This Old Camera: Pentax MZ-5. I’ll make sure to keep this one.
Subtitle: @KEHCamera strikes again.
What do I mean by I will keep this one? I am glad I imagined that you asked.
It is an AF Pentax SLR. A silver one. I have been here before.
I really liked that camera.
Then I sold it. Why?
Not completely sure, if I am honest. Maybe because I found the camera a little too newbie-grade with a lot of gimmicky features?
Maybe because it was a bit plasticky?
Maybe because I had a free to me Pentax SF10?
A perfectly usable camera…
But I never use the SF10. Why?
- Looks only a mother could love.
- Should not matter… but it does.
- Noisy.
- Thing squeaks and clicks when focusing.
- Feel.
- Slick, hard plastic.
- Ergonomics.
- Control scheme is a bit goofy.
Short version: Capable, but not fun or rewarding to use.
That left a favorite lens unused.
Why Pentax? In short, because of my Dad.
The first SLR I ever used as a child was his Pentax ME Super.
A camera I still own.
Nostalgia aside these have a tendency to pack it in unceremoniously, but the real reason is that I am pivoting towards AF 35mm film cameras recently. I like carrying film cameras with me to document proceedings and this usually involves my family. AF allows me to snap and move on more efficiently while not having my family on stand by as I frame and focus the shot.
Enter the MZ-5.
Found by simply searching for the least expensive AF Pentax SLR on KEH in EX condition. $33.
Nice.
Product pics and features.
A nice looking camera.
Simplest control scheme ever. Classic.
- Av (Aperture Priority) – Set shutter speed to A. Manually control aperture on the lens.
- Tv (Shutter Priority) – Set aperture on lens to A. Manually control shutter speed.
- P (Program/Auto) – Set both to A.
Quick access to metering modes.
Camera automatically sets ISO by DX code, but you can set it manually also. Exposure comp is straightforward.
Override the AF point array for center point AF with a button press.
Burn through film burst mode on the power dial.
Swing the power switch all the way around for self timer.
Beep on/off and AF/MF switch right there.
Deploy built in flash with a button press.
An unexpected perk was bootleg panorama mode.
Yes, you can crop a picture later, but I really like this being built in. When switched to P, a top and bottom mask is deployed, and you get an in-camera panorama pic.
A solid camera.
While built of plastic, it has a decent heft and feel.
AF is swift and accurate.
When AF does not have enough contrast to focus quickly, I switch to MF and keep it moving.
AE is very accurate. Very impressive. Better than the *ist in my opinion.
The same can be said of many SLRs of this era. And this is a solid option.
Sample pics.
Then I acquired a macro lens.
Thoughts.
A solid camera.
A fantastic price.
One of many great SLRs available for a reasonable sum.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 