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 ZX-30 is the North American market designation for the camera sold in Japan and most international markets as the MZ-30 (2001). It is a consumer-tier autofocus SLR in the final generation of Pentax's 35mm film lineup. The body is polycarbonate, weighing approximately 290 g without a lens, and includes a built-in pop-up flash. Exposure modes are the full PASM set - Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, and Manual. The KAF mount provides phase-detection autofocus with FA and F lenses, and accepts manual-focus A and K lenses with stop-down metering.
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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Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
About this camera
North American name for the Pentax MZ-30: an early-2000s entry-level KAF autofocus SLR with full PASM control.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Pentax KAF (K-mount, autofocus) |
| Years | ~2001–2004 |
| Shutter | 30s - 1/2,000s + Bulb, electronic vertical metal |
| Flash sync | 1/125s |
| Meter | TTL multi-segment |
| Exposure modes | Program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual |
| Autofocus | Single-point phase-detection |
| Viewfinder | ~85% coverage, ~0.75x |
| Weight | ~290 g (body only) |
| Battery | 2x CR2 lithium |
Pentax introduced the MZ/ZX series in the mid-1990s with the compact MZ-5 and MZ-3 bodies targeting a market segment that valued portability alongside full exposure control. The North American "ZX" branding distinguished the range from the "MZ" branding in Japan and Europe throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The ZX-30 arrived around 2001 alongside the MZ-30. It was positioned as a step below the ZX-7 (which offered a higher-magnification viewfinder and better build) and roughly equivalent to the MZ-50 in mission, updating that body for early-2000s production. The ZX-50 (MZ-50) had been the previous entry-level NA offering.
By 2003, Pentax had introduced the *ist, its last 35mm SLR and a transitional platform that led directly to the *ist D digital body (also 2003). The ZX-30/MZ-30 continued alongside the *ist briefly before the 35mm consumer SLR category effectively ended for Pentax.
The ZX-30 is a late-era K-mount autofocus platform. It occupies the same cultural and functional position as the MZ-30: an inexpensive way to use the Pentax FA prime lens ecosystem - the FA 43/1.9 Limited, FA 77/1.8 Limited, FA 50/1.4 - with autofocus and full PASM exposure control. At current used prices ($20–70), it is one of the cheapest functioning KAF bodies available.
The North American "ZX" designation creates minor collector confusion: the ZX-30 and MZ-30 are the same camera, and parts, service information, and community forum discussions are fully interchangeable. Buyers should search under both names.
The KAF mount supports:
Recommended FA lens companions:
Built-in pop-up flash covers fill and basic low-light use. The hot shoe accepts Pentax-system flashes with TTL support.
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.
View profile →Pentax ZX-30
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