 PM	#15
joeyc Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 478 Original Poster	Originally posted by Clarkey So I shouldn't tempt you with my MZ-5n with a battery grip and cable release and local pickup Tell me more...

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