Hi, I have a couple of Super Programs and and have (well, now its my 10yr old daughter's) a ZX-M. I also have a ZX-5n like you. Here's my thoughts comparing the ZX-M and Super Program.
The ZX-M fits nicely with the ZX-5n because they have basically the same interface, and use the same accessories, such as cable release and battery pack. AF lenses will give you aperture readout in the finder in Aperture Priority. The exposure comp dial turns the same direction for over/under as the '5n, while the Super Program's turns opposite; I've been burned by that a couple of times. The ZX-M's finder is smaller and dimmer, but the split image rangefinder works well with lenses as slow as f/5.6, perhaps a consideration if you use slow zooms, screwmount lenses with an adapter, etc. Also, the lighted viewfinder display is nice in lower light, and a welcome improvement over the fiddly hard to push "illumination" button on the Super Program. Also, if you are shooting in manual, the readout in the ZX-M will show you when you are within 1/2 stop of correct exposure, vs. 1 stop with the Super Program. You also get electronic dof preview with the ZX-M, which is cool. The ZX-M is pretty much all plastic, but I found it to be pretty tough little beast, surviving several drops and falls, rain, snow, etc. Despite all this, my 10 year old now has the ZX-M, and I have 2 Super Programs. FWIW, the Super Programs were purchased after the ZX-M. The real joy of the Super Program is the viewfinder, especially used with reasonably fast lenses. The finder is larger, brighter, and contrastier than the finder on the ZX-M. Also, I prefer the finder display in moderate to bright light, where the ZX-M's tends to wash out. Hope this helps. William in Utah. Ed Dombek wrote: > > I sold my Super Program that I purchased new in 1983 last year when I bought my >ZX-5n. I find that sometimes I miss the split focusing and manual process from the >SP. So, with the US$40 rebate that Pentax is offering, a ZX-M from B&H is only about >$120! Can someone from the list compare/contrast the SP and ZX-M? I'm thinking this >would be a great second body for less than the price of a used SP. TIA!!! > > _____________________________________________________________ > - > 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 . - 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 .
