Love it or Trash it? A Pentax Zoom 70-R Film Camera Review

adriennearz
Dec 5, 2021
4 min read

TL;DR:

8/10 Rating
$110 (mid-priced film camera from Etsy Re-seller)
Bulky, but strong flash power and different mode settings

I purchased my first film camera in June 2021: a Pentax Zoom 70-R Film Camera. At $110, it seemed like a good steal. I also researched more into its unique features through online sources like New Wave Pool, which lists all features of the Pentax Zoom.

I usually determine where I’m going to eat, park, or see based on ratings. Still, it was challenging to find any reviews with a dated camera like this one. So today, we’ll be doing just that. I’ll be reviewing the Pentax 70-R film camera and sharing some photo samples of my favourite shots.

First Impressions

From first impressions, it’s definitely bigger and bulkier than I imagined it would be. If you’re looking for a film camera that is compact and can fit in your pocket, the 70-R is not the right camera for you. Nevertheless, what drew me to it was its autorewind feature, making it easier to just load the film and leave the rest to the camera. This makes the loading process so much easier.

I also found a free online manual for the 70-R, which helped me explore different features the camera offers.

A quick tip: Perhaps one of the most important and overlooked buttons on this camera is the tiny button located on the bottom. As mentioned in "Mistakes of an Amateur Film Photographer and How You Can Avoid Them," opening the back compartment of your film camera will completely wipe your roll of film. The autorewind button seals it for you to safely retrieve it without creating any damage to your existing shots.

Pros and Cons

When it came to actually shoot, I definitely had some growing pains. Aside from wiping my photos out, I inserted the roll of film incorrectly, leading to multiple "E7" messages coming up on the film count. I couldn't take any photos, and I had to reset the camera completely. This sounds tedious, but truthfully, it's just part of the learning curve.

Other than that, let’s go through a classic pros and cons list of the camera and its features:

Photo Samples

Now that we've factored in the camera's pros and cons, let's explore some photo samples below.

All of these photos were taken under different contexts and lighting situations using Kodak Ultramax 400 Colour Print Film:

Woman standing with arms spread out in a field. Light leak effect added. — The Perfect Light Leak

Let's kick it off with a beautiful error. You are bound to have a few wiped-out rolls of film. It happens, unfortunately but sometimes it leads to cool effects. In this case, the perfect light leak. This is risky, and really, the only way I got this shot was by pure luck. Who would've thought the placement of the light leak, the tint, and movement would actually make the photo better.

Pumpkins lined up with paint on it — Flashy Pumpkins

Here's the ultra flash I was talking about. The flash has so much power and punch, which is probably why the camera requires two CR123 Lithium batteries. This was the type of aesthetic I was looking for: instant camera vibes. Love it!

If you couldn't tell, I took these pics during the peak of Halloween season. This shot was taken during a fun tractor ride around the pumpkin patch. It took a few tries to get this shot, but well worth it. Patience is required, but all you need is that one shot. This is definitely it.

Photo inside of a train. Dark windows and blue seats with dim lighting. — My Indie Flick Dream

Commutes are usually dull, but it feels like the indie movie of my dreams with a film camera. I took this shot after a night out in Toronto. Something about the dinginess and yellow lighting just felt mesmerizing. When I saw this photo, I immediately knew this was it. The camera really captured the essence of late commutes home. It almost feels dangerous and on-edge, which is precisely how I feel whenever I take a midnight train home. This is one of my favourite shots in this roll of film.

A chihuahua laying on the floor and staring at the camera. Backlit by the sun — The obligatory pet image

It’s not a photo compilation if there’s not at least one photo of my dog, a dog, any dog for that matter. What I love about this shot is how the backlight is captured in this frame. I feel mixed about backlit shots because the subject in focus is often left in the shadow, but this camera captured it perfectly. I also happened to capture my dog in her natural state (at least when she's around me). Do you see those eyes? Evil.

girl with mask holding a takeout box — 2021 norm

This is another photo of my friend, Maegan (my involuntary subject matter). I love the different textures, centeredness, and colours this picture gives off. This was exactly what I envisioned and wanted out of a film camera. Safe to say, you can definitely get super cute pics of your friends and capture what seems to be mundane moments in life into vivid moments in time.

Overlooking autumnal trees in the distance — Lion's Lookout

We're ending this show and tell with this incredible photo of Lion's Lookout in Muskoka. I love the way the camera and film really picked up the autumnal colours perfectly. The details and lighting here were set during broad daylight, bringing so much justice to this Lion's Lookout spot in Muskoka.

Conclusion

So, what would I rate this camera?

8/10 STARS

I docked stars off mainly because of its bulkiness and need for significant battery power. Regardless, it gets the job done, and I could not be happier with how all of these pics turned out.

I’m in the process of developing my next roll of film so if you liked the last few shots, stay tuned when I post pics from the ULTIMATE road trip.

Do you have a Pentax Zoom 70-R, or thinking of purchasing one?

Share your thoughts below or reach out on my Instagram or Twitter account.

Stay snapping!