Pentax's P50-family SLR — the P5, all four modes, motorised advance, K mount, 1986.
The Pentax P5 is a 35mm film SLR from 1986 and is the designation used in several markets for the body sold elsewhere as the P50. It belonged to Pentax's affordable P-series of manual-focus K-mount cameras, positioned above the simpler P30 with motorised film advance and a broader set of automatic exposure modes. It was marketed under the Pentax name.
It is a 35mm single-lens-reflex camera using the Pentax K mount, with through-the-lens metering and an electronically-timed focal-plane shutter reaching a top speed of 1/1000 with flash sync at 1/100. With A-series lenses it offers program, aperture-priority and shutter-priority automation plus metered manual, covering the four common exposure modes. A built-in motor handles film advance. The viewfinder displays exposure information, and metering, shutter and film transport all depend on the batteries.
The P5 suits photographers wanting a compact automatic SLR with a full mode set and automatic winding, well suited to travel, everyday and family use. It offers more control than the entry P30 while remaining simple to run in program mode. As with other electronic auto-wind bodies, its reliance on battery power means cell condition matters, and it will not appeal to those seeking a mechanical shutter.
When buying used, check the foam light seals and mirror-damper foam for perishing. Listen to the motorised film advance for a clean, unstrained wind, since motor wear is a recognised fault. Test the program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes, confirm the meter responds to light and the viewfinder readout is intact, and check the shutter for even exposure to its top speed. The body needs a live battery to function, so test with fresh cells and verify A-series lenses enable the automatic modes.