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06-06-2009, 02:58 AM   #1
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What's that symbol?

Every DSLR has one of these, it's a line through a circle usually on the top of the camera near the flash. I've always wondered what it was and what it meant, and I don't know if every camera has one, but I know that most DSLRs that I have seen have it.

06-06-2009, 03:54 AM   #2
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It's the focal plane.
06-06-2009, 04:20 AM   #3
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That was pretty much a standard item on film cameras. As Dom said, it indicates the film plane and was used for measuring film-subject distance for extremely fine adjustment of focus and/or exposure.
06-07-2009, 02:30 AM   #4
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But what does it mean exactly on digital cameras and does it even have a purpose on them?

06-07-2009, 03:12 AM   #5
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What the others said. It's the exact spot of the sensor or on older cameras, the film plane. So if you were using a macro lens to take a shot, You could measure exactly the distance from the sensor to the subject. Mostly used for MF lenses.
06-07-2009, 04:19 AM   #6
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You also use it to measure the minimum focus distance of a lens. Focus all the way down and then measure from the subject to the film plane. (Not from the subject to the front of the lens, as some do in error.)
06-07-2009, 04:58 AM   #7
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On film cameras this symbol is referred to as the film plane indicator.

Perhaps on digital cameras it should be called the sensor plane indicator?

Chris

06-07-2009, 04:48 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by rparmar Quote
You also use it to measure the minimum focus distance of a lens. Focus all the way down and then measure from the subject to the film plane. (Not from the subject to the front of the lens, as some do in error.)
Good to know. I didn't realize that it meant from the focal plane, not the front of the lens. It explains how close I've been able to get with some lenses.
06-08-2009, 08:41 AM   #9
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Looks like the film/sensor plane indicator is making a comeback on the K7 after not being on the K10D/K20D cameras.
06-08-2009, 08:50 AM   #10
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I think this is the first time I've ever seen a film/sensor plane mark on any Pentax.

But I could be mistaken.
06-08-2009, 10:17 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by KungPOW Quote
I think this is the first time I've ever seen a film/sensor plane mark on any Pentax.

But I could be mistaken.
I was thinking the same thing. its not on any of my cameras. not even the 6x7. has Pentax ever put a film plain indicator on any of its cameras until now? they are really trying to give as a "pro" quality camera it seems.
06-08-2009, 10:52 AM   #12
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ok whew! I'm not blind. hehehe, I just looked at all 3 of my Pentax cameras (K20D, PZ-1 & SuperProgram) and none had it. I was looking for a greek letter "Phi" all over and found nothing - looked at the photos of the K-7 and now I get it.
06-08-2009, 06:21 PM   #13
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In that case, the indicator is being newly introduced to Pentax
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