Pentax A3
| Pentax A3 | |
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| Type: | 35 mm single lens reflex camera |
| Production period: | 1984-1985 |
| Lens connection : | Pentax KA bayonet |
| Film format : | 35 mm (small picture) |
| Recording format : | 24 × 36 mm |
| Viewfinder : | Pentaprism |
| Viewfinder field: | 92% |
| Enlargement: | 0.83 times |
| Operating modes: | P, Av, B, X |
| Film transport: | motorized |
| Frame rate : | 1.5 fps |
| Exposure metering : | TTL with the aperture open |
| Measuring range: | center-weighted |
| Correction : | + 1.5 EV |
| Closure : | Seiko MFC-E6 slat focal plane shutter |
| Shutter speed : | 1/1000 to 2 s, B. |
| Lightning connection : | Hot shoe |
| Synchronization : | 1 / 60s |
| Power supply: | two 1.5 V Mignon batteries (AA cells / LR6) |
| Casing: | Metal case |
| Dimensions: | 152.5 mm × 87.5 mm × 50.5 mm |
| Weight: | 530 g |
The Pentax A3 came on the market in 1984 and was produced until 1985. On the American market it was sold under the name Pentax A3000.
The camera is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera from the Japanese company Asahi Optical KK for 135 film . It was designed as an entry-level camera and was Asahi's first camera with a built-in motor for film transport and automatic film threading. Furthermore, it is limited in its range of functions and, in addition to the automatic program, only has a time automatic, the fixed X synchronous time and the bulb mode for long exposure. Otherwise manual exposure control is not possible. In contrast to the other two cameras from the series, the Pentax Super A and the Pentax Program A, it bears almost no resemblance to the previous series ( Pentax M series ).
Data and equipment features
The Pentax A3 / A3000 is a 35 mm reflex camera with TTL light measurement. The lens connection is the Pentax KA bayonet, a variant of the K bayonet , which has been expanded to include electrical contacts.
Controls
On the top of the camera, on the right shoulder, is the program selector switch with settings B for bulb , 60 for flash synchro, program, lock and battery test. To the right of this is the picture counter with the red LED underneath for the battery control, directly in front of it is the release button. On the left shoulder there is the film rewind crank, which also serves as a release for the rear panel and for films without DX coding the ISO dial with release button. On the right front side, next to the mirror box, there is the switch for the electronic timer with a red LED above it. The lens release is located underneath. On the underside of the handle on the far right is the connection socket for an electrical remote release switch. The backlight button for exposure correction is located on the left of the mirror box . The battery compartment, the backwash button and the tripod connection socket with 1/4 ″ BSW thread are located on the underside .
Clasp
The lock of the A3 comes from Seiko and is a vertically running lamella slot shutter MFC E6. The shutter enables times from 2s to 1 / 1000s, 1 / 60s as flash sync time and bulb. It is controlled exclusively electronically.
Viewfinder
The Pentax A3 has a penta prism viewfinder with a 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 offers a magnification of 0.83 × with a 50mm lens in the infinity setting.
trigger
The camera's shutter release is an electronic button with two pressure points on the right shoulder of the camera, a light tap activates the exposure metering, and pressing it down triggers the shutter electromagnetically. Alternatively, the A3 has a connection for an electric remote release on the front below next to the battery compartment. It also has a self-timer, this is activated via a switch on the right-hand side next to the mirror box and offers an electronic shutter release delay of 12 seconds. It is triggered via the trigger on the right shoulder or the remote release contact.
Measurement system and displays
The camera has a center-weighted TTL open aperture measurement through the lens using GPD photo diodes. The measuring range extends from EV 1 to EV 18. The exposure is indicated by LEDs on the left in the viewfinder. One yellow LED for 1/30 s, 7 green LEDs for times from 1/60 to 1/1000, P and flash readiness. In addition, as a warning in the event of overexposure or underexposure, the 1000 and 30 LED flashes at 8 Hz and a buzzer beeps when overexposure exceeds 1/1000. In the event of an operating error, the P LED flashes.
power supply
The camera is supplied with 2 × 1.5 V mignon cells ( AA / LR6 ). The life span of a fresh set of batteries is given as approx. 50 films with 36 pictures each.
equipment
In addition to the A lenses developed for the camera series, with which all functions of the camera can be used, all older lenses with K bayonet can also be used. With these, however, only the automatic timing, B and 1 / 60s are available. Likewise, bellows devices , intermediate rings can be used with a corresponding restriction. In addition, system-compliant flash units can be used that have a hot shoe with X-center contact; the contacts for flash readiness display and TTL control on the flash unit are required for the functions of the TTL automatic flash.
variant
The Pentax A3 is also available as a variation with a data back wall to display the date (year, month, day) or time (hour, minute). The data backplane is supplied by its own button cell type CR2025 . The battery compartment for this is located on the inside of the rear wall, next to the hinge. The camera is called Pentax A3 Date .
swell
- Pentax A3 user manual (German),
- KMP - Pentax K-Mount Page (English), comprehensive information on Pentax cameras, lenses and accessories for the K-bayonet
- PENTAXFORUMS, Friendly Pentax Camera Forum (English), photo forum with comprehensive lens and camera reviews
