Pentax PC-555 DATE User manual

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Thank you very muchfor choosingthe
Pentax
PC-555
or PC-555DATE.
This newadditionto the Pentax
family
of 35mm leaf-shutter
camerasoffer you
theconvenience of "auto" functions such
as auto exposure, auto fo.cusing,auto
filmloading, auto
film
winding/rewinding,
auto
film speedsetting,autoflash
pop-up,
etc.Moreover,
thePentaxPC-555
DATE
is equipped with an automatic data-
recordingunit to imprint the date and
time
on
your
photos.
Needless
to say,
your
camera
isasophisti-
cated,
precision
instrumentbuilt to give
long-lasting,reliableservice
and will
serve
you well if you treatit right,
with
proper
handlingand
reasonablecare.
So,
please
read
thismanualcarefullythrough
and familiarize yourself with all the
featuresandfunctionsit has to offer.
CONTENTS
Names
of working parts.....-.... 2
lnsertingbatteries 4
Battery check 6
Fi1m........... I
Loading
film ........... I
Camera
holding ..,...........
12
Efficientcamera-to-subjectdistance.....................
13
Takingpictures .................14
Rewinding
film ...............
16
Focus-lock
technique .....
18
Flash
photography ........
20
PC-555DATE .................22
Self-timer .......................
26
Taking
careof your camera ..............-....-.-.-.....
27
Strapand soft case .........
28
Specifications
....'.......... .............-........
30
Warranty
policy ..............32
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SHORT OPERATINGCOURSEAND PRECAUTIONS
Operating
Order
1. Insert
thebatteries,
and
checkwhether
the
camera
functions
properly.
2. Loadthefilm,
and
close
theback
cover.
3. Aimthe
camera
at
the
subject
youwant
to
photograph,
and
shoot.
4. Whenthefilm
rewinding
is
over,remove
thefilm
from
the
cameraandtakeit
to
your
camera
dealer.
Precautions
o This
cameranever
functions
without batteriesin
the chamber. Usetwo AA-size
alkalinebatteries.
Ni-Cd
batteries
are
not suitable.
o The shuttercannot be releasedwhen:
(1
)
the batteriesareexhausted,or they are
not properly inserted.
{2)
themainswitchis
setto OFF.
(3)
the
film isbeing
wound or rewound.
(4)
ttre
flash
isbeingcharged,
or the flash
recycle
time becomes much longer.
(5)
the back coveris
open.
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ti:
r!,
ruATVICS
OF WORKING PARTS
O Main
switch
O Self-timer
button
@ Frame
counter
O Self-timer
lamp
O Autofocus windows
G)
Viewfinder window
O Flash
@
Strap
hanger
0 Grip
(EShutter button
O Lenscover
@ Light-sensor
window
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(D
Film-transport
indicator
(E
Flash-ready
indicator
(E
Viewfindereyepiece
(E
Film-toaded
indicator
(DBackcover-release
lever
@Tripod socket
@ Mid-roll
rewind button
@ Back
cover
(D
Batterychamber
cover
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INSERTING
BATTERIES
1. Openthe BatteryChamberCoverat the baseof
the
camera
by sliding
it inthe directionof the
arrow;useafingernail
in the groove to push
and raise
the cover.
One set of alkaline batteries should last
about a year with averageuse at normal
temperatures,
without using
flash.But their
performance goes down considerably at
f
reezingtemperatu
res.
2. lnsert two batteries
into the chamberwith the
(+)
and (-) sides
placed
correctlyas
indicated
on the cover.
r*r rRr
Manganese
batteries are also ltY l lt, I
suitable.
but they are far less I | | |
powerf
ul thanalkalineones. I | | |
lallrrl
vv
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3. Close
thecover
by pushing
it back.
Batteries
o The batteries
should be inserted
correctly.
o When
replacing,
besureto use
two fresh
batteriesof the samebrand
andtype.
o lf the batteries
arenot used for a long
time,
remove
them from the camera.
Leaving
them in
thecamera
may cause
acidleakage
andpossible
damage
to the cameramechanism.
o Never
breakup, recharge
or throw used
batteriesinto f
ire
asthey may explode.
\\
ffiffiffiN^h,
xL**4rJ
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BATTERY
CHECK
1. Slide
the
main
switchto turn it on.
When
the
switchissetto oFF, the shuttercannot be
released.Whennot shooting,
or when storing
the camerain the case, besure
to turn the
switchoff.
2. Depress the shutterbutton halfway.
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3
I#'t
Battery replacement
The batteriesare exhaustedand should be
replaced
in the following caseswhere:
. the shutter cannot be releasedeven if
you depressthe shutterbutton.
o it takes longer than 15 seconds
for the
flash to be ready.
r When battery voltage drops below the
levelfor thecamerato
function
properly,
the safetyshutter lock isactivated,
mak-
ing it impossibleto releasethe shutter.
In such a case,
even if one of the dis'
tancemarks in the viewfinder
glows,
the
shutter cannot be released.
(Since the
batteries slightly recover the power
after a short while, the shutter may
accidentally
bereleased.)
/s"
l,Ly; l,Ly;
\b/ \I,/"
€/ e/
3. When
the batteriesare
properly inserted,
one
of the distance
marks in the lower part of the
viewfinder
glows.
Also,
when the subject
is
dark,the flash
pops
up automatically,so be
sureto push
it down after making
the battery
check.
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: FILM
Ii
DX FILM
This
cameraisdesigned
to use
DX-codedfilm with
an ISO
rating
from 50 to 1600,andwhen such
film
is
loaded,its
film speedisautomatically
setin the
camera.
o lf non-DX film with any film speedis
loaded
into this
camera,
the film speedisautomatically
setto ISO 100.
o When
buying DX film, makesurethe package
bearsthe "DX" mark or that thecartridge has
a DX-information
panel.
o Special
films like35mm Instant Reversal
Filmcannot
be
used.
Film cartridge
Film speed DX-information panel
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$ii.LOAD|NG
FILM
Always
load
or unloadfilm in
a shady
spot,
or
shield
thecamera
andf
ilm
from directsunlight
with your body.
1. Openthe back
coverby slidingthe backcover
release
lever
in
thedirection
of the
arrow.
2. As illustrated,
place
the
f
ilm
cartridgeinthe
film chamber
by first
fittingits
flatside
on the
top of the rewindshaft.
X Always keep
the DX-lnformation pins
free
from scratches,
dirt or dust.
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Slack
.,\ ,---\
XW
ow
o Makesurethe film istaut asshownabove;
if
slack,
it may not beloaded
properly.
3. Pull
the film leaderout far enoughto reachthe
O film roller.
o Alignthe
end
of the
film leaderwith the O
film leaderend
mark.
o Makesure
the film perforations
engagethe G)
sprocket
teeth
properly.
e Also makesure
the film is
properly placed
between
the O guide
rails.
10
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4
[--=1--
T
W
I
I
ffie
W
4. Closethe backcover,
and the film will be
automatically
wound on to the first frame.
o When
the film is
being
wound on, the red
stripes
in the f
ilm transportindicator f
licker,
indicatingthat thefilm is advancing
properly.
lf not, open
the back
cover
and reload
the film.
5. When the frame counter isset
to "1," the
auto
film winding
stops
automatically.
Now you are
ready
to startshooting.
o The film{oaded indicator
on the back
cover
tells
you whetheror not film isin the camera.
Caution:Should
you wishto remove
the film from the camera
before
you takethe first picture,
do it by
takingthe normalrewinding
procedures
described
on page
16,
without attemptingto pull the film leader
out directly from the take-upspool.
11
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CAMERA
HOLDING
It is
important to hold thecamera
properly in
order
to takeblur-free
photos.
Practice
holding
andoperating
the camera
before
inserting
your
f
irst
roll
of f
ilm.
The illustrations
showthe basic
holding
positions.
No matter which position
you use,
be
sure
to gripthe camera
steadily
with both
hands,
hold thecamera
gently
against
the face
in a fixed position,
andrelaxthe rest
of your
body in asecure
posture.
Bracetheelbow of
the arm supporting
thecameraagainst
your
body. Alwayspress
the shutterbutton gently.
Whentaking
f
lash
pictures
with thecamera
held
vertically,besure
to keepthe f
lash
head
on the
uPPerside.
12
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EFF
ICI
ENT CAMERA-TO.SUBJECT DISTANCE
o For the best
possible
results,
take
your
pictures
within thecamera-to*ubject
distance
from 0.7 meters
(2.3
ft.) to - (infinity). This
cameradoesnot focus on the subject less than
0.7 meters
(2.3
ft.) away.
I
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TAKING PICTURES
O Autofocusspot
(Bring
this
on the
main
part
of
your subject.)
O Picture-area
frame
(Ordinary
picture-taking
range
)
€)Parallaxcorrection
frame(Close-distance
picture-taking
range)
O Distancemarks:
9 = Approx.
O.7
- 1 m 12.3
- 3.3
ft.)
ii = Approx. 1 - 1.8
m (3.3
- 5.9
ft.)
A= Approx.
1.8
m - @
(5.9
ft. - "")
14
1. Aftercomposing
your picture,
bringthe O
autofocusspot
on the main
part
of your
su
bject.
o In
this
case,becareful
notto put your fingers,
hair,
strap,
etc.in front of theautofocus
windows,
taking
lens,light-sensor
window
and
flash.
@o
o
o
aiig
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2. As you depressthe shutter button halfway,
oneof the 0 distance
marks
lights
up. lf the
flash
does
not pop up, you are
ready
to
depress
the shutterbutton completely to take
a picture.
o lf the flash pops
up, the subject isnot bright
enoughand you have to use
flash.
{For the use
of f
lash,refer
to page 20.)
o When
thedistancemark ( ii ) lights up,
compose
your picture
within the @ parallax-
correction
f
rame.
3. Asyou depress
the shutter
button further, the
lens
coveropens
automatically
andthe shutter
isreleased.As you release
your finger
from
theshutterbutton,the
film will automatically
bewound on to thenext
frame
andthelens
coverwill alsoclose.
o When
you wishto recompose
your pictureor
change
the subject, release
your finger
from the
shutter
button and re-depress
the button.
o When
the batteries
are
exhausted,the shutter
may not bereleased.
{
I
d
r
."o'
\l/
:t1i
15
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REWINDING
FILM
WW
1. Several secondsaf
ter the lastframeof the
rollisexposed, themotor automatically
starts
rewindingthe
f
ilm.
While
therewind
operation
istaking
place,
the Film Transport
Indicator's
redstripes
keepf
lickering.
o lt usuallytakes
about30 seconds
to rewinda
rollof 24-exposure
f
ilm.
o Neveropenthecamera
back
untilthe
motor
stops.
16
2. Openthe camerabackand removethe film
cartridgeby f
irst
pullingthe top of the cartridge
toward you with your finger,asshown
above.
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X
o L=Y=J n
@lE
€) o ll[!-9..''.l_J ?,*
#
.
; .'\.*. :;-;,,:,
X lf you wantto rewind
the
film in midroll,
push
theMidrollRewindButtonwith a
fingernail,
andthe
motor will start
rewinding.Themotor
will automatically stopon completionof
rewinding.
o When
the batterypowergets
extremely low,
the
motor may stop duringrewinding.Should
it
happen,replace
the batteriesand push
the
MidrollRewind
Buttonto complete
rewinding.
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FOCUS.TOCKTECHNIOUE
lf thesubject
you wish
to focuson is
out of the
AutofocusSpot as
shown
above,
it will beout
of focus
andonly the background
will be
in
focus.
You canavoid
this
problem
by using
the
focus-lock
technique
in the following
order.
1. Bring
theAutofocus
Spoton the main
subject.
2. As you depress
the shutter
button halfway,
the Distance
Markin the lower
part of the
viewf
inder
lightsup, locking
the focuson
thesubject
temPorarilY.
o As longas
you keep
depressing
the shutter
button halfway
and
the Distance
Mark keeps
glowing,thefocus
lockismaintained.
The
focus
will be
unlocked
assoon
as
you release
your f
inger
f
rom theshutterbutton.
1B
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