Pentax PC35AF / PC35AF-M
The PC35AF was Pentax's first entry into the autofocus, compact camera market. Introduced in 1982, and followed up with a couple different variations over the rest of the 1980s, the PC35AF has since joined the list of highly-sought-after prime lens compact cameras.
Similar to a larger and boxier Olympus Stylus Epic, the PC35AF has a 35mm f/2.8 prime lens that can be tucked away behind a sliding front cover. With a small push of a tiny button, that cover springs open and the camera is ready for use. Focus is achieved automatically, with a half press of the shutter button, the chosen distance is displayed via a zonal distance scale in the bottom of the viewfinder. This makes focusing relatively fast and intuitive for a camera of this generation, even if the autofocus is more than capable of being fooled, now and again. At least with the viewfinder display, a careful photographer can monitor where the camera wants to focus and reattempt focusing, if the stated distance is not to their liking.
Since the PC35AF originated in the early 1980s, the initial model has a manual film advance wheel, as opposed to the loud motor that many other such cameras would soon adopt. While having a motorized film advance likely seemed a welcome technological advancement at the time, the succeeding four decades have not done those motors any favors - this feature is often an Achilles' Heel for these types of cameras. The PC35AF doesn't have to fear a failing motor, nor does its user have to cringe at the screeching siren song of early 1980s automatic film advance. It should be noted that a later variant, called the PC35AF-M, introduced in 1984, did have a built-in film advance motor (hence the "M" in the name). Pentax did make a screw-on motor drive accessory for the PC35AF, but this accessory really isn't worth the hassle of tracking it down.
As with similar cameras, the real star of the show is the PC35AF's lens. Comprised of five elements in five groups, this 35mm f/2.8 delivers very nice results. Images show a nice degree of sharpness and surprisingly little fall-off or vignetting. The resulting image contrast is also quite nice, though we have read reviews stating that some amount of flaring can be seen when the camera chooses to shoot wide open with backlit light sources. A test roll we put through the camera had a couple such scenes, revealing this distinctive glow in those highlights. We are cautious to declare this is a weakness of the camera, when it feels more to be an aesthetic characteristic.
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