No comments about Minolta Maxxum 5000 w/ 50mm f 1.7 AF, 70-210 f4-5.6 AF, 2800 AF Flash, Filters, and Case.

5 comments about Pentax ZX-5N 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I've had this camera for over two years and I really like it. Very easy to use but with lots of advanced features. Also, it's fairly light-weight so it's easy to carry. My only complaint - and it's a big one - is that higher-end lenses (zooms with 2.8 aperature) for this camera are very expensive and not quite as good as a comparable Nikon.



2. I grew up in a photography family and my Dad gave me a Pentax MX when I was pretty young. It was great for high school yearbook photos and photography class, then later on in college for more photo classes. I ended up with a Minolta Maxxum for a little while (4si, I believe) and ended up finding every little limitation it had and being very annoyed with it in the long run. Then it occurred to me that that wonderful "brick" MX that I had had for so long was still great, so why not try a modern Pentax. After great debate as to which model to purchase, I settled on the ZX-5 (the predecessor to the ZX-5n...the same without one or two little options). The reason I chose it was because the layout of the controls was so intuitive, as the MX was...I could switch easily from one to the other with no difficulty whatsoever. I am a semi-professional photographer and have done everything from private model photo shoots to wedding photography and have loved every minute with my ZX-5 and have come out with some great results! I highly recommend this to any photographer who is in classes due to the fact that it has a full manual mode, to the amateur who just wants better quality photos than the little point and shoots produce, or even the professional due to the many settings on the camera and accessories that are readily available for this model. If you are looking for something similar in Nikon, Canon, or Minolta, then check this one out and I bet you 9 times out of 10 that the Pentax has a better price...same for the accessories!



3. My first camera was a Pentax ME which I wore out. Because I had such good luck with the ME, I purchased this camera as a replacement. I found it very easy to use and the built in flash with the red-eye flash to be very helpful. My only complaint is that if you use the built in flash the batteries in the camera do not last as long. Also the built in flash does not light large areas very well. I like the fact that the camera will not take a picture if there is not enough light.



4. I really love this camera! Why do I then just rate it as a 4? Although I think this camera deserved to be SLR of the year when it came, it lacks some of the flexibility that would be nessessary for a 5 rating. The manual shutter speeds are to few and too far apart. The shortest shutter speed is 1/2000 and the longest 2 seconds, which somewhat limits your ability for different light situations. Otherwise, the handling of the camera makes it easy and logical to work with. No need to spend ours reading the manual to be able to take advantage of the different exposure modes.



5. Pentax ZX-5N 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)
   AS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF ABOUT 40 YEARS, I HAVE COME TO USE
   LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF CAMERA MODELS, AND COULD SAY LOTS OF FAVORABLE THINGS ABOUT MANY MANY OF THEM. HAVING SEEN SO MUCH TECHNOLOGICAL
   CHANGE AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE CAMERA INDUSTRY OVER SUCH A LONG TIME,
   I THINK HOW REMARKABLE IT IS THAT THE PICTURE-TAKING - OR RATHER, THE
   PICTURE-MAKING PROCESS HAS BECOME SO SIMPLE, COMPARED WITH THE EARLIER DAYS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - NOT TO MENTION, SO AFFORDABLE.
   
   FROM PLATES, GLASS, TIN, AND FILM, TO THE DIGITAL IMAGING THAT IS NOW,
   PHOTOGRAPHY HAS CHANGED THE WAY WE LIVE. THERE ISN'T A PRINTING PROCESS TODAY THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE THE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS. MY CAMERA COLECTION
   REPRESENTS THE METHODS BY WHICH MAN HAS TAKEN PICTURES SINCE ABOUT 1850, CONSISTING OF NEALY 1600 MODELS. IN OUR STUDIO, DIGITAL IMAGING IS DONE
   AS WELL AS FILM; HOWEVER, I PRIZE FILM AS BEING LONGER-LASTING AND VERY
   MUCH PREFER IT WHEN SPEED IS NOT OF THE ESSENCE.
   
   THE ZX-5n IS, AT FIRST GLANCE, AN AUTO-FOCUS, AUTOMATIC-EXPOSURE BODY,
   WHICH EVEN HAS AUTOMATIC FILM SPEED SETTING, AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE-BRACKET-
   ING, AUTO-FILM ADVANCE, AND AUTO-FILM REWINDING. ONE MIGHT THINK THAT
   THE CAMERA IS ONLY MEANT TO TAKE CONTROL OF CREATING THE ENTIRE PHOTO.
   
   FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO CREATE ON THEIR OWN, COMPLETE EXPOSURE CONTROL
   IS PLAINLY VISIBLE, JUST ABOUT ALL OVER ITS WELL-DESIGNED BODY. THE SHUTTER SPEED CONTROL APPEARS AS AN "ANALOG' KNOB SHOWING SPEEDS FROM 2 SECONDS TO 1/2000TH OF ONE SECOND PLUS "B" AND OF COURSE THE OLD RELIABLE "A" FOR AUTOMATIC. APERATURE SELECTION IS RIGHT THERE ON ALL OF THE LENSES MADE FOR PENTAX, AS WELL AS THE "A" FOR AUTOMATIC APERATURE USERS, OF COURSE. THE MANUAL FOCUS SHARES THE SAME SWITCH AS THE AUTO-FOCUS. THE METERING ALLOWS FOR THREE CHOICES: SPOT, AVERAGE, AND MULTI-SEGMENTED MATRIX (AN UNCANNILY ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF LIGHT THAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR ME FOR OVER 90% MY LIGHTING SITUATIONS.) THE ADVANCE HAS SINGLE AND CONTINUOUS DRIVE, SELF-TIMER, AND TWO CHOICES FOR AUTOBRACKET-
   ING THREE EXPOSURES WITH ONE PRESS OF THE SHUTTER RELEASE.
   
   IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, THERE IS A BUILT-IN FLASH THAT DOES A DECENT JOB FOR THOSE ROUTINE PICTURES, AND A UNIVERSAL (STANDARD) FLASH SHOE FOR
   SHOE-MOUNT STROBE UNITS. I HAVE ALSO USED THE LARGER, MORE POWERFUL HANDLE-MOUNT OFF CAMERA STROBE UNITS WITH THE ZX-5n IN PROFESSIONAL
   SITUATIONS WITH PERFECT RESULTS.
   
   ONE COMMENT HERE REGARDING THE AUTO-FOCUS DESIGN USED BY PENTAX, IT IS
   UNDOUBTEDLY THE FASTEST AND MOST ACCURATE TARGETING I HAVE USED. ALSO,
   IT SEEMS TO DO BETTER IN SOMEWHAT LOWER LIGHT LEVELS THAN MOST OTHER
   AUTO-FOCUS CAMERAS. IN MY EXPERIENCE AS A CAMERA STORE OWNER, I HAVE HAD IN MY HANDS JUST ABOUT EVERY AUTO-FOCUS CAMERA MODEL THAT HAS COME DOWN THE PIKE SINCE THE EARLY 80'S, AND CAN REALLY STATE THAT A FEW NIKON
   MODELS -- NOT MOST OR ALL, SOME CANON MODELS, NO MINOLTA BODIES, NOR ANY
   OTHER BRANDS HAVE COMPARED TO THE SPEED AND ACCURACY OF FOCUS ACQUISITION
   OF MY TWO PENTAX ZX-5n (AND MY PENTAX MZ-S MODEL.) I NOTICED THAT PENTAX
   BODIES WERE THE BEST SINCE AUTO-FOCUS FIRST APPEARED ON THE MARKET.
   
   ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION A COUPLE OF POINTS. THE SIZE OF THE FOCUS AREA IN THE FINDER CAN BE CHAGED WITH EASE, USING THE SWITCH I ON THE FRONT OF
   THE BODY (NOT BY HAVING TO GO ON A BLIND SEARCH THROUGH SOME COMPLICATED
   MENU OR OTHER.) NEXT THERE IS A DIAL IN PLAIN SIGHT ON THE TOP FOR FRONT-
   LIGHT OR BACKLIGHT EXPOSING (EXPOSURE FACTOR CONTROL.) OH, ANOTHER THING,
   THERE IS A DEPTH OF FIELD PREVIEW CONTROL RIGHT EXACTLY WHERE IT SHOULD
   BE, IN FRONT, ON THE RIGHT.
   
   SOMETHING SHOULD BE SAID ABOUT ERGONOMIC DESIGN. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL
   MODELS THAT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY WELL THOUGHT OUT WITH REGARD TO
   PROPER PLACEMENT OF OF CONTROLS. THE PENTAX ZX-5N IS ONE SUCH CAMERA. IT
   BECOMES APPARENT TO JUST ABOUT ANYONE WHO HANDLES ONE.
   
   I'M NOT DONE YET. THE EYEPIECE FEATURES A DIOPTRIC CORRECTION ADJUSTMENT
   FOR USERS WHO WEAR GLASSES, ENABLING ONE TO REMOVE THE GLASSES AND TO
   CLARIFY THE IMAGE IN THE FINDER WITH A SLIGHT PUSH OF A SLIDING CONTROL.
   ONE CAN ALSO SEE 100% OF THE FINDER'S IMAGE BY HAVING THE EYE UP CLOSE
   AND PERSONAL WITH THE EYEPIECE.
   
   THE ISO OVERIDE ALLOWS THE PHOTOGRAPHER TO "RATE" THE FILM SPEED HIGHER
   OR LOWER THAT IT IS ACTUALLY DESIGNATED FOR "PUSHING" AND "PULLING" FILM.
   THIS IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL WHEN SHOOTING BLACK & WHITE OR TRANSPARENCY
   (SLIDE) FILMS.
   
   THOSE WHO LIKE TO MAKE AN OCCASIONAL - OR FREQUENT - PANORAMIC FORMAT
   PHOTOGRAPH WON'T BE LET DOWN. ALSO IN ITS PROPER LOCATION (RIGHT THUMB)
   IS THE PANORAMA OR NORMAL TWO-POSITION SWITCH.
   
   MY TWO CR-2 LITHIUM BATTERIES LAST ME AT LEAST A YEAR OR 30 TO 40 ROLLS
   OF FILM. I TOOK IT TO SWITZERLAND ON ASSIGNMENT WITH FRESH BATTERIES,
   USED IT TO SHOOT 32 ROLLS WITHOUT USING MY SPARE SET. THE ZX-5N WAS VERY
   FAST-HANDLING, EVEN USING MY TRIPOD 90% OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES I DEPLOYED
   THE QUARTZ DATE FEATURE WHEN APPROPRIATE (NOT FOR SCENIC PICTURES.) MOST
   IMPORTANTLY, THEY WERE RUGGED. AS MANY TIMES AS I STOPPED SHORT IN MY
   RENTAL CAR, CAUSING THE PENTAX TO SLIDE ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE,
   NOT ONCE DID I NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS, AND I NEVER HAD TO REMOVE MY SECOND
   BODY FROM ITS CASE.
   
   FOR ANYONE WHO'D LIKE TO FIND A 35mm FILM CAMERA WITH WHICH TO TAKE UP PHOTOGRAPHY, IT IS THIS WRITER'S CONSIDERED OPINION THAT THE ZX-5N CAN
   ENABLE THE BEGINNER OR THE ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHER TO DO EXTREMELY WELL.

No comments about Pentax Zx-5 and Postmaster 28mm lens.

No comments about SMC Pentax-m 50mm 1:1.7.

No comments about Takumara-a 2x Tele-converter.

No comments about Nikon F6 35mm Autofocus SLR Camera Body - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A..

3 comments about Canon EOS IX Lite 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. This camera is great. It is the easiest thing in the world to use. Everything is automatic so you don't have to be a pro to use it and it still takes great pictures.



2. I think this camera, although not Canon's best, is a very good and very well priced camera. Weather you into indoors or outdoors photography, this camera will do both jobs just as well. So for all those of you on a bit of lower budget or not quite ready for a super high-tech, top of the line SLR's I suggest this camera very highly! Take it from me, with this camera I won three embassy photography contests.



3. This camera is good and great for people who want to learn photography

5 comments about NIKON FM3A 35mm SLR Camera Body (Lens not included).

1. Is everyone you know buying a digital camera? I have decided to go against the trend, and bought a FM3A. A light-weight and nearly manual camera. Why Nikon? After having used Canon for 20 years I decided to make the switch because I wanted better built quality. Something that lasts.

   This baby has nearly all the pro features you are looking for in a camera. Built-in light meter, TTL flash, DX ISO, 1/4000 to 1 second, plus B. I usually choose the semi-automatic mode; by setting the aperture manually, then allowing the camera to set the shutter speed automatically.

   As such, this camera is perfect for landscape photography. If you are like nature, and enjoy bush-walking or mountaineering, this Nikon is great. It only weighs 570g. This means that you can get away with using a light-weight tripod - if you don't mount big glass (a heavy telephoto lens). And it does not take much space. Good for travelling as well.

   The only feature I sometimes miss is mirror lock-up. Without mirror lock-up, camera shake can cause problems at slower shutter speeds. But you can get around this issue by using the self-timer (causing the mirror to flip up before the shot is taken). A spot light-meter would have been nice, but you can still take spot readings by using a longer lens (or by zooming in).

   The good thing about this film camera is that it provides me with the best of both worlds. I have the quality (and cheap price!) of film, the convenience of (slide) projection, but I can still scan the images into the computer if I need them digitally. And I can use the same set of lenses, should I decide to buy a digital body one day.

   This is a simple to use semi-automatic camera - yet you can get find accessories for it (Nikon and third party) - including a motor-drive and flash.

   Classic camera. I love it. Highly recommended.




2. If you are looking for a camera without all the whizbang circuitry and computerizations that take the challenge out of setting up a camera, you have two choices. The first is to take your chances in the used market. The second choice is the Nikon FM3a.

   The FM3a is a completely mechanical camera with only the most basic electronics built in. DX sensors make forgetting to reset the film settings a thing of the past. The Aperture Priority shutter setting allows the you to let the camera do the heavy work of deciding the shutter speed. And the center-weighted TTL metering makes an external light meter redundant.

   Forget all those niceties. You are looking for a camera that will take you back to the beginning, back to a time when you enjoyed the fiddling and fondling of cameras. You don't want the automations, and with this camera, you don't need to think about them. The film ISO settings can be changed manually to allow pushing and pulling of film. The shutter speed can be set manually from 8 seconds down to 1/4000th of a second. And the focusing and aperture setting is ALL manual.

   If you like having complete control over a camera, this is the one for you. It won't give you spot metering or auto-focus or 'portrait' mode and 'landscape' mode. But it will give you the tools to craft the photos you want, the way you want.

   It's not a digital wonder. Thank heavens.

   That said, there are a few things Nikon could have done better. They could have put in a mirror lockup to keep the camera steadier. They could have made the exposure compensation dial easier to use (get rid of that button, Nikon!). And they could have made the light meter easier to see in the dark. But these things are niggling inconsistencies at worst.

   The camera works well and is excellent at what it does. The rest, as they say, is up to you.




3. I just bought one of these used, but in great condition. What a joy to hold and use! Light, fast, responsive, but not a toy for ones who like "idiot proof" cameras. A peerless image making tool for those who know what they want and can still multiply & divide by 2.... I wear glasses, and the finder presents no problems. Standard PC connector for studio use, and cable release for time exposures. NO SHUTTER LAG! If you can see it and hit the button, the moment is captured on film for the ages. Add an MD12 motordrive, Vivitar 285 flash and you've got a set-up that will do anything. This rugged and substantial camera will go anywhere. Best of all, no batteries are needed for basic operation. Cons? I don't have two of them! Get a 50mm F1.8 lens with it and skip the cheap zoom. You'll see what photography was meant to be.



4. This is definitely one of the top five cameras on the market. Completely worth whatever you pay for it. Its durable, easy to use and turns out fantasic quality photos.



5. There are many good reasons to get the FM3a:
   * It weighs about the same amount as an N80 (my previous camera), but virtually everything on it is made of metal.
   * Batteries are easy to find and cheap because you rarely need to replace them. I recommend getting the single, larger lithium battery for the sake of convenience.
   * It combines bits of the FMx and FEx series to form a hybrid manual/electronic system, so if you're in a situation where you can't use battery power for whatever reason you can still use it as a fully manual camera.
   * It's not as chunky as AF cameras like the F100, but the tradeoff is that the ergonomics are very different.
   * The simple controls are easy to learn and can be used while wearing gloves. The knowledge also transfers easily to other manual-focus Nikon cameras you might buy in the future, like a used F-series model.
   * Because this is a mechanical camera and not an AF camera being used in Manual Mode, there's no risk that you'll hit something accidentally and spend a couple of minutes trying to figure out what you changed. I used to periodically knock my N80 back into AF or auto exposure while pulling it out of my camera bag, which got really annoying when I had to take a quick shot.
   * It can use a traditional, cheap screw-in shutter release cable. It's easy to find long cables for $20 and under at places like eBay.
   * It has Aperture Priority mode, unlike other FM cameras.
   * Unlike some older mid-range Nikons, it goes up to a shutter speed of 1/4,000 a second.
   * DX coding, which can be very handy when you've got a mixed bag of film speeds.
   * Last, but certainly not least, you have a wide range of used, well-made AI Nikon lenses available to you. I recommend getting `80s (but not E series) manual-focus lenses because they're metal and easy to find used for around $100 or less (I got my 50mm/f1.4 for $60).
   
   HOWEVER...if you're on more of a budget, you might be better off finding an older model like the FE (which I also have). It is more or less the same body, with little differences here and there.
   
   If you're split over which to get, here's a few things to keep in mind when comparing the FM3a and the FE:
   * Price! The FE is fairly common, so one in decent shape sells for $150 and under. You might even find a combination FE/manual-focus lens auction on eBay going for about half that.
   * Accessories. The bodies are very similar, so they can use some of the same accessories like the rubber eyecup and the MD-12 motor drive.
   * Age. The FE was made in the late `70s/early `80s, so there's more of a risk that something isn't working right. On the other hand, there's plenty of sellers who've used their FE a handful of times and then stored it in a closet.
   * Smoother speed dial and film advance lever. Compared to the FE, the FM3a is much stiffer, though you can feel each click on the shutter speed dial more easily.
   * A darker focusing screen, which is good or bad depending on whether you use fast glass.
   * Shutter speed. The FE only goes up to 1/1,000 of a second, and the maximum flash sync speed is also lower.
   * No DX coding, so you have to set the ISO speed manually.
   * It can't take the single lithium battery that the FM3a can because the voltage is slightly too low to power it. The 2 alkalines work fine, though, and the FE has a switch next to the eyepiece to check battery power. Your shutter speed options are very limited if you run out of power.
   * No viewing window for checking on the film canister. Instead, it's got a little slot that you can stick the end of a film box in as a reminder of what film you've got loaded.