Ralf wrote: > So we have the MZ-S now. > > It's $1100. MZ-5N is $350 and fits a special group of customers. It > might go on as it is for quite a while. > > So what about Pentax introducing an advanced camera on basis of the > MZ-7, at around $600? > > It could be this way: > > - MZ-7, minus illuminated dial and auto pop up flash as a basis. It > offers more internal space than MZ-5/3 and a more universal user > interface, so there could be some improvements done with ease: > - Add the 1/4000s shutter of the MZ-3, 1/125s synch plus high speed > synch with the new flash. Like it sofar, love the looks of the MZ-7 (better then the MZ5n). And a choice of BLACK!, please, also outside Japan. > - Add the DOF preview of MZ-5N/3 and alternative metering modes, e.g. > simply an automatic spot metering in manual mode and in combination > with the ML. centerweighed is still my favorite in combination with manual. (Habit I guess) > - Use SAFOX IV, but with single/servo switch and a ribbon control > (see music synthesizers) on the back for thumb selection of the main > AF-point. This would be a unique and nearly undestroyable interface. > maybe choose a -|- layout instead of |-| but I don't know if this is > an improvement. Why not the new Safox VII, Nikon did the same with the F80. Servo switch is important though. Single with focus prediction sucks for slower moving objects. I sometimes switch the drive on with the MZ5n to have pseudo servo. Expensive on film if the subject turns out to be not that interesting afterwards. > > - Replace the picture modes with conventional programs. Use the main > lever for a real program shift and shutter speed selection in manual > and aperture priority. Also offer a hyper program shift and MTF > program as special modes. Add a bracketing function there too. > > - Add a 3fps motor. This is possible. Add a vertical release to the > AA battery grip. This isn't really neccessary with this size of a > camera, but many would like to have the choice. A great design would > be a removable vertical release unit in the grip, which could be used > as a remote control too. > > - Improve the finder with a glass prism instead of the mirrors. > > - Leave the camera unchanged otherwise. It sells well to beginners, > and they would gladly pick an advanced but similar looking sister > later as an upgrade path. > > - Make a special mid class lens series. Basically a design variant, > but summing all outstanding and affordable lenses for this camera in > a clear recognizable way. use the best mid range FA lenses for > this, but add something special here, e.g. a manual focus clutch. The > third party producers have very good sales with such "half exclusive" > designs. Just a really sharp 100-300, with a special 58mm close-up lens for macro, would do for me (and smaller and lighter then my F*300f4.5, so no clutches if it were up to me) My 28mm and my 50mm and that zoom, wouldn't that be a dream 3 lens kit for the small size camera bag. > Well, this would be a good product I think, very much with > recognizable, special Pentax features, but absolute competitive also > for the mailorder feature counters. I agree. Curious about the interface though (small MZ-S wheel?). Prototype at PMA 2002? Erwin - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
