Pentax IQZoom 115-S

Background: the zoom compact era

A camera built to take care of everything

The Pentax IQZoom 115-S belongs to the generation of 35mm compacts designed so that the photographer only has to point and press. Shutter, zoom and flash are all built into one body and look after themselves, which sums up its purpose: you load the film, close the back and shoot.

Instead of a fixed lens, it carries a power zoom running from 38mm to 115mm, so a single pocketable body covers everything from wide-ish scenes to a respectable telephoto reach.

Panorama without a special camera

One feature gives this model a character of its own: a panoramic mode. Besides the normal 24x36 mm frame, the camera can expose a 13x36 mm format, and it can switch between the two even in the middle of a roll. That turns a simple compact into something a little more playful.

Shooting with a fully automatic compact is a lesson in letting go: the camera makes the technical choices, so your attention goes to framing, timing and light.

Why it is still worth shooting

Real film, almost no learning curve

If you have never shot film, a camera like this is a friendly place to start. Auto loading, automatic winding and automatic rewinding remove the fiddly steps that put many beginners off. The DX coding reads the speed of the cassette for you, so you do not have to set the ISO by hand.

A leaf shutter and a flexible zoom

The leaf shutter and the 38-115mm range make the camera versatile for travel, family gatherings and street scenes. The built-in flash with red-eye reduction helps indoors and in the evening, while the super macro setting lets you focus as close as 0.45 m for details such as flowers or small objects.

Small enough to take along

The body measures 125 x 70 x 53 mm and weighs 290 grams without battery. That is easy to carry in a coat pocket. If you like the idea of other Pentax compacts, our article on the Pentax Espio 115M is a good next read.

Technology and specifications

Lens, focusing and exposure

The zoom lens is a 38-115mm design with an aperture of f/4.0-8.5, built from 9 elements in 7 groups. The angle of view runs from 59 degrees at wide to 21.5 degrees at tele. Focusing is done by active infrared autofocus, with a close limit of 0.65 m at wide and 0.85 m at tele. Exposure comes from a programmed auto system with an electronic shutter running from roughly 1/400 s to 1/5 s, plus a bulb setting.

Flash, viewfinder and power

The built-in zoom flash has red-eye reduction and reaches 0.65-4.6 m at 38mm with ISO 100 film, or 0.85-2.7 m at the long end. The viewfinder has a diopter adjustment from -3 to +1, which is welcome if you wear glasses. Power comes from one 3V CR123A lithium battery, or an equivalent. An optional infrared remote works up to about 5 m and uses a CR1620 cell.

Using it today

Choosing film

The camera reads DX codes from ISO 25 to 3200, so almost any 35mm cassette is supported. Because the aperture at the long end of the zoom is small, a faster film such as ISO 400 gives you more breathing room indoors and on cloudy days, while ISO 100 or 200 suits bright daylight.

From negatives to files

After the roll is finished, the camera rewinds the film automatically. Then have it developed and scanned by a lab, or scan at home. Panoramic frames are narrower, so mention them to your lab and check the scan crop afterwards.

Buying second-hand

Pre-purchase checklist

A compact from this era is a complex little machine, so give it a careful once-over. Work through these points:

• ☑ Insert a fresh CR123A battery and confirm the camera powers up.
• ☑ Run the zoom through its full range, wide to tele, and listen for smooth movement.
• ☑ Check the flash fires and recharges.
• ☑ Open and close the back and check that loading and winding start properly.
• ☑ Look at the lens and viewfinder for dust, haze, fungus or scratches.
• ☑ Inspect the battery compartment for corrosion and the back for sound light seals.
• ☑ Try the panorama switch.

What to pay

On European marketplaces such as eBay, working examples are typically listed around €35–€55.

Closing thoughts

Simple, flexible, fun

The IQZoom 115-S is not a camera for fine manual control, and that is exactly why it works. It is quick, light and forgiving, with a useful zoom range and a panoramic mode that adds a creative twist. For someone who wants to try film without a steep learning curve, it is an easy way in.

FAQs

What battery does the Pentax IQZoom 115-S use? It uses one 3V lithium CR123A battery or an equivalent, good for about 15 rolls of 24 exposures according to the manual.

Does it have a panoramic mode? Yes. Besides the normal 24x36 mm format it can expose a 13x36 mm panoramic frame, and you can switch even in the middle of a roll.

Which films can I use? Any 35mm film with DX coding from ISO 25 to 3200 is read automatically.

How close can it focus? Normal focusing starts at 0.65 m at wide and 0.85 m at tele, and the super macro mode reaches down to 0.45 m.

Where can I find the IQZoom 115-S manual? The original instruction manual is available as a free PDF download on this page, under the first photo.