Welcome to Matt's Pentax Page

This content is under construction...(Sorry if it rambles!)

Camera Bodies

Over the years I have owned and used several Pentax cameras:

S1a - clockwork with the top fitting light meter
ME-F - like the ME-Super but with focus assist
ME-Super - classic camera
MZ-10 - compact autofocus with auto modes
MZ-5 - very compact autofocus. (Superceded by the MZ-5N)
Z-1 - One of Pentax's "Pro" bodies.

Other equipment

Now my lineup also includes:

Pentax AF360-FGZ flash gun
Pentax 28-70mm f4 AF lens
Sigma 70-300mm f5.6 macro lens

Manuals

My second hand Z-1 came boxed with a manual. Realising I could not download a PDF of the manual (only the Z-1p from the USA site) I scanned and PDF'd the manual myself. To assist other users, you can download a copy here.

Pentax-Z1.pdf 4,057,793 bytes

If you use a Pentax Z1 yourself, please drop me an email mattmatic@hotmail.com and tell me your favourite tricks and tips, a link to your online gallery, or a photo taken with the Z1, as a way of saying thank you for the manual ;-)

Update: Pentax USA now have the Z1 manual online too. Better late than never ;-)

Hints and Tips

These hints and tips were found out by experience, or culled from the Internet pages and newsgroups (using www.google.com)

Pentax Z-1

When using the manually started rewind, put the mode switch back to Mode before loading film. When in the rewind mode the LCD does not show you whether the film was loaded. (I opened the back thinking it was in error and wasted a frame or two - tchuch!)
To get TTL flash compensation follow this little trick:
- Make sure the compensation is set to 0.00EV
- Put the mode into HyM and take a meter reading with the IF button
- Now with the right mode, adjust the exposure compensation (say -1.0EV)
- Take the shot
- Remember to put the compensation back to 0.00EV
The exposure reading is taken via the viewfinder, behind the pentaprism, while the TTL flash reading is taken off the film (and does not have segmented metering).
Don't forget the self-timer-triple shot function. This is an excellent way to get good group photos. The Z1 will wait 10seconds, then take 3 shots, each 2 seconds apart. Just watch the expressions!
Want a brighter viewfinder? Probably best to forget it! The Z1p screens do fit the Z1, but they affect the exposure - so you have to recalibrate the exposure system or always manually adjust for the offset! (By the way, the Intenscreen looks a really nice focus screen. Check out the Pentax User Group Mail Order for a reasonable price).
Update: I have fitted a Z1p screen to my Z1 and the exposure seems the same. Then again, it does not appear that much brighter, but I now have the panorama lines which I find useful for squaring up the viewfinder.

Pentax AF360-FGZ

If you are in a hurry, make sure you push the power switch all the way to the right when on the camera. I've managed to accidentally switch it to the "wireless/slave" mode and not get any flash output!
If you don't have the MZ-S, select "Slave 2":
- Slide the setting switch up (that is the side switch on the right side)
- Hold the [LIGHT] button for 2 seconds
- Press the [S] button to toggle between SLAVE1 and SLAVE2
- Press the [LIGHT] button to end the setting
(See page 49 of the manual for full details)
When in the SLAVE mode, the flash works well with the Canon S30 digital camera that uses a pre-flash for white balance control (as long as the flash does not discharge completely on the first flash). Just set the camera to Av mode and set the aperture, and force the ASA setting. Compensation needs to be done:
- Set the S30 flash compensation to -1EV and the AF360 to one f-stop lower than the camera setting, or
- Set the S30 flash compensation to -2EV
(You need to experiment a bit!)
If the full flash is needed:
- Half press the shutton on the S30
- Press the microphone button to get a flash exposure lock
- Wait until the AF360 recharges
- Fully press the shutter
The S30 seems to use the preflash just for white balance since it makes no difference if the AF360 does not fire for the preflash.

Pentax Z-1 vs Z-1p

If you were wondering what the Z-1p has over the Z-1, here is my list:

Viewfinder:
- Brighter viewfinder, about 1 stop
- Viewfinder meter has a bar-graph (rather than just + and - indicators)
- Extra indication of spot/centre/evaluative metering in the viewfinder
Flash:
- 28mm flash coverage (rather than 35mm - the Z1 warns you though at 28mm)
- Red eye reduction
Buttons and controls:
- Simplified modes (aperture/shutter priority modified)
- No interval shooting facility
- Easy switch between spot/centre metering (Z1 uses a Pentax function)
- Panorama facility (though can be a handicap - you can accidentally switch it over)
More expensive (by quite a long way still)!