Pentax's early AF compact — the PC35AF, fixed 35mm f/2.8, infrared autofocus, 1982.
The Pentax PC35AF is a fixed-lens 35mm autofocus compact introduced in 1982, one of Pentax's early autofocus point-and-shoot cameras. It comes from the first generation of AF compacts, when makers were moving away from scale and zone focusing toward automatic distance measurement. It sits in the everyday consumer bracket as a simple, single-focal-length snapshot camera.
This is a prime-lens compact with a fixed 35mm f/2.8 lens. It uses an infrared active autofocus system, programmed automatic exposure and automatic film-speed setting, with a built-in flash. Focus, exposure and film advance are handled automatically, and the camera is battery-dependent, running from AA cells in the original version. Later variants added motorised winding and DX coding.
The PC35AF suits users who want a straightforward early-1980s autofocus compact with a reasonably fast 35mm lens for general daylight and flash snapshots. Its single focal length and simple operation make it quick to use, and the f/2.8 aperture is brighter than many later zoom compacts. It is a period point-and-shoot rather than a precision camera, best suited to casual shooting.
On the used market test the infrared autofocus locks correctly and the shutter fires, as early AF systems can drift. Confirm the flash charges and fires and that the motor or wind advances film. Inspect the lens for haze, fungus and cleaning marks, check the battery compartment and contacts for corrosion from old cells, and examine the film-door light seals, which perish over decades. Verify the frame counter and rewind operate correctly.