Thank you Bruce for the info you've supplied. First of all, I suggest that we refrain from making remarks about the poster and concentrate on the facts. This will be more helpful to the originator of this thread in helping him/her decide.
I'm not writing a review of the MZ-S which is why there's no detail of any positive remarks. I assume the person can find those positive quality he/she likes. I'm only offering my opinion of some of what I considered a negative quality of the MZ-S. Please keep in mind that I'm not an SLR designer :-(. RB> o 1/180 flash sync speed - I can't understand how Pentax could go backward RB> on this! The PZ-1 has a nice 1/250! 1/180 is in nowhere land, like the RB> 1/100 RB> sync that came down all the way from the ME! B> On the one hand you applaud the smaller size and weight and then B> critizice it for making minor concessions to achieve it. The shutter B> determines both top speed and top flash synch. The shutter in the B> PZ-1p is bigger, heavier, louder and more bouncy. What Pentax has B> done is used a refined, quieter, better damped shutter at the expense B> of about 1/2 stop. I have used both and there is really not much B> difference. Perhaps, but please bear in mind that the PZ-1 (same shutter as the PZ-1p) was introduced back in 1991. I sincerely hope that material science and mechanical engineering has advanced a lot in 10 years! RB> o 0.75X viewfinder magnification. I don't understand why less magnification RB> is better. I understand the high eyepoint, etc. When I look through my MX RB> (0.98X magnification) with my 24mm lens, I can really see the perspective RB> effect (near-far, etc.). On my old SuperProgram with 0.82X, it was more RB> difficult but still useable. Same goes for 0.8X of the PZ-1 which I think RB> is at the limit, but 0.86X would be nicer. B> Viewfinders are always a land of compromise. I would love to hear B> from someone with knowledge about what decisions went in to the design B> of this particular finder. Moving from the PZ-1p to the MZ-S has not B> caused me to long for the PZ-1p. In fact, I really didn't notice any B> negative differences. Compromise? Agreed with you 100%. But put yourself in my shoes, I'm coming from a MX with 0.98X magnification ;-). RB> o Still no flash compensation! B> There you are wrong my friend. Pentax changed the nature of flash B> compensation. They now work like Nikon, Canon and Minolta - that is - B> the flash compensation is built into the flash rather than the body. B> The new AF360FGZ has full flash compensation and high speed synch (up B> to 1/6000) to boot. Most uses of fill flash in bright light are for B> portraits - shadow filling and eye catchlights. The MZ-S is an B> improvement over the PZ-1p. Thank you very much for pointing out this info. The 360FGZ is a new flash to me and I don't have much info about it yet. Much obliged. RB> If the MZ-S price tag was $500, perhaps I could live these RB> RB>shortcomings. But at $900, well it's certainly a cause for a pause. RB>So I've been thinking that perhaps I should wait for an "MZ-Sn" and RB>get a lightweight ZX-L (with all its short comings) in the meantime. B> I don't know where you got $900 from. I paid $800 for both of mine. I B> guess the funny thing about your post, is you failed to note any of B> the positives of the MZ-S over the PZ-1p. If nothing about the new B> camera is important, you would do best to stay with what you have. My apology. You're right; the price is $799.95 from B&H. B> Sorry for sounding a little ornery, but your post came across as very B> uninformed and you only compared a few features. Very biased, in my B> opinion. What I can tell you is that the style and philosophy of B> these two cameras are different. In most of the discussions those who B> like the Canon Robo style of interface (spinning dials - all control B> in the body) prefer the PZ-1p. Those who like the more retro B> interface (LX, SuperProgram, ZX-5n) prefer the MZ-S. Relax, Bruce. I wasn't trying to criticize your MZ-S, only offering my opinion. I'm entitled to an opinion, right ;-)? B> You really should try using one to see what you really think. I would, but at $800, I must be a little more cautious at my hard earned dough ;-). When the PZ-1 came out, there was not doubt that it was the SLR I wanted (despite its size and weight at the time). Last but not least, can you tell us which features of the MZ-S got your sold? Remember, some features that you like may be unimportant to others. I certainly like the height of the RTF, 24mm coverage with red-eye reduction. Having the DOFP when the lens is set to A is a big plus. The mirror lock is a big plus. MOre info in the viewfinder than PZ-1 - a big improvemnt (though many were in the PZ-1p). Can't think of any other features that would be a big seller to me. Wishing you much happiness Bruce from your new MZ-S. Ron B[ee] - 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 .
