arhphotographic

“The dawn of a new age of autofocus slr photography. The Pentax PZ1..an extention of your mind… A new tool for carrying out your creative intentions.” Hyperbole or Understatement?
This is one of those cameras you definitely have to read the manual before trying to use it. Looking through the list of functions, it would appear that Pentax had managed to cram all you would want in a camera.

• 8 Multi Segment meter as well as spot and centre weighted
• Predictive autofocus
• 5 Programme modes
• Image size tracking
• Triple frame consecutive self timer
• Intervalometer
• Auto Bracketing
• Multi-Exposure mode
• Takes almost all Pentax Lenses from Screw thread to the ‘New’ FA lenses.
• 18 Custom Functions

Shall I go on?

Putting one film through a camera like this, I am never going to be able to explore all its features.

All functions are selected via the dial on the left along with one of the two dials on the right in the photo above.

Looking at the programme modes. First up is the Hyper Progammed Mode, which as the manual helpfully informs me is basically a programmed AE mode. However you can quickly shift to Aperture or Shutter priority by using one of the two dials on the right of the camera. You can access these modes separately, which to me seems like a needles duplication of functions. But who am I to argue? Aside from adding some exposure compensation you cannot alter what the camera determines as the optimum exposure in all of these modes.

One interesting mode is the Hyper Manual mode. By pressing a button on the back of the camera, near the shutter release, labelled IF you can get the camera to fetch an initial exposure value and then choose to deviate from that as you see fit. Nice touch!

I don’t usually try the built in flash. Why not? The PZ1 does a good job.

As mentioned this camera takes all Pentax lenses, manual or otherwise, with varing degrees of functionality. However to really appreciate what this camera can do a Pentax FA power zoom lense should be fitted.

The 28-80 looks unremarkably like any 28-80 Pentax lens untill you push the power zoom ring outwards and…

Now you have a power zoom lens. By simply twisting the ring you can quite quickly but noisily reach your desired focal length. But wait there’s more! Notice the switch and slider on the left hand side of the lens near the front. This is where you can open up more possibilities for lens automation. One unique feature, at least that I’m aware of, is the ability to programme two focal lengths into the lens which have been focused on. These can then be quickly recalled with a press of a button. One application given is that of a tennis match and being able to quickly switch to different players at the press of a button , no fuss. Does it work? Cue video…

The lens was going from a focused 28mm to 80mm reasonably quickly. Quicker than if I had done it manaully??

I had to go through a couple of these lenses to find one that worked. Many have broken sliders which render them unable to perform this function. However they still perform zoom function.

So what is this camera like to use and what kind of result can one expect?

I have to say that my initial impressions are good. The camera is plastic but reasonably solid, although I would not like to try the drop test, I fear it will not come off well. It is comfortable with a chunky grip to inspire confidence. It’s too early to say if this is all the camera you will ever need. To confirm or deny that claim requires some more testing. But as I say I am mightly impressed with it. 🙂