Cosina CS-3 camera User manual

Welcome to the exciting world of Cosina. You new camera is one of a family of professional quality
cameras designed with the serious photographer in mind. And the name Cosina is your assurance of
superbly crafted Optics and outstanding mechanical performance and reliability.

Description of Controls

1. Exposure Counter Window

2. Advance Lever                    9. Main Switch Lever

3. Index Pole                      10. Film Rewind Crank

4. Film Rewind Button             11. Film Rewind Knob

5. Shutter Speed Dial              12. Lens Flange

6. Film Speed Knob               13. Aperture Ring

7. Hot Shoe                       14. Aperture/Distance Scale Index Mark

8. Film Plane Reference





15. Focusing Ring/Distance Scale                  18. Release Button

16. Depth of Field Scale/infrared Mark              19. Aperture Window

17. Exposure Compensation Dial                   20. Strap Lugs

21. "X" Sync PC Outlet
                                         25. Lens
22. Memory Button
                                         26. Mount Unlock Button
23. Cable Release Socket
                                         27. Viewfinder Eyepiece
24. Self timer lamp





28. Film Guide Rails

29. Film Advance Sprocket                     32. Back Cover

30. Film Take-up Spool                         33. Film Chamber

31. Film Pressure Plate

34. Film Aperture                     38. Battery Compartment Cover

35. Film Reminder Clip               39. Auto-winder Coupler

36. Removable Door Hinge           40. DIN/ASA Conversion Chart

37. Tripod Socket                    41. Auto Unlock Button





POWER SUPPLY

Your CS-3 is powered by two, 1.5 volt silver oxide batteries (Eveready S-76, Mallory MS 76, G13 or
equivalent).

Battery installation





       1. Open the battery compartment by unscrewing the battery compartment cover (38) with a
       coin.

       2. Insert the batteries with the - (negative) sides facing you. (Fig.1 )

       3. Replace the cover and tighten it firmly.

Testing batteries

Test the batteries for sufficient power levels by taking the following procedure:

       1. Wind the advance lever (2) if previously not wound.

       2. Turn the main switch lever (9) to "ON" Position.

       3. Depress the release button (18) slightly and look into the viewfinder (27). One of sixteen
     LED dots for metering visible in the viewfinder will illuminate if there is sufficient power. (See
       Fig.5) If batteries are below the operational voltage of the camera system, replace them with a
       fresh set.

NOTE: Turn back the main switch lever to "OFF" position when you are not taking pictures.

FILM LOADING

Your CS-3 accepts 35mm, Black & White or Color film standard cassettes.

To load the camera:

       1. Press the release button to clear the camera mechanism.

       2. Fold out and lift up on the film rewind crank (10) to open the camera back. (Fig.2)

3. Insert the film cassette in the film chamber (33), then push down the film rewind knob (11 )
     and turn it slightly to lock the cassette in place.

       4. Pull film leader across the film aperture (34) and insert the end of leader into one of the slots
        in the film take-up spool. (Fig.3)

       5. With the film rewind crank in the folded out position, rewind the film slightly to remove any
       slack in the film cassette. Recheck to see that the film remains secured to the take-up spool
     and that it is properly aligned with the sprocket (29). Fold down rewind crank.

       6. Close the back cover (32) until you hear an audible click, which indicates that the cover is
      locked in the closed position. Advance the film by alternately winding the advance lever and
      pressing the shutter release button until the number "1" appears in the film counter window (1).
     As the advance lever is wound, the film rewind knob should rotate, indicating that the film is
      advancing property.

SETTING FILM SPEED

For properly exposed photographs, your CS-3's automatic exposure control system must be set for
the correct ASA (or DIN ) for DIN equivalent, refer to the DIN/ASA conversion chart (40), located on
the back of your camera) rating of film you are using.

To set the film speed:

1. Push down the tip of the index pole (3).
       2. Rotate the collar until the ASA rating for your film aligns with the index line. (Fig.4)

       3. Remove your finger from the tip to lock the setting in place.

       4. Insert tab from the end of film box in the film reminder clip and that reminds you the type of
        film you are using.

FOCUSING THE CAMERA

Your CS-3's focusing screen includes a central horizontal split-image rangefinder, which is
surrounded by a microprism collar. (Fig.5)

To focus accurately:

       1. Center the split-image rangefinder on your key subject and turn the focusing ring (15) until
      the upper and lower portions of your subject become one, clear vertical image.

       2. The microprism collar will a) appear fragmented when image is entirely out of focus, b)
      appear collar shimmering but viewable when image is nearly in focus and c) display a sharp
       clear of your subject when it is in focus. It is especially useful when there are no pronounced
        vertical subject elements on which to center the horizontal split-image rangefinder.

       3. The entire focusing screen may be used for both focus and composition of your photograph.
       In as much as the human eye tends to ignore mirror differences in sharpness, the horizontal
       split-image rangefinder and/or the microprism collar should always be used for critical focus.


SELECTING LENS APERTURE

The aperture setting determines the near and far areas in which items other than your key subject will
remain acceptably sharp. This "zone of focus" is referred to as depth of field. Your lens features a
depth of field scale (16), which allows you to select the zone of focus which will appear in the final
photograph. (Fig.6)





Under normal lighting conditions, selecting a larger aperture opening (eg: F2.8 or F4) will allow you to
keep your key subject in sharp focus while eliminating distracting elements in the foreground or
background of your photograph. (Fig.7) Under same conditions, selecting a smaller aperture opening
(eg: F11 or F16) will allow you to maintain sharp focus on both near and distant objects. (Fig.8)

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION

Certain scenes, where the sun is behind the subject or the background is very bright (such as snow
or sand) will cause a foreground subject to be underexposed. Sometimes, this silhouette effect can
be very desirable, but usually, you want your subject to be properly exposed. Under such conditions,

set the exposure compensation dial (17) to "+1" or "+2" with pressing the tip of the pole (3) to
compensate the exposure of your subject. (Fig.9) If, on the other hand, the back ground of your
subject is dark or colored in black, set the dial to "—1" or "—2" markings.





Memory system:

The exposure compensation can also be made with the memory system.


1. Compose and focus your subject.
       2. Be close to the subject, so close as no backlight visible in viewfinder.

       3. Press the release button slightly.

       4. Press the memory button (22) and step back to the original position.

       5. Compose your subject again and depress the release button all way down to activate the
       shutter.

NOTE: The memory can be cancelled by pressing the memory button once again. The memory
remains as long as the release button is slightly pressed. It also remains for the period of the power
holding time (approx. 7 seconds).

TIME EXPOSURE

When making time exposure photographs, your camera should always be tripod-mounted and used
with a locking cable release.

For the time exposure of over 8 seconds in duration:

       1. Align "B" setting on the shutter speed dial with the index.

       2. Advance the film and press in on tip of cable release to open the shutter.

3. After the desired exposure time in second has elapsed, release the cable release lock to
      close the shutter.

SELFTIMER

The self timer delays the tripping of the shutter mechanism for approximately 10 seconds, allowing
You to include Yourself in the photograph when desired.





To activate the self timer:

1. Fix your camera on a tripod.

2. Advance the film and compose the scene.

3. Put the eyepiece cap on the eyepiece. The eyepiece cap can be inserted into the accessory shoe
when not being used.

4. Turn the main switch lever to "SELF" position. (Fig.11)

5. Press the shutter release button and position yourself in the photograph area within 10 seconds. At
the same time the self timer lamp (24) starts flickering. (Fig.10) You will notice that the shutter will
activate within 2 or 3 seconds as the flickering interval becomes shorter.

6. Turn back the main switch lever for the next normal shots.


AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL

Your CS-3's automatic exposure control system enables you to take always properly exposed
photographs under the lighting conditions equivalent to from EV-2 to EV-19 (i.e. from candle light to
snow ground view).

Photographing with AUTO:

       1. Turn the main switch lever to "ON" position.

       2. Align the "AUTO" marking on the shutter speed dial (5) with the index (3).

       3. Advance the film, focus, select the aperture size and compose your subject.

       4. Press the release button slightly so that one of sixteen LED dots visible in viewfinder
       indicates the shutter speed with which you are about to photograph.

NOTE I. When the shutter speed of slower than 1/30 of a second is indicated, the camera should be
tripod-mounted and used with a cable release to eliminate the possibility of vibration due to camera
movements. The CS-3 is equipped with a threaded cable release socket (23) and tripod socket (37)
for use with these accessories.

NOTE II. When the LED of "OVER" or "UNDER" flickers indicating that it is out of range, another
larger or smaller aperture size should be selected. If the aperture is already maximum or minimum,
and electronic flash unit or ND filter should be used.

       5. Depress the release button all way down to activate the shutter.
NOTE: Press the Auto unlock button when rotating the shutter speed dial from "AUTO"

position to any other positions.

MANUAL EXPOSURE CONTROL

Your CS-3 has the open-aperture, TTL center weighted average, match LED metering system.

To set the exposure:

1. Advance the film.
       2. Turn the main switch lever to "ON" position.

       3. Select either a desired shutter speed by rotating the shutter speed dial or a desired aperture
       size by rotating the aperture ring (13).

       4. Press the release button slightly so that one or two LED dots illuminate in the viewfinder.
      One, flickering, indicates the shutter speed to be set for a correct exposure, and the other one
       indicates the shutter speed you have set. For normally exposed photographs you should
     change the shutter speed and/of aperture size so that the two illuminating LEDs be piled up.

       5. Depress the release button all way down to activate the shutter.

POWER HOLDING TIME

With both automatic and manual exposure control modes, the power for metering remains on for
approximately 7 seconds after you remove your finger from the release button to make other
operations be controlled easily. If you want to extend the power holding time, press the release button
again before 7 seconds have passed.

(For memory, refer to EXPOSURE COMPENSATION)

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

The CS-3 is synchronized for "X" flash photography, using either the hot shoe (7) or "X" sync PC
outlet (21). With either connection, the shutter speed dial should be set at the red "X" marking except
the case as follows:

A special connector of the Cosina strobe flash unit, made exclusively for CS-3, enables you to take
flash photographies without setting the shutter speed dial knob to "X" position when the unit is
inserted in the hot shoe. When the pilot lamp of the unit illuminates, indicating that it is ready to flash,
the shutter speed of camera is automatically set to 1/60 of a second to synchronize with flash. You
will notice the moment that the pilot lamp illuminates without

removing your eye from the eyepiece (27), if (by) you depress the release button half way down so
that the LEDs in viewfinder illuminate. The LEDs fails when the pilot lamp illuminates. For more
details, refer to the instructions attached to the unit.

INTERCHANGING LENSES

Any wide-angle or telephoto interchangeable lens with K type bayonet mount can be mounted on
your CS-3 camera body.

To take off the lens:

1. Push the mount unlock button (26).

2. Hold the camera and lens body steadily, and rotate the lens body counterclockwise.

3. Rotating approximately 65 degrees you will note that the lens becomes free.

To mount the lens:

1. Join the red index marks on both camera and lens.

2. Rotate the lens clockwise until it snaps.

REMOVING FILM

When you have finished exposing the last frame in your film cassette (12, 20, 24 and 36exposure
settings are coded in red on your film counter dial), remove the cassette.

To rewind the film:

1. Push in the film rewind button (4). (Fig.12) 2. Fold out the film rewind crank and turn in direction of
arrow.
       3. When the crank turns freely (without tension or "drag"), pull up on the crank to open the
     camera back. The film counter will automatically reset to zero.

       4. Remove the exposed cassette for processing. Insert a fresh roll of film while the camera
      back is still open, or close the camera for storage.

NOTE: Do not load or unload your film under direct sunlight.

CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA

       1. Never force any camera operation. Consult this instruction manual if any questions occur.

       2. Remove batteries when storing camera. Batteries can leak as they age, causing damage to
      your camera. Always inspect the batteries for signs of leakage before installing them in your
      camera.

       3. Keep the lens cap on when not taking photographs. The cap protects your lens from dust or
         dirt particles.

       4. Clean your camera's interior. Periodically remove any dust or film particles from the film
      chamber, rear lens element, take-up spool area or film pressure plate with an air blower.
       Inspect the film pressure plate for accumulated deposits from film backing, and clean with lens
      cleaner and fissure if required.

       5. Keep your camera and film away from direct sunlight or heat. Never store your camera or
        film on the rear window deck, glove compartment or other hot areas in your car.

       6. Protect your camera from moisture. Do not store your camera in a moisture-retaining
      enclosure or environment. In area of high humidity, extra care should be taken to insure that
      your camera is kept in a comparatively cool, dry location.

       7. Do not touch the shutter curtain.

PHOTOGRAPHING WITH AUTO-WINDER

Your CS-3 is designed to be coupled with Cosina Auto-winder which enables You to take
approximately 2 frames per second at the maximum shutter speed. The auto-winder is powered by 4
pcs. of readily available AA size alkaline battery.





To photograph with the winder:

       1. Couple the winder with the camera body. (Fig.13)

       2. Tighten the screw. (Fig.14)





       3. Set the switch to "ON" position. The winder advances the film, if previously not wound.

       4. Set the exposure and focus.

       5. Depress the release button fully to activate the shutter. The winder will immediately start
      advancing the film. At this moment if you release your finger from the release button, only a
       single shot is made. If you keep depressing it, continuous shots at a rate of 2 frames per
      second can be made.

       6. When you have finished exposing the last frame in your film cassette, take procedure as
      described in "REMOVING FILM". You need not remove the winder from camera body when
      removing film.

NOTE: Set the switch at "OFF" position when the winder is not in use.

SPECIFICATION

Camera Type: 35mm Automatic Single Lens Reflex camera.

Film Format: 24mm x 36mm.

Lens Mount: K type bayonet mount. Flange back focus distance: 45.44mm.

Shutter: Magnetically controlled cloth curtain focal plane shutter with shutter speed from 8 to 1/1000 sec. and
B (Bulb) Flash synchronization "X" at 1/60 sec.
Electrically controlled self timer of 10-second duration with flickering lamp.

Viewfinder: Fixed pentaprism type

Magnification: - 0.9 (with f=50mm lens)

Field of view: 93% for both horizontal and vertical. Focusing with horizontal split-image center spot with
surrounding microprism collar on matte type fresnel screen.

Display: Shutter speed indication with 16 LEDs.

Automatic system: Operating range: EV-2—EV19 (with ASA 100 and lens of F1.4—F22) TTL, aperture
preferred, open-aperture exposure measurement with 2 pcs. of SPC.
Center weighted average measurement. Memory system provided.
Power holding time: approx. 7 seconds.
Exposure level control: adjustable +2, +1, - 1, - 2 EV (in the case of ASA 3200, +2, +1 and—1 only are
adjustable)
Manual metering system: Match LED metering system (with 16 LEDs)

Film Speed Range: ASA 25 - 3200.

Film Advance: 135° rotation of wind lever with standoff angle of 30°.

Shutter Release: Electrically controlled solenoid switch.

Film Counter: Progressive type. Automatically resets when the camera back is opened.

Power Source: 2 pcs. of S-76 (or MS 76 or G 13 or equivalent) 1.5-volt silver oxide battery. Battery test with
LEDs in viewfinder.

Rear Cover: Removable hinge type.

Dimensions: 136.5 x 83.5 x 51 mm.

Weight: 530 gm.

Attachable accessories: Cosina Auto-winder, Cosina Auto-strobe flash.