AF Film SLR

[thinkhardhard]

Hi guys, I'm looking at getting an auto-focus Pentax film slr that is easily available on ebay or even here. am considering the MZ-3/5/6/7 series, but not sure which is better. Can anyone help pls? Or is there any other model which is good & lightweight, and has aperture-priority mode?

Also, I read somewhere that DA pancake lens cannot be used on some Pentax film slr and I own both DA21 and DA40. Which film slr models can these DA lens be used on?

Thanks in advance

[hjbyeo]

I only noe the lens a little better. DA 21 cannot be used with a Film DSLR.

[felixcat8888]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard Hi guys, I'm looking at getting an auto-focus Pentax film slr that is easily available on ebay or even here. am considering the MZ-3/5/6/7 series, but not sure which is better. Can anyone help pls? Or is there any other model which is good & lightweight, and has aperture-priority mode? Also, I read somewhere that DA pancake lens cannot be used on some Pentax film slr and I own both DA21 and DA40. Which film slr models can these DA lens be used on? Thanks in advance

PZ/Z-series are good. MZ-S is good but not very light. MZ-30/60 light. Have not seen any 3/5/6/7 series around in SG shops.

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard Hi guys, I'm looking at getting an auto-focus Pentax film slr that is easily available on ebay or even here. am considering the MZ-3/5/6/7 series, but not sure which is better. Can anyone help pls? Or is there any other model which is good & lightweight, and has aperture-priority mode? Also, I read somewhere that DA pancake lens cannot be used on some Pentax film slr and I own both DA21 and DA40. Which film slr models can these DA lens be used on? Thanks in advance

Among the one you considered, probably get the MZ-3 which is a later model with better shutter speed. Others you can consider are the MZ-S, *ist or the PZ/Z series. Light weights are the MZ series and the *ist.

The DA lenses are designed for digital AP-C sensor. The DA21 will have vignetting when used with film cameras.

[hamustar]

All would have Av modes. The single digit series will allow lenses to work at other than 'A' setting on the aperture ring.

The Mz-3, 5, 5n will have a nice shutter dial at the top.
Mz5 does not have DOF preview.

Am also hard-pressed to find out any more differences of those models.

[Ben Loke]

Originally Posted by istDeS Among the one you considered, probably get the MZ-3 which is a later model with better shutter speed. Others you can consider are the MZ-S, *ist or the PZ/Z series. Light weights are the MZ series and the *ist. The DA lenses are designed for digital AP-C sensor. The DA21 will have vignetting when used with film cameras.

The MZ-3 was recomended when I bought it 1st hand.

Seldom used it but kept it dry box most of the time. One fine day when I took it out, I was was surprise its mirror locked facing up. Other than that, the MZ-3 is in immaculate condition.

Sent it to CH and was told it is not econmoical to repair as buying a 2nd hand is better. Have not sent to other shops like P & G for 2nd opinion.

On my recent trip to Kyoto, I found a pre-owned MZ-3 Limited Edition and bought it for about less than S$300.00. The shop also carries other models of pre-owned Pentax film SLR.

Now I have a spare MZ-3 to back up for spare parts...hope not the mirror this time.

Thinkhardhard, come join us for the Nov 15th outing, I can bring my MZ-3 to show you.

[fengwei]

Since DA lenses don't have aperture rings, it's better to get a film camera w/ aperture control on camera body. Cameras like MZ-3 or MZ-S are very good quality cameras, but they lack on-bodyaperture control. You have to turn the aperture ring to change apertures, which isn't possible if a DA lens is mounted.

Some good AF film cameras w/ on-body aperture control: MZ-6, Z1, Z1p, *ist and etc. If you don't mind the size and weight, I think a Z1/Z1p is probably the best camera to go w/ some DA lenses.

As some said above, most DA lenses might have problem working on film cameras due to their smaller image circles. Some known working ones are: DA40, DA70, DA*200, DA*300 and etc. Some zoom lenses will work fine in certain zoom range (kit lens, DA1645, DA1017 and etc.).

[thinkhardhard]

Hi bros, thanks so much for all your replies, and Ben for offering to show me your Mz-3

Am considering between MZ-6 and MZ-5N. Does MZ-5N comes with on-body aperture control which is compatible with DA40?

And would need some recommendations on not too heavy lens as well. what is a good walkabout lens to go with Mz-5n/6? I like wide-angle lens, so will consider wide angle zoom as well as wide prime.

fengwei, you said the 18-55 kit lens will work on Mz? any idea what zoom range will it work?

Thanks all

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by thinkhardhard Hi bros, thanks so much for all your replies, and Ben for offering to show me your Mz-3 Am considering between MZ-6 and MZ-5N. Does MZ-5N comes with on-body aperture control which is compatible with DA40? And would need some recommendations on not too heavy lens as well. what is a good walkabout lens to go with Mz-5n/6? I like wide-angle lens, so will consider wide angle zoom as well as wide prime. fengwei, you said the 18-55 kit lens will work on Mz? any idea what zoom range will it work? Thanks all

MZ-6 definitely has on-body aperture control. Don't think MZ-5n has 'cause it's pretty much an MZ-3 w/ less features, but I can be wrong on this. Some other cheap cameras w/ on-body aperture control: MZ-10, MZ-30, MZ-50, MZ-60.

Most wide to mid tele Pentax lenses are pretty light and compact. Which one to choose is all personal preference. But I guess something like FA20-35, F24-50, FA28-70/4, FA28-105/3.2-4.5 are all very good match to a camera like MZ6/MZ3, and they are all very compact and light.

The kit lens was designed for APSC sensor, but it seems to work fine from 24 to 55mm range. At least no obvious vignetting when used on a film camera. So it'd be like an AF 24-55/4.5-5.6 zoom lens when mounted on a film camera (w/ on-body aperture control) Same goes to DA1017 from 15 to 17mm and DA1645 from 24 to 45mm. Although there might be no obvious vignetting, you might see pretty bad corner and edge performance especially wide open.

[pscion12]

Just to chip in. I do have an FAJ 75-300mm (a pentax lens without an aperture ring) that I do mount on my MZ-5. Basically use the lens with the shutter set on any value other than A (essentially setting it to TV mode) It should work. But other than this, you can't set it to any other setting.

Avoid the z series, Looking for the batteries is quite hard nowadays and most likely you'll be ripped-off even if you do.

[thinkhardhard]

hi guys, thanks for your help. i'm now considering between FA24-90/3.5-4.5, FA 28-105/3.2-4.5. may just go for the extra 2mm in the former, provided i can find it. and perhaps add on a FA20-35 or FAJ 18-35 in the future