Pentax Z-10

The Pentax Z-10, manufactured by Pentax, is a 35mm film SLR camera primarily sold in the USA. It was also marketed internationally as the Pentax PZ-10. Production took place in Japan during the 1990s.

Lens

The Pentax PZ-10 uses the Pentax KAF2 bayonet mount. This lens mount is equipped with an AF coupler for autofocus, contacts for transmitting lens information, and power contacts for the power zoom of FA lenses.

A strength of this system is its high compatibility. In addition to modern FA and F lenses, which support the full range of functions including autofocus, older manual lens series such as Pentax-A, Pentax-M, and K-mount lenses can also be used. Even older lenses with M42 screw threads (SMC TAKUMAR) can be connected to the camera using an adapter.

The camera’s autofocus system is based on TTL phase detection metering and operates within an exposure range of EV1 to EV18 (at ISO 100 and a lens with an aperture of f/1.4).

For most shooting situations, the autofocus is fast and reliable. For moving subjects, the camera automatically switches to predictive autofocus mode to continuously track the focus. If the subject is not in the central focus field, the focus can be set and stored on the subject with the focus memory function before the final image section is selected. To do this, the shutter release is half-pressed to focus, and then the camera is realigned with the shutter release held down.

In difficult subjects – such as those with very low contrast, fine horizontal patterns, or in strong backlight – the autofocus can reach its limits. In such cases, manual focus can be switched to. A focus aid in the viewfinder (a green symbol) and a short beep indicate when the focus is correctly set.

Additional functions are available with Pentax FA zoom lenses. In power zoom mode, the focal length can be changed motorically via a ring on the lens in three different speeds.

The “Zoom Clip Mode” allows you to store a specific focal length in advance and retrieve it immediately with the touch of a button. The “Image Size Tracking Mode” is another innovative feature: Here, the size of a subject in the viewfinder can be set and stored. The camera then automatically adjusts the focal length as the distance to the subject changes, so that its relative size in the image remains constant.

Exposure Settings

The camera has two basic exposure modes: Programmed AE and Metered Manual. Exposure metering is done through the lens (TTL) via an SPD cell. An advanced 6-zone multi-field metering system is used in programmed automatic mode. This analyzes the light distribution throughout the entire image field and is particularly effective in difficult lighting conditions, such as backlighting, to avoid underexposure of the main subject.

In program mode, the camera automatically selects a suitable combination of shutter speed and aperture. This mode is ideal for quick snapshots and for beginners. The shutter speeds range continuously from 1/2000 second to 4 seconds. If more creative control is desired, the exposure compensation can be used to adjust the exposure in 0.5 EV steps by up to ±3.0 EV.

In manual mode, the photographer has full control over aperture and shutter speed. The aperture is set directly on the aperture ring of the lens, while the shutter speed is selected via two buttons on the top of the camera.

A range of 1/2000 second to 1 second is available, as well as a “Bulb” setting for long exposures. In manual mode, the camera automatically switches to spot metering, in which only a small area in the center of the viewfinder is used for exposure metering. An exposure scale in the viewfinder indicates whether the selected settings lead to a correct, over- or underexposure.

A special feature is the “Hyper-Manual Mode”. If the camera is in manual mode, pressing the Hyper button can cause the camera to briefly automatically set an exposure time that matches the manually selected aperture.

Flash System

The Pentax PZ-10 is equipped with a pop-up flash integrated into the camera body, which is referred to as RTF. It has a guide number of 12 (at ISO 100 in meters) and illuminates the angle of view of a 35mm lens.

In program mode, the flash functions as a fully automatic TTL flash. In low light or backlight, a flash symbol flashes in the viewfinder and on the LCD panel to recommend the use of the flash. After popping up, the flash charges, which is indicated by a symbol on the LCD.

The flash sync speed is automatically set to 1/100 second. A useful function is daylight synchronization (fill-flash), which makes it possible to flash even in bright daylight, for example, to brighten shadows in faces in strong sunlight.

The effective flash range depends on the film speed and the selected aperture. At ISO 100 and an aperture of f/3.5, for example, it ranges from 0.7 to 3.4 meters.

For a greater range or more flexible flash techniques, an external, Pentax-compatible flash can be connected via the accessory shoe. The camera supports various TTL flash functions, depending on the flash model used.

With compatible flash units, functions such as long-time synchronization are also possible in manual mode, in which both the main subject by the flash and the dimly lit background are correctly exposed by a longer exposure time.

Additional Features

The camera offers an electronic self-timer with a delay of about 12 seconds. A beep signals the countdown, with the frequency increasing in the last two seconds.

For long exposures in “Bulb” mode, in which the shutter remains open as long as the shutter release is pressed, the use of a tripod is recommended. On the side of the camera there is a connection for an optional cable remote release to avoid camera shake. The tripod thread is located on the bottom of the camera.

Dimensions and Weight

The Pentax PZ-10 is relatively compact for an SLR camera of its time. The dimensions of the body are 146.0 mm (width) x 92.5 mm (height) x 66.5 mm (depth). Without a battery, the camera weighs 490 grams and thus sits well and securely in the hand.

Power Supply

The power supply of the camera and all its electronic functions, including autofocus, light meter, film transport and flash, is provided by a single 6-volt lithium battery type 2CR5 (eBay / Amazon*).

The battery life depends on the frequency of flash use and the ambient temperature. Under normal conditions, a fresh battery lasts for about 120 rolls of film without flash use or about 20 rolls with 100% flash use. A symbol on the LCD display warns in good time of a depleted battery.

Film Recommendations

The camera uses standard 35mm film in cartridges. It has DX code recognition and can automatically set the film speed of DX-coded films in the range of ISO 25 to ISO 5000. Films without a DX code are exposed at ISO 100 as standard.

Great films for the Pentax Z-10 that are still available today are the Kodak ColorPlus 200* for color photos and the Kodak T-Max 400* for monochrome B/W photos.

Loading the film is straightforward: after opening the back, the film cartridge is inserted, the film tongue is pulled out to the red mark, and the back is closed. The camera then automatically transports the film to the first shot. After the last shot, the camera automatically rewinds the film completely into the cartridge. A film can also be rewound manually at any time.