Pentax Program A with 35-70mm f/2.8-3.8 lens: An 80s icon for ambitious enthusiasts
The Pentax Program A , launched in 1983, is a 35mm film SLR that embodies accessibility and performance. Designed for discerning amateur photographers, it offers a high-end shooting experience while remaining affordable. Based on the professional Pentax Super A model, it retains many advanced features while simplifying some options to appeal to a wider audience.
Paired with the Pentax 35-70mm f/2.8-3.8 lens, this camera lets you capture a variety of scenes with great clarity, whether it's portraits, landscapes or everyday photography.
Main features
📸 Type : 35mm film SLR, manual focus
📐 Dimensions : Compact and ergonomic
⚖️ Weight : Lightweight and portable
🔋 Power supply : 2 x 1.5V LR44 batteries
📷 Lens included : Pentax 35-70mm f/2.8-3.8 – Versatile and bright
💨 Shutter speed : 15s to 1/2000s
🔆 Flash : Socket for external flash
🔍 Viewfinder : Bright with exposure indicators
🎛️ Shooting modes : Manual, Aperture Priority, Program AE
⚙️ Mount : KA – Compatible with K and KA lenses
📜 Film advancement : Manual with magic needles for easy loading
Technical specifications
The Pentax Program A features a Seiko MFC-E5 electromagnetic shutter that offers speeds from 15 seconds to 1/2000s, as well as 1/100s flash sync. This DSLR is designed to be simple yet powerful, with a program mode and aperture priority mode for fast, intuitive shooting, as well as a manual mode for those who want total control over settings.
The 35-70mm f/2.8-3.8 lens offers great versatility, whether capturing wide landscapes or detailed portraits, while maintaining good low-light performance thanks to its bright aperture. This lens lets you easily switch from close-up scenes to wider shots without changing lenses.
Benefits and Uses
The Pentax Program A is perfect for amateur photographers looking to progress without getting bogged down in complex settings. With its programmed and aperture priority modes, it allows you to focus on composition while letting the camera manage exposure settings. For more experienced users, the manual mode offers total control over every aspect of photography.
The bright, sharp viewfinder with clear shutter speed and aperture indicators makes it easy to shoot in any light. The camera's ergonomic, lightweight design makes it an ideal choice for photoshoots , travel, or outdoor shoots.
Contexts of use
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Landscape Photography : The 35-70mm lens lets you capture panoramas with crisp details.
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Portraits : Thanks to the versatile focal length and f/2.8-3.8 aperture, this camera excels at portraits with beautiful background blur.
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Outdoors and Travel : Lightweight and compact, the Pentax Program A is easy to carry on all your photographic adventures.
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Creative Photography : Use manual or aperture priority modes to experiment with long exposures, artistic blurs, or depth of field effects.
Conclusion
The Pentax Program A remains an iconic film SLR, perfect for those looking to explore or rediscover film photography with a camera that combines simplicity, performance and versatility. Paired with the 35-70mm f/2.8-3.8 lens, this package offers great flexibility for a variety of shooting situations. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced enthusiast, this model represents excellent value for money to dive into the world of film photography.
