Film cameras
Bell and Howell Autoload 340 User manual
User manual for Bell and Howell Autoload 340. 15 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Bell & Howell
- Model / document
- Bell and Howell Autoload 340
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 15
- File size
- 4.2 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 3 · Read text
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Film Indicator Window Back Cover Latch
Viewfinder Eyepiece
Electric-Eye Banery Compartment
Flash Battery Compartment
Tripod SocketView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
Venmo @mike-butkus-camera Ph. 2083 PayPal Name Lynn@butkus.org www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkusView original page 4
Page 5 · Read text
taking piclures uith A[JI0L0AD Uour
340 CAil|TRA is as easq as...
Drop in the instant-loading film and wind it to
the first picture
Set the lens focus for the picture-close-up,
group, or distant scene
Compose through the viewfinder and slowly press
the shutter release
There are preliminary things to do before using your
camera for the first time. however. You'll want to install
the batteries, learn how to take flash pictures,'etc.
www.butkus.us Reading this book over thoroughly will assure perfect'
results your very first try.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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the electric-ege batterg
The automatic operation of your camera is controlled by
a long-life mercury battery. One is included with your
camera (in the packaging) when you purchase it.
To install the battery, first open the BACK COVER
by sliding the covER LATCH up. The ELECTRTC-EyE
BATTERY COMPARTMENT slides out as shown. Place
the battery in the recess with the * side down, then
slide the compartment back into place. NOTE: Wiping
both sides of the battery with a cloth before inserting it
will insure good contact and dependable operation.
Although you won't have to worry about this battery
for a long time, here's how to check it for proper
strength. With your finger, rapidly cover and uncover
the CdS ELECTRIC-EYE WINDOW (have the camera
pointed towards a bright scene). When the battery is
good, the needle in the METER WINDOW will respond
rapidly" lf the action is sluggish. then a new battery is
needed and can be purchased from a Bell & Howell
dealer. See the back flap for the correct type.
3View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Many different types of Size / 26 film are available
for your camera (see film information on back flap).
film loading
Just open the BACK COVER and drop the film in-
that's all there's to it! NOTE that the largest end of the
cartridge goes to the right. . . actually. you can't put it in
the wrong way. Close the back cover, advance the film
with the FILM ADVANCE LEVER until it locks (about 6r% or 7 full strokes), and you're ready for the first picture.
The number "1" will appear in the FILM INDICATOR
WIN DOW to show you the first picture is ready to take.
This number will change each time you advance the
film. The film indicator window will also show the type
of film in the camera and the number of exposures in the
cartridge. NOTE: Do not open the camera back until all
the pictures have been taken and you have read thie
unloading instructions.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
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unloading L After taking the last picture in the cartridge and B EFO R E \ \ opening the camera back, advance the film until all the
yellow paper has disappeared from the film indicator
window (the lever will lock). Then you just open the
back, tip the camera over, and let the cartridge fall into
your hand. Have the film processed as soon as possible.
CLEAR AREA outdoor pictures
No worry here! The 340's electric eye will set the lens
and the shutter for a perfect picture, every time. No film
settings, either. as the electric eye adjusts for the type of
film as the cartridge is inserted.
Be sure to check the light for each picture with the
camera aimed directly at the subject. The needle in the
meter window will warn you if the light is too dim
USE or too bright for a good shot. lf the needle is anywhdreFLASH in the center "clear" area, go ahead and shoot!View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
Flash should be used whenever the needle is in the
warning zone at the left. See pages 8 and 9.
ln some extremely bright outdoor situations. the
needle may indicate in the right-hand warning zone. I Pictures taken under these conditions may be slightly
overexposed, but probably will be acceptable to you.
setting the distance
You'll want your pictures to be sharp and clear, of
course, and here's all you have to do . . .
Just turn the LENS FOCUSING RING so the FOCUS
INDEX (red dot) is opposite the FOCUS SYMBOL for
your piciure. That's ali there's to^it! I is for close-ups,
u ht is for group shots, and A is for those distant
landscapes. lf you like, you can set the lens between the
symbols. Be sure to change the setting if the type of
picture changes.
lf you want to set the lens focus more exactly. the
drawing on page 10 shows the distances that corre-
www.butkus.us spond to the symbols.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
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I taking the picture
I
When yoq've set the lens focus and checked the light,
press the SHUTTER RELEASE down . . . and you've got
the picture! Press the release down slowly and smootlily,
though, so the ca'mera doesn't move the instant the
picture is taken. Note that the shutter is released at the
very bottom of the stroke.
Here are a couple of hints that will assure great
pictures! Sight through the VIEWFIN DER squarely and
compose the picture just as you want it to appear. you
won't want to be too far away when taking pictures of
people, for instance. When the subject is less than b'
awayl place the center of the subject to the right and
slightly below the center of the viewfinder. This will
prevent any possible "head chopping" when taking
close-ups. Remember to recheck the meter window and
lens focus.setting whenever the light or subject changes
be sure. -it takes just a second toView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
flash is easg, foo ! Two "N" size batteries are used to power the flash on your camera. Your dealer can supply you with the proper type (see back flap for battery numbers). To install them, first remove the BATTERY COMPART- MENT COVER by sliding it in the direction of the arrow. lnsert the batteries into the compartment so that one * tip is up, the other * tip is down. Replace the com- partment cover. Have the batteries checked occasionally by your dealer to be sure they have sufficient power to fire the f lashcube. Since batteries of this type sometimes give off a sub- stance that coats the contacts, wipe the battery ends and the compartment cover contacts off with a coarse cloth every once in a while. This will assure you of d'e- pendable flash results.View original page 11
Page 12 · Read text
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To install a flashcube, just snap it into the FLASH CU BE
SOCKET. Inserting the flashcube automatically adjusts
the shutter to 1 l3O second for proper synchronization.
To remove the flashcube. just press the EJ ECT BUT-
TON on the front of the camera. lf you insert a partially
used flashcube, rotate it until an unfired side is facing
forward. The flashcube can be rotated manually in
either direction at any time.
The flashcube will rotate automatically to the next
side each time you take a flash picture. Be sure and re-
move the flashcube when taking outdoor pictures.
selling the flash distarrce
After the batteries and the flashcube have been in-
stalled, just set the lens to the subject distance.
Estimate the distance from the camera to the subject
and set the LENS FOCUSING RING. The chart on the
next page gives the distances that correspond tq the
focus symbols. This simple setting automatically ad-
justs the lens for the proper exposure for your flash shot.
IView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
Of course, there is a limit as to how far away or how
setting the close you can be and still get excellent results.
The flash range is shown in the meter window (see
flash distance illustration). With a flashcube in place, the needle in the
(mntinued) window will move back and forth as the distance is set
on lens. As long as the needle remains within the flash
range. you'll get perfect exposures.
FLASH RANGE The approximate distance range for flash pictures
with ASA 64 or B0 films is 3'to 25'. When using ASA
125 or 160 films, the range is 6' to 45'.
Here are some helpful hints for flash. With the film
advanced and flashcube in place, set the subject dis-
tance on the lens. Then check the needle to be sure it is
within the flash range in the meter window. lf it isn't
you'll have to get closer or farther away from your sub-
ject. lf the needle in the window doesn't move when
you change the lens distance setting, this indicates that
the flashcube side has already been used-or the flash- hl ? cube has a broken circuit and won't fire. This provides 2Y2'??3' 5' Ilo' 15,?fr50, @ a handy check so you won't miss a good shot. The
mercury battery that powers the electric-eye system also
powers the automatic flash-exposure system. Always
have battery in place when taking flash pictures.
10rView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
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lf the shutter release won't go down, this means you haven't ad-
vanced the film for the next picture. No chance for a double-
exposure!
lf the film advance lever won't move. you haven't taken that pic-
helpful ture yet. This is a good way to tell if the film has been advanced.
When you're outdoors in dim light and the meter needle is at the
hints edge of the warning zone. Take the picture anyway. Chances are
you'll get a perfectly acceptable exposure.
Going to take a lot of shots outdoors in bright light? No need to
adjust the lens distance setting for each picture-just set it to
approximately 1 2' (see page 10) and every subject between 6' and
infinity will be sharp and clear.
lf you're putting the camera away for a while, remove the flash
batteries and the mercury battery. Store them in a cool dry place as
this will prolong their useful life.
Never keep your camera and film where it is hot or humid. The
camera's case provides good protection against dust and hard
knocks. Keep the camera covered when not in use.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
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FILM SIZE AND TYPE-The Autoload 340 Camera uses size 126 instant-loading film cartridges;
black-and-white. color print, and color slide films with ratings of ASA 64, 80. 125 and 160 can
be used for outdoor or flash pictures.
LENS-4Omm f/3.5 optical glass 3-element design; focus fully adjustable from 2/z' to infinity
with zone-focus symbols.
ELECTRIC EYE-Adjusts lens openings for f/3.5 to f /22: CdS exposure control system
powered by long-life mercury battery.
SHUTTER-Programmed type; works with electric eye to provide best combination of lens
opening and shutter speed; range 1/30 to 1/25A second; automatically adjusts to 1/30 second
for flashcube pictures.
FTASH SYSTEM-Adjusts automatically to proper lens opening as lens focus is set; flash
range shows in meter window with needle indicator; automatic flashcube rotation as picture is
taken; flashcube circuit check; flash power supplied by two N-size alkaline batteries.
BATTERV TYPES USED-6/ectric Eye uses single mercury battery; Mallory PX-13,
Eveready EPX-13, Burgess HPX-13. or equivalent. Flash system uses two alkaline batteries;
Mallory Mn-9100, Eveready E-90, Burgess AL-N, Bright Star 7528. or equivalent.
41 Y1a" x23/q" xT\a" . SIZE -
WEIGHT-10 ounces without batteries or film.
\b #
Unfold this flap when reading your instruction book.View original page 15From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.