Pentax Program Plus SLR Film Camera Review

An advanced user-grade 35mm SLR film camera with Programmed AE, introduced by Pentax in 1984.

The Pentax Program Plus (in North America) or Program A to the rest of the world, an automatic exposure manual-focus 35mm SLR film camera, was introduced by Pentax in 1984 as part of a new range of Pentax 'A Series' cameras. The model is a lesser sibling of the fully-featured Super Program (Super A) model with some functions removed.

The 'A Series' cameras update the manual focus 'M Series' (ME F, ME, ME Super, MG, MV, MV1, and MX) which were in production previously from 1981-85 with a fully programmed exposure control system that can adjust both aperture and shutter speed automatically, a new 'KA-mount' system, an updated form factor that incorporates a finger grip, and a lighter and more refined body design.

Models in the series include the Pentax Super Program (Super A) (1983–1987), Program Plus (Program A) (1984–1988), and A3000 (A3) (1985–1987). The series also saw the introduction of the SMC Pentax-A series lenses, which are required for the KA-mount cameras to properly implement the programmed exposure control system. For backward compatibility, the KA-mount allows existing K- and KM-mount lenses to be used in manual and aperture-priority modes on the new cameras.

Pentax Program A (Program Plus) - out and about in Oxfordshire in 3 minutes

The Pentax Program A (Program Plus in North America) is a beautifully designed 35mm SLR. It has the same functionality as the Minolta X700 and Canon AE1 Prog...

Another first for the 'A-series' cameras was the use of LCD digital displays for exposure information. The pair of panels were aligned on the lower part of the viewfinder screen, and to save battery power, the panels were back-illuminated by a translucent light panel located on the front part of the pentaprism top. Both the Pentax Super Program (Super A) and Program Plus (Program A) were fitted with this feature.

Basic Camera Features

Mechanically, the Program Plus (Program A) comes fitted with a Seiko MFC-E5 metal vertical run focal plane shutter with an electronically controlled speed range from 15 to 1/1000 second, a mechanical setting of 1/100 second for flash sync., and B. Metering range is from EV 1 (F1.4, 1 sec.) to EV 18 (F16, 1/1000 sec. or F22, 1/500 sec.) with 50mm F1.4 lens and ISO 100 film.

Film ISO speed range is 6-3200, Exposure Compensation at 4X, 2X, 1X, 1/2X, and 1/4X. The camera is also fitted with a DoF (Depth of Field) preview lever, and an electronically controlled 12-second delay self-timer activated by the shutter release button.

A simple and uncluttered front populated by the sculptured finger grip and the raised lens mount housing that continues up to the pentaprism head as the main features, with a cluster of features including the lens release button, DoF preview lever, and the self-timer switch located within the space between the finger grip and the vertical of the lens mount housing.

The top panel, where most of the functional controls of the camera are located, is populated first by the integrated rewind crank, pull-up film back latch release, pull-up and turn film ISO speed indicator, and exposure compensation dial located on the left of the top plane. Next is the pentaprism, hot shoe, and viewfinder eyepiece hump, and on the right of the top plane, the cluster of shutter speed selector push-buttons, shutter speed, shutter lock dial, shutter release button, film forward crank, and film counter window.

A plain back, with just the viewfinder eyepiece on the back of the camera's top panel, with the hinged film back with the finger-grip-memo-holder fitment occupying the rest of the film back.

On the bottom plane, from left to right, are the motor drive coupling gear, motor drive alignment contact, rewind release button, tripod socket, battery chamber cover, and motor drive electrical contacts.

The film box is a standard configuration as seen on most SLR film cameras of that era with the film canister chamber on the left end of the body, followed by the shutter window, sprocket gear, and multi-pin take-up spool on the opposite end of the film box.

Film Loading and Rewind

Film loading on the Pentax Program Plus is the standard manual procedure of opening the film back, placing the film canister into the canister chamber, pulling the film tab across the film box and inserting the film tab end into one of the magic needle slots, and tensioned towards the inner side of the take-up spool. The film is wound emulsion side up.

Once the film back is closed, do the two blank shots sequence to bring the unexposed part of the film properly to Frame 1 before commencing with exposed shots for the rest of the film roll.

To rewind, press the film rewind release button located on the bottom plane of the camera, and turn the film rewind crank in the clockwise direction until the film is completely rewound before taking the film canister out and sending it for processing.

Viewfinder Readout

The Pentax Program Plus is fitted with a silver-coated prism finder with a non-interchangeable split-image/microprism focusing screen. Screen image is 92% of the view field and is devoid of any other image information or display activities.

In Programmed AE mode, the shutter speed and lens aperture setting are displayed on the pair of LCD displays aligned below the image field.

The LCD display will vary according to the exposure mode the camera was set to, and other information such as 'over' and 'underexposure warning and values, low battery indicator, and erroneous operations which will, in tandem, disable shutter release.

Exposure Modes

The Pentax Program Plus provides an array of four exposure modes for the ease of your photography:

• Programmed AE - Applicable only with the use of SMC Pentax-A lenses. Set the Shutter Speed Dial to 'Auto' and the lens aperture setting to 'A'.
• Aperture-priority AE - Applicable with K, KF, or KA series lenses. Set Shutter Dail to 'Auto' and the lens aperture to the desired value you want to shoot with. The camera will set the shutter speed automatically.
• Metered Manual - You are free to adjust both the lens aperture opening and the shutter speed of the camera. In this mode, you might also want to consider Exposure Compensation as part of your creative content.
• Programmed Auto Flash - Set lens aperture set to 'Auto' with KA lenses, or to a value for normal auto flash with any other lens. Set the Shutter Speed dial set to 'Auto' for dedicated flash units, or '100' for other types.

Batteries and Camera Body Weight

The Pentax Program Plus requires the use of a pair of LR/SR44 button cells to power its electronics. A low battery warning is indicated by an alternate display exposure setting and '000'. The camera will not power up when the batteries are depleted.



The Pentax Program Plus camera's body weight is 490 grams without batteries.

Instruction Manual

The instruction manual for the Pentax Program Plus is available from buktus.org (donations accepted) and you may download the instruction manual from this link here.

In Use

As a user-grade camera, the Pentax Program Plus / Program A is a slightly lesser sibling of the more advanced Super Program / Program A and comes with a top shutter speed of 1/1000 sec. as compared to the top shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. as available on the Super Program, no Shutter-priority AE mode, and no LCD illuminator light.

Other than that it is still a very competent SLR film camera, which sets itself apart as one with a fully Programmed AE mode, Depth of Field preview, LED display exposure setting, and cross-compatibility with later and newer Pentax cameras.

In use, the camera fits nicely and snugly in your hands, all finger controls are within easy reach, and with a body weight that is light enough for the camera to be used almost single-handed. The opportunity to test your creativity, and beyond, is all but apparent here. Highly recommended, the one to go for!

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