PENTAX DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye Lens Instruction Manual

1. Introduction and Overview

This manual provides essential instructions for the proper use and care of your PENTAX DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye Lens. This versatile lens is designed for Pentax Digital SLR cameras, offering a unique fish-eye perspective with a wide 180-degree angle of view at its widest setting, and transitioning to a less pronounced wide-angle effect at 17mm.

Key features include:

• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass: Ensures superior sharpness and accurate color correction.
• Super-Protective (SP) Lens Coatings: Water- and oil-repellent coatings for easy cleaning and enhanced durability.
• Quick Shift Focus System: Allows for instant switching between autofocus and manual focus without changing camera settings.
• Optimized for Digital SLRs: Image circle designed to match the CCD size of Pentax digital SLRs for optimal performance.
• Metal Pentax KAF Lens Mount: Provides a secure and durable connection to your camera body.

Figure 1: PENTAX DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye Lens. This image displays the lens with its black barrel, zoom ring indicating focal lengths (10, 12, 14, 17mm), and focus ring with distance markings in feet and meters. The lens also features the 'SMC PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE 1:3.5-4.5' designation and a built-in petal-shaped lens hood.

2. Setup and Installation

2.1 Attaching the Lens

1. Ensure your camera is powered off.
2. Remove the rear lens cap from the lens and the body cap from your camera.
3. Align the red mounting index mark on the lens barrel with the corresponding red index mark on your camera's lens mount.
4. Insert the lens into the camera mount and rotate it clockwise until it clicks into place. Do not force the lens.

2.2 Detaching the Lens

1. Ensure your camera is powered off.
2. While pressing the lens release button on the camera body, rotate the lens counter-clockwise until it stops.
3. Carefully remove the lens from the camera body.
4. Attach the rear lens cap to the lens and the body cap to the camera to protect them from dust and damage.

3. Operating Instructions

3.1 Zooming

To adjust the focal length, rotate the zoom ring on the lens barrel. The lens offers a focal range from 10mm (extreme fish-eye effect) to 17mm (less pronounced wide-angle).

3.2 Focusing

• Autofocus (AF): Set your camera to autofocus mode. The lens will automatically focus on your subject when the shutter button is half-pressed.
• Manual Focus (MF): Set your camera to manual focus mode. Rotate the focus ring on the lens barrel to achieve sharp focus.
• Quick Shift Focus System: This lens features the Quick Shift Focus System. Even when the camera is set to autofocus, you can instantly switch to manual focus by simply rotating the focus ring. This allows for fine-tuning focus without needing to change the camera's focus mode switch.

3.3 Aperture Settings

The lens has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 at 10mm and f/4.5 at 17mm. The minimum aperture ranges from f/22 to f/32, depending on the focal length. Aperture control is fully automatic via the camera body.

3.4 Fisheye Characteristics

At 10mm, the lens produces a pronounced fisheye effect with a 180-degree angle of view, resulting in curved lines and expanded perspective. As you zoom towards 17mm, this distortion becomes less noticeable, offering a more traditional wide-angle view. Be mindful of your composition, as objects close to the lens, including your own feet or camera strap, may appear in the frame due to the extreme wide angle.

Note: Due to the unique design and extreme angle of view, it is not possible to attach standard filters to the front of this lens. The built-in lens hood offers some protection but does not allow for filter attachment.

4. Maintenance

4.1 Cleaning the Lens

The front element of this lens features Pentax's Super-Protective (SP) coating, which repels water and oil, making it easier to clean.

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a lens brush to gently remove dust and loose particles.
• For smudges or fingerprints, apply a small amount of lens cleaning solution to a clean microfiber cloth and gently wipe the lens surface in a circular motion.
• Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the lens coatings.

4.2 Storage

When not in use, always attach the front and rear lens caps. Store the lens in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Avoid storing the lens in areas with high humidity to prevent mold growth.

5. Troubleshooting

• Purple Fringing: In high-contrast situations, especially when shooting dark objects against a bright sky, purple fringing may occur. This is a common optical aberration in some lenses and can often be corrected during post-processing using image editing software.
• Dark Images with Sun in Frame: When the sun is directly in the frame or at a high angle, images may appear dark or exhibit lens flare. This is due to the extremely wide angle of view capturing a large portion of the scene, including bright light sources. Adjust your shooting angle or use shading techniques if possible.
• Autofocus Issues: If the lens is not focusing correctly, ensure the camera's focus mode is set to AF. Check for any obstructions on the lens elements or camera sensor. If issues persist, try cleaning the lens and camera contacts.
• Lens Not Attaching Securely: Ensure the lens is correctly aligned with the camera's mounting index marks and rotated until it clicks into place. Do not force the lens.

6. Specifications

7. What's in the Box

Upon opening the product packaging, please ensure all the following items are present:

• PENTAX DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Fish-Eye Lens
• Front Lens Cap
• Rear Lens Cap

8. Warranty and Support

8.1 Legal Disclaimer

The product warranty does not cover misuse of the product. Please refer to the warranty card included with your purchase for full terms and conditions.

8.2 Customer Support

For technical assistance, service, or further inquiries, please contact Pentax customer support through their official website or the contact information provided in your product documentation.