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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