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I have had this camera many years as an upgrade to my Pentax P30n as i wanted to try an autofocus camera.
There are a large array of lenses available for it. You can use Pentax lenses or for a wider range, try the likes of Sigma or Tamron. Both these other makes are as good if not better ... Read review
(+) Fold out LCD screen, Image Stabilization, Zuiko lens quality, Picture quality, Flash options (-) Noise in low light, Too many buttons, Badly laid out, Too many gimmicks
Advantages: Lightweight and easy to use Disadvantages: Manual focus can be tricky
...as an upgrade to my Pentax P30n as i wanted to try an autofocus camera.
There are a large array of lenses available for it. You can use Pentax lenses or for a wider range, try the likes of Sigma or Tamron. Both these other makes are as good if not better than the Pentax lenses available. Both silver or black coloured lenses look good on it due to the fact that both are present on the cameras body.
Manual lenses can be used but they ... ...almost impossible to get the focusing spot on. If using a long focal length lens at the infinity setting the focusing is less of a problem.
The max shutter speed is 2000th/second this is adequate for most purposes but it would be nice if it was as fast as a Nikon F90x (8000th/second). It also has a bulb setting so you can go as slow as you like.
The film advance is powered and also has auto reverse when you reach the end of ... more
This is one of my favourite cameras to use especially for wildlife photography. It is lightweight due to the body being made of plastic but still rugged enough to cope with everyday life. The viewfinder is large and bright so any manual adjustments of focus that you require can be done. There is also a dioptre adjustment on the view finder to cater for those who wear glasses.
It has a built in flash on the top of the camera useful when used with the standard 28-80mm lens that is normally included when you buy the camera. The flash can be turned on or off, used on an automatic setting and also used on an anti red eye setting. All these work well. I like to use an auxillary flash mounted to the side of the camera for indoor work especially at music gigs as i require the extra illumination that an external flash provides.
I have had this camera many years as an upgrade to my Pentax P30n as i wanted to try an autofocus camera. There are a large array of lenses available for it. You can use Pentax lenses or for a wider range, try the likes of Sigma or Tamron. Both these other makes are as good if not better than the Pentax lenses available. Both silver or black coloured lenses look good on it due to the fact that both are present on the cameras body. Manual lenses can be used but they arent easy to use as the focus screen makes it almost impossible to get the focusing spot on. If using a long focal length lens at the infinity setting the focusing is less of a problem.
The max shutter speed is 2000th/second this is adequate for most purposes but it would be nice if it was as fast as a Nikon F90x (8000th/second). It also has a bulb setting so you can go as slow as you like. The film advance is powered and also has auto reverse when you reach the end of the film. One of the nice features of the camera is that you can let the camera take care of all the settings or you can completely over ride everything. So on auto it becomes a point and shoot camera allowing even amateurs to take great pictures. Or over ride everything and shoot like a pro.
I have been very pleased with the results i have had using all types of film such as Black and White, Colour and Slide film. When used with slide film the camera has an auto bracketing function so you can expose up to 2 steps below or above the standard setting.
It is marketed as a semi professional camera and I have seen many examples of work published by wildlife photographers using this camera. It is a nice alternative to using the ubiquitous Canon or Nikon that most wildlife photographers seem to use.
Advantages: Fast auto focus but slower on the longer focal length lenses, A great semi pro camera, Outstanding picture quality
Disadvantages: Focus screen not suitable for use with manual lenses
The Pentax MZ-5N has been a great travel companion for me through the last few years taking pictures in North America and large parts of Europe. No problems ever, whatever the weather or conditions. Also brilliant in theatres and on movie locations. Though be careful only to use the Pentax SMC lenses with it, since I had real trouble with Sigma lenses attached - bad focusing, slow auto focus. The camera has so few buttons, that you can adapt fast ... ...used it after loosing my Pentax Z1 and it has been a great replacement, though much smaller. Also the viewfinder has a good size, even for people wearing glasses - you can still see all information at once. The only disadvantage was the location of the flash adapter on the top, which is not very handy with a big flash. ...
dkoch 18.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pentax MZ 5N
Advantages: Performance, reliable, ease of use, clear viewfinder Disadvantages: None
...Having used many 1960's Pentax cameras in the S range, I was very happy find the controls seem to falls under the fingers much the same. Though it doesn't quite have the looks or solid feel of the those 60's models, it is still very robust.
I've seen many articles lamenting that modern lenses are no match for the old 60's Takumar lenses, I have little to complain about, and especially given both lenses I have with this are zooms.
I wear glasses ... ...laid out. This is something Pentax seem to be particularly at, which a select few manufacturers should take note of.
All settings are made used dedicated buttons, and thus doesn't suffer the most common bug bare of recent camera developments, which is hiding stuff in a menu on the lcd menu. I think this is a bonus, as it takes just a fraction of a second to change from metering the exposure just from the center section to full screen metering. ...
TheZigStar 15.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pentax MZ 5N
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