The MZ-3 not only offers extremely high optical and mechanical standards to satisfy the exacting requirements of advanced photographers, but also assu
The MZ-3 not only offers extremely high optical and mechanical standards to satisfy the exacting requirements of advanced photographers, but also assured compatibility with all existing Pentax 35mm lenses and flashes. The MZ-3 further refines the MZ-series concept by combining all the features and functions of the MZ-5N with a new shutter system allowing for an incredible 1/4,000 second top shutter speed with flash sync capabilities up to 1/125 second.
My husband & I have been big Pentax fans for a long time, and both each own a LX.
We have also had the ME Super, K1000 as part of our "collection" and recently my husband bought the Pz-1.
I bought the MZ-3, not knowing the MZ-S was about to be released, or I would have waited!
BUT, this is still a great camera. I like the look and feel of a manual SLR. It is really easy to use and I have take some awesome pictures - recently took great handheld pics of the July 4th fireworks and was incredibly impressed with the exposures!
I am planning on purchasing the MZ-S almost solely for the fact that it stores the photo data on the neg. As I am currently taking a course, I would like to record the settings of my photos, but most times just don't have the time to still record the data between each take.
Strengths:
* DOF preview
* High 1/4000 shutterspeed
* Panoramic mode (we use it to do 3d stereo shots)
* Built in Date Back
* Fullly manual override
Weaknesses:
* Top display panel doesn't have light for nightwork
* Sometimes has trouble focusing when busy photo or subject moving at close range (but I guess that's understandable!
I''ve owned a MZ-M as a backup and needed better AF and a few more features over my Pz-20 so naturally upgrading to the MZ-3 was the obvious choice. I recommend getting the FG battery pack to add some weight and improve performance. For just a bit more than the MZ-5n you get slightly faster AF, shutter and flash sync. Any Pentax owner needing to upgrade from a manual focus or older AF should look into this camera and remeber you get to keep all of your older Pentax lenses.
Strengths:
only a little more than the MZ-5n ( I found one for less actually ) it has slightly faster top shutter and flash sync, well built and has everything needed for most of my uses. It has all the basic mid level amateur features needed with DOF preview, auto bracketing, spot metering, AE lock and exposure compensation. The retro controls are easy to use and almost every function can be used without you neededing to take your eye out of the finder. Decent AF speed and all my older Manual focus lenses work with it ( abeit not autofocusing ) and the infocus indicator is rather accurate.
Weaknesses:
It could use a center + AF sensor or built in AF assist lamp, cannot do multipule exposures easy.
Similar Products Used:
Pentax PZ-20, Nikon n60, Nikon n70
Customer Service:
Not needed but Pentax Canada has always been very good to me in the Past with questions or software upgrades .
Rating Reviewed by: Rob van de Wijngaard(Unregistered User)
(Casual)
Review Date July 31, 2001
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
2 votes
Review 3 of 10
Price Paid:
$350.00
from foto Patent, Utrecht
Summary:
Dit is voor het geld werkelijk een sublieme camera. Geen moeilijk gedoe met electronische knopjes om diafragma en sluitertijd te kiezen. Als volautomaat is nagenoeg iedere opname geslaagd, iedereen met een beetje fotografisch inzicht kan eenvoudig ingrijpen in de automatische belichting (zonder deze uit te schakelen) om 100% geslaagde foto's te maken. De camera is wat mogelijkheden betreft zeker geen "kale" camera alle functies die een gemiddelde fotograaf zich kan wensen zijn beschikbaar. Qua bediening is de MZ-3 veruit mijn favoriet, zelfs ten opzichte van mijn EOS3. De keuze voor de EOS3 is alleen bepaald door de mogelijkheid om ImageStabilizer lenzen te gebruiken en de mogelijkheid voor AF bij f8. Als Pentax deze functies, met name de IS, in haar producten gaat gebruiken dan staat mijn EOS3 in de etalage. Voor mensen met kleine handen (bijvoorbeeld dames)is dit een bijzonder prettige camera. De originele Pentax objectieven vormen een perfecte eenheid met de camera met name de * objectieven (niet goedkoop!) leveren een optimale kwaliteit
Strengths:
compact,alle noodzakelijke functies aanwezig, degelijke constructie. Eenvoudige bediening, geen gepriegel met electronische knopjes om in te stellen
Weaknesses:
geen stille AF, geen lenzen met Image Stabilizer beschikbaar, AF t/m f5.6 Autofocus onder slechte lichtomstandigheden niet trefzeker (maar dit is een algemeen euvel van AF systemen)
Rating Reviewed by: George Pagonis(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date July 23, 2001
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Visitors rate this review 4.00 of 5,
1 votes
Review 4 of 10
Price Paid:
$345.00
from Inter-Pro Photo, Ltd.
Summary:
Last year I bought a ZX-M. I was so happy with it that soon afterwards I upgraded to a ZX-5N. That camera was simply outstanding. I took some of my most successful pictures with it. I recently had the opportunity to buy an MZ-3. The only difference between it and the ZX-5N is the shutter speed of 1/4000th and flash sync speed of 1/125th. It retains all of the other features, looks, ease of use, Pentax lens compatibility, and built quality that made the ZX-5N so successful. Since this model is not available in the US, I had to order it from abroad. The nearest place for me was Vancouver, Canada. I bought it from Inter-Pro Photo, Ltd. (www.interprophoto.com). Their customer service, prices, and merchandise quality are truly remarkable, so for anyone in the US looking for an MZ-3, call Robert at Inter-Pro Photo -- you will not be disappointed!
Strengths:
Excellent built quality and design/placement of controls. Compact and lite-weight. Great light metering with six-segment evaluative, center avg. and spot. Exposure compensation and exposure bracketing. Program, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, and full Manual exposure modes. Electronic DOF preview feature. Greatest thing for travel and easy, comfortable all-day carry around. Basically, everything you need and nothing you don't for great, GREAT results from beginners to advanced amateurs.
Weaknesses:
These are not "weaknesses" but simply not available common features in this price range. No infrared assist beam for focusing in the dark. No mirror lock-up, and no multiple exposures. Since I shoot mostly in day-light and my favorite subject is architectural photography, I almost never needed any one of these features.
Rating Reviewed by: Jason Lawrence(Unregistered User)
(Beginner)
Review Date May 8, 2001
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Visitors rate this review 2.00 of 5,
4 votes
Review 5 of 10
Summary:
The camera seems to be fine. Unfortunately I don't know how to use most of the functions because I cannot get my hands on a manual. What photos I have taken have been quite good. Not having a manual really 'ticks' me off. I will rate this camera under the assumption that I actually know how to fully use it.
Strengths:
Good beginner's camera. Shutter speed is good (I went to America and took a lot of photos from a moving car - all turned out well).
Weaknesses:
AF has a lot of trouble in the dark or in bushy areas. I have to use the flash for almost every photo as I don't know how to use any settings (see customer service). The flash no longer 'pops up'. It still works but there is something wrong with the release mechanism, so it doesn't pop up when the button is pushed.
Similar Products Used:
First one.
Customer Service:
Virtually non-existant. The dealer didn't have an English manual when I bought the camera. I was told that Pentax Korea would be able to get me one. After twenty phone calls I was told to go to the Pentax office. When I got there I was given a Korean manual and told that they would call me when they got the English version. That was six months ago. I e-mailed America about six times before I got an answer. They finally sent me a manual but it was for a different model. Pentax England never replied at all.
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