Pentax MZ-50 35mm SLR w/ SMC Pentax FA 28-90mm lens (serial 1375093)

Original released in 1997, the Pentax MZ-50 is a full-featured autofocus 35mm SLR with point-and-shoot simplicity in its automatic mode. It's an excellent choice for a beginner in film photography who wants a camera that won't hold them back as their skills improve. 

For the absolute beginner this camera offers something called the 'Green Operation Mode' (a green smiley face) where the camera operates as a pure point-and-shoot, taking care of all the decisions for you. In addition there are dedicated automatic modes for: portrait; landscape; close-up/macro; and action.

When you need more creative control, the camera also offers conventional aperture-priority and shutter-priority auto-exposure modes as well as a full manual mode. In addition it lets you override the DX code and manually set the film ISO (handy for shooting expired film or if you bulk load your own film cassettes).

The included lens is a versatile SMC Pentax-FA 1:3.5-5.6 28-90mm zoom.

Battery info

This camera requires two CR2 batteries (available as an option). 

Battery life estimates:

• Using 24-exposure film rolls at 20°C /68°F
  • General existing light photography: about 100 rolls
  • Flash photography (using flash 50% of the times): about 25 rolls
  • Flash photography (using flash 100% of the times): about 12 rolls
  • Bulb exposure time: about 8 hours
• Using 24-exposure film rolls at - 10°C/ 14° F
  • General existing light photography: about 30 rolls
  • Flash photography (using flash 50% of the times): about 15 rolls
  • Flash photography (using flash 100% of the times): about 7 rolls
  • Bulb exposure time: about 2 hours

Condition notes

We tested the camera and all its modes with batteries and film installed (we did not process the film) and everything is working correctly. We also verified all shutter speeds show very good accuracy and travel symmetry. The included lens is good condition as well. The camera is in very good cosmetic condition (see photos).

Manual

https://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_pdf/pentax_mz-50.pdf

Specifications

See the last two pages of the manual.

Example photos

Here are some other photos people have taken with the included SMC Pentax-FA 28-90mm lens (the specific Pentax camera models vary but they will have a negligible difference): https://www.lomography.com/lenses/12995-pentax-28-90-1-3-5-5-6-smc-pentax-fa/photos