Pentax Zoom 105-R

One of the quiet overachievers of the early-nineties compact boom. The Pentax Zoom 105-R is the 1991 revision of the Zoom 105 Super — sold in some markets as the IQZoom 105 Super — and the R suffix marks the addition of red-eye reduction. What sets it apart from the sea of plastic zoom compacts is the lens: an 11-element, 9-group 38-105mm f/4-7.8 power zoom that is genuinely sharper than the class average, with a proper macro mode that focuses down to 0.75m. The zoom control is unusually clever too — tap the lever and it steps to preset focal lengths of 46, 55, 70, 85 and 105mm, or hold it for continuous travel, with the current length shown on the top LCD.

Specifications

• Format: 35mm, DX coded, ISO 25 to 3200
• Lens: Pentax power zoom 38-105mm f/4-7.8, 11 elements in 9 groups, with macro
• Focus: Infrared active autofocus with focus lock — 1.35m to infinity, 0.75m to 1.35m in macro
• Shutter: Electronically controlled in-lens leaf shutter
• Zoom control: Continuous, or stepped to 46 / 55 / 70 / 85 / 105mm
• Extras: Exposure compensation, multiple exposure mode, self-timer, quartz date back
• Film handling: Auto load, auto wind, auto rewind with mid-roll rewind button
• Power: Two 3V CR123A lithium cells
• Weight: Approximately 480g without batteries
• Released: 1991

Condition

• Cosmetic: Excellent.
• Functional: Checked with a dummy roll — autofocus, zoom and film transport all operate. Some fungus on the lens and in the viewfinder, with minimal impact on image quality. The flash does not work. The lens barrier does not close fully when the camera is switched off, easy to flick it with your finger and close.

Included

• Pentax Zoom 105-R body. and original box, paperwork

Three things to weigh up: the flash is dead, so this is a daylight and fast-film camera; the lens carries some fungus, which shows minimal effect on images but will not improve with time; and the barrier not closing fully means the front element needs a cap or a pouch in a bag. Everything else runs, and the 38-105mm optic is a good deal better than the price suggests.