Pentax LX Quick Help/Reference Manual
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Pentax LX Quick Help/Reference Manual

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See also: User Manual
Note:
This manual is created just aiming to support the Pentax LX users who has lost his original manual or for those who has just bought a used unit in
the secondary used market. We would still advise anyone who wishes to acquire a complete official manual either from Jebsen & Jebsen, local distributor
for Pentax cameras or write to Asahi Optical Co Ltd for a copy. Creator of this site will not be responsible for the accuracy of the content within.
In the US:
Pentax Corporation
35 Inverness Drive East
Post Office Box 6509
Englewood, Colorado 80155-6509
(800) 877-0155, (303) 799-8000
pentaxinfo@pentax.com
Website:
http://www.pentax.com
In Japan:
Pentax Optical Co Ltd
Website:
http://www.pentax.co.jp/
Pentax, Pentax LX, Asahi Optical, Asahiflex and other trade names mentioned in this site are registered trademarks of the respective companies.
Quick Help/Reference Manual
1. Two-way exposure counter
2. Shutter button lock
3. Shutter button
4. Rapid wind lever
5. Shutter dial
6. Shutter-cocked indicator
7. Aperture window
8. Multi-function lever
9. Lever release button
10. Lever index
11. Lens release button
12. Lens mount
13. Lens alignment index
14. Instant return mirror

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Summary of Contents for Pentax LX

  • Page 1 Note: This manual is created just aiming to support the Pentax LX users who has lost his original manual or for those who has just bought a used unit in the secondary used market. We would still advise anyone who wishes to acquire a complete official manual either from Jebsen & Jebsen, local distributor for Pentax cameras or write to Asahi Optical Co Ltd for a copy.
  • Page 2 15. Shutter speed index 16. Hotshoe 17. Film rewind crank 18. Film rewind crank/ Back cover release knob 19. Grip mount socket 20. Accessory lug 21. Distance scale 22. Focusing ring 23. Depth-of-field scale 24. Aperture/Distance index 25. Aperture scale 26.
  • Page 3 Operating the Camera Without Batteries When the LED shutter speed display no longer lights, batteries are dead. However, the LX camera incorporates an electro-mechanical shutter system which allows the photographer to continue taking pictures over a broad range of shutter speeds even when the batteries no longer function due to exhaustion or temporary failure from temperature extremes.

  • Page 4: Attaching The Viewfinder

    ATTACHING THE VIEWFINDER Your Pentax LX is a complete System 35mm SLR which offers you an exceptionally wide variety of interchangeable viewfinders (see page 46). Once you have selected the viewfinder best suited your picture-taking...

  • Page 5: Mounting The Lens

    Never put the lens down with the front element up. ADVANCING THE FILM The film advance system and exposure counter of your new Pentax LX are designed to provide you with the utmost in rapid winding convenience and frame indication accuracy.

  • Page 6: Loading The Film

    2. Two-Way Exposure Counter The LX exposure counter is a sequential type which advances one frame each time the rapid wind lever or film transport is activated. The scale is indexed from "0" to "36" with frames "12," "20," "24" and "36" marked in red. The counter also operates in reverse when rewinding the film and disengages when making multiple exposures to ensure frame indication accuracy.
  • Page 7 SETTING THE SHUTTER DIAL To set your Pentax LX for automatic exposure control, rotate the shutter dial until the word "Automatic" locks into place opposite the index mark as shown. When manual control is desired, press the shutter dial lock release and turn the dial until the speed setting you wish to use aligns with the index at the click-stop position.
  • Page 8 FOCUSING The Pentax LX comes equipped with the standard SC-21 split-image/microprism focusing screen which provides a split-image center spot surrounded by a microprism collar on a matte field. The SC-21 is fully interchangeable with eight other focusing screen models to provide...
  • Page 9 Set the lens f/stop you desire on the camera lens and activate the metering system by pressing lightly on the shutter release button. The LX will then read the amount of light striking the film plane, select the precise shutter speed required for a proper exposure from the continuously variable range of 1/2000th second down to 125 seconds during normal temperatures.
  • Page 10 USING THE EXPOSURE COMPENSATION DIAL Although the center-weighting of your LX camera's metering system is designed to provide accurate exposure measurement under the majority of lighting conditions, when using the camera in the automatic mode you may find that a degree of exposure adjustment is desirable. This is particularly true in scenes with extremely contrasty backgrounds or foregrounds, or where special creative effects can enhance the overall quality of the photograph.

  • Page 11: Manual Exposure Control

    METER COUPLING RANGE The IDM (Integrated Direct Metering) system of your Pentax LX assures superbly accurate exposure readings over a broad range of shutter speed/film speed combinations. The working EV range of the IDM metering system for both manual and automatic exposures is reflected in the reference chart above.

  • Page 12: Unloading The Film

    It is not necessary to lock up the mirror for motor drive photography. To release the mirror lock, press the lever release button again. Your Pentax LX allows you to make multiple exposures quickly and easily. After taking the first exposure, simply press the film rewind/multiple exposure...

  • Page 13: Infrared Photography

    The random access feature of the LX camera's twoway exposure counter enables you to produce multiple exposures on any frame as long as the film has not been wound off the take-up spool. As an exlirnple, let's say after reaching frame 15 you decide to double expose the image on frame 10. To do so, 1.

  • Page 14: Depth Of Field Tables

    Because black & white infrared film records light rays which focus differently than light in the visible spectrum, when shooting it is necessary to adjust the focusing ring accordingly. After focusing normally on the subject, note the subject-camera distance on the lens distance scale and turn the focusing ring until that distance setting aligns with the orange infrared index mark.
  • Page 15 The Pentax AF-200S and AF-160 Automatic Electronic Flash Units are fully compatible with the LX camera's automatic shutter speed flash synchronization and viewfinder flash ready light features. When the flash unit is turned "ON" with the camera's shutter dial set at "Automatic"...
  • Page 16 Attaching the Strap The strap which accompanies your LX can be used in two ways. Before attaching the strap, press the twin tab of the fastener (Tab A) with the edge of a coin until the single tab (Tab B) protrudes.

  • Page 17: Interchangeable Viewfinders

    Tighten the screw using a screwdriver or coin. USING SCREW-MOUNT TAKUMAR LENSES Super-Takumar and SMC Takumar screw-mount lenses can be attached to your Pentax LX by using the Pentax Mount Adaptor K. When using this accessory, however, the automatic diaphragm of the lens will no longer function and meter readings must be made with the lens apertuPe stopped down.
  • Page 18 To change the LX Focusing Screen, use the pincette supplied with your new focusing screen. Insert the head of the pincette against the top plate of the mount so that the two ear-like tabs rest again,st the indentation in the plate as illustrated.

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