10lcon indicators used in this manual
BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

Operation direction
Attention
Lamp blinking

I. BASIC OPERATION(PREPARATION)

Attaching the Camera Strap
123

3. To remove the strap, repeat step 1.
• Adjust the length of the strap with the buckle.
• After fitting the strap and adjusting the length, pull
the strap hard to confirm that the strap has
securely attached to the camera.
• There is a pocket on the strap so you can store asmall accessory.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

1. Use a coin or similar object to slide the clasp
in the direction of the arrow.
2. Put the clasp onto the strap lug of the camera with the arrow indication facing out, andslide the lock plate back to the original position.

11

12
1

Loading the Batteries
2BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

1. To remove the battery holder, lift the battery
holder release knob and turn it in the direction of the arrow.
2. Load six 1.5V AA-size batteries in the battery
holder in accordance with the diagram
located in the battery holder.

3

3. To secure the battery holder, turn the battery
holder release knob in the direction of thearrow.

13Battery life
[20°C/68°F]

Battery life[-10°C/14°F]
Alkaline Battery

Lithium Battery

Alkaline Battery

Lithium Battery

120 film holder:about 130 rolls

about 320 rolls

120 film holder:about 7 rolls

about 120 rolls

220 film holder:about 100 rolls

about 250 rolls

220 film holder:about 5 rolls

about 90 rolls

Bulb exposure time about 8 hours

about 12 hours

Bulb exposure time about 6 hours

about 10 hours• The batteries were used under our testing conditions. Actual battery life and performance may vary drastically depending on external conditions such as temperature and freshness of the battery.
• Battery performance may be temporarily hindered in low temperatures, but should recover in normal temperatures.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)• This camera requires battery power for operation. Always use six 1.5V AA size batteries.
• The ISO film speed and number of exposed frames are unchanged if the batteries are replaced.
• Keep spare batteries on hand when shooting out doors or while traveling.
• Use of the optional Remote Battery Pack 645 is recommended when the camera is used in extremely lowtemperatures.
• Replace all the batteries at the same time. Do not mix battery brands, types or old batteries with newones.
• Remove batteries when not using the camera for long periods of time as the batteries may leak.

14

Turning the Power ONBASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

12

1. Set the main switch to [ON]2. With the main switch set to U, an audible
PCV signal is heard under one of the following conditions.

• When the camera is not in use, make sure that themain switch is OFF to prevent battery drain if theshutter release button is accidentally pressed.

• When the subject comes into focus.
• When the film is left only one frame.
• With the mirror lock-up function set.

15*

• Even if the low-battery symbol appears, exposure
will be correct as long as the shutter can bereleased. It is recommended to replace the batteries as soon as possible.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)*Low Battery Warning
When the batteries are nearly exhausted, the battery symbol e appears on the LCD panel as awarning. Replace the batteries as soon as possible.
See page 12 for replacing the batteries.

16

Attaching the Lens

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

1

2

1. Remove the body mount cap while pressing
the lens unlock button.

2. Align the red dots on the camera and lens
mount, attach the lens to the camera body,and turn it fully to the right until you hear aclick.

17*

3. To remove the front lens cap, squeeze the tabs
on the both sides in the direction of the arrow.

* How to remove
To remove the lens, turn it to the left whilepressing the lens unlock button.

• With a non-autofocus lens attached, all available
functions in this camera operate except autofocus
operation.
• We assume no responsibility nor liability for damages resulting from the use of lenses made byother manufacturers.
• The camera body and lens mount incorporate lensinformation contacts and an AF coupler. Dirt, dust,
or corrosion may cause damage to the electricalsystem. Clean the contacts with a soft, dry cloth.

• To protect the contacts and AF coupler of the lensagainst damage after removal, be sure to set thelens down with the mount side facing upward.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

318

Detaching/Attaching Film Holder 645

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

12Attaching
1. Align the red dots on the film holder knob
and film holder, then insert the film holder
into the camera chamber. Press both sides ofthe film holder until you hear a click.

2. Turn the film holder knob 90° to the right.
After attaching the film holder to the camera,
fold the film holder knob into its originalposition.

19
1BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

Detaching
1. Raise the film holder knob and turn until thered dot markings align and a click is heard.
Continue to turn the film holder knob to theleft; the locking mechanism will release andthe film holder is now detached from thecamera body.

• When inserting the film holder into the camera
body, be sure that the film holder is inserted all
the way in order to avoid any serious damage.
• Precautions are required when attaching the 220
film holder.

20

Pressing the Shutter Release Button

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

The shutter release button has two positions.
Pressing it down halfway (first position) turns on
the exposure meter and autofocus system.
Pressing it fully (second position) releases theshutter. When taking a picture, press the shutter
release button gently to prevent camera shake.

Loading Film
Spool retainer (p.21)
Film winding gear (p.21)• Before loading a roll of film, slowly press the shutter release button to learn where the first positionis.
• The LCD indication stays on for about 10 seconds
after the button is released from the halfway position.
• The timer duration of the LCD indication can bechanged from the initial 10 seconds to 20 or 30
seconds with Pentax function No.2 See page 78.

Pressure plate
Start mark (p.22)
After loading the film, be sure to set the proper
film speed. See page 24 for setting the filmspeed.

Not pressedpressed halfway
down(first position)pressed fully
down(second position)

21
124

3. Draw the leader from the film roll, and insert
the leader paper tip into the take-up spool'sslit.
4. Slowly rotate the film winding gear in the
direction of the arrow while lightly holding
the leader paper.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

1. Install an empty to the spool retainer as illustrated.
2. Tear off the tape and install the spool to thefilm holder so that the black inner side of theleader must face outwards.

322
5

6

78

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

Start mark5. Wind the leader paper onto the take-up spool
until the arrow on the leader paper aligns theholder's start mark S and the red line.
6. Attach the film holder into the camera body.

7. Set the main switch to [ON]. Press the stutter
release button. The film automaticallyadvances to the first frame. B is displayedon the LCD panel.
8. If A appears, it indicates that the film is notproperly loaded. Detach the film holder fromthe camera and load the film once again.

23• If the leader paper is wound far over the start
mark S or the red line, you may lose the last
frame(s) on the roll.
• The film holder cannot be changed or removed
when the film is in mid-roll.
• 15 pictures are taken with a 120 roll film and 32
pictures are taken with a 220 roll film. The numberof pictures taken can be changed with Pentaxfunction No.9.
• With the main switch set to U, the PCV signal
beeps for two second when the film is left only
one frame for film depleting warning

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)• Always load or unload a film in the shade or byusing your body to shade the film holder.
• We suggest that you first operate the camera
without a film to become familiar with its operations.
• The film counter indication advances one eachtime the shutter is released.
• With a 220 film loaded, the dot marks appear
before the arrow marking. If the dot marks alignthe start mark on the film holder, the first 3 frames
will not be exposed.
• The film counter indication can be set with Pentax
Function No.7 to either count forward or backward each frame.

24
1Setting the Film Speed (ISO)2

3BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

1. Set the exposure compensation dial to the ISOposition

3. After the desired film speed is set, turn the exposure compensation dial to the [0] position.

• Turn the exposure compensation dial while holding
down the exposure compensation dial release button.
• The shutter cannot be released with the exposure compensation dial set at [ISO].

• The film speed setting range is ISO 6 to 6400 in 1/3 EV
step increments.
• You can tear off a part of the film package indicating thetype of film and speed, and insert it into the memo
holder provided on the film holder to remind you of thefilm type/speed that you are using.
• [ISO] and film speed are always displayed on the LCD
panel with the main switch set to the ON position.

2. Press the up/down button. To set the ISO for to ahigher film speed, press the Y button repeatedlyuntil the desired ISO appears on the LCD panel. Tochange ISO for a lower film speed, press the Z
button repeatedly until the desired film speed
appears on the LCD panel.

Unloading Film
123

• Remove the film in the shade or by using yourbody to shade the camera.
• The number of exposed frames on the LCD panel
disappears.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

1. After the last frame of the roll is exposed, thecamera will automatically wind the film andstop winding as soon as the end of the leader
paper is wound to the take-up spool. G onthe LCD panel is displayed.
2. Detach the film holder from the camera.
3. While firmly holding the wound film roll, affix
the paper seal securely on the back of thepaper leader to prevent the exposed roll fromunwinding accidentally.

25

26
1

Unloading the Film in Mid-Roll
2BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

If you wish to remove the film before exposing all
the frames, use this function.
1. Set the main switch to [ON].
2. Press the mid-roll wind-up button fully with afine-pointed object. The film will wind completely.
3. Before detaching the film holder, check that
G is displayed on the LCD panel.

34

4. While firmly holding the wound film roll, affix
the paper seal securely on the back of thepaper leader to prevent the exposed roll fromunwinding accidentally.
• The number of exposed frames on the LCD panel
disappears.
• When removing the film from the camera, protect
it from direct sunlight.

Installing the Eyecup
1

2

To install
1. The standard eyecup may be easily removed
from the viewfinder by rotating the cup to theleft.
2. To install the larger eyecup: match the eyecup pin with the eyepiece hole.

33. Turn the fixing screw to the right with a coinor similar object.
• When using accessories such as the Refconverter 645, remove the eyecup first.
• When turning the fixing screw with a coin, a large
diameter coin is recommended to use. A small
diameter coin touches the glass part of the eyepiece and causes scratching the eyepiece glass.

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)

Two types of eyecups, a standard and a larger one
are provided as accessories; they may be utilizedaccording to a given situation. The larger is constructed of rubber and designed to fit close to theface for easy shooting.

27

28

Adjusting the Viewfinder Diopter

BASIC OPERATION (PREPARATION)• The diopter adjustment range is +1.0D to -3.5-1m(per meter).

Aim the camera at a bright subject. While looking
through the viewfinder, turn the diopter adjustmentring to the left or right until the autofocus framel appears in the sharpest focus.