Pentax Program A
| Pentax Program A | |
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| Type: | 35 mm single lens reflex camera |
| Production period: | 1984-1988 |
| Lens connection : | Pentax KA bayonet |
| Film format : | 35 mm (small picture) |
| Recording format : | 24 × 36 mm |
| Viewfinder : | Pentaprism |
| Viewfinder field: | 92% |
| Enlargement: | 0.82 times |
| Operating modes: | P, Av, M, B, X |
| Film transport: | Quick transport lever |
| Exposure metering : | TTL with aperture open, center-weighted |
| Measuring range: | EV 1 through EV 18 |
| Correction : | ± 2 EV |
| Closure : | Seiko MFC-E5 metal slat focal plane shutter |
| Shutter speed : | 1/1000 s to 15 s, B. |
| Control: | electronically |
| Lightning connection : | Hot shoe and PC sync socket |
| Synchronization : | 1/100 s |
| Power supply: | two 1.5 V silver oxide batteries (SR44) or 1 × 3 V lithium battery (CR1108) |
| Casing: | Metal housing, plastic top cap |
| Dimensions: | 131 mm × 87 mm × 47.5 mm |
| Weight: | 490 g |
The Pentax Program A is a 35mm SLR camera from the Japanese company Asahi Optical KK. It was launched in 1984 and was produced until 1988. On the American market it was sold under the name Pentax Program Plus.
General
Pentax Program A / Program Plus is a 35mm SLR camera from the Japanese company Asahi Optical KK for 135 film with center-weighted TTL light metering. As a lens connection it has the Pentax KA bayonet, a variant of the K bayonet which has been expanded to include electrical contacts. In addition to an automatic program, which was introduced with the A series , it also has the automatic timing and also has a manual tracking measurement. A fixed X-sync time and the bulb mode for long exposure are also available. Like its sister, the Pentax Super A , which is the first camera from the A series , you can see the similarity to the previous Pentax M series , especially the ME Super , from the outside . A plastic grip for the thumb and a memo holder for the film packaging flap have been added on the right-hand side on the rear wall. Correspondingly opposite on the front there is a screw-off handle shell. The prism dome has also increased in size, has become more angular and has a light window for the LCD display in the viewfinder. The accessory shoe with X-synchronous contact and two further control contacts for flash units are also located on this.
Data and equipment features
Controls
On the top of the camera on the right shoulder there is the program selector switch with the settings (turned counterclockwise from the front) LOCK to switch off, AUTO for automatic program and timer, MAN. for the time setting for tracking measurement, 100 / flash symbol for manual flash synchro and B for bulb . Next to it is the quick transport lever with an additively counting frame counter above. On the left shoulder there is the film rewind crank, which also serves as a release for the rear panel, and the ISO selection dial with release button. The exposure correction from 1/4 to 4 × is also integrated in this. On the right front side, next to the mirror box, there is the switch for the electronic timer with a red LED above it. Below is the lever for checking the depth of field and below it is the lens release. The PC flash sync socket is located on the left side of the mirror box. On the underside is the battery compartment, the backwash button, the tripod connection socket with 1/4 ″ BSW thread and the connection for a motorized film transport.
Clasp
The closure of the Program A comes from Seiko and is a vertically running metal slat focal plane shutter MFC E5. The shutter enables times from 15 s to 1/1000 s, 1/100 s as flash sync time and bulb. It is only controlled electromagnetically.
Viewfinder
The Pentax Program A has a penta prism finder 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 offers a magnification of 0.82 × with a 50 mm lens in the infinity setting.
trigger
The camera's trigger is an electromechanical button with two pressure points on the right shoulder of the camera, a light tap activates the exposure measurement, and pressing it down triggers the shutter electromagnetically. In addition, it has a connection thread for a mechanical remote release. 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 released via the trigger on the right shoulder.
Measurement system and displays
The camera has a center-weighted TTL open aperture measurement through the lens using a gallium photodiode. The measuring range extends from EV 1 to EV 18. The exposure is displayed via an LCD display in the lower viewfinder frame, this is illuminated by a light window in the front slope of the pentaprism dome. There is no switchable lighting, which makes reading difficult in the dark. The automatically or manually set exposure times, the automatically set aperture values, the light values of overexposure or underexposure in the case of manual tracking measurement, a flash symbol for flash readiness and a P for automatic program are displayed. In the event of incorrect operation, an E is displayed. If the battery is weak, the display flashes at approx. 0.5 Hz.
power supply
The camera is supplied with 2 × 1.5 V SR44 silver oxide batteries or a 3 V CR1108 lithium battery. Alternatively, a LR44 / PX76A can also be used.
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, manual tracking measurement, B and 1/100 s are available.
- Likewise, bellows devices , intermediate rings can be used with a corresponding restriction.
- System-compliant flash units that have a hot shoe with X center contact can also be used; contacts on the flash unit are necessary for the functions of the flash readiness display and control.
- The rear panel on the camera can be exchanged for the data rear panels Dial-Data ME and Digital-Data M.
- The Winder ME II and the Motor-Drive-A from the M series are also identified and usable as accessories for the Program A.
swell
- Pentax Program A instruction manual (German),
- Schmicki's Pentax and Photo pages (German), information on Pentax cameras in German, some with accessible manuals
- 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
