Alan wrote: "But if I remember correctly, Pal emphasized many times that the MZ-S was the strongest built Pentax 135 body. But if it's inner structure was the same/similar as other MZ/ZX bodies, how was that possible?"
REPLY: It isn't possible... Alan: Not that I am allergic to plastic <g>, but at least D/DS bodies have metal sub-frames too so there must be some reason. Beside, there were at least 2 cases I read that the camera mounts were torn from the camera because they were fastened onto the plastic structures (MZ-5 I believe). REPLY: If you remove the magnesium bottom plate of the MZ-S you'll find a steel plate underneath it bolted onto the ultra rigid outer shell. On this the tripod socket are mounted. As the strong steel plate is as long as the bottom of the camera this possibly qualify as the stronges tripod socket in business. The lens mount on the MZ-S is obviously bolted to the metal comprising its front plate. The MZ-S camera body is metal with internal steel reinforcements. The reason the *istD(s) has metal frames is because the outer body material does't provide the rigidness needed. The MZ-s body does, being the most rigid Pentax ever (quite noticeable of you handle one). Only parts not critical for strenght are made of plastic. P�l
