Pentax Data MX User manual

PENIM
I

SMC Pentax lenses and Pentax
accessories are engineered and
produced meticulously to precise
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.
Pentax cannot assume any
responsibility for difficulties
resulting from the use of any
other brand of lenses or acces¬
sories with Pentax camera.

CONTENTS
Nomenclature .
Specifications .
Lens Mounting .
Inserting Batteries .
Basic Operating Instructions ...*.
Film Loading and Winding ..
Setting ASA Film Speed .-.
Setting the Shutter Speed Dial .
Composing and Focusing .
Exposure Measurement ...
Holding the Camera ....
Unloading Film .
Flash Synchronization .
Depth-of-Field Preview Lever and Scale .
Oepth-of-Field Table: SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Meter Coupling Range .
Helpful Hints on Exposure Problems .
Dual Control Exposure System .
Shutter Button Lock ...
Manual Shutter Operation .
Self-timer.
Infra-red Photography .
Multiple Exposure ...
Interchangeable Focusing Screens.*.
Using Screw-mount Takumar Lenses .
Open-aperture and Stop-down Metering Lenses .
Resistance to Temperature Extremes and Changes .
Camera Maintenance .
Warranty Policy .
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O Exposure counter
O Shutter button lock lever
€) Shutter-cocked indicator
O Shutter release button
0ASA window
0ASA dial lock button
O Shutter speed dial
O Shutter speed index
O Bapid-wind lever
Aperture read-out prism
window
(P Hot shoe X contact
0 Film rewind knob/Back
cover opener
(E) Film rewind crank
(D Lens release lever
(D Self-timer lever/Depth-of-
field preview lever
^ Upraised alignment dot
Focusing ring
(£) Distance scale
Aperture/Oistance index
rD Oepth-of-field scale
Aperture ring
I
2 ^

0 X-sync terminal
0 FP-sync terminal
0 Neck strap ring
0 Viewfinder eyepiece
0 Film pressure plate
0 Guide pin channel
0 Winder/Motor Drive direct
contact terminal
0 Film chamber
0 Battery chamber
0 Motor Drive/Tripod
receptacle
0 Film rail
0 Film guide rail
0 Shutter cu rtai ns
0 Film rewind button
0Film transport coupler
0Bulk magazine guide pin
channel
0Sprockets
0Film take>up spool
0Back cover

SPECIFICATIONS
Type 35mm full-frame SLR camera with open-aperture center weighted
Through-The-Lens meter.
Lens mount Pentax K bayonet.
Standard tenses SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 SMC Pentax-M 40mm f/2.8
SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4
SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7
SMC Pentax-M 60mm f/2
Shutter Horizontal-run, rubberized silk focal-plane shutter; speeds from 1
to 1/1000 sec. plus B; shutter lock and "Cocked" indicator.
Flash synchronization FP and X sockets, plus hot/cold accessory shoe for X contact; 1/60
sec. X synchronization.
Self-timer Delays shutter release to 4 -12 seconds; self-timer starter button
provided.
Viewfinder Silver-coated pentaprism finder; split-image microprism focusing
screen (9 interchangeable screens); 95% of picture-taking area visible
and 0.97X magnification with 50mm lens at infinity); -1 diopter
eyepiece. Information viewfinder shows f/stop, shutter speed and
tri-colored LED read-out dots. Correction lens adaptor M, Magnifier
M and Refconverter M fit the viewfinder frame.
Mirror and diaphragm Instant return mirror and automatic diaphragm. Depth-of-fteld
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
Automatic winder
Exposure counter
Exposure meter
Power source
Back cover
Body size
Body weight
Maglc^needle quick/sure loading.
MX camera body accepts Winder MX for up to 2 frames-per-second
(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 cocking.
Automatic reset type.
Open-aperture, center-weighted Through-The-Lens meter, with
SPD 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: EVM9(ASA100,f/1.4), Film speed
range: ASA25-1600.
Two 1.5V Alkaline {LR44) or Silver-oxide (G13) batteries; LEDs in
view finder double as battery check lamp, cease to light on battery
failure.
Standard back with memo holder, interchangeable with Bulk Film
Magazine MX, Dial Data MX for data recording on film.
135.5mm x 83.5mm x 49.5mm.
495 grams.

LENS MOUNTING
1. Remove the rear lens and
body mount covers
2. Match the red dot Q 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 0 on
the lens barrel with the lens
release lever 0 by touch.
Then turn and lock as above.
4. T o detach, hold the camera
with your left hand. Depress
the lens release lever 0 while
turning the lens counter¬
clockwise with your right hand.
If you have to put the lens
down without the rear lens
cap, place it front-element-
down, never front element-up.
6 *

i INSERTING BATTERIES
Two Alkaline batteries are
packed separately. Be sure to
insert them into the battery
chamber before operating
the camera.
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. Also be especially sure
to wipe off the battery with a
cloth when they are salted.
The battery is not rechargeable,
Do not throw a dead battery
into a fire, as it may explode.
Also, keep it beyond the reach
of small children.
• 7
• INSERTION Open the
battery chamber cover with
a coin. Insert the two batteries
into the battery holder of the
cover as shown above, each
with 1+) side facing up.
• CHECK To check battery
life, depress the shutter release
button halfway, while looking
through the viewfinder. If the
batteries are dead, the LED dots
will not glow.

BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1, S et Film Speed
While depressing the tiny button atop the shutter dial, turn the
rim of the shutter dial until the ASA number of the film you are
using is centered In the ASA window.
2. C o c k Rapid'Wind Lever
Cock the rapid-wind lever all the way until it stops. The "Cocked'"
indicator will turn red, showing that the shutter is cocked.
3. S e t 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.

4. Composing and Focusing
While viewing through the finder, turn the focusing ring until your
subject comes into sharp focus and choose the most pleasing
composition,
5. Turn on Exposure Meter and Rotate Aperture Ring
Pull out the rapid-wind lever slightly (20°) and depress the shutter
release button halfway to turn on the exposure meter. The
preselected shutter speed plus the two adjacent speeds ( 60 and
"250" in the case of "125") are visible on the right-hand side of
the viewfinder, Trun the aperture ring until the central green LED
dot glows which indicates proper exposure. (The f-stop you have
selected is also visible in the small window above the focusing
screen). If the central green dot does not glow no matter how far
you turn the aperture ring, change the shutter speed.
6. 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
preadvance 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. 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 takO'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.
4. Cock the rapid>wind lever, and confirm that the film rewind knob
turns counterclockwise, indicating
that the film is properly loaded
and is moving from cartridge to
take-up spool. Trip the shutter.
Advance the film until the
exposure counter turns to
Indicating that the first picture is
ready to be taken.
10 ^

SETTING ASA FILM SPEED
r 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 cover of the camera.
The ASA film speed rating of all 35mm films is given in the data
sheet packed with each roil 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.
1250 1000 640 500 320 25C 160 125 80 SO 40 25 j
1600 800 400 200 1O0 64 32 !
• 11

SETTING THE SHUTTER SPEED DIAL
Turn the shutter speed dial clockwise or counter-clockwise to the
shutter speed desired. The shutter 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 red
showing that the shutter Is cocked. The color of the cocked indicator
changes to black after tripping the shutter. For use of the X setting
on the shutter speed dial, refer to page 18,
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 (eft {an "L" becomes visible) while
depressing the shutter button. Alternately, use a cable release with a
locking device for a time exposure.
f CAUTION
At long speeds, longer than 1/30 (1/15-1 sec., B), support your
camera rigidly to prevent camera movement. To protect the shutter
mechanism, trip the shutter before putting the camera away for any
extended period.
^ 2 ^

COMPOSING AND FOCUSING
The standard focusing screen of your MX has a
central split-innage circle surrounded by a
microprism collar. While looking through the
viewfinder, turn the focusing ring until your
subject comes into sharp focus. If your subject is
not in focus, the image in the split-image circle
will appear divided into upper and lower portions,
and the image in the microprism collar will appear
broken into many small fragments.

EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT
When the rapid-wind lever is pulled out 20® and the shutter button
is depressed halfway, the exposure meter is turned ON. Turn the
aperture ring to get a proper LED exposure read-out in the
viewfinder.
On the right-hand side of the viewfinder, appear the preselected
shutter speed plus two adjacent speeds (e.g. “60" and "250" in the
case of "125") on a transparent disk which protrudes slightly into
the focusing screen area.
On the right-hand side of the shutter speeds shown, there are 5 LED
dots which are normally not visible. If you depress the shutter
button halfway and the exposure is correct, the central green dot
will illuminate. If the exposure is 1/2 EV over, the orange dot next
to "250" (in the above example) will glow; as will the dot next to
"60" in the case of 1/2 EV underexposure. If it is 1 EV or more
over or under, the appropriate red dot will glow as a warning for
adjustment of either the f-stop or the shutter speed, unless you want
to make intentional over or underexposure.
14 #

HOLDING THE CAMERA
As a general rule, your camera can 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 ^ this 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.

UNLOADING FILM
After the final picture on the roll has been taken, the rapid-wind lever
will not advance further, indicating that the film must be rewound.
Lift up the rewind crank. Depress the film rewind button and turn
the rewind crank as indicated to rewind the film into its cartridge.
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 cartridge.
AVOID DIRECT LIGHT WHEN UNLOADING THE FILM.

FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION
The MX 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 shutter
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 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 front of
the body. 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.
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