ASAHI Pentax KX User manual

;t., .. ..
06661
AS AH I OPTICAL CO ., L TO . C.P.O. 895, To kyo 1 00 · 91, JAPAN
ASAHI OPTICA L EUROPE N .V. Weiveldlaan 3·5, 1930 Zaventem, BELGIUM
ASAHI OPTICA L EU ROPE S.A. (Ha mbur g Offi ce) 2000 Hamburg 54 (L okstedt), Grandw eg 64, WEST GE RMANY
ASAHI OPTICAL (A M ERICA) INC. 15 East 26 th Street, Suite 171 0, New York, New York 10010 , U.S .A .
ASAHI OPTICAL BRASILEI RA INO . E CO M. L TO A. R ua Estados Un idos, 1053, Sao Paulo - SP, BRAS IL
C3
Printed in Japan
ASAHI
PENTAX

INDEX-------------------------------
Nomenclature
Specifications
•
Lens Mounting ................................ .. .......... .. .......... .. .................
1
4
6
Battery ..................................... .. .............. .. ....................... .. ....... 7
Basic
Operating Instructions ... .. .......................................... .... 8
Film Loading a.nd Winding .......................................... .. ....... 10
Setting ASA Film Speed ......................................................... 11
Compose and Focus .. ............. .. .............................. .. .............. 12
Shutter ........ ...... ........................ .. ........... .. ........... .. ......... ... .. . .. .... 13
•
Camera Holding ......... .. .................................. .. ............ .. ........ 14
Film Unloading ..................................................................... 15
Flash Synchronization ...... ........ ........................................ .. ....... 16
Depth-of - field Preview Button and Guide ........................... 18
Depth-of-field Table : SMC Pentax 50mm Lens ................... .. 19
Helpful Hints on Exposure Problems .................. .. ............. 20
Dual Preference Exposure System .. .......... .. ..... .. .................. 21
Activating Exposure Meter ................................................... 22
Shutter Button Lock ................................. .. ............................ 22
Range
of Light Measurement .. ............ .. ............... .. .................. 23
Manual Shutter Operation ................ .. ..... .. .. ........................ 24
Self·timer ............................. ... ........... .. ........... ... ...................... 24
Mirror Lock-up ................................................... .. .............. .. .... ..
Infra.red Photography ................................... .. . .. ... ...... .. ............
25
26
Multiple Exposure ..... .. ................... .. .................. ... .................. .. 27
Using Conventional Screw-mount Takumar Lenses ............... 28
Open- aperture or Stop-down Metering .............. .. ................. 30
Re sistance to Temperature Extremes and Changes .... .. ......... 31
Camera Maintenance ............................................................... 32
•
Warranty Pol icy
Memo
.............. ... .. ................... .. ............................. 34
36
SMC Pentax lenses and P entax
accessories are engineered and
produced meticulously to preci
Asahi Pentax
specification s.
Lenses and accessories fr om
other manufactu rers are not
produced to these precise
specifications and, ther e for e,
may cause difficulties with - or
actual damage to -a Pentax
camera. Asahi Pentax
cannot
assume any responsibility or
liability for difficulties resulting
from the use of any other br and
of lenses or accessories with
an Asahi Pentax camera.
NOMENCLATURE
o Rapid-wind lever
f) Shutter speed dial
e Shutter speed index
o X contact hot shoe
o Accessory shoe
@ Battery check button
f) Film speed indicator
€) Film rewind knob
Cl) Film rewind crank
CID Film speed indicator pin
.1
~ Mirror lock-up lever
«i) Depth-of-field preview button
~ Lens release lever
~ Lens mounting guide bump
@ Depth-of-field guide
WDistance scale
€II Di aphragm/distance index
9 Diaphragm ring

~ Strap ring lug
fZl Self-timer lever (Start lever underneath)
e Focusing ring
~ Aperture-reader window
~ X flash terminal
fD FP flash terminal
WAccessory fitting .groove
~ Film guide rails
G) Film rails
~ Viewfinder eyepiece
~ Film chamber
Ol Battery chamber
~ Tripod receptacle
@IV Shutter curtains
@iJ Film rewind button
~ Sprocket
~ Film take-up spool
aD Film roller
~ Back cover
~ Film pressure plate
PENTAX 1'*3
e3

SPEC IFICATIONS
Type
Film and Picture Size
Standard lenses
Shutter
Self-timer
Viewfinder
Focusing
Reflex Mirror
35mm SLR with built-in through-the -Iens light
meter.
35mm film . 24mm x 36mm.
SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2, 50mm f/1.4 and
55mm f/1 .8 with fully-automatic diaphragm.
Filter size: 52mm. Minimum aperture: f/22 .
Focusing:
0.45m (1.5 ft.) to infinity.
Horizontal run, focal-plane shutter of
rubberized silk curtains. Speeds: B, 1 -
1/1000 sec. Shutter button lock provided.
Bui!t-in self-timer with i nterrupt function.
Releases shutter in 5 - 13 sec.
Pentaprism finder with cross-microprism or
split-image focusing screen. Aperture setting
on lens visible in
viewfinder. Shutter speed
setting indicated
by blue needle. 0.88x
magnification with 50mm lenses (life-size with
55mm lens). Dioptry -0.8. 93% field of view.
Turn focusing ring until viewfinder image
comes into focus.
Instant-return type with mirror lock-up device
and special shock absorbers
for minimum
vibration.
.5
Lens Mount
Film Advance
Exposure
Counter
Film Rewind
Flash
Synchronization
Exposure Meter
Memo Holder
Dimensions
Weight
Pentax
bayonet - mount .
Ratchet-type rapid
-wind lever. 200 pre-advance
and 1600 advance angle.
"Cocked" indicator
alongside shutter release button.
Automatic re-set.
Rapid-rewind
crank for speedy film take-up.
X
contact hot shoe for cordless flash connection.
FP +X contacts for conventional flash cord
connection . X synchronization at . 1/60 sec .
Silicon-Photo-Diode
meter measures central
portion of ground glass at full aperture.
Couples
directly to shutter, aperture and film
speed settings. Match needles for correct
exposure. EV 1 - 18 for ASA 100 film with
50mm lens. Film speed from 8 to 6400 ASA.
Powered by two 1.5V silver oxide batteries.
Square metal sleeve
for holding type/speed tab
from top of film box.
With 50mm f/1.4 lens: width 143mm (5. 6")
x height 91.4mm (3.6") x depth 94mm (3.7").
896g (31 .4 ozs.) with 50mm f/1.4 lens.
631g (22.1 ozs)
with no lens.

MOUNTING
1.
Remove the rear lens and
body caps.
2.
Match the red dot e on the
camera body with the red dot
€I 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 diff i cult to see, align the
white plastic bump @ on the
lens barrel with the lens
release lever
G> by touch.
Then turn and lock as above.
4.
To detach, hold the camera
with your left hand. Depress
the lens release lever G> while
turning the lens counter
clockwise with your right
hand.
If you have to put the l ens dow n
with o ut the rear lens cap, place
it only on its front end, never on
the rear.
When changing lenses ou
tdoors
with fi lm in the camera, avoid
direct sunlight .
Two silver oxide batteries are
packed separately.
Be su re to
insert them i nto the batte ry
chamber before o~erating the
camera.
CAUTION
Do not push the check button
too often, as it wi 11 exhaust the
batteries. The battery is like a
phonograph record. It can be
damaged
by skin acids. Handle
by the edges with a dry cloth
before insertion into the camera.
The
battery is not rechargeable.
Do
not throw a dead battery
into fire , as it may explode .
Also, keep it beyond the reach
of small children .
e7
BATTERY
INSERTION
Open the battery chamber cover wi th a coin . Ins ert the two
batterie s into the b att ery holder of the cover as shown
above, each with (+ ) side facing up . For replacemen t, use
Eveready S76E
or Mallo ry MS76H or equivalent .
CHECK
One set of batter i es will las t about one year, or permi t about
10,000 shutter releases. To check the life, push the battery
check button next to the pentapr ism, while viewing through
the viewfinder. If the black meter needle drops to 125 or
lower, the batter i es have s' ufficient capacity. If it does not ,
replace the two batteries.
~ '
( ® ).
;~ .~ /

BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. SET FILM SPEED
While depressing the pin alongside the film rewind knob, turn the
outer ring of the film speed indicator until the ASA number of the
film you're using matches the index mark.
2. COCK RAPID·WIND LEVER
Cock the rapi d·w i nd lever all the way unt il it stops. The "Cocked"
indicator will turn red, showing that the shutter is cocked .
3. SET SHUTTER SPEED
Turn the shutter speed dial until the speed you want to use is
opposite the index mark. The blue needle in the viewfinder
indicates the shutter speed you have selected. 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.
s.
4. COMPOSE AND FOCUS
While viewing through the finder , turn the focusing
ring
until your subject comes i nto sharp focus .
5. TURN ON LIGHT METER AND ROTATE
DIAPHRAGM RING
Make sure that the rapid·wind lever is at its pre-
advance angle, not at its completely closed
position . As you depress the shutter button halfway ,
the light meter turns on, and the black meter
needle matches the blue one. When the needles
match, you have the correct exposure. (The
f-stop you have selected is also visible in the
small window above the viewfinder .) If the black
needle does not match the blue one no matter
how far you turn the diaphragm ring, change
the shutter speed.
~ RELEASE SHUTTER
Hold your camera firmly and trip the shutter.
Then cock 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.)
.9

FILM LOADING AND WINDING
Avoid direct light when loading your film.
1. 2.
Open the back by pulling up
the rew i nd k nob until the
back opens.
Place the film cassette in the
cassette chambe r, and push
down the rewind knob. Insert
the film leader into the slot of
the take-up spool.
3.
Advance the film by alternately
turning the rapid wind lever
and depressing the shutter button
unt il both sprockets engage the
film perforations , top and
bottom . Close the back by
pressing it f i rmly.
4.
Cock the rapid-wind lever, and
confirm that the f ilm rewind
knob turns counter-clock wi se,
indicating that the film is
properly loaded and is moving
from cassette to take-up s pool.
Trip the shutter. Advance the
film until the exposure counter
t urns to "1 " , indicating that
the first picture is ready to be
taken .
10·
SETTING MA FILM SPEED
5000 4000 25 00 2000 12 50 1000 640 500 320 250 1 60 125 80
50 40 25 20 12 10
• • • • • • •• • ••••••••••
• • • •
64 32
• •••
16 8
6400 3200 1600 800 400 200 100
.11
The ASA film speed rating of all 35mm films is given in the data
sheet packed wi th each roll of film . The higher the ASA number ,
the more sensitive the film is to light . While depressing the film
speed i ndicator pin e , turn the outer ring €I of the film speed
indicator until the ASA number of your film matches the inde x
mark .
Be sure to set your speed on the camera because it is
connected to the exposure meter system.
MEMO HOLDER
As a reminder of what type of
film is in your camera, tear off
the top of the film box and
insert it into the Memo Holder
on the back cover of the
camera.

While viewing through the view-
finder, turn the focusing ring
until your subject comes into
sharp focus. Depending on the
type of focusing screen you have,
there are two ways of doing
this :
Cross-microprism focusing syst em A cross-microprism focusing
system consists
of a Fresnel
lens, made
up of many
concentric rings, with a
microprism center underneath
the ground glass. With this system,
when
your subject is in focus,
the image in the microprism
center will be sharp. If your
subject is not in focus, the
microprism will break the
image up into many small
dots.
A split-image focusing system
consists
of a Fresnel lens with a
horizontally divided screen
under the ground glass. With this
system, when your camera is held
horizontally and the image is not
in sharp focus, all vertical lines
seen through the viewfinder will
appear to be divided into upper
and lower portions. To focus,
simply adjust the focusing ring
until the upper and lower
portions are in perfect al ignment.
UTTER
Turn the shutter speed dial clockwise or counter-
clockwise to the shutter speed desired. The shutl .!,
speed may be set either before or after cocking
the rapid-wind lever. As you cock the shutter by
turning the rapid-wind lever, the "cocked"
indicator turns to red showing that the shutter is
cocked. The
indicator blacks out as you trip the
shutter button . For use of the X setting on the
shutter speed dial, refer to page 16.
With the shutter speed dial set on B (bulb), the
shutter will stay open as long as you depress the
shutter button. As you release your finger from
the shutter button, the shutter closes. When a
long exposure is desired while using the B setting,
set
the shutter button lock by moving the lever
to the left (an "L" becomes visible) while
depressing the shutter button. Alternately , use
a cable release
with a locking device for a
time exposure.
At slow speeds - sl ower than 1/ 30 - support
your camera rigidly to prevent camera movement.
To protect the shutter mechanism, trip the
shutter release before putting the camera away
for any extended period .

CAMERA HOLDING
As a general rule, your camera should be held more firmly in the
left hand, which does not release the shutter,. If you hold your
camera with the right hand - the hand that releases the shutter
- it may cause camera movement . Often, blurred pictures are due
to camera movement.
Horizontal position A
Hold the camera firmly with
your left hand, and draw your
arms close to your body.
Vertical position B.
Hold your camera tightly to
your forehead with your left
hand, and draw your right
arm close to your body.
Vertical position C.
Hold your camera tightly to
your forehead with your left
hand, raise your right arm
and draw your left arm to
your body ,
FILM UNLOADING
After the final pi , cture on the roll has been taken, the rapid-wind
lever will not turn, indicating that the film must be rewound. Lift
up the rewind crank. Depress the film rewind release button and
turn the rewind crank as indicated to rewind the film into its
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 open
automatically), and remove the film cassette.
AVOID DIRECT LIGHT WHEN LOADING THE FILM.

FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION
The KX has FP and X terminals on the front of
the camera body, and a separate X contact on
the built-in hot shoe. The table on the next page
shows
which flash contact, which shutter speed and
which flash bulb may be combined for maximum
lamp efficiency. Unless these combinations are
rigidly followed, there will be a failure in flash
synchronization. Note the "X" setting is exactly
at the 60 mark on the speed dial. This indicates
the highest shutter speed at which electronic
flash units may be used.
Use the hot shoe flash contact when using a
shoe-mount
electronic flash like the Pentax
Autorobo which has a flash contact on the
shoe bracket . When using the hot shoe, there
is no need to plug the flash cord into the
X terminal on the body front. The hot shoe
flash contact turns to "hot" (switched on) only
when you insert a shoe-mount electronic flash.
It remains "cold" (disconnected) even when
using
an electronic flash with its cord plugged
into the X terminal on the body front. This
eliminates the danger of electric shocks.
16.
There are basically two types of flash buIb
attachments on the market : clip-on types and
bracket types. Either can be used with your
camera. The clip-on types are attached to the
hot shoe and the bracket types are screwed
into the tripod screw hole.
Use one of these three bulb types : M, MF or
FP.The correct terminal and the correct
shutter speed to use for each of these three
types are
outlined in the table below .
Before attaching the flash unit to the camera,
you must remove the protective plug
from the proper terminal.
When not using the terminals, keep the
plugs inserted.
SHUTTER SPEED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1000 500 250 125 60 30 15 8 """"4 2"
ELECTRONIC FLASH X
FLASH BULB
FP
FP CLASS
X M . MF . FP
CLASS
.17
B

DEPTH-Of-f iELD PREVIEW BUTTON AND GUIDE
Depth of field is the range between the nearest and farthest
distances
which are in focus at a given lens aperture.
If you wnat to know how great the depth of field is at a certain
aperture, focus
on a subject and see through the vi ewfinder while
depressing the depth-of - field preview button e.Or, after focusing,
l
ook at the dept h-of-field gu ide on the lens. In the photograph
below, the distance scale is set at 5 meters ... 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 wi thin the figure 4 on the depth-of-
field guide indicates the area in focus at that lens opening. You
will note from the depth-of-field gu ide in the photograph that the
range from approximately 4.5 to 6.5 m is in focus. Note that as
the lens apertures change, the effective depth of field also
changes.
For the depths of field at diffe r ent apertures and
distances, refer
to the next page.
6 5 4 Distance
(m)
18-
DEPTH-O f-fiEL D TAB LE: SMC PENTAX 50mm LE NS
Distance scale 045m 06m 1m 1 5rn 2m 5rn 10m if)
Fl .4
0 .45 0 . 59 0 .98 1 .46
1. 93
4 .5 7 8
.40 5 1.75
- 0 .4 5 3 - 0
.61
_ 1 .02
- 1. 54
- 2. 0 7 - 5 . 52
- 1 2 . 36
F2 0
.4 5 0 . 59
0 . 98
1 .45
1. 9 0 4 .4 1 7 .
86
36 . 24
- 0 .454
-0 .6 1 - 1.0 2 - 1. 56
-2 . 11
- 5 . 78
- 13 . 75
F 2 .8 0
.44
0 . 59 0 . 97 1 .43 1 .87 4 .2 1 7 .
24 25
.9 0
- 0 .46 - 0 .6 1
-1 .03 - 1. 58
- 2 .16 -6 .1 6 - 16 .19
F4
0 .4 4 0.59 0.95
1 .4 0 1 .8 1 3 .
94
6.48 18 . 14
- 0.4 6
-0 .62 -1 .0 5 - 1 .6 2 -
2. 23
- 6.8 4 - 22 . 05
_ 00
F S.6
0 .44
0 .58
0 . 94 1. 36 1. 75
3 . 64
5 . 68
12 . 97
- 0 .46
-0 .62
-1 . 07
- 1. 68
-2.34
_ 8 . 03
- 42 . 68
F8 0
.44
0 . 57 0 .9 1 1.
24 1. 66 3 .2 6 4
.8 0
9. 10
- 0
.47
- 0. 63
-1. 11
-1 . 89 -2 . 52
-10.87
Fll
0 .4 3 0. 56
0 . 88 1 .3 0
1. 56 2.88
4 . 02
6.63
- 0 .47
- 0 .65 - 1. 15
-1 . 77
- 2 .8 0 -19.53
0 . 42 0 .54
0 .84
1.1 6
1.4 2 2.42 3 .16 4
.57
F1 6 - 0 .48 -
0.67
_1.2 4
-2 .16 -
3.4 2
•
Distance scale "6" 2' 3' 5' 10' 15 ' 30' 00
Fl .4
1 '6 . 12 " 1' 11 . 8" 2' 1 1.5 "
4'1 0 .4 "
9'
5 . 6" 13 ' 9 . 7" 25 ' 6 .6 " 1
69 ' 9 . 2"
1' 6 . 13 " 2 ' 0 .2 " 3'
0. 6"
5' 1 .7"
10 '
7.2" 16 ' 4 .9 " 36 ' 4 .2 "
F2
I ' 5 .
9"
1' 11. 6"
2 ' 11 . 3"
4' 9 .8 "
9' 3. 1" 13 ' 4 .3 " 24 ' 0
.2 " 1 18' 3.5"
I ' 6 . 1" 2' 0 .4"
3'
0 .8 "
5' 2 .4 " 10 ' 10 .6 " 1
7' 1 .2" 39' 11 .8 "
F 2.8
I '
5.8 " 1' 11. 5" 2'10 . 9"
4' 9 " 8' 11. 9" 1 2'
9 . 6" 2 2 ' 3" 84' 11. 6"
I ' 6 .
2" 2 ' 0 . 5" 3'
1.1 " 5' 3. 4" 11' 3 . 2" 18 ' 1.4"
4 6' 1 .4 "
F4 I ' 5 .6 " 1' 11
.4"
2 ' 1 0.6"
4' 7.
7"
8'
7.4 "
12 ' 0 . 6"
20 ' 0
.4" 59'
6 . 4"
I '
6.4 " 2' 0 .6" 3' 1.7 " 5' 7 " 11'11.2 " 19 '
11" 59 ' 1 1.6"
FS.6 I ' 5 .5 "
1'11. 2"
2' 10 " 4' 6 .2 " 8 '
1. 9"
11 '
2"
1 7' 8 .3 "
42'
6 . 8"
I '
6.5"
2' 1" 3 ' 2 .3 "
5' 7.2 " 12'
11. 2 "
22 ' 10 . 7"
100 ' 1.3 "
F8 I '
5.4 " 1'
10 . 8"
2 ' 9 .1 " 4'
4. 1" 7'
6.8"
10 ' 1" I S ' 0 .7 "
29'1 0 .2"
I' 6.6 " 2 '
1.3 "
3'
3.4" 5' 10.9"
14' 9.5"
29 ' 7.
2"
Fll
I '
5. 2 " 1'
10.4 " 2'
8 . 2"
4'
1. 6" 6' 11. 3 " 8 '
11.8"
1 2' 8.4 " 2 1' 9 "
I'
7"
2' 1. 9" 3'
4.8"
6'
4.2"
1 8' 0. 6" 46' 9.7"
F1 6
I'
4.8"
I ' 9 .7"
2' 6.7"
3' 10 " 6'
1 .2 "
7' 7.2"
10 ' 1" IS '
I ' 7 .3 "
2' 2.9" 3 ' 7 . 6"
7'
3"
28'
7. 6"
.19

HE
The light meter built into your KX correctly reads
the average of the light reflected from the entire
scene as seen through the viewf inder - with a
little extra importance, or weight, given to what is
in the center. 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 steps.
As a general rule, when
the subject is darker than
the background, you compensate by opening
your aperture 1 or 2 steps further. 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 steps smaller to
compensate.
20-
1
J
The exposure system built into the KX is called a
"nee dle-matching system" because the correct
exposure for any given situation is determined by
matching the two needles - blue and black - seen
in the viewfinder . This system is most convenient
becau se it allows you to give preference to either
aperture or shutter speed.
When
the aperture size is the most important
factor, set the aperture desired by turning the
diaphragm ring. Then adjust the shutter speed dial
until the blue needle in the viewfinder matches
up with the black needle.
When
shutter speed is the more important factor,
turn the dial till the blue needle reaches the
speed you desire. Then adjust the diaphragm
ring
to align the black needle with the blue one .

ACTIVAT iNG EXPOSURE METER
The exposure meter of the KX is switched on by
moving the rapid-wind lever from its closed
position to a slightly open position, which is called
the pre-advance angle. With the rapid-wind lever
at the pre-advance angle, as soon as the shutter
release button is depressed si ightly, the black
needle in the vi ewfinder will move according to
the amount of light coming in through the lens.
The exposure
meter will remain switched on
until the rapid-wind lever has been returned to
its fully-closed position .
SHUTTER BUTTO N LOCK
The shutter button lock lever is for your
convenience while you are making a particularly
long exposure using the B shutter speed setting.
After depressing the shutter button, turn the
lock lever (which is on the collar at the base
of the shutter button) so that the letter "L"
is visible. When the exposure time is up, move
the lock lever back to its original posi tion. This
automat i cally releases the shutter button . Use
of the shutter button lock lever also saves your
battery as the exposure meter is switched off
as soon as this lever is locked-in.
22e
E OF LIGHT MEASUREMENT
The exposure meter of the KX measures the
b right ness of the ground glass. Therefore , the
met er needles should be matched after you
ha ve focused your subject on the ground glass .
The area
(A) in the table ind i ca t es the readi ng
range of the meter , and shouId not be
in
te rp reted as the camera's total range of
f/s to p-shutter speed combinations. As you will
not e from the table , with an ASA 100
f ilm, you may use any shutter speed from 1
s
ec . to 1/1000 sec . in combinat i on with any
apert ure that will match the two needles
in the vi
ewfinder.
The t otal range of aperture settings is, of
course, determined by the minimum and
m
aximum apertures of the lens being used.
F
or example, w i th the 50mm fIlA lens and
A SA . l00 film , any aperture from fI lA (the
max
imum aperture of th is lens) to f/16 may be
us
ed with any shutter speed from 1 sec . to
1 /1 000 sec. However, the comb i nation of f/22
( mi nimum aperture) and 1/ 1000 sec. is beyond
the measurability range (B), as shown in the
table. As the ASA film speed changes, the
measurabili
ty range varies.
~
~
1.4
2 2.8 4 5.6 8
11 16
22
1
T
1
4
1
8
1
15
1 A
30
1
60
1
125
1
2 50
1
500
1 B
1000

The two silver oxide batteries in your KX are
used
only for powering the exposure meter; the
shutter mechanism is a totally manual operation.
Therefore, your camera can still be operated
even
if the batteries have worn out . (A good sign
of worn-out batteries is that the black meter
needle does not respond when you depress the
shutter button si ightly .)
If the batteries have worn out and the exposure
meter is no longer functioning, you must
determine the correct combination of shutter
speed and aperture size yourself, from your own
experience. Also, packed in with most types of
35mm film is a data sheet with suggestions for
determining the correct exposure in a variety
of situations.
The self-timer delays shutter release between 5
and
13 seconds, depending upon how far
counter-clockwise you have turned the cocking
lever. When using the self-timer, do not depress
the shutter release button
... it will immediately
release the shutter without delayed action.
Turn the cocking lever down 90° - 180 °. Move
the small light·colored self-ti mer start lever as
indicated . .. the self-timer will start .
This
self-timer also has an i nterrupt function .
Even
after the self-timer has started to run, you
can stop it by movi ng the start lever back to
normal position, as long as the cocking lever has
not been moved back past the 90 ° position.
You can re- start the self-timer by pushing the
cocking lever down again and moving the start
lever again.
Do
not leave the cocking lever in "interrupt"
position for an extended period, as this may
weaken the spring.
24e
In normal picture-taking situations, when you trip
the s hutter, the reflex mirror swings up out of
the way . It then automatically drops back down
into place. Inevitably, this causes a small amount
of vibration -and the longer the lens you use,
the
more noticeable the vibration will be.
When
locking up the mir r or. do not keep the
camera facing directly into the sun for a long
time. Direct sunlight through the lens might
damage the shutter curtain.
To avoid this vibration, it is possible to lock the
mirror up after you have completely finished
focusing. (Because
you will not be able to see
anything through the viewfinder once the mirror
is up, you must finish focusing before locking it
up. And because light wi II not reach the l ight
meter, it is necessary to have proper exposu re set
before lock-up. Also, it is essential to use a tripod
for this kind of shooting.)
Once everything is in focus, simply turn the
lock-up lever ~ clockwise as far as it will go
and depress
the depth-of-field preview
lever @ . The mirror will now stay up even
after you trip the shutter . To release the
mirror, return the mirror lock-up lever to its
original position . The reflex mirror can be
locked up either before or after you
advance the film .

IN FRA - RED PHOTOGRAPHY
If you intend to take infra-red photographs,
remember
to use the infra-red index marked with
an orange line on the depth-of-field guide. First,
bring your subject into clear focus. Then determine
the lens-to-subject distance from the distance scale
on the lens. 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 (co) mark to the index.
00 ~o!I ------ll
+
MULTI PLE EXPOSURE
F or deliberate multiple exposures, make the first
exposure in the normal way . Then tighten the film
by t urn ing the rewind knob e ,and keep hold of
the rewind knob. Depr ess the film rewind release
bu tt on €) and cock the rapid-w ind lever. This
cocks the s hutter without advancing the fi lm .
Fi
na l ly release the shutter to make the second
exposure. Then
make one blank exposure, before
taking the next picture, to avoid overlapping.
Exposure counte r registration may not be ex act .

USING CONVENTIONAL SCREW-MOUNT TAKUMAR LENSES
Conventional screw- mount Takumar lenses (both
Super-Takumar and SMC Takumarl can be easily
mounted onto your camera by attaching them
first to a Mount Adaptor K. Use of the Mount
Adaptor K does not affect any aspect of normal
lens function ex cept as regards the following two
points:
1.
Due to the difference in coupling systems, the
automatic diaphragm will not function .
2.
Full-aperture metering lenses will function as
stop-down metering lenses.
28-
HOW TO USE MOUNT ADAPTOR K
1.
Screw the conventional Takumar lens into the
Mount Adaptor K.
2.
Attach the Adaptor/lens unit to the camera body
by aligning the red dots e and €) , and turning
the lens clockwise until it locks with a click.
(This takes slightly less than a quarter of a
revolution .)
3.
To remove only the lens, leaving the Mount
Adaptor K attached to the camera body, simply
unscrew the lens counter-clockwise. Other screw-
mount Takumar lenses can then be attached in
the normal way.
1.
To remove the Mount Adaptor K from the camera
body , first remove the screw- mount lens. Then
press, with your thumbnail or a pointed object
such as a ballpoint pen, against the spring pin @
2.
Turn the Mount Adaptor K counter-clockwise
until you feel it release, and take it out .
3.
Since the mechanism for locking in the Mount
A daptor K is totally different from that which
l ocks in an SMC Pentax bayonet-mount lens, the
l ock lever Gl on the camera body plays no part
at all.

OPEN.APERTURE OR STop· DO WN METERING
Open-aperture SMC Pentax lenses have a
diaphragm
coupl i ng lever e on the back of the
lens wh ich locks into the camera body to permit
open-aperture metering. The super telephotos do
not have a diaphragm coupler, so they must be
used
with the stop-down metering system.
Use of the Auto-Extension Tube Set K permits
open-aperture metering. It can also be set to
stop down the diaphragm automatically. Use of
other K Series accessori es -standard Extension
Tube Set K, Helico id Extension Tube K, Auto-
Bellow s K and Bellows Unit K - requires stop-
down metering . Whenever anyone of the se is used
between
the camera body and an SMC Pentax
lens, the stop-down metering system mu st be
used.
OPEN-APERTURE METERING LENSES
SMC Pentax Fish-eye
17mm
SMC Pentax .............................. 15mm
SMC Pentax ........................ .. .... 20mm
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
SMC Pentax
24mm
28mm
35mm
35mm
50mm
50mm
55mm
85mm
120mm
105mm
135mm
135mm
150mm
200mm
300mm
SMC Pentax Zoom ......... 45 ~ 125mm
SMC Pentax Zoom ......... 85 - 210mm
SMC Pentax Macro ........ .. ........ 50mm
SMC Pen tax Macro ................ .. 100mm
STOP- DOWN METERING LENSES
f/4
f/3.5
f
/4
f/ 3.5
f/ 3.5
f/2
f/3.5
f/ 1.2
f/1,4
f/1.8
f/1.8
f/2.8
f/2.8
f/ 2.5
f/ 3.5
f{4
f/4
f/4
f /4
f/4.5
f
/4
f/4
SMC Pentax .............................. 400mm f/ 5.6
SMC Pentax .............................. 500mm f/4.5
SMC Pentax .............................. 1000mm f/8
SMC Pentax Zoom ...... 136 - 600mm f/6 .7
30-
ESI STANCE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES AND CHANGES
The tempe r atu re range at which your camera
w ill continue to function properly stretches
fr om 50 °C to -20 ° C. However, resistance to
c old could be hampered by oil which has
become dirty . Therefo r e, if the camera is to
operate at full efficiency in very cold
condi tions, it must be overhauled and all
oil
must be replaced.
Sudden changes
in temperature will often
ca use moisture to condense inside or outside
y
our camera. This is a possible source of rust,
w
hich may be ex tremely damaging to the
mechanism. Furthermo r e, if the camera goes
f rom a warm temperature to a sub-freezing
one, and if ti ny drops of mo isture freeze,
f
urther damage may be done by their
expansion.
- 31
Thus, sudden
temperature changes should be
avoided
as much as possible. As a guide, a
temperature change of 10 °C should be allowed
to take place gradually over a period of at
least 30 minutes. If this is not possible, keeping
the camera in its case or bag will help somewhat
in
min imizing the effects of a rapid temperature
change.
Ex tremely low temperature reduces the
efficiency of the battery. Therefore, the camera
should be pro tected against low temperature.
Put the batteries into the camera right before
shooting . For ex tremely low temper at ure, use
new batteries.

CAM E RA MAINTENANC E
1.
Always keep the viewfinder eyepiece, lens and
filters as clean as possible. To remove loose dust
and dirt, first use the blower and then the brush
of a lens brush. Do not try to wipe off granular
dirt or dust - it's an excellent way of scratching
the glass. Smudges, such as fingerprints, should
be carefully wiped away with either a lens tissue
or a clean, soft cloth. Clean, plain cotton
handkerchiefs that have already been washed a
few times are particularly good for this.
Breathing
on the lens before wiping is effective;
but be sure to wipe away all mo isture completely.
Commercial lens cleaners are also effective.
2.
Never touch the mirror or the shutter curtain
with your hands. (The natural acids on your skin
are very damaging.)
Minor dirt or spots on the
mirror will not affect the clarity of your
pictures.
3.
Take care not to drop the camera or knock it
against anything solid. Accidents or rough handling
can easily damage the internal mechanism, even
though externally nothing seems to have been hurt.
32e
4.
Your camera is not waterproof . There are several
places where water can get inside and
do a great
deal of damage. Take care to protect both body
and lens from rain or splashing water. If your
camera should get wet, dry it off immediately
with a clean, soft cloth .
Once a camera has become completely soaked,
there
is often nothing that can be done to make
it
right again. However, in such a case, take your
camera as soon as possible to an authorized
Asahi Pentax Service Center.
5.
Where to keep your camera while you are not
using it is an important point. The best storage
place is cool, dry, clean and well-ventilated.
Because of the possible build-up of humidity , it
is risky to store your camera in a cabinet or
closet. It's also a good idea to keep your
camera in its bag or case while you are not
using it.
6.
When mounting your camera on a tripod, be sure
the
tripod screw is no longer than 5.5mm. This is
the
depth of the tripod screw hole on your camera.
If you use a longer screw, you will probably
p uncture the bottom of the hole, after which the
camera will not function properly .
e 33

WARRANTY POLICY
All Asahi Pentax cameras purchased through
authorized bona fide photographic distribution
channels are guaranteed against defects of
material or workmanship for a peri od 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 manu-
facturer, 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-export-
ing
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 borned 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
34-
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
st
ation to proceed with the servicing.
-35
This war ranty policy does not apply to Asahi
Pentax cameras purchased in
the U.S.A. For
these cameras, please refer to the separate
Warranty Pol icy Card enclosed here.

MEMO
9/ 1975