I have owned two Pentax ZX5′s. My first one was stolen, and when I had a chance to replace it, I jumped at the opportunity. The Pentax ZX5n is completely automatic, but like any good SLR, it can also be completely manual. My favorite part of this camera is that it has old-school knobs that you turn to adjust the shutter speed and ISO. For anyone who learned on a Pentax K1000, like me, this camera is very user friendly. Perhaps that is why this camera is the choice of teachers now that the K1000 is getting harder to find. If you are looking to purchase your first SLR, I highly recommend this camera.

Ebay is my favorite place to find deals on great old cameras. Here are the Pentax zx5n cameras on Ebay right now:

Pentax ZX-5N 35mm Film Camera w/ SMC- Pentax -FA 1:3.5-5.6 28-80mm Lens

US $40.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 6:10:39 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

NEW Pentax Eyecup FG # 30138 / Eye Cup / Eye Piece for ZX-5, ZX-5N

US $6.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 19:21:05 PST Buy It Now for only: US $17.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax MZ-5N / ZX-5N Genuine Instruction Book

US $7.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 13:22:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

FishEye Lens For Pentax ZX-60 MZ PZ-1P ZX-5N ZX-L ZX-7

US $39.50 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 13:08:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $39.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX ZX-5N 35 mm camera

US $200.00 End Date: Friday Feb-24-2012 21:49:45 PST Buy It Now for only: US $200.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax ZX-5N QD 35mm Film Camera--BRAND NEW IN BOX

US $379.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-25-2012 18:01:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $379.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX ZX-5n INSTRUCTION MANUAL! EXC CONDITION!

US $14.95 End Date: Thursday Mar-01-2012 18:49:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX MZ-5N ZX-5N MIRROR MOTOR UNIT REPAIR PART NEW

US $19.00 End Date: Saturday Mar-03-2012 10:51:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $19.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIDE ANGLE FISHEYE MACRO SOFT LENS 0.43X FOR PENTAX ZX-60 MZ PZ-1P ZX-5N ZX-L

US $49.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-08-2012 7:05:22 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX ZX-5N QD 35mm SLR w/PENTAX 28-80 ZOOM, HOLSTER CASE - EXCELLENT+++

US $69.96 End Date: Thursday Mar-08-2012 20:36:02 PST Buy It Now for only: US $69.96 Buy it now | Add to watch list