Film cameras
Contax AX User manual
User manual for Contax AX. 114 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Contax
- Model / document
- Contax AX
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 114
- File size
- 9.0 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
Names of Parts 1 2 o Focusing the Lens
BasicSteps 1 6 Focusingon Autofocus(AD .....................72
Principleof the AutomaticBack FocusingSystem
o Basic Operations Before Shooting (ABF)and AF Functions
Mountingand Dismountingthe Lens ......22 <l.Principleof the ABF Systemand Back Focusing
Loadingthe Battery ...............24 Scale> .........72
<Battery Checb <2.ShootingRangeswith the ABF System>.........74
<Battery Replacement> <3.Relationof the FocusingButton FunctionDial
MainSwitch .............. .............30 (F-Dial)and FocusingModes> .,.....82
Displayin the Viewfinderand DisplayPanel .............32 <4.Relationof the DriveModes (S and CUCH) and
DiopterAdjustment .........42 FocusingModes(SAFand CAF)>....................86
Loadingthe Film ....................44 <S.Others> .......88
Settingand Checkingthe Film Speed .....50 o Cautionson autofocus
ExposureMode Selector Lever/ o AF supplementarylight
ExposureCheckButton .........58 o Subjectswhich are not suitedfor auto focusing
DriveModeSelectorDial ........... ..............60 AutofocusSettingDependingon the Shooting
FocusingMode SelectorLever ................62 Subject .................92
ShutterSpeedDial/F-Dial/F-8utton.........;.................64 <1.OrdinaryAutofocusShooting> .......92
<ShutterSpeed Dial> Convenientuse of "CAF" ..............100
<FocusingButton FunctionDial Focuslock (withthe F-Dialset to "AFL")........102
(F-Dial)/FocusingButton (F-Button)> <2.1fyou want to operate the autofocus and
Holdingthe Camera 66 shutterwith differentbuttons> .....108
Rewindingthe Film 68 <3.Whenthe autofocusis used as one-shotAF
whileoperatingmainlyon manualfocus> .....110
Focusingon ManualFocus ...................112
Focusingin the MacroMode ,...............1 14
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a CameraFunctions and Applied Techniques o Others
Selectingthe ExposureMode ...............1 16 EyepieceShutter .................198
Aperture-priorityAuto Exposure[Av] ......................120 ReleaseSockeVExternalPower Socket .................200
Shutter-speed-priorityAuto Exposure[v] .............122 Detachingthe CameraBack ........ .........202
ProgrammedAuto ExposureIPI .............................126 ShutterSpeedand Aperturelndicators..................204
ManualExposuretMl ............ .................132 Depth of Field
BulbExposure[B] ................134 <ApertureStop-downButton> .........208
MeteringSystem .................136 lnfraredPhotography.............. ..............21O
ExposureCompensation............ ...........142 CameraCareand Precautions ..............212
<1. Usingthe ExposureCompensationDial>.......142
<2.Usingthe AE Lock> ... 148 o Dedicated Accessories (Optional)
<3.Usingthe A.B.C. Mode (AutomaticExposure ContaxTLA360Flash........ ..216
Compensationfor 3 ConsecutiveFrames)>.. 152 ContaxDataBackD-8 ........... ...............224
FlashPhotography ..............160 PowerPackP-8 ...................228
<TakingPictureson TTL DirectLight Metering>... 160 FocusingScreens,FW type ..................232
<Slow-shutterSynchronizationusing a Tl-A Flash FlexCaseC-5 ........... .....,.....24O
Unit> ........ ....168 Soecifications............. .........242
<DaylightFlash> ..............170
<Usingthe ExposureCompensationDial>.........170
<SecondCurtainSynchronization> ..172
<Takingpictureswith X-contactFlashUnits Other
thanTTL FlashUnit> ........ ...............174
MultipleExposure ................176
Usingthe Self-timer.............. .................182
CustomFunctions ...............186
<Listof CustomFunctions> ..............186
<Settingthe CustomFunctions> ......194
,&'View original page 5Page 8 · Read text
BASilC SfepS ffaking pictureson autofocusingand auto exposure)
KUTAnI eitUfl$ (Fotografierenmit Autofokus und Betichtungsautomatik)
1 2
u
Load the battery Tum on the main switch Load DX film and pullout Set the film speed to "DX"
(seepage 24). (seepage 3O). its tip as far as the orange (seepage 50).
" 1 " mark and place it on
Legen Sie die Batterie ein Stellen Sie den the spool. Stellen Sie die
(sieheS. 25). Hauptschalterauf "ON" Legen Sie den DX-Film Filmempfindlichkeit auf
(sieheS. 31). ein und ziehenSie die "DX" (sieheS. 51).
Chargezla pile (voirpage Lasche bis zur orange-
25). Activez le commutateur farbenen Markierung R6glez la sensibilit6du
principal(voirpage31). " 1 " u b e r d i e film d la position "DX" (voir
Introduzcala pila Aufwickelspule. page51).
(consultarla p6gina25). Ponga el intenuptor Chargez le film DX et sor- principalen"ON" Aluste la sensibilidadde tez son amorce jusqu'i la (consultarla pdgina31). pelicula a "DX" (consultar marqueoftrnge"; "etsur la pdgina51). la bobine.
Introduzcauna pelicula
DX, extraiga su punta
delantera hasta la marca
www.butkus.us";"anaranjada,y
p6ngala sobre el canete.
t6View original page 8Page 10 · Read text
Set the exposure mode selector lever to "Av" and then set the aperture (seepage 120). Stellen Sie den Belichtungsartenhebelauf "Av" und wihlen Sie dann eine Blende (sieheS. 121) R6glez le s6lecteur du mode d'exposition sur "Av" puis d6terminez le diaphragme(voirpage 121). Ajustar la palanca de selecci6n del modo de exposici6n en "Av", y establecera continuaci6n la abertura (consultarla pdrgina121). Set the exposure mode selector lever to "Tv" and then set the lens to the minimum aperture (green)and set the shutter speed dial (seepage 122). Stellen Sie den Belichtungsartenhebelauf "Tv", stellen Sie die Blende auf den kleinstenWert (gnin), und wAhlen Sie dann eine VerschluBzeit(siehe s. 123) R6glez le s6lecteur du mode d'exposition sur "Tv" puis affichez le diaphragme minimum (vert)(voirpage 123). Ajustar la palanca de selecci6n del modo de exposici6n en "Tv", y fijar el objetivo a su abertura minima (verde)(consultarla pdgina123). Set the exposure mode selector lever to "P" and then set the lens to the minimum aperture (green)(seepage 126). StellenSie den Belichtungsartenhebelauf"P" und dann die Blendeauf den kleinstenWert (grtin).(sieheS. 127) R6glez le s6lecteur du mode d'exposition sur "P" puis affichez le diaphragme minimum (vert)(voirpage 127). Ajustar lawww.butkus.uspalanca de selecci6n del modo de exposici6n "P", y ajuste la abertura del objectivo a la minima (verde)(consultarla plgina 127).View original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
Aim the horizontal split-image spot in the viewfinder at the subject, and then
depress the shutter release halfway (seepage 94).
Zielen Sie mit dem HorizontalerSchnittbildindikatorin der Suchermitteauf
das Objekt, auf das die Schdrfe gelegt werden soll, und drticken Sie den
Ausldser leicht herunter.(sieheS. 95)
Cadrez le sujet dans la zone du stigmomdtre horizontalet enfoncez le
d6clencheur d moiti6 (voirpage 95).
Dirigir la punto de imagen dividida horizontaldelvisor hacia el sujeto y
pulsar el disparador hasta mitad de recorrido (consultarla pagina95).
Make sure the conect focus mark tums on and take your picture by
depressing the shutter releaseallthe way.10
Achten Sie darauf, daB das Symbol "o" fUr korrekte Fokussierungerscheint,
dann konnen Sie auslosen.
Contr6lez que le bon symbole de mise au point apparaisse et prenez votre
photo en enfongant compldtement le d6clencheur.
Compruebe que el indicador de enfoque correcto se enciende y haga la
fotografia pulsando el disparador hasta el final.
t 9View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
Attach the Strap Attaching the Eyecup F-4
(standard accessory) (standard accessory)
Attach the strap as shown in the O Removethe eyepiecering by turning it
illustration. as shown.
* CDAttacn the Eyecupto the eyepieceand O
Anbringen des Tragriemens fix the eyepiecering again in place by
(Standardzubehdr) screwing it in.
Bringen Sie den Tragriemen wie in *
der Abbildung gezeigt an. Anbringen der Augenmuschel F-4
* (Standardzubehor)
Fixation de la courroie O DrehenSie den Okularringwie gezeigt,
(accessoirestandard) um ihn zu entfernen. Fixezla courroiecomme indiqu6 @ BringenSie die Augenmuschelam Op
dans I'illustration.* OkularOkularringan undwiederschraubenein. Sie den
Uni6n de la correa *
(accesorioestandar) Fixation de I'oeilleton F-4
Una la corea como se muestraen (accessoirestandard)
la'ilustracion. O Retirezla bague de I'oeilletonen la
tournantcomme indique.
(O FixezI'oculairesur I'oeilletonet fixez la
bague de I'oeilletonde nouveauen
place en la vissant.
*
Uni6n del marco delocular F-4
(accesorioest6ndard)
(D Extraigael anillo del ocular girdndolo
como se muestra.
@ Una el marco del ocular en el ocular y
fije el anillodel ocular en su lugar
enrosc6ndolo.
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20View original page 12Page 17 · Read text
<Battery Precautions> <Batteriehinweise>
o Generally,battery performanceis reduced by cold o Wenn die Batterielingere Zett niedrigenTemperaturen
temperatures.When shooting in cold weather,it is (unter0") ausgesetztwird, ldiBtihre Leistungnach. Bei
advisableto keep the camera warm in a bag or an Kiilte bewahrenSie die Kameraam besten unter der
outfit for protection against cold. The battery Kleidungauf, solangeSie nicht fotografieren.Die
performancereduced by low temperatureswill return Batterieleistungnormalisiertsich wieder nach
to normal when taking pictures at an ordinary Erwirmung auf normaleTemperaturen.
temperature. o Wenn die Batteriepoleverschmutztoder oxidiert sind,
o Before loadingthe battery,wipe both poles clean with kann es Kontaktschwierigkeitengeben. Wischen Sie
a dry cloth because poor contact may result if they are die Pole vor dem Einlegenmit einemtrockenenTuch
soiled with sweat or grease. ab.
o lf you are going on a long trip, bring a new spare o NehmenSie eine Ersatzbatteriemit, wenn Sie ldnger
battery with you. unterwegssein werden.
o Do not throw used battery into fire or try to charge or o Batteriensind gef#ihrlichund k6nnen explodieren.
disassemblethem because it is dangerous. Leere Batteriendrirfen nicht ins Feuergeworfen
o The 6V lithium battery (2CR5)cannot be charged by geladen,kurzgeschlossenoder auseinandergenommen
any means. werden.
o Batteryshould be kept away from children. o Die 6-Volt-Lithium-Batterieist nicht wieder aufladbar.
o HaltenSie die BatterieauBerReichweitevon Kindern.
28View original page 17Page 20 · Read text
$ Exposure Gounter OBack FocusingScale Ot
The exposurecountershows the numberof frames in Back FocusingScaleshows the movingamountof the t
positionfor exposure. movable body (see page 72). I
Besidesthe counterfunction,it also providesthe @Focusing Mark E
followingfunctions: FocusingMark shows the focusingstate. a
o Displayof the remainingtime (10sec.-00)whilethe "O" (sharpfocus): The subjectis in sharp focus.
self-timeris operating; ">" (rearfocus): The focus is on the fartherdistance
o Displayof the operationorder in the "A.B.C."mode than the subject.
(automaticexposure compensationfor three "<" (front focus): The focus is on the shorter distance
consecutiveframes). than the subject. a
o Displayof the end of the film. "> <" (focusingimpossible) ' Ott
€ Metering Mark OAperture Value E
This mark indicatesthe meteringmode and AE lock. In the aperture-priorityauto exposure(Av)and manual a
Center-weightedmeteringmode: The " E I " mark is exposure(M) modes,the aperlureyou have selectedis E
displayed. displayedin the vieMinder.In the shutterspeed- C
Spot meteringmode:The " E{l " mark is displayed. priority[v)and programmedauto exposure(P)modes, E
Center-weightedmeteringand AE locked mode: the displayedapertureis the aperlureselectedby the E
T h e " E I " m a r k b l i n k s . camerain accordancewith the shutterspeed you have t!
Spot meteringand AE locked mode: selected. E
The "o" mark blinks. @Exposure Mark $
@ Exposure GompensationMark In the auto exposuremode ("Av","Tv", or "P"),the over ge
When the exposurecompensationdial is set anywhere "4" or under "v" mark indicatingdeviationfrom the \,
otherthan "0", the "compensatingvalue"will blink. exposurecontrol rangewill be displayed.In the "M" or d
G'FlashMark "X" modg,the correct " i " over "A", or under "v" @e
When usingthe TLA flash systemfor takingflash mark will be displayed. t/
pictures,the flash mark " f " will turn on as soon as the (9Shutter Speed d
flash is fully charged.lf your subject is correctly The cameradisplaysthe shutterspeedsfrom 1/6000 B
32 sec. "6000" means1/6000sec. and "200" B exposed,it will blinktwo secondsafterthe flashwww.butkus.ushas sec. to fired. means 1/200sec., and "32"" means32 sec.
34View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
<Display Panel> OISO/DX lndicator <L
(The illustration shows all information available in the display panel When the displayingthe film speed or in the film speed Zut
for reference. lt does not represent an actual example of display.) settingmode, this indicatorwill be displayed. den
o When auto set mode with DX code, always "DX" is nicl
displayed.
@ Exposure Gounter/Film Speed
This mark shows the "number of exposures".When the
"UP" button or "DOWN" button is pressed,it will
switch to show the "film speed".
When DX film is loaded in the camera, it will show the
"film speed" that the camera has read with the DX
code as well as the "number of exposures".
In addition,it has the followingfunctions:
o Displayof the remainingtime whilethe self-timeris FFE operating.
o Displayof the time (sec.)that has etapsedon bulb
exposure.
r Displayof the operationorder in the A. B. C. mode.
o Displayof the multipleexposuresettings.
o Displayof set condition for custom functions.
O Multiple Exposure Mark o Displayof the end of the film. Or
Displayswhen the camerais in the multipleexposure 2
mode. Oritm Mark g
This mark is displayedwhen there is film in the camera.
@EX Mark @ e When DX film is loadedin the camera,this mark will be @Battery Warning Mark
displayedtogether with the number of exposuresthat Indicatesthe time to replacethe battery. Es
can be taken with it. A
38View original page 21Page 26 · Read text
The film speed can be set in two ways: automaticsetting
with DX codes and manualsetting.
The film speed can be checkedin the displaypanel.
rso
When "DX" is indicatedin the displaypanel,the film speed is automaticallyset by the DX code. When Ll,Lif[F
usingfilm with DX code, no adjustmentis required.
Withoutthe "DX" mark in the displaypanel,be sure to
set the film speed manually.
<Setting the film speed>
Turnthe mainswitchon. Whiledepressingthe 1 I exposuremode lock releasebutton,turn the
exposuremode selectorleverto set the exoosuremode
indexto "lSO".
The "DX" or "lSO and film speed"will be indicatedin the
displaypanel.
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50View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
rso u
i.r tF
"DOWN"Button "UP"Button Press bolh buttons
"DOWN"-Taste"UP"-Taste Druck auf beide lasten zugleich
BoutonDOWN BoutonUP Appuyer sur les deux touches
Boton"DOWN" Bot6n"UP" Apretar am bos sim ultdneamente
r; Pressthe "UP" button or "DOWN" button so that the When pressingboth the "UP" and "DOWN" buttons L letter"DX" or the desiredfilm speed appearsin the simultaneously,you can set the film speedto "DX". Oirpl"Vpd
, L-1' DX <___+6 <__+ 8 <__+ 10 <__+ . (__+ 5000 <__.>6400 <-r
o Whenpressingthe "UP" button,the film speedwill
increaseby a1/3 step each.
o Whenpressingthe "DOWN"button,the film speedwill
decreaseby a1/3 step each.
o The numberswill changein successionif you hold on
the button.
52View original page 27Page 28 · Read text
f-l I DX
, J l
Q Set the exposuremode selectorleverto exposure <When "DX" is Selected>
r-l mode.This completesthe film speed setting.The When"DX" is selectedand usingthe film with DX code,
displaypanelindicatesthe exposurecounter. the camerais set the film speed automatically.
The film with DX code is availablein the range of ISO
o Onceset, the film speed is kept in memoryuntil it reset 25 to 5000.
to anothervalue. The "DX" markand the film soeedare indicatedon the
o You cannottake picturesif the exoosuremode outer case of the film cassette.
selectorleveris set to "lSO" or "CF".
r Whenthe film with non-DXcode is loaded,the film '100. speed is automaticallvset to ISO
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54View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
t30
E,-iF
<Manual Setting of the Film Speed> <Checking the Film Speed>
Whenusingnon-DXfilm,or when changingthe film Whencheckingthe film speedwhiletakingpictures,
speedfrom that of the film you are using,set the film pressthe "UP"-buttonor "DOWN"-button.The film speed
speedmanually. of the film loadedin the cameraor the film speed read by
the camerawith the DX code will be indicatedin the
o You can set the film speed in 1/3-stepincrementsin a displaypanel.
rangeof ISO 6 - 6400.
o Whenthe film speed is set, the film with DX code will
be set to the manuallvset value.
56View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
<Exposure Mode Selector Lever> <Exposure Check Button>
This leveris used to selectthe desiredexoosuremode. When the main switch is turnedon and pressingthe
While pressing the exposure mode lock release exposurecheck button,the displayin viewfinderwill light
button, turn the exposure mode selector lever so that up to facilitatecheckingthe exposureand focusing.The
the exposure mode index is set to the desired checkingis also availableby depressingthe shutter
position. button halfway.
This leveris also used when settingthe film speed to
"lSO"or settingthe customfunctionat "CF".
For detailsof each exposuremode, see pagesfrom 1 16
to 134.
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58View original page 30Page 31 · Read text
o
o.5
The followingdrivemodescan be selecteddependingon about 5 framesa second at "CH" and, at "CL", at a
the shootingsubject. maximumspeed of about 3 framesa second.[[he
shootingspeed differswith the shutterspeed,film speed,
While lifting up and turning the drive mode selector dates printedbetweenthe framesor not, the conditionof
dial, adjust the mark to the index until it goes to the the batteryloadedin the cameraetc.)
click position. (ln case of "[E ", it remains lift-up.]
rrq)2rr and "'$tO" .... Self-timer ShOOting
"S"....Singlle-frameshooting At " $z ", lou can shoot with a delayof two secondsand
Eachtime the camera'sshutterreleaseis depressed,one at " Oto ", ten seconds.For details,referto page '182.
frameis exposedand the film advancedfor the nextshot,
then stops. r' lEtr" .... Multiple exposure shooting
This mode is usedto take pictureswith multipleex-
"CH" and "CL"....Continuousshooting posure.For details,referto page 176.
Whilethe camerasshutterreleaseis helddeoressed.the
cameracontinuesto take oictureat a maximumsoeed of60View original page 31Page 32 · Read text
"CAF" .... Continous autofocus shooting
When the focusingmode is set at "CAF",the camerawill
continue to focus itself on autofocus.
This is the shutter-trippingprioritymode.
"MF" .... Manual focusing
Whenthe focusingmode is set at "MF", you can focus by
manualfocusing.
"MACRO" .... Macro photography
Whenthe focusingmode is set at "MACRO",you can
take picturesat a distancenearerthan the minimum
focusingdistanceof the lens mountedon the camera.
Focusingis done by manualfocusing.
The followingfocusingmodes can be selectedwith it
dependingon the subject.
Movethe focusingmode selectorleverso that your
desiredmode comes oppositethe index mark.
"SAF".... Single autofocus shooting
When the focusingis set at "SAF",the focusingis done
by autofocus.Once the subjectis focused,the focus will
be locked in this position.
This is the focus prioritymode.
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62View original page 32Page 33 · Read text
F-Dial
F-Ring
S6lecteur F
Dial-F
F-Button/F-Taste/Bouton F/Boton F
<Shutter Speed Dial> <Focusing Button Function Dial (F-Dial)/
The shutterspeed dial is used for adjustingthe exposure Focusing Button (F-Button)>
time of the film. lt is usablein the shutter-speed-priority Youcanchangethefunctionof theF-Buttonby usingthe
auto exposureffv) mode and manualexposure(M) F-Dial.Thefocusingmethodin eachfocusingmode
mooe. differswiththe positionof the F-Dial.Fordetails,referto
Shutterspeedscan be set in 1-step incrementsfrom 45 page82.
(4 sec.)to 4000 (1/4000sec.).
o The shutterspeeddial shouldbe fixedat a click
positionwhen shootino.
64View original page 33Page 34 · Read text
To take sharp pictures,the camera must be held steady.
Blurred pictures are most often caused by camera shake.
The cameracan be held not only in the horizontal
position,but also in the verticalpositiondependingon
the subject.In any case, study your comfortablecamera
positioningand practiceuntil you get used to it. lt is also
good to supportyour body or camerawith a building,
tree, and so on.
o lf you are taking picturesin verticalposition,take care
not to cover the AF supplementarylight with your
hand.
(z) Without making your strength too much to the
hand, silentlydepress the shutterbutton.
1, Tightenyour srde,and stabitizethe camera.
\\\
2. At the moment to take
pictures stop to breath.
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66View original page 34Page 35 · Read text
utF DXtF
Afterthe last frame is exposed,the camerawill stop Aftermakingsure the motor has stopped and the ) windingthe film and the upperand lowerdigitsof the zr gxpggurecounterhas returnedto "00," open the
exposurecounterin the displaypanelwill start to blink cameraback and unloadthe film in subduedlight.
alternately
1 With the mdin switch on, turn the film rewind leverin I To rewindthe film in the middleof a roll,follow the
^ the directionof the arrow while pressingin the rewind foregoing steps 1 and 2.
lock releasebutton,The film will start to rewinditself. o Be sure to unloadthe film after it has been rewound.
Whilethe film is rewinding,the counterdecreasesas the After the film has been rewound,the camerawill not
rewindinggoes.As soon as rewindingis completed,the operateunlessthe cameraback is once opened.
motor will stop and the counterwill returnto "00".
o lf the rewindingoperationhas started,be sure to
removeyour fingerfrom the rewind lever.The rewind
leverwill automaticallyreturnto its originalposition.
68View original page 35Page 36 · Read text
ffi Focusing the Lens Folcussientng
ikw
Iffi
This camera can be focused the lens automatically Diese Kameraerlaubt die automatische(AF =
(AF = autofocus)ormanually(MF = manual Autofokus)odermanuelle(MF = manuelle
focusing). Fokussierung)Scharfeinstellung.
There are two auto focusing methods: "SAF" (single Die automatischeFokussierungerfolgt mit
autofocus)and "CAF" (continuousautofocus). Einzelfokussierung"SAF" oder kontinuierlicher
You can improve your photographyby selectingthe Fokussierung"CAF".
focusing mode suited for the subject. Sie konnenje nach Motiv die optimale
Funktionsweisewdhlen.
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70View original page 36Related documents and language editions
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Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.