Film cameras
Pentax PC-555 / PC-555 Date User manual
User manual for Pentax PC-555 / PC-555 Date. 33 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Pentax
- Model / document
- Pentax PC-555 / PC-555 Date
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 33
- File size
- 2.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com Thank you very much for choosingthe CONTENTS PentaxPC-555or PC-555DATE. Names of working parts.....-.... 2 This new addition to the Pentaxfamily lnserting batteries 4 of 35mm leaf-shuttercamerasoffer you Battery check 6 Fi1m........... I the convenienceof "auto" functionssuch Loading film ........... I as auto exposure, auto fo.cusing,auto Camera holding ..,...........12 film loading,autofilm winding/rewinding, Efficient camera-to-subjectdistance.....................13 auto film speedsetting,autoflashpop-up, Taking pictures .................14 etc. Moreover,the PentaxPC-555DATE Rewinding film ...............16 is equipped with an automatic data- Focus-lock technique ..... 18 recordingunit to imprint the date and Flash photography ........20 time on your photos. PC-555 DATE .................22 Self-timer .......................26Needlessto say,your camerais a sophisti- Taking care of your camera ..............-....-.-.-.....27 cated,precisioninstrument built to give Strap and soft case .........28 long-lasting,reliable service and will Specifications....'.......... .............-........30 serveyou well if you treat it right, with Warranty policy ..............32 proper handlingand reasonablecare.So, pleaseread this manualcarefullythrough and familiarize yourself with all the featuresand functions it hasto offer.View original page 2
Page 3 · Read text
SHORT OPERATING COURSE AND PRECAUTIONSwww.orphancameras.com
Precautions
o This camera never functions without batteries in
OperatingOrder the chamber. Use two AA-size alkaline batteries.
Ni-Cd batteriesare not suitable.
1. Insertthe batteries,and o The(1 ) theshutterbatteriescannotare beexhausted,releasedwhen:or they are
check whetherthe camera not properly inserted.
{2) the main switch is set to OFF. functionsproperly. (3) the f ilm is being wound or rewound.
2. Load the film, and close (4) ttrerecycleflashtimeis beingbecomescharged,muchor longer.the flash
the back cover is open. the back cover. (5)
3. Aim the cameraat the
subjectyou want to
photograph,and shoot.
4. When the film rewindingis
over,removethe film from
the cameraand take it to
your cameradealer.View original page 3Page 5 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com (D Film-transport indicator (E Flash-readyindicator (E Viewfinder eyepiece (E Film-toaded indicator (D Backcover-releaselever @ Tripod socket @ Mid-roll rewind button @ Back cover (D Batterychamber coverView original page 5
Page 6 · Read text
I N S E R T I N G B A T T E R I E S www.orphancameras.com
1. Open the Battery Chamber Cover at the baseof 2. lnsert two batteries into the chamber with the
the cameraby sliding it in the direction of the (+) and (-) sidesplaced correctly as indicated
arrow; use a fingernail in the groove to push on the cover.
and raisethe cover.
r*r rRr Manganese batteries are also ltY l lt, I One set of alkaline batteries should last suitable. but they are far less
about a year with average use at normal powerful than alkalineones. I | | |
temperatures,without using flash. But their I | | |
performance goes down considerably at
f reezing temperatures. lal lrrl vvView original page 6Page 8 · Read text
BATTERYCHECK www.orphancameras.com 1. Slide the main switch to turn it on. When the 2. Depressthe shutter button halfway. switch is set to oFF, the shutter cannot be released.When not shooting, or when storing the camera in the case,be sure to turn the switch off.View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
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3
Battery replacement
The batteries are exhausted and should be
replacedin the following caseswhere:
. the shutter cannot be released even if
you depressthe shutter button.
o it takes longer than 15 seconds for the
flash to be ready.
r When battery voltage drops below the
levelfor thecamerato function properly, I#'t the safety shutter lock is activated, mak-
ing it impossible to releasethe shutter.
In such a case, even if one of the dis'
3. When the batteriesare properly inserted,one tance marks in the viewf inder glows, the
of the distance marks in the lower part of the shutter cannot be released. (Since the
viewfinder glows. Also, when the subject is batteries slightly recover the power
dark, the flash pops up automatically, so be after a short while, the shutter may
sure to push it down after making the battery accidentally be released.)
check. /s" l,Ly; l,Ly; \b/ \I,/" €/ e/View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
: F I L M www.orphancameras.com
Ii
D X F I L M
Film cartridge
Film speed DX-information panel
This camera is designedto use DX-coded film with o lf non-DX film with any film speed is loaded
an ISO rating from 50 to 1600, and when such film into this camera, the film speed is automatically
is loaded, its film speed is automatically set in the set to ISO 100.
camera. o When buying DX film, make sure the package
bearsthe "DX" mark or that the cartridge has
a DX-information panel.
o Specialfilms like 35mm Instant Reversal
Film cannot be used.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
$ii.LOAD|NGFILM www.orphancameras.com Always load or unload f ilm in a shady spot, or 2. As illustrated,place the f ilm cartridgein the shieldthe cameraand f ilm f rom direct sunlight film chamber by f irst f itting its flat side on the with your body. top of the rewind shaft. 1. Open the back cover by sliding the back cover X Always keep the DX-lnformation pins free releaselever in the direction of the arrow. from scratches,dirt or dust.View original page 11
Page 12 · Read text
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Slack
.,\ ,---\
XW
ow
3. Pull the film leader out far enough to reach the o Make sure the film is taut as shown above; if
O f i l m r o l l e r . slack, it may not be loaded properly.
o Align the end of the film leaderwith the O
film leaderend mark.
o Make sure the film perforations engagethe G)
sprocket teeth properly.
e Also make sure the film is properly placed
between the O guide rails.
1 0View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
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4
[--=1-- ffie TW W
II
4. Close the back cover, and the film will be 5. When the f rame counter is set to "1 ," the
automatically wound on to the first frame. auto film winding stops automatically.
Now you are ready to start shooting.
o When the film is being wound on, the red
stripes in the f ilm transport indicator f licker, o The film{oaded indicator on the back cover
indicating that the film is advancingproperly. tells you whether or not film is in the camera.
lf not, open the back cover and reload the film.
Caution: Should you wish to remove the film from the camera before you take the first picture, do it by
taking the normal rewinding proceduresdescribedon page 16, without attempting to pull the film leader
out directly from the take-up spool.
1 1View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com C A M E R A H O L D I N G It is important to hold the camera properly in in a fixed position, and relax the rest of your order to take blur-free photos. Practiceholding body in a secureposture. Brace the elbow of and operating the camera before inserting your the arm supporting the camera againstyour f irst roll of f ilm. body. Always pressthe shutter button gently. The illustrationsshow the basic holding When taking f lash pictures with the camera positions. No matter which position you use, held vertically, be sure to keep the f lash head be sure to grip the camera steadily with both on the uPPerside. hands, hold the camera gently againstthe face 1 2View original page 14
Page 15 · Read text
E F F ICI ENT CAMERA-TO.SUBJECT www.orphancameras.comDISTANCE
o For the best possibleresults,take your
pictures within the camera-to*ubject distance
from 0.7 meters (2.3 ft.) to - (infinity). This
camera does not focus on the subject less thanI 0.7 meters (2.3 ft.) away.View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
T A K I N G P I C T U R E S www.orphancameras.com
@
o
o
o
a i i g 1. After composingyour picture,bring the O
autofocus spot on the main part of your
subject.
O Autofocus spot (Bringthis on the main part of
your subject.) o In this case,be careful not to put your fingers,
O Picture-areaf rame (Ordinary picture-taking hair, strap, etc. in front of the autofocus windows,
range) taking lens,light-sensorwindow and flash.
€) Parallaxcorrectionframe (Close-distance
picture-takingrange)
O Distancemarks:
9 = Approx. O.7 - 1 m 12.3- 3.3 ft.)
ii = Approx. 1 - 1.8 m (3.3 - 5.9 ft.)
A= Approx. 1.8 m - @ (5.9 ft. - "")
1 4View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
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."o'
:t1i\ l /
2. As you depressthe shutter button halfway, 3. As you depressthe shutter button further, the
one of the 0 distance marks lights up. lf the lens cover opens automatically and the shutter
flash does not pop up, you are ready to is released.As you releaseyour finger f rom
depressthe shutter button completely to take the shutter button, the film will automatically
a picture. be wound on to the next frame and the lens
cover will also close.
o lf the flash pops up, the subject is not bright
enough and you have to use flash. {For the use o When you wish to recomposeyour picture or
of f lash, refer to page 20.) changethe subject, releaseyour finger from the
{ o When the distancemark ( ii ) lights up, shutter button and re-depressthe button.
composeyour picture within the @ parallax- o When the batteriesare exhausted,the shutter I
correction f rame. may not be released.dr 1 5View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
R E W I N D I N GF I L M www.orphancameras.com
WW
1. Severalsecondsaf ter the last frame of the 2. Open the camera back and remove the f ilm
roll is exposed,the motor automaticallystarts cartridge by f irst pulling the top of the cartridge
rewindingthe f ilm. While the rewind operation toward you with your f inger, as shown above.
is taking place,the Film Transport Indicator's
red stripes keep f lickering.
o lt usuallytakesabout 30 secondsto rewind a
roll of 24-exposuref ilm.
o Neveropen the cameraback until the motor
stops.
1 6View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
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X
o L = Y = J n
@lE €) o ll[!-9..''.l_J . ?,*
#
.'\.*. :;-;,,:,X lf you want to rewind the film in midroll, push ;
the Midroll Rewind Button with a f ingernail,
and the motor will start rewinding.The motor
will automaticallystop on completion of
rewinding.
o When the battery power gets extremely low,
the motor may stop during rewinding.Should it
happen, replacethe batteriesand push the
Midroll Rewind Button to complete rewinding.View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
FOCUS.TOCK TECHNIOUE www.orphancameras.com
lf the subjectyou wish to focus on is out of the 1. Bring the Autofocus Spot on the main subject.
Autofocus Spot as shown above, it will be out 2. As you depressthe shutter button halfway,
of focus and only the backgroundwill be in the DistanceMark in the lower part of the
focus. You can avoid this problem by using the viewf inder lights up, locking the focus on
focus-locktechnique in the following order. the subject temPorarilY.
o As long as you keep depressingthe shutter
button halfway and the DistanceMark keeps
glowing, the focus lock is maintained.The focus
will be unlocked as soon as you releaseyour f inger
f rom the shutter button.
1 BView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
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Diff icu lt Autofocus Su bjects
The autofocus system of this camera may not
function properly in the situationsdescribedbelow.
In such cases,focus on a subject near the actual
subject you are shooting, and lock the focus by
using the focus-locktechnique,then f rame the
subject and shoot.
1. Black objectswhich are hard to reflect light
(infrared).
2. Wire netting, latticework, jron exercise-bar,etc.
with lesslight reflection.
3. When neon signs,f luorescentlamp, television,
sunlight coming through the trees,etc. are
3. While keepingthe shutter button depressed in or around the Autofocus Spot.
halfway, move the camera to recomposeyour 4. Glass,mirrors, car bodies,etc. which are glossy
picture with the subject in the desiredposition, and reflective.
then depressthe shutter button alf the way to 5. Fast moving objects like trains.
take the picture. 6. Water jets, surfaceof water, smoke, f lame,
f ireworks, etc. which are formless.
1 9View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
'. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY www.orphancameras.com
a
As you depressthe shutter button
halfway in a dark place, the flash
automaticallypops up, and the
camera is set for f lash photography.
Also when you take a picture of
people in the shade of trees or in
a dimly-lit place, the flash can be
used as a supplementary light.
Also when you wish to use f lash
in a bright place (daylight-sync
photography), cover the camera's
light-sensorwindow with your hand
and depressthe shutter button
halfway, so that the flash pops up 1 . As you depressthe shutter button halfway in
automatically. a dark or dimly-lit place, the flash automatically
pops up and beginsto be charged.
Number of Flashes 2. The f lash-readylamp near the viewfinder
About eight rolls of 24-exposurefilm or f ive rolls eyepiecewill light up in severalseconds,so make
of 36-exposurefilm can be shot with this f lash sure it does, and then depressthe shutter button
with f resh alkaline batteriesat normal temperatures. further to releasethe shutter. After shooting,
be sure to push the flash down to the original
Flash Control Range position.
O.7 - 2.8 m (2.3 - 9.2 ft.) with ISO 50 film
O . 7 - 4 m ( 2 . 3 - 1 3 . 1 f t . ) w i t h I S O 1 0 0 f i l m
0.7 - 5.6 m Q.3 - 18.4ft.) with ISO 200 - 1600film
20View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
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CAUTI ONS
o The recycletime of this flash is about six
secondswith fresh batteries. lf it takes more than
15 seconds,the batteriesare most probably
exhausted.
o Even if you depressthe shutter button before
the f lash-readylamp lights,the shutter is not
released.
o Do not depressthe shutter button while the
flash is being charged;otherwisethe charging
will be interrupted.
o When the f lash is not in use, keep the f lash
head in its original position to prevent power
consumptlon. Flash not used t Flash used {
o When using the flash as a supplementarylight
source in daylight, the f lash effect slightly differs,
dependingon the brightnessaround the subject
or the camera-to-subjectdistance.View original page 23From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.