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.
View profile →compact-35mm
The Pentax IQZoom 90 MC (1991) is a 35mm autofocus zoom compact camera with a 38-90mm f/4.5-8.3 zoom lens. The "MC" designator refers to multi-coating applied to the lens elements - a specification point Pentax highlighted to differentiate the 90 MC from the base IQZoom 90 model. The camera is a full program-AE device with passive phase-detection autofocus, a built-in flash, and DX-coded film speed reading from ISO 50 to 3200.
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.
View profile →C41
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
View profile →C41
Kodak UltraMax 400 is a versatile consumer-grade ISO 400 daylight-balanced color negative film with T-grain emulsion, delivering warm Kodak colors, fine-for-speed grain (PGI 46), and wide exposure latitude. Currently in production and available globally as a single-roll and multi-pack.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
Early-1990s 38-90mm multi-coated zoom compact: Pentax's answer to the mid-range travel point-and-shoot market.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Lens | ~38-90mm f/4.5-8.3 zoom, multi-coated |
| Mount | Fixed |
| Years | ~1991-1994 |
| Shutter | Electronic leaf, ~1/400s max |
| Meter | TTL multi-segment program AE |
| AF | Passive phase-detection |
| ISO range | 50-3200 (DX) |
| Flash | Built-in, auto / fill / off |
| Battery | 2x AA |
| Weight | ~300 g (with battery) |
Pentax entered the zoom compact market in the late 1980s as consumer demand shifted from fixed-focal-length point-and-shoots to convenience zoom models. The IQZoom line was established by the early 1990s as Pentax's primary compact zoom family. The 90 MC was introduced in 1991 in the mid-range of this lineup, above base models with shorter zoom ranges and below higher-end models with faster lenses or wider zoom spans.
The "MC" multi-coating designation reflects early-1990s marketing emphasis on optical quality differentiators; at the time, multi-coated zoom lenses were common on enthusiast SLR optics but highlighted as a premium feature in the compact segment. By the mid-1990s multi-coating was standard across the category and the designation carried less marketing weight.
The IQZoom 90 MC was succeeded by subsequent IQZoom models with improved AF systems, faster film advance, and refined zoom ranges. The IQZoom 928 (a variant with similar range) and the Zoom 90 WR (weather-resistant variant) continued development of the 90mm-reach compact zoom concept in Pentax's lineup.
The IQZoom 90 MC represents the accessible end of the early-1990s multi-coated zoom compact segment. At current used prices ($15-50), it provides a functional 38-90mm zoom system at minimal cost for casual film shooters. The multi-coated lens distinguishes it from cheaper contemporaries with uncoated or single-coated zoom elements, which can exhibit more flare in backlit conditions.
The AA battery dependency is a practical advantage over lithium-dependent compact contemporaries - batteries are available globally. The program-only exposure system with no aperture or shutter override limits creative control; this is a point-and-shoot rather than a creative tool.
C41
Kodak ColorPlus 200 is an affordable, consumer-oriented daylight-balanced color negative film at ISO 200. Known for warm, slightly muted color rendition, fine grain, and wide exposure latitude, it is currently in production and widely available in Asia and select global markets.
View profile →BW
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profile →Pentax IQZoom 90 MC
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