Pentax LX
 SECTION 3
Posted 2-27-03

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USING THE SELF-TIMER/DEPTH OF FIELD PREVIEW/MIRROR LOCK
Your Pentax LX features a Multi-Function Lever which is used to operate the self-timer, preview depth of field and lock up the mirror. The lever operates as follows:

Self-Timer

The LX self-timer provides a variable 4 to 10 second delay of the shutter release. Press the lever release button and turn the multi-function lever counter-clockwise to set the timer delay. After making sure the shutter is cocked, press the shutter release button to activate the timer run. The timer can be cancelled before the start of its run by returning the lever to its original position. Once you press the shutter release button, it can no longer be cancelled.4www.butkus.org

 


Depth of Field Preview

To preview depth of field, move the multi-function lever clockwise towards the lens mount. The lens diaphragm will then stop down to shooting aperture allowing you to see the area of acceptable sharpness in the camera viewfinder.

Mirror Lock

The mirror of the LX can be locked up to minimize vibration in close-up and photomacrography by simply pressing the lever release button and moving the multi-function lever clockwise towards the lens mount. It is not necessary to lock up the mirror for motor drive photography. To release the mirror lock, press the lever release button again.4www.butkus.org

 


MULTIPLE EXPOSURES
Your Pentax LX allows you to make multiple exposures quickly and easily. After taking the first exposure, simply press the film rewind/multiple exposure button at the base of the camera to disengage the film transport mechanism and exposure counter. Advance the rapid wind lever to cock the shutter, adjust the exposure as required and press the shutter release to take the second exposure: Press the rewind/multiple exposure button once again for each additional exposure on the same frame.

The random access feature of the LX camera's two way 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 example, let's say after reaching frame 15 you decide to double expose the image on frame 10. To do so:4www.butkus.org

1. Push the film rewind/multiple exposure button.

2. Lift the film rewind crank and wind the film back until the 9 index appears in the exposure counter window.

3. Cover the lens with the lens cap, advance the rapid wind lever, set the shutter dial to a manual speed to avoid long exposures and press the shutter release button.

4. Advance the rapid wind lever until the "10" appears in the exposure counter window and make the second exposure.

If you wish to make double exposures on the remaining frames, or again on the same frame, you must press the film rewind/multiple exposure button once again for each additional exposure. To return to the original frame without exposing the images already on film, cover the lens with the lens cap and advance the rapid wind lever until the 15 index appears in the exposure counter window. You will return to the original position on the frame within a 0.2mm tolerance.


USING A TRIPOD/TIME EXPOSURE AT "B"
Using a Tripod
The tripod socket at the base of the LX camera is designed to accept standard tripod threads having a depth no greater than 5.5mm (0.22 in.). To prevent any possibility of damage to the camera's internal mechanisms, do not use tripods with longer mounting screws and always avoid overtightening.4www.butkus.org

Tripod Spacer
To ensure proper tripod mounting when using lenses having a large diameter, insert the Spacer Ring which comes packed with the camera between the camera base and tripod platform.

Time Exposures at "B"
Although time exposures are possible in both the automatic and manual mode, use the "B" (Bulb) shutter speed setting to make long exposures in extremely low light levels for special creative effects. At this setting the shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button is depressed. When shooting at "B." always mount your camera to a tripod or other stable support and use a cable release whenever possible to minimize camera vibration. For exposures longer than several minutes, a locking cable release is recommended.


INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY
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.

In the top photo, the lens is focused at infinity (00) for normal photography; in the bottom photo it has been adjusted for infrared photography by moving the infinity mark to the orange infrared index.

NOTE: Compensation is not required when using infrared color films.

 



 DEPTH OF FIELD SCALES


Depth of field is the area in acceptable sharpness in front of and behind the subject in focus at a particular f/stop setting. Depth of field can be checked visibly by activating the depth-of-field preview while looking through the camera viewfinder. If more precise information is required, however, the depth of field scales engraved on most camera lenses provide a convenient means of determining the approximate distances.4www.butkus.org

The numbers engraved on either side of the depth of field scale represent f/stops. To read the scale, look at the distance scale of the lens opposite the index marks on the depth of field scale representing the f/stop set on the aperture ring. For example, in the photograph the lens is focused on a subject 5 meters away. At f/4 the depth of field is from approximately 4 to 7 meters. At f/5.6, the depth would be increased from approximately 3.6 meters to 7.9 meters.

DEPTH OF FIELD TABLES. - Click here to see the depth of field table.



SHOOTING WITH TTL INTEGRATED AUTOMATIC FLASH UNIT
When used with the Pentax AF-280T, AF-400T and AF-080C Ring Light Automatic Electronic Flash models, your Pentax LX provides the ultimate in electronic flash versatility. Because these units offer fully integrated operation with your camera's IDM through-the-lens light measurement system, the camera meter reads both ambient lighting and electronic flash to assure proper exposure of any subject within the unit's operating range, regardless of the aperture set on the lens. In addition, the integrated metering system allows the non-flash automatic exposure system to override flash when flash exposure is not needed to eliminate flash exposure failures even in changing lighting conditions.

The integrated flash operation with the LX also eliminates the need for exposure compensation when using filters or close-up accessories. With the AF-280T and AF-400T it allows you to take full advantage of bounce flash capabilities while retaining through-the-lens flash control, and with the AF-080C through the lens metering enables unprecedented convenience for close-up work and macrophotography.

 

 

Auto Flash Synch/Viewfinder Ready Light
After making the proper connection for flash operation (i.e., by attaching the AF-280T to the LX hotshoe, the AF-080C Control Pack to the hotshoe, or the 4P Synch Cord for the AF400T to the X synch terminal on the camera body), set the flash unit for TTL AUTO operation and leave the camera's shutter dial set for "Automatic". After you switch the flash on, the camera will automatically synchronize the shutter speed at "X" (1 /75th second) for flash and illuminate the viewfinder LED at "X" as a visible ready light.

Viewfinder Flash Exposure Confirmation
 When using any of the three TTL flash units on TTL Auto, a signal is given right inside the viewfinder after the photo is taken to confirm that the subject received adequate flash exposure. After a properly exposed photo, the red "X" LED flickers on and off. For action photography with flash, the viewfinder exposure check can be turned off by a switch on the back of the flash unit.4www.butkus.org

The chart on page 40 summarizes the dedicated flash features of these three units with the LX. For additional operating instructions refer to the instruction manual accompanying your flash unit.



"DEDICATED" AUTOMATIC AUTOMATIC FLASH UNITS
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" and the flash unit set for auto flash operation, the shutter automatically synchronizes at "X" (1/75th second) and the "X" indicator inside the viewfinder glows when the flash unit reaches full charge.

NOTE: Dedicated flash is also offered with the above two units with the shutter dial set to "X." The AF-200S also features flash exposure override. When the viewfinder indication for the camera's metering system is between 1/30th second and 4 seconds (occasionally 1/60th second, due to stepless metering) flash synchronization is automatically obtained; when faster speeds are indicated, however, non-flash exposure system overrides flash, preventing overexposure. (This feature is not offered with the AF-1 60).



OTHER FLASH UNITS
Your LX camera is designed to accept a wide array of flash models using either the built-in hotshoe of the standard FA-1 Viewfinder or the synchronization terminals at the front of the camera body. The "X" terminal is for synchronization of electronic flash or F-type and MF-type bulbs; the "FP" terminal for synchronization with focal plane bulbs.   The LX system offers you the unique option of synchronization even with non-dedicated electronic flash units with the shutter dial set at "Automatic." In addition, manual speeds from "X" through "B" may be used. On "Automatic" the synchronization range is between 1/30th second and 4 seconds. Do not use "Automatic" for flash when the viewfinder indicates a faster speed or the complete frame will not be exposed; be sure to take precaution against picture blur when long exposures are indicated.4www.butkus.org

The chart below represents the usable synchronizations with both electronic flash and bulb-type flash units.


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