C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Pentax MZ-S Quartz2002
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Pentax KAF2
- Years
- 2002–2006
- Shutter
- 30s – 1/6000s
- Meter
- ttl-6-segment-multi-pattern
The Pentax MZ-S Quartz is a variant of the MZ-S (2001) that adds a quartz-crystal date-back module integrated into or fitted to the body, enabling precision date and time imprinting on the film frame alongside the MZ-S's full feature set. The base MZ-S was already Pentax's most capable 35mm film SLR: magnesium-alloy body, distinctive 15-degree tilted top plate, 6-point autofocus, 6-segment matrix metering, 1/6000s maximum shutter speed, 1/180s flash sync, and PASM exposure modes via the KAF2 mount. The Quartz variant extends this with crystal-accurate time reference for imprinting, which was valued in photojournalism and documentary work where frame-exact time-stamping on the negative itself was required.
Reference
Find film for your Pentax MZ-S Quartz
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ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
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Before you buy used
The MZ-S Quartz is rarely encountered outside Japan; Yahoo Auctions Japan and Mercari Japan are the most reliable hunting grounds. Examples occasionally appear on eBay international listings or through specialist European dealers.
- **Quartz date module** - verify it functions, that the display reads correctly, and that imprinting on film is crisp. A non-functional date module does not impair camera operation but negates the point of the variant.
- **AF accuracy** - test with a fast prime at close focus distance. MZ-S AF is generally reliable but motor wear can cause hunting or miss.
- **Battery contacts for CR2 cells** - inspect for corrosion; CR2 cells are less common than CR2032 or AA, so confirm cell availability in your market.
- **LCD bleed on top-plate display** - common on aged MZ-S bodies. Cosmetic only, but verify the control displays remain readable in bright light.
- **Light seals** - replace.
- **Shutter curtain** - inspect for pinholes at maximum speed; the 1/6000s cloth curtain is thin.
- Service: Eric Hendrickson (US) handles Pentax AF bodies; Japanese camera repair specialists may have more specific experience with the MZ-S line.
About this camera
The MZ-S flagship with quartz-crystal date imprinting - Pentax's last professional film SLR in its most complete form.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Pentax MZ-S Quartz use?
- The Pentax MZ-S Quartz shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Pentax MZ-S Quartz take?
- The Pentax MZ-S Quartz uses a 2x CR2 battery.
- What lens mount does the Pentax MZ-S Quartz have?
- The Pentax MZ-S Quartz uses the Pentax KAF2 mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Pentax MZ-S Quartz offer?
- The Pentax MZ-S Quartz's shutter speeds range from 30s to 1/6000s.
- What light meter does the Pentax MZ-S Quartz use?
- The Pentax MZ-S Quartz meters with ttl-6-segment-multi-pattern.