Pentax ZX-7 QD 35mm SLR Film Camera

This is a good camera for photographers who've learned a little about how to take pictures, and want to learn and experiment more. It is certainly not a professional rig, and since they've been selling off of Ebay for between $30 and $50 (Fall 2008), one shouldn't expect it to be.

On the plus side, it is a light, small camera which is easy to tote around; the lens is likely to be the determining factor of how big the whole setup is instead of the camera body. It has good exposure compensation features which work in all modes you'd expect (except for Bulb, Manual, and the Auto Pict -- read: point-and-shoot -- modes). It allows for exposure lock, manual focus, multiple exposures on a single frame, and mid-roll rewind. If you can find one, and it probably won't be too hard to find, it can be remote fired with a wireless or wired remote. It has a very quiet mirror-flip and shutter; the film winding noise is a little louder, but the autofocus can be noisy when hunting in low light. It has shutter speed, aperture and metering / exposure compensation numbers and bar in the viewfinder, and they are well-lit for most circumstances.

On the minus side, it doesn't have a selection switch for different metering modes (matrix, center-weighted, spot) or autofocus zones (multi-point, center, selected point). It doesn't have auto-bracketing, mirror lockup, or any kind of program shift (a method for changing the shutter/aperture combo for a given light level in auto modes), nor any program line set button (something which allows you to tell the camera to set an exposure for the given light level while in some priority or manual mode once, so that you can shift it from there). These are the kinds of things pro rigs have, but there are work-arounds for this kind of camera - mostly, you have to DIY the bracketing, exposure, and check the focused objects. The lack of mirror lockup is probably less important on this camera since I feel that the mirror flip is so mild, it probably couldn't cause camera shake unless you had it on a very light tripod or barely stable surface. But I've yet to fully explore that.

One gotcha that freaked me out the second day I had it was that on one shot, the mirror didn't flip back down. Nothing I did seemed to help (turning off/on, removing and reinstalling batteries, etc.). It wasn't until I replaced the batteries completely (it was shipped with batteries of unknown age in them), that the mirror flipped back down and everything was normal again. So, if something weird like that happens, replace batteries first before getting too worried.

All-in-all, good camera, light, compact, and fun to use!

Bought a used Pentax ZX-7 body and FA 28-80mm/f3.5-5.6 zoom lens on eBay for a small Pentax collection started with my first SLR, an Asahiflex IIb bought in 1957 on a visit to Japan. The others are a KM and a Superprogram with 5 KA lenses from 35mm to 200mm.

I have autofocus in my Nikon cameras and wanted to try the Pentax version.

The ZX-7 is typical Pentax: easy to learn, sharp lenses and reliable performance. Pentax has a free pdf manual online (also sells a printed manual). You will need one or the other.

This Pentax is very light weight. It's a pleasure to carry all day. It almost floats on my neck with a 1 1/4 inch neoprene strap and the light zoom lens. Set on "Auto Program", pop up flash "off". with power switch "on" and lens cap off it's ready in a second to make a snap photo. (Meter goes off in 20 sec. to save batteries and on at first touch.)

Autofocus and exposure is quick and accurate in every mode and manual is easy.

All my Pentax A lenses operate just as on the Superprogram. So it's a good backup for serious photography.. A Pentax AF280T tilt & swivel hot shoe flash fits and works in bounce on both for Auto and some TTL functions for a low cost used option. I like the ability to use the "betterbouncecard" technique too which requires a tilt & swivel flash head. (See URL: abetterbouncecard.com)

The top deck LCD panel is full of information but tiny symbols for flash settings are difficult to decipher until familiarized with the user manual.

It's nice to have a pop up flash for TTL fill without carrying extra stuff and this little pop up is very flexible. It can be turned off completely, set for TTL daylight fill or normal TTL, with or without red eye reduction.

The built-in eyepiece diopter correction is a good feature. No extra stuff to carry and mislay. There is very little eye relief if you wear eyeglasses so use the corrector.

For little cash, bought used, this is a capable little camera and could be part of a low cost small starter system, but probably will not take much rough handling ... it's light weight build requires some care.

For me it's a "keeper" even when left simple and light for daylight use with nice results.

This camera fits my hands well, It will also accept the FG battery pack which will add weight and extra grip for security.(and allow you to use AA batteries which are cheaper, and give good balance)
It boasts AV-TV-Full Auto-Manual settings, plus several scene modes--Sports-portraits-macro-​landscape. When in AUTO mode the scenes light up(temporarily) to show you which are being used. This is not a biggie, but it does help you learn a few things. You can use shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 20000 of a second. ASA is automatic. Not sure if uncoded film will default to 100 or what, but most folks buying this won't have to worry about it.
It is user friendly, and advanced enough for use by Pros. The only drawback is plastic. This is fine for most folks, but maybe not for pictures on Mt. Everst, or in the desert. May not take the extremes well, I don't know.
Very easy to use in Auto, or whatever setting you choose. The screen on top lights up, which is a nice feature, when it gets darker.
It has a bulb setting for long exposures. You do need batteries. It won't work without, like some of the older models, but that is true with most all the competition. I have had numerous cameras, and like this fine. it is a nice addition to my Spotmatic-MV-ME Super-KX-and K200d.
Pop up flash works well, and metering is accurate. The flash is a bit weak, and causes red-eye as do most onboard flashes. I would recommend a seperate flash for anything past snapshots.
All in all it is a very capable camera, and can do 99.9999% of the tasks you may ask of it.
I have no cons to list. Dan

I am a photography major at my college and I needed to buy a 35 mm. This camera is very precise and accurate. The lenses are interchangeable while still able to switch from auto focus to manual. It has an screen letting me know of how many pictures I have left, how much battery is left, and the mode it is in. My favourite specifics about this camera are the self timer, freeze frame allowing for double exposure, and the ability to change Shutter Speed and Aperture priority. Pentax is also a very good brand. It's a very durable camera and that's a good thing when it comes to getting the shot you really want.

I bought the ZX-7 cameras because of the autofocus capabilities. Also,the fact that all my Pentax lenses are operable manually was a factor.
Now,the best part: The picture quality with the 80-320zoom lens is awesome when
using Fuji Superia film. All the pictures taken with all my lenses have been great. I would recommend this camera to anyone staying with film,and wanting SLR
capabilities.
Finally,the Pentax FA lenses are fully operable on their digital cameras!

Greg Masters