Wow guys, I got to fondle the MZ-S today. The rep who told me I
was wrong about the A35/1.4, called me and said he was in town
and did I want to see the new camera. Four speeding tickets
later (figuratively speaking) I had it in my hands. I asked if
I could write about it to the list, and he said go ahead.
Feels nice and solid. The exterior is plastic but he swears
that the frame is magnesium. It is about the same size as the
Z1p. The sloping top does work better than you would think
from the pictures. Digital displays, but all the usual
functions can be controlled by simple knobs and one shot
buttons, no hold button A, swear at button B while pressing
button B three times, thank god. There are 19 custom functions
that you probably need the manual for, but any normal picture
taking should be quite intuitive.
I forgot to check for mirror lock up (something I seldom use),
but did check out a couple of things that have be wondered about
here on PDML. Yes there is a very easy to use depth of field
preview control, just touch a button on the body. As best as I
could tell without film in the camera the Data Imprinting does
not slow down the winder (2.5 fps hardly qualifies as a motor
drive by my way of thinking).
The mode selection is almost transparent. Touch a green button
convenient to your index finger and it goes into program mode.
Set the f-stop on the lens it automatically goes into aperture
priority. Set the shutter speed manually it goes into shutter
priority. Set both and it goes into manual. Touch the green
button again and it's back into program mode.
Exposure comp is 1/2 stops, slide shooters will not be happy
with that. The viewfinder is just fine in my opinion. Lots of
information there but it is not obtrusive. I would have to
shoot some film to find out how well the rather strange
autofocus point layout works. The camera automatically selects
the point, but you can override it if you think it is wrong.
He didn't have a vertical grip, said there are only a couple in
the country as of right now, but said it made a really nice
camera even nicer. He was very enthusiastic about it. It has a
quick connect system. Bayonet it onto the body and flip a
lever. It adds a neck strap lug so you can carry the camera
vertically like an LX. Also, he says, the tripod hole is under
the lens not off center like the old M series winders.
The 24-90 zoom is variable f-stop, I don't like that. It feels
like a consumer lens. Focus is 0.5 meter (about 18 inches to my
metrically impaired fellow countrymen, it has both scales). At
90mm that seems quite close, but I would not really call it a
macro focusing lens. He says it replaces the 28-70/f4, sad. I
would call it an upgrade to the 28-80 myself.
I will be glad to try and answer any questions (please CC me, so
I don't miss your question), but remember I only handled it for
a few minutes.
--Tom
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