[Ole]

A3/A3000
Year introduced 1984	Mount KA	Meter range 1 - 18 EV	Meter pattern c
ISO range 25 - 1600	DX ISO range 25 - 1600	Exposure modes P, Av, X, B	Exposure compensation +1.5 EV
Exposure memory lock No	Shutter speeds (auto) 2 - 1/1000s	Shutter speeds (manual) None	Shutter speeds (mechanical) None
Self timer Yes	Mirror lock-up No	Auto bracketing No	Multiple exposures No
Winder Built-in	Built-in flash No	TTL flash No	P-TTL flash No
Sync speed 1/60s	Flash exposure comp No	Autofocus No	Autofocus sensitivity Not applicable
Power zoom No	Viewfinder 0.82x, 92%	Viewfinder type Pentaprism	Diopter correction No
Exchangeable screen No	Depth of field preview No	Image size 24 x 36 mm	Panorama format No
Battery 2 x AA	Battery grip/pack No	Size (W x H x D) 152.5 x 87.5 x 50.5 mm	Weight 530 g
Comment The first Pentax with built-in winder

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Last edited by Ole; 05-06-2010 at 10:35 PM.

[boriscleto]

Pros	Auto film advance
Cons	No manual mode. Doesn't work without batteries.
Rating	5
Price (U.S. Dollars)	Don't remember
Years Owned	22

I can recommend this camera: No

Value, Features, Performance & Size
Value today - none.
Features - Auto film advance, program mode with A-series lenses.

Camera Review
This was my father's camera during my teenage years. The main drawback to this camera is the lack of any sort of manual mode. It is limited to full program mode, with A series lenses, or aperture priority using the aperture ring.

I really don't know why he bought this camera instead of a Super Program or a P3.

[KjetilH]

Pros	Simple, reliable and quite rugged
Cons	Noisy winder, no M mode, no exp. lock.
Rating	6
Price (U.S. Dollars)	15
Years Owned	1

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
Collector value is about none. Winder is fast but noisy. Body is larger than the older M-series, mostly due to use of 2xAA batteries. Very easy to use, but not a lot of features.

Camera Review
Arguably a camera targeted at beginners, it offers a similar feature level as the older ME, while also including an automatic winder.

There is no EV comp. wheel as on the ME series (aside from the backlight +1.5EV comp.), but it's easy to achieve by setting the ISO manually (taping the DX contacts on the film canister) and compensating by setting film speed instead.

Probably one of the cheaper choices of older amateur-level SLRs, it even runs off two AA batteries. Also, my sample does not have any light seals at the back, which makes for one less thing to check for. If you are to buy one, check if the camera seems to work normally (shutter, mirror, normal winder noise without loud 'clicks') and see if the meter responds. Move the aperture feeler lever (2 o'clock looking into the mount) if you don't have a lens on-hand.

Personally, I prefer my MX or K2, but for just trying film out, it is a decent choice, even though most of the P-series bodies also are cheap, reliable and easy-operated.
(But then again, considering used prices today, there's not really any bad Pentax SLRs, at least among the pre-AF-series. I got mine practically for free with an A50/1.7 and case, all in mint condition.)