12 Pocket cameras, 12 films in 12 months, December: One of the photography projects I set myself for 2022 was to use a different roll of film with a different pocket camera for each month of the year. I’m defining “pocket camera” as simply that, a camera that will fit in your pocket regardless of type. With 3 ratings, Excellent for a camera that would fit easily into any small pocket. “Good” for slightly larger cameras that probably won't fit in a small trouser pocket but would fit into a shirt or jacket pocket. Finally “Fair” for cameras that would need a coat pocket & can barely be defined as pocket cameras but were marketed that way when they were released.

For December I shot one of my favorite pocket point & shoots the Pentax PC35AF. Released in 1982 it was the first pocket auto focus camera released by Asahi Optical Co. The Pentax PC range would become their budget line of cameras playing second fiddle to their Espio line but this camera was before that time & in my opinion one of the best compact cameras from that time. It often does not fare well in reviews because it lacked things like auto film wind & load and auto ISO detection. Now though I view this as a plus as there are less electronics and plastic gears to break that often render so many of these 1980’s cameras useless today. Pentax did not skimp on the lens though, it’s a fine 35mm F2.8 5 element in 5 groups. I also like the angular design and the quick release clamshell cover that also turns the camera on and the fact that the user has control over when the flash is used, not the camera! In 1984 they released an updated version with auto film rewind and auto ISO detection up to ISO 1000.