Pentax's last-era film AF SLR — the *ist, program and manual, 1/4000, KAF mount, 2003.
The Pentax *ist is a 35mm autofocus film SLR from 2003 and was one of the last film SLRs Pentax produced, arriving as the market shifted to digital. It was a compact, lightweight autofocus body whose name and styling were later carried into the *ist D digital range. It uses the Pentax KAF autofocus mount and was marketed under the Pentax name; this record refers to the 35mm film version.
It is a 35mm single-lens-reflex camera using the Pentax KAF autofocus mount, with through-the-lens metering and in-body autofocus. The electronically-timed vertical focal-plane shutter reaches a top speed of 1/4000 with flash sync at 1/125. Exposure modes include program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual, along with auto-picture scene programs. Metering offers multi-segment and centre-weighted patterns. It has a built-in pop-up flash and motorised film advance, and is fully electronic and battery-dependent.
The *ist suits general users and enthusiasts wanting a small, light autofocus film SLR from the end of the film era, with a full mode set for travel, portrait and everyday photography. It accepts autofocus KAF lenses and older manual K-mount optics. Its higher top shutter speed and compact body make it one of the more capable late Pentax film cameras, though it is highly electronic in operation.
As a used purchase, check the foam light seals and mirror-damper foam. As a late electronic autofocus body, confirm the LCD display is complete, autofocus operates and the pop-up flash fires. Test the motorised film advance and mirror action, since MZ-related bodies of this era can suffer plastic-gear wear. Verify metering and all exposure modes, check the shutter fires evenly to its top speed, and note the camera needs a good battery to work; confirm you are buying the 35mm film version rather than the *ist D digital body.