On Wed, 26 Dec 2001 20:51:48 +0100, you wrote: >Some of us actually celebrated the demise of the Z-1p
...and some of us regret replacing the top model PZ1p with the mid-range MZ-S. In my opinion, history will judge the MZ-S as an overpriced yuppie-pretending-to-be-artist's toy, much like the Contax G1 or N1. I love this quote from a G1 reviewer, which in my mind also sums up the Contax N1 and Pentax MZ-S: "The exact application for which this camera was designed is unclear, except that price and availability point to a decidedly upscale demographic." It is not surprising to hear MZ-S owners proclaim its lack of features as a desirable feature in itself, because they never could figure out how to successfully and easily access the useful features of a previous camera. And come on guys - is the MZ-S really all that well built? I mean, does it have weather sealing that will hold back a piddling fog? Is it sealed as well as the EOS 1v? Or do we drag out the price-performance argument when comparing the EOS 1v and MZ-S, and in the next breath loudly proclaim that the PZ1p is "bad" because the PZ1p provides excellent value for the money? Does anyone really think Pentax did not leave room for an improved model MZ-Sn, for example something with faster max shutter speed, faster flash sync, and maybe a couple of other features? Or, more likely, isn't it true that the MZ-S only exists at all because Pentax needed a design frame for their digital camera? Introducing a new model such as the MZ-S as the be-all and end-all of Pentax film cameras would go against the obvious current and ancient history of Pentax design. The PZ1p does not have a direct upgrade because Pentax fell out of competition against Nikon and Canon and Minolta in the mid and upper range AF camera *systems*, not because of any fault in the design of the PZ1p itself. If anything, they made the Pz1 too good; and the improved Pz1p too good, and failed to reach the next level with an upgraded Pz1p because ot system issues, and because Pentax side-tracked themselves with selling point-and-shoots, and selling upscale point-and-shoots like the whole MZ series. As for price-performance, well, Pentax has a long and honorable history of providing good value for camera buyers, going at least back to the Spotmatic era and continuing through today. Back then, Pentax priced three different sets with only a ten or twenty dollar difference between each level. Remember Pentax is the manufacturer who hung a ring around an f1.8 lens to cut its max aperture back to f2, so some poor schmuck could afford to buy a Pentax kit ten bucks cheaper, with no serious compromise in quality. In my mind, there's only three reasons to own Pentax at all: first is the excellent Pentax glass, with its first-rate coatings. Second is related to the first: backwards compatibliity with fine older lenses. But the real kicker is value for money. If I had unlimited funds, and became convinced Canon lenses would please me as well as my Pentax lenses, I switch tomorrow. Or, more likely, I would have switched a long time ago. The PZ1p is a fine camera in the hands of anyone not looking for a yuppie toy to make themselves feel good about owning "a fine piece of machinery." If one is looking for a camera to impress those who know nothing, a Pz1p works just as well as an MZ-S. If one is looking for a camera to take pictures, the Pz1p outperforms the MZ-S. And if anyone thinks the MZ-S is all that great, just wait til Pentax dumps the K-mount. It may happen, guys. Pentax changed mounts once before, and might change again. If Pentax wants to adopt modern lens design with HSM and IF technology, changing mounts might be more profitable than designing around the limitations of the K-mount. But I truly think Pentax in no longer interested in anything except the "upscale demographics", and will focus not on professional or even serious photographers, but instead on aspiring yuppies who want to take pictures with a camera they think will impress somebody, if only themselves. Sort of a poor boys Contax. The bad thing is, Pentax is again way behind the market. Being a yuppy went out with the dot coms. -- John Mustarde www.photolin.com - 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 .
