Pentax MZ-S (2001) autofocus 35mm film SLR
Produced by Asahi Optical Co. (later Pentax Corp.) from 2001 to 2006, body MSRP $1433 in 2001 ($1988 in 2017). The final professional-grade, flagship 35mm film SLR from Pentax, lighter and more compact than competing cameras, known for excellent handling. Considered to be one of the best Pentax film cameras ever made (along with the PZ-1P autofocus and LX manual focus models). First Pentax body of magnesium alloy, unique interface with analog dials, LCD display, slanted top panel. Automatic imprint of exposure information on the edge of the film. Databack with time/date imprinting. Purchased 3/9/17 from a camera dealer in Japan on Ebay.
Specs: 6 point autofocus; Power zoom; accepts all K-mount lenses (auto and manual focus) with full function; provides aperture-priority autoexposure with older M42 screw mount lenses (with adapter).
Electronically controlled metal vertical focal plane shutter, speeds 30 - 1/6000s; self timer; mirror lock-up; auto bracketing; multi-exposure; auto-winder 2.5 fps
Multi-segment (6) autoexposure, range 0 - 21 EV; also center-weighted and spot; ISO 6 - 6400; exposure modes P, Av, Tv, M, B; compensation +/-3 EV; exposure lock.
Program modes: Normal, Action, Depth of field and MTF (Modulation Transfer Function - camera sets the aperture to the value where the lens performs the best under the given light).
Built-in flash GN 12, 24mm coverage, Pentax through the lens (P-TTL) autoexposure with sync to 1/180s, high speed sync to 1/6000 sec, red-eye reduction. Both P-TTL and TTL sync with external Pentax flashes. Hot shoe and PC port.
Viewfinder 0.75x, 92%, exposure information indicators, pentaprism, diopter correction, exchangeable focusing screen, depth of field preview
Battery 2 x CR2; 19 customizable control functions. Size 136.5 x 95 x 64 mm, Weight 520 g
Accessories: Battery grip BG-10 (4AA batteries); AF360FGZ flash (P-TTL, wireless P-TTL, High-Speed sync, Contrast control); soft case CF-10
Kit lenses: SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF] which I recently bought. Shown is a SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 with Macro (1987), a small and light near-normal zoom.
Pentax MZ-S (2001) autofocus 35mm film SLR
Produced by Asahi Optical Co. (later Pentax Corp.) from 2001 to 2006, body MSRP $1433 in 2001 ($1988 in 2017). The final professional-grade, flagship 35mm film SLR from Pentax, lighter and more compact than competing cameras, known for excellent handling. Considered to be one of the best Pentax film cameras ever made (along with the PZ-1P autofocus and LX manual focus models). First Pentax body of magnesium alloy, unique interface with analog dials, LCD display, slanted top panel. Automatic imprint of exposure information on the edge of the film. Databack with time/date imprinting. Purchased 3/9/17 from a camera dealer in Japan on Ebay.
Specs: 6 point autofocus; Power zoom; accepts all K-mount lenses (auto and manual focus) with full function; provides aperture-priority autoexposure with older M42 screw mount lenses (with adapter).
Electronically controlled metal vertical focal plane shutter, speeds 30 - 1/6000s; self timer; mirror lock-up; auto bracketing; multi-exposure; auto-winder 2.5 fps
Multi-segment (6) autoexposure, range 0 - 21 EV; also center-weighted and spot; ISO 6 - 6400; exposure modes P, Av, Tv, M, B; compensation +/-3 EV; exposure lock.
Program modes: Normal, Action, Depth of field and MTF (Modulation Transfer Function - camera sets the aperture to the value where the lens performs the best under the given light).
Built-in flash GN 12, 24mm coverage, Pentax through the lens (P-TTL) autoexposure with sync to 1/180s, high speed sync to 1/6000 sec, red-eye reduction. Both P-TTL and TTL sync with external Pentax flashes. Hot shoe and PC port.
Viewfinder 0.75x, 92%, exposure information indicators, pentaprism, diopter correction, exchangeable focusing screen, depth of field preview
Battery 2 x CR2; 19 customizable control functions. Size 136.5 x 95 x 64 mm, Weight 520 g
Accessories: Battery grip BG-10 (4AA batteries); AF360FGZ flash (P-TTL, wireless P-TTL, High-Speed sync, Contrast control); soft case CF-10
Kit lenses: SMC Pentax-FA 24-90mm F3.5-4.5 AL [IF] which I recently bought. Shown is a SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 with Macro (1987), a small and light near-normal zoom.