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.
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The Pentax MZ-5n (1998) is a compact autofocus SLR, the "n" refresh of the MZ-5 (1996), adding improved AF and metering. It features a 3-point AF system (central + two assist points), 6-zone evaluative metering with spot, and Pentax's distinctive "Hyper" exposure modes: **Hyper-Program** (shift between P, Av, Tv instantly by turning the control dial) and **Hyper-Manual** (switch between M sub-modes fluidly). The body is polycarbonate-over-aluminum, weighs 430 g without battery, and fits the hand naturally. Full KAF2 mount compatibility: K, KA, KAF, KAF2 lenses plus screwdriver-driven AF.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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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 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
Compact K-mount AF SLR with Pentax's brilliant Hyper-Program system. Lighter than a Nikon F100, sharper viewfinder than most rivals in class, and takes every K-mount lens ever made.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount, all generations) |
| Years | 1998–2003 |
| Shutter | 30s – 1/4,000s + Bulb, electronic vertical metallic |
| Flash sync | 1/100s |
| Meter | 6-zone evaluative + center spot, EV 1–21 |
| AF | 3-point (wide / central / spot), CAF + SAF |
| Viewfinder | 92% coverage, 0.85× |
| Weight | 430 g (body only) |
| Battery | 2× CR2 |
Pentax's MZ ("Z" for new era) line launched in 1994 with the MZ-10 (entry-level). The MZ-5 (1996) targeted enthusiasts; the MZ-5n refined its metering and AF system in 1998 as the line matured ahead of the flagship MZ-S (2001). The MZ-5n occupied the same market tier as the Nikon N65 and Canon EOS Elan II — enthusiast bodies for photographers who wanted something between a basic rebel and a pro flagship. Production ended around 2003 as the MZ-S and digital bodies took over Pentax's lineup.
The MZ-5n is the sweet spot of the K-mount film camera range for film-revival photographers: light enough to carry all day, compatible with 50+ years of K-mount lenses (including the spectacular DA-era FA primes — 31/1.8 Limited, 43/1.9 Limited, 77/1.8 Limited — in manual focus), and with a viewfinder bright and large enough to manual-focus accurately (0.85× at 92% is better than many contemporaries). The Hyper-Program system feels modern even today: one dial, one touch, full PASM flexibility.
Flash sync at 1/100s is the major weakness versus the Canon EOS Elan II (1/125s) or Nikon N80 (1/125s). The CR2 battery is less convenient than AA but widely available.
KAF2 mount: all K-mount lenses from 1975 onward. AI screwdriver AF with KAF lenses. Power zoom with KAF2 lenses. Manual focus with K and KA. Notable lens pairs: SMC Pentax-FA 50/1.4, FA 43/1.9 Limited, FA 77/1.8 Limited, SMC-M 50/1.4 (older manual). Winder options: the FGZ grip adds vertical release. Flash: AF540FGZ or AF360FGZ for P-TTL.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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