Pentax P3 User manual

PENTAX
PENXAX

Thank you most sincerely for choosing one of our Pentax 35mm SLR
C3mcr3s.
Before starting to operate this camera, please be sure to read this operating
manual very carefully to familiarize yourself with every detail of the
features and functions it has to offer. We hope you will enjoy fine pho-
tography with this camera for many years to come.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features ....
Nomenclature of working parts .
preparations
Inserting batteries .
Attaching and detaching lens .
Film wind lever ...
Main switch, shutter release button,
shutter dial.
Film.
Loading film .
Unloading film.
Strap and soft case .
BASIC OPERATION
Viewfinder displays .
Focusing .
Shooting in Programmed AE mode .
Shooting in Metered Manual mode .
Warning displays.u
Using Pentax dedicated auto flash units
Using Programmed Auto Flash mode
4^
ro
advanced operation 2 2
Exposure-memory lock.
Self-timer..^.34
Using 100 ^ setting . ^5
Using B (Bulb) setting.
Depth of field . 28
Depth-of-field preview .
Infrared index mark ...''‘'‘‘Tr'*'
Programmed AE diagram, metering .
shutter/aperture coupling ran^ge .-..
Diopter correction, mount adapter .
Precautions on batteries .
Specifications . 40
Taking care of your camera .
Warranty policy .

features
When thi^s camera is used with any SMC Pentax-A
ns, It offers three exposure modes: Programmed
aperture ,s set to any f-stop other than the -I"
used ^he r X- Kf-mount lens is
mode. “Perates in the Metered Manual
Programmed AE Mode
automatically selects the most suitable
combination of shutter speed and aperture to obtain
comect exposure, simultaneously changing the *
combination according to the brightness of the
subject. This mode is suitable for those who do not
want to be bothered by setting exposure controls or
those wishing to take "action" photos.
Metered Manual Mode
The combination of shutter speed and aperture is
completely up to you. Guided by the meter
ronuol's°to'1?" "diost both
controls to obtain proper exposure. If necessary
deliberate over- or underexposure can be ob^d.
Programmed Auto Flash Mode
namo" ® Pentax dedicated auto flash on this
camera in its Programmed AE mode the camera
automatically selects the proper aperture anTshutter
Se°. P-P- "-h

What you should know first about this camera
• The camera does not operate unless the batteries
are properly inserted. Be sure to check how they are
inserted before operating it. Also check if the mam
meter switch is set to ON or OFF.
• Most flashes made by others can be used on this
camera, but Pentax dedicated flashes will offer more
convenient functions. Even if you use a flash with
TTL auto flash provision, this camera does not
provide TTL auto flash operation.
• When you use the accessories such as Extension
Tubes, Microscope Adapter, etc. that are mounted
between the camera body and lens, this camera
operates in the Metered Manual mode. The
Programmed AE mode cannot be used.

NOMENCLATURE OF
Film wind lever-—-
Shutter-release button- —
Shutter dial-
Self-timer lamp-
Exposure counter_
Aperture "A" index-
Aperture
scale/ring-
ING PARTS
--Hot shoe
— Main switch
“Self-timer lever
— Film rewind knob
Aperture-auto
lock-release
button
using ring
Strap lug
Memory lock button
Cable-release socket
Preview lever
Lens-lock-
release lever

—Film rewind crank
Viewfinder eyepiece
Film-sprocket spool
Film-takeup spool
Film-loaded indicator

PREPARATIONS
, , .. - -'v 'V

INSERTING BATTERIES
This camera is powered by two 1.5-volt alkaline or silver-oxide
mini-batteries.
• Open the battery chamber cover by turning it counter-clockwise
with a coin.
• Insert the two batteries into the chamber with their |-t) sides
facing downward, and replace the cover.
• As illustrated, turn the meter on by sliding the main switch in
the direction of the arrow.

• Press the shutter release button half-way and make sure that
a shutter speed appears on the left side of the viewfinder.
Timer switch
The built-in timer switch automatically turns the meter off in about
ten seconds after you release your finger off the shutter button.
Battery check
If no shutter speed is displayed in the viewfinder even with a slight
pressure on the shutter button, the batteries have no power or may
be improperly inserted. ^
When batteries weaken
When the batteries are becoming weak, the shutter speed displayed
in the viewfinder starts to blink slowly at the speed of once per
second. If so, replace the batteries immediately. If the batteries are
completely exhausted, the shutter button does not release the

ATTACHING AND DETACHING LENS
To mount or interchange Pentax K, Ka and Kf mount lenses,
follow the steps below.
• Remove the body mount cap and the rear lens cap. If the finder
cap is still on the eyepiece, remove it.
• Align the red dot on the camera body with the red dot on the
lens (See ©, ©). Seat the lens in the body mount and turn it
clockwise until the lens locks with a click. When mounting the
lens in dim light, method (@1 is recommended. This method
allows lens mounting by touch.
Align the raised node on lens barrel with the lens release by
touch. Then turn and lock as above,
• To remove the lens cap, press in on the notches at both sides.
• To remove the lens, press the lens release lever toward the
camera body while turning the lens counter-clockwise.
• After removing a lens from the camera body, replace the front
and rear lens caps to protect the lens from dust and stains.
Note: Don't damage or stain the electrical contact points on the
mount face. When they become stained, wipe them with a clean,
dry cloth

film WIND LEVER
Setting the wind lever for rapid shooting
The film wind lever can be set at the stand-off
position for faster film advance. Even if you
remove your thumb from the lever, it remains at
the stand-off angle, ready for the next quick shot.
After completing a series of pictures, the lever
should be pushed in to the original position.
• 10
/ E x p osure counter
The scale is Indexed as follows:
S«#0*2»4».•20»....
24 • . . . • 36.
Interlocked with the film wind
mechanism, this counter indicates the
number of exposed frames.
Film advance stroke
The film wind lever should be thrown as far as it
goes.
^ • The wind lever may stop in the middle of
a stroke when the film comes to its end. Do not
force the lever and rewind the film, leaving the
lever as it is.

MAIN SWITCH, SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON, SHUTTER DIAL
• Main switch
To release the shutter, be sure to turn the main switch to ON.
When the main switch is off, the shutter cannot be released and
the meter remains off.
• Shutter release button
As you turn the main switch on and press the shutter release
button half-way, the meter will turn on, and a further pressure on
the shutter button will release the shutter.
• Shutter speed dial
When shooting in the Metered Manual mode, turn the shutter
dial until the desired shutter speed aligns with the index (red line).
1000 - 1 = 1/1000 - 1 sec.
B = Bulb (long-time exposure)
100 V = 1/100 sec. (flash-sync speed)
11*

DX FILM
This camera automatically sets the ISO film speed
of DX-coded film when it is loaded into the film
chamber. Therefore, you are recommended to use
only DX-coded film in this camera. (If non-DX film
is loaded the camera will automatically set the film
speed to 100, whatever film speed it may have; in
other words, the only non-DX film usable for this
camera is one with ISO 100 .)
The film speeds which can be automatically set by
this camera range from ISO 25 to 1600 , so be sure
to use the DX-coded film having a film speed within
this range.

LOADING FILM
Always load or unload film in the camera in
a shady spot, or shield it from direct sunlight
with your body.
• As illustrated, unfold the rewind crank by
pushing it with your finger-nail.
• Pull the rewind knob upwards until the back
cover snaps open.
• Slide the film cartridge into the film chamber
with the flat side up. Lock the cartridge in place
by pushing the rewind knob down, rotating it
slightly making sure that it grips the spool.
O Film chamber
0 Guide rails
0 Sprocket teeth
O Spool teeth
0 Film leader end mark
0 DX-information pins
Keep the DX-information pins free from
scratches, dirt, dust, etc.
13e

• As illustrated, pull the film leader out so that
its end aligns with the 0 film leader end mark
(red bar); in other words, bring the film leader
end within the length of the bar.
• Make sure that the perforations on the bottom
side of the film have engaged the O sprocket
teeth as well as the O spool teeth.
• Also make sure that the film is properly placed
between the two 0 guide rails,
• Take up any slack left in the film so that the
film is flat as shown, by rewinding it slightly into
the cartridge.
• When a film with a higher ISO number is
loaded, do not leave the camera out of the case
for a long lime.
• 14

• Close the back cover, making sure that it has snapped firmly in
place.
• Cock the film wind lever while checking to see if the film rewind
knob turns in the direction of the arrow.
• Repeat making blank exposures until '" 0 ” appears in the exposure
counter. The next frame is ready for the first shot.
• The film-loaded indicator on the back cover will tell you if the
film is loaded or not.
15®

UNLOADING FILM
When you reach the end of the roll, the film wind lever will stop
moving abruptly — maybe at some point in the middle of a stroke.
Do not force the lever beyond the number of exposures shown on
the cartridge.
• Press the film rewind button recessed in the base of the camera.
• Unfold the crank and turn it clockwise all the way until you feel
it loosen when the film leader is released from the take<up spool.
• When the rewinding is over, lift the rewind knob sharply to open
the back cover, and take the cartridge out.
If you accidentally opened the back cover without rewinding
the film, close it immediately, since the film except the last
several frames might be saved.

STRAP AND SOFT CASE
• To attach the strap to the camera, first pass the
end of the strap through the strap lug on the
camera, fold it back, then pass it through the strap
ring, and through the strap clasp and the last ring.
The strap end may be passed through the inside or
outside of the clasp.
• Remove the front cover from the back cover.
Put the camera in the back cover and put both
case hooks around the camera's strap eyelets.
The camera is now held securely in place.
• The soft case for this camera is available in two
sizes: P-S for the camera with a standard 50mm
lens, and P-L for the camera with a zoom lens
such as 28 - 80mm.

BASIC OPERATION