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 MG (1981) is a consumer-grade 35mm SLR built around the Pentax K-mount, designed to offer aperture-priority autoexposure at the lowest price point in the M-series lineup. It drops the manual-exposure capability found in the MX and ME Super, leaving the photographer in charge of aperture while the camera sets shutter speed automatically. There is no mechanical fallback - the shutter is electronically governed throughout. The MG was aimed squarely at first-time SLR buyers upgrading from point-and-shoot cameras.
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.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
About this camera
Pentax's stripped-down K-mount AE consumer SLR - aperture-priority only, no frills.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Pentax K |
| Years | 1981–1984 |
| Shutter | 1s – 1/1000s, electronic horizontal cloth |
| Flash sync | 1/60s |
| Meter | TTL center-weighted SPD |
| Modes | Aperture-priority auto only |
| Weight | ~395 g |
| Battery | 2x LR44 / SR44 (required) |
Pentax introduced the MG in 1981 as the entry point of its M-series. The M-series had already expanded from the mechanical MX (1976) and electronic ME (1976) through the control-wheel ME Super (1980) and the budget MV-1 (1979). The MG slotted between the MV-1 and the ME Super: more capable than the MV-1 (a proper split-prism finder, interchangeable lens mount), but cheaper than the ME Super by removing manual exposure entirely. It was discontinued around 1984 when Pentax began transitioning its consumer line toward the A-series with Program AE modes.
The MG is not a collectible or a professional tool - it is a straightforward beginner SLR. Its significance is practical: it gives access to the full Pentax K-mount lens ecosystem at low used prices, with a bright-enough finder and reliable autoexposure for everyday shooting. For a new film photographer on a budget who wants K-mount compatibility, the MG is a usable starting point.
The AE-only limitation means there is no flash sync at full manual power control in manual mode (there is no manual mode), which is a real constraint for studio or strobist work. In aperture-priority use, the MG performs reliably within its design envelope.
Accepts all Pentax K-mount lenses: M, A, F, FA, and DA series (DA lenses require cropping awareness on full 35mm frame). The aperture-priority mode requires a K-mount lens that communicates aperture mechanically - all K-mount lenses do this, so compatibility is universal. The SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/2 is the typical kit lens. No motor drive was offered for the MG; an accessory flash shoe accepts standard hot-shoe units.
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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