Pentax MX User Manual

HELPFUL HINTS ON EXPOSURE PROBLEMS DUAL CONTROL EXPOSURE SYSTEM
The exposure meter built into your MX takes a
center-weighted reading from the entire scene as
seen through the viewfinder. Sometimes, however,
there is a great difference between the light
reflected from the background and the light
reflected from the subject. In such a case, to
achieve a really good photo, you must
compensate for the difference by opening or
closing down the aperture 1 or 2 stops.
As a general rule, when the subject is darker than
the background, you compensate by opening
your aperture 1 or 2 stops more. For example:
on a bright day, when your subject has his back
to the sun and you are shooting directly toward
the sun ... or when you are shooting a subject
against snow or light-colored sand ... or when
you are copying a page of black letters on white
paper, increase the size of the aperture somewhat.
When your subject is brighter than the background
— if he is standing in a spotlight, for example —
you make the aperture 1 or 2 stops smaller to
compensate.
Since both the aperture and shutter speed are
indicated within the viewfinder, you can control
exposure by adjusting either the shutter speed
dial or the aperture ring.
When the aperture size is the most important
factor, set the aperture desired by turning the
aperture ring. Then adjust the shutter speed dial
until the green LED illuminates.
When shutter speed is the more important factor,
turn the dial to the speed you desire. Then adjust
the aperture ring until the green LED illuminates.
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Pentax MX Specifications

General

Film Format	35mm
Lens Mount	Pentax K mount
Exposure Modes	Manual
Focus	Manual
Camera Type	SLR
Shutter Speed	1 to 1/1000 second, plus B
Metering	Center-weighted