Review 1 of 5
Price Paid:
$99.00
from Amazon Summary:The Pentax ZX-60 may be one of the best backup 35mm cameras ever built and it is certainly one of the best hiking cameras.
On paper this little camera hardly seems worth considering. But this is one of only two autofocus 35mm cameras built by Pentax with mirror lock up. The other is the flagship Pentax MZ-S which can go for well over $600 even in today's digital world. If you like to take landscape pictures with your 35mm, you want mirror lock up. If you have trouble with manual focus lenses and want to stay with autofocus cameras, this is your best choice as a back up to the MZ-S. Actually, it may be your best choice period if you are interested in saving money. This camera can be bought for far less then the cheapest digital point and shoots available.
On a long, back-country hike, this camera's lightweight build would be a lifesaver. This camera is unbelievably light. Sporting my Pentax F 50mm lens, loaded with film and batteries, and with the Pentax strap, this camera weighs 23 ounces, slightly less then one and a half pounds. This camera is light.
The autofocus is great. In fact, although I haven't timed it, I think it may even be faster then the other Pentax cameras I've used, even the MZ-S. I shoot Nikon as well and this is the only Pentax I've ever used that felt like the autofocus could keep up.
Although there are several available, you are not stuck with pre-programmed settings with this camera. Aperture priority, shutter priority and manual settings are all available and pretty easy to use. You can even "push" or "pull" your film by changing the ISO settings if you want. Finally, although you cannot use manual focus lenses (see below) you can manually focus your autofocus lenses if you need.
Now for the compromises, and there are several. First, this camera is built entirely of polycarbonate plastic, even the lens mount. Back when this camera was built that was most definitely a demerit, but nowdays we use plastic in everything, with very good results. This even applies to the lens mount. In 50 or so years this may prove to be a problem, but under normal use I doubt anyone would even notice if they weren't told.
The second problem is that this camera has what is know as a "crippled lens mount". This camera can only use autofocus lenses. If you try to install the Pentax SMC 50mm f/1.4, the Pentax M 50mm f/1.4, or even the Pentax A 50mm f/1.4, on this camera it won't even turn on. So there are lots and lots of older Pentax lenses that cannot be used with this camera. For me, since my eyes will not allow me to do a good job with manual focus lenses, this was not an issue. But for others this may be a deal breaker.
A third issue is the lack of depth of field. For me this is a much bigger problem then only being able to use autofocus lenses, but I find that I can work around it.
Next, if you need blazing speed, go somewhere else. It does autofocus quickly but everything ends there. The frame advance speed is a measly 1 frame per second. And the shutter speeds stop at 1/2000s. In other words, don't load ISO 1600 film, go outside in bright sunlight, and expect to shoot wide open, it ain't gonna happen!
The final problem is something you can't see or feel. All of these MZ and ZX models (except for the MZ-S) are plagued with plastic shutter gears on the shutter motor. These gears are subject to stripping, and the ZX-60 is not different. It doesn't always happen but it is certainly a risk. There are replacement shutter motors available with metal gears but the repair is usually more then the cameras are worth. This is a chance you take with these cameras.
In conclusion, for the money, this is a very nice little camera. Is it nicer then similar Nikons or Canons? I don't know. I do believe that it is at least their equal. For me, neither of the Nikons, or the Canon, have mirror lock up. So the Pentax MZ-60 is a better deal. If you need a back up autofocus Pentax camera, that has mirror lock up, this is about your only option unless you are willing to spring the big bucks for a second MZ-S. Even if you like digital, you will be hard pressed to find a better value than this little 35mm single lens reflex. Strengths:Uses the wonderful Pentax autofocus prime lenses
Very light
Mirror Lock Up
Inexpensive
Timer
Fast Autofocus
Manual Meter settings Weaknesses:You cannot use any of the great manual focus lenses that Pentax has made over the years.
No depth of field preview
Built of Plastic (which is why it is so light)
Slow shutter speeds
Slow frame advance
Plastic lens mount
Mirror motor is prone to failure (plastic gear) Similar Products Used:Pentax MZ-S
Pentax ZX-50
Pentax SF1N
Pentax ZX-L
Nikon N75
Nikon F100
Canon XS Customer Service:Haven't needed it yet.
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