Hi all, This past weekend, I actually held a MZ-S. I agree with most that it needs the battery grip. The thing is so light to the point it almost feels fragile although sturdy. It was very comfortable in even my huge hands. I asked if they had any of the limited lenses and they didn't.
later that weekend, I asked about the camera at a local camera store and why they didn't have anything except the MZ30 and 50s. They explained that they kept a high end N***n and C***n and few pros would want to reinvest in new lenses. This was at the time I was buying a 70-210 A f4 constant aperture lens in mint condition and in original box for 95.00 (50 US). This is also the same place I bought a new MX winder for 40.00 (22US). But my rationale is, a camera is a light-tite box with a finder and shutter. I fell for the gadgets of the later cameras when I bought a SF1n and later a PZ1p. The former was stolen and the latter sold to make way for the LX. Why the change in attitude? One weekend, I was having a "bad hair" day and was questioning the PZ1p and the 28-105 power-zoom lens. The purpose was to photograph some old stone churches (one of my favourite topics). I dug out my old Spotmatic with a 55 and 35mm lens. I proceeded to take the same pictures with both cameras. The results could be expected, the Spotmatics images were higher quality but the real surprise was the consistency of exposure on the negatives. The Spotmatic was actually more uniform. With the PZ1p, I always used aperture priority and turned the exposure over to the camera. With the Spotmatic, I would preset the aperture and shutter to f8 and 1/500 (ASA 100 sunny 16) and then make the evaluation through the finder with the meter. My habits from 20 years ago had kicked in and was nailing the exposures as I had done with Kodachrome 25! So, if you feel that a "new" camera (other than the sake of having one) will enhance your creativity, forget it unless you have some special requirements. The better way is to understand the equipment you have and then calibrate your methods to your choice(s) of materials and equipment. As a result, for me anyway, I feel just as comfortable with a Spotmatic, a MX or LX as my methods are applicable to any of the three. Unless you are cashed up, spend your money on glass. Regards, Bob Rapp - 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 .
