Pentax PC3AF-M SE 35mm camera (serial 3471403) | film🎞tested

The Pentax PC35AF-M SE is a superb mid-1980s point-and-shoot 35mm camera with a very sharp and fast fixed 35mm f2.8 lens (5 elements in 5 groups). It's a beautiful camera with elegant and simple controls that make it an absolute pleasure to use. 

This camera is the successor to the also-excellent PC35AF, adding a built in motor drive. This is the "SE" version which automatically sets the film speed with DX coded film cassettes (from ISO 64 to 1600).

Battery Info

This camera is powered by two ordinary AA batteries (not included). Lithium or rechargeable NiCD, NiHM cannot be used. Please use ordinary alkaline or carbon zinc types.

Condition notes

The camera is in excellent cosmetic (see photos) and functional condition. It was tested with film and worked great, delivering sharp, correctly exposed photos. The colour cast of the example photos is not from the camera, it's due to home processing and the use of expired Kodak Vision 3 film.

Example photos

Besides the photos we've posted here, see other peoples' PC35AF-M photos on this group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/pentaxpc35af/pool/

Manual

http://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_p&s/pentax_p&s_pc-35af-m.pdf

Specifications

• Type: All-automatic 35mm leaf-shutter camera with built-in flash.
• Usable Film: 35mm film with 24 x 36mm format. DX-film with ISO film speed from 64 to 1600; non-DX film with ISO 100 film speed.
• Lens: Pentax 35mm f/2.8, 5 elements in 5 groups.
• Focusing: Pentax infrared active triangular measuring system (0.7m to infinity) with focus lock device.
• Exposure Control: Programmed automatic exposure control from EV6 (f/2.8 at 1/8 sec.) to EV17 (f/16 at 1 /430 sec.) at ISO 100 with CdS-cell metering. Slow shutter warning by LED display and PCV sound.
• Viewfinder: Albada bright-frame viewfinder. 85% picture area. 0.44X magnification. Dioptry -0.9.
• Viewfinder Information: Auto focus frame. Picture area frame, Parallax correction frame. Distance indicator needle, Zone focus marks, Red/Green lamp.
• Shutter: Electronically programmed behind-the-lens shutter, shutter speed from approx. 1/8 to 1/500 sec.
• Film Loading: Automatic film loading; closing back cover automatically advances film to first frame.
• Film Winding: Electronic winding system with film advance indicator. Winding speed: 0.7 sec. per frame.
• Film Rewinding: Semi-automatic electric rewind mechanism. Indicated by film advance indicator. Rewind speed: 30 sec. for 36-exposure film.
• Self-timer: 10 sec. delay electronic self-timer with PCV sound and LED display.
• Flash: Built-in pop-up type with flash ready lamp. Guide number: 11 (ISO 100, m)
• Flash Recycling Time: About 6 seconds with fresh alkaline batteries.
• Number of Flashes: About 10 rolls of 24-exposure film or about 7 rolls of 36-exposure film at 30-sec. intervals and in normal temperatures.
• Other Features: 1) Lens protector 2) Film type indicator.
• Power Source: Two "AA” Alkaline batteries. Ni-Cd batteries not usable.
• Size & Weight: 129(W) x 69(H) x 46(D)mm (5.1 x 2.7 x 1.8 in.), 320 g (11.3 oz.) without batteries.
• Accessory: Strap