Film cameras
Exakta Guide Reference guide
Reference guide for Exakta Guide. 24 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
24 pagesEnglish2.5 MB PDF

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Document details
- Brand
- Exakta
- Model / document
- Exakta Guide
- Document type
- Reference guide
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 24
- File size
- 2.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 12 · Read text
EXPOSURE METER UNITS can NOT measure with incorrectly set widest aperture
(smallestaperture number).
To measure, pre-select and set shutter speed on the
shutter-speeddisc (one can NOT use intermediate speeds).
Film speeds Push meter switch (above eyepiece)to the left. A green
circle will appear in the window above it to indicate that
setting White mark the meter is switched on. Point the camera towards the Shutter speeds
Battery cover subjectand turn the lower disc of the aperturesetting device
Apertu res until the pointer on the left-hand side in the viewfinder
Zero index shows in the centre of the engraved circle. If the circle
Meter needle cannot be reached,use a slower shutter speed.Read off on
Eyepiece the aperturesetting devicethe aperturevalue pointing to the
Fresnellens triangular mark and transfer this to aperture setting ring
of the lens. Now release.Switch offthe meter by turning the
switch to the right.
One can reversethe procedureand pre-selectthe aperture.
The Examat converts the Exakta and Exa I cameras to TTL types, enabling accurate light Turn the lower disc of the aperture setting device until the
readings to be taken through the camera lens, no matter what lens or attachments are pointer shows in to the circle. Turn shutter-speeddisc until
in use. lt replaces the normal pentaprism finder or focusing screen and serves as acombined viewing/focusing and exposure meter attachment. lts CdS meter is powered the required aperture on the central disc of the aperture
by a battery housed in the side of the unit. setting device points to the triangular mark on the lower
disc. It may be necessaryto slightly readjust the aperture
on the lens if one does not arrive at a full aperture number.
If the required position on the pointer cannot be obtained,
a larger or smaller aperture has to be selected.
Cell cover
Stop Down Measurement
Poor light index To use non-automatic lenses or automatic lenses for
Bright light index manual aperture setting,push the change-overswitch of the
Needle lower disc home at the recessline. Set the shutter-speed
DIN speeds setting device so that the lines of all three discs are on top
ASA speeds of each other by raising the lower disc and turning it.
Apertures To measure, preset the shutter speed by turning the
Shutter sPeeds shutter-speedsetting disc above the mark. NO intermediate
values must be set. Switch on meter-a green indicator
circle will appear in f.he window above the switch. Point
The earlier exposure meter unit for the Varex and Exa I was a combined pentaPrism camera to subject and turn the lens aperture ring until the
unit and exposurefocusing meter, but did not read through the lens. lt also incorporated pointer on the left of the viewfinder is in the centre of the viewfia direct-vision nder,
69 70View original page 12Page 15 · Read text
Exact figures can only be given for each particular case, SKY FILTERS are designedfor photographing sceneswith a bright
according to the film used, for the exposure ratio depends photography.background andTheya darkserveforeground,mainly to suchavoidaspartialoften occuroverexposure,in landscapeand
not only on the nature of the filter, but on the colour are obtainable as graduated green or yellow filters. If the top part of
sensitivityof the film and on the colour of the light in which the object (as in landscapes)is bright, the coloured part of the filter
the photograph has to be taken. should cover the top part of the lens.No exposureincreaseis necessary if. the exposure time has been determined for the darker part of the
plcture.
FILTER FACTORS ORANGE"effect" FILTERS give overcorrection,and serve, therefore, as an filter for drawing heavy clouds against a dark sky, and
very clear distancesin landscapes,eliminating light haze,etc.
lnfro-red ln Daylight Panchromotic
Film Film RED FILTERS are of still strongereffect than the orangefilter, for
extreme contrast, creating black sky with brilliant clouds, faking
Yellow-Light (1) 1 . 5 sunshineinto moonlight effects,etc.
Medium (2) ... DARK RED FILTERS to be used only with infra-red film. Chiefly
Dark (3) used for scientific purposes, it penetratesmist.
Green -Light ... BLUE FILTERS are for panchromatic film in artificial light. They
Medium absorb part of the red sensitivity.This results in better skin tones and
Orange-Light. darker reds (lips).
D a r k . . . FILTERS FOR COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY-see page 43.
Red -Light ... 1 0
Dark ." 1 5
In Artificial Light Polarizing Filter
Highly polished subjects can be very dimcult to illuminate
Yellow -Light (1) t.5 successfully so as to obtain a true photographic rendering, Medium (2) ... 1 .5
Dark (3) 2 - since they will reflect too much light and so spoil the
Green -Light ... 3 - reproduction with a glare which obscures the detail. To
Dark .,. 5 - overcome this difficulty the polarizing filter has been
Blue 't.5 introduced. It suppresses light vibrating in one particular
plane, while light vibrating in a plane at right angles to this
will freely pass. Light reflections from glass, china, enamel,
The following list gives a summary of the filters recommendedand polished wooden surfaces, water, vibrate to a large extent
a short explanationof their use.The best practicalguide to choosing in one plane (:it is polarized) and can therefore be almost
and handling filters is the Focal Filter Chart. extinguished by placing the polarizing filter in proper
YELLOW FILTERS mainly reduce the actinic effect of blue, position over the lens.
renderingit darker, and are thereforeparticularly suitablefor landscape
photography in order to obtain clearly defined cloud effects on a The filter has to be rotated to find out its best position on the lens.
normal blue sky. In the case of a very light blue sky, a darker filter The Exaktas are ideal for this observation.The filter is simply held in
should be used and vice versa. front of the lens, and then by slowly rotating the filter one can find the best or desired result on the reflex-focusingscreen,and push the
GREEN FILTERS have a similar effect to yellow filters, but they filter on to the lens in the position selected.As the polarizing filter is
also hold back red (render it darker), to which some panchromatic slightly tinted, the exposure time should be increased, the factor
films are comparatively oversensitive(photographing it too light). being about three times.
75 76View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
CARE OF THE CAMERA Keeping the Interior Clean
When your camera is used on the beach, or other con-
ditions where dust or sand can easily infiltrate into theStorage mechanism,take the precaution of puiting the instrument
When not in use, the camera should be protected from with its case into a polythene or other container so that
damp and dust, preferably in its case,and, as an additional flying dust, sand, etc., particles are preventedfrom entering
precaution, insertedinto a polythene bag. the camera.This applies particularly, of course, if it is laid
Care should be taken to see that the camera is not kept down on a sandy beach. Furthermore, avoid leaving the
in abnormally high or low temperatures-normal room camera in such a position that direct sunlight is allowed to
temperatureis best. fall upon it. This could ruin a camera.
Take the precaution of removing any batteries, because Small chips of film can easily damage the mechanism;
however well made these may be there is always a risk of therefore, always make sure that the inside of your camera
deterioration and corrosion. is spotless.Check your camera every time it is loaded with
fi.lm.
Exercise
Cameras (like most mechanicalinstruments) need to be Treating the Camera with Care
exercisedregularly to keep them in good condition. Store Your camera is a fine, precision instrument. It has been
your camerawhere you can get at it easilyand put it through produced with great care and attention to detail. Do not
its normal operationsat least once a month: allow it to be swung by its shoulder strap, thrown into the
l. Set the shutter releaseand fire severaltimes. back of a car, nor treat as if it were as robust as a battleship.
2. Turn to a slow shutter speedand again set the shutter |f you protect the camera against possibledamagedue to-a
releaseand fire. Also operate delayedaction device. knock, you will be amply repaid by years of excellentand
3. Examine the exposuremeter for correct operation. trouble-freeservice.
4. Check fllm transport
5. Check the viewfinder. Coping with Tropical Conditions
These exerciseswill keep the mechanismin good order, High and widely varying temperatureswith low humidity,retaining the natural qualities of the lubricant-thus as occur in desert regions and dry seasons,and very highensuringthe camerais ready for instant use when required. humidity in rainy seasons,call for special precautions to
protect the life and continued good performance of theRunning Test after Storage camera. These conditions also causethe growth of moulds
Before embarking on a holiday where your camera will on organic matter. Sand, dust and insects may present
be your constant companion, or on an important assign- problems.
ment, make a few trial exposures.It is advisableto test the The camera should be kept dry and clean. Leather parts
camera at least four weeks prior to your departure to give should be wax polished, metal parts lightly greased.Never
time for a test film to be exposedand processed.This will leave the camera unnecessarilyexposed to heat. Always
avoid a possibly spoiled holiday record. keep it in its case.The lens should be coveredwith the lens
77 78View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
cap when not in use. Outer lens surfaceshave to be kept CLOSE-UP WORK
clean, dirt and grit removed with an air-blower and by
tapping. Wipe the lens surface with cotton-wool or open
mesh fabric (butter muslin) when required. The single-lensreflex camerasare particularly suited for
Store photographic equipment in an airtight metal box close-up photography. When working with supplementary
or a tin which should be sealedwith adhesive(e.g. medical) lensesor extensiontubes,the actual image covered,as well
tape. In a humid atmosphere,add some desiccatingagent as the exact definition, can be controlled on the reflex-
(e.g. silica gel). focusingscreen.Parallax,which makesclose-upwork with
Condensationon the lens mav occur when the camera is almost any other type of camera at least very difficult or
moved from a cool place into Lumid heat; this has to be necessitatesexpensive auxiliary attachments, simply does
removed before use and the whole camera carefully wiped not exist in the Exaktas.
before re-storing.
Films should not be kept longer than six months in their SupplementaryLenses
original airtight tins (tropical packing) at continual tem- The Exakta camerascan be focuseddown to about 3 ft.
peratures of 90'F (32'C). At continual 100'F (38"C), the This figure varies somewhat in accordancewith the lens
life of most films is limited to a month or two. Keep films employed.
for as short a time as possiblein the camera.Storing camera The field covered at 3 ft. with a 2 in. (5 cm.) lens is
and film in the glove compartment of the car is inviting 251+tt in.
trouble. To photograph at closer range for table top, copying and
Films should be processed as soon as possible after similar work, supplementarylensescan be used. A range of
exposure-within a week or two or, in very hot humid three lenses, giving a scope which can reasonably be
climates, within a few days. Keep the film in an airtight describedas coveringall practicalneeds,are a *l diopter,
container with desiccant(to absorb moisture). If possible, a +2 diopter, and a *3 diopter. These may be had from
keep in a refrigerator, but only if you can dry out the photographic dealers or opticians. One will find it con-
exposedfllm and the container is sealed. venientto get theselensesof suitablediameterto fit into an
interchangeablefilter mount, so that one mount only is
required and a lens can be inserted in accordancewith the
distanceat which one has to work.
The distancescoveredby thesesupplementarylensesare:
SupplementaryLens DistanceCovered
*l diopter from 39$ to 19 in. (100to 50 cm.)
*2 diopter from 19f to 13 in. ( 50 to 33 cm.)
*3 diopter from 13$to 9+ in. ( 33 to 25 cm.)
The field covered. the distance at which the lens has to be
set, as well as definition can be observed on the reflex
ground-glass. The following table giving these figures is
intended for general information and purposes of compari-
son:
79 80View original page 17From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.

