On Wed, 1 Aug 2001, Bucky wrote:
> I'm thinking :
> MZ-5N
I bought this primarily for its design. If you're using an MX as backup,
then you'll have a pretty short learning curve with the 5n. I like its
small size, simple operation (each function has its own button), and
excellent body/lens compatibility (compared to entry-level Nikons). I
don't like the noise of the AF, or the fact that it can be hard to read
the viewfinder info in bright light, and I miss a continuous AF mode on
single-shot.
> 24-90 I know it's brand new so there won't be any reviews
Don't one or two of us have one already? Maybe they can offer some input.
> 77mm f1.8 limited
I don't have one, nor have I ever seen one. By all accounts an excellent
lens. Expensive, but the great thing about Pentax is that if the new
77/1.8 is too pricey, you can always find a good used K85/1.8
for... uh... almost the same price. :)
> 100mm f2.8 macro
Very, very sharp. I prefer the feel of the older, MF-only macros, but
this is a well-built, great lens.
> 80-320 f4.7-5.6
I have one of these. I don't think I've ever enlarged anything past 5x7
taken at the long end of this zoom, but it has the reputation of being
soft past 200mm or so. I don't mind what softness there is, and find it a
good lens overall.
> 500FTZ Flash
> and various and sundry of camera flash cords etc....
A great flash. I'd like the option of being able to sync it past the
camera's sync speed, but you can't have everything.
> of course I would like to pick up a good shape MX to compliment the
> electronic stuff.
You could always wait for the black MX with motor drive I'll be putting on
eBay as soon as I verify that it works as good as it looks. :) And why
not an LX? They're both good cameras, but the viewfinder on the LX is
amazing, and it's a lot brighter than the MX. Definitely something to
think about.
> Also I was wondering if any of you have used the F AF Adapter 1.7X on Manual
> lenses . How well does it work?
I haven't, sorry. I imagine it would work a lot like, say, a Maxxum
7000: slow, noisy, and needing a fair bit of contrast to focus, but I have
no idea.
> Is there any consensus on the best (affordable) zoom lens that pentax has
> made?
The FA28-70/4 is extremely sharp, and the older power zoom 28-105 (not the
newer Tamron-made version) is supposed to be quite good as well.
As far as the Nikon comparison goes, you work in a camera store, too, so
there's no need to cover the basics. For general AF work, it's hard to
beat the F80 with 28-105 (1:2 macro). It gives you things like flash
exposure compensation, quieter AF, and selectable multiple AF points, but
you lose that gorgeous interface of the MZ-5n. The 1% spot meter of the
F80 is nice, but the 5n has a 2.5% one; both are very different from
Canon's models, which have something like an 11% partial meter instead of
a true spot. And I like the 5n's ability to use any lens pentax makes or
has made (screwmounts and MedF need adapters), while you lose metering
with older lenses on all Nikons below the F90x.
Also, if you're trying to capture moving subjects, you might want to think
about the MZ-S. Selectable multiple AF points, continuous AF, and faster
AF.
Hope this helps...
chris
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