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-3 (1997) is a K-mount autofocus SLR positioned as the traditionalist option in Pentax's late-1990s MZ lineup. Where the MZ-5 and MZ-5n used a conventional mode dial, the MZ-3 returns to dedicated shutter-speed and aperture control rings, echoing the handling of the earlier manual-focus Pentax MX and LX. The body shares the MZ line's polycarbonate-over-aluminum construction, 3-point AF system, 6-zone evaluative metering, and Hyper-Program / Hyper-Manual exposure modes, but wraps them in a more mechanical-feeling interface. It was sold as the ZX-L in North America and the PZ-L in some other markets.
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
Mid-range KAF2 AF SLR with traditional shutter-speed and aperture dials — full PASM without a mode dial.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount, all generations) |
| Years | 1997–2002 |
| Shutter | 30s – 1/4,000s + Bulb, electronic vertical metallic |
| Flash sync | ~1/125s |
| Meter | 6-zone evaluative + center spot, EV 1–21 |
| AF | 3-point (wide / central / spot) |
| Exposure modes | P, Av, Tv, M + Hyper-P, Hyper-M |
| Viewfinder | ~92% coverage, ~0.85× |
| Weight | ~445 g (body only) |
| Battery | 2× CR2 |
Pentax introduced the MZ-3 in 1997 alongside the MZ-5, targeting photographers who preferred tactile dial controls over a mode dial and button-driven menus. The MZ series had begun in 1994 with the entry-level MZ-10; by 1997 Pentax was filling out the range with distinct handling philosophies at similar price points. The MZ-3's dial-based interface was intended to appeal to photographers stepping up from manual K-mount bodies, offering autofocus without abandoning the ergonomic language of earlier Pentax SLRs. The line wound down around 2002 as Pentax focused development resources on the flagship MZ-S (2001) and the transition toward digital capture.
The MZ-3 occupies an unusual niche: a late-1990s AF SLR that handles like a 1970s manual camera. The shutter-speed dial and aperture sub-command dial allow direct, tactile access to exposure values without menu navigation, and the Hyper-Program mode means the photographer can shift instantly from full auto to manual simply by rotating a dial. For film-revival photographers already comfortable with K-mount manual lenses, the MZ-3 is a lower-friction upgrade path than a mode-dial body — all the K-mount glass works, AF is available when wanted, and the controls remain familiar. The improved flash sync of ~1/125s (versus 1/100s on the MZ-5n) is a minor but practical advantage for fill-flash work.
KAF2 mount: full compatibility with all K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 lenses. Screwdriver-driven AF with KAF lenses; power zoom with KAF2. K and KA lenses operate in stop-down metering. Signature companions: SMC Pentax-FA 43/1.9 Limited, FA 77/1.8 Limited, FA 31/1.8 AL Limited. The FGZ battery grip adds portrait orientation shutter release and extends battery life. Compatible flashes: AF540FGZ, AF360FGZ (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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