"K.Takeshita" wrote:
>
> I replaced my MZ-3/43mm Silver kit with
> a black kit, so the set up is exactly the
> same as before ...
Oh, I didn't realize that you'd had an MZ-3 prior to the black
one. How nice to know that the setup has been working well for
you.
> Black colour makes the MZ-3 look
> that much more professional, i.e., a real
> camera (not that MZ-3 is not :-),
> thus my first impression of "baby LX" with
> black shutter dial and compensation dial etc.
I agree completely with your assessment of black bodies. Back
in the old days I just taped over the shiny parts of the various
Spotmatics that I owned with some black electrical tape. That
afforded not only the black look, but gave the camera a degree
of anonymity that sometimes came in handy.
> This particular combination is very
> light (just about 20oz w/lens) and very
> small. Lens is very compact but its
> filter and hood do not make the kit
> quite pocketable.
Hmmm ... my Pentax IQ Zoom 928 weighs bout 11.5-oz, and the MX
and the ME-S each weigh somewhere around 450-grams without a
lens. Add about 155-grams for the 43-ltd and we're at about
600- to 650-grams for the package, about six or seven ounces
fore than the MZ-3. The MZ-3 has a great carry weight, then, as
MX or ME-S aren't particularly cumbersome with small lenses.
This is sounding better and better.
I am. however, surprised that you don't find the setup
pocketable, although I must admit to having several jackets and
shirts with pockets large enough for a Spot-F, or an LX with
lenses up K85/1.8 size. Have you thought about a collapsible
rubber hood for the 43? I just put on on my 43 the other day,
but haven't taken any pics with it to see if there's any
vignetting.
> I can see why you say you want to
> use it in a P&S manner as it is ideal
> for that purpose. If you set everything
> auto, you can just literally point and
> shoot, even with one hand.
Absolutely. One of the things I want is a small, lightweight
camera with good optics that offers automatic film advance. In
fact, that's probably the main reason I'd like a newer body,
just to have automatic advance feature in a light body without
having to use a heavier and more cumbersome winder on the MX or
the ME-S.
> Yet the camera is very capable with
> its 1/4000 max, 1/125 sync, AE lock,
> DOF preview and popup flash, which
> covers most shooting situations.
Indeed! It's almost like a real camera in that regard <g,d&r>.
It can certainly do more, and with better quality, than the
Pentax IQ Zoom 928, which I've essentially stopped using because
of its slowness and poor imge quality. By ridding myself of
that camera, I can carry but one, better quality body and aa
couple of lenses when I want point nd shoot performance, but I
won't be sacrificing image quality or speed, and since the
camera can be used with both MF and AF lenses, it means that
it's the perfect snapshot and quick shootin' camera one moment
and a more conventional cameraa the next. I just love things
that serve more thaan one purpose.
> I have a penchant for smallish cameras
> and the best part of the MZ-3 is its Pentax!
> This kit makes it easy to just pick it up
> and go. I do not quite feel like snatching
> my z-1p so casually when I go to friend's house etc.
Well there you haave it - we're in pretty much total
agreement. Sometimes it's a hassle to grab an LX and shove it
into my pocket, plus the camera sometimes intimidates people -
it's so "professional" looking.
> I love its size. With the legendary
> 43mm/1.9, the angle is right and the
> lens is fast enough for most situations.
> So, it's good for a single lens walk-about.
And with my bigger pockets, I caan carry the camera and the 77mm
lens, and be happy as a clam in the "quick draw" of street
shooting, or the fun filled follies of family photography.
> Actually, I love the size and weight
> of the MZ camera so much so that I
> purchased an MZ-M and slapped an M40/2.8
> on it, which really makes it a great and
> true "P&S" SLR if there is such a term.
The ME-S seems to fit the bill for me there, especially with
the smallish 50mm f/2.0 and now, perhaps, with the 43-ltd.
However, having handled a ZX-5n once, and a ZX-7, I find their
ergonomics a little better for quick shooting. Have you used
the battery grip FG-something I think it is? I've only seen one
once when i was helping a friend make his ZX-7 purchace, but
I've never used it. It certainly seems small and light.
> I do not quite "abuse" the black MZ-3
> kit but I treat the MZ-M/40mm kit
> almost like a disposable camera without
> worrying scratches and dents etc.
I'll be nice to my MZ-3.
> I am sure you will be delighted with a
> black MZ-3. I first tried to buy a
> black MZ-3 in Canada but it was impossible
> to find it. I am not even sure that Pentax
> Canada import black versions.
Initial explorations have not yielded anything in Canada. I may
have to use Mitsuba, although a Japanese client is going to
Japan some time soon, and I may ask her to pick one up for me.
Of course, I think I'd be almost as happy with a ZX-5n or even a
silver MZ-3. Since the 43mm that I have is silver, I suppose I
could go with silver just as easily, and save myself the
aggrevation and expense of selling one lens and buying another
in black. But black is so nice ...
Thanks for your feedback, Ken.
--
Shel Belinkoff
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"The difference between a good photograph
and a great photograph is subtleties."
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