Pentax *ist 35mm SLR Film Camera Body

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 4.8 x 3.3 inches ; 11.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008MNCJ
• Item model number: *ist Date Body
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,976 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 18, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Packing a high level of quality and performance into the world's smallest 35mm SLR (as of February 2003), the Pentax *ist measures just 4.8 by 3.3 by 2.5 inches and weighs a mere 11.8 ounces. It offers a host of advanced features and user-friendly functions for a wide range of photographers--from the most demanding professionals to SLR novices. All controls are functionally positioned on the top and back panels for maximum ease of operation and accessibility.

The newly developed 16-segment multipattern metering system solves even the most complicated lighting conditions to produce beautifully exposed photographs, frame after frame. In addition to all-purpose multipattern mode, the *ist also offers spot and center-weighted modes to meet specialized applications.

Thanks to the advanced SAFOX VIII phase-matching autofocus (AF) system, the *ist assures sharp, crisp focus on the subject, even under poor lighting conditions. Its newly developed 11-point AF sensor constantly monitors 11 different points in the image field and covers a wide area, both vertically and horizontally, to assure optimum focus.

The multi-data LCD panel offers a full range of information, with large icons and numbers to supplement the camera's user-friendly operation system. With its natural-bright-matte focusing screen, the *ist offers a sharp, clear viewfinder image even under unfavorable lighting conditions. The LCD viewfinder indicator at the bottom provides a full range of information, including the selected picture mode and exposure compensation factors.

Covering a view angle as wide as 28mm, the auto flash automatically pops up and discharges when the camera detects low-light and/or backlight situations. It also retracts to the storage position automatically when the camera's power is turned off. Its red-eye reduction function effectively reduces the annoying red-eye effect in subjects' eyes.

Other features include:

• The high-speed motor drive winds the film at a speed of 2.5 frames per second
• Automatically record the date, or day and time, of picture-taking on the photograph for quick, easy reference of captured images
• Depth-of-field preview function is electronically operated for easy confirmation of the in-focus area in the image field before actually taking a picture
• 17 custom functions enable you to customize some basic camera functions to suit individual preferences

Product Description

2/8/200615-19-32...

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good new camera, June 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Pentax *ist 35mm SLR Film Camera Body (Electronics)

This is an excellent new camera. Pentax has definitely innovated in the design and manufacture of the *ist. The form factor and light weight, yet well constructed, make it seem like a next generation camera compared to the Canon Rebel Ti and the Nikon N75 (both very good cameras also). The advanced features are all easy to access and use on the *ist, or you can use the pre-programmed mode wheel (sports, macro, landscape, portrait, etc.) to let the *ist make the decisions. So far, the pre-programmed modes have produced excellent photos in a variety of conditions.

One recommendation, upgrade to the Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.7 Lens that Amazon sells for $149.99. It is highly rated and produces excellent photos. The Pentax SMC 50mm/1.7 probably offers the best price/performance ratio of any Pentax lens made and will allow you to tap the full potential of the *ist. (Pentax, Canon, and Nikon tend to sell their consumer SLRs with mediocre zoom lenses to keep the overall cost down, and the quality of the photos produced is average as a result and often disappointing to new SLR owners.) The Pentax SMCP-FA 28-105mm f/4.0-5.6 (IF) Zoom Lens is also a very good lens.

4 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a delight, January 9, 2004

By 

A. Edwards - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax *ist 35mm SLR Film Camera Body (Electronics)

I have had my *ist D for about a month. What a delight to own and use. I like almost everything about it. I am a long time Pentax owner with a collection of lenses so have never considered any other brand as I patiently waited for Pentax to come out with a digital camera. I am so not disappointed. As a camera, not considering the digital part, it is the best of all the ones I have (LX, ZX-M, ZX-5n, ME, ME Supper, Spotmatic, etc). It is well balanced and small. I love the controls and the features. You may read reviews that say the memory card is difficult to remove. With my ScanDisk flash this is not a problem. Just tilt the camera slightly, press the release with your thumb and the card magically moves to your hand. It is really very easy, the trick is you don't try and grab it, you let it come to you. The first time I used it I took over 200 high-resolution JPEG shots of my daughters ballet performance. I used my old 85mm f2 lens and it was wonderful in the dim light. I also have the two new zooms (18-55 and 75-300) and recommend both as they are very reasonable in cost. The only thing I don't like is that using the old manual lenses requires either full aperture (OK for my use so far) or a manual setting of the exposure as you cannot do stop down metering as far as I have been able to find. Other than that, I like everything. The only point to consider is that I have no knowledge of any of the competitive digital cameras, have never even held one. But when you are in love with the one you have, who cares about the others.