Pentax's multi-mode auto-wind SLR — the P50, all four modes, motorised advance, K mount, 1986.
The Pentax P50 is a 35mm film SLR from 1986, sold in some markets as the P5. It belonged to the affordable P-series of manual-focus K-mount bodies and sat a step above the P30, adding built-in motorised film advance and a fuller set of automatic exposure modes. It was marketed under the Pentax name in the UK and Europe.
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 with a top speed of 1/1000 and flash sync at 1/100. It offers program, aperture-priority and shutter-priority automation together with metered manual when used with A-series lenses, giving all four common modes. A built-in motor advances the film automatically. Exposure data appears in the viewfinder, and the body relies on its batteries for metering, shutter timing and the film-transport motor.
The P50 suits users who want a compact automatic SLR with the full range of exposure modes and hands-off winding, useful for travel, family and general photography. It gives more flexibility than the P30 while staying simple to operate in program mode. The motorised advance and electronic modes make battery condition important, and enthusiasts wanting a purely mechanical camera should look elsewhere.
For a used example, inspect the foam light seals and mirror-damper foam for age-related perishing. Confirm the motorised advance winds cleanly without straining, as motor drive wear is a known issue. Test all four exposure modes, verify the meter tracks light and the viewfinder display is complete, and check the shutter fires evenly to its top speed. The camera will not run on a flat battery, so test with fresh cells, and make sure A-series lenses enable the program and shutter-priority modes.