35mm SLR

by Gregg Hickman

With camera manufacturers, as you move up the line of their SLR product offerings you step up in the camera's ability to precisely compute and set exposure for you. The Flagship of the line, the Pentax MZ-S is no exception and is a significant step above the other members of the Pentax line. In fact, the MZ-S has a 6 segment metering system and will out perform the ability of most manual photographers. This means that when you push the shutter release in Program setting the camera will almost perfectly select the correct exposure and focus on the subject perfectly. You may of course set the exposure and all other systems to manual, and be 'just like' Pentax's vintage K1000 camera, if, for some unknown reason, you want to.

Today the lens of choice seems to be the longer and front heavy lenses (i.e.: 24-90mm, 28-200mm). With almost any 35 SLR you quickly learn that the addition of one of these lenses changes the ergonomics and balance of the camera to be very front heavy and the MZ-S is no exception. Enter the extremely ergonomic battery pack, BG-10. The grip of the battery pack extends the camera body length to fill even the smallest hand, eliminating the need for white-knuckle griping, thus reducing the amount of camera shake caused by such a tight grip. It also offers the ergonomic control for vertical shutter release. A VERY handy feature making it simple to turn the camera vertically for a vertically cropped image. As we all know, make it easy for the human to do something better and he will - subconsciously! Since the BG-10 is a battery pack, let's talk about the batteries for a moment. It allows you to use the common AA type of alkaline or NiMH rechargeable cells instead of the two CR-2 lithium cells in the camera. This way if you are in a remote location that doesn't readily sell the CR-2's, you can pop the four AA's out of your flash or purchase them from the local convenience store and power the grip to continue shooting. If you are planning on purchasing the Pentax MZ-S with any more than a fixed 50mm lens (which I have not seen a use for in years,) the BG-10 is not an accessory, it is a requirement! Owning the MZ-S without the BG-10 is like going outside without your pants on!

The ergonomics of the body are well designed. Most functions can be readily performed without removing the camera from the eye (once you are familiar with it) helping you to never miss the action. Pentax made it very easy to see and operate controls when you are looking at the camera by slanting the top of the camera toward the photographer. This makes it very simple to see and operate the controls especially on a tripod at eye level.

Body components are made from a lightweight, extra-strong die-cast magnesium alloy which should make the flagship of the Pentax line a more durable unit. It also helps support the List price of $1433.00(USD) and street price of about $899.00(USD). Another costly feature is the image data recorder that writes the info on the film between the sprocket holes beneath each image. It also writes a user setable roll number and the manually set ISO value on the leader of the film before the first image. These features, if available, usually require the purchase of an expensive data/multi-function back for other cameras. It is standard here. Another plus of the MZ-S is the LCD panel illuminator on top of the camera. A feature often omitted on many high end cameras. It is Standard here. I fully enjoy 'playing' (and sometimes I make money) in the studio with my equipment, so camera without a standard Photo Cord (PC) plug is annoying at least. I bet you'd never guess: Its standard here.

A pet peeve of mine is a camera that winds the leader into cartridge on rewind and gives no option for leaving it out. Well, one of the nineteen "Pentax Functions" or custom functions allows you to leave the leader out of the film can. Useful if you want to reload the film to finish shooting it later.

This is the best handling and operating Pentax camera we have ever put to the grindstone. It is pricey and a couple of drawbacks. The eye-relief is too short. In other words if you wear glasses its hard to see the entire viewfinder without moving the camera or your eye in the viewfinder. The back door latch seems under designed in that it is a single thin hook on the door that catches the latch of the body. It could be a service problem only if your are the rough type that slams a camera's door closed. It is a winner for the Pentax user wanting to step up. It is a serious SLR and one that you should own for a long time.