| Author:
Xavier, advanced Amateur | Date: Fri, Nov 11, '05 at 13:02 CET |
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| Pro | Low price : 150 Euros (200$) Pentax Z-1 + Tokina AT 19-35 + Pentax flash + accesories (metz adap, cable command, 3 macro tube) buy in 2005.
Great Exposure mode, spot meter, strong built, side flash mount, pro features (dioptric corrector, DOF, multi-exposure, spot, interchangable screen...).
Hightly tunable and fast shutter (1/8000 and 1/250 synchro X). Compatible with K, KA, Kaf, Kaf2 mount since 1975. Great third part lenses (Sigma EX series and Tokina AT ATX) for low price. |
| Contra | Average speed AF, but better with f2.8 zoom or f2 fixed focal.
Take 1 or 2 battery with you if you use intensevely the built-in flash. |
| Thoughts | I very enjoyed this gear and I use it with negative, E-6 and B&W.
I just need a powerfull telephoto APO lenses (400mm). |
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| Author:
Roger, normal Amateur | Date: Tue, Jun 28, '05 at 21:59 CEST |
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| Pro | Price is down to 40-50 euros ! Who needs a digital ? |
| Contra | Heavy , very Heavy |
| Thoughts | Great pictures with the pentax 28-80 . I love the lightmeter . |
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| Author:
Budi K, normal Amateur | Date: Sat, Apr 23, '05 at 02:10 CEST |
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| Pro | Get second hand from ebay for 120 USD (with Takumar zoom F 28-80), this camera have lot of feature you won't get from other at the same price : Great Hyper Program, 1/8000 high speed capability up to 30 second low shutter speed, fast menu selection and nice buton arangement, trailing flash capability when combine with dedicated flash, compatibility with old lenses (SMC K KA KAF KAF2, screwmount with converter), DOF preview, and a lot more |
| Contra | If Pentax add a real Mirror Lock Up lever, this one will be the "auto-everything" version of KX/LX. MLU only found on Z-1p/PZ-1p, *ist/*istD/*istDS and Mz-s, as you use 2 second timer.
I'd like to have Z-1p metering bar in the viewfinder, it is nice than just an over/under exposure light
Plastic body, big size, but still fits to my hand, no batery pack unless you build your own |
| Thoughts | Great Camera, not just for the money but also for the utility!! Will be my next great camera after MX and KX. Compatibility with old lense are the BEST thing of Pentax, don't throw away your old dad's camera lens if you have Pentax. I hope this camera will be long lasting until I can give it to my son :) |
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| Author:
Marcus, normal Amateur | Date: Wed, Nov 10, '04 at 03:52 CET |
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| Pro | Just purchased the camera yesterday after a number of weeks of research. I was on the verge of purchasing a Canon Eos30E but the Z-1 just felt much stronger (and it was cheaper) and I wasn't that really impressed by the eye control focus of the Canon and it lacked spot metering. The Z-1's shutter speed is great! Backward compatible to old MF Pentax lenses is a real plus. |
| Contra | AF focus clunky and noisy! Having trouble with the depth of field preview which is probably more to do with the user that the camera. |
| Thoughts | After losing my Pentax MG recently which I purchased in Singapore in 85 the Z-1 was a semi-forced purchase. I have a soft spot for the Pentax so I guess thats why I purchased another. I am a novice to AF photography so have lots to lean but I was really impressed with all the features of the Z-1 for the proce and can't wait to run my firt role through the camera. |
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| Author:
Pentax Z1 User, Beginner | Date: Fri, Aug 29, '03 at 14:04 CEST |
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| Pro | -none yet- |
| Contra | I bought it used from my friend. |
| Thoughts | Its a good camera(i think so).Its much better if any of you guys out there can supply me with the User`s Manual of it.You can email me tho.
Thanks a bunch guys! |
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| Author:
MARKED MEDIA, advanced Amateur | Date: Mon, Jun 2, '03 at 08:08 CEST |
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| Pro | VALUE IS THE NUMBER ONE ATTRACTION. I PICKED THIS CAMERA UP SECOND HAND FOR LESS THAN 2OO DOLLARS. IT HAS A HIGH MAX SHUTTER SPEED OF 1/8000 AND A TOP FLASH SYNC OF 1/250. HYPERPROGRAM IS EXCELLENT IN THAT YOU CAN GO FROM APATURE PRIORITY AND SHUTTER PRIORITY AT THE CHANGE OF A DIAL. |
| Contra | PRO LENSES ARE HARD TO FIND, AND ARE EXPENSIVE. OLDER LENSES HOWEVER ARE RELATIVLY CHEAP WITH EXCELLENT OPTICS. AUTOFOCUS IS OLD, AND SHUTTER IS LOUD. |
| Thoughts | THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS PENTAX LENSES LOOKING FOR A PRO BODY. NOT UP TO PAR WITH CANON OR NIKON PRO BODIES, BUT NOT IN THE SAME PRICE BRACKET EITHER. A GREAT SECOND HAND VALUE. |
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| Author:
Mirkovic Misho, professional Photographer | Date: Tue, Dec 24, '02 at 22:17 CET |
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| Pro | Good optics for example FA 80-200 2.8, 20 2.8, 28-70 2.8 in range of the best german optic |
| Contra | Slow AF for example only one AF sensor, noisy not for Wildanimal photography. Little bit slow drive for sport-photography. PZ1p is better in that. |
| Thoughts | I have impression that Pentax is never going to make camera like LX was.Everything what was necessary except AF. |
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| Author:
K.Newton, normal Amateur | Date: Sun, Dec 8, '02 at 15:44 CET |
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| Pro | Superb, fast AF- who needs multi, if I can see the subject I point and focus- simple! Love Hyper modes, flash mount position, lcd panel, general handling and zoom functions. Exposure system could not be more accurate. Camera is reasonably strong, well built and feels good to hold. |
| Contra | Grip strap improves handling even more but does not add to camera functions, should have included shutter release and front and rear dials. |
| Thoughts | Multi AF would have updated the camera and improved the predictive focussing, but even without multi the Z1-P is very good. Tons of features, great handling and highly accurate metering make this an excellent buy.
Sad to see it replaced, but very pleased that I own one. |
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| Author:
Allan Harrower, advanced Amateur | Date: Thu, Sep 5, '02 at 16:17 CEST |
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| Pro | Solid feel, highly specified, controls easy to use, accurate metering, fits my large hands beautifully, spot meter, accessory flash mount where it should be. |
| Contra | Daunting array of functions until you get used to them, then it all comes together very nicely. |
| Thoughts | I bought this camera secondhand after wanting one for years & it was worth the wait.I like the weight & balance & it fits my hands perfectly. I have been using Pentax cameras for many years & have found them reliable, the Z1 seems to carry on this tradition.Would certainly buy another as a second body. |
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| Author:
Larry Levy, advanced Amateur | Date: Wed, Jul 10, '02 at 22:28 CEST |
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| Pro | Fits well into my hands.
Very easy to compose with.
Works well as point & shoot in emergency conditions.
Good quality of lenses available.
Once mastered, the manual version and hyper versions are logical and easy to use. |
| Contra | Still a heavy camera.
Prefer metal to plastic.
Slow to autofocus.
Withsome lenses it can misread the light.
Not the vast lens availability of Nikon or Canon. |
| Thoughts | Love to work with this camera. It is extraordinarily predictable.
Wish it was lighter. Often, I don't lug it with me because of its weight. (Often I simply carry a Pentax Optio 430 because I don't even know I've got it with me until I need it. |
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| Author:
Matt Page | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Fast shutter speeds, nice handling. Top LCD. Good, but unusual, flash mount position. Excellent features. |
| Contra | No flash compensation (except by tricky Hyper Manual settings). Only 35mm built in flash coverage. |
| Thoughts | I've had several Pentaxs - S1a, MEF, ME Super, MZ-5, MZ-10, and now Z1. Bought 2nd hand. Very pleased with the features and feel, especially along with the AF360FGZ flash gun.
If anyone needs a manual (it IS VERY different to the Z1p) then drop me an email - [email protected] - I can send one out (4Mb PDF). |
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| Author:
Todd Bender | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Fast shutter speeds, fast flash sync, great motordrive, easiest-to-use professional feel when used with FDP grip-strap |
| Contra | None, though the AF system could be faster when compaired to other professional cameras. |
| Thoughts | This WONDERFUL camera has all but been forgotten after Pentax introduced the PZ-1p and MZ-S. However, the PZ-1 is still one of the best Pentax cameras ever made and is only bested by the PZ-1p. (The only thing the PZ-1p has that the PZ-1 doesn't is a red-eye-reducing flash and the tacky panorama mode).
I used to use a Nikon N90 for all my travel and sports shots ... now I use the PZ-1 for those and use the N90 for studio work. |
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| Author:
Gerhard Wanninger | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Good 'solid' feeling with original camera bag. Reasonable priced, maybe outdated but reliable and accurate AF. Easy to learn. Moving from MF I like the aperature ring on AF-lens for fast and simple manual change of aperature. Also positive using all AF and MF lenses with PK-mount |
| Contra | Viewfinder shows not 100% photo therefore some guesswork. Expensive batteries. A little bit too noisy. |
| Thoughts | I have, as many other contributors, bought nearly everything 2nd hand (body, lens, original bag). I love the 'pro feeling' and reliable lighting meter. Because of the good experience with the Z-1P I would go for the new MZ-S. |
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| Author:
Goh Joon Ngan | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Very egonomic, easy to use and quite versatile. |
| Contra | Plastic feel and slow AF. |
| Thoughts | Great camera to use and quite reliable. I bought it 2nd hand and use it for more than 5 years before the shutter jammed due to weak battery. Repair cost is not too expensive. Can accept both AF and manual lenses. |
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| Author:
Jerry Jackson, Jr. | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Great features, easy to use, as good as Z-1p, great ergonomics ... especially when used with Pentax FDP grip-strap. |
| Contra | Slow AF, delicate shutter mechanism |
| Thoughts | I purchased a used Z-1 last year after I decided to get a camera with a faster shutter than my Pentax ME. After a month of GREAT photos, the shutter was torn to pieces when I was bumped at a crowded sports event and my finger PUNCTURED the shutter! Ouch! I just sent the camera to the manufacturer for repair. I haven't gotten a repair estimate yet, but the camera store guys say it will probably cost between $180-$250 to fix.
Oh, and if you don't have a Z-1/PZ-1 user manual, you can use a Z-1p/PZ-1p user manual. they have almost identical functions. PZ-1p manuals can be found online ... just search using www.google.com |
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| Author:
shutterbug | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | nice feature set, great egonomics |
| Contra | unreliable motor drive, my broke after 7 years |
| Thoughts | got this camera in 94, loved it, however it recently broke, shutter wont go off, i just hear a motor spinning, soon a burnt smell came out, it is in the shop now, i hope it wont cost more than a used unit, i will post repair charge here later |
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| Author:
Esa | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Nice to use |
| Contra | n/a |
| Thoughts | I bought second hand Z1. After using only manual cameras, this is quite refreshing to use... But without user manual, I don't know how to use all its programs. Does anyone have a spare manual or link to instructions in the web? |
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| Author:
Alberto Dubini | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | impiegato |
| Contra | only 1 AF sensor |
| Thoughts | good for me, lots opportunity, fast AF, very good HIPERMANUAL plus reset. |
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| Author:
TL | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Excellent and ergonomic, especially if you use it with the Grip. |
| Contra | AF is slow |
| Thoughts | Don't discontinue, just update the AF |
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| Author:
Carlos U | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | A very well thought out camera. As others said, once learned its quite intuitive. You would not find such versatility for less than $500. I still have a lot of fun and grate results. |
| Contra | AF may be somewhat outdated.
Plastic parts. Mine has a crack in the bottom plate after hitting a wall when hanging on my shoulder. |
| Thoughts | The new MZ-S looks like a great camera but...
We just need a PZ-1p with an updated AF and may be some metal shielding. By the way, I'm going for a new PZ-1p in the near future, if they don't take it off the market. |
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| Author:
Eneg N | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Rugged, Fast to use...almost intuitive to use once you get to know it. The learning process, however, does take some time. Versatile and ergonomic. |
| Contra | It's kind of ugly |
| Thoughts | I would get another one if I needed a second body. No doubts. Pentax lenses also top-rate. |
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| Author:
Bill Wilson | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | Best all around camera I have used. Good feel in your hands. Flash shoe is in the right place(on right side). LCD at good angle and easy to read.
All buttons, and selectors at finger tips. I shoot from motor sports, lancapes to portraits. Perfect for everthing. Like having 3 special cameras in one. |
| Contra | You should never discontinue this camers.
Get rid of the panorama.
Beef up the seals. |
| Thoughts | Combine the PZ-1 amd PZ-1-p together(no panaroma) and upgrade the auto focus. Put it in a metal case if you want, but keep the good feel and balance. No chrome tops!!! Your new one has a couple of nice things but you also lose some speed etc at a higer price. |
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| Author:
unknown (legacy entry) | Date: not recorded |
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| Pro | - |
| Contra | - |
| Thoughts | Shoot lots motorsports photography. Use the camera in every type of weather you could imagine and in 5 yrs haven't had any trouble. Plus the ergonomics of the camera feel superior to nikon or cannon. Two thumbs up. |
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