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 profile35mm SLR
Pentax K21975
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Pentax K
- Years
- 1975–1979
- Weight
- 645 g
- Shutter
- 8s – 1/4000s
- Meter
- ttl-center-weighted-spc
The Pentax K2 was the top model in the original K-mount family when Asahi introduced its bayonet system in 1975. Sitting above the manual-only KX and entry KM, the K2 added aperture-priority automatic exposure to the mechanical competence of the line. Its most notable technical distinction is the vertical-travel metal blade shutter with a top speed of 1/4000s — unusual for 1975, when most competing bodies topped out at 1/1000s or 1/2000s. The result was the fastest flash sync in the K-series at the time, at 1/125s, and a meaningful advantage for action and available-light photographers.
Reference
Find film for your Pentax K2
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Battery dependency** - fully electronic; the shutter will not fire without working batteries. The camera uses 2x AA, which are easy to find, but verify the battery chamber contacts are clean.
- **Shutter accuracy** - the fast 1/4000s and 1/2000s speeds can drift on aging electronics; test with a phone light meter app or flash tester.
- **Light seals** - foam seals are universally degraded at this age; budget for replacement.
- **Mirror bumper** - check for disintegrated mirror foam, which leaves dark streaks on the mirror.
- **Aperture-priority circuit** - test AE in a range of lighting; if the needle sticks or shutter hangs open, the electronics need service.
- Price range roughly $80-250 USD depending on condition and whether the DMD version with winder is included.
About this camera
Pentax's 1975 flagship K-mount launch, with a then-rare 1/4000s vertical metal shutter and aperture-priority AE.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Pentax K2 use?
- The Pentax K2 shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Pentax K2 take?
- The Pentax K2 uses a 2x AA battery.
- What lens mount does the Pentax K2 have?
- The Pentax K2 uses the Pentax K mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Pentax K2 offer?
- The Pentax K2's shutter speeds range from 8s to 1/4000s.
- What light meter does the Pentax K2 use?
- The Pentax K2 meters with ttl-center-weighted-spc.