PENTAX PC35AF REVIEW

[@johncantrell614]

Had that one in the navy. Was a great travel camera, small and compact, and took great shots.

[@theoldcameraguy]

John Cantrell Perfect for travel - very capable shooter. Thanks for watching

[@fallyn2920]

yaaaaas, review this awesome piece of kit. Pentax is so underrated for it's camera's.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Fallyn I definitely agree about Pentax not always getting the respect it deserves.

[@KarySchump]

Great review, as always!! Great pics, as always!! Love your videos!! Thank you for your your channel and what you share!!

[@theoldcameraguy]

Thanks Kary! I really appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to watch and comment. It’s getting a little tougher to upload on a weekly basis (as I explain in my new video coming out Sunday), but I still plan on sharing videos as often as I can. Thanks again!

[@giobygiovanni]

Thanks for the review! I just bought this camera for 1 euro at a thriftstore in Holland.

[@theoldcameraguy]

modelsversus Great deal - Thanks for watching!

[@Murgoh]

My grandmother had one with the detachable power winder. She traded my grandfather's Rollei XF 35 for it after he died in the early 80:s as she found the manual focus too difficult. I think it was still used in the 2000:s. Nice simple easy to use camera and took good pictures. I changed the film and batteries numerous times as she wasn't technically oriented at all and refused to learn how to do it herself. I also shot lots of pictures at family events for her so I was very familiar with the camera. I wonder if either my father or my uncle still has it, might ask them at some time. I would bet on my uncle as he always was a "camera guy".

[@theoldcameraguy]

Great story - It would be nice to see that camera getting some use again.

[@waferab]

Great shots!

[@theoldcameraguy]

Thanks Andrew!

[@sliepa]

I have the Pentax PC35AF-M. I'm on my 2nd roll of film and enjoy shooting with it. It's a keeper for me...easy to hold with a nice textured grip...easy to shoot one handed! The M version has a 2 step rewind on the bottom and no plate of origin.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Nice - This whole series is a little underrated. Glad you’re enjoying it.

[@earlisonline]

I have the motorised version. Haven’t finished the film roll yet but I am excited because of a lot of good reviews

[@theoldcameraguy]

It’s a solid point and shoot - Have fun with it!

[@earlisonline]

@@theoldcameraguy have you tried high speed films in that? Right now I have Lomo 800 inside the camera

[@theoldcameraguy]

@@earlisonline The highest speed I’ve used is 400

[@earlisonline]

@@theoldcameraguy yoooo i just got my scans and most are out of focus. I was told that the focus system of this is same as olympus XA. how can i keep subjects focused? Should i half press the camera first? Does it also mean that if you half press longer, the picture will be on focus?

[@theoldcameraguy]

@@earlisonline Olympus XA is a manual focus rangefinder, so it’s different. Yes, half press the shutter and give it a half second to focus before pressing it down all the way.

[@asifahammed7689]

Hi just wondering what film roll you used to take the black and whites of the old railroad and the woods?

[@theoldcameraguy]

My old standby - Ilford HP5+

[@photosynthesis69]

Been wanting to try one of these and other fixed focal length point and shoots that are affordable. Enjoyed this thanks

[@theoldcameraguy]

My Channel My Choice I prefer prime lens models over zooms. The Nikon L35AF and Olympus Mju I (Infinity Stylus) are also worth checking out. Thanks for watching!

[@beabarredo7963]

In Manila ,can you recommend me a place to buy a film for this certain camera.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Try freestylephoto.com

[@bloubear2557]

How similar is this to the sport version with blue plastic designs on the body

[@theoldcameraguy]

Hmm.. Sorry, I don’t know - I’ve never seen the sport version. Thanks for watching!

[@dannyo2964]

Great review! What does the backlight compensation button do exactly? Does it help the foreground stay properly exposed, not sillouette-ish? Thanks!

[@theoldcameraguy]

Danny O Yep - That’s exactly what it’s for. Thanks for watching!

5 years later and it's now difficult to find a very good one for less than 100-120$ USD...

[@tofuluck]

How do you close the lens cover? We havent used ours for over a decade and my mom opened the cover a few days ago, then had a hard time closing it til now :((

[@theoldcameraguy]

You should just be able to take your thumb and slide the cover from the right to the left to close it, unless it’s broken.

[@dangtieu7146]

Hey! i just bought one and was wondering if my needle is broken, it won’t move to under the icons to indicate distance

[@theoldcameraguy]

Unfortunately, it sounds like it’s busted

[@loloolvera3096]

I have the same camera but the shutter button is not working ,do you know if needs the film in the camera to be complete in working order or just the button is stuck

[@theoldcameraguy]

Lolo Olvera Mine dry fires without film in it - so it should fire without film (but it does need a battery to fire). Thanks for watching

[@haiyen609]

is this better than pentax espio 80? thanks

[@theoldcameraguy]

I like the PC35AF better because it has a very good prime lens instead of a zoom.

[@zangemu]

Do you know if it was expensive when it came out? Non AF cameras like the Olympus XA-2 were not inexpensive.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Brian Bird December 1983 list price was $169 - pretty good chunk of change

[@petersavchenco9826]

Thanks for the video! I've just bought mine and I'm wondering can the shutter button be pressed without batteries? Mine doesn't press at all. And when I put new batteries it also doesn't allow me to press it and the orange flash light doesn't fire when the flash is popped up. So I'm thinking I might have problems with the battery compartment or the whole camera is broken.

[@theoldcameraguy]

It should be able to fire and flash with new batteries, even without film in it. Mine had battery corrosion, yours may too. Here’s how I fixed mine kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHnToX6bfMtpa5I

[@petersavchenco9826]

@@theoldcameraguy Thank you very much for replying! I cleaned the contacts and now it fires. But there is one even stranger thing: it allows only to press the shutter button once and the winding wheel doesn't move after that, it moves only after opening and closing the back cover where film is. Very strange the back cover is somehow blocking it from winding. Maybe you know what that can be? Thank you very much for your time!!

[@theoldcameraguy]

@@petersavchenco9826 That is a little weird! Sorry, I don’t have an answer for that one.

[@petersavchenco9826]

@@theoldcameraguy found a strange solution. Do you need to push your winding wheel down a little to hear a little click and only then it allows to wind it?

[@theoldcameraguy]

@@petersavchenco9826 I don’t have to do that on mine, but if it works on yours, that’s an ok workaround

[@j3fflikesmusick]

Is this camera zone focus only? Or will it focus anywhere between .7m to infinity?

[@theoldcameraguy]

j3fflikesmusick It will focus anywhere between 0.7m and infinity - fun little camera. Thanks for watching!

[@j3fflikesmusick]

@@theoldcameraguy thank you for the response! Ill try picking one of these little cameras up

[@theoldcameraguy]

j3fflikesmusick 👍

[@absolute6122]

You covince me to buy it sir ! I cant wait to receive mine now !

[@theoldcameraguy]

Awesome - Happy shooting!

[@Ziip47]

I would love to know what Film you used in this? I recently was given one of these. I have never used film cameras so I am excited to start. Would the 5222 movie film work in this camera?

[@theoldcameraguy]

Ziip47 The color shots were Fuji Superia 400 and the BW shots were Ilford HP5+. The 5222 would work great - I set the ISO for 200. Thanks for watching and have fun shooting this Pentax!

[@Ziip47]

@@theoldcameraguy And what would you suggest for color film? Something not to expensive. The most bang for your buck.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Ziip47 If you can find Kodak Color Plus 200, it’s a great inexpensive consumer color film that gives your images a retro vibe. Kodak Gold film is usually fairly inexpensive, too.

[@PurosOipunx]

So I have one of these and it won’t turn on. Any tips on trying to get this thing to turn on/work?

[@theoldcameraguy]

MacdaddySal Make sure there’s no corrosion at all in the battery chamber. Even a little corrosion on the contacts will disable this camera - I had to clean mine with white vinegar. Fresh batteries have to be installed with correct polarity. If they’re flipped, it won’t fire. Checking to see if the self timer is cocked is a good idea too. Make sure the light meter at the bottom is not blocked too. Wind the manual thumb wheel on the top of the camera all the way to the right and try the shutter button. There is no real on/off button, so if none of this works, it might be a dud. Hope you get it to fire up!

[@andyandyfrogy1113]

Hi Dave, can you review Pentax Zoom 280p in a future video, please? I think in US was sold as Pentax IQ 280p. Thank you.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Andy Andy Hi Andy, the 280P is one Pentax I don’t have. I do have a Pentax Espio 115M that I may review at some point. I’m going thrifting on Friday, so who knows, I might even come across a 280P and pick it up. Thanks for watching!

[@theoldcameraguy]

Hey Andy, I wanted to let you know that I actually picked up a 280P for $4 yesterday! I'll shoot a roll or two in it within the next couple of weeks and eventually make a video to upload to the channel.

[@andyandyfrogy1113]

@@theoldcameraguy Dave you are great, thanks! I will start shooting with it before you this week :). Your video will be a reference for me, I'm sure. I know that you will not like that is taking 2x CR123 :))).

[@atroche1978]

I recently found one of these at a thrift store for a whopping $2. I cleaned an oxidized battery spring, removed the top cover and cleaned the viewfinder. I also replaced the light seals. The low light audible is extremely annoying. I haven't used it yet though. Just did some dry shooting with it for test purposes. From looking at your pictures and others on Flickr, this camera might be a keeper. Can't go wrong with those 6 lens elements. I also like the 80's Knight Rider look of it. Between the Pentax PC35AF, Olympus XA, and Nikon Lite Touch, which would you say is the camera that produces the better images? I have all 3 and I find the XA to be a fun camera to use. And the images produced look great. The Nikon produced some really contrasty and sharp images but I did find that it vignette's quite a bit. Like I said, I have yet to put a roll through the Pentax. So for now, if have to say the XA is my winner. Thanks for the video btw.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Bert T. Definitely a good find for two bucks. XA can give you very good images, but I’m not a big rangefinder guy. I have all three of these cameras and I use the Nikon the most. My first 35mm camera was the Lomo LC-A, so I’m used to vignetting and actually like it. I like the slim form factor of the Nikon. That low light warning sound is pretty easy to disable - got a video on it here:kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZu7dmdupNKfp7M

[@atroche1978]

@@theoldcameraguy So I'm finally getting around to shooting with the Pentax PC35AF and I noticed one thing that I'm a bit concerned with. That is, every now and then, when I half press the shutter release, it stays stuck in that position until I slightly press on it. Would you say that it's almost out the door or might it be a battery issue? Thanks. Fyi, I sold the Nikon AF600. It was a decent little camera but I wasn't too big on it's performance.

[@mamiyapress]

Dead end, how true.

[@theoldcameraguy]

mamiyapress The irony of that one struck me too 🙂

[@Peppermint1]

To all the people who think that a 'fast' 2.8 lens on a point & shoot camera is the most desirable feature, don't get fooled by the numbers. Just like with everything else, fast aperture doesn't necessarily mean quality lens. Sometimes a camera maker will create a 'fast' lens on a budget, so the rest of the lens characteristics are going to be inferior to another camera that had 'slower' but better designed lens. Slower lens also allow a manufactrer to sometimes spend the budget on other lens characteristics and create a better image - as long as the subject has enough light. We need to get a little bit educated about joggling with these numbers. Yes, a F2.8 will get more light in dim situations, but that doesn't speak about image quality - contrast, sharpness, saturation, 3D effect, color reproduction. Also, these old lens were not always the best. A camera from the 90's may easily have better lens that a point&shoot from the 80's : technology does advance. Finally, about absolutely any camera out there, the internet is fully with heavily edited and embellished pictures. When you search for pictures to see how good a camera performs, never look at the 'good' or 'great' looking pictures: always look at the worst pictures in the bunch - that one had a good chance to have not been edited.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Peppermint Yes, maximum aperture is just one attribute and doesn’t always tell the whole story about how a camera performs. To that point, I mention in my review of the Olympus Mju I that I prefer the Mju I over the Mju II even though the Mju II’s f2.8 lens is faster than the Mju I’s f3.5. There are many other variables to consider, for sure.

[@Peppermint1]

@@theoldcameraguy Good point. I also had the Mju II (Stylus Epic), the one that sells these days for close to $400USD (and climbing). Despite pleasant colors and contrast, I was not impressed about that camera - not any closer to justify a $400 price, or even half of it. But these prices are the results of glamorous blogs that - and I find this very unfortunate - transform their photos with softwares to the point of looking like they were using some high end Nikon lens. Anyhow, who has the money will spend it. Good thing is we regain interest in film photography. Digital creates way too much 'waste', too many pictures that we no longer take the time to enjoy looking at.

[@zangemu]

I think the lack of popularity is all down to the styling of the body. It looks like a cheap P&S even though it isn't.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Brian Bird Yep, it won’t win any beauty contests😀

[@sgit1]

Sharp, "contrasty" images. The front lens looked a little dull but certainly did not affect the output.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Yes, it’s a pretty sharp shooter

[@Raychristofer]

Good job, the images do not look point and shoot at all. That black and white landscape could really be framed.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Raychristofer Thanks - I agree, this is a pretty capable little camera.

[@piketubeman]

I just checked eBay... You can't find one of these for less than $100 USD.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Like a lot of other film cameras, these have definitely gone up in price in the last year or two.

[@piketubeman]

@@theoldcameraguy that makes sense. My local online market places have been seriously competitive recently :( I think I might have found one of these for $25 though! WISH ME LUCK 🙏

[@theoldcameraguy]

@@piketubeman Go get it!

[@piketubeman]

@@theoldcameraguy IGOTITIGOTITIGOTIT!

[@keisantos8369]

Hello! Do you or does anyone know good deals for the film online? I live in the Philippines and I have that camera in good condition. I don't mind if the delivery might be internationally sent. Thank you in advance!!

[@theoldcameraguy]

I order from Freestyle photographic In California, from filmphotography store.com and bhphoto.com - Thanks for watching!

[@MichaelRusso]

Man, you need to clean that lens ;)

[@theoldcameraguy]

Michael Russo Hey, dirt on the lens gives it character - Yeah, we’ll go with that😆 On my Olympus Mju I review, I actually remarked on the dirty lens in the video description - I’m detecting a theme here...Thanks for watching!

[@MichaelRusso]

@@theoldcameraguy I have the camera and love it. I had to chide you a little. Hope you don't mind.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Michael Russo All in good fun! Glad you like yours, too - definitely an under appreciated gem