Film cameras
Pentax SP User manual
User manual for Pentax SP. 35 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 SP
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 35
- File size
- 3.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
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ASAHI PENTAX SP
Your Asahi Pentax Spotmatic is the finest photo- for the easiest and most dependable exposures in
graphic instrument on the market. The "Super- typical picture-taking situations. This metering
MultiCoating" on the Takumar lens, developed system has been refined and improved each year
by Pentax and available only on Takumars, re- in the Spotmatic to a degree of accuracy un-
duces flare and boosts contrast to a degree far matched in the industrv.
beyond what was previously possible in optical
technology. It is a tougher coating than is available The original Spotmatic was the most compact
on any competitive lenses and results in pictures 35mm SLR made. The Spotmatic retains that
with more detail and richer colours than is pos- same traditional compactness and classic feel. It
sible with any other system at any price. also is designed for use with the accessories from
the Pentax system, including all of the superb
The latest Spotmatic is an outgrowth and refine- Takumar lens ranging from the ultra-wide-angle
ment of the original Spotmatic which introduced lTmm Takumar up to the super-telephoto 1000
through-the-lens metering to the world of photo- mm Takumar. The Pentax system can grow with
gaphy. Its stopped-down metering system is the you as your interests develop in any direction.
most accurate method for perfect exposure de-
termination. It also automatically gives you a We are very proud of the Pentax Spotmatic. We
depth-of-field preview. It is an averaging system are sure you will be. too.View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
NOMENCLATURE O Shutter release button a Exposure counter o ASA film speed setting a "Cocked" indicator O D-ring lug o Shutter speed dial o D-ring o Rapid wind lever o Shutter speed index a Self-timer release button a Distance scale o Self-timer cocking lever o Deoth-of-field guide o Diaphragm and distance index o Focusing ring o Diaphragm ring a Preview lever o Exposure meter switc .o FP flash terminal o X flash termi o Film rewind crank/Back cover a Film type reminder dialView original page 5
Page 7 · Read text
ir rffiEll\f --rIr: ){ SPECIFICATIONS
Type: 35mm single-lens reflex with built-in light meter.
Film and Picture Size: 35mm film (20 or 36 exposures).24mm x 36mm;
Standard Lenses: Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50mm fll.4 or 55mm
f/ 1.8 with fully automatic diaphragm. Filters and lenshood size: 49mm.
Equipped with diaphragm preview lever which affords visual check of
depth of field. Distance scale: 45cm (18") to infinity.
Shutter: Focal piane shutter, with single non-rotating dial. Speeds: B,
1-1/1000 sec. Film speed (ASA) setting dial and window on shutter speed
dial. Built-in self-timer releases shutter in 5-13 seconds. Shutter curtains
of special rubberized silk.
Warning Signal: The index of shutter speeds turns to red when the
shutter and film speed settings are off the meter's measurability range.
Refer to page 27.
Finder: Pentaprism finder with microprism Fresnel lens for instant
focusing; 0.88x magnification with 5Omm lens and approximately life-size
with 55mm lens.
Focusing: Turn the distance scale ring until the subject image on the
ground glass comes into focus.
Reflex Mirror: Instant return type with special shock absorbers for
minimum vibration.
Lens Mount: 42mm threaded lens mount.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
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NOTICE: Features of Pentax products sold in Japan may differ from
those of the export models sold outside of Japan.
Film Advance: Ratchet-type rapid wind lever (for film advance and
shutter cocking). 10" pre-advancing and l60o advancing angle.
"Cocked" Indicator: A red disk appears in a small window alongside
the shutter release button when the shutter is cocked. and blacks out
when it is released.
Film Exposure Counter: Automatic re-set type.
Flash Synchronization: Equipped with FP and X flash terminals. Elec-
tronic synchronization at l/60 sec.
Exposure Meter: Built-in meter measures the brightness of the ground
glass, and couples directly to shutter and film speed settings. Film speed
(ASA) setting ranges from 20 to 3200 (LVl-18 for ASA-100 film with
standard lens.) Meter is powered with a mercury battery.
Film Rewind: Rapid rewind crank for speedy film take-up. Film rewind
release button on bottom of camera body rotates while film is being
rewound.
Loaded Film Indicator: Loaded film reminder dial underneath film re-
wind knob is marked "PANCHRO" (black-and-white), "COLOR" and..EMPTY.''
Dimension: Width 5.6" (l43mm) x height 3.6" (92mm) x thickness
3.4" (8Smm).
Weight: 868 grams (1 lb. 14 oz.) with standard lens. Body alone:621
grams (l lb. 6 oz.)View original page 8Page 11 · Read text
BATTERY INSERTION AND CHECK
DANGER! A serious accident has
been reported of a small child who
has put a mercury battery into his
mouth ond has been hospitalized for
serious gipes and stomach inflamma-
tion. Please always keep a mercury
battery from the reach of smnll
children.
How to insert
Open the battery housing cover on the bottom cover
plate with a coin. Insert the battery with (+) side
toward the top of the camera. For replacement, use
Mallory PX-400 or RM-400-R or equivalent.
F$fl$$F#f#$##ffi# CAUTION: The mercury battery is like a phonograph gq**n**,*e*l record. It can be damaged by skin acids. Handle by
the edges with a dry cloth only. Be sure the battery
is cleaned with the cloth before insertion into the
camera. The battery is not rechargeable.View original page 11Page 15 · Read text
FILM WINDING
The first portions of the film cannot be used for pic-
ture taking as they have already been exposed to
light. Generally, two blank exposures should be made
before taking your first picture. Cock the rapid wind
lever until it stops. Watch to see that the film rewind
knob automatically turns counter-clockwise, indicat-
ing that the film is moving from cassette to take-up
spool. Trip the shutter. Cock the rapid wind lever for
the first picture; the exposure counter automatically
turns to '1', indicating that the first picture is ready
to be taken.
12View original page 15Page 17 · Read text
SET SHUTTER SPEED Turn the shutter speed dial and set the speed you wish to use to the index. When outdoors, set the speed at lll25 sec. or faster, depending upon the lighting. When indoors, set it at ll3o, or in its neigh- bourhood. Change the shutter speed later, when nec- cessary.View original page 17
Page 18 · Read text
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COMPOSE AND FOCUS
While viewing through the viewfinder, turn the focus-
ing ring until your subject image comes into sharp
focus.
Pentax cameras have a Fresnel lens with a micro-
prism center underneath the ground glass. As you
look through the finder, you will see that the Fresnel
lens consists of many concentric rings which provide
the brightest image on the ground glass.
The microprism is the center portion of this diagram.
When your subject is in focus, the image in the
microprism will be sharp and perfectly clear. If your
subject is not in focus, the microprism will break
the image into many small dots, much like an
engraver's screen. You can focus your subject on
any portion of the ground glass. OUT OF FOCUS IN FOCUS
15View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
ROTATE DIAPHRAGM RING The nepdle moves up and down with the turn of the diaphragm ring. When the needle rests at the centre, you will get correct exposure. If the needle does not come to the centre no matter how far you turn the diaphragm ring, change the shutter speed. When the needle is off centre and close to the (+) mark, you will get over-exposure: change the shutter speed to a faster setting. If the needle is closer to the (-) mark, you will get under-exposure: change the shutter speed to a slower settine.View original page 19
Page 20 · Read text
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SHUTTER RELEASE
At slow speeds
slower than I l3O - support your camera
rigidly or use a tri-
pod to prevent move-
ment of your camera.
Hold your camera firmly and trip the shutter. When
the shutter is released, the meter switch will auto-
matically turn off, and the needle will remain fixed
off and underneath the centre. The diaphragm will
reopen to its full aperture and the overall image will
look brighter. Cock the rapid wind lever for the next
picture. (When taking a series of pictures under the
same lighting conditions, it is not necessary to repeat
instructions 4 and 5 on page 6.)View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
CAMERA HOLDING
In horizontal position A. In vertical position B. In vertical position C.
Hold the camera firmly with your left hand, Hold your camera tightly to your forehead Hold your camera tightly to your forehead with
and draw your arm close to your body. with your left hand, and draw your right arm your left hand, raise your right arm and draw
close to your body. your left arm to your body.
As a general rule, your camera should be held more distance scale ring with your thumb and index finger.
firmly by the left hand which does not release the When hloding the camera vertically, some people re-
shutter. If you hold your camera with the right hand lease the shutter with the thumb (position B), while
the hand which releases the shutter it may cause others release it with the index finger (Position C). - - camera movement. very often, pictures which are not Position C is more desirable for fast focusing and
sharp are due to movement of the camera. When you shooting. With the Asahi Pentax, whether held ver-
focus with the camera held horizontally (Position A), tically or horizontally, you see your subject image
hold the lens barrel as illustrated. Cradle the camera through the taking lens, enabling you to compose,
with four left hand thumb and little finger. Turn the focus and shoot with a minimum of time and effort.
18View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
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BRIGHT FIELD FOCUSING
4
You can start viewing and focusing before and after
cocking the rapid wind lever. When the preview lever
is in "AUTO" (automatic) position, and the meter is
at '.OFF", the diaphragm is fully open except for the
moment of exposure.
Turn the distance scale ring until your subject image
is clearly in focus. It is not always necessary for you
to view and focus with the diaphragm fully open. In
bright sunlight, you can easily focus with diaphragm
closed to f/5.6 or f/8 and still observe the depth of
field. It is easier, however, to focus with the dia-
phragm fully open as your subject image is much
brighter.
When the letters "MAN" appears beside the lever, the
lens is in manual position; when "ALJTO" appears, it
is in automatic position.View original page 22Page 24 · Read text
www.butkus.us FILM UNLOADING After the final picutre on the roll has been taken, the rapid wind lever will not turn, indicating that the +l film must be rewound. Unfold the rewind crank. Depress the film rewind release button and turn the rewind crank as indicated to rewind the film into the film cassette. Rewind until the tension on the crank lessens, indicating that the leader end of the film has been released from the take-up spool. Pull out the film rewind knob (the back will openautomatically), and remove the film cassette. AVOID t*+*fffi DIRECT LIGHT WHEN LOADING OR UNLOAD- ING THE FILM.View original page 24
Page 26 · Read text
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FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION
The Asahi Pentax has two terminals - FP and X.
The table below shows which flash contact, which
shutter speed and which flash bulb may be combined
for maximum lamp efficiency. Unless these combina-
tions are rigidly followed, there will be a failure in
flash synchronization. Note the "X" setting is exactly
at the 60 marked on the speed dial. This indicates the
highest shutter speed at which electronic flash unitsmay be used. ffiffi
Shutter B Speed r/rooo | /500 t/2so t/125 I /6OX 1 /30 t/15 118 1/4 1/2 Flash - - T6rmina
ELECTRONIC FLASH X
FP FP class
FLASH BULB X M, MF & FP Classes
23View original page 26Page 29 · Read text
RANGE OF LIGHT MEASUREMENT
The exposure meter of the Spotmatic measures the
brightness of the ground glass. Therefore, the meter
should be turned on ofter you have focused your
subject on the ground glass. The following table shows
the range of the meter's light measurement, and
should not be interpreted as the camera's total range
of f/stop-shutter speed combinations. As you will
note from the table on the next page, with an
ASAI00 film, you may use any shutter speed from
1 sec. to l/1000 sec. in combination with any
aperture that will bring the meter needle to the
midpoint in the viewfinder.
The tcital range of the aperture settings is, of course,
determined by the minimum and maximum apertures
of the lens being used. For example, with the 5Omm
f/1.4 lens and ASA100 film, and aperture fromf.ll.4
(the maximum aperture of this lens) to f/16 (the
minimum aperture) may be used with any shutter
speed from I sec. to 111000 sec. that will bring the
meter needle to midpoint.
26View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
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--'.\ Shuttet \sp€ld B I 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/ 1s 1/30 r/60 1/ r25 1/2sO 1/ 500 t/ tooo ASA
20
( 2s)
32
( ao)
( 50)
64
( 8o1
r00(tzs) A
| 60) tt 200
(250)
( 320)
400
( 5oo)
( 640)
800
I OOO)
( I 250) E;
&jr r 600 t'u.;
fhe area A indicates the reading range of the meter. The area B indicates that although the shutter speed index is black and
the meter needle moves, the meter is NOT operating properly.
When the meter needle is centered with the shutter speed dial set at B using ASA20-50 films, this indicates that the exact
shutter speed required is 2 seconds. Please expose your picture for 2 seconds.View original page 30Page 31 · Read text
INFRA-RED PHOTOGRAPHY If you intend to take infra-red photographs, remem- ber to use the infra-red index marked with an orange line or a small '(R" on the depth-of-field guide. First, focus your lens on your subject. Determine the lens-to-subject distance from the distance scale. Then match your lens-to-subject distance to the infra- red index by turning the distance scale accordingly. For instance, if your subject is in focus at infinity, turn the distance ring and move the infinity (o") mark to the index. The index marking on the Takumar lenses is based on the lens setting at infinity.View original page 31
Page 32 · Read text
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MULTIPLE EXPOSURE
For deliberate multiple exposures, make the first
exposure in the normaly way. Then tighten the film
by turning the rewind knob ( 1), and keep hold of the
rewind knob. Depress the film rewind release button
(2) and cock the rapid wind lever. This tensions the
shutter without advancing the film. Finally, release
the shutter to make the second exposure. Then make
one blank exposure, before taking the next picture,
to avoid overlapping.
29
-IView original page 32Page 33 · Read text
IMPORTANT NOTES
Always keep the meter switched off when not actu-
1 ally taking readings. Leaving the meter switched on
will rapidly exhaust the battery. It is also necessary to
keep the meter switched off when mounting a Super-
Takumar or SMC Takumar lens on the Spotmatic II
camera body. If it is switched on, the tip of the auto-
matic diaphragm release pin of the lens will hit the
pin release plate inside the camera body and it may
get damaged.
2 When the index of the shutter speeds turns to red, it
indicates that the shutter and film speed settings are
off the meter's measurability range. Change the shut-
ter speed setting to a faster or slower setting. Refer
to page 27.
When the meter is the switched on, the lens (any
Super-Takumar or SMC Takumar lens) is in its manual 3 position even when the diaphragm preview lever is in
"ALJTO" (automatic) position. When the meter is
switched off manually, or automatically after shutter
release, the lens returns to its automatic position
when it is set in "AUTO" position.
30View original page 33Page 34 · Read text
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Exposure FactorExposure increase factors which apply when taking 4pictures with filters, close-ups, macro- and micro- x1.63photos, do not apply to the Spotmatic.
x1.96
x3.20
x4.80
x5.46
Primarily made for use with the Spotmatic, the SMC
Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens can also be used with the trPentax models ES, SL and SP 500. Further, it can {
be used with only two other cameras: Asahi Pentax
SV and Sla with an orange-coloured R marking on
the film rewind knob. Use with any other camera
will damage the rear element lens.
6The length of the tripod's screw should not exceed
the normal length of 3116" (4.5mm). Do not extend
it longer than this lengtti when mountrng your camera
on tripod. Forcing longer screws into the tripod
socket of the camera will damaee the mechanism.View original page 34From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.