Instructions for a Pentax Spotmatic
Digital cameras are convenient, but occasionally photographers want to return to the more challenging craft of film photography. The Pentax Spotmatic is an SLR camera that was put on the market in 1964. Upon its release, the Spotmatic was marketed as an innovative camera with its unique "behind-the-lens light meter." As this and many other features are now commonplace in cameras, the Spotmatic now takes the role of a vintage camera for those interested in the craft of nondigital image making.
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Instructions
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Taking Pictures
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1
Set the ISO rating of the film you are using on the Spotmatic by lifting the outer ring of the shutter speed dial and turning it to the correct setting. Press the outer ring back down when finished.
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2
Turn the shutter speed dial to adjust the camera's exposure to the environment in which you are shooting. A good starting shutter speed for indoors is 1/30 of a second (labeled "30" on the dial). A good outdoor shutter speed is 1/125 (labeled "125"). Adjust these shutter speeds as needed.
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3
Look through the viewfinder of the camera. Compose your image. Turn the focus ring until you get the sharpest image possible.
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4
Activate the light meter by turning the switch that is adjacent to the Spotmatic's mounting ring. Watch for the needle that appears over the meter when you look through the viewfinder.
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5
Turn the diaphragm ring on the lens to adjust the aperture. The aperture setting determines where the needle on the meter will be. Once the needle is at the center of the meter, you have the proper exposure settings.
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6
Press the shutter release to take the picture.
Film Loading
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7
Find a location with no direct sunlight to load your film.
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8
Open the film compartment by pulling out the rewind knob on the top of the camera. The back panel pops open.
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9
Insert the film cassette into the compartment below the rewind knob. Press the rewind knob back down to secure the film.
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10
Pull the film leader slowly across the camera to the take-up spool. Alternately turn the rapid-wind lever and press the shutter release several times until both the top and bottom film perforations are engaged with the sprockets close to the take-up spool.
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11
Close the panel and turn the rapid wind lever. The rewind knob turns counterclockwise, opposite of the wind lever, signaling that it is properly loaded.
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