Everyone I've talked to who have held it claim that it is indeed Magnesium
Alloy, however, that there seems to be a thick layer of
lacquer/paint/anodization...whatever it is that they've slapped on to the
supposed metal shell. Do you know if it was semi-operational pre-production
or fully operational production model?
Darren
PS. Tom, what exactly did your rep tell you about the A35 f1.4? I think I
missed that post.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Rittenhouse <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Pentax Discussion Malling List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: February 20, 2001 4:40 PM
Subject: MZ-S hands on!
>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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>
>
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