Lomopedia: Pentax PC35AF

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The PC35AF was introduced to the market in 1982 and it was Pentax's first autofocus compact camera. The PC35AF was also the first camera in Pentax's 'PC' line.

Straight up, the PC35AF was a point-and-shoot camera. It came with a film winder accessory that offers motorized film advance. Later versions like the PC35AF-M and PC35AF-M Date offer built-in power-winding, and date stamp functions respectively. The PC35AF came in black and green camouflage while the special edition (SE) had gray-colored ergonomic grips for better handling and shooting.

Pentax PC35AF © htomari via Flickr, Images used under Creative Commons license

Performance-wise, the PC35AF is a neat little point-and-shoot camera. It doesn't have the best glass lens, innovative features, or the most stylish design but it can and will perform. Its Pentax 35 mm f/2.8 lens offers decent clarity and crispness while the auto-exposure feature helps in getting well-lit shots. It's not the smallest compact camera in the used camera market right now but if you're into the angled styling and its sleek sliding lens door, then the PC35AF may be the camera for you.

Photos Taken by Our Community

Credits: andycurtis, moreira, artlens, aarticle, flamingoid & aanton_evseev

Technical Specifications

Lens: Pentax 35 mm f/2.8, 5 elements in 5 groups
Focusing: Pentax infrared active triangular measuring system (0.7m to infinity) with focus lock device
ISO: 25-400 ASA
Shutter: electronically programmed behind-the-lens shutter, shutter speed from approx. 1/8 to 1/430 sec. mechanical release
Exposure: programmed automatic exposure control from EV6 (f/2.8 at 1 /8 sec.) to EV1 7
(f/16 at 1/430 sec.) at ISO 100 with CdS-cell metering. Slow shutter warning by LED display and PCV sound
Flash: Built-in pop-up type with flash ready lamp ISO 100
Film Type: 35 mm
Winding Mechanism: manual, with winder accessory option
Dimensions: 129 × 69 × 46 mm
Weight: 320 grams
Battery: two AA alkaline batteries


Information used in this article was sourced from CameraWiki, CameraPedia, and Pentax Film Point and Shoot.

Explore our collection of Lomopedia articles from the Lomography Archives to learn more about films, cameras, lenses, and accessories!

2018-01-15 #gear #lomopedia #point-and-shoot #pentax #pc35af #lomopedia

2 Comments

  1. flamingoid
    flamingoid ·

    If I can add just one thing: it may be made of plastic but it's actually quite sturdy. You can throw it in a backpack or let it hang around your wrist all day and it won't even get a scratch. It's not comparable in build quality or optical performance to the premium point and shoot cameras by Contax, Konica or Nikon but given that it doesn't even cost a twentieth of a GR1 or 35Ti, it's a bargain. It's completely automated (auto-focus and auto-exposure) and fool-proof, it cannot shoot with the hood closed or if the meter says it's underexposed, it beeps to tell you to use the flash and it's easy to load. Thanks by the way for using one of my pics to illustrate the article. I gave mine to my sister for Christmas, though.

  2. astarvingmind
    astarvingmind ·

    Thank you for this camera review!
    It's been really helpful. I was thinking of buying a used one, though I wasn't really sure of its specs. But now, I am. Thank you! Ü

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