> John wrote: > Stan - I'm with you on this, with the one exception that I don't have > any problem reaching the focus selection button - but then I do have > long fingers.
Hi all, just want to share my 0.02. In many user reviews there is a complaint about how idiotic or hard to use AF point selection interface is. While I can agree that it might not be the best way to do it (for example, personally I like the joy-stick of Contax N1 best), I really have no trouble using it. When camera is in horizontal position, I can use it both ways: 1) with left hand middle finger I can easily reach for the selector to push it upwards and then simultaneously rotate the main dial in desired direction or 2) with right hand middle finger to do the same; no. 1 is the way I use it as it seems more natural to me. However, when the camera is held vertically, it is reallyeasy to do it with the right hand middle finger. Due to the tiny change in the position of the right hand which holds the camera from above, middle finger just falls right onto the selector and the thumb can easily rotate the main dial to desired AF frame. No fuzz. There is also a plus to this interface: while with cameras from other companies one needs to toggle the switch (1), then push the button (true, not hard to reach) to get to the desired AF point (2), and finally, when the desired AF point is selected, again to toggle the switch to lock AF point (3). With MZ-S, move 3 is already done, since you only take the finger of the AF point selector and it jumps into locked position. I don't say that MZ-S way is better, maybe it is not, but I really don't find it hard to use. Apart from that, I can't see anything to complain about ergonomics of MZ-S. Every button is straightforward only_one_ function button with instant readout from the slanted top plate that I find great for easy readout. Here we come to the second usual complain about why there is no metering pattern info in viewfinder. As I see it, Pentax has introduced slanted top panel with the idea that certain information is not needed on outside LCD, than again on viewfinder LCD and so on. The idea was that there is no need for double info. And I feel that they succeeded. Slanted panel does just that. The metering switch is so clear that its position is visible whether you have the eye at the viewfinder, or above the camera on tripod or you being behind the camera. Comparing to MZ-3 I find MZ-S to be a similar camera in basic concept, easier to handle, with bonus of much better viewfinder, hypermanual operation and especially lightning fast change between manual and aperture priority mode, up-to date flash system, more silent operation, (pseudo) MLU, continous AF and more AF points that are user selectable. And of course, great build quality and (hopefully - time will tell) durability which stands for itself. Exactly what I was looking for. All that for the cheapest metal body camera on the market. The only gripe I have is that I expected better AF. Not that is bad but I don't find it that better than in MZ-3. However, this can be another story. Cao, Matjaz - 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 .
