Everything You Need in a Basic Camera!
Written: Jul 22 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, full-featured manual SLR
Cons: Multiple exposure missing
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| tnorman's Full Review: Pentax ZX-M Body Only 35mm Film Camera |
I recently purchased a Pentax ZX-M camera, and I'm very happy with it! It's got just about all the features that I want in an SLR camera, and several "luxury" features that I'm still getting used to!
Previously, I had been using a Pentax P3 and a Pentax P3N for my SLR. Those models are older and are no longer being produced by Pentax. Small things have started to go wrong with them, so I decided it was time to upgrade to a new camera. After spending a lot of time researching different camera bodies and considering their features, cost, and ease-of-use, I finally decided on the ZX-M. (My second choice was the Canon Rebel 2000. The reason I didn't choose it was because I didn't want to spend the money buying all new lenses when I already have 3 lenses for Pentax that work fine. If you don't have this problem, take a serious look at the Rebel 2000!)
Following is a list of the features that I found important in this camera, and why. (For a more in-depth list of camera features, see my Epinion "The Features You Need in an SLR Camera". For a more in-depth list of the ZX-M's specs, go to www.pentax.com and look it up.)
Manual Focus
Personally, I've found that I prefer doing the focusing myself. You can focus manually on auto-focus cameras, but it's usually more difficult. The focusing ring is not as conveniently placed, and the viewfinder doesn't include focusing aids. With the ZX-M you get three focusing aids (matte screen, split-image field, and microprism field).
Interchangeable Lenses
Another reason I chose to stay with the Pentax family (at least for now) is the interchangeable lenses. The ZX-M will work with all auto-focus lenses, and auto-focus bodies will work with all manual-focus lenses. This means that if I decide to upgrade to an auto-focus Pentax in the future, all my lenses will still work. This is not true for all camera manufacturers.
Aperture-Priority with Exposure Compensation
This was a big feature that I wanted. You can set the camera to aperture-priority mode and the camera automatically chooses your shutter speed. This allows you to set your aperture and then choose your exposure compensation, all without worrying about the actual shutter speed.
The camera also supports shutter-priority, metered manual, and fully automatic modes.
Half-Stops
Another feature that I wanted was the ability to set exposure compensation in half-stops. This is provided when in one of the automatic modes via the exposure compensation dial. Full stop increments is sometimes not enough control when using slide film.
Depth-of-field Preview
An absolutely essential feature! This is provided with a small button on the side of the lens and is controlled electronically. (The P3 and P3N were mechanical.)
Automatic Film Advance
This is a "luxury" feature to me, since I'm used to manual film advance! The motor in the ZX-M can do up to 2 frames per second, which is probably 1.9 more than I'll ever need!
Long shutter speeds
When taking pictures with a small aperture or in low light, I often had to use the P3 on the "bulb" setting and use a stopwatch to time exposures more than 1 second. The ZX-M lets you select 2 seconds in manual mode, and will go up to 30 seconds in one of the automatic modes. This is much easier (and more precise) than pulling out my stopwatch each time!
Weight
The ZX-M is incredibly light, at 10.8 ounces without batteries! It's mostly made from plastic, and it appears quite durable. With my Vivitar 100mm macro lens (probably one of the only Vivitar lenses worth buying), it's almost as light as a point-and-shoot!
Viewfinder Display
The digital viewfinder display is taking me a little while to get used to because it is on the right side of the frame instead of the left. This is probably not a big deal unless you are used to it being in a particular spot. It has all the necessary information - the exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture (not always displayed), exposure compensation, and more. Sometimes it seems a little dark and hard-to-see, but normally it is fine.
Ease-of-use
Even with having all of these features, the ZX-M is surprisingly easy to use! The large knobs are easy to find, even while looking through the viewfinder. They lock in certain positions, so it's easy to tell where it is just by feel. Most of the functions are obvious (the only exception is the ISO setting, where you have to press the "Memory Lock" button to change it...). It's such fun to use that I have to force myself to use up the rest of the film in my P3!
What's Missing?
The only feature that this camera is missing, as far as I'm concerned, is multiple exposure ability. How hard could it be to add a lever that disengaged the auto-wind?
Verdict
For being the cheapest SLR you can get (There are several others that are priced about the same), the ZX-M is a great deal and has all the features a beginner or amateur photographer needs to create great photos. If it sounds like it has what you need, I strongly recommend it. In fact, why not get two?!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tnorman
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Member: Tim Norman
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 6 members
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