Pentax Program A User manual

f/:
I
   O Neck strap ring                                                       (l  ttgtt index on aperture scale
   O g xposure cou nter                 @ Focusingring
   O Film wind lever                 @ Oepth-of-fieldscale
   O Shutter releasebutton                           (E Aperture/Distance index
   O Shutter auto lock button                       (D Aperture ring
   O Manual shutter speedselectbuttons        @ Aperture auto lock button
   O tlluminatingwindow
   O Hotshoe
   O Exposurecompensationindex mark
     (D Exposurecompensationscale
     (D Film rewind knob/Back cover releaseknob
     (D ISO f ilm speedscale
      $t f ilm rewind crank
     (D t ,im speeddial lock button
     (E F ilm speeddial/Exposurecompensationdial
     (D Grip SuperA
     (D Sett-timerlever
     (D Lens releaselever
     (D Preview lever
   @ Lens information contacts
     {D Lensalignmentindex
   @ lnstant return mirror
   @ X-synch terminal
   @ Distancescale
    E9Lensalignmentnode
      4) Aperture scale

                               www.orphancameras.com

Welcometo the World of PentaxMulti.mode photography
This programmedcamerais an ultra-sophisticated35mm'SLR. Incorporatingthe latest
electronicstechnology,it invitesyou to explore the possibilitiesof four differentex-
posure modes. As the situation_demandsyou can use programmedRr  (Rutomaiic
Exposure),Aperture-priorityAE, Metered Manual, or proirammla auto Flash. ln
each mode, all the exposureinformationyou need is digitaiiy displived in the view-
finder by meanscf an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay).
You can enjoy the full versatility of thir camera,with a wide range of pentax acces-
sories in-cludingdedicatedautomati€ flash units, a motor drive that shoots up to
approx. 3.5 framesper second,a digital data back, etc.
since your camerahas a great many specialfeaturesand functions, take the time to
read this manual carefully.lt will help you take full advantageor ini  extraordinarycamera.





                        www.orphancameras.com

EXPOSURE MODES


                                                 This Pentax cameraprovidesfour different
                                             exposuremodes.Choosethe mode that suits
                                                   the photographicsituation and the subjectsor
                                                    feelingsyou want to express.
                                     When using conventionalPentax K a nd Kf mou nt
                                                lenseson this camera,you can use the Aperture-
                                                        priority AE, MeteredManualand all conventional
                                              Auto Flash modes.When using new " ^" series
                                                  lenses,you can also selectProgrammedAE and
                                        Programmedflash modes.The reasonfor this is
                                                       that those modes are only availablewhen the
                                                                                                    f ens has an " A" (auto aperturesetting).


                                                  I
o 2                       www.orphancameras.com                          --^

ProgrammedAE (lens on "A",  shutter dial on         Aperture-priority AE
     ,,AUTO''}                                            (lens on any f-number, shutter dial on "AUTO"I
     This Pentaxcamera itself automaticallyselects     When the aperture is set manually, the shutter
     the most appropriate combination of shutter speed   speed is automatically adjusted by built-in
     and aperture to obtain proper exposure,changing     electronic circuitry according to subject's
    them simultaneouslyaccordingto the subject's      brightnessto provide appropriate exposure.When
     brightness.The ProgrammedAE mode is most         "depth-of-f ield" is important for your picture, this
      suitable for advancedphotographerswho want to    mode is recommended. lt is suitable for both
     shoot very quickly or for noviceswho do not want    generalphotography and carefully controlled
      to be bothered by setting exposure controls           pictures such as portraits. (nt. 34 page for details)
     accordingto light conditions. (Rf . 32 pagefor
      details)





L

Metered Manual                              Programmed Auto Flash
(lens on any aperture, shutter dial on "MAN."l                lf you use a Pentax dedicatedTTL flash unit with
The combinataonof shutter speedand aperture is     the camera in the ProgrammedAE mode, the
completely up to you. Guided by the meter         camera will automatically select the proper
indication in the viewfinder, you can adjust both      apertureand automaticallycontrol flash output.
controls to obtain proper exposure. lf necessarv,      (nt. 40 pagefor details)
deliberateover- or under-exposureare also          The TTL  f lash operation is not feasiblewith this
possible.(Rt. 36 pagefor details)               camera.





                         www.orphancameras.com

7          9 EASY STEPS


        Follow the 9 steps below, and in a very short
        time you'll be able to take picturesin its
       ProgrammedAE mode. For more details about
        each step, consult the accompanyingpage
        numbers.

            * Remove the cap from the viewf inder eyepiece.




                                                                                                1. Open the battery compartment  with a coin and insert batteries.
                                                                                                                                       { p . 1 0 )



              2. Open the camera back, put  in a roll of film, close the back and advance the film  to the first frame. (p.20)





                               www.orphancameras.com

3. Set the ISO film speed to the appropriate number. (p. 19)           4.  Rotate the aperture ring on your "A"  series lens to the Auto
Set the exposure compensation dial to 1x. (p. 44)                     position (indexed in green), while depressingthe aperture auto
                                                                      lock button. (p. 28)

                                                                                  6.  Gently press the shutter release button. You  will see both
5. Set the shutter dial to Auto. With both lens and shutter on         shutter speed and aperture setting indicated on the viewfinder
Auto, the camera is now in the Programmed AE mode. (p.32)       LCD. (o. 32)





                                              P t ? 5      I   F 5 . 5

7.7.  FocusFocus thethe lenslens byby rotatingrotating thethe focusingfocusing ring.ring. (p.25)(p. 25)                   8. Make sure that the LCD shows a shutter speed faster-than
                                                                    1/60 second. With slower speeds, camera shake may cause blurred
                                                                           pictures.  lf the speed is 1 /60 or faster, release the shutter.


9.  After taking the last picture on the roll, push the film rewind button, rewind the film and remove  it from the camera. (p.27)





                         www.orphancameras.com

I N S E R T I N G B A T T E R I E S


                              Your camera doesn't operate without batteries.Use two 1.bV
                                     silveror alkalinebatteries,or a 3V lithium battery. Before inserting
                                    batteries in the battery compartment, wipe them with a clean
                                 dry cloth.

                                 o Open the battery compartment cover with a coin or similar object.

                                 o Placethe two batteries in the compartment with ,+' marks
                {/,iffikrr.           downward, and close the cover.
              \#'#



                                     Battery check
                             To confirm battery status,set the shutter dial to AUTO and slightly
                              depressthe shutter releasebutton to activate the metering system.
                                                             lf the LCDs in the viewfinder indicate shutter speed information,
                                  the batteriesare properly insertedand sufficient in voltage from
                               normal camera functioning.


o 1 0                      www.orphancameras.com

Note: The shutter speed LCD will indicate "10O0" until the exposure
counter registers"0". This fast speed savestime when advancing
film to the first frame. Starting with the first frame on the counter,
the LCD provides proper shutter speedand aperture value according
to the designatedexposure mode.

Automatic power cut-off
As an energy-savingmeasure,a timer switch is integrated into the
exposure meter circuit. lt automatically shuts off power
approximately30 sec.after you take your finger off the shutter
releasebutton.



Low battery warning
When batteriesbecome weak, the viewfinder display warns you by                                  l o o o
alternately displaying exposure information and a row of 000's.

tTTtt-l ITB l-l    roE   F;--l
This alternateLCD indicationtells you that both batteriesshould
be replacedpromptly to restore the camera to normal functioning.



                                                                                             1 1 o

Using batteries correctly
       o Incorrectusageof batteriescausessuch hazards         . Never break, recharge,or throw used batteries
       as leakage,heatingor explosions.Polarity markings   into fire as a precautionagainstexplosions.
       shouldbe carefully checkedwhile inserting          o Batteriesshould be kept warm in cold climates7
r       batteries.lf either battery is erroneouslyinserted,     to prevent lowering of performance.
       unexpectedmishap may occur.                     o Keep spare batterieson hand for convenience
       o Thebattery dischargessmallamounts of energy     in photographingoutdoors or while traveling,etc.
      evenwhen not in use. Therefore,the batteries        o When keeping the camera in a bag or case,lock
       suppliedwith your cameramay be slightly below     the shutter releasebutton to avoid the unnecessary
          full capacity, as it has taken some time to reach      consumption of battery power that may result
       you.                                                                                          f rom accidentallyreleasingthe shutter.
  *     o Replaceboth batteriesat the same time. Do not
      mix battery brandsand types, or old batteries
       with new batteries.
       o Battery life is approximately six months for
       alkalineand approximatelyone year for silveror
       lithium batteries.
      o When not usingthe camerafor long periodsof
       time, you should remove batteriesfrom the
      camera.Old batteriesare apt to leak and damage
       the battery compartment. Always keep batteries
       out of the reachof children.



       o 1 2                       www.orphancameras.com                                                 t

G R I P S U P E RA


o To removethe grip, loosenthe grip mount screw fully, and
keepingthe camerafaced downward, slide the grip up until it
comes off.





o To mount the grip, fit the grip mount socket {on the rear side of
the grip) to the grip lug on the camera.





o Align the grip mount screw with the grip mount receptacleon
the camera,and keepingthe grip pusheddown as indicatedby the
arrow, tighten the grip mount screw with a coin.



"  r .: The grip should be removed f rom the camera body when
usingthe Motor Drive A or the Winder ME II.
                                                                                 1 3 .

LENS MOUNTI NG


To mount or interchangePentax K, KA and Kf mount lenses
follow the steps below. (For screw mount lenses,see p.55).

o Remove the body mount cap and the rear lens cap. lf the f inder
cap is still on the eyepiece,remove it. (For the finder cap, see p.51).
o Align the red dot on the camera body with the red dot on the
lens (SeeO,O.). Seat the lens in the body mount and turn  it
clockwiseuntil the lens locks with a click. When mounting the lens
in dim light, method (O) is recommended.This method allows lens
mounting by touch. Align the raised node on lens barrel with
the lens releaseby touch. Then turn and lock as above.
o To remove the lens cap, press in on the notches at both sides.
o To remove the lens, pressthe lens releaselever toward the camera
body while turning the lens counter-clockwise.
o After removing a lens from the camera body, replace the front
and rear lens caps to protect the lens from dust and stains.



                            Note: Don't damage or stain the
                                electricalcontact points on the
                         mount face. When they become
                             stained, wipe them with a clean,
                             dry cloth.


                                                                                                 1 5 0

F I L M W I N D L E V E R





                                                        Exposure counter
                                                    The scaleis indexedas f ollows:
                                                              o . 0 . 2 . 4 .         3 4 . 3 6 , w i t h 0 ,
                                                              2 0 , 3 4 , 3 6 c o d e d i n r e d . T h e c o u n t e r ,
                                                        which is interlockedwith the f ilm
                                                          winding mechanism,indicatesthe
                                                   number of exposedframes.



     Stand-of f a n g l e
                             \=-----:-
Setting the wind lever for rapid shooting              Film advance stroke
The f ilm wind levercan be set at the stand-off      The f ilm wind levershould be thrown as far as it
position for faster f ilm advance.Even if you          goes.
removeyour thumb  f rom the lever, it remains at        itote: The wind lever may stop in the middle of
the stand-offangle, ready f or the next quick shot.    a stroke when the film comes to its end. Do not
Af ter completing a seriesof pictures, the lever        force the lever, but rewind the f ilm, leavingthe
should be pushedin to the originalposition.          lever as it is.
o 1 6                      www.orphancameras.com

SHUTTERDIAL, SHUTTERRELEASEBUTTONAND RELEASEBUTTONLOCK


o The shutter dial is automaticallylocked at the AUTO position.
To set the dial to other positions(LOCK, MAN., 10Ot or B),
rotate the shutter dial while depressingthe shutter auto lock
button, and align the index mark (red line) on the dial to the
desiredposition.

LOCK = Shutter releasebutton lock
AUTO = Automatic shutter speed control
MAN. = Manual shutter speedselection
100 |  = 1/100 sec.for synchronizationwith electronicflash unit
B = Bulb shutter speedsetting for time exposures

o By lightly depressingthe shutter releasebutton, you activate
the exposure meter. Further pressurewill releasethe shutter.
The exposure meter automatically switchesoff approx. 3O seconds
after you take your finger off the shutter releasebutton.
o  lf you havefinishedshootingand the shutter is cocked, use the
shutter releasebutton lock to avoid accidental release.Set the
shutter dial index to "LOCK", and the shutter releasewill be
locked with the exposure meter switched off .





                                                                                            1 7 .

SETTING FILM SPEED, MEMO HOLDER/GRIP


Set the f ilm speed dial to the f ilm speed indicated
on your f ilm package.Depressthe f ilm speeddial
lock button, and set the desiredspeed to the red
index mark. Make sure that the dial is securely
locked in position, by releasingthe lock button
and slightly rotating the dial to either side.
The chart below representsthe index markingson
the f ilm speedscale.





                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     -20002500t - - l - -   O      8r  10.    O  16r          I   25.     a,  40.   50.    O  80o   O  125o  160.          I  250;  320t     a  500;  840.  800.    O 1250o     a
 6122032            64  100   200   400    10001600  3200I

Memo Holder/Grip
As a reminderof the type of film in your camera,
tear off the top of the film packageand insert it in
the memo holder f rame on the grip at the right end
of the back cover. The grip is shapedto give your
thumb a f irmer hold on the camera.



                                                                                            1 9 .

F I L M L O A D I N G


Load the camera with a 35mm film cartridge. Load or unload the
film in the shade,avoidingdirect sunlight.Set the shutter dial
index (red line) to AUTO or MAN. This will automaticallyset the
shutter speedto 111000sec.so that you can advancefilm quickly
until the counter registers"0".

o The cameraback opens when you lift up sharply on the film
rewind knob.
o lnsert the film cartridgein the film chamberand lock the cartridge
in place by returningthe film rewind knob to its originalposition.
lf the knob does not fit tightly in to place,rotate the knob while
lightly depressingit.
o Draw the film leaderacrossthe back and insert it between any
of the white needlessurroundingthe film take-upspool. lnsert the
f ilm in the direction shown in the illustration.

o Slightly wind the film by advancingthe film wind leverto the
position indicated in the photo, while making sure that both top
and bottom sprocketsengagethe film perforations.




 www.orphancameras.com

o Lightly rotate the film rewindingknob until any slack is taken up,
and confirm that the film is properly fitted between both guide
rails.Closethe back cover tightly.





o Film advancecan be checked by the rotation of the rewinding
knob.





. Repeat shutter-tripping/film-advancingoperation until the
exposurecounter reachesto "0". The next frame is ready for
the first shot.





                                                                                 2 1 .

VIEWFINDER DISPLAYS


The split-imagecenter spot and
its surroundingmicroprismcollar
are brighter and easierto focus
than the matte field although
any of thesecan be used for
focu si ng.
Visibleat the bottom insidethe
vieMinder are two LCD displays
for shutter speedand aperture
value.In addition,viewfinder
informationincludesauto/
rnanualexposuredata for each
exposuremode, automatic f lash                                           11 itl -i*';'-a5;;
data, low battery warning, and
error indication.

                                       rnatte field

                                   P  , e 5   I  F 5 . 5


                                                                     Aperture information LCD
                                                              Shutter information LCD

o 2 2                       www.orphancameras.com

Shutter information LCD                            Aperture information LCD
         .ProsrammedAEmode.ffi.'   ffiil                                                  ffiffi-            ffi
                                                  Aperturevalue'An apertureranseil-       l3-   f.ffiffi,                                                           lrom tl1 '2 through f/45 is indicated              shutter speedin use.1oo0 stands                                                                           in 112 stop i ncrements'                for 1/1 OOOsec.15" standsfor
            a fuil 1s sec.shutter speedsare                                                                 ......Matchnumerarexposure                                                                                 ffi
             displayedin full stop increments.                adjustmentindicationin Metered
                                                    Manualmode' -3 to +3 indicatenffitrffi       "'Burb" time exposure.                                                       exposuredeviationfrom the proper
liF,"--i.trFl   .Meanscomptetionof ftashrecycting,               valuewhich is denotedby r0.
            and auto flash exposure          Low battery warnrngrs Indicatedby alternate
             confirmation with a dedicatedf lash   displaysof shutter+peed/aperturecombination,
            unit.                  andthemark                                                                   fffiXflffiffifr.
             'Errorin shutterspeedsettrnsIi1tqT'ill
                 {flickeringl
             Combination of shutter soeedand
              aperture rs not appropflate.





                                                                                 23o                                                                                                                                                                            )