Hello All,
I spent two or three happy hours today in a small, one-man camera shop (a
rarity in Atlanta, GA). I was playing with the Pentax ZX-5n all the while.
It is indeed very light (40.? oz.) and dainty. Despite all the plastic, the
camera has a precision feel to me (plastic/solid--oxymoron?). I was
*especially* taken with the quiet, very well damped mirror action. There is
no mirror lockup, but after many years of Leica experience, and some fewer
years w/Nikon, I think I could prop myself in a doorframe, handhold this
camera at 1/30 and get a sharp image--even with my advanced years. I found
the method of changing exposure modes especially elegant. With the f-stop
set to its smallest opening and the shutter speed dial on A, you're in
Program. Move the shutter speed dial to any number (not A) and you're in
shutter priority. Leave it on A, and move the f-stop ring to f-8, say, and
you're in aperture priority. Move both, you're in manual. Oly rules for
considered, set up shots, (my kind of photography) but for a "grab shot"
camera w/zoom lens, I like it. And it's cheap.
Regards,
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Ernens" <fgernens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 8:23 AM
Subject: [OM] Pentax ZX-5N -- the new OM4T?
> Alex wrote
>
> > The ZX-5N has extremely simple (non LCD screen) controls,
> > including spot metering with hold switch, auto bracketing,
> > small petite and quiet--garnering high praise for it's
elegant
> > user interface.
>
> I think this is called the MZ-5N here. There is another slightly better
> model called the MZ-3N. Take a close look at the "hold switch". It
> i. toggles and ii. self-cancels after just 10s. It will drive you
> mad if you try to actually use it.
>
> The way the camera switches between shutter priority, aperture
> priority and program mode is indeed elegant, but inconvenient.
> It loses its elegance if program mode is absent, as I think it
> should be in a serious camera.
>
> Everything works in 1/2 stops instead of 1/3 stops, it
> has been claimed on this list by one MZ-5N owner that his camera
> overexposes by 1 1/2 stops, and there is that stupid panorama mask,
> so I think this camera is aimed at print film users.
>
> The focussing screen has no optical rangefinder.
>
> Whatever may be available in the future, last time I checked
> Pentax offered no F=35mm prime, much less a shift lens, which is
> my primary optic in this length.
>
> Maybe it would be OK, but it doesn't look or feel robust enough to
> take to the places I take my OM-4.
>
> > All the Aria is and more.
>
> It's the "and more" that is often the problem with Japanese design.
>
>
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