Pentax ZX5n (MZ5n), repair or alternative?

Dwight Anderson · Dec 26, 2022

My daughter bought a Pentax ZX5n , which I told her is an excellent choice because my wife has had one for twenty years and loves it. But later I learned that the plastic main drive gear breaks and it is a common problem. She brought it home for Christmas to try it for the first time and it literally took one photo before the gear broke.

I have found an online tutorial on fixing it, but it is probably beyond my skills, and I imagine if I could find a repair shop it would be expensive. Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdier autofocus Pentax body so she could at least use the lens? Or a repair person to contact?

I'm feeling guilty for making the recommendation.

Paul Howell · Dec 26, 2022

I think all of the Z and M line have similar issues, I would get a first generation SF1n, it was the top of the line body at the time. I have 2 and both work well. Hard to find is the insert that allows for AA batteries. Unlike the lower end bodies the SF1 will work with K and M42 with adaptor in stopped down metering mode.

Pentax SFXn/SF1n - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Dwight Anderson · Dec 26, 2022

Paul Howell said:
I think all of the Z and M line have similar issues, I would get a first generation SF1n, it was the top of the line body at the time. I have 2 and both work well. Hard to find is the insert that allows for AA batteries. Unlike the lower end bodies the SF1 will work with K and M42 with adaptor in stopped down metering mode.

Pentax SFXn/SF1n - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Henning Serger · Dec 27, 2022

Dwight Anderson said:
Or a repair person to contact?

I would ask Pierro Pozella if he can do it:

PPP Cameras

PPP Cameras Giving film cameras a new lease of life

pppcameras.co.uk

Excellent repair technician who is often successfully doing repairs others cannot do.

Best regards,
Henning

Aidan Sciortino · Dec 27, 2022

There is also NSB Tekunos in Japan who will do this sort of service. I sent one of my MZ-S bodies there last January and was very pleased. Only communicates in Japanese, and isn't cheap, so might be better to buy another body in the case of a less expensive bodies.

gone · Dec 27, 2022

It's a known problem, so it makes more sense to get a camera w/o that issue. The Pentax Forum is a great resource for all Pentax film and digital cameras. The second link shows what I believe is the entire line up of 35mm AF bodies, complete w/ average market prices, full specs and actual user reviews.

Someone noted that all the ZX/MZ models have a weak part in the mirror, so for safety's sake, I would go w/ a Z-70/PZ-70 camera, especially for it's retro blob look. Here's one on the first link for $20 w/ a 28-105 lens that the seller says is in working condition.

Pentax PZ-70 35mm SLR Film Camera for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Pentax PZ-70 35mm SLR Film Camera at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Pentax Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Pentax Film Cameras - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

Pentax camera review database with reviews of Pentax DSLRs and film SLRs as well as technical specifications.

www.pentaxforums.com

Dwight Anderson · Dec 28, 2022

Thanks for the repair suggestions, but shipping to japan or the UK from the US would get expensive. Also thanks for the link to pentaxforums, they have a repair guide for the zx cameras that shows a way to replace the drive gear without desoldering the electronics, I think I'll try putting in a brass gear.

ts1000 · Jan 14, 2023

@Dwight Anderson it is very difficult to repair.
I researched this after realizing that all of my 3 Pentax cameras (including Pentax ZX-M) developed this issue.

This is also one of the reason, why I plan never buy a pentax digital. The company mind set that could screw up reliability of the whole generation of the cameras, may have persisted into their subsequent ventures....

If you can repair, it please post here your results, may be will inspire others!

4season · Jan 14, 2023

I’ve successfully replaced the mirror-return gear, and mended a broken pop up flash mechanism in an MZ-3, and thought the task was more akin to servicing a piece of consumer electronics than a camera. It helps to have access to desoldering tools when disconnecting the flash PCB. The plastic body panels are thin and fragile when apart, but feel surprisingly solid once reassembled.

Dwight Anderson · Jan 16, 2023

I've gotten the brass gears now, ordered four, total cost 26$. I figured I'd get spares in case my wife's camera breaks, plus I may get an extra camera to practice on. Just have to wait for my daughter to visit with her camera.

Dwight Anderson · Feb 11, 2023

Well, I was able to follow the instructions on Pentax forums for replacing the gear without taking the whole camera apart. I had purchased another ZX5n to practice on since my daughter hasn't been home recently. The process involves taking the body panels off and loosening the motor panel screws to pry it apart enough to put the new brass gear on the motor shaft. It is rather frustrating and involved many failed attempts to start the gear on the shaft while avoiding the other overlapping gears. The brass gear tends to fall off the end of the shaft into the depth of the camera, requiring some careful shaking to get it to fall back out. I finally used one of my wife's jewelry carving tools to pry it onto the shaft.

Everything seems to work now, although the camera I bought for practice also has the broken flash spring problem, but I'm not fixing that. Just need to shoot some film to confirm.

Link to the page on Pentax forums I followed:

MZ5n mirror blocked, service manual? - Page 4 - PentaxForums.com

The new mirror motor cost me $24 from UScamera. The price is prohibitive for the obsolete film cameras. A working ZX series of camera would worth

www.pentaxforums.com

redbandit · Feb 12, 2023

sometimes the expert repairmen recommended by the members of the pentax forums can charge you 120$ just to open the body and see what is wrong with it, and then perhaps 120$ an hour for service charge, and the cost of replaicement parts.

But with the way the cameras are done,, one pentax camera uses 27 individual wires inside instead of pricted circuit board... if YOU break a wire your screwed prison shower style.. but for the repair man its just another 20 minutes to fix.

Pentax ZX5n (MZ5n), repair or alternative?

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