Pentax Zoom 280-P Date User manual

PENTAX
OPERATING MANUAL

OUTLINE OF BASIC OPERATIONS
Open the back cover
{see page 8).
The film will automatic
close the back cover cally advance to the
(see page 9). first frame (see page
9.) ^
Frame your subjec
and operate the zoom
ing lever to compose
the shot (see page 6).
(see page 12).
lease button. In dark
conditions, the flash
will discharge auto¬
matically (see paqe
13). ^
r4
Push the main switch
button to switch on
power (see page 4).
When the film is fin¬
ished, the camera will
automatically rewind
it (see page 14).

Congratulations on your purchase of
tax Zoom 280-P and welcome to ^he world of
Pentax zoom compact photography. Your
compact, light weight camera is a great com*
pan Ion to preserve your favorite memories.
Its built-in 28-80mm zoom lens 9 i ves you the
freedom to frame everything from breatntaK
ing landscapes to family portraits,
taUed close-ups. The built-in auto flash helps
you capture subjects in dimly-lit places or
photogmph indoor scenes with clarity and
brilliance. Also included are Programmed-
Image-Size tracking, interval shooting, pano¬
ramic modes and a wireless remote control
feature. Since most of the operations - .'^c ud-
ing film loading, film speed setting, winding/
rewinding, focus and exposure control - are
automatic, you can take great P'ct^res effort
lessiv. The DATE model makes it easy to
remember the dates when you took pictures.
. Please read this manual carefully b^ore
operating the camera to take consistently
superior pictures. .
. Pay special attention to the cautions and
notes in this Operating Manual. P'ct^ures
and illustrations shown herein may differ
from the camera's actual appearance.
Icon indicators used in this manual
The names of the camera's working parts are
listed on the front and back flaps of this man¬
ual Keep the flaps unfolded for quick refer-
onnp while reading the manual.

NAMES OF WORKING PARTS
O Shutter release button
® LCD panel
0 Image button
O Drive button
0 Red-eye reduction flash
button
0 Diopter adjustment lever
0 Mode button
0 Autofocus window
0 Light sensor window
0 Self-timer lamp
0 Built-in flash
0 Viewfinder window
0 Lens
0 Remote control receiver
(front)
0 Strap lug
0 Remote control
0 Remote-control-release
lever
0 Auxiliary rewind button I

CAUTIONS
• The electric circuitry inside the camera con¬
tains high voltage working parts. Never at¬
tempt to disassemble the camera.
• Be careful not to drop or subject the cam¬
era to strong vibrations, shock or pressure.
Do not apply force to the zoom lens; do not
place the camera with the lens facing
downward.
• Never attempt to manually open the lens
cover: it will automatically open and close
as the main switch is turned on and off.
• Make sure not to obstruct the autofocus
window, lens, light sensor window, or the
built-in flash with your fingers or hair.
• Avoid leaving the camera for extended pe¬
riods in places where temperature and
humidity are high such as in a car.
• Dirt, mud, sand, moisture, toxic gas, water,
salt water, etc., penetrating the inside of
the camera may cause damage or render it
inoperable. Therefore, handle the camera
with great care.
• Never use solvents such as paint thinner,
alcohol or benzine to clean the camera.
PRECAUTIONS FOR BATTERY |
• The misuse of batteries can cause hazards
such as leakage, overheating, explosions,
etc. Batteries should be inserted with the
"+" and sides facing correctly.
• Do not mix battery brands, types or old bat¬
teries with new ones as it will result in over¬
heating or fire.
• Never try to disassemble, short or recharge
the batteries. Also, do not dispose of the
batteries in a fire, as they may explode.
• Battery performance may be temporarily
hindered in low temperatures, but will re¬
cover in normal temperatures.
• Keep spare batteries on hand for replace¬
ment convenience when shooting out¬
doors or while traveling.
• Keep the batteries out of the reach of chil¬
dren.
• When the camera is in a bag, ensure the
main switch is off: otherwise, battery
power may be wasted if the shutter release
button is accidentally pushed.
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Names of working parts.Flaps
• Outline of basic operations.Inside cover
• Cautions..
PREPARATIONS BEFORE TAKING
PHOTOGRAPHS
1. Strap attachment.3
2. Main switch and battery check.^4
3. How to hold the camera.5
4. Operating a 28 - 80mm zoom lens.6
TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
1. Usable film..
2. Film loading.8
3. Viewfinder displays and shooting
ranges..
4. Green/red lamps.11
5. Ordinary photography.11
• Diopter adjustment.11
6. Taking pictures.12
7. Unloading the film.14
2
TAKING BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS
How to select modes
/Red-eye reduction flash mode.15
Daylight-synchro shooting.18
Taking pictures at slow shutter
speeds..
Bulb/Bulb-synchro shooting. 2 0
Self-timer shooting. . ' . " 2 2
Consecutive shooting.23
Multi-exposure shooting.24
Interval shooting.25
Infinity-landscape shooting.27
Programmed-lmage-size tracking mode ....28
Spot AF shooting.29
Exposure compensation. 3 1
Panoramic format picture.32
Using wireless remote control. 3 4
Date model..
MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Battery exhaustion warning.40
Installing/Replacing the batteries. 4 1
Taking care of your camera.42
Troubleshooting. 4 4
Specifications.1” ..”.146
Warranty policy.48
LCD panel.

PREPARATIONS BEFORE
TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
For oplimiiiii perfo^ance you ,
familiarize wttit cerbiin tuif^-
menfob ariy p
1. STRAP ATTACHMENT
Fit the strap on the camera as illustrated. Use the
clamp's protrusion O to depress the film auxil¬
iary rewind button, and ADJUST button on the
DATE model. Use the clamp's protrusion ® as a
screwdriver to open the battery chamber cover.
• To prevent the camera from swaying a lot while
walking, adjust the strap so the camera rides
above your waist
3

2. MAIN SWITCH AND BATTERY CHECK
To switch on, push the main switch button. The
lens extends slightly to the wide-angle 28mm
setting and the LCD panel is on. To switch off,
push the main switch button again. When not in
use, ensure that the camera is switched off.
• Use two 3V lithium batteries, type DL123A or
CR123A. Do not remove the batteries before
they are exhausted, since they are used by the
date function on the DATE model to keep con¬
stant track of time.
• The lens cover automatically opens and
closes when the main switch is on and off
Never attempt to open the lens cover manu-
4 ally.
4
■
Battery check
After you turn the main switch ON, the lens
slightly extends and the lens cover opens. You
are now ready to shoot. (See ^e 40 when the
battery exhaustion symbol (CD) appears on
the LCD panel.)
* If the camera Is on and left unused for over 3
minutes, the lens automatically retracts and
the power switches off to save battery power,
* If the main switch is turned on within 30 min¬
utes of auto-power off, the previous setting
will automatically return.

3. HOW TO HOLD THE CAMERA
When shooting, hold the camera securely
with both hands. Keep the camera as still as
possible, and gently depress the shutter re¬
lease button. (If too much force is applied, the
camera is likely to shake, and the picture will
be blurred.) Try to brace your elbows against
your body, or support yourself and the cam¬
era against a stable, stationary object, such
as a wall.
When using the flash with the camera posi¬
tioned vertically, hold the camera so that the
flash is above the lens.
Caution:
Do not hold the zoom lens because it moves
back and forth while in operation.
Note:
• Make sure not to obstruct the autofocus
window, lens, light sensor window or the
built-in flash with your fingers or hair.
5

4. OPERATING A 28-80mm ZOOM LENS
Move the zooming (ever to the right { f )
or the left ( 444 ) to zoom the lens to the
desired setting, release the zooming lever,
and then depress the shutter release but¬
ton fully to take pictures.
Step Zoom and Continuous Zoom
Step Zoom: Moving the zooming lever
slightly zooms the lens to adjacent steps,
causing slight composition changes.
Continuous Zoom: Moving the lever fully
causes continuous lens zooming, which
drastically changes the composition.
* With the step zoom, the lens stops at
lens focal length of 28 , 35, 42 , 50 , 60 , 70 ,
and 80 m m . To stop at the next step, re¬
turn the zooming lever to its original po¬
sition, and then slightly move it again.
* When you move the zooming lever or
the shutter release button is depressed
halfway down, the lens focal length is
displayed on the LCD panel.

1. USABLE FILM
TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
After reading this Insfru^ion manual
you shouid be famiiiar with the func¬
tions available on the canriera, and
you're ready to Ins^ the film.
Notes:
• When buying DX-coded films, ensure that
the package bears the "DX" mark.
• Non-DX coded film cannot be used.
• Use high-speed film with an ISO rating of
1000 or higher mainly for shooting indoors
or in dimly-lit conditions.
Automatic film speed setting
This camera is designed to use DX-coded
films with ISO ratings from 25 to 3200. When
any of these films are loaded, the proper film
speed is automatically set for the camera.
7

2. FILM LOADING (Ensure the
power is off before inserting the film.)
1 Slide the back cover release lever down in
the direction of the arrow to open the back
cover as illustrated.
2 Place the film cartridge in the film chamber
by fitting its flat side on top of the rewind
shaft first and then slide the top end Into
the camera.
3 Pull the film leader out far enough from the
cartridge to reach the take-up spool O-
Align the tip with the film leader end mark
Notes:
• Make sure not to touch the lens with your
fingers.
• Ensure the film is placed properly between
the guide rails 0.
• If there is dirt on the film detection section
O/ film cannot be wound properly.

4
&
4 After the back cover is closed, the film auto¬
matically advances to the first frame.
* Even if no film is loaded, the motor oper¬
ates for a second or two after the back
cover is closed.
CL)
5 When ( I ) appears in the exposure counter
on the LCD panel, the film automatically
stops winding. The indication appears as
shown above. If (/) does not appear on the
LCD panel, it indicates that the film is not
properly loaded. If this occurs, reload the
film. If (E) blinks on the LCD panel, it
means the film is not properly loaded.
* The exposure counter Indication will re¬
main on even if the main switch is turned
off.
Ensure the film is taut as illustrated on the previous page. Take up any slack in the film by
pushing it back into the cartridge.
If the end of the film leader is extremely bent, straighten it or cut off the bent portion.

3. VIEWFINDER DISPLAYS AND SHOOTING RANGES
10
Rrst switch on power by depressing the main switch but¬
ton.
Ordinary photography
O Autofocus frame
Focus on the subject with this frame.
O Close distance compensation frame
When the camera-to-subject distance Is between 0.56m
(1.8ft) and 1m (3.3 ft), compose the scene within this
frame.
0 Picture area
When taking a standard picture, compose the scene
within this frame.
Panoramic format picture
O Autofocus frame
Focus on the subject with this frame.
0 Panoramic format close distance compensation frame
When taking panoramic format pictures at a distance
approx. 0.56(1.8ft)-1m(3.3ft), compose the scene within
this frame.
0 Picture area
When taking a panoramic format picture, compose the
scene within this frame.
When taking panoramic format pictures, sliding the pano¬
rama mode selector lever switches the picture area to the
horizontal panoramic format frame.
Autofocus is referred to as "AF".
Shooting range (effective camera-to-subject distance)
• The effective shooting range is from (infinity) to 0.56
meter (1.8ft).
• Subjects closer than 0.56 meter (1.8ft) cannot be focused
properly.

4 . GREEN/RED LAMPS 5. ORDINARY PHOTOGRAPHY
When you depress the
shutter release button
halfway down, the lamps
O and/or @ light up or
blink as shown above.
O Green lamp: When the subject is in focus, it will
light up to indicate that you can
take the picture; when the subject
is not in focus, it will blink, indicat¬
ing that you cannot take the pic¬
ture because the camera-to-subject
distance is too close.
Q Red lamp: When the flash is ready to dis¬
charge, it will light up. When the
flash is being charged, it will blink.
Notes:
• If the subject is too close, the green lamp blinks.
Adjust the camera-to-subject distance so that the
green lamp lights continuously, then release the
shutter.
• If the subject is even closer, the green lamp may
light continuously.
When the power
is switched on,
the camera
automatically
selects the
Auto and
Single-Frame
Shooting modes and the exposure counter indica¬
tion remains on as shown above. The built-in flash
will discharge automatically when the subject is
poorly illuminated or backlit.
• When the LCD panel display is different from the
one shown above (which indicates the other
modes are set), switching power OFF and then
ON restores the Auto and Single-Frame Shooting
modes.
Diopter
adjustment
Aim the camera
toward a bright
subject. While
looking through
the viewfinder,
adjust the diopter
by moving the di¬
opter adjustment
lever to the right
or the left so until
the AF frame ap¬
pears clearest. ^ ^
AUTOy^
-V
1
_j£X^

6. TAKING PICTURES Shooting distance: 0.56m (I.Sfti • oo (infinity)
1 Composing the scene
After zooming the lens and composing your
scene, focus on the subject with the autofo¬
cus frame In the center of the viewfinder.
* This camera uses multi-beam AF to focus
the lens on the subject. Even If the subject
is slightly off the AF frame, the subject will
easily be brought into focus.
* To focus on a particular spot in the AF
frame, select the AF spot mode.
* When the power is turned on, the multi-
beam AF mode is automatically set.
2 Checking the lamp indication
Depress the shutter release button halfway
down. When the subject is in focus, the green
lamp will light up. If the subject is closer than
0.56 meter (I.Sft), the green lamp will blink to
warn you. In this case, extend the camera-to-
subject distance until the green lamp is lit
continuously.
• When the red lamp lights up, it indicates
that the built-in flash will discharge. Ensure
that you are within the flash effective range
before shooting, (see page 13.)

3 Shooting
Depress the shutter release button fully, and
the shutter will release. Then, the film auto¬
matically advances to the next frame.
Notes:
• When the shutter is released, the self-timer
lamp momentarily lights up to indicate that
a picture has been taken.
• If you wish to focus on another subject, lift
your finger off the shutter release button
and depress the shutter release button
halfway down again.
• The shutter cannot be released while the
lens is zooming.
Automatic Flash Emission
When taking pictures in low light or in a backlit situ¬
ation, the flash will automatically discharge. When
the shutter release button is depressed halfway
down in low light, the red lamp will light up, indicat¬
ing the flash is ready to discharge. If the red lamp
blinks, this indicates that the built-in flash is being
charged and the shutter cannot be released. There¬
fore, ensure that the red lamp lights continuously
before taking pictures.
Red-eye
Shooting portraits with the flash may result in "red¬
eye", (the red dot in your subject's eye). This cam¬
era includes a red-eye reduction flash function,
which suppresses the red-eye phenomenon by us¬
ing pre-flash. See page 17 for details.
Rash effective ranges (Nega-color film used)
^ISO
Lens ^^
100 :;
200
400
Wide-angle
28mm
0.56-5.0m
0.56-7.0m
0.56-10.0m
Telephoto
80mm
0.56-2.7m
0.56-3.8m
0.56-5.4m
13

7,
UNLOADING
cii ^ camera in the shade or use your body
rlLm to shade the camera.)
Rewinding the film
After you have exposed the last frame of the roll, the
lens retracts and the film rewinds automatically.
Then, the motor stops, and (0 Of ) blinks as shown
to indicate that the film has been rewound. To un¬
load the film, open the back cover. Remove the car¬
tridge by pulling the top first.
• A 24-exposure roll of film takes about 20 seconds
to be rewound.
• During rewinding, the exposure counter counts
frame numbers in reverse.
• The entire roll of film including the film leader is
always rewound into the cartridge to prevent any
part of the film being exposed to light.
14
Rewinding a film in mid-roll
If you wish to unload a film before exposing all the
frames, push the auxiliary rewind button with the
clamp’s protrusion. The lens retracts automatically
and film rewinding starts.
Notes:
• The shutter may be released a frame or two even
after the specified number of frames have been
used up as indicated by the number of shots
shown on the film canister. If this occurs, these
frames may not be developed.
• Never open the back cover until the whole film
roll is rewound.

TAKING BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS
HOW TO SELECT MODES/RED-EYE REDUC¬
TION FLASH MODE
To select various exposure modes, depress the mode button O.
Slow-Sh utter
• Depressing the red-eye reduction flash button O in the Auto or Daylight-Sync mode alternates the normal
mode (indicated by black line) with the red-eye reduction flash mode (indicated by red line).
• Depress buttons O and/or © in succession to set the required modes. To switch to the next mode from the
Bulb, Bulb-synchro, Interval shooting mode, depress the button O or ®, then promptly depress it again
while the exposure counter indication is blank. For normal use, set the Auto and Single-Frame modes.
• When the power is switched on, the Auto and Single-Frame-Shooting modes which are selected for normal
use are automatically set.
To select the desired shooting modes, depress the drive button 0.
15

• In the Slow-Shutter speed
mode, If the red-eye reduc¬
tion flash mode button (V)
0 is depressed, the desired
mode is set as shown at
right.
speed
I
synchro
Slow-speed-syn-
chro (Red-eye
reduction flash
mode)
■ n.
• In the Bulb mode, if the red¬
▼
eye reduction flash button
▼
(^) 0 is depressed, the de¬
a
sired flash mode is set as
shown at right.
B
□
i
B
□
B
Bulb-synchro
Bulb-Synchro
(Red-eye reduc¬
tion flash mode)
• In the Slow-Shutter Speed, Slow-Speed-Synchro, Bulb or Bulb-Synchro mode, if the mode button
O is depressed, the exposure mode changes as shown in the normal mode (indicated by black line).
• In the Slow-Speed-Synchro and red-eye reduction flash modes or the Bulb-Synchro and red-eye
reduction flash modes, if the mode button O is depressed, the exposure mode changes as in the
red-eye reduction flash mode (indicated by red line).
16