Pentax A series

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The Pentax A series are 35mm SLR cameras for 135 film from the Japanese company Asahi Optical KK With the A series, Asahi Optical introduced the KA bayonet in 1983, which is an extension of the K bayonet with contacts for data transmission from the lens to the camera. The A series only consists of 3 camera models, all of which, in contrast to the M series , now also have automatic programming . The first model in the series, the SLR multi-machine Pentax Super-A , was named "Camera of the Year 83" in Europe. Asahi also launched the first Pentax camera with a built-in motor in the A series.

Corresponding to the series, Pentax also brought out a new lens series, the A series (e.g. smc Pentax-A or Takumar-A ZOOM). These lenses have a lock on the aperture ring, the A-position, as well as the contacts for data transmission to the camera.

Pentax Super A

Pentax Super-A

The Pentax Super A was launched by Asahi in 1983 and manufactured until 1985. It was also sold as a Pentax Super program , such as B. on the American market. In the year it was launched, it was voted "Camera of the Year 83" in Europe. It is the top model of the series and the first camera from Asahi Pentax with aperture and program controls. As a multi-automat, the Super A has an automatic aperture, automatic program, TTL automatic flash and programmed automatic flash in addition to the automatic timer. It is also possible to carry out tracking measurements and it has the bulb mode. Under the program dial, it has an LCD display for displaying the set parameters, as well as in the viewfinder. The exposure meter is automatically switched off after 30 seconds and reactivated by gently pressing the shutter release button. It has a lever for depth control and, in addition to the hot shoe, also has a PC flash sync connection . The design of the M series was largely adopted and is clearly recognizable. An added handle shell on the front right side can be unscrewed. The Super A was available in completely black but also in black-silver, where the housing cap and the base plate are silver-colored in contrast to the black basic housing.

Data

  • Film format: 135 film (24 × 36)
  • Shutter: Vertical metal slat focal plane shutter Seiko MFC-E3, shutter speed adjustable from 1 / 2000s to 15s electronically controlled. Additionally 1 / 125s and B.
  • Exposure programs: P, TV, AV, M, B, X-Sync (1 / 125s)
  • Viewfinder: Pentaprism viewfinder with silver coating, the focusing screen is equipped with a sectional image indicator and a microprism ring . The viewfinder coverage is 92% of the film format and has a magnification of 0.82% at 50mm focal length to infinity.
  • Film transport: with quick transport lever, 135 ° lever travel, 30 ° working position, display for cocked shutter in the LCD field. Motorized film transport via Winder ME II or Motor Drive A possible.
  • Film speed: adjustable from 6 to 3200 ASA, exposure compensation from 4 × to 1 / 4x.
  • Power source: 2 x 1.5 V silver oxide batteries SR44
  • Case dimensions: 131 × 86.5 × 47.5 mm
  • Weight: 490g without battery and without lens

Pentax Program A

Pentax Program A

The Pentax Program A appeared in 1984 and was built until 1988. She can be seen as a scaled-down Super A. Corresponding to the Super A, the Program A was also available under a different model name and was e.g. B. sold on the American market as Program PLUS. In addition to the automatic timing, Program A also had a program automatic, programmed flash automatic and tracking measurement. Unlike the Super A, it did not have an automatic shutter. Likewise, it only has an LCD display in the viewfinder, it lacks the LCD shoulder element and the switchable lighting. In Europe, the camera was only available in completely black as Program A, and as Program Plus it was also available in black and silver.

Data

  • Film format: 135 film (24 × 36)
  • Shutter: Vertical metal slat focal plane shutter Seiko MFC-E5, shutter speed adjustable from 1 / 1000s to 15s electronically controlled. Additionally 1 / 100s and B.
  • Exposure programs: P, AV, M, B, X-Sync (1 / 100s)
  • Viewfinder: Pentaprism viewfinder with silver coating, the focusing screen is equipped with a sectional image indicator and a microprism ring . The viewfinder coverage is 92% of the film format and has a magnification of 0.82% at 50mm focal length to infinity.
  • Film transport: with quick transport lever, 135 ° lever travel, 30 ° working position. Motorized film transport via Winder ME II or Motor Drive A possible.
  • Film speed: adjustable from 6 to 3200 ASA, exposure compensation from 4 × to 1 / 4x.
  • Power source: 2 × 1.5V silver oxide batteries SR44 or 1 × 3V lithium battery CR1108
  • Case dimensions: 131 × 87 × 47.5 mm
  • Weight: 490g without battery and without lens

Pentax A3

Pentax A3

The Pentax A3 was Asahi's first camera with a built-in motor and was released in 1984. It was built until 1985 and was only available in black. Designed as an entry-level camera, the A3 has an automatic ISO setting via DX film scanning and automatic film threading with motorized film transport. The motorized film transport creates 1.5 frames per second. Apart from the manual times B and X (1/60), it only has a time automatic and a program automatic. For exposure correction, the A3 has a back-light button on the left-hand side of the mirror box which enables a correction of +1.5 light values. On the right side of the mirror box is the switch for the electronic self-timer, which has a lead time of 12 seconds. Its operation is indicated by a red LED on the switch and a beep signal. The shutter release takes place via the camera release or the remote release connection. Power is supplied by 2 Mignon batteries.

Data

  • Film format: 135 film (24 × 36)
  • Shutter: Vertical slat focal plane shutter Seiko MFC-E6, shutter speed adjustable from 1 / 1000s to 2s electronically controlled. Additionally 1 / 60s and B.
  • Exposure programs: P, AV, B, X-Sync (1 / 60s)
  • Viewfinder: Pentaprism viewfinder with silver coating, the focusing screen is equipped with a sectional image indicator and a microprism ring . The viewfinder coverage is 92% of the film format and has a magnification of 0.83% at 50mm focal length to infinity.
  • Film transport: Automatically by motor, series recording with approx. 1.5 pictures per second possible.
  • Film speed: adjustable from 25 to 1600 ASA, exposure compensation with the backlight button +1.5 EV
  • Energy source: 2 × 1.5V Mignon batteries AA cells / LR6
  • Case dimensions: 152.5 × 87.5 × 50.5 mm
  • Weight: 530g without battery and without lens

As a variant of the A3, the Pentax A3 Date is equipped with a data back wall to display the date (year, month, day) or time (hour, minute).

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Individual evidence

  1. ^ [1] Arnold Stark: Pentax lens series , section A series

Web links

Commons : Pentax A3  - Collection of Images