www.orphancameras.com r TPENTAXwww.orphancameras.com www.orphancameras.com CONTENTS

Setting ASA f ilm speed/memo holder

IMPORTANT

AIISMC lensesand Pentax accessories are engineered and produced meticulously to precise Pentax specifications. However, many of the commercially available lensesand accessoriesproduced by other manufacturers are not made to these orecise specifications and therefore. may cause diff iculties with - or actual damage to - a Pentax Meter coupling range . Pentax does not assume any responsibility or Iiabil ity for d iff icu lties resulting from the use of lensesand accessoriesmade by other manufacturers with Pentax and photographical p rod u cts. www.orphancameras.com

Welcometo our growingPentax family! Sincewe know you'll want to beginusing your new PentaxME SUPER rightaway, we've provided an "ME SUPEROuick Course"on pages2 and 3 which coversthe basicoperating instructions for the "AUTO" mode (the mainoperatingmode}soyoucangetstarted.|fyouwishtofami|iarize yourse|fwithoperatingthecamerainitsothermodes,inc|udingthenew revolutionary"pushbutton" manualmode, be sureto readthe pertinent , sectionsofthemanua|.Wea|sorecommendthatyoureadtheentire manua|Verycarefu||yassoonaspossib|e,sothatyouwi||underStandthe full capabilitiesof your cameraand insureyears of trouble-freeoperation, :. BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONSwww.orphancameras.com

"Your ME SUPER Ouick Course"

1. lnsert the two Alkaline 2. Load the f ilm with the 3. Set the ASA f ilm speed. batteries. (See page 7) mode dial set at "125X" (Seepage 9) and advance to the first exposure. (See page 8)

4. Set the lensaperture. 5. Set the exposure mode dial 6. Set the exposure compen- (Seepage 13) to "AUTO." (See page 10) sation dial to 1X. (See page 1B) www.orphancameras.com

indications, change the f-stop t until a GREEN LED appears 0Ylt m00 (See pages 16-171. lf a YELLOW 1000 500 tt0 LED glows (i.e., those between r25t GREENLED 60 "30" "4S" 30 and on the view- l5 Go aheadand shoot I f inder scale),you can O use a a 2 I wider lens aoerture where ls 4S a GREEN LED appears (see ut08 7. Look through the view- page 17}, or @ shoot at the f inder, f ocus and compose the YELLOW LED, but steady picture. (Seepage 14) the camera with a tripod, etc., RED "OVEFI" 8. Activate the camera's meter (see page 31 ) or O switch to oT"UNDER" LED by pressing the shutter button photography. (see pages Changethe lensf-stop. until one of the LED dots 28-291 beside the scale With auto exposures,the f ully in the viewf inder glows. lf automatic metering system of a GREEN LED glows (i.e.. your new Pentax ME SUPER tt those between "2000" and selectsexactly the right t shutter )Yn YELLOW LED tuo i "60" on the scale),take the speed for the lighting conditions 000 500 a wider 250 $use aperture picture by pressing the shutter in your picture. To operate the l25I 60 if possibte,or button all the way '0 down. lf camera in other modes refer to t5 8l @use a tripod, etc., or a RED LED glows at either the section that covers those ,l the OVER or UNDER po Ints. i @useaflashunit ii rroH o3 www.orphancameras.com

O Neck strap ring (o Snutter-cocked ind icator (E f ilm rewind knob/Back O Exposure counter O Manual shutter-speed cover release (D €) Self-timer lever control buttons Lens release lever (D O Shutter release button @ Hotshoe Lens alignment node O Exposure mode index O Auto f lash contact @ Focusing ring. button @ Exposure compensation dial (D Distance scale @ Exposure mode indications (D aSa f ilm speed index @ Depth-of-f ield scale O Rapid wind lever (E f ilm rewind crank O Aperture/D istance index 4. www.orphancameras.com

@ Aperture ring @ Battery cham ber @ f ilm take-up spool @ x-synch socket @ Winder/T ripod receptacle @ Back cover (D V iewf inder eyepiece @ f ilm guide rail @ Back cover release lug (D r itm advance/rewind @ r ilm rail @ rilm pressure plate ind icator @ Sfrutter blades O rinder cap @ C uide pin channel @ f ilm rewind button @ winder contact terminal @ r ilm transport coupler @ r ilm chamber @ Sprockets o5 www.orphancameras.comLENSMOUNTING

1. Remove the rear lens and body mount covers. 2. Match the red dot 6 on the camera body with the red dot @ on the lens. Insert the lens into the body and turn it clockwise until the lens locks with a click. 3. In the darl<,when the red dots are dif f icu lt to see, align the raised white node @ on the lens barrel with the lens releaselever O by touch. Then turn and lock as above.

4. To detach, hold the camera lf you have to put the lens with your left hand. Depress down without the rear lens the lens releaselever O while cap, place it only f ront-element- turning the lens counter- down, never f ront-element-up. clockwise with your right hand. When changing lensesoutdoors with f ilm in the camera, avoid direct sunlight.

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Do not throw dead batteries into a fire as they may explode. f ZUtjl will commenceto lickeron and l00l 500 off . This indicatesthat batteries ?50 shouldbe replacedshortly. Sattery EO (NOTE: 30 Check the LEDs outsidethe tt - I Range "2OOO" "45" battery check 4 - ,I2 rangeIi.e., "OVER" ,,UNDER" _ ''EF" ANd"M"] 4S normallyf licker in certain Two Alkaline batteries are o Check To check the batteries, modes and should be disregarded packed separately. Be sure to set the exposuremode dial to as low battery indication.) insert them into the battery eitherthe "AUTO" or "M" DEAD BATTERIES: lf batteries chamber before operating (Manual)mode settingsand fail to light entirelyon depress- the camera. lightly pressthe shutterbutton ing the shutter button in the o Insertion Open the battery to activatethe metering switch. "AUTO" or "M" modes,they chamber cover with a coin. NORMAL BATTERIES: lf are either dead or inserted lnsert the two batteries into batteriesare f ully active,one of improperly. lf deacl,replace the chamber as shown above, the LED shutter speeddots both with new ones each with the plus mark (+) (i.e.,those between "2OOO" (NOTE: In emergencies,the facing down. Then, replace the and "4S") will glow continuously cameramay also be operated cover and tighten f irmly. in the viewfinder on depressing without batteries- seepage 11). the shutterbutton. WEAK BATTERIES:When batteriesare low, the "2000" - "45" LED shutter speeddots FILM LOADING AND WINDING www.orphancameras.com

Avoid direct light when loadingyour f ilm otherwise inordinately long tt:; exposures will result, delaying film advance. Also, the same problem will occur if you use ir the "M" setting, unless a faster shutter speed is usec. 2. Open the camera back by pulling up on the f ilm rewind 1. Before loading and winding the film, set the exposure mode dial knob. to "125X." Leave it at this setting until after the film has been wound 3. Place the f ilm cartridge in to the f irst exposure. the f ilm chamber, and push NOTE: You can also advance the f ilm to the first exposure with the down the rewind knob. lnsert exposure mode dial set to "AUTO" or "M" (Manual), but for the f ilm leader between any of convenience sake we recommend setting it to "125X." lf you use the white pins surrounding the "AUTO," remove the lens cap and point the camera toward the light; film take-up spool. 4. Advance the f ilm by alternately advancing the rapid- wind lever and depressing the shutter button until both top and bottom sprockets engage the f ilm perforations @ . Close the back by pressing it f irmly. SETTINGwww.orphancameras.comASA FILM SPEEDiMEMOHOLDER

5. Advance the rapid-wind The ASA film speedrating of leverand conf irm that the f ilm all 35mm f ilms is givenin the rewind knob @ turns counter- data sheetpacked with each clockwise, indicating that the roll of f ilm. The higherthe ASA f ilm is properly loaded and is number,the more sensitivethe moving f rom the cartridge to f ilm is to light.To set the index, the take-up spool (if the f ilm is lift up the ASA dial 6 and being properly advanced, the turn it until the ASA number film advance indicator 6 will of your f ilm is oppositethe flicker). Trip the shutter and orangeindex mark. advancethe film alternately ASA Film SpeedRange until the exposure counter '1250 turns to "1 indicating that 1000 640 500 320 250 160 125 80 50 40 25 16 ," .i lcl lol l.l l.lol l.l.lo picture the f irst is ready to be 1600 800 400 200 10() 64 32 20 12 taken. Reset the shutter dial to ,,AUTO.''

As a reminderof the type of f ilm in your camera,tear off the top of f ilm box and insert it into the Memo Holderon the back cover of the camera. www.orphancameras.comTHE EXPOSUREMODE DIAL

Becausethe cameraselects the shutter speedin the "AUTO" exposure mode and pushbuttons are usedto set the shutter speed in the "M" (Manual)mode, the shutterspeed dial hasbeen eliminated on your ME SUPER. In its placeis the exposuremode dial,whereby you simpty choosethe desiredmode of exposurebefore shooting. In additionto the four exposuremodes, the dial alsofeatures a shutter- button lock setting. To set the dial: Pressdown on the small white button on top of the dial with your thumb or forefinger and rotatethe dial until the white button alignswith the desiredmode setting. "AUTO": Your might consider"AUTO" the normal exposuremode and the othersas auxiliary modes for specialshooting situations. When the exposuremode dial is set to "AUTO," you merely preselect the lensaperture; the camerasets the shutter speedautomatically, freeingyou to concentrateon framingand composition.Keep the dial at this setting to take advantageof shooting opportunities when they arise.lt's alsoan excellentmode for allowingnovices to operate your camera.(See "SHOOTING ON AUTO," page15, for operating instru ct ions)

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"M" (Manual): This is the M E SUPER'srevolutionary new "push- button" manualexposure setting. While shutterspeeds vary continuouslyin the: "AUTO" mode, by settingthe exposuremode dialto "M" you may f reezethe shutterspeed at any one of the 14 shutterspeed settings displayed in the viewfinderusing the dual "pushbutton"control system.(See "MANUAL EXPOSURES." page20.l "125)(": This is a 11125sec. mechanical shutter speedprovided primarilyfor f lashsynchronization with electronicf lashunits other thanthe AF 2005. (Seepage 29) In addition, becausethe shutter operatesmechanically without batteriesat this setting,it comesin handyin evenof battery failure.In this instance,set the dial to "125X" and adjustthe lensaperture according to subjectbrightness (referto the exposureguidelines accompanying your film). The 125X settingis alsohandy for preliminaryfilm advance.(See page 8) "8" (Bulb): When it is desiredto make exposureslonger than the 4-secondrange of the electronicexposure system, set the dial to "8". Time exposureslasting several minutes or hours may be made at thissetting. (See "TIME EXPOSURESAT "8," page31) "L" (Lock): At this settingthe shutterbutton may be temporarily lockedwhile cockedto preventaccidental shutter release.To disengagethe lock, set the dial to the desiredexposure mode and releasethe shutter. o11 www.orphancameras.com www.orphancameras.com

Preselection of the lens aperture is optional when shooting in the "M" (Manual) mode. However, when shooting on "AUTO" , it is recom- mended that you preset the aperture. This is because the shutter speed selected by the automatic exposure system is determined in relation to the lens aperture used. By presetting the aperture control ring to an f-number that is appropriate for lighting conditions in the picture, problems of over and underexposure can be largely eliminated. When shooting on "AUTO" (or manual when applicable), preset the lens aperture as suggested in the following table.

Fineweather tl9 - f 111 Cloud weather tl4 - t15.6 fndoors t 11.4 - f 12.8 To set aperture:The calibrationson the aperturecontrol ring of the lensare referredto as f-numbersor f-stopsand denote the sizeof the lensaperture. To set the aperture,align the figure equivalentto the recommendedf-number with the diamond index mark. Note on f-numbers:Lower f/numbers (suchas tl1.4l denotewider lensapertures, while higher-f-numbers(such as f 122) denote smaller apertures.With the 50mm t11.4 lens,for example,fl1 .4 is the widest, apertureor "open-aperture,"while f 122 is the smallestaperture or "minimum aperture."As the sizeof the aperturealso affects the overallsharpness of the photo, you may occasionallywish to vary the aperturesetting from the norm for different effects(See page 32.1 o 13 www.orphancameras.com FOCUSING AND COMPOSING

The focusing screen inside the viewf inder of your ME SUPER is a split-image type surrounded by a microprism collar. For precise focus, turn the focusing ring of the lens until the two images in the split-image circle at the center 6 align as one. lf you f ind focusing with the split-image circle diff icult, focus with the microprism collar @ by turning the focusing ring until the glitter disappearsfrom inside the collar. In addition, the field surrounding the center spots @ may also be used for quick focusing: merely turning the ring until the image comes in clear in the overall viewf inder f ield. The surrounding f ield also gives better results than the center spot when using telephoto lenseshaving a small maximum aperture.

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When operating in the "AUTO" mode, the shutter speed is auto- matically varied by the camera in relation to the preset lens aperture. ln most cases,sharply focused, well-exposed photos are easily obtained and the only adjustments requlred are the preliminaries outlined below. When it is extremely bright, however, or when lighting is limited (such as at dusk, dawn, night, shooting indoors, etc.) additional adjustments are sometimes required. Usually, simply changing the lens aperture is enough, but there are also instanceswhen use of a tripod, electronic flash, or the exposure compensation dial will bring improved results.

Preliminaries: Before checking the exposure for auto operation, be sure you have performed the following: (1) Check that the ASA film speed is set properly (page 9). Ql Preset the lens aperture as described on page 13. (3) Set the exposure mode dial to "AUTO." @) Set the exposure compensation dial to 1X.

Exposure Check: Put your eye to the viewf inder and lightly press the shutter button until one of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicators glows. There is no need to maintain finger pressure on the shutter button to keep the display lit. Once it is turned on, it remains lit for approximatelV 20 - 35 seconds. lf it goes out before you complete your exposure, simply press lightly on the shutter button once again. o15 www.orphancameras.com

The figuresseen in the viewfinder lrom "2" to "2000" refer to the shutter speedsin fractions of seconds li.e.,112 sec.to 1/2OO0sec.), "1" to "4S" indicatefull-second shutter speeds. GREEN LED - CORRECT EXPOSURE"Go aheadand shoot" ff one of the GREEN LEDs light (i.e.,those between "2OOA" and 1000 500 "60:' no further adjustmentsare required.Simply focus,compose 250 your picture and shoot by pressingthe shutter button all the way 125I down. A GREEN LED indicatesthat the shutterspeed is fastenough 60 to shootwhile holdingthe camerain your hand.

RED "OVER'' LED - OVEREXPOSURE lf the RED LED besidethe "OVER" indicationat the top of the shutterspeed scale lights, your shot will be overexposedunless you adjustthe lensaperture ring. To correctfor overexposure,turn the aperturering clockwise to a sma!leraperture (i.e., f 15.6to f lB,f 111, Ef etc.) until one of the GREEN LEDs light. lt is not necessaryto stop M lights "2OO0" (when more depth-of-field is desired 0vtR when the LED ar. 2000 usea slowershutter speed and smallerlens aperture - seepage 32l, .

CAUTION: lf you should happen to pressthe shutter button while the shutter dial is set on AUTO with the lens cap on, or in very poor lighting conditions, the mirror may lock up, resulting in abnormally long exposure.To correct this, the shutter can be quickly closed by turning the shutter dial to 125X. After closing the shutter, be sure to reset the shutter dial to AUTO.

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YELLOW LED - SLOW EXPOSURE/CAMERA SHAKE WARNING When the shutter speed drops below 1160 sec.,although exposure will be correct, the slightest movement of the camera - even vibration f rom pressingthe shutter button - often produces "camera shake" at the critical moment of exposure; this in turn will cause blurred pictures. The LEDs between "30" and "45" illuminate in yellow to warn againstcamera shake. lf a YELLOW LED lights, f irst try a wider lens aperture (i.e., t15.6 to f 12.B,f 11.7, etc.) to see if a GREEN LED willappear. lf the GREEN LED doesn't light before you reach the widest lens aperture, do either of the following: O Shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed indicated by a YELLOW LED, but brace the camera on a firm surface: better still, use a tripod- to minimize camera shake (page 31) or, Oswitch to f lash (page28-29l, . IUUt| 500 - 250 RED "UNDER" LED UNDEREXPOSURE I25I When light is extremely limited, the RED LED besidethe "UNDER" 60 indication at the bottom of the scaleglows to warn you against 30 t5 underexposure.lf this LED lights,first try setting the lens to its I widest apertu re ft12, f 11.4,etc.). lf a GREEN LED lights, go ahead 4 and shoot. lf a YE LLOW LED appears,f ollow the procedure 2 - I outlined in "YELLOW LED SLOW EXPOSURE" above. lf the 2s RED "UNDER" LED remains lit even at the widest aperture: O 4s make a time exposure using a tripod at the "8" mode setting, or lJilOM €) s*itch to f lash (pages 28 - 29l,.

.17 www.orphancameras.com EXPOSURE COMPENSATION (for AUTO EXPOSUHEI

In difficult lighting situationswhere there is an extreme contrast betweenthe subjectand the background,the auto exposuresystem tends either to over or underexposethe subiect somewhat, which resultsin the lossof detail. To compensatefor such situations,your ME SUPER is provided with an exposurecompensation dial which overridesthe influence of the adverselighting source.

The dial surrounds the f ilm rewind crank and is scaled4X ,2X, 1X,1l2X and 1l4X (X inOicatesthe exposure increaseor decrease factor).

"Normal Exposure" is obtained at the 1X setting. Always keep the dial at this setting when exposure compensation is not needed.

Exposure Increase: At the 2X and 4X settings the camera is programmed automatically to double and quadruple the light reachingthe film.

Exposure Decrease: Conversely, at the 1l2X and 1l4X settings, one-half and one-fourth the amount of light is delivered to the film.

To set the Dial: Place your fingers on the outer rim of the dial and turn it until the f igure representing the amount of compensation required aligns with the orange index pointer. . When exposure compensation is employed, the red LED beside "EF" flash TF the indication at the top of the viewfinder scale will M when you activate the exposure meter tO warn that an "exposure factor" is being employed.

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Compensation for Backlit Subjects: For subjects with the sun behind them, or against a bright snowy background, brightly lit window, etc., increase the exposure by setting the dial either to 2X or 4X. (Use your own judgement of the brightness of the scene in determining which factor to use.)

Compensation for Spotlighted Subjects: When the subject is spotlighted on stage, etc., or for any intensely lit subject against a dark background, decrease the exposure by setting the dial to 1l2X or 1l4X to help bring out the details of the subject.

ALWAYS SET THE EXPOSURE COMPENSATION DIAL BACK TO 1X WHEN COMPENSATION IS NO LONGER REOUIRED.

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While the shutterspeed in the "AUTO" mode variescontinuously in relationto lightingconditions, the ME SUPER'srevolutionary new "pushbutton" manualexposure system lets you freezethe shutterspeed at any one of the 14 LED shutterspeed settings displayedinside the viewfinder- a handy featurefor fast moving subjectsand other specialexposure situations. To selectthe manualshutter speed, just turn the exposuremode dial to "M," activatethe exposuremeter and presseither the shutter speed increaseor decreasebutton. As shutter speedsetting is done completelywith the eye to the viewfinder, the fumbling charac- terasticof the traditionalshutter speed dial hasbeen eliminated ExposureMetering: After settingthe exposuremode dial to "M," depressthe shutter button lightly. This activatesthe meter and lightsthe LED shutterspeed display insidethe viewfinder.As with auto exposures,the displayremains lit for approx.20 - 35 sec. and goesout. lf additionalmetering time is required,simply pressthe shutter button lightly once again. Manual Shutter Speed Indication: Each time you activatethe meterwhile operatingin the manualmode, the "M" (manual) indicatorlights as a reminderthat you aremaking manual exposures.In addition, the shutterspeed to which the systemwas set prior to activatingthe meter will also light (evenwhen you turn the mode dial away from the "M" setting,the manual

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exposurememory circuit displaysyour previousmanual shutter speedwhen you reactivatethe meter on switching back to "M"). Shutter Speed Control Pushbuttons Two shutter speedcontrol pushbuttonsare provided to enable rapid shutter speedselection in the manual mode. Theseoperate when the exposuremode dial is set to "M" (manual)and the shutter releasebutton is partially depressedto light the LED displayinside the viewfinder. Shutter Speed Increase- Forward Button Pressthe forward button and the LED shutter speedsinside the viewfinder will increasefrom bottom to top. Let go of the button when the LED lightsbeside the desiredshutter speed. When the display reaches"2OOO" at the top of the scale,it starts over from the bottom (for example: 1000 - 2000 - 45 - 25 - 1 -2 . . . . 500 - 1000 - 2000 - 45 - 25, etc.). Shutter Speed Decrease- Rear Button Pressthis button and the LED shutter speeddisplay decreases from top to bottom. At the bottom of the scale,the display startsover againat the top (thus: 25 - 45 - 2000 - 1000 15 - B - 4 -2 - 1 - 25 - 45 - 2000, etc.).

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EXPOSURESETTING: With the manual exposuresystem you havethe option of setting either the shutter speedor the lensaperture f irst. The "OVER and "UNDER" LEDs flash in the viewfinder to serveas guides for settingthe correct exposure.

Shutter SpeedFirst: Set the desiredshutter speed with the tt tr H Id pushbuttons.lf the "OVER" LED still 0vtl 0Ytn shutterspeed control ffi 2000 (i.e., f 1000 r000 flashes,stop the lensdown to a smalleraperture f 15.6to 111, s00 500 250 250 f 116,etc.) until it goesout. lf the "UNDER" LED remainslit, | ?5X r25I 60 60 setthe lensto a witleraperture (i.e-,f 15.6 to f 12,f11 '4, etc')' 30 30 l5 l5 Exposureis correctwhen the shutterspeed and the "M" LED I I 4 4 arethe only LEDs that remainlit in the viewfinder. I 2 I I 2s 2s 4s

Aperture First: Set the f-number you wish to shoot at with the tf ring,then match up the shutterspeed with the tl aperturecontrol 0ftR pushbuttons. "OVER" is lit, 2000 shutterspeed control When the LED r000 500 increasethe shutterspeed until it goesout. When the "UNDER" 250 "UNDER" r 25I t LED is lit, decreasethe shutterspeed until the 50 30 o indicationgoes out. 15 I Exposureis correctwhen the shutterspeed and the "M" LED 4 remainlit in the viewfinder. I arethe only LEDsthat 2s I

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Overexposure:lf the "OVER" LED fails to go out when you set the exposureby presettingthe shutterspeed, use a fastershutter speed;conversely, if it remainslit when you presetthe lens aperture,use a smalleraperture.

Low-Light Exposures/Underexposure:With either method, when exposureconditions require that you usea slow shutter speed below 1/60 sec.,be sureto take precautionsagainst camera shake (page171. lf the underexposureLED remainslit evenafter you havegiven maximum exposure,either make a time exposureat the "8" setting(page 31), or switchto f lashphotography (pagesn-29.1

Shortcut: When changing from a slow to a fast shutter speed, it is not necessary to use the shutter speed increase button. lf the given shutter speed is 2 sec. and you desire to increase to 111000 sec., for example, simply press the decrease button until the LED lights at "1000." (When going from a fast to a slow shutter speed, reverse the procedure by taking a shortcut with the shutter speed increase button.)

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Exposurein Difficult Lighting: The exposurecompensation dial does not function with the manual exposuresystem because exposure factors may be employed freely by varying the aperture or shutter speedsetting as desired. Generally, for backlit subjects,open the aperture 1 or 2 additional stops,or decreasethe shutter speed 1 or 2 stops.With spotlightedand other intenselylitlsublects, either stop the aperturedown 1 or 2 stops,or incrcasethe shutter speed1 or 2 additional stops.Accordingly, eitherthe "OVER" or "UNDER" LED will remainlit while exposurefactors are beingemployed. (NOTE: With the TTL meteringsystem, filter, close-upand other suchexposure factors are automatically compensatedfor by the built-in exposuremeter.)

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