Pentax Espio 140

The Pentax Espio 140 is a classic little 35mm film camera from the days when taking a camera everywhere was simply part of life.

With its rounded silver body, straightforward controls and built-in zoom lens, it's an easy companion for holidays, weekends away and everyday moments worth remembering.

The 38–140mm zoom gives you plenty of room to play. Keep things wider for friends, street scenes and travel photographs, or zoom in to bring a distant subject a little closer.

Autofocus and automatic exposure take care of the technical side, so you can concentrate on what's happening in front of you rather than worrying about camera settings.

There's also a built-in flash for indoor photographs and evenings out, along with automatic film advance and rewind to keep things simple from the first frame to the last.

This example is photographed with a Pentax-branded carrying case and strap, a nice addition for keeping the camera protected when you're out and about.

A lovely choice for someone getting started with 35mm film, or anyone who wants a practical, uncomplicated camera to keep close by.

Best for

Everyday photography, holidays, travel, casual portraits, family photographs, beginners and anyone looking for a straightforward 35mm film camera with a versatile zoom lens.

What to expect

The Pentax Espio 140 is designed to make film photography easy.

Load a roll of 35mm film, switch the camera on, frame your photograph and press the shutter. The camera handles focusing, exposure and film advance automatically.

At 38mm, the lens is useful for everyday scenes and group photographs. Zooming towards 140mm helps you frame subjects that are further away, although you'll generally get the best results at longer focal lengths in good daylight.

The built-in flash is handy for nearby subjects when the light gets low.

Developing

The Pentax Espio 140 uses standard 35mm film.

• Colour negative film: C-41 processing

• Black and white film: Black and white processing

• Slide film: E-6 processing

Choose the developing process that matches the film stock you're using.