The PZ-1P has been thoughtfully engineered to mirror the needs of the user. To say it is programmable is an understatement. The PZ-1P is designed to f
The PZ-1P has been thoughtfully engineered to mirror the needs of the user. To say it is programmable is an understatement. The PZ-1P is designed to facilitate quick response in every situation, just the way you would want it if you designed it yourself.
Intuitively easy to use, this ergonimically designed camera makes it easy to spend the bulk of your effort on composition. I've had it over 10 years, and it always comes through no matter the conditions.
Strengths:
Form fits function.
Can be as creative as necessary.
Operates well as a point and shoot.
Huge selection of great lenses.
Always know just what you're doing.
Very reliable - thousands of pictures and no problems with the body.
Weaknesses:
It's plastic. A good quality plastic, but still plastic.
It's bigger and heavier than my previous bodies (e.g. Pentax Super Program).
It's noisy.
Similar Products Used:
Pentax Super Program
Pentax Spotmatic
Miranda Sensomat
Customer Service:
I've not had any problems with the body. When I had a minor problem with a lens, Pentax fixed it quickly and cheaply (free).
I got this camera basically to upgrade my pentax equipment from a me super and zx-10. I waited for a deal, and I got one. The camera met all my expectations from ease of use to ergonomics. Hyper program mode makes it so easy to switch apature or shutter speeds at the touch of a button. If you get this camera the FDP grip is a must. Older pentax lenses come cheap used. It is one of the better cameras in its class and price range. If you are a pentax user, you will love this camera.
Strengths:
Ergonomics, ease of use, Hyper Program, Eight segment/spot/center weighted metering. cheap lenses, and overall price and value.
Weaknesses:
Slow autofocus and loud compared to newer models. Hard to find good pro quality lenses.
Coming from a long line of Canon Cameras, I started with a ZX50, then ZX5n, and then the PZ1p, and now (also) an MZs. The PZ1P is a sherman tank of a camera. It is solid, feels good in the hands and it has all the features a semi-pro would ever require.
In comparrison to the MZs, it is more ruggedly built and even though I do like the function access on the MZs, the PZ1p has all the same functionality.
If you can still find the PZ1p body out there, I would recommend it over the MZs. Prepare for a bit of a learning curve and keep that laminated function sheet in your bag, but the PZ1p is a camera that is built to last.
Strengths:
Solid build, powerful functionality, multi-exposure mode (up to 9 exposures).
Weaknesses:
No battery grip (but again, after about 60-80 rolls, who cares).. Would have liked to have the function setting dial of the MZs , but have learned to live with the programmability of the PZ1p
Rating Reviewed by: Erik (Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date November 20, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
1 votes
Review 4 of 52
Price Paid:
$360.00
from KEH
Summary:
Well, my first thought is that this camera was a darn good deal...seems like it should have cost more. It has performed well and I am a proud owner. I spend a lot of time searching for a camera, and this was definatly the best deal I found for.
Strengths:
Great ergonomics. Seems to fit my hand perfectly. If the lens isnt too big, I can control apature, shutter speed, and the shutter all with one hand. That leads me to another point, that way Ive got it set up, its very easy to set to manual. I find the autofocus to perform very well, but then again I dont have a huge amount of experience with automatic cameras. The camera seems to focus quickly and in low light. There is only one focus point, but it is easy to focus on the point and then compose the image. I can easily switch to manual mode. SIDE MOUNTED FLASH. I really like this. Its easily to look over the camera and the slight offset adds a little bit of varience in the shadoe. Plus, having the flash closer to the grip decreases torque on your hand. No experiments done, but it seems like this would decrease hand fatique. Plus, having a side mounted flash just looks cool. You can set the camera to leave the film leader out. This is especially usefull if you are in the middle of one role and decide you want to switch...just done leave the lens cap off as you pictate to the last picture.
Weaknesses:
No electronic depth of field preview (it does have manual. This means that in order to get a correct depth of field preview I switch the lens out of automatic mode and control the apature via the lens). The only problem with this is the speed at which you can do a depth of field preview. It does not have a central focusing prism...course what autofocus camera does? This is just a gernaral compaint for me. The camera is a little load in comparison to some similar, but more expensive cameras. If you will be taking pictures in a quiet concert hall, you might want to cut some foam blocks to cut out the shutter noise. Also, the camera does not have a slow mode. This would quiet the noise down. Anyway, its not too bad. Not a Leica though. Gasketing. I would love to see weather resistance, but then it wouldnt cost the same either. My plan is to buy a water proof "bag" that can fit around the camera. This might restrict use of some of the controls, but then hey, I can jump into the swimming pool with it.
Similar Products Used:
Pentax PZ-1p, Pentax ME (a lovely little paper weight...if only it were the super)
reliable SLR including everything even a pro would need. sturdy body, lots of possibilities and specialties not found in other cameras (a timer that u can set like a clock, taking as many frames as needed, when needed and the choice of whether the camera pulls in the leader of the film or not). i've used it for 2,5 years and am happy with the results but it's breakin up for some reason, and it become costly repairing it like once a year.
Strengths:
several options, anything u can think of basically, and extras. yet easy to use. very good for it's price.
Weaknesses:
-heavy
-ugly
-at least mine is breaking up and it's getting expensive to repair it (last year the main circuit was changed)
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