Film cameras
Contax N1 User manual
User manual for Contax N1. 102 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
102 pagesEnglish8.6 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Contax
- Model / document
- Contax N1
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 102
- File size
- 8.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 1 · Read text
www.butkus.us
CONTAX Nl
lnstruction manual . Bedienungsanleitung
@View original page 1Page 2 · Read text
EiJtilj:jij Vnry
We greatly appreciate your purchase of this Contax Nl camera. The
Contax Nl is an autofocus single lens reflex camera based on the Contax'
fundamental principle of "building cameras for creating works of art".
Automatic or manual focus can be selected according to the subject and
setting so that the user can achieve the desired results with accuracy.
The ContaxN1 is equippedwith many featuresthat will maximizecreative
photographicpossibilities.Read these instructionscarefullybeforeusingthe
camerato ensureproperuse and a long servicelife.Some of the notable
featuresinclude:
O A S-frameautofocusdetectionsite patternthat is spread wider throughout
the viewfinder.The user can selecta singlesite or have the sites detect
focus automatically.
@ n nign speed shutterwith an automaticshutter speed range of 32 seconds to
1/8000second,with flash sync at 1/250second.
@ FocusAuto-BracketControl,for automaticshiftingof the focusingdistance
duringa sequenceof exposures.
@ Use of high-performanceCarl Zeiss T* lenses and various accessoriesfor
expandingthe rangeof photographicpossibilities.
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\ ,View original page 2Page 3 · Read text
www.butkus.us <Attaching the strap> tl Attach the protector to the I SUSpenStOnflng. Attachthe triangularring to the llL SUSpenStOn flng. Passthe strapthroughtheetU protectorand triangularring and attachit as shown on the diagram.View original page 3
Page 5 · Read text
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Namesof Parts DisplayPaneland ViewfinderDisplay
4. Main switch 1 6 8. Removingfilm ""'21
5. Shutterreleasebutton 1 7 9. Settingthe film speed manually""' 22
6. Holdingthe camera "" 1 7 10. Switchingthe drivemode "" 23
7. Loadingfilm ' 1 8
4. Takingphotoswith the focus
shiftedin three differentsteps ffi (FocusABC mode) """' 36
2. Meteringrange ff
3. Takingphotosin the program 6. Takingphotoswith exposure
auto mode "P" (programauto compensation """" 48
exposure)mode "":"' "" 45 7. TakingMultipleexposure """ 55
4. Takingphotoswith the exposure 8. Usingthe self timer """' 57
set manually 9. Checkingthe depth of field "" 58
"M" (manualexposure)mode """"' 46 10. Cableswitchsocket ""' 59
5. Usingthe bulb exposuremode """' 47 11. Replacingthe cameraback " 59
2. Takingphotosusinga 3. Taking photosusingother
ContaxTLA360 flash flasheswith the X contact ff
Usingthe commanddial as the i#
shutterdial ' "" 72
2. Settingthe customfunctions
Shutterspeed and 4. CameraCare and Precautions
aperturevalue display
5 4 . ContaxCableswitchLA type """"' 91 7. Contax Flexiblecase C-8
6 5 . ContaxMountadapterNAM-1 """" 92
9 6 . FocusingscreensFX type ""' 93View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
Venmo @mike-butkus-camera Ph. 2083 PayPal Name Lynn@butkus.org www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkusView original page 6
Page 9 · Read text
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<Displaypanel>
Exposurecounter(page19) Drive mode (page 23)
. Self timer mode (page 57)Selftimer remainingtime (page57) (10 seconds/2seconds)
ExposureABCand FocusABC . Single frame shootingmode (page 23)
shootingorder (pages 50 and 36) . Continuousshootingmode (page 23)
Multipleexposure
numbersetting(page55)
Remainingexposuresin multiple
exposuremode(page55)
RemainingbatteryBulb exposuretime (page 47) power (page 13)
Film loadingindicators
. No film (page 19)
. Film advanceerror (page 19)
. Film advancenormal (page 19)
. Film advancing(displayincrements)
. End of film (page21)
. Film rewinding(displaydecrements)
. End of rewind(page21)
Multipleexposure
mode(page55) Aperturevalue
(page 43)
lffi] r I r r l o r l . . l o o I +
---i.IIIIITITITIII--. -;-. --a
Focusframe selectionindicators
. Auto select mode (page 29) Shutterspeed (page 44)
. Manualselect mode (page 29) Film speed (page 22)
. DX: For automaticsetting (page 20) Exposurecompensationvalue(page72) . fSO: For manual setting (page 22) . 1/3EV increments
. 112EY increments Customfunctions(page 74)
www.butkus.usView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
<Viewfinderdisplay>
Spot meteringrange
(Areaapprox.3 mm in diameterat center of
viewfinder)(page a0)
Focusframe (page 27)
. Auto select mode (page 27)
. Manualselect mode (page 28)
Flashmark (page61) Focus indicators(pages 29 and 35)
"O" lit: In focus Meteringmode
(pagea0) "D" lit: Focusis behindthe subject
. Evaluativemetering "(" lit: Focus is in front of subject
. Center-weighted
averagelight Exposuremeter(page39) metering
. Spot metering Exposurecompensationvalue
(pages48 and72)
AE lock (page 53) . 1/3EV increments
.112EVincrements
ExposureABC Meteringdifference(page39)
mode (page 50)
FocusABC
mode (page 36)
Shutterspeed
(page 44)
Exposurecounter(page18)
Aperturevalue (page 43) Selftimerremainingtime(page57)
ExposureABC and FocusABC shootingorder
(pages36 and 50) Manuatexposure(page 46)
Multipleexposurenumbersetting(page55)
Remainingexposuresin multipleexposuremode (page55)
Film loadingindicators(page 19) Exposurecompensation(page 48)View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
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The ContaxN1's viewfinderservesas the main informationsourcefor focus,
exposureand film status.
The viewfinderdisplayturns on when the operationsbelow are performed,then
automaticallyturns off after 16 seconds to save power.
e When the main switch is turnedon.
@ Wnen the exposurecheck buttonis pressedor shutterbuttonis half-pressed
whilethe main switchis turnedon.
lf some actionis taken,such as changingaperture,shutterspeed or any dial
is used while the viewfinderdisplayis lit, the displaytime is extended
another16 seconds.
. Thetimedisplay(powerholdtime)canbe changed.(Page74)
The viewfinder display turns off in the following cases:
. Duringshooting.
. When the end of the film is reached.
. Whilethe film is rewinding.
. When rewindingis completed.
. ln the all imprintmode.
. When there is a film advanceerror.
. When the batteryis spent.
. When the exposuremode lever is set to ISO or CF.
<Display panel illumination>
The displaypanel can be illuminated
when viewingconditionsrequire. The
lightturns on and off each time the
'LIGHT' buttonis pressed.
. lf other dials or buttonsare operatedwhile the displaypanel is lit, the durationof
illuminationis automaticallyextended.The displaypanellightturnsoff as soon as the
shutter is released. www.butkus.us
1 0View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
II I BASIGOPERATIONSPRIORTO
SHOOTING
' - . . f - : "
Thissectiondescribesproceduresthat shouldbe taken priorto photographing
andincludesbasic operationsof this camera.
lf you alreadyhave basic knowledgeon handlinga cameraand wish to start
takingphotographsimmediately,proceedto "SIMPLESHOOTING
PROCEDURE"on page24.
Pi i
Xi 11View original page 12Page 14 · Read text
[,@ rf Turn the battery compartment release knob clockwise to fasten.
. Lowerthe releaseknob into its original
position.
. The "E" batterymark appearsin the
displaypanel.
. Even when using a new battery,during
continuousshootingor at low temperatures
the voltage may decreasemomentarilyand
the "E" mark may light.lf this happens,
turn the main switchoff then back on 2 or 3
times.lf the "E" mark lights,there is
enough battery power.
<Checkingthe battery power>
The"E" marksmean the following:
Checkthe batterypower with the main switch turned on.
There is sufficientbattery power. EA
Batterypower is low and will need replacementsoon. m
\ l . z
-G- (ftashins) Replacewith a new battery.
, / l \
\ 1 , /
-il- (ftashing) Camerawill not operate.
, / l \
r3View original page 14Page 18 · Read text
The shutter release button operates
in two steps.
When the shutter button is half-
pressed, the viewfinder display turns
on and the autofocus and metering
functions are activated. When
pressed further (full pressure), the
Full pressure shutter is released and the photo is
taken.
. Beforeloadingfilm,practicepressingthe shutterreleasebuttonto get usedto the half-
pressureposition.
. Topreventcamerashake,usea smoothmotionwhenpressingthe shutterreleasebutton.
e Tuct<in your elbowsand stabilize
the camera.
? ttotOyour breathwhen pressing
the shutterbutton.
@ feep your arms and hands
relaxedand press the shutter
buttongently.
It is important to hold the camera firmly in ordef to achieve sharp
photographs. Unsharp photographs are often due to camera shake
causedby the photographer's abrupt motion when taking a picture.
Practiceworkingwith the cameraand makingboth verticaland horizontal
compositions.Find positionsthat are comfortablefor you. Proppingyourselfor
thecameraagainsta buildingor tree can often be effective.
. Whentakingphotographsin darkplacesor in othercaseswheretheshutterspeedis
slow,usea tripodto avoidcamerashake.
T7View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
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( 1 ) { Open the camera back by lifting
I the camera back open knob and
turning it in the direction of the
arrow.
Set the releaseknob back in its original
positionafter openingthe cameraback.
. Thefirsttimeyou usethe camerabe sureto
removethe protectivesheetinsidethe
camerabeforeloadingfilm.
. Be carefulnotto touchthe DX anddata
backcontacts.lf theybecomedirtyclean
themoff witha softcloth.
. Loadandremovefilmoutof directsunlight. www.butkus.us
fl Insert the film at an angle as
C shown on the diagram.
Shutter curtain
The shuttercurtainis a precisionpad. Be extremelycarefulnot to touch it or poke it
withthe tip of the film or your finger. In particular,neverpressthe shutterrelease
buttonwhen the tip of the film is positionedover the shuttercudain.
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r8View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
Pulling on the tip of the film,Q
lU draw out the film to the position
of the orange " I " mark, then set it
over the spool.
Make sure the film is flush(not bulging
out), as shown in the diagram.
@o @x
. lf thedrawnoutsectionof thefilmis too
long,do nottryto continueloadingthefilm.
Windit backup intothefilmcafiridgeto
adjustthe length.
Securely close the camera back, /l
- turn the main switch on and
press the shutter release button.
The film is automaticallyadvancedto
the first frame and the film counteris
set to "01".
. lf "00"stillflasheson thefilmcounter,the
filmhasnotbeenproperlyloaded.Open
thecamerabackandreloadthefilm.
r9View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
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<Automatic setting of the ISO
film speed>
When "DX" is displayed on the
display panel, the camera reads the
DX code and sets the film speed
automatically.
The automaticfilm speed settings
rangefrom ISO 25 to 5000.
. Whenfilmwithno DXcodeis loaded,the
Filmwith DX code filmspeedis automaticallysetto ISO100.
. lf "DX"is notdisplayedon thedisplaypanel,
be sureto setthe ISOmanually.(Seepage
22.)
<Checking the film speed> <Gheckingthe film speed>
To check the ISO of the film loaded
in the camera, set the exposure
mode lever to "lSO".
"DX"or "lSO"and the speedof the film
loadedin the cameraappearon the
displaypanel.
. To seta differentISOfromthatindicatedfor
thefilm(forexample,for pushprocessing),
see"Settingthefilmspeedmanually"on
page22.
Display panel
DX .x)-f
a)-l ,^a
Film speed www.butkus.us
20View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
Once the film has been fully
exposed, film advance stops and the
first and second digits of the film
counter flash alternately.
,l With the main switch on, turn the
I rewind lever in the direction of
the arrow while pressing the rewind
Firstand second digits flash lock release button.
alternately The numberson the film counter
decreasewhile the film is rewinding.
Once the film is completelyrewound,
the motor stops and "00" flasheson the
film counter.
ll Check that the motor has
4 stopped and that "00" is flashing
@ on the film counter, then open the
camera back and remove the film.
. Removethefilmin a olaceoutof direct
sunlight.
. lf theendof thefilmis leftoutof thefilm
cassetteat filmrewinding,setthe custom
functionon page74.
. Besureto removethefilmafterrewindingit.
Afterthefilmhasbeenrewound,the
camerawillnotoperateuntilthecamera
backhasbeenopened.
. Afterremovingthefilm,haveit developed
as soonas oossible.
. Notethatif morephotographsthanthe
regularnumberof frameson thefilmhave
beentaken,the lastframemaybe cut
duringthedevelopingprocess.
. Formidrollrewind,followsteps1 and2
describedabove.
2 lView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
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Use the procedure described below to set the film speed for film with no DX
code or when you want to set a different ISO from the one indicated for the film.
. The manualISO settingrangeis ISO 6 to 6400.
. lf you set the film speed manuallythis settingwill be used even when usingfilm with a DX
code.
Set the exposure mode lever to { c I "lSO" while pressing the
exposure mode lock release button.
"DX" or "lSO" and the film speed
appearon the displaypanel.
@ ll Turn the command dial to set the C nmsetting to "DX" or the
desired value.
DX €-+ 6 +-+ 8 <-+ 10 <-->. <--> 5000 €--)
6400 €--> DX +--) 6 (repeated)
tlt Set the exposure mode lever
rl back to the exposure mode. The
setting is now finished.
Commanddial The displaypanel returnsto the normal
display.
. Oncethefilmspeedis set,thissettingis
storedin thememoryuntilthesettingis
changedagain.
. Photographscannotbe takenif the
exoosuremodeleveris setto "lSO"or "CF".
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22View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Thedrive modesdescribedbelowcan be selectedaccordingto the subjectand
scene.In general,the singleframe mode is for still subjectssuch as portraitsor
landscapes,while the continuousmode is best for movingsubjects.
'rS" - Single frame mode
Whenthe camera'sshutterreleasebuttonis pressed,a singleframe is taken,
thenthe film is advancedto the next frame and stops.The shutterrelease
buttonmust be pressedagainfor anotherexposure.
"C" - Continuousshooting mode
Whenpressureis maintainedon the shutterreleasebuttonframesare exposed
andfilm is advancedcontinuously.A maximumof about 3.5 frames per second
canbe taken continuouslywhile the shutterreleasebuttonis pressed. (The
shootingspeed dependson the shutterspeed,the film speed,whetherdata
backimprintfunctionis on or off and the conditionof the battery.)
" Slo " ",{)2 " - Self timer mode
Setthis mode to use the self timer. For details,see page 57.
Press the drive button to set the { c I drive mode.
All the drive modes appearon the
displaypanel and the currentlyselected
drive mode flashes.
Drivebutton ll Turn the command dial untilthe
Z desired drive mode indicator is
flashing.
The drive mode switchesas follows
when the commanddial is turned.
"S" - "G" - "N)2"<.---;"$rc"
Press the drive button to set the I
lU selected drive mode. The display
panel returns to the normal display.
23View original page 24Page 27 · Read text
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FOCUSING
This cameraofferstwo types of focusing: autofocus(AF), in which the camera
adjuststhe focus automatically,and manualfocus(MF) in which the user
adjuststhe focus manually.
Thereare two AF modes: "SAF"(singleAF) which is convenientfor general
photographywhen photographingstationarysubjects,and "CAF" (continuous
AF) which comes in handyfor takingphotosof movingsubjects.
In addition,there are two modesfor selectingthe focusingframe or frames in
the AF modes. The "autoselectmode" is convenientfor adjustingthe focus
withina certainrange in general,while the "manualselectmode"can be used
for focusingaccuratelyon a selectedpoint.
This camerais also equippedwith the functionsdescribedbelow. Use them
accordingto the subjectand scene.
e fhe camera's"dualfocusmechanism"allowsyou to switchto the manual
focus mode by turningthe lens'focus ring when the focus is set in the SAF
mode (page30).
@ "One shot auto focus"for focusingautomaticallywhilethe focus buttonis
pressedin the manualfocus(MF) mode (page35).
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26View original page 27Page 28 · Read text
This camerahas five focusingframes: Focus frames the frame at the centerof the picture
and four peripheralframespositioned
on diagonallines. There are two
U t l modesfor selectingthe focusingframe
t l or frames: the "auto select mode" in
t ] t l which the cameraautomaticallyselects
the most appropriatefocusingframe
from among the differentfocusing
framesaccordingto the positionof the
subject,and the "manual select mode"
<Auto select mode> in which a specificfocusingframe can
be designated.
There are two auto focusingframe
selectmodes. In one mode the most
appropriateframe is selectedfrom
among the five focus frames. In the
other mode the focus frame is selected
from two adjacent peripheralframes
(top/bottom,lefVleftor righVright).
When the operationfor switchingthe
auto selectmode is performed,the
<SwitchingAuto Select Mode> selectedfocusingframesflash(es)red
once.
<Auto select mode>
The auto selectmode switchesas
shown on the diagrameach time the
auto selectlever is moved in the
directionof the arrow.
. Thiscannotbe setin themanualfocus
mode. II
27View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
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"r,--Tj'l" : This mode is suitedfor generalphotography.The camera T rcr-r automaticallyselectsthe most appropriateof the five focusing W
frames. S(
rh "rr-jl" : This mode is suitedfor compositionscontainingsubjectsat equal r crr m distancesat the edges of the picture. The cameraselectsthe frame
for which the shootingdistanceis shortestfrom among the two
selectedfocusingframes.
<Manual select mode> <Manualselect mode>
Selectthe desiredfocusingframe using
the manualselectlever. Move the lever
n t l in the directionof the desiredfocusing
frame to selectone of the peripheral
t l focusingframes,push it to selectthe
t l t l centerfocusingframe. This mode is
suitedfor cases in which you want to
focus accuratelyon the selectedframe.
Focus frame
(Selectone of the five.) <Locking the selected focusing
frame>
The selectedfocusingframe can be
rLOGK lockedso that it does not change
accidentally.
To do so, set the auto selectleverto
the "LOCK"position.
Manualselecllever
<Lockingthe selectedtocusingframe>
Displaypanel(example)
.LOCK
Auto selectlever www.butkus.us
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