Film cameras
Ansco Viking F/6.3 User manual
User manual for Ansco Viking F/6.3. 14 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Ansco
- Model / document
- Ansco Viking F/6.3
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 14
- File size
- 2.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
Your Ansco Viking takes 8 pictures this size (2 1/4 x 3 1/4) on a roll of Ansco 120 film.
YOUR ANSCO VIKING
Your Ansco Viking is a precision manufactured camera designed by experts to give excellent results with ease
and simplicity of operation. The Viking 6.3 has a Vario shutter equipped with flash synchronization and many
other features designed to aid you in getting the best results from your photography.
The Viking has an 105mm Agfa Agnar Anastigmatic lens, hard coated for higher light transmission, and color
corrected. This high quality lens and shutter unit insures accurate exposures and crisp, sharp pictures in both
black and white and color photography.
Before you start taking pictures read over these instructions and try working the operating parts of the camera
until you have become thoroughly acquainted with their use and manipulation.View original page 2Page 5 · Read text
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To close the camera
Press down on the two side arm braces and
press the platform up until it is completely
closed and the "click" of the platform latch is
heard. Repeat opening and closing the camera
until these operations can be performed deftly
and easily.
Never force the camera at any time.
the optical view finder
The Viking camera is equipped with an
optical type finder. By holding the camera
to the eye the area that will appear in the
picture can be seen. The eye level
viewfinder is advantageous since it gives
an image in the same perspective as when
the subject is normally viewed. When
taking pictures closer than 15' one should
aim the camera slightly higher to include a
little more area above the subject than is
desired in the picture.
This is done to overcome a slight difference
in view caused by the difference in location
of the view finder and the lens.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
focusing . . .
The focusing scale will be found on the focusing ring of the
lens barrel and can be identified by a series of figures running
from 3' to co (infinity). The numbers in this series refer to the
distance in feet from camera to the subject at which the lens
is focused. For example: If the subject to be photographed is
15' away, revolve the focusing ring until the number 15 is
opposite the index mark. Distances from the lens to all
objects from 3' to 30' should be estimated as closely as
possible owing to the limited depth of field. For distant
subjects, the ring should be set at 00 (infinity), meaning as far
as the eye can see.
zone focusing . . .
To use as a fixed focused non-adjustable camera, set the
focusing scale at 10' or 30' (numbers in red), the lens
diaphragm at the orange dot on the F stop scale, and the
shutter at 1/50 of a second. With the camera set at 10', close-
ups of from 8' to 15' will be in focus. At 30' everything from
15 to 00 (infinity) will be in focus.
Sharper pictures of any particular subject will result, of course,
if the lens is focused at the exact distance from the camera to
the subject.
diaphragm . . .
The diaphragm is an adjustable opening between the
components of the lens which controls the amount of
light passing through the lens. The diaphragm is
operated by a lever located on top of the lens mount
which moves the iris leaves. The movement of these
leaves can be observed by setting the camera at Bulb
((B),), holding the shutter open, and moving the lever
back and forth; when doing this note that the smaller
numbers indicate the larger lens openings, (i.e., f6.3
is the largest opening, f22 the smallest).View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
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the shutter . . .
The shutter of a camera is the device that determines the
length of the exposure when a picture is taken. Simply
expressed, the shutter opens briefly allowing the light
from the object to be photographed to pass through the
lens and project an image on the film. The shutter can be
set at mechanically regulated speeds from l/25th of a
second to 1/200th of a second. Longer exposures can be
made through the use of a Bulb (B) setting in which the
shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button
is depressed. It should be remembered that with Bulb
exposures, and all exposures under 1/25th of a second, a
tripod or similar firm support should be used.
The shutter of the Viking is regulated by
setting the exposure setting ring opposite
the speed desired on the face of the lens
mount.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
accessory clip . . .
This handy clip may be used for attaching a wide
selection of standard camera accessories such as flash
guns and range finders.
tripod socket . . .
The tripod socket (see right) is primarily used for
attaching the camera to a tripod but in addition,
some accessories (such as many types of flash
units) are attached to the camera by this socket.
there is an Ansco Film for every picture
Plenachrome -- the All Weather Film. A fast, orthochromatic film for brilliant outdoor pictures in any
weather. Available in single rolls and 3 Roll Economy Packs.
Supreme -- A high speed panchromatic film for indoor or outdoor photography under natural or artificial light.
Superpan Press -- An extremely high speed panchromatic film especially designed for use under adverse light
conditions as well as all normal types of photography.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
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loading the camera . . .
Always load in subdued light.
To load the camera, first open the camera by moving
the camera back latch in the direction of the arrow.
The hinged back will then open with ease.
To load the film into the camera first swing out the
spool carrier. Place the spool on the stationary pin of the
spool carrier and then close the hinged side so that it
engages the hole in the opposite end of the spool. Now
return the spool carrier to its normal position.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
Break the seal and pull the colored paper backing across the back,
being sure that the black side of the paper faces the lens. Draw the
end of the paper over the top of the two metal rollers (never attempt
to thread the film under these rollers). Thread the pointed end of the
paper into the slot of the empty take-up spool.
Be sure to center the paper on the take-up spool so that it will wind
evenly. Now give the winding knob one or two turns to bind the
paper and give it a firm grip on the upper spool. Close the back of
the camera by swinging it back into place until a "click" indicates
that it is locked securely. Do not open back of camera again until
film has been completely wound on take-up spool.
Move the small lever on the camera back in a counterclockwise
direction to uncover the film winding window. Turn the winding
knob until the number 1 appears in this window (you will see a
pointing hand and four dots just before the number "1" appears).
outdoor exposures . . .
The proper exposure for any given picture varies
considerably according to the light conditions and speed
of the film being used. Light conditions vary with
seasons, time of day and even geographical location.
The Viking camera is equipped with a sufficiently
versatile lens and shutter to allow pictures to be made
under almost any type of lighting condition. Average
exposures for favorable conditions outdoors are given in
the tables below:
EXPOSURE TABLE-PLENACHROME AND SUPREME
Light
1/25 1/50 1/200
Conditions
Bright
f22 f l6 f8
Sunlight
Hazy Sunlight fl6 f11 f6.3
Bright
f l l f8 --
Overcast
Dull Overcast f8 f6.3 --View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
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For Superpan Press use the next smaller lens opening (next larger number)
For brilliantly lighted subjects use next smaller lens opening than indicated; for close ups and pictures in the
shade open lens one or two lens openings.
flood exposures . . .
For pictures at night or indoors, flood lamps are usually
used to provide the necessary light. A tripod or similar
firm support must be used for exposures longer than
1/25 of a second to prevent movement of the camera. It
is desirable to use a cable release for these exposures
since it helps to prevent movement of the camera as
shutter is tripped. The cable release screws into the
socket at the right side of the lens mounting.
The recommended light sources are two No. 2 flood lamps in good quality reflectors or two No. 2 reflector
flood lamps with Built-in reflectors. Lights should he placed according to the diagram: Main light source (No.
1) should be directed downward at 45°. Fill-in lamp (No. 2) should be close to the camera. Values are based on
light colored walls or surroundings. Darker colors require an increase of one or two lens stops.
*For Plenochrome and Supreme use the next larger lens opening (smaller number).
flash exposures . . .
Your Viking has built-in flash synchronization. No other synchronizer is necessary. Any flash gun with a 3mm
continental type contact can be used to take pictures indoors or at night. Just be sure the flash connector is
firmly attached to the flash contact ( Page 4, No. 5 ). Use this handy flash guide for quick reference and easy
flash exposures with Ansco Film.
using the flash guide numbers . . .
To find the exposure, divide
the distance from the flash
lamp to the subject into the
guide number; the resulting
figure will represent the lens
opening required. Example:
The guide number for a
number 5 bulb with Supreme
Film is 120. The subject is
15 feet away therefore 120/5
= 8, use f/8. More complete
guide number information
will be found on the
instruction sheet packed with
your Ansco Film.View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
depth of field . . .
Depth of field is the range of l distance in front of the
camera that is in sharp focus. Greater depth of field will
result when smaller diaphragm openings are used.
For example, with the camera focused at infinity ( 00 )
and the diaphragm set at f/6.3, everything from 63 feet to
infinity will be sharp and in focus. When the camera is
focused at infinity and the diaphragm set at f/16,
everything from 23 feet to infinity will be in focus.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
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unloading the film . . .
When the last picture has been taken, wind the film until you
can no longer see the paper through the red window, then
open the back of the camera. Pull out the film winding knob
and remove the exposed film from the camera.
Fold the pointed end of the colored paper under and seal the
spool with the "exposed" sticker. You are ready now to
process your film at home or take it to your Ansco dealer for
processing.
Remove the empty spool from the supply spool holder and
place it in the take-up chamber so that it will be ready for the
next roll of film.
lens accessories
Various Ansco filters are available for your Viking. These
filters will enable you to get special effects in your pictures.
Ask your Ansco dealer for Ansco lens filters Series 5.
Ansco color film . . .
Ansco Color Film produces brilliant transparencies in full, natural color--beautiful reproductions which capture
colors as you see them in the original scene. Ansco Color Film is available in Daylight and Tungsten types for
daylight and artificial illumination.
Faithful, life-like, Ansco color transparencies are ideal for viewing by projection or for contact prints and
enlargements in color on Ansco Color Printon.
camera care . . .
Your new Viking is a precision instrument and should
be treated with care. Do not allow it to lie in the sun or
leave it in the glove compartment of your car.
The outside and inside elements of your Viking lens
should be carefully cleaned from time to time with a
soft lens tissue or fine linen cloth. If small particles of
dust or dirt gather inside your Viking, blow them out
carefully.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
the Viking Eveready carrying case . . .
The use of a carrying case will help to protect your
Ansco Viking from hard knocks, dust, rain and
dampness. With the Viking Eveready Case, your
camera is ready for instant use; just unsnap the
button and front cover swings away. Inside the
cover of the camera case is a convenient
compartment with a snap lid for carrying lens
filters. Ask your dealer for the Ansco Viking
Eveready case, JN 450.View original page 14Related documents and language editions
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Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.