AKAREX User manual

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE





Apporote- und Komerobou  . GmbH  . Friedrichshofen

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Your AKAREX camera is a precision inslrumenl and musl be carefully handled
if il is lo give you lhe salisfaction fhe makers inlended. Despile lhe number
of controls, lhe camera is very easy fo use once ils various funclions have
been observed. To simplify mallers here is a lisl of parf-names, and lheir
corresponding numbers by which lhey are referred lo in {ollowing lexl and
illuslrations.
 (1) Knurled calches lo open fhe camera back.
 (2) Lever for {ilm lransporl and simullaneous cocking o{ lhe shutfer.
 (3) Threaded shuller release lo alfach a cable release.
  (4') Bayonel ring for filling lhe various lenses.
 (5) Diaphragm conlrol ring (aperlure values ll2, 2.8, 4, 5.5, 8, 11, 15).
 (5) Focussing ring with range scale, can be lurned by lhe lwo knurled lugs.
  (7') Depth of field scale consisfing of fwo engraved diaphragm scales from
      ll2 lo 15, one on each side of an indicalor mark.
  (8) Shuller speed conlrol ring wilh
                                                             tlr, 1/r,, rlrc, llzr', tlso, rlrco,  (e) Shuller speed scale wifh fhe figures B, 1,
      l/zso and 1/roo of a second.


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(10) Signal bullon of the shuller, acting also as selling lever for lhe delayed
     acfion device.
                                                                                                                                                                                            f ilm carlridge.                                                                                                                               f ilm back inlo lhe(l  ,;  Rewind knob fo wind lhe exposed   )
(12) Rewind sefier marked uR" localed on lhe lever {or lhe film lransport,
     lo disconnecl lhe winding sPool.
(13) Shuller release guarg-- lo prevenl accidenlal exposures and fo lock lhe
     release bullon for ,,T" exPosures.
(14') Eyelels for lhe neck sfrap or carrying chain'
(15) Eye-window for lhe combined range-view-f inder.
(16) Synchro lever wilh posilion ,,X" and ,,Mu
(17) Flashlighl sockel.
On lhe bollom of fhe camera lhere are:
(18) Tripod lhread conlinenlal size (3/s")'
(1g) Tripod lhread English and American size (rl+").
 (20) Exposure counler.
 (21) Film indicalor, lo show wilh which lype of film lhe camera is loaded'

fhe Mechonics of the Comero
                                     Film
                                                                                                                                                                     IThe AKAREX can be loaded with perforaled minialure film (35 mm) which    "t   I
is avaifable in standard carfridges for 20 or 36 piclures size 24X35 mm               I
lhroughout the world. To insert lhe film, lake lhe camera inlo your left hand
wilh the lens away from you, and then wilh lhumb and forefinger of your
righl hand press logelher lhe lwo calches (1) and open the back of lhe
camera. Thread lhe shaped film end, projecling oul of lhe filmcarlridge,
inlo lhe slol o{, lhe film spool, which is marked wilh a red spof, and push
it lhrough lhe shaff unlil it exlends a rlE inch beyond lhe olher side of lhe
shaff. The perforaled edge of lhe lhreaded film musl lie lighlly againsl lhe
spool flange. Afler carlridge having pulled out lhe rewind knob (1 1) as far
as it will go, inserl lhe film carlridge inlo lhe dppropriale chamber of lhe
camera. When fhe   f ilm carlridge is in ils correcl posilion, push fhe rewind
knob (1 1) back all lhe way and lurn il in direclion as indicaled by an
arrow, in order lo slrelch fhe film over lhe film gale and lhan close lhe
camera back. Before you lake any picfure it is essenlial lo advance fhe
film as lhis is described on page 8.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            '                              Film Indicalol
Do nol fail lo set lhe film indicalor (21) immedialely a{ter you have inserled
lhe film info lhe camera. For this purpose press down lhe small knurled rim
wilh lhe lip of your finger and lurn lhe indicafor disk unlil lhe appropriate
speed number of lhe film in use appears in the window.
                                                          i't'6'u 5                                       6"                              Fitm rranspor l
To advance lhe film, swing around the film lransport fever (2) as far as  il
will go. The film can only be advanced frame by frame, and assuming a
frame is already in position in lhe film gale, fhe following one can only be
advanced afler lhe shutler has been released. This inlerlocking feafure  is
designed lo prevenl the making of double exposures or blanks, eilher
inlentionally or accidenlally. This device cannot be pul oul of acfion. Please
fake care lhal lhe film lransporl lever (2) is always lurned around unlil  il
reaches lhe sfop, olherwise lhe exposure counter (20) may nol show lhe
correcl number and lhe separalions belween succeeding piclures may nol
be absolulely equal
                              Ee-^-rrra ?^..-r^-                          Exposule Counfer
To advance the film lever and lo bring lhe film in position for lhe {irst
piclure afler you have inserled a new film, it is necessary lo wind lhe film
lwo or lhree frames by swinging fhe lransport lever againsl fhe slop and


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each lime releasing lhe shulfer. After lhese operations sel lhe exposure
   counler (20) in ils zero posilion -0- by pressing down lhe knurled rim wilh
   your fingerlip and lurn lhe counler disk clock or anfi-clockwise.
                                                                                              I,J                          Cocking of the Shuller
  The acfuafing ofl lhe film lransporl lever (2) simullaneously cocks fhe
    shuffer. You may recognise lhis by lhe movement of lhe signal bullon (10)
  on the shuffer. The selling of lhe shuller speed is done by lurning fhe
   conlrol ring (8) unlil lhe indicalor mark on it is placed opposite lhe chosen
   speed value on fhe shuller speed scale (9). This selling can be carried oul
   before or afler fhe cocking of the shutler as convenienf, with one excepfion,
   namely, if a shuller speed of tlsoo of a sec. is wanfed, it should be sel
   b e f o r e lhe cocking of lhe shulter. The movemenl of lhe confrol ring
   away from 1/roo sec. on lhe confrary is possible before or affer lhe cocking
   of fhe' shutler. In addilion lo the engraved shufter speeds all values which
    lie belween succeeding speeds can be used with lhe exceplion of lhe
   vafues belween 1/ro and 1/zs and also belween 1/zro and llsoo ol a sec.

                                        senry down unrir rhe shufrer
     cf icks. For lime exposure set^"tLt:::J"J:il"lhe conlrol ring (8) at ,B', lhe shuller stays
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open as long as you press lhe release butfon. For long lime exposure use
the same selling, press fhe release bulfon down and move lhe guard
lever (13) info posifion ,,T", and lhe shuller will remain open. To complefe
the exposure and lo close the shuller remove lhe guard lever (13) into ils
previous posilion.
O This must be done before you can use the film transport leaer again. O
The guard lever can also be used lo prolecl fhe release bullon againsl
accidental use. lf fhe guard lever is in lhe posilion ,,T" lhe release bullon (3)
cannol be pressed down despife the fact lhaf lhe shutler is cocked.

                      Delayed Aclion Device
To use lhe buill-in delayed aclion device it is necessdry lo move wifh your
finger the signal bulton (10) inlo ils very lop posifion, where it will be
aulomafically arresfed. By pressing lhe release bulton (3) lhe delayed aclion
device will slart funclioning and the shuller wlll be released afler an inlerval
of aboul 10 sec. This device is very useful e. g. if the user of lhe camera
wishes lo be included in lhe picture, or lo use lhis device lo avoid a
!novemenl of the camera by operating lhe shulfer manually. The delayed
aclion device cannol be used al 1/roo sec. selling. In fhis posilion the signal
buffon cannol be moved over ils normal slop position.

FlashliEht Conlacl
   The AKAREX is equipped wilh lhe lalesl seclor lype shulfer, fhe SYNCHRO-
  COMPUR. You can lake flashlighl piclures wilh high shuiler speed because
   lhe shuller is so designed, lhat if you use the recommended flash units,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                i   either fhe flash will lake place when the shuller is open (normal synchroni-
                                                                 and   sation) or by using a very shorl exposure lime lhe shuller will open                 J
   close when lhe flash is al its peak (full synchronisation). Flash bulbs and
  powder flashes of well known makers have a flash duration of aboul
     r/roo    llzs of a sec.       -   The plug al lhe end of a cable of lhe flashlighl unil has lo be filled in lhe
   sockel (17) on lhe camera. The unil can be used separalely from lhe camera
   or allached lo it by means o{ a tripod screw or olher known flashliglh brackel.

                                  Synchronisalion
   Synchronisalion belween shuller opening and l'he peak flash ' of the
   flash bulb can be very simply achieved, The synchro lever (15) should be
   sel againsl lhe stop eilher in position ,,X" or ,,Mu, depending on lhe kind
   of flash equipmenl used. The following lable gives all necessary defails and
   no {urlher adjuslmenl is necessary as lhe appropriale coupling of lhe shuller


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movemenl and lhe flash gun conlacl lakes place aulomatically. At lhe oX"
posilion lhe eleclric conlact is closed when the shuller leaves are in ,,open"
position. This setling is correcl for all eleclronic flash unifs and such flash
bulbs which reach lheir peak value wifhoul delay. Af the ,,Mu setling lhe
eleclric conlact is closed 20 millisec. before the shuller leaves reach lheir
,,open " posilion, as some of the  f lash bulbs need a developing time fo
reach lhe peak value. Therelore the posilions of lhe synchro lever (16)
are indicated as follows:
                        Flash bulb    al nM "
                           Eleclronic flash af ,,X".

The exposure lime should be chosen as normally giving full consideration
lo aperfure, film speed, objecl dislance and light condilion. The instruclion
leaflet supplied with the flash unils gives all the necessary delails. The
following table shows lhe recommended shuller speeds {or all the known
rnakes of flash bulbs, indicating also the appropriale posilion of the synchro
fever (16') ,,X" or ,,M' respecfively.





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                               Film rewinding
Afler 20 or 35 piclures respeclively have been laken you will feel a noliceable
resislance by advancing a further piclure lenglh of film. This indicales that
lhe whole length of film has been used. lf lhe film counler al this slage
does nol show lhe expecled figure 20 or 35 do nol be worried because lhis
can happen if lhere is nol sufficienl lenglh of film for lhe last piclure.
Bef ore you open the camera back  lhe  exposed,f  ilm
musl be rewound  inlo  lhe   f ilm carlridge.    Firsf move'lhe
rewind setter (12) in ils disengaged posilion by pressing down lhe seller
and lurn it in direclion uR". Then pull oul   f he rewind knob (l 1) parlly,
slopping when you feel a slighl resislance. In this posilion of lhe knob it is
more convenienl lo manipulale it, By turning the rewind knob (1 1), as
indicaled by lhe arrow, lhe film will be wound back into lhe film cartridge.
A reduced rewinding resislance indicates fhal lhe rewind operalion  is
compleled. Besides lhis, lhe exposure counter (20) stops lurning as soon as
fhe film is rewound inlo the film carlridge. Now lhe camera can be opened
and lhe inserfed film carlridge removed with lhe film ready lo be developed.



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                    The Use of fhe lenses
The oulslanding feature of the AKAREX, as a camera is, thal inlerchangeable
lenses with differenl focal lenglh can be used and lhat each lens has ils own
combined range-view-finder wilh a correcf {ield angle. Each lens can be
filted fo, lhe camera by means of a bayonef mounl. To change a lens, lurn
lhe bayonel ring (4) anli-clockwise, and lhan lifl the lens. We recommend
fo hold the camera horizonlaly with fhe lens on lop. To replace lhe lens
hold the camera in lhe same manner. The lens will fit in one position only.
The bayonel ring (4) should be lurned firsl anli-clockwise all fhe way and
lhan reversed wilh a genfle lightening movemenf. lf lhe bayonef parls fil
properly, lhe very accurale adjusfmenl of the lens mounl is independenl of
lhe force wilh which lhe bayonel ring is lightened. The combinalion of lens
and range-view-finder as one unil saves buying and using an additional
view-finder for inferchangeable lenses.
Lenses The AKAREX can be equipped with lhe following lenses:
       Slandard lens       Schneider XENON f/2 F:50 mm
      Wide-angle lens  Schneider XENAGON t13,5 F:35 mm
       Telepholo lens    Schneider TELE-XENAR 113,5 F:90 mm.
                                                                                    asWith the AKAREX il is nol correcf lo describe fhe addilional lenses
accessories. The AKAREX body   f orms wilh each of lhese ob jeclives an
organic unit suilable tor a special purpose. For extraordinary work il  is


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possible to use a reflex aflachment wilh a very long Telejhoto lens, for
   example, fhe Schneider TELE-XENAR {.15,5 F :  150 mm. A limitation of lhe
   nominal angle of field musl of course be accepled in lhis case, as the
  maximum shuller opening may nol permit fhe use of lhe maximum angle
   of fhe lens.
   The following descriplion of lhe Slandard lens applies also lo all olher lenses.
   The lens mounl carries lhree scales:
          (5) The diaphragm scale engraved on fhe conlrol ring.
          (6) Focussing scale engraved on lhe focussing ring (figures from
                                                                               the             3,5 feel [1 r]  lo o ), selling againsf lhe indicalor mark in
             cenfre of the depth of field scale (7).
          (7) Deplh of   f ield scale wilh aperture values ll2, 4, 8, 11, 15, on
           both sides of lhe indicalor mark.
                    Combined Range-View-Finder
  The range-view-finder which is coupled with lhe objeclive gives the correcl
   angle of field in relalion fo lhe laller. With your eye close lo lhe eye-
  window (15) of lhe range-view-finder you will observe in lhe cenfre of fhe
   slight finted field, a bright spol, which is the zone for measuremenf.  lf lhe
   lens is sel for o lhan you will see only far dislanl objecls clear and sharp
   whereas all fhe oullines of the olher objecls appear wifh double lines. The


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                                                        achieved byadjusfmenl ,of lhe lens fo lhe correcl range of an objecf islurning fhe focussing ring (5).Thereby you will observe lhal lhe double
lines of differenl objecls will change. As soon as an object appears sharp,
that is lo say, wifhoul double lines fhe lens is sel {or fhe accurale dislance
of said objecf. lf you are inleresled in lhe aclual disfance, lhis can be read
in feel (Meter) from lhe {ocussing scale. For mosl of the exposures lhis is
of no inleresl as the laking lens is aulomalically and correclly sel for lhe
dislance of fhe object which, is osharp" when observed in lhe range-view-
finder. All AKAREX lenses are equipped with a parallax eliminalor (compen-
saling lor lhe dif{erence belween lhe axis of lhe laking lens and fhe axis
of lhe range-view-f inder), so lhal fhe viewfinder framing always shows lhe
aclual image including near disfance shols scenes lhal will appear in the
finished prinl.
               Dlaphragm and resulting Depth ol Field
By lurning the diaphram ring (5) lhe diaphragm regulales lhe amounl of
lighl which will pass lhrough fhe lens. But fhis is nol fhe only purpose of a
diaphragm as lhere are olher means of achieving lhe same resull, e. g. shulter
speeds or filters. In modern pholography the main purpose of a diaphragm
is fo vary lhe depth of field, that is lo say lhe range in which objecls can
be pholographed wilh adequate sharpness. lf a lens is focussed on a main
objecl al a cerlain disfance, salisfacfory definition exfends, wilhin cerlain


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limits, fo further as well as nearer distances. This, the deplh of field, depends
   mainly on lhe focal length of the lens in use (constanf value), the chosen
   aperlure and lhe focussing dislance (variable values). The lolal deplh
   available af certain given aperlures and distances can be easily read al lhe
   focussing scale (5) in conneclion with the deplh of field scale (7). You will
   oblain satisfaclory definilion of all objecls which are included in lhe distances
  shown on lhe focussing scale belween fhe same aperfure number on each
   side of lhe indicafor mark of lhe depfh of field scale.
                                Example
   Selting a focussing dislance of 10 feet (3 rn), lhe dephf of  f ield exlends
    aperture        feel calibralion      meler calibration
         tl4       from 8 feel fo 12 feel   from 2,5 m fo 4 rn
                                                 m         tl8            ,   5,5,, lo20   ir    n  2 mto 5
        Il11          ,  5   ,, lo30 n        ,,  1,8mlo10m
                                                                      oo        ll15     n  5,5 ,,  lo co            ,,   1,5 m to
  The less experienced user may observe lhe following rules:
      Taking a piclure of an objecl in near distance: Focus wilh lhe range-
      view-finder lhe main poinl of lhe objecl.
     Taking a piclure of a far object wilhoul foreground: Sel the lens lo @
     Taking a snapshol of a near objecl: Sel lhe diaphragm lo number 5,5
     (marked red) and opposile lhe red dol (6a) on the focussing scale (6)


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   belween 7 and 10 feet (on objeclives wilh meler calibrafion befween
   2 m and 3 m), lhan lhe deplh of field exlends from appr. 5 feet lo
   12 feel (from 2 m lo approx. 3,5 m).
   Taking a snapshol of a far objecl with foreground: Sel lhe diaphragm
   number 5,5 and opposile the red dot (5b) on lhe focussing scale al
   30 feet (l0 .), lhan lhe deplh of    f ield exlends from 15 feef fo @
   (from 3,5 m lo o   ).
The depth of field of lhe 90 mm Telepholo lens is nalurally much less lhan
thal of a slandard lens, lherefore it is necessdry lo carefully walch lhe deplh
of field when faking shols al near dislances. On lhe other hand lhe 35 mm
wide-angle lens has a much grealer deplh of field lhan lhe slandard lens,
so fhal al an aperlure of 5,6 lhe deplh of field already exlends from
12 leet (2,8 m) fo infinily.
                     Colour Filler and Lens Hood
The diaphragm ring (71 of the AKAREX lenses is provided wilh an infernal
lhread in which accessories such as colour filters, lens hoods or supplemen-
lary lenses may be screwed. Colour fillers and supplemenlary lenses are
supplied for lhe AKAREX in a special mounl wilh an external lhread al one
end and an inlernal fhread al lhe other end, so fhal il is possible fo use
simultaneously several accessories by screwing one inlo lhe olher. A useful


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combination for example is: A supplemenfary lens, a colour filter and a lens
   hood. This succession as menlioned should be applied. To lhe slandard
   lens XENON F:50 mm fillers and supplemenlary lenses which are marked
   35 DIA can be  f itted. For lhe wide-angle - and Telepholo - lenses use lhose
   marked 45 DlA. The lens hood marked 45 DIA should only be used wilh
   lhe Telepholo lens, as the mounl of the wide-angle lens is ilself deeply
   recessed; lhus rendering lhe use of a separale accessory unnecessary.
                          Errors in opetaling fhe AKAREX
   While inserling a new film you can make an operating error which may
   tock lhe mechanism of your camera, that is lo say, you can move neither lhe
   shuller release (3) nor lhe film lransporl lever (2). This condilion can be
   caused by having sel fhe shulter al I or Llz ol a sec. respeclively and while
   advancing the film leader by operaling lhe fransporl lever (2) at lhe same
   fime as lhe shufler is slill in operalion.
     lf this has happened cock lhe shufler by hand independently from lhe film
   lransporl lever (3) bV moving lhe signal lever (10) until it is aulomalically
   arresfed. Now you can press down lhe shulter release bulton and lhe
   camera is in order again.
  Do nof, under any circumslances press down fhe shuller release bullon (3)
   and simulfaneously operale lhe film lransporl lever (2). lf lhis has happened
   accidenlally, fhe internal mechanism will have jammed and locked lhe


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shulfer. In lhis case it is nol as easy lo suggest a simple remedy as
previously bul lhe following should be lried:
Afler rewinding fhe film - sel lhe rewind seller al oRn - open lhe camera
back, set lhe shuller al ,,B", and lurn lhe lransporlsprocket wheel backwards
by hand, lhal is lo say, in lhe opposile direclion lo lhal for normal  f ilmwinding.
Never use force. lf you have made an error which you are unable lo
rectify, lhen please relurn fhe camera {or repair. The lens should also be
included lo enable final lesl fo be made after fhe repair work has been
compleled.
                    Accessories for the AKA,REX
Lens Hood: Collapsible, made from rubber, and is an indispensable accessory
      lo avoid reflections, crealed by direcl lighf (nof reflected from fhe
       object) falling inlo fhe objective. ll  is also very useful for faking
       colour piclures.
      Lens hood 36 DIA for lens XENON F-50mm.
      Lens hood 45 DIA for lens TELE-XENAR F-90 mm.
      For lhe wide-angle lens XENAGON a lens hood is nol necessary as
      lhe lens mounl is recessed and acls ilself as lens hood.
Colour Filter: Size 35 DIA for Slandard lens XENON F-50 mm.
             Size 45 DIA for TELE-XENAR F-90 mm
              and also for XENAGON F:35 mm.


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MarkinE of lhe Filler     Mulliplying faclor
   Type of filler             Size 35 DIA   Size 45 DIA    for panchromalic
    lighl yellow           35-G1     46-O1                 2
  medium yellow        35-G2     45-G2                4
    lighl yellow-green       35-Gr1     46-Gr1               2
   medium yellow-green    35-Gr2    46-Gr2              4
   orange              35-O3     46-O3   red                 35-R3     45-R3            4-5I
    ullraviolell           35-UV      46 -UV    no prolongalion
   blue (for exposures     36-B       46-B       for daylight 2
   with arf  if icial lighl)                                          for arf  if icial lighl appr.8
  A cow hide velvet lined Ever Ready Case suilable for AKAREX wilh XENON
  F:50 mm or XENAGON F:35 mm respecfively. The case is large
  enough lo accomodale lhe collapsed lens hood and a filler bolh fixed
   lo the Slandard lens.                                tlJ                                     Qo*t"s'"
    Little Lens-case {or 1 inlerchangeable objective and 3 colour fillers or supple-
   menlary lenses.
   Big Lens-case ior 2 inlerchangeable objeclives and 3 colour  f illers or supple-
   menlary lenses.
  The following accessories are in course of developmenl and will be
   available lafer:


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Apporote- undftKomerobou GmbH.
                                 Fried ri chshofen (Bodensee)
                            Germony



Engf isch. 5000. Xl. 52. Drucksa che 226.                                                Prinled in Germany. RG. 5970