Pentax MZ-S

Pentax MZ-S

Overview
Maker	Asahi Optical Co., Ltd.
Type	SLR
Released	2001
Lens
Lens mount	KAF2
Sensor/medium
Recording medium	135 film
Film advance	Automatic
Focusing
Focus modes	Autofocus Single, Autofocus Continuous, Manual Focus
Exposure/metering
Exposure modes	Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual
Exposure metering	TTL open-aperture 6-segment meter
Flash
Flash	Retractible 24mm coverage, Guide number 12 at 100 ISO
Flash synchronization	1/180 sec
Compatible flashes	Flashes with Pentax Proprietary Hotshoe
Shutter
Shutter	Electronically controlled vertical focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	1/6000 sec. - 30 sec
Continuous shooting	2.5 fps
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Pentaprism
Viewfinder magnification	0.75x
Frame coverage	92%
General
Battery	2 x CR2
Dimensions	136.5 x 95.0 x 64.0 mm
Weight	520g
Made in	Japan

The Pentax MZ-S is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera from Pentax of Japan. It was introduced in 2001 ^[1] and discontinued in February 2006. ^[2] It is closely related to the prototype MZ-D Full-frame digital SLR, which never entered production. ^[3] It was the top-of-the-line model of Pentax's MZ/ZX series and replaced the PZ-1p as the high-end Pentax camera. ^[4] No camera was produced to replace the MZ-S, making it Pentax's last high-end 35 mm camera. The MZ-S is the last film camera from Pentax that was manufactured in Japan.

Design

The MZ-S was a "clean sheet of paper" design that re-thought most aspects of Pentax's camera interface and appearance. ^[5] Design goals included simpler operation, small size and light weight without sacrificing the sophisticated features required to be competitive. The MZ-S design returned to a more conventional one compared to the PZ-1p; the shoe for external flash and accessories returned to the top of the pentaprism housing, instead of the unusual right-handgrip position used on the older camera. The status LCD moved from atop the pentaprism to the top of the camera's right shoulder, like many competing designs. However, instead of a flat camera top, the Pentax designers angled the top plate towards the user at a 30° angle for easier viewing.

The camera featured an autofocus system based on six linear CCD sensors, on-film data recording and an MTF autoexposure mode which chooses the aperture for maximum sharpness.

See also

• Pentax cameras

References

1. Pentax. "History of Innovations 2000-Present". Archived from the original on 2006-10-29. Retrieved 2006-09-18.
2. Grad, Orin (2006-02-12). "Pentax Holds a Product Massacre Too". The Online Photographer. Retrieved 2006-09-18. Cites Japanese-language sources.
3. "Pentax "MZ-S" Film SLR". Asahi Optical Historical Club. 2000-10-20. Archived from the original on 2004-05-30. Retrieved 2006-09-18.
4. Dimitrov, Bojidar. "Z-1p / PZ-1p". K-Mount Pages. Archived from the original on 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2006-09-18.
5. "MZ-S Story". Asahi Optical Historical Club. Archived from the original on 2006-10-04. Retrieved 2006-09-18.

External links

• "Introducing the MZ-S professional...the new flagship of the Pentax SLR line" (PDF). Pentax . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2003-12-16. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
• "Pentax MZ-S". Popular Photography & Imaging . November 2001. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
• Fadner, W.L. (May 2002). "The Pentax MZ S Professional Camera". Shutterbug. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
• "Pentax MZ-S Operating Manual" (PDF). Pentax . 2004. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
• "Pentax MZ-S Film SLR Review]". Pentax User. 2002. Retrieved 2018-03-07.