Film cameras
AIRES Viscount M 2.8 User manual
User manual for AIRES Viscount M 2.8. 24 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Aires
- Model / document
- AIRES Viscount M 2.8
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 24
- File size
- 1.7 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 7 · Read text
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INTRODUCTION TO THE AIRES VISCOUNT M 2.8
Behind any new camera lies a world of experience in a var-iety of fields-optics, metallurgy, lI
designing, precision machining, tooling, testing techniques, packaging, etc.-all of these are {4
part of the story behind the Aires Viscount M 2.8. l
The Viscount features a high precision Seikosha shutter which gives consistant exposures
over the entire scale-action stopping 1/50,0 to the slow full second for night scenes and
available light photography-all of this and full synchronization for electronic or standard
f lash.
A Coupled Exposure Meter has been added to the Viscount M 2.8 enabling the user to obtain
constant correct exposures. The red tracer needle you see crossing the golden strip is coupled
to the diaphragm adjusting ring. When this needle coincides with the black exposure meter
pointer the correct exposure is obtained.
Other features arising from experience include the dependable accurate, coupled "trimming"
range-viewfinder for standard lens, supplementary telephoto lens, with its "golden"
bright-frame and its provision for parallax correction at close distances down to 2 2/3 f.eet.
Smooth, jar-free, shutter release allows hand held exposures at slower speecis.Rapid advance
lever and rewind crank provides fast shooting plus speedy reloading. Handy drop-out film
loading chamber. Engraved depth of field scale. Double exposure prevention is automatic.
In addition the Viscount has a self locking back cover and built-in self timer.
All'these features plus the outstanding performance of the 4-element Q-Coralf/2.8lens make
the Viscount a noteworthy addition to the precision Aires camera line.
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Please read the following instructions carefully at least once to iamilize yourself with the
Aires features. Handle the camera carefully and operate the various operating parts at least
once before loading your first roll of film.
Loading
Place the camera face down on a table or other solid support and release the back cover
lock by pulling down the lock release bar. The back cover will spring part-way open and may
be opened fully by hand. Push upward on the slotted rewind shaft and insert a
standard roll of 35 mm cartridge film with tip bent about inch from the end. f
Push the rewind shaft down until it engages the rewind slot in the cartridge spool.
Insert the film tongue in the slot of the take up spool making sure the fiim is securely
fastened and that the sprocket gears fit the perforations. Secure the film on the takeup
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spool by 1! turn of the take up spool and close back of the camera.
Locking is automatic. Now take up the slack by turning rewind lever clockwiseuntil tension
is felt. Advance the exposedportion of the film by winding the advance lever and tripping
the shutter twice or until the counter registers 1. When you wind the advance lever check
to see that the rewind lever is turning counter-clockwiseindicating that the film is advan-
cing properly. Your Viscount is now loaded.
I '{ Built-in CoupledExposure Meter and Correct Exposure
The Aires Viscount M 2.8 embodies a photo-electric exposure meter. Diaphragm, shutter
speeds, film speeds are COUPLED together and the exposure reading is obtained by just one
movement. The correct ejrposure is read at the same time focusing is done, through the
viewfinder. The portability and ease of handling of the 35mm camera has been increased I
greatly by the addition of this new feature.
The photo-electric exposure meter measures the amount of light REFI.ECTED from the
subject and automatigally indicates it. {
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The Black and the Red Indicator
r-oint the camera toward the subject and look through the
viewfinder. A black pointer is visible in the golden strip
running on the right side. This black pointer will be at the
top of the strip if the light is dim and at the bottom if
bright. The amount of light entering the photo cell is
indicated by this black pointer of the exposure meter. When
you coincide the red tracer needle with the black pointer your
camera is set for correct exposure.
Before you begin taking pictures
L. Set the ASA speed of the fihn in use
When you have loaded your camera set the ASA film speed at the ASA indicator on top
left of camera. To release the ASA indicator keep pressing to the left the release
button on the left side of the eyepiece. The indicator will become free allowing you to
set the indicator to your fikn's ASA speed, by turning the diat.
2 , S e t t h e s h u t t e r s p e e d t o t h e d e s i r e d s p e e d b y t u r n i n g s h u t t e r s p e e d d i a L
g Coincide the red tracer needle to the black pointer by turning the diaphragrn ring.
The camera is now set for conect exposure.
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It is important to make sure that the shutter speed and the diaphragm is set for' the
occasion. (for speedy action pictures or night scenes or if you desire to utilize the depth
of field). If there is a need to change the shutter speed, do so and within a certain range
the meter gives you correct exposure. If more depth of field is desired stop down the f
'l'he opening. combination of shutter speed and diaphragm opening is coupled within a
certain range moving together meaning that the amount of light striking the film is the
same. The coupling will slip if turned beyond this range indicating that exposure is '$
wrong.
In situations where the red needle will not coincide with the black pointer the shutter
speed must be made higher or slower as the case may be.
The sensitivity range of this camera's exposure meter is from LY 7 (F/2.8 diaphragm t
opening and I/75 sec.shutter speed) to LV 18 (F/22 and 1/500 sec.)
If the black pointer does not move, as in a dimly lit room, exposure is obtained by
setting the shLrtter speed and diaphragm independently
Correct W'ays to Use the Eiposure Meter"
Reading method is different according to the subject you are going to take. Obtain the true -ri
reading by pointing the exposure meter photo-cell in an accurate way. I
As a rule, the camera should be pointed towards the subject but reflected light from other
source than the subject is apt to enter the photo-cell resulting in under exposure. To over- {come this under exposure the following care must be taken.
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1' Close-up of person (close-up'of person by window side) i
". When there is a difference of light between the subject and the background take your
reading from about 4 inches from the subject in order not to be affected by the back
light. When taking against light care must be taken not to allow this lightto enter
the photo cell.
2. Scenery
When photographing scenery, take reading by tilting your camera stightly downward
about half-way between your position and the horizon.
3. When you cannot get close to the subject :
When you are unable to get close enough to the subject your own palm will be useful IIIIlIIIII to obtain the correct exposure. Take reading by pointing the photo cell at your palm
about 4 inches away. (the reading will be about right for Light Subjects ; for dark
subjects open lens one f-stop. (from f/L1, to f/8)
Rapid Winding and Cocking of Shutter NI
The Aires Viscount is so designed that both film advance and shutter cocking carr be,performed at .the same time, very rapidly, by means of the Rapid Advance Lever used as II
follows.
1. Pull out Rapid Advance L,ever with ball of thumb until yotr reach operation position. $fI
2. Place your thumb alongside Lever and push to the right until it stops as in qenter I
illustration
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3. Let yo'ir thumb swing back with the Lever to position ready for. the next picluru.
The film has now been advanced one frame and the shutter cocked. Since the shutter
cannot be released if you stop the Lever halfway, it is necessary that it be turned until
it goes no further. Double exposures are prevented. The shutter release is conveRiently
located so the index finger of the right hand fits over it naturally when you hold the
Viscount. you can wind the film ancl release the shutter very rapidly, zt the rate of 12
exposures per 10 seconds. I
IAs mentioned before this camera has a b.uilt-inexposuremeter whereby the correct exposure
can be set while viewing the subject.There are no worries about obtaining the wrong exposure
if the picture is taken when the black pointer and the red tracer needle coincide.
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Focusing
, Looking through the Aires "trimming't range-viewfinder you will see two bright illuminated
f.pames with a bright square in the center. Inside the bright square two images will be seen
of the subject as illustrated in the left illustration below. By turning the front focusing
\ ring these two images can be made to merge as iilustrated at right below. The supplementary
telephoto lens available as an accessory is the same EXCEPT that the distance focused on
MUST be compensated by the conversion table at the end of the book. Closest usable
distance with the supplementaly telephoto lens is 8 feet. At infinity no adjustment isI 'necessary. At all other distances reset to the distance indicated by the conversion table,
With the standard lens the outer bright illuminated frame is used to compose the picture.
For subjects between 3 l/2 feet and 2 2/3 feet use the parallax correction marks at top and
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left side of frame to outline the top ancl side of pictures within these distances. The red
center frame is for the supplementary telephoto 1ens. No parallax correction marks are
provided for the telephoto frame since no appreciable amount of parallax will be encountered
when using this 1ens.
Different Ways to Hold the Camera W'hen Taking Pictures
(A) Ordinary Elorizontal Position
Hold the camera in both hands using right index finger to
operate the shutter release and left thumb and index finger
to adjust focusing. To look through the viewfinder either the
ieft or the right eye will clo. Use whichever is convenient to
you.Stabilize the camera by holding it so that the left elbow
is pressed against your side.
(B) Yertical Position
There are two ways to hold t he camera for shooting vertical
pictures. One is with shutter release above your eyes. (that is
with your right hand above the camera). The other is with the
shutter release below eyelevel.
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When the camera is held in the former w?y, the shutter
release can be pressed with your right index or middle finger
and filrn winding done without moving the camera from its
shooting position. However, since the camera is held high, it is
somewhat unstable especially for slow shutter speeds. If the
camera is held in the latter manner, the shutter release is
pressed with your thumb. When winding the film, your thumb
is also used and has to be moved away from shutter release
each time you wind the film. This position, however, is the
more stable. Both ways have merits and there are pros and cons
on them even a mong prof6ssionals. Y ou must choose for
yourself which suits you better. It is also up to you to decide
which eye you can use more conveniently.
Taking the Picture
With the subject in sharp focus and properly framed you are ready to take the picture.
Press, gently, the shutter release on the top right of the camera, something like the trigger
of a rifle. Press downward until slack is taken up and then at the precise moment of best
expressionor of peak action press all the way. A quite click will be heard and you will
know the film has been exposed. Do not advance the rapid advance lever immediately
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unless you want to take another picture in the next few moments. By not winding the film
immediately you preserve the life of the shutter mechanism.
Unloading the Camera
As each picture is taken it is recorded in the film counter
window. When the counter reaches 20 or 36, dependi ng upon
the length of ro1l, depress the locking button on the right side
of the eyepiece and {old out the rapid rewind crank. R.ewind
the film in to the film cartridge by turning the crank clock-
wise (in direction of the arrow on the crank) until no tension
is felt on the crank. The film is now fully rewound.
Unlock the back cover and pull up the rewind crank shaft'
With the back fully open and the rewind crank and shaft in
th" "up" position the camera is turned over and the film will
drop out of its own accord.
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Cable Release
If the shutter speed is slower than l/30 sec. use of cable release is advisable. The cable
release should be screwed onto the cable release screw surrounding the shutter release before
the shutter is cocked. If screwed on after the shutter has been cocked you might accidently
trip the shutter.
Infrared Marking (The Red R)
Infrared film takes .pictures by infrared .waves invisible to human eyes. Focusing with this
film is different from regular film and the lens must be focused slightly in front of the
visible subject. A red mark is provided on the depth of field scale ring to compensate for
this difference. Focus the camera in the regular way with the rangefinder and set the distance
focused upon to this compensating mark before shooting with infrared film.
Flash Synchronization and Self-timer
The Seikosha SLV shutter has buiit-in synchronization for standard medium peak fiash
bulbs of the M class and electronic flash units having zero delay. Flash terminal is located
on left end of camera body and accepts European (RC) type synchro plugs. The flash
synchro settings are marked with VXM in white red and green and indicates self timer, X
synchro setting for electronic flash units and M setting for medium peak M-type flashr respectively. All have click stops.
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Setting Indicator
Use the fingernail of thumb or forefinger to move the protected setting lever to the synchr-
onization setting desired. The thin, punched guard plate serves the dual purpose of quick
determination of synchro setting and protects against accidental mQvement of the lever.
\
Self-tirner
The white V next to the MX flash synchro settings is the delayed action self-timer setting
for the shutter. It may be set before or after the shutter is cocked. It provides a delay
of approximately 10 seconds after the body shutter release is pressed before the shutter
is tripped. After use reset the synchro lever to the red X position.
Fixed Focus
In taking fast action pictures and snapshots there are times when you have no chance to
set the focus. It is in such situations Fixed Focus setting can b.e of use to you. Have the ;i
distance scale and diaphragm stop set at the Fixed Focus Markings (the red 30 feet or the
L0 meter and the red dot halfway between f25.6 and f/8) and all your objects from about
2L feet to infinity will be in focus. With this setting you can take pictures during daylight
hours of rnost objects by simply adjusting the shutter speed.
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Depth of Field of Photographic Lenses and their Utilization
Photographic lenses have a tendency to be in focus in front of and behind the subject
focused on. For instance, if you focus on a person l-0 feet (3 meters) away a dog closer than
L0 feet and flowers further than 10 feet may also be in acceptable sharp focus. The range
from the front limit to the rear limit in acceptable sharp focus is called the Depth of Field
of a lens. This range is shallow in the foreground and deep in the background and the
limits varies with different lenses and also with the different apertures and distances as
you can see from the Depth of Field Chart found elsewhere in this booklet.
In actual use the control of the Depth of Field serves as a tool to achieve desired effects
and is utilized in the following two ways.
* 1; To get a sharp image of subjects located at different distances from the camera. Using
a Depth of Field Chart will enable you to control what will or what vyill not be sharp
* in your pictur<j.
2; To limit sharpnesss, to concentrate attention on a certain part of the picture by having
T it sharp, making everything else blurred. Practice will teach you how to use and control
this feature of the iens' depth of field.
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Supplementary TelePhoto Lens
Attaching : Attach supplementary telephoto lens by screwing it into thread provided inside
front lens retaining ring. Make sure lens mounts are flush and tight.
Focusing: Focus with rangefinder as in the ordinary way by turning focusing knob until
two images of subject are merged. I)etennine the footage(meter)reading from the distance
scale and consult conversion table for corrected distance opposite rangefinder footage. Reset
distance scale to this distance for sharp focus. The telephoto lens covers distances between
eight feet and infinity. photo should not be taken closer than eight feet. Effective aperture
of the Aires supplementary telephoto lens is f/5.6. Camera aperture (diaphragm) should be
set to openings between f/5.6 and. f /16 according to light conditions. For general use'and
maximum resolution diaphragm should be set at f,8. fmportant: The above procedure ot
transferring the reading MUST be followed each time rangetinder is used to obtain
distance reading for accurate focusing.
THE CARE OF YOUR CAMERA
The accuracy of the shutter mechanism will be affected if you leave the shutter cocked
for long periods of time. With the Aires Viscount film winding and shutter cocking are done
simultaneously, so you must be even more careful not to leave the shutter cocked, especially
at a high speed. ,
After each shooting session the distance scale should be returned to infinity-""-before front
cover of eveready case is closed.
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Even when the shutter is not cocked its auxilliary spring will be under pressure at 1/500
sec., so change the setting to other than 1/500 before storing the camera away..
When the camere is not in use the lens cap should be replaced. In use it is advisable to
use a UV filter to protect the front element from scratches and oily fingerprint marks.
Conversion Table for Attachment Lens
StanCard (4.5 cm.) Telephoto (8 cm.)
f :4.5 f :8.0
30 ft. 8s ft
15 43
10 30
7 20
5 15
4 11_
3s I
3 8
,? 7
Focus in the ordinary way. Take reading and look at the conversion table for the correspo-
nding distance according to the lens you are using. Now set your camera distance scale to
the converted distance. For instance, If the distance is 10 feet set the distance scale to 30
if you are using telophoto lens.
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