Pentax MX instruction manual, user manual

SMC Pentax lenses and Pentax accessories are engineered and produced meticulously to precise Asahi Pentax specifications. Lenses and accessories from other manufacturers are not produced to these precise specifications and, therefore, may cause difficulties with - or actual damage to - a Pentax camera. Asahi Pentax cannot assume any responsibility for difficulties resulting from the use of any other brand of lenses or accessories with an Asahi Pentax camera.

CONTENTS

Nomenclature 2
Specifications 4
Lens Mounting 6
Inserting Batteries 7
Basic Operating Instructions 8
Film Loading and Winding 10
Setting ASA Film Speed 11
Setting the Shutter Speed Dial 12
Composing and Focusing 13
Exposure Measurement 14
Holding the Camera 15
Unloading Film 16 Flash Synchronization 18 Depth-of-Field Preview Lever and Scale 20 Depth-of-Field Table: SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens 21

Meter Coupling Range 22
Helpful Hints on Exposure Problems 23
Dual Control Exposure System 23
Shutter Button Lock 24
Manual Shutter Operation 25
Self-timer 26
Infra-red Photography 27
Multiple Exposure 28
Interchangeable Focusing Screens 29
Using Screw-mount Takumar Lenses 30
Open-aperture and Stop-down Metering Lenses 32 Resistance to Temperature Extremes and Changes 33
Camera Maintenance 34
Warranty Policy 36

1. Exposure counter
2. Shutter button lock lever
3. Shutter-wound indicator
4. Shutter release button
5. ASA window
6. ASA dial lock button
7. Shutter speed dial
8. Shutter speed index
9. Rapid-wind lever
10. Aperture read-out prism window
11. Hot shoe X contact
12. Film rewind knob/Back cover opener
13. Film rewind crank
14. Lens release lever
15. Self-timer lever/Depth-of-field preview lever


16. Upraised alignment dot 17. Focusing ring 18. Distance scale 19. Aperture/Distance index 20. Depth-of-field scale 21. Aperture ring 22. X-sync terminal 23. FP-sync terminal 24. Neck strap ring 25. Viewfinder eyepiece 26. Film pressure plate 27. Guide pin channel	28. Winder/Motor Drive direct contact terminal 29. Film chamber 30. Battery chamber 31. Motor Drive/Tripod receptacle 32. Film rail 33. Film guide rail 34. Shutter curtains 35. Film rewind button 36. Film transport coupler 37. Bulk magazine guide pin channel 38. Sprockets 39. Film take-up spool 40. Back cover

SPECIFICATIONS

Type	35mm full-frame SLR camera with open-aperture center weighted
Lens mount	Through-The-Lens meter. Pentax K bayonet.
Standard lenses	SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 SMC Pentax-M 40mm f/2.8
Shutter	Horizontal-run, rubberized silk focal-plane shutter; speeds from 1
Flash synchronization	to 1 /1000 sec. plus B; shutter lock and "Wound" indicator. FP and X sockets, plus hot/cold accessory shoe for X contact; 1/60 sec. X synchronization.
Self-timer	Delays shutter release 4- 12 seconds; self-timer starter button provided.
Viewfinder	Silver-coated pentaprism finder; split-image microprism focusing screen (8 interchangeable screens); 95% of picture-taking area visible and 0.97X magnification with 50mm lens at infinity); -1.0 diopter eyepiece. Information viewfinder shows f/stop, shutter speed and tri-colored LED read-out dots. Correction lens adaptor M, Magnifier M and Re-converter M fit the viewfinder frame.
Mirror and diaphragm	Instant return mirror and automatic diaphragm. Depth-of-field preview with self-timer lever.
Film wind and rewind	Ratchet-type rapid wind lever, plastic-tipped for winding comfort.
162° throw with a stand-off angle of 20°. Rewind crank for speedy film rewind.

Film loading	New magic-needle quick/sure loading.
Automatic winder	MX camera body accepts Winder MX for up to 2 frames-per-second
Exposure counter	(single-frame and consecutive exposure operation possible) and Motor Drive MX for up to 5 frames per second (single-frame and consecutive exposure operation possible), for automatic, speedy film wind and shutter winding. Automatic reset type. >
Exposure meter	Open-aperture, center-weighted Through-The-Lens meter, with
Power source	GPD cells for fast light response, with tri-colored LED exposure read-out, rapid wind lever and shutter release button acting as meter switch. Exposure range: EV1 - 19 (ASA100, f/1.4), Film speed range: ASA25. 1600. Two 1.5V silver oxide batteries (G13); LED's double as battery check lamp.
Back cover

Standard back with memo holder, interchangeable with MagazineBody size
Back MX, Dial Data MX for data recording on film.
135.5mm x 82.5mm x 49.5mm.
Body weight
495 grams.

LENS MOUNTING

2. Wind Rapid-Wind Lever Wind the rapid-wind lever all the way until it stops. The "Wound" indicator will turn red, showing that the shutter is wound.

3. Set Shutter Speed
Turn the shutter speed dial until the speed you want to use is opposite the index mark. Generally, you should use the fastest possible shutter speed to avoid blurred pictures caused by camera movement. Try starting with 1/125 sec. outdoors in daylight and 1/30 sec. indoors.

6. Release Shutter
Hold your camera firmly and trip the shutter. Then wind the rapid-wind lever for the next picture. (As long as the lever is at its pre-advance angle, the light meter stays ON. If you push it back to the completely closed position, the meter is turned OFF.)

Hold your camera tightly to your forehead with your left hand, raise your right arm and draw your left arm to your body.

Or, after focusing, look at the depth-of-field scale on the lens. In the photograph below, the distance scale is set at 5 meters; that is, the lens is focused on a subject 5 meters away. The calibrations on each side of the distance index correspond to the diaphragm setting and indicate the range of in-focus distance for different lens apertures. For example, if a lens opening of f/4 is to be used, the range on the distance scale ring covered within the figure 4 on the depth-of-field scale indicates the area in focus at that lens opening. You will note from the depth-of-field scale in the photograph that the range from approximately 4 to 7m is in focus.
Note that as the lens aperture changes, the effective depth of field also changes. For the depths of field at different apertures and distances, refer to the next page.

METER COUPLING RANGE
The exposure meter of the MX measures the brightness of the ground glass. Therefore, the proper LED exposure read-out should be obtained after you have focused your subject on the ground glass. The green area in the table indicates the coupling range of the meter, and should not be interpreted as the camera's total range of f/stop-shutter speed combinations. As you will note from the table below, with ASA100 film, you may use any shutter speed from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec. in combination with any aperture that will illuminate the green LED in the viewfinder. The total range of the aperture settings is, of course, determined by the minimum and maximum apertures of the lens being used. For example, with the 50mm f/1.4 lens and ASA100 film, an aperture from f/1.4 (the maximum aperture of this lens) to f/22 (the minimum aperture) may be used with any shutter speed from 1 sec. to 1 /1000 sec. that will illuminate the green LED.

1. As exposure measurements made at 1/1000 sec. with 25 ASA film will not be accurate, exercise caution.
2. When using the 50mm f/1.4 lens, accurate exposure measurement at the points found in the shaded area in the above table can be guaranteed only when using up to f/16 (f/1.4 - f/16).

HELPFUL HINTS ON EXPOSURE PROBLEMS
The exposure meter built into your MX takes a center-weighted reading from the entire scene as seen through the viewfinder. Sometimes, however, there is a great difference between the light reflected from the background and the light reflected from the subject. In such a case, to achieve a really good photo, you must compensate for the difference by opening or closing down the aperture 1 or 2 stops. As a general rule, when the subject is darker than the background, you compensate by opening your aperture 1 or 2 stops more. For example: on a bright day, when your subject has his back to the sun and you are shooting directly toward the sun ... or when you are shooting a subject against snow or light-colored sand ... or when you are copying a page of black letters on white paper, increase the size of the aperture somewhat. When your subject is brighter than the background - if he is standing in a spotlight, for example - you make the aperture 1 or 2 stops smaller to compensate.

DUAL CONTROL EXPOSURE SYSTEM
Since both the aperture and shutter speed are indicated within the viewfinder, you can control exposure by adjusting either the shutter speed dial or the aperture ring. When the aperture size is the most important factor, set the aperture desired by turning the aperture ring. Then adjust the shutter speed dial until the green LED illuminates.

When shutter speed is the more important factor, turn the dial to the speed you desire. Then adjust the aperture ring until the green LED illuminates.
SHUTTER BUTTON LOCK

For instance, if your subject is in focus at infinity, turn the focusing ring and move the infinity (00) mark to the infra-red mark.
NOTE: An infra-red focusing adjustment is not required when working with infra-red color film.
(Webmaster: If you are interested in IR film, go digital. There are options for B&W as well as color IR photography with certain digital cameras.)

7. In order to prevent large diameter lenses from interfering with proper mounting of the camera to the tripod, attach the Spacer Ring (packed with the camera) between camera and tripod.

WARRANTY POLICY
All Asahi Pentax cameras purchased through authorized bona fide photographic distribution channels are guaranteed against defects of material or workmanship for a period of twelve months from date of purchase. Service will be rendered and defective parts will be replaced without cost to you within that period, provided the equipment has not been abused, altered, or operated contrary to instruction. Because the tolerances, quality, and design compatibility of lenses other than Pentax lenses are beyond our control, damage caused by use of such lenses will not be covered by this warranty policy. The manufacturer or its authorized representatives shall not be liable for any repair or alterations except those made with its written consent and shall not be liable for damages from delay or loss of use or from other indirect or consequential damages of any kind, whether caused by defective material or workmanship or otherwise; and it is expressly agreed that the liability of the manufacturer or its representatives under all guarantees or warranties, whether expressed or implied, is strictly limited to the replacement of parts as hereinbefore provided.
Procedure During 12-month Warranty Period Any Asahi Pentax which proves defective during the 12-month warranty period should be returned to the dealer from whom you purchased the equipment or to the manufacturer. If there is no representative of the manufacturer in your country, send the equipment to the manufacturer, with postage prepaid. In this case, it will take a considerable length of time before the equipment can be returned to you owing to the complicated customs procedures required in Japan in importing and re-exporting photographic equipment. If the equipment is covered by warranty, repairs will be made and parts replaced free of charge, and the equipment will be returned to you upon completion of servicing. If the equipment is not covered by warranty, regular charges of the manufacturer or of its representatives will apply. Shipping charges are to be borne by the owner. If your Asahi Pentax was purchased outside of the country where you wish to have serviced during the warranty period, regular handling and servicing fees may be charged by the manufacturer's representatives in that country. Notwithstanding this, your Asahi Pentax returned to the manufacturer will be serviced free of charge according to this procedure and warranty policy. In any case, however, shipping charges and customs clearance fees are to be borne by the sender. To prove the date of your purchase when required, please keep the receipts or bills covering the purchase of your equipment for at least a year. Before sending your equipment for servicing, please make sure that you are sending it to the manufacturer's authorized representatives or their accredited repair shops, unless you are sending it directly to the manufacturer. Always obtain a quotation of the service charge, and only after you accept the quoted service charge, instruct the service station to proceed with the servicing.
This warranty policy does not apply to Asahi Pentax cameras purchased in the U.S.A. and U.K. For these cameras, please refer to the separate Warranty Policy Card enclosed here.

	1. Remove the rear lens and body caps. 2. Match the red dot on the camera body with the red dot on the lens. Insert the lens into the body and turn it clockwise until the lens locks with a click. 3. In the dark, when the red dots are difficult to see, align the upraised white dot on the lens barrel with the lens release lever by touch. Then turn and lock as above. 4. To detach, hold the camera with your left hand. Depress the lens release lever while turning the lens counterclockwise with your right hand.
		CAUTION: If you have to put the lens down without the rear lens cap, place place it front-element down never front element up unless you have a lens cap in place.


1. Open the back by pulling up the rewind knob until the back opens.	2. Place the film cartridge in the film chamber, and push down the rewind knob. Insert the film leader in between any of the white plastic pins surrounding the film take-up spool.	3. Advance the film by alternately advancing the rapid wind lever and depressing the shutter button until both top and bottom sprockets engage the film perforations. Close the back by pressing it firmly.

MEMO HOLDER
As a reminder of the type of film in your camera, tear off the top of the film box and insert it into the Memo Holder on the back of the camera.	The ASA film speed rating of all 35mm films is given in the data sheet packed with each roll of film. The higher the ASA number, the more sensitive the film is to light. While depressing the ASA dial lock button, turn the rim of the shutter dial until the ASA number of your film is aligned with the index mark. Be sure to set the ASA film speed because it is coupled to the exposure meter system.


Horizontal position Hold the camera firmly with your left hand, and draw your arms close to your body	Vertical position Hold your camera tightly to your forehead with your left hand, and draw your right arm close to your body.	Vertical position