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Agfa Silette guide Reference guide
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- Agfa
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- Agfa Silette guide
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- Reference guide
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- English
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- Film cameras
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SITETTE
GUIDE
HOW TO USE THE S'tETTE (MEMAR);
SILETTE VARIO, SILETTE PRONTO, SILETTE
PRONTO RICOMPUR, S' LETTE LK, SltErrE sL'
SITETTE L, SILETTE AUTOMATIC, SUPER
SILE TTE, SUPER S'tE TTE L AND AMBI.SILETTE
By \M. D. EMANUETView original page 2Page 5 · Read text
TTIE SITETTE FAMITY
The Silette is a 35 mm. camera of simple operation and
compact, streamlined design. There are eight different
models with various features which increase the camera's
versatility. All use standard perforated 35 mm. film, pro-
ducing negatives I x l{ in. (24 x 36 mm.).
Construttion is rigid. The hinged back makes loading
easy, and there are internal baffles to reduce reflection.
The rapid wind lever on top is easily oPerated by the
right thumb. lt drives sprockets in the film track which
advance the film, and also the friction-driven take-up spool.
This has a tooth for anchoring the film by a perforation.
One stroke of the lever advances the film and exPosure
'counter, tensions the shutter and releases the double
exposure lock on the shutter release.
The Silette was first introduced in 1953. Since then the
makers have constantly striven for improvement and pro-
duced versions with built-in rangefinder or exPosure meter
or both. Numerous minor changes have also been incor-
porated in models which are omitted in this Guide to avoid
complication.
Td avoid import restrictions, some models are supplied
in Great Britain which are no longer in normal production.
the names Memar and 5uPer l"lemar.
t". t""" Models
Eorlier models no longer in production are morked a
oSILETTE 1953: with f 3.5 Ape!ar-le$-in Pronto shutter
and optical viewfinderTF6Ti-ng an about two-thirds natural-
size image. The exposure counter is on the winding lever.
.SILETTE 1954: as above, but with 8-speed Prontor SVS
shutter.
1957: as above, but with 9-speed Prontor SVS\ oSILETTE/ shutter with light value scale.
SILETTE VARIO 1958: a restyled,-inexPensive version with
a 4 f3.5 Agnar in 3-speed Vario'shutteFTh-Ffinder givesView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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SILETTE YARIO AND PRONTO
lililillllll
s4
t3
The parts and controls of
the Silette Vario and Pronto
are: Lens: L3, aperture ring;
L4, aperture scale. Focus-
ing: F l, focusing mount; F2,
distance scale; F3, depth
of field indicator. Shutteri
52, release button; 54, fl-------:shutter speed scale; 59,
flash socket; S 10, cable
release socket in release
button. Viewftnder : V l, fi nd- st0 -T0
er window; V2, eyepiece.
Film ond tronsport: Tl,rapid winding lever; T4, t3--------+ T----,---[4film counter; T6, film indi- ----t2cator; T7, rewind knob; --- tlT8, film reversing button. 88- -Body: B8, accessory shoe.Iop: general view of the r,r1rr'- -t-llTlrflilllT'lflTm/-€_F<F--___Sz- - ?J, ,.-ff-t\H' ,.Silette Vario and Pronto ---+-Tl
against a I in. scale grid;
upper centre: front view of
Silette Vario and Pronto;
lower centre.' top view of
Silette Vario and Pronto;
bottom: back view of upper
and lower sections of the
camera.View original page 6Page 8 · Read text
SILETTE LK, SL AND AUTOMATIC
t3
i:i::;;: -----:--_ _ _r.!::i::i.'il'['il"llr'l fL6r)_ _: ii
The parts and controls are:
Lens: L3, aperture control,
coupled with the exposure
meter setting; L4, aperture
scale. Focusing: Fl, front
cell focusing mount with
distance scale; F3, depth of B3field scale. Shutter.' 52, h'e,r,
release button with cablerelease socket; 54, shutter Tl----- ----;
speed scale; S7, synchroniz-
ing lever (noton model LK); T4-58, shutter speed ring;
59, flash socket. Exposure
meter: E2, meter cell; E3,
catch of cell cover (on E8---------)
model SL); E6, film speed
setting; E7, meter needle;
E8, setting pointer. View-
finder: Vl, finder window;
V2, eyepiece. Film ond
tronsport: Tl, rapid wind-
ing lever; T4, film counter;
T6, film type indicator;T7, rewind knob. Body:83, t2- - vl
back lock; 88, accessory -- F3shoe. Speciol features: 71,
iliuminating window for -r$
finder frame and exposure
meter reading (Automatic
only); 22, locking button
disc. speed settingof film
front,Top: view of the _--il.[0
Silette SL; uPPer centre.'top --vlview of the Silette SL;
lower centre.' front view of E2'
top section of Silette LK;
bottom: front view of top
section of Silette Auto-
matic (SLK).View original page 8Page 12 · Read text
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i natural-slze image. The exposure counter is on the lower
edge of the camera back.Ilul
SILETTE PRONTO 1958: restyled as above, but with f2.8ll Color-Apotar in 4-speed Pronto shutter.
SILETTE PRONTOR/COMPUR 1958: restyled as above and
fitted with bright line viewfinder and eicher f2.8 Color- Apgqar in Prontor SVS or Color-Solinar in Compur-Rapid
XV, both shutters with light value scale. .4, i
oSf LETTE L 1956: as for Silette l.957, but with f *&Color- { Apotar and built-in photoelectric exposure meter. \
oSILETTE SL 1957: as above, but with f 2.8 Color-Solinar in
Prontor SLK shutter with aperture setting coupled to the
exPosure meter.
t1 SILETTE LK 1958: as above, but with f 2.8 Color-Apotar inrl S-speed Pronto LK shutter and bright line finder.
SILETTE AUTOMATIC 1958: as for Silette SL 1957, but the
meter setting is visible in the bright line finder which has
automatic parallax compensation.
SUPER SILETTE 1955: as for Silette |1957, but with coupled
range- and viewfinder. Early models had no light val'ues.
Alternative lenses. are the f 3.5 Solinar, or f 2 Solagon in
Compur-Rapid light value shutter.
SUPER SILETTE L l95B: as for Super Silette, but restyled / like the silette 1958. Fit-ted wirh built-in uncoupred eipo- ,A;t,i
sure meter.and.f h$.Solinar in light value Synchio-Com iu, ilp)fu \I shutter. The shutter release is on the camera front plite.'','/
I The finder has no bright line frame.
AMBI-SILETTE 1957: of pre-1958 styling, it has inter-
J, changeable 3.5 cm. (l$ in.) wide-angle, 5'cm.-(2 in.) standard
and 9 and l3 cm. (3{ and 5f in.) lohg-focus linsej mounted
in front of a l0-speed synchro-compur shutter. Alr renses
couple to the combined range-viewfinder, which has a bright
line frame adjustable ro the 3.5, 5 and 9 cm. lens fields. ihe
standard lens is an f 2.8 Color-Solinar. 1l
IView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
The LenseS
THE AGNAR.f3.5 4! mm. is fitted to the inexpensive modef of the silette. lt is a three-component, air-spaced
anastigmat. At full aperture it gives a satisfactory gdn.r.i
performance with go6d corour dorrection. oenn'ition ..n
be improved by stopping down and reaches its optimum at
around f 8.
THE coLoR-AporAR F2.g 45 mm. fitted to mosr silette
models is a three-component, air-spaced anastigmat. lt
combines simple construction with unusually hig"h perfor-
particularly in view of its wide apeituri. This is fanc.e, due to the use of new improved typ6s of opticaf glass. larg.ely It gives yery good colour correction and'overall'definiiion,
. even at full aperture.
.:- TIE APOTAR F3.5 45 mm. fitted to mosr pre- r957 moders
ntqtg fa!ove), but is nor quite as fast. / ' THE coLoR-soLlNAn fz.e 50 mm. lens in the silette
sL, silette Automatic, super Sirette L and Ambi-silettu ii .
four-glass anastiglat with a cemented rear component. lt
yield,s.superb definirion and flatness of field anb tras nigh
resolving power and colour correction.
THE soLlNAR F3.5 50 mm. is of simirar construcrion and
performance to the color-solinar (above) but not quite as
fast. lt is fitted to the Super Silette 1955.'
Il,u solagon f z s0 mm. avairabre on some moders of the
1955 super silette is a six-component lens. lt is the widest
ape.rture lens fitted to the silette series and is particularly
highly corrected for definition and colour correction.
The lenses of 45_mm. (3f in.) focal length cover an angle
of 51". Those of 50 mm. (2 in.) cover an-angle of 47". T'he
i.Tlg. scale at the shortest distance of thE unaided fens
(3 ft..with_{S m.m. rens, 3} ft. with 50 mm. rens) is .pproii- t..!I l:20 where they cover a field of approxirhately, n 20x 30 in.
on some Super Silette models and The Solagon f2 lens
the Color-Solinar f2.8 of the Ambi-Silette are in helical
12 focusing mounts, while all others have front cell focusing.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
I
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They cover a focusing range from infinity to 3 or 3$ ft.
The calibration of the lens mount is o,30, 15, 10,8, 6,5,4,
aperture scale markings are.2.B or 3.5; 3.5 and 3 ft. J[g 4,5.6,8, ll,0f/(2gL A zone focusing mark is provr'ded
on the aperture and distance scales.
The lenses of the Silette, Silette L, Silette SL, Silette LK,
Silette Automatic, Super Silette and Super Silette L are not
interchangeable and, in consequence, neither telephoto nor
optical supplementar@ of converging
meniscus lenses which allow the camera to be set to nearer
di{ances than is possible with the unaided lens (see page 68).(
The Ambi-Silette has an interchangeable lens mount
(see page 32).
tens Coating
The lenses built into all the Silette models are coated.
This coating or blooming, as it is sometimes called, consists
of the application of a microscopically fine coat of an inor-
ganic substance on the glass surfaces. This considerably
reduces the light reflection at glass-air surfaces in the leni.
The gain will be fully appreciated if it is understood that,
in lenses like the Color-Apotar and Color-Solinar, the loss of
light due to surface reflection is in the region of 35 per cent,
and can be reduced by coatingto a
Apart from a"gd es the lens, which may in
acrua!actual practicepracttce Debe nearlyneany 50)u perper cenEcent (half(natI aa stop),stop), tnethe matnmain
importance of coating lies in the elimination of the scattered
lightlisht whichwhich impairsimpairs thethe contrastcontrast ofof thethe imase.image. ThisThis resultsresults
intn aa moremore brilliantDfliltanr negative,negartve, especiallyespechily Inin thetne shadowsnadow regionsregions
where the tones are most subdued and so brilliance and
contrast are most needed.
The Care of Lenses
The treatment and care of lenses is a matter of importance. -/ Due to its chemical composition, optical glass of high qualir)<
is susceptible to the influence of moisrure, and foi thii
reason touching the glass with the fingers should be avoided. 19
i
1View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Since complete protection ls lmposslble, the lens surface
should be cleaned occasionally wlth a clean, soft, chamois
.\ leather. Coated lenses should be cleaned with a fine camel-
a ) hrir brush gently used, or by carefully wiping them with/ piece of cotton wool moistened with splrlt.
The lreng l{ggd art L€Ars s#*oE
This is a tube, usually metal, placed on the front of the lens
to stop light entering from outside the picture area. There
is no picture which could not be rmproved in clarity and
brilliance by using_J_ a lens hood. The@e
IensJIe rnore fmportanTls the hood.
Otherwise light coming from objects outside the actual
picture area will reach the lens and give rise to scattered
light by internal reflection which would reduce the brilliance
of the picture considerably. This applies not only to photo-
graphs taken against the light-where the lens hood becomes
indispensable-but also to sunshine in general, and to a
lesser extent to pictures in diffused light and indoors (on
account of reflected light). The lens hood can be used in
combination with filters and close-up lenses (see pages 77,74).
The Shutters
THE VARIO shutter on the latest Silette has three instan-
taneous speeds, |.125, U50, l/200 sec., and B setting for time
exposures. A flash synchronizing contact is fitted.
THE PRONTO shutter fitted to some models of the
Sif ette offers a range of four instantaneous speeds, | 125,
1i50, l/100 and 11200 sec., as well as a B setting for time
exposures. A built-in delayed-action device is incorporated
and a flash synchronizing contact is fitted.
THE PRONTO LK shutter on the Silette LK is linked to
the exposure meter (see page 82). lt has five speeds, l/15,
l/30, 1160, lll25, 11750 sec. and B. Delayed-action and a
flash contact are fitted.
THE PRONTOR SVS shutter on some Silette, Silette L
and Super Silette models has nine speeds, l, | 12, | 14, l-i{J 1Tl
t/30, 1160, lll25, l/300 sec. and B for time exposures, andView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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LENSES AND SHUTTERS
The Color'Apotar, Apotar and Agnar, (above left) are -Coloi--solinai' and three-glassH@ienses,--w-h'i1e the Solinar (obove, centre) are of four-glass construction
withwith thethe rearrear pairpair cementedcemented together.. T.h"The SolagonSolagon
Qbgve,.right) is a_six-glass anastigmat._The Apoiar,
Color-Apotai.and_solinir lenses are allJ5.em. 1i1 in.1focalfocal length;lenith; thethe Color-SolinarColor-Solinar andand SolaqonSolaqon areare 5O50 mm.mm.
lfin.ffiree12*in.Ffhree alternativealternative lenseslenses areare aiailableaiailable forfor thethe Ambi-Silette. These are the Color-Telinears (top right),
five-glass telephotos of 90 mm. (3{ in.) and 130 mm.
(5{ In.) focal length, and the.Color-Ambion (bottom
light), a four-glass wide-angle lens of 35 mm. (lf in.)
focal length.
Several different types of shutter are fitted to the various Silette models. Among
them are the Prontor SVS,9 speeds and light value scale (leftl; the Compur-RapiJ
!0:pS".dl a.nd light.value scale (centre); and the Synchro-Compur, i0 spe6ds (right). The latter is shown as fitted to the Ambi-Silett6 where it does not haie the
light value scaloView original page 16Page 17 · Read text
delayed-action timer is \ also a light value scale. A built-in / included besides X-M flash synchronization (see page 9l).
y Prontor SVS shutters fitted to some earlier Silette, Silette L
' - and Super Silette models are without a light value scale.
SVS , Early Silette models are fitted with Prontor S, SV or
A rhutters which have a slightly different speed range, ,,l12,
B. l/5, li 10, | 125, U50, l/100, l/300 sec. and
SL and Silette :! THE PRONTOR SLK shutter on the Silette fs' Automatic is similar to the 9-speed Prontor SVS, but with
linked exposure meter (see page 82).
THE SYNCHRO-COMPUR shutter on some models of the
Super Silette, the Super Silette L and on the Ambi-Silette
hasten speeds, l,l12, l14, llB, lll5, l/30, 1160, lll25, 11250,
' l/500 sec. and B. This shutter is available with or without
light value scale. lt has built-in delayed-action release and
X-M flash synchronization (see page 9l).
THE COMPUR-RAPID shutter fitted to some Silette and
Silette L models has the same range of speeds and features
as the Synchro-Compur (above), but in some cases has X
flash synchronization only.
How to Use the Shutters
THE VARIO. To set the shutter turn the outside milled ring until
the diamond mark (f) points to the speed required. The engraved
figures 25,50 and 200 stand for 1125, ll50 and l/200 sec. respectively.
THE PRONTO. To set the shutter turn the outside ring until the
' diamond marl< (f) points to the speed required. The figures 25,50,
100,200 stand for 1125, 1150, lll00 and l/200 sec. The shutter is auto-
matically tensioned during film transport (see page 25).
To use the delayed-action release, set the camera in the usual way
and mount it on a rigid support, €.9., a tripod. Depress the delayed-
action lever as far as it will go. This is the red lever on the lower part
of the shutter rim. On pressing the body release of the camera, the
shutter runs down after a delay of approximately 8 seconds, giving the
operator time to take his place in the picture.
THE PRONTOR SVS and S. To set the shutter turn the outside ring
, until the top of the diamond mark ( f) points to the speed required. The\ f , 2, $lSl50flOSand 300stand for | , | 12, ffiv[1+0r1425t1.1+9, ,) figures
/ _ _ #JO0 and l/300 sec. The shutter is automatically tensioned during film
U i I t 16 ti'anrport (jee page 25). e6frb , L- b0 y1View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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\
\ S"taing the ring in intermediate posltions in the range between I and / yield approxlmately sec. will and l/300 t/50 beiween lll0 sec- and I possible between l/10 '{ \ are settings half-way Nd speeds. I int"rmediate
I and li25 sec. and l/25 and l/50 sec.
I fn6 delayed,action release of the Prontor S shutter is used in the (see above). shutter of the Pronto same wav ds that I\---?To release Prontor of the delayed-action use'the SVS shutter, set the ) l' is required' special-tensioning No to shutter V. on tever the top 6f tne 14\ yod the selfrl again don't want to use if altered be and settingcan the
timer after all. The delay is approximately 8 seconds.
The Prontor SVS 9-spbed shutter but without light value scale is
similar in use to the 8-speed model.
THE PRONTOR SVS WITH LIGHT VALUE SCALE' SYNCHRO--)
COMPUR WITH LIGHT VALUE SCALE and COMPUR-RAPID WITH L
LIGHT VALUE SCALE all have linked shutter and aperture setting
mechanism. The exposure is controlled by a system of light values. -
On the side.+f the shutter rim a rang6 of numbers is engraved in
redrf framfrom )2tdl7,tor*thich+n'l7lmJ.9,-whirh renresentrepresent lishtlight valuesvalues forfor correctcorrect exDosufe.exPosure.
Each lisht vali'e ts a ringe of shltter speed-aperture combina-
tTiltest exPosure mefers,
d that Of-the s-ilette L ano )UPef )llef,te L,L, areare callDraEeqcalibrated inln lightllgnl
values;lues; thethe readinlTi-n-thusreading be tiansferred directly.to the.shutter. To jet the shutier to the measured light value the small serrated
proiection on the sprung diaphragm ring is pressed down towards the
camera body and held securely in this Position.
The millei shutter speed ring is then-rotatea u$_th"-ptt e.r hand until ttt" r"quir"J iigtt valle on the red scale come3oplffitf,6Ed Yf.
It should be noted that:
Light values and stops may be set to the intermediate haltway
may arise if situation This latter posiiions when but not shutter-speedi. 2( scale of the ajgeJtfam or end is speed ihe beginning the shutter ietting
reachJd. and must be avoided. The step from f 4 to f 3.5, in any case, '
is only a hafsi6E-ClffiffiFfo'ntor SVS the interval between l;125 and
l/300 sec. represents lI stops.
Should it be desir"d"to set shutter speed and stop independentlyV
withoutusinglight volues, the only Precaution necessary on the Synchro-{
Compur shutter is that the shutter must be set frrst, then the stop.
On the shutter speed ring there are three seParate scales: ., | ,t/ Red ligures: The light value scale, grad uated f rom 2-17; on ly th_e figuresQa'*'1
from 2|to l7 can be used on the Silette. The light value on the SynchroJ
CompulCompur andand Compur-RapidCompur-Rapid shuttersshutters isis setset byby rotatingrotating thethe adioiningadioining
diaphragm ring until the required figure comes opposite the red dot 7.
SVS rotate the shutter speed ring until the required,I On the Prontor light value figure is opposite the red triangle. -Btock fguris: These'dre the shutter speeds, with the revised timings tz
sll-B
\View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
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HANDTING
Loading
Let us take it for granted that we have a 35 mm. film In a
daylight cassette. Our first task is then to load the camera
with film. Do this in subdued daylight, or eilg.3lUllle
:1.a.*.fy@
-. l. Open back.
L 2. Pull out rewind knob. -n
/' .3. Set film indicator.
/ /" 4. Insert cassette with fllm into film chamber.
Push back rewind knob. i / 5.
ii 6. Fix film end to take-up spool.
V 7. Turn take-up spool until film is tight.
/ a. Close camera back.
i, 9. Set exPosure counter.
nll 10. Make two blind exposures.
o f'ctt/ lVo . t \ I l. Pull down the spring-loaded closing catch and the camera back can .l be swung open on its hinges by the thumb grip on the back. \
\ L2. Pull out the milled rewind knob which carries the engraved letter R I Wttn an arrow.
\ - 3. To set the film indicator on the rewind knob, lnsert the index finger of the left hand under the rewind knob. Press it upwards while
rotating the top of the rewind knob with the thumb and index
finger of the right hand until the required setting, corresponding
to the film to be inserted, appears in the cut-out. This indicator
therefore reminds you of the type and speed of the film in the
camera, even after long intervals between exposures.
The following settings are provided:
a- -;A c}:' - u-7--8,40,tat l0O, 1604!Aspeed: tFcoro,. r.r"g"ti*for black-and-whiten'; t;*;!Iii'.*1fl{{'il(ststfifilm,- ')
tlt,:- fi1-t gpq :Colournegativefilm. ;u,r.! Dh{,:-td,//, JEI(T*tdtdC ok R P * : Colour reversal fitm for d.aylight. ti.i tr ) kr, n,+<.ftA n'tL - R|'4#(- : Colour reversal film forTartificial light. 7 ,in;';r',".1. jlfl{naa qr" - ,."i--ru' _l ,Irl: TA ( f!!s.t7i "t g:
col e F F/L/L/ t #4 vs' /)/FFcps,t/.T ASl R4 r*tt*S 4asView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
LOADING
Top left: Open the camera back.
Top centre: Pull out the rewind knob.
Top right: Set the film indicator to the speed and
type of film to be loaded into the camera.
Centre left: Insert film cassette into empty
chamber.
Centre: Push back the rewind knob so that it engages the cassette spoot.
Centre right: Fix the film leader to the take-up spool, engaging the second perfora-
tion hole in the black tooth.
Bottom left: Tighten the film on rhe takeup spool, making sure that it engages the
transport sprocket.
Bottom centre.' Close the camera back.
Bottom expes_urg pouq-ter to right: .Set fhe tw9 bthd %pg:yrgs. A g9 r*,u *Silette*VaSio'With Prbnto,-*l9Se Sletti exPosure stlette rotate L i;?
appropriate green mark. gJ 'uF3r:o:.T"..-!o vView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
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HOLDING
Left: Rest the camera
against the nose, place
the right index finger
on the release button,
and hold the camera
firmly with the left Press the elbows hand and the remaining close to your body, fingers of the right
hand. See also page
24.
always stand with
the legs well aPart,
Right: For vertical shots
turn the whole arrange-
ment sideways, support-
ing the camera in the
palm of the right hand.
Below: To be ready for
action all the time,
carry the camera round
the neck on a short and hold quite stlll
straP. while you release.
Whenever posslble, support your body against
something solid, such as a tree or wall, or ProP
your arms on a fence, railing, or even on your
knees when sitting on the ground. This is
specially important with slow snapshot ex-
posures where the camera must be absolutely
steady. Use a cable release for time exPosures
from a tripod.
&'-,-ffiff-View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
: . On Silette L, els set the filmspbed on-the exposure meter (gee.page 82).
4. lnsert the cassette with the filh into the empty chamber so that
_ the beginning of the film points towards the tik'e-up spoot. 5. Push back the rewind kn6b so that its pronged enO erigages in the
slotted hole of the cassette centre spo6l.
5. First, turn the take-up spool in the opposite chamber by its serrated
e.dge-until its cut-our with a black t6dth lies uppermoit. Then pull - I the film end across the picture aperture and fii it by pushing it into
, the cut-out and hookin! the secbnd perforation hoie'into t6'e smalt
' black tooth.
7. Turn the take-up spool by lts serrated edge untll the film pulls tight. Only abdut'2 perforation holes of -the fult width of 'fitm
should protrude from the cartridge. Make sure that the oerforation
8. ^ holesPress theare cameraengagedbackby theagainstcogstheoflhemainbottombody totransportlet ihe closingwheel.catch
snap into the shut position.
9. Turn the milled cenrre ring of the film counter disc until the letter A
engraved there is opposite the black index line. On the Silette
Vario, Pronto, 1958 Silette and Super Silette L the exposure counter
is on the lower edge of the camer-a back and has to be turned by its
serrated edge to the green mark between the numbers 36 and I if a
36-exposure film is used or to the green mark between 25 and 20 if
a2O-exposure film is loaded.
10. Pull the.rapid winding lever as far as it wilt go and release thc shutter
by the body release. Repeat this once more. The index on the
film counter will now point to the line before No. | (No. 36 on
Silette Vario, Pronto, 1958 Silette and Super Silette L), and the
camera is ready for the first exposure. To check that the film has
been inserted and is advancing properly, watch the rewind knob
while pulling the rapid winding lever. The rewind knob should
rotate ogoinst the engraved arrow.
lf the film cassette has been loaded with a short length of film t or. if 20 exposure colour films are used, it may be netessary to .,iS
take up the slack by winding the rewind knob in the direction of .-Sl:}
the arrow until some resistance is felt. The knob should then :
rot.tte as iust described during film transport.
Take care not to obstruct the movement of the rewind knob
while winding.
Holding
The camera should be held as steady as possible, as the
slightest shake, even if not seen in the original negative,
22 will become visible on the enlargement.
l
1
iView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
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SHOOTING
Top left: Advance the film. Top centre: Set the aperture. Top right: Set the shutter
speed. With light value shutters, set light value (see page l7). Bottom left: Set
the lens to the correct distance (with the Super Silette by means of the coupled
rangefinder). Bottom centre: Sight through viewfinder. Bottom rrght: Press
the release.
UNLOADING
Topleft: Depress the rewind button and
keep it depressed during rewinding.
Top centre: Rewind the film into its
cassette.
Top right: Open the camera back and
remove the cassette.
left: Close the camera back or reload.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
* t'" j^ A particularl), steady hold of the camera is necessary when
working with speeds below l/60 sec. (see also page 26).
To toke horizontol pictures hold the camera securely in the
palm of the right hand. Place the right thumb on the back
of the camera. The right index finger rests on the shutter
release. The left hand grips the left side of the camera body.
Press the elbows slightly to the body during exposure to
secure greater steadiness.
To toke upright pictures, rotate the camera through 90'
from its horizontal position, the right hand suppofting the
camera from below with the right index finger on the release
while the upper part is gripped by the left hand.
When releasing the shutter, use finger pressure only;
' keep the hand and its grip on the camera steady. The actual
pressing down must be done slowly and smoothly.
For hand-held slow exposures, rest the elbows on, or at
least lean the body against some support in order to avoid
shake. ln an emergency, l/8 sec., and with a very steady
hand l/4 sec. can be exposed in this way without noticeable
camera shake. A tripod is necessaD/ when taking time
exposures and it is also recommended for speeds from l/8
to I sec. A rigid tripod with ball-and-socket head can be
employed to allow changing from horizontal to vertical
position. Screw the tripod or the ball-and-socket head into
the tripod bush in the bottom plate of the camera.
Carrying
However elegant lt may be to carr)t the camera on a long
strap hanging from the shoulder, this position is quite
unsuitable for quick action. A better method is to carry it on
a short strap around the neck, so that it lies on the chest.
Opening the case and Iifting the camera up to the eye is then
a matter of seconds.
The ever-ready case carries the camera ready for use; it
2{ does not have to be removed when taking the photograph.View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
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Shooting
Practise the following operations so that they become
practically automatic. After the camera has been loaded
with film as instructed on pages l9 to 22 proceed as follows:
l. Transport film.
2. Determine light yalue. (Set aperture.)
3. Select apertule/shutter speed combination. (Set
exposure time.)
4. Set distance.
5. Sight subject tfirough viewflnder.
6. Release.
l. Transport the film by turning the winding lever through its full
. travel with the right thumb. The lever of the Silette 1958, Vario,- Pronto and Super Silette L protrudes from below the top plate, all
other models have the lever on top.
2. Determine the light value with exposure tables or meter (see page
88), or in the case of the Silette Ll SL and Super Silette L, using the
built-in photo-electric meter (see pages 79 to 86). Set this on the
light value scale as instructed on page 17.
On the Silette LK, SL and Automatic the exposure meter is
coupled tothe aperture/shutter speed scale. Turning this automatic-
ally sets aperture and speed (see page 82).
On cameras with no light values set aperture by turning the
serrated rim behind the shutter until the indicator shows the aper-
ture required. The scale is visible on top of the shutter.
The aperture is used to adjust the effective diameter of the lens.
The scale is numbered 3.5, 4,5.6,8, ll, 16. Changing from one
number to the next higher halves the amount of light passed;
changing to the next lower doubles it. The only exception is the
step between 3.5 and 4. Moreover, the smaller the opening (i.e.,
the higher the number), the greater the depth offield (see page 47).
3. With light value shutters select the apertureishutter speed com-
bination by rotating the milled shutter rim until the combination
required lies opposite to the index mark (see page l7).
On cameras without a light value scale set the exposure time by
turning the outer milled shutter rim which carries the exposure
. time figures until the time required is opposite the diamond
mark (1).
4. Set the distance from the camera to the subject (by turning, i n case of
the Silette, thefrontmount of the camera lens(which hasthedistance
figures in feet or metres engraved on it)) to the lower point of the
diamond mark on the front plate. This distance has to be guessed or
can be measured with the aid of a separate rangefinder, which 25View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
may be attached to the camera accessory shoe. On Super Silette
,, and Ambi-Silette set distance with the built-in rangefinder.
5. To view the subiect, bring the eyepiece close enough to the eye to
see the whole viewfinder frame. Do not tq/ to look obliquely
through the finder. Only the area viewed straight ahead through
the centre of the eyepiece will be in the picture. Early Silette
models and the current Silette Vario, Pronto and Super Silette have
optical direct viewfinders. Later models have finders showing a
bright frame apparently projected into the picture area. Only the
view within the frame will appear on the film. The field of view is
exactfor distances from 9 to l5 ft. At infinity, atrifle more shows
on the negative than in the finder; at 3 to 6ft. a shade less.
Under 6 ft. parallax causes a small error due to the difference in
position between viewfinder and lens. This is corrected in models
without bright line frame finders by tilting the camera slightly '- upwards (horizontal pictures) or sideways (vertical) in the direction
of the finder. The Silette Automatic's bright line finder is coupled
to the distance setting and corrects automatically for parallax. In
the remaining bright line models three small index lines below the
top border of the bright fratne represent the top of the close.up
picture.
6. To release the shutter press the body release gently. Speeds from
l/30 to l/300 sec. are "instantaneous" and can be taken with the
camera held in the hand. lt is odvisable to use the slower speeds of
f /30 sec. ond even l/60 sec. os sporingly os possib/e os there is some
donger of jerking the comero, and even a slight jerk, enlarged six or
eight times, results in unsatisfactory definition. The shutter release
of the Super Silette L is in theform of a round knob on the camera
front plate and is easily operated with the right-hand index finger.
The Double and Blank Exposure Lock
All models are fitted with a double and blank exposure
lock. This means that the same piece of film cannot be
exposed twice and, further, that the film cannot be wound on
by mistake before an exposure has been made.
lf therefore )rou cannot press the release button, you must
transport the film by means of the rapid winding lever. lf
the latter has not been fully moved to its stop, a further
complete turn will remedy this without loss of film. lf the
rapid wlnding lever cannot be moved, the camera is ready
26 for use or you have come to the end ofthe film (see pagez}.View original page 27Page 28 · Read text
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Uriloading
When the whole film has been exposed, the film counter
will point to 36-or to the appropriate number where a
shorter length of film has been used, such as a 20-exposure
colour film. On the latest current redesigned models the
exposure counter indicates the number of frames still
unexposed. At this stage, therefore, it should point to No. l.
lf you didn't set the film counter, the fact that you cannot
wind the rapid winder any further indicates that all the
film has been used up. Do not force the winder if you feel
a resistance, otherwise you will tear the film out of the
cassette. You now have to unload the film.
l. Depress rewind button and keep it depressed
during rewinding.
2. Rewind film into cassette.
3. Open camera and remoye exposed film.
4. Close camera back or reload.
l. Depress the small chromed press stud on the bottom of thq camon
and kecp it pressed in with the thumb of the left hand while:
2. The thumb and index finger of the right hand pull our the rewind
knob to the first stop (approx. f in.). Turn this knob in the direction of the arrow marked on it until after quite a whllc a resistancc h
felt (due to the film end which is hooked to the take-up spool).
Turn on beyond this resistance and give another 3-4 turns.
3. To remove the film which is now back in its original cassette, pull
out the rewind knob as far as it will go, when the cassette can be
removed.
{. Close the camera or reload with new film as instructed on page 19.
Changing Partly Exposed Films
A partly exposed film may be removed from the camera
and exchanged for another one (".9., if the camera is
loaded with black-and-white film and you want to take
colour pictures) without using a darkroom as follows:
l. Unload partly exposed film.
2. Reload new film. 2ZView original page 28From the M. Butkus Camera Manual Library. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
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