Film cameras
Pentax SFX User manual
User manual for Pentax SFX. 99 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
99 pagesEnglish8.4 MB PDF

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Document details
- Brand
- Pentax
- Model / document
- Pentax SFX
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 99
- File size
- 8.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 6 · Read text
BEFORESHOOTING
1. Remove the battery 2. Att""n a Pentax-Flens. 3. Open the back cover 4. Turn the-mainswitch
grip and inserta lithium (page6) a n d l o a d t h e f i l m . on. (page7)
b a t t e r y . ( p a g e s 4 & 5 ) (pages11-13l.
Since this camera is an auto-focus camera, taking
pictures with it is extremely simple. However, it
will not operate properly if'you set it up or handle
it incorrectly. Perform the following operations,
o After adjustingthe referring to the pages listed, before you begin
diopter of the eyepieceto taking pictures. your eyesight,insert the There are also many ways to shoot photographs Eyecup F into the with this camera. Pleaserefer to the section about accessorygroove. (page 28) the specific mode you want to use before going
on to page 3.
o 2View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
OUTLINE OF OPERATIONS
1. Set the desired exposure mode by 2. Set the focus mode switch at the 3. Positionthe subjectwithin the
sliding the select switch to the UP SINGLE position. (page29) viewfinder's focus frame [[ ]l .
or DOWN position while holding When you pressthe shutter lf the green in-focus signal I O]
the mode/drive switch at the releasebutton halfway down, at the bottom of the viewfinder
MODE position. (pages7 & 14- the auto-focusingmechanism is lights up when you pressthe
25) activated and the lens starts shutter releasebutton halfway
moving. (pages30-35) down, the subjectis in'focus.
(pages30-35)
o After shooting the designatednumber of frames,
and take it to a photo www.butkus.usrewind the film into its cartridge
servicefor development as soon as possible.(pages36
& 3 7 )View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
INSERTINGBATTERV
( L i t h i u m B a t t e r y G r i p )
This cameracomes equippedwith the
standardLithium Battery Grip. For this grip,
use one 6V lithium battery (National/
PanasonicBR-P29p, DuracellDL-223A,
EvereadyEL2CR5 or Sanyo 2CR5).
BR-P2op/DL-223A E L2CR5/2CR5
o When you change 1. Remove the grip by turning its mounting screw
batteries,the CENTIC counterclockwisewith a coin.
(Central Information 2. Positionthe lithium battery properly by matching its 'UrrSmxO.-OgB Cluster) LCD display polarity marks ("+" and "-") with those insidethe panel will be activated,
and all its indicatorsand grip, then mount the grip at the original position.
the f lash-readyindicator (The old battery can easily be removed by pulling
o f t h e R T F w i l l l i g h t u p . the band.)
x f nsert BR'P2Dp and D L-223A within the inner f rame
of the battery chamber as shown above.
o 4View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
( "AA"-size Battery Grip)
AUTO
- \ l l Ir rE- r l
3. As illustrated,the CENTIC panel shows the selected As illustrated,the "AA" Battery Grip (optional)can be
exposuremode. lf the panel remainsinactiveor all used with four "AA"-size alkaline batteriesof the same
its indicators light up, the battery is either exhausted type. Make sure they are insertedproperly.
or not insertedproperly, so check it again.
*Battery Warning Mark
When the battery weakens,the battery warning mark [-1
on the CENTIC panel and the viewfinder indicatorswill
start bl inking to inform you of this condition. Replace
the battery as soon as possible.lf the battery drops
below the required voltage, the shutter release
lock automatically, and the indicators on the CENTIC buttonwww.butkus.uswill oHowever,"AA"-sizetheirmanganesepower supplybatteriesis limitedare alsoandusable.use of alkaline
p a n e lw i l l a l l l i g h t u p . batteriesis recommended.
5 o 1View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
ATTACHINGAND REMOVINGLENSES
Read this section even if the lens is arready mounted on the camera.
o Remove the body-mount cap and the rear lens cap.
The Body-Mount cap F and the Lens-Mount cap K are avairabreas options.
until the lens locks with a click. when mounting the lens by touch under
dim light, method O is recommended.
2. To remove the lens cap, press in the tabs on both sides.
3. To remove the rens,turn it counterclockwisewhire pressingthe lens
releaselever toward the camera body.
o Attach the front and rear lens caps on the detached lens to protect it from
dust and scratches-The lens should be set down with the front lens side down,
as illustrated.
* lf a Pentax-A or -M rens is mounted directry onto the camera, it can be used
only in the manual-focusmode (page34). lt can also be used as an auto-focus
lens in combination with the AF Adapter 1.7X (optional).
" old Screw-firountTakumar rensescan be used with the Mount Adapter K
(optional). However, focusing must be made using the viewfinder,s matte area.
t-_+
oo not damageor stain the lens information contacts or the AF coupler on I
I the mount surfacesof the camera and the lens. lf this occurs, wipe them
j SentlVwith a clean dry cloth.
o 6View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
MAIN SWITCH,SHUTTERRELEASEBUTTONAND CONTROLSWITCHES
Control Switches
The mode/drive and ISO/exposurecompensation
switches can be operated by moving the switch to the
d e s i r e dp o s i t i o n( M O D E o r D R I V E , t E F o r I S O ) a n d
sliding the select switch to the UP or DOWN position.
The select switch is also used to set a shutter speed.
MODE = Exposure mode (ProgrammedAE, etc.)
DRIVE = Self-timer, single advance,consecutive
advance
+EF = Exposurecompensation
ISO = Film speed
Main Switch Shutter ReleaseButton
Wheneversetting an exposure mode or releasingthe When the main switch is turned on and the shutter
shutter,make sure you turn the main switch on [ 1..'r)] releasebutton is pressedhalfway down, the auto-focusing
first. Turn it off I O ] when you are not using it to and light-meteringmechanismsare activated,and the
avoid accidentalshutter releases. CENTIC panel and viewfinder display indicatorslight up.
(The indicatots remain on for approximately 10 seconds
o When the main switch is set at the [ 'rt)] position, a even after the shutter releasebutton is released.)Tor
PCV tone will inform you of correct focusing and self- releasethe shutter, pressthe shutter releasebutton all the
timer operation. way down.
o lf you pressthe shutter button with the back cover
open, the shutter will be releasedat a f ixed speed.
www.butkus.us
--,rir&qd-i;,*:, ; 3,p***l[b;iaf ,;,*u-, 7 t-.iEflView original page 11Page 13 · Read text
VIEWFINDERDISPLAY
Viewf inder Inclications
t I Focus frame indicator
> O < Focus indicator (front-focus, in-focus and
back-focussignals)
I Flash-readyindicator (A flash-readyindicator
for the built-in RTF is located next to the
viewfinder eyepiece)
M Metered Manual indicator
A Shutter-PriorityAElAperture-priorityAE
indicator
P ProgrammedAE indicator
2OOO-2 Shutter speed indicator ("2OOO" for 1l2OOO
second and "2" f or 1/2 second)
LT Long-Timeexposureindicator
tEF Exposurecompensationindicator
www.butkus.usView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
USABLE FILM (DX-coded film and non-DX-coded filml
0 o o o o o O o o . o o i
-information
DX-Codedfilm Non-DX-CodedFilm
When DX-codedf ilm is loaded in the camera,the ISO When loadingf ilm that is not DX-coded,make sure you
film speed is set automatically. This type of f ilm will set the ISO f ilm speedindicatedon the packagemanually.
have a DX mark on its packageand/or a DX information When the ISO/exposurecompensation switch is pushed to
panel on its cartridge. the ISO position, the ISO film speedof the film used
previouslyis indicatedon the CENTIC panel.While
o The automatic ISO film+peed setting for DX f ilm is holding the compensation switch at this position, slide
availableonly for film with an ISO rating between 25 the select switch to the UP or Down position to set the
and 5000, so make sure you use film in this range. desiredfilm speed.One move of the select switch either
o lf the automatic ISO film-speed settin! for DX film is increasesor decreasesthe film speed bv'll3 of a step in
cancelledby the override mechanism describedat right, the range between ISO 6 and ISO 6400. lf the select
the DX mark on the CENTIC panel will blink to switch is held at one position, the speed is changed
warn you. continuously.
UP: Heightensthe sensitivityof the f ilm, up to ISO
6400.
DOWN: Lowers the sensitivityof the film, down to ISO 6.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
FILM LOADING
Always load or unload film in a shady spot, or shield it
from direct sunlight with your body.
1. Open the camera's back cover by sliding down the
backcover releaselever while depressingthe back-
cover lock button.
2. A f ilm cartridge can be easily inserted by sliding its
upper part into the film chamber f irst.
The DX-information pins are very important for O f itm chamber
O OX-intormationpins correct automatic ISO film speed setting. Do not
O Guide rails
bend them, and keep them free from scratches,www.butkus.us O Sprocket teeth stains,dirt and dust.
O f itm loadingmark
1 1 oView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
Film loaded slack
! 0 0 E o o o o o o o 0 0
0 O O 0 o O o o o o o 0 o o o o o 0 0 0
3. As illustrated,pull the film leaderout until its end
alignswith the film loading mark of the camera
body.
o Do not leavethe filin slack.
o lf the film leader is sharply bent, straighten it or cut it
out before loading.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
4. Close the back cover, as illustrated. 6. Film advanceautomatically stops when the exposure
5. Tu rn t h e m a i n s w i t c h o n . Th e sh u tte r a u to ma tica lly counter reachesthe first frame, and the CENTIC
releases to advance the f ilm to the f irst frame. panel appearsas it does above.
The f ilmloaded mark lights up, and the f ilm-advance
and end-of-film marks blink each time the film is
o The type of film loaded in the camera can be checked advancedto the next frame.
in t h e f ilm i n f o r m a t i o n w i n d o w.
o The film is advanced to the first frame, even if the back
is c lo s e d aft e r t h e m a i n s w i t ch is tu rn e d o n .
lf the filmJoaded, film-advance and end-of-film
marks do not appear on the CENTIC panel, the
www.butkus.usfilm is not loaded properly. Open the back cover
and reload the film.View original page 17Page 20 · Read text
SHOOTINGIN THE PROGRAMMEDAE MODE
Exposure Modes When Aperture Ring is Set at "A"
'ff r ProgrammedAE modes
. ProgramAction
'Normal Program
'Program Depth
I Shutter-Priority AE mode r,'.i
o The exposure modes mentioned above can be used only
in combination with SMC Pentax-F or -A lenses.
Programmed Auto Exposure System 1. When the ProgrammedAE mode is selected,the
The camera automatically selectsthe optimum CENTIC panel confirms it by activating the
combination of aperture and shutter speed to ensure IPROGRAM] indicator and one of three other
correct exposure according to the lighting conditions indicators- [ E] for ProgramAction, INORMAL]
surrounding the subject. The ProgrammedAE modes for Normal Program and IE$ ] for Program Depth.
free you f rom compl icated exposure controls and allow Set the desired ProgrammedAE mode by moving
you to concentrate on the subject, so take advantageof the select switch to the UP or DOWN position while
them for standard shooting and in situations when shutter pressingthe mode/drive switch at the MODE position.
speed is crucial. This camera features three Programmed
AE modes suitable for a wide range of photographic
situations.
r,tlR ,.&*i&es**,View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
SHOOTINGIN THE PROGRAMMEDAE MODE
Expos ure M o d e s W h e n A p e r t u re Rin g is Se t a t "A "
I ProgrammedAE modes
. ProgramAction
. Normal Program
. ProgramDepth
I Shutter-Priority AE mode
o The exposure modes mentioned above can be used only
in combination with SMC Pentax-F or -A lenses.
Proqrarnmed Auto Exposure System 1. When the ProgrammedAE mode is selected,the
The camera automatically selects the optimum CENTIC panel confirms it by activatingthe
combination of aperture and shutter speed to ensure IPROGRAM] indicator and one of three other
correct exposure according to the lighting conditions indicators- [ a] for ProgramAction, INORMAL]
surrounding the subject. The Programmed AE modes for Normal Program and IElJ ] for Program Depth.
free you f rom compl icated exposure controls and allow Set the desired ProgrammedAE mode by moving
you to concentrate on the subject, so take advantage of the selectswitch to the UP or DOWN position while
them for standard shooting and in situations when shutter pressingthe mode/drive switch at the MODE position.
speed is crucial. This camera features three Programmed
AE modes suitable for a wide range of photographic
s it u a t io n s .
www.butkus.us
r 1 AView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
li,i,i, F.r,J
r oxO-_--O i
PRllGRAM.
r oxO----O i
2. When you press the shutter release button halfway ProgrammedAE Mode Warnings
down, the camera displays "P" and a shutter speed lf the subject is too bright or too dark, the viewfinder
in the viewfinder, as wel I as a shutter speed and and CENTIC indicatorsblink to warn you. When the
apert u r e v a l u e o n t h e C E N TIC p a n e l. selectedshutter speed is 1/30 second or slower (shown
by orange indicators in the viewfinder), the use of a f lash
or tripod is recommended to avoid camera shake. (See
page 26 for more detailed information on warnings.)
o When the Normal Program mode is selected,the
CENTIC panel also displaysa sub-modeindicator (t E I ,
ItE] or t rfrl), dependingon the focal length of the
lens in use.
' t 7 .View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
Normapl Program Mode Program Action Mode
PRl|GRAM. PR0GRAM. trI
When the Normal Program mode is selected,the camera This mode is programmed to select a relatively high
automatically sets one of the sub-modes(Wide IEl . shutter speed,making it ideal for action shooting such
Standard Im] or Tele Itl]l ), flspsnding on the focal as sports and wildlife photography. lt also minimizes
length of the lens in use.The sub-modeis also automatically camera shake and vibration to prevent blurred images.
switched when the focal length of the zoom lens changes.
When the macro setting of a zoom lens is used, the
Normal ProgramTele IE] is automatically set.
Program Depth Mode
When an SMC Pentax-A lens is used, the camera auto-
matically selectsthe Normal Program Standard mode. PROGRAM.
Normal Program Sub-Modes and Lens Focal Lengths
Wide I url]
Standard IE] Between 40mm and 11Omm This mode is programmed to maximize the depth of
field. Use it for subjectsrequiring both near and distant Tele It|]] Longer than 1 1Omm elementsto be in sharp focus, such as portrait shots
with a background setting (buildings, landscapes,etc.),
www.butkus.usor taking close-ups.
rI*View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Exposure Mode Clear Button
Pushingthis button instantly resetsall the current settings
(exposuremode, drive mode, exposurecompensation,
etc.) to the settingsdescribedbelow.
Exposure Lens at "A" setting -+ Normal
Mode: Program
Lens at any f-number + Aperture-
Priority AE
Drive Mode: Single Advance
Exposure
Compensation: --+ tO.O
1 9oView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
SHOOTINGIN THE SHUTTER.PRIORITYAE MODE
Shutter-PriorityAE Mocle 2. To select a faster shutter speed,slide the select switch
Once the desired shutter speed is set, the camera to the UP position. Slide it to the DOWN position to
automatically selectsan appropriate aperture according select a slower shutter speed. One push moves the
to the lighting conditions surrounding the subject for shutter speed to the next setting, and the speed is
a perfect exposure. Use this mode to capture a fast- shifted continuously if the select switch is held at
moving subject (as in sports) as well as for taking one position.
ordinary snapshots.
1. When you select the Shutter-Priority AE mode,
the CENTIC panel confirms it by displayingIAUTOJ,
[^] and the shutter speed selected.lf any other
indicator on the panel lights up, use the mode/drive
switch and the selectswitch to set this mode.
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o2OView original page 25Page 26 · Read text
AUTO \ t l r ,
> L:'I'[[, r] I
r DXo----o I
AUTO r l l r /
r DXo----o '
3. When you pressthe shutter releasebutton halfway Shutter-PriorityAE Mode Warnings
down, "A" and a selectedshutter speed will appear When the subject is too bright or too dark, the viewfinder
in the viewfinder, while the CENTIC panel indicates and CENTIC indicators blink to warn you. lf this occurs,
the aperturesuitablefor the selectedshutter shift the shutter speed either to a faster setting (toward
speed. "2OOO"l or to a slower one (toward "LT") until the
indicators stop blinking. When selectinga shutter speed
of 1/30 second or slower (shown by the orange indicators
in the vieMinder), the use of a flash or tripod is recom-
mended to avoid camera shake. (Seepage 26 for more
detailed information on warnings.)
2 1 cView original page 26Page 27 · Read text
SHOOTINGIN THE APERTURE-PRIORITYAE
Exposure Modes When Aperture Ring is Set at an F-Number
r Aperture-Priority AE mode
r Metered Manual mode
r 100 (fixed at 111O0sec.)
r Bulb
o Seepage 52for detailedinformation on "100" and
"bulb" settings.
o The exposure modes mentioned above can be used in
combinationwith SMC Pentax-F,-A, -M and SMC Pentax 1. When you select the Aperture-Priority AE mode,
lenses. the CENTIC panel confirms it by activating its
tAUTOl, Ir] and IF-] indicators.lf the camera is
Aperture-Priority AE Mode set at any other mode, use the mode/drive switch and
Once the desiredaperture is set, the camera automatically the select switch to set this mode.
selectsan appropriate shutter speed according to the
lighting conditions surrounding the subject for the best
possibleexposure. Use this mode for photographing
subjectsin which the depth of f ield is crucial, such as
close-ups,landscapesand portraits.
www.butkus.usView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
MODE
r oxo--_-o i
AUTO
r DXo----o i
2. When you pressthe shutter releasebutton halfway
down, "A" and a shutter speedwill appearin the When the subject is too bright or too dark, the vieMinder
viewfinder, while the CENTIC panel indicates and CENTIC indicatorsblink to warn you. Turn the
the shutter speed. aperture ring either to a smaller f-number (toward f l1-4,
etc.) or to a largerone (towardf 122, etc.) until the
indicators stop blinking. When the selectedshutter speed
is 1/30 second or slower (shown by orange indicators in
the viewfinder), the use of a flash or tripod is recommend'
ed to avoid camera shake. (Seepage 26 f or more detailed
information on warnings.)
23cView original page 28From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.

