Cosina Hi-Lite User manual

Specifications of Cosina Hi-Lite

Lens: Auto Cosinon 50mm f/1.4 5-group 7-element lens or f/1.8 - 4 group 6-element lens or f/2.8
  3-group 4-element lens; stops down to f/16

Shutter: Copal Square metal focal plane shutter with speeds from B. 1 to 1/1000 sec.,
   self-timer; M-X synchronization.

Viewfinder: Reflex viewfinder with fresnel screen, micro split-image focusing spot; meter needle visible in the
finder.

Exposure Meter: Match-needle Thru-the-Lens Cds meter couple to shutter/aperture settings; meter needle
visible in the finder; ASA range 25-1600.

Film Transport: Single-stroke film wind lever advances film, sets shutter, counts exposure and prevents
double exposure.

Other features: Automatic re-setting exposure counter, film type reminder and Diaphragm control lever.

Lens Shade: 52 mm slip-on type

Filter: 49 mm screw-in type (?)

Dimensions:  145 mm (W) x 96 mm (H) x 92 mm (D) w/f 1.8 lens

Weight: 725 g

FILM TYPE REMINDER
Make sure to set the type of the film on the Film Type Reminder, so you always know what film is in the
camera.





REVERSAL: for the daylight type color film

COLOR: for the universal type negative color film

COLOR: for the tungsten type color film

PANCHRO: for the black-and-white trim and the infra-red film.

UNLOADING THE FILM

1. When the Exposure Counter indicates the figure "20" ("36" in case of a 36-exposure film), the film has been
completely exposed.

www.butkus.us

2. Push in the Film Rewind Button on the base of the camera. There is no need to keep pressing it during the
rewinding operation. When the new film is wound on, the Button will pop up automatically.

3. Fold Out the Rewind Crank-Handle on the Film Rewind Knob and turn it in the direction of the arrow.





4. Before the film-end slips off the Take-up Spook, you'll feel a slight resistance, but keep turning the Crank-
Handle.

5. Stop rewinding when the Crank-Handle rotates freely. Open the Back Cover and take out the exposed film.

EXPOSURE CONTROL

1. Film Speed Setting
Turn the Film Speed Setting Dial so that the figure or the line standing for the ASA/DIN film speed of the film
in use aligns with the dot on the window. The lines between the settings on the Film Speed Setting Dial indicate
the intermediate film speeds.

2. Aperture Setting
Select the desired setting by turning the Aperture Setting Ring. Depress the Meter Switch to turn 'ON' and keep
it depressed.





The diaphragm is stopped down to the preselected aperture setting for measuring exposure at the taking
aperture.



3. Shutter Speed Setting
Turn the Shutter Speed Setting Ring and center the meter needle in the viewfinder. If it fails to position in the
center mark, select another shutter speed and/or aperture setting.

www.butkus.us

4. Perfect Exposure
When the needle is centered, the camera is set for correct exposure. Remove your finger from the Meter Switch
and the diaphragm will open to full aperture. You can view through the finder at maximum brilliance during
picture taking.




                               OVER-EXPOSURE
                                   When the Meter needle is in the upper held of
                                                   the scale, it warns against over-exposure. Adjust
                                                   the shutter speed to a faster setting or the
                                                   aperture to a smaller setting.





                             CORRECT EXPOSURE
                                                 Correct exposure is obtained by centering the
                                                   needle. However, check that the shutter/aperture
                                              combination is just right for the subject.





                              UNDEREXPOSURE
                                   When the meter needle is in the lower section of
                                                   the scale, it advises you of under-exposure.
                                                   Select a slower shutter speed or a larger
                                                     aperture.





EXPOSURE FACTOR
The easy-to-read Through-the-lens metering system incorporated in the Cosina Hi-Lite measures the average
brightness of the light entering through the taking lens. Consequently this system assures perfect exposure
without troublesome compensation of exposure factor; even when using interchangeable lenses, filters, close-up
lenses, extension tubes and bellows, etc.

FOCUSING
1. With the fully automatic diaphragm system, the Cosina Hi-Lite permits easy and fast focusing and
composition through the viewfinder at full aperture. Look through the finder and turn the Focusing Ring until
the picture image on the focusing screen appears clear and crisp.

2. The micro split-image focusing spot guarantees fast and accurate focusing.





Precise focus is obtained when the picture image appears sharp and clear on the focusing spot.

3. Out of Focus: The picture image on the focusing spot appears blurred. The blurring of the picture image can
be seen most conspicuously on the micro split-image focusing spot.

www.butkus.us

DEPTH OF FIELD

1. When you focus your camera on a subject at a given range, the area in the foreground and background over
which the objects appear acceptably sharp, is called the "Depth of Field". As shown here, it is more extensive
when the lens is stopped down (right photo) than at full aperture (left photo).





2. The depth of field Scale on the lens barrel lets you know the depth of field of the lens in use. If the subject is
at a distance of 3.5 feet and the aperture setting is set at f/16, all objects within the range indicated by the figure
16 on both sides of the red index (approx. 3.1 feet to 4 feet) will appear clear in the picture (in case of f/1.8 lens.





3. To check the depth of field at the pre-selected aperture, push the Diaphragm Control Lever toward "M" and
sight through the viewfinder.





4. Always keep the Lever at "A'' position. At this setting, the diaphragm remains open to assure maximum
brilliance of the image in the finder at all times.

FLASH PHOTOS
In flash photography, correct exposure is obtained by dividing the guide number of the flash unit or the flash
bulb by the camera-to subject distance.

Example: Guide No. 32
Distance 4 feet

32 divided by 4 = 8 (correct aperture).
The Cosina Hi-Lite has M-X synchronization and accepts electronic flash units and M-F class bulbs.





1. Electronic Flash: Synchronization at 125 setting. (at all shutter speeds from 1/125 sec. to 1 sec. and "B"

2. M class bulb synchronization at all shutter speeds.

SELF TIMER
1. Advance the film to tension the shutter.

2. Tension the Self-Timer by depressing the Self-Timer Lever all the way.

www.butkus.us


3. The Self-Timer functions when the Shutter Release Button is depressed, and trips the shutter by delayed-
action after 8 seconds.

B SETTING
At the B setting, the shutter remains open for as long as the Shutter Release Button is depressed. This setting is
used for long exposures under dim light conditions and for special effects.


USE OF CABLE RELEASE
The use of a cable release is recommended when using slow shutter speeds or bulb (B) exposure. Mount the
camera on a tripod and screw a cable release into the socket of the Shutter Release Button.





INDEX FOR INFRA-RED RAY PHOTOGRAPHY
The red index on the right side of the focusing index mark is used when taking a picture on an infra-red ray
film. Focus the camera on your subject in the ordinary manner and set the distance reading to this red index.

FILM PLANE MARK
The red mark on the camera top indicates the position of the film plane. In close-4p photography. it is advisable
to measure the distance from this mark to the subject in order to secure the most accurate focus.

LENS INTERCHANGEABILITY
A feature of the Cosina Hi-Life is its thread mount for interchangeable lenses. It accepts a large variety of
interchangeable lenses from wide-angle to telephoto. Mounting is very easy. Whatever lens is mounted on your
camera, the precise Thru-the-Lens metering system and the luminous viewfinder remain unchanged.

ACCESSORIES
Cosina offers a wide range of top quality accessories for your Hi-Lite. These accessories will not affect the
easy-to-use Cds Metering system but add to the versatility of the camera and also extend the scope of your
picture-taking from microphotography to macrophotography.