Pentax LX LX Manual
Pentax LX Manual
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Pentax LX manual content summary:
- Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 1
PENTAX IL OPERATING MANUAL - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 2
TTL Integrated Automatic Flash Units 34 "Dedicated" Automatic Flash Units 36 Other Flash Units 37 Case and Strap 38 Grips 39 LX Interchangeable Viewfinders 40 Changing the Focusing Screen 42 Special Accessories for LX 44 Maintaining the Camera 45 Specifications 46 Warranty 48 - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 3
Pentax LX 35mm System SLR camera has the features and flexibility to meet virtually any photographic challenge, and the accuracy of its Integrated Direct Metering through-the-lens the Owner's Manual carefully will be time well spent. By familiarizing yourself thoroughly with your camera you will not - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 4
for exposure compensation when using system accessories such as focusing screens or interchangeable finders is virtually eliminated. Interchangeable Finders and Screens The LX System includes a wide array of interchangeable viewfinders and focusing screens to meet the challenge of any photographic - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 5
USING PENTAX-A SERIES LENSES AND/OR PENTAX-F SERIES LENSES When using the Pentax-A series and/or Pentax-F series lenses on the LX, be sure to set the aperture ring to a proper f-stop between f/1.4 and f/22 or f/32, not the "A" position. (If set to the "A" position, the lens will automatically be set - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 6
counter 0 Shutter button lock 0 Shutter button 0 Rapid wind lever Shutter dial 0 Shutter-cocked indicator 0 Aperture window 0 Multi-function lever O Lever release button a) Lever index al Lens release button ® Lens mount • Lens alignment index • Instant return mirror 0 • 4 •. 9 10 11 1 - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 7
15 16 1 18 )a (Pi Shutter speed index 413 Hotshoe b Film rewind crank liD Film rewind crank/ Back cover release knob Grip mount socket e Accessory lug D Distance scale li3) Focusing ring e Depth-of-field scale e Aperture/Distance index e Aperture scale (15 "A" (Auto) index q/ Aperture auto lock - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 8
index mark qi Dial lock release/MD exposure check button a) Finder release lever LI) Data back contacts Qi Memo holder al Eyepiece accessory slots a) Viewfinder eyepiece a) Back cover O Film chamber ▪ Film rewind shaft O Film guide rail a) Shutter curtains 0 Watch data film blind • Film blind thumb - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 9
44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 • Rubber grip • Automatic advance contacts a) Auto film rewind • coupling Base plate a) Battery chamber cap al Tripod socket © Film transport relay pin © Film rewind/ Multiple exposure button ▪ Film transport rate control coupling © Film transport - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 10
Pentax LX operate on two 1.5-volt mini- batteries which are packed separately with your camera. To insert the batteries, first remove the battery chamber cap at the base of the camera is being supplied. Low Battery Warning 2001 When batteries become weak the viewfinder shutter speed LED will - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 11
shutter speed dial, first cover the lens with the lens cap. Then, release the mirror as described above and press the film rewind/multiple exposure button at the base of the camera. Advance the film and take the picture. IMPORTANT! NEVER THROW USED BATTERIES INTO FIRE OR EXCESSIVE HEAT TO PROTECT - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 12
THE VIEWFINDER Your Pentax LX is a complete System 35mm SLR which offers you an exceptionally wide variety of interchangeable viewfinders (see page 40). Once you have selected the viewfinder best suited to your picture-taking needs, attach it to the camera body as follows: Remove the protective body - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 13
lever counter-clockwise and gently slide the finder away from the body until the diopter adjustment screw is visible. With the finder in this position, carefully bring the camera up to your eye and look at split-image center spot in the center of the viewfinder. Using the tool packed with the - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 14
see the red dots, align the raised white node O on the lens barrel with the lens release () by touch and continue mounting the lens as described. When mounting longer lenses such as telephoto or zoom focal lengths, it's a good idea to rest the camera body in the palm of the left hand. This procedure - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 15
Pentax LX are designed to provide you with the utmost in rapid winding convenience and frame indication accuracy. c9- AUTIPIATIC gt. : '2.•": Or' V.4 . _k P mt, • a Rapid Wind Lever The LX The counter also operates in reverse when rewinding the film and disengages when making multiple - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 16
the faster manual settings, e.g. 1/2000th second. If you must load film with the dial set to "Automatic," remove the lens cap and aim the camera towards a the film has engaged properly, close the back cover and wind the film rewind crank in the direction of the arrow to take up any slack. ■Continue - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 17
only in the click-stop positions. The chart below represents the index markings on the LX film speed scale. 11 11 S s- • 108. 6 12 25 50 100 convenience, your LX features a film memo holder which acts as a reminder of the film type and number of exposures loaded in the camera. Simply tear - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 18
capability with the LX camera (see page 37). Electronically-Controlled Shutter Speeds Your Pentax LX provides electronically-controlled stepless shutter speeds in the "Automatic" mode from 1/2000th second down to 125 sec. (At ASA/ ISO 100, f/1.2) and electronically-controlled manual shutter speeds - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 19
viewfinder LED display are activated and remain on up to 25 seconds, after which the meter and display will automatically turn off to prevent excessive battery drain. Meter Activation/Exposure Checks with Motor Drive and Winder You can also activate the LX's exposure meter - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 20
FOCUSING The Pentax LX comes equipped with the standard SC-21 split-image/microprism focusing screen which provides a split-image center spot surrounded by a microprism collar on a matte field. The SC-21 is fully k interchangeable with eight other focusing screen models to provide focusing - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 21
- cate automatic flash synchro- nization and flash ready with Pentax dedicated flash units. Yellow LEDs Glows to indicate meter selec- tion of speeds slower than 1/30th second as reminder to open lens, use tripod or flash. LT, B In manual, indicates "B" shut- ter setting; Red LED glows to - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 22
Pentax LX in the automatic exposure control mode, first rotate the shutter dial until the word "Automatic" locks in place opposite the index mark. Set the lens f/stop you desire on the camera lens selected is indicated on the viewfinder display. Speed selected by the camera can be changed by merely - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 23
on the viewfinder scale to indicate overexposure. When this occurs, stop your lens down or change to manual exposure control to lens cap on or in the dark while the shutter dial is set to "Automatic," an excessively long exposure will result. To re-set the camera, move the dial to one of the manual - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 24
LX camera's metering system is designed to provide accurate exposure measurement under the majority of lighting conditions, when using the camera dial, located beneath the film rewind knob, permits you to override in the upper right-hand side of the camera viewfinder as a reminder. 200 1000 500 250 - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 25
by 1) • lx 4X lx 1/2X BACKLIT SUBJECTS: When shooting a subject against a bright background such as a window, bright sky, sand or snow, the camera meter will tend to underexpose the subject. To compensate, press the dial lock release and change the dial towards the 2X or 4X position depending - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 26
15 8 4 2 1 2s 4s LT.I3 . 24 In the manual exposure mode your Pentax LX provides rapid response through-the-lens metering combined with an extensive manual shutter speed range from 1/2000th second to 4 full seconds. To set the LX for manual exposure control, press the shutter dial lock release and - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 27
g 3200 The I DM (Integrated Direct Metering) system of your Pentax LX assures superbly accurate exposure readings over a broad range of shutter speed/film speed combinations. The working EV range of the IDM metering system for both manual and automatic exposures is reflected in the reference chart - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 28
rapid wind lever. Do not force the lever to avoid tearing the film from the cassette spool. To rewind the film, press the film rewind button at the base of the camera, lift the film rewind crank as shown and turn it in the direction of the arrow until tension on the crank lessens - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 29
release button. Shooting Horizontally- Hold the camera as described above and keep your arms close to your body to minimize camera movement which can cause blurry photographs. Shooting Vertically - Press the camera tightly to your forehead for added support and keep the arm drawn towards the - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 30
of field, move the multi-function lever clockwise towards the lens mount. The lens diaphragm will then stop down to shooting aperture allowing you to see the area of acceptable sharpness in the camera viewfinder. Mirror Lock The mirror of the LX can he locked up to minimize vibration in close-up - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 31
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES Your Pentax LX allows you to make multiple exposures quickly and easily. After taking the first exposure, simply press the film rewind/multiple exposure button at the base of the camera to disengage the film transport mechanism and exposure counter. Advance the rapid wind lever - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 32
the LX camera is designed to accept standard tripod threads having a depth no greater than 5.5mm (0.22 in.). To prevent any possibility of damage to the camera's mounting when using lenses having a large diameter, insert the Spacer Ring which comes packed with the camera between the camera base and - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 33
in the visible spectrum, when shooting it is necessary to adjust the focusing ring accordingly. After focusing normally on the subject, note the subject-camera distance on the lens distance scale and turn the focusing ring until that distance setting aligns with the orange infrared index mark. In - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 34
focus at a particular f/stop setting. Depth of field can be checked visibly by activating the depth-of-field preview while looking through the camera viewfinder. If more precise information is required, however, the depth of field scales engraved on most camera lenses the lens is focused on - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 35
DEPTH OF FIELD TABLES Dist scale f/1.4 f /2 f /2.8 f /4 f /5.6 f/8 fill f/16 f /22 0.45m 0.447 ••- 0.453 0.446 - 0.454 0.445 - 0.455 0.443 - 0.458 0.440 - 0.461 0.436 - 0.466 0.430 - 0.472 0.422 - 0.482 0.413 - 0.496 Dist scale f/1.4 f /2 f /2.8 1.55' 1.540' 1.560' 1.536' - 1.564' -1.B?): f/4 - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 36
Ring Light Automatic Electronic Flash models, your Pentax LX provides the ultimate in electronic flash versatility. Because these units offer fully integrated operation with your camera's IDM through-the-lens light measurement system, the camera meter reads both ambient lighting and electronic - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 37
with flash, the viewfinder exposure check can be turned off by a switch on the back of the flash unit. The chart on page 36 summarizes the dedicated flash features of these four units with the LX. For additional operating instructions refer to the instruction manual accompanying your flash unit - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 38
Pentax AF200S and AF160 Automatic Electronic Flash Units are fully compatible with the LX camera's automatic shutter speed flash synchronization and viewfinder . (This feature is not offered with the AF160). Quick Reference Guide AF400T AF280T AF200T AF080C AF200S AF160 TTL Auto Operation O O O - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 39
LX camera is designed to accept a wide array of flash models using either the built-in hotshoe of the standard FA-1 Viewfinder or the syn- chronization terminals at the front of the camera body 4S B Terminal Electronic Auto speeds flash Manual speeds FP-type bulbs I I I Usable speeds I X - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 40
lug. If not locked properly, the strap could come off and damage your camera. CASE The standard Eveready Case for your LX features a half-moon lock as added protection against coming open while carrying the camera. To remove the case front cover, turn the cover a full 18O° as shown so that the - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 41
GRIPS Accessory Grip A Accessory Grip B The Pentax LX system includes different types of accessory grips. Accessory Grip B is hand-contoured for added balance and handling convenience. For more precise requirements, the Accessory Grip A can be shaped to meet the photographer's individual needs - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 42
VIEWFINDERS The Pentax LX System includes an array of optional interchangeable viewfinders designed to meet almost any photographic situation. Because the LX Integrated Direct Metering system measures light at the film plane, no exposure compensation is required with any of the LX Finder - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 43
is visible. Model FF-1 Waist-Level Finder Folds almost flat yet pops up in an instant to provide bright, clear waist-level viewing. All viewfinder data except aperture is visible in the reversed position. Model FB-1 System Finder A Pentax exclusive, this finder accepts any of three optional viewing - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 44
•42 CHANGING THE FOCUSING SCREEN To change the LX Focusing Screen, use the pincette supplied with your new focusing screen. Insert the head . Then, gently lift upward on the handle of the pincette until the focusing screen frame drops down. CAUTION: Move the pincette very carefully. If the - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 45
no matte. SA-37 SE-20 An all-matte screen especially suited for focusing small aperture telephoto or macro lenses. SE-25 An all-matte screen suitable for telephoto lenses longer than 300mm. For situations where the split-image and microprism are inadequate. SG-20 Similar to the SE-20 but with - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 46
are two choices for motorizing your Pentax LX: the Winder LX and the Motor Drive LX. The major differences between these two units are the number of frames-per-second speed at which they work and their power sources. The Winder LX can be used either for single-frame or continuous exposures, but - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 47
a carrying case or gadget bag. Accidentally dropping the camera can cause serious damage in the internal mechanisms. •Be particularly careful not to drop the finder when changing viewfinder models. Slide the finder back slowly to avoid damage to the optical surfaces. •Although your LX has specially - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 48
SPECI FICATIONS Type: 35mm full-frame single lens reflex camera, with IDM off-the-film plane aperture-preferred automatic or full manual exposure measurement, TTL integrated flash control with Pentax "T"-type flash units. Lens Mount: Shutter: Pentax Bayonet Mount with fully automatic diaphragm - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 49
systems in both automatic and manual modes; LED flickers in viewfinder to indicate low battery condition; mirror locks when batteries fail. Large back-swing type, instant-return mirror to virtually eliminate image cutoff with most lenses; lock provision. Standard camera back with spring catch, built - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 50
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 In this case, it - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 51
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 Pentax products - Pentax LX | LX Manual - Page 52
Europe n.s. Weiveldlaan 3-5. 1930 Zaventem, BELGIUM Petits: Handelsgesseschaft mbH Postlach 54 0169, 2000 Hamburg 54, WEST GERMANY Ponta: U.K. Limited Pentax House. South Hill Avenue, South Harrow. Middlesex HA2 OLT, U.K. Minim France S.A. Z.I. Argenteuil, 12. Rue Ambroise-Croizat, 95100 Argenteuil
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PENTAX
IL
OPERATING
MANUAL