135compact.com 35mm ultra compact cameras Pentax Espio Mini
The
Pentx Espio Mini is one of the more advanced cameras for 35mm film. It
is very small, has a good lens and is quite sought after. It was also
released under the name Pentax UC-1 in the US. The US model has a date
function but no panorama switch. The silver and champagner coloured
models can be scratched easily, so the black model is preferable. Its main features are:
32mm
F3.5 lens, 3 elements in 3 groups, autofocus with focus lock, spot beam for low light, min. focus 0,3m Electronic shutter, 2-1/400, B 1/2-5 s Size 107x58x35, Weight 155 gr. without battery 25-3200
ISO, automatic DX coding, self-timer, automatic film advance, manual
infinity focus, multiple flash programs, parallax compensation via LCD
in the viewer
Camera
front closed. Camera powers up by sliding the cover.
Camera front open.
Bottom. Tripod socket, battery compartment, takes a CR123 battery.
Camera
back. Panorama switch. Next to the viewer focus o.k. and flash LED. Film type window, back open switch.
Top:
LCD screen. Flash mode, red-eye-reduction and self-timer/remote button.
Shutter release. For mid-roll rewind you have to press the self-timer
button for 3s until the symbol appears, hold it and then push the
shutter release. Camera on. The lens doesn't move much. Camera sets auto flash
as default. Flash guide number ~10 (m/ISO 100).
Back
open.
This
camera is easy to use.
Autofocus is responsive and works well. Putting a film is easy as well,
open the back, drop the film and that's it. As with most point and shoot ultra compacts, auto
flash is set at start.
It's
a very good point and shoot camera
with a lesser wide angle lens, very good picture
quality and a small pocketable body. It has longer exposure times than most of the other cameras.
