Lenses & filters
Zenit Kodak lenses and shutters — part 1 Reference guide
Reference guide for Zenit Kodak lenses and shutters — part 1. 38 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Zenit
- Model / document
- Zenit Kodak lenses and shutters — part 1
- Document type
- Reference guide
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- English
- Pages
- 38
- File size
- 2.1 MB
- Category
- Lenses & filters
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C O N T E N T Srr'tL Page Page
The Zenith System 5 Colour Film Speeds 34
The Zenith Models 6 The Choiceof Colour Film 34
Careof Colour Film 3s
Filters for Black-and-White
Handling the Zenith 1 0 Film 35
Holding 1 0 Filters for Colour Film 37
Carrying t 2 The PolarisingScreen 38
Viewing and Focusing 1 2
Focusing Moving Subjects T4
Pre-viewing the Depth-of- Exposure 39
Field t4 Aperture and Speed 39
Infra Red Film Indicator 1 5 Time Exposures 4l
Delayed Action Release l 5 Usingan ExposureMeter 42
Film Plane Positions 1 5 Shutter Speedsand
Shooting 1 5 Movement 44
Determining the Exposure Aperture and,Depth-of-
with Zenith E and EM 16 Field 46
Determining the Exposure Zone Focusing 47
with Zenith TTL 1 8
To use the TTL Meter t 9
Flash with the Zenith 48
How to UseFlash 50
Loading and Unloading 20 ExposureGuide Numbers 50
Loading 20 Synchro-Sunlight 5l
Unloading 22
The Double and Blank
ExposureLock 23 U sin g A I t ernativ e L enses 52
Cutting off ExposedLengths24 Wide-Angle Lens 5 2
ChangingPartly Exposed Telephotography 5 2
Films 24 Zoom Lenses 54
Other Film Packings 25 Tele Converter 54
Handling,Windingand Lens Changing 55
Trimming the Film 25 Focusing and Depth-of-
LoadingStandardCassettes 26 Field 55Ih Loadingwith Bulk Film or Aperture Control System 55
Darkroom Refills 28 Lenses for Zenith s6
Daylight Loaders 28
Close-Upswith the'Zenith 58
Film and Filters 30 Close-UpLenses 58
Colour Film 3r ExtensionTubes 58
Colour ReversalFilm 3 l ReversingRing 59
Colour NegativeFilm 32 BellowsAttachment 59View original page 3Page 5 · Read text
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;
I';r. THE ZENITH SYSTEM
The Zeniths are 35 mm singleJensreflex (SLR) cameras
designedfor accurate focusing, exact viewing and versatility.F Thi die-castbody has a hinged-onback and is coveredin
black wear-resistantmaterial with metal parts black anodisedF or satin chrome finished.The camerayields up to 36 negatives
I x llz in (24 x 36 mm) on perforated35 mm film.
It has an eye-levelreflex finder which shows the image in
almost natural size.The built-in pentagonalprism producesan
upright and right way round view. The image in the Zenith B
and E models is on a ground glassfocusingscreen.The Zenith
EM and TTL use a fresnelviewing and focusingscreenwith a
microprism rangefindercentre surroundedby a ground glass
ring. The screenimageis brilliant and evenlyilluminatedright
into the corners.The exposuremeter needleof the TTL model
is visible in the right hand side in the viewfinder field with
centering circle of the through lens (TTL) metering system.
The taking lens forms the finder image;in consequencethe
finder showsthe samefield as will be obtained on the film with-
out any parallaxerror.The reflex imageremainscorrectat any
distancewith any lens includingclose-upsupplementarylenses,
extension bellows, extension tubes and other attaohments.
The screw-mountedstandardlens is interchangeablewith a
range of long-focusand wide-anglelenses.The mount is the 'universal' popular M42 type, so you can choosefrom a wide
rangeof independentlenses.or thosemade for other cameras.
The Helios lens of the Zenith B and E has pre-setaperture,
the Industar has manual aperture.The Helios M lens of the
Zenith EM and TTL has fully automatic aperture setting
whereby an internal link betweenthe shutter releaseand the
lens mount coupleswith the automatic iris lensesin such a
way that the apertureis stoppeddown only during the actual
exposure.At other times,it is fully open to allow the imageon
the reflex screento be viewed with maximum brilliance and
minimum depth-of-fieldfor greatestaccuracy.
The lens mount carries a depth-of-field indicator and a
focusing scale in metres. Focusing is effected by a helical
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movement which is part of the lens mount. The automatic
aperturelens of the Zenith EM and TTL can be switchedto
manual setting of the aperture to allow the depth-of-field to
be checkedand also carriesan infra red index mark.
The shutter of the Zenith modelsis a self-cappingfocal plane
type travelling acrossthe film horizontally. Self-capp-ingmeans
thit the shutter remainsclosedwhile being tensioned,ensuring
full light protection of the film. Focal plane means that it
moveJrighi in front of the negativematerial. with this type of
shutter lensescan be changedwhile the camerais loaded.The
shutter speedsare 1130, 1160, Ill25, 1f250, l/500 and B.
The shutter is flash synchronised for flashbulbs and elec-
tronic flash with standard3 mm coaxial socket.
The Zenith E and EM have a photoelectric exposuremeter
built into the cameratop plate,but it is not coupledto the shut-
ter or aperture controls. The Zenith TTL camerahas a TTL
(through the lens) meter with a CdS cell. It is coupled to the
ihuttrt and aperturewith meter needlevisible in the viewfinder.
The cameratakes standard35 mm cassettes.The film runs
from the cassetteto the take-up spool and is rewound after
exposure.The film transport is effected by a lever-movement.
One swing of the lever advancesthe film and the film counter
which is around the centre shaft of the transport lever.A film
speedindicator for ASA and DIN speedrating_is built into the
riwind knob. This must be set to the correctvaluefor the built-
in exposuremeters (not on the Zenith B) t9 work prop^erly.
A delayed-actionrelease(self-timer)is built into the front
plate- of the camera.
The shutter releaseis on the top plate and has a cable release
threadin its centre.A tripod bush is placedin the camera'sbase.
The Zenith EM and TTL have lugs for the attachment of a
carryingstrap. gf theentnrrllltt,hilerlirhil,,Yn{in6'nre flimplt0iuttl Iffi y l f f ' I l l
r l l 1 !
approximately34 x 10 x 61in WriehtwithstanJntllrn,is
up to 2lb.
The Zenith Models
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ZENITH SLR REFLEX SYSTEM
Pentaprism
Eyepiece
Rangefinder
Shutter
Reflex mirror
Aboye: a section through the camera shows the optical system gf the lens, the mirror, the ground
glass screen with the fresnel lens and mic.ro-prism zone of EM and TTL and the pentaprism and viewing
lyepiece. The broken arrow indicates the path of the light while observing the image.
Below: on pressing the release button of Zenith EM and TTL the iris diaphragm closes down to its
oi"-r"t "p"rtrre b] an internal link (on Zenith E f2, the pre-set ring has to be turned by -hand as far
L it wili go), thei the mirror flies up, the shutter opens and closes again, and the reflex mirror
r"tr.n. tJriit " the image once more'visible in the finder. The actual period of the blackout of the
scieen with this instani mirror return system is therefore confined to the exposure itself-as
symbolised by the blackstrip in the bottom diagram. The image is visible at allother times before and
after taking the picture.
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50 mm /3.5 Industar, four-element lens in three groups with
focusing range from 0.65 metres to infinity and an angle of
view of 45o, or the 58 mm f2 Helios 44, a six-elementlens in
four groups with focusing range from 0.5 metres to infinity
and an angleof 40o. Up to about l97O this model had a 39 mm
thread lens mount which was then replaced by the now
standard 42 mm thread. Model B is now discontinued.The
Zenith was its similar (39 mm thread) predecessor.
Zenith E is as the Zenith B above,but with a built-in photo-
electric exposuremeter which is not coupled to the shutter or
aperture controls of the camera. This model is fitted with a
42 mm threadlensmount.
Zenith EM is basically a Zenith E, above, but features in
place of the plain ground glassfocusingscreena briglrt fresnel
focusing screenwith central ground glassand microprism spot
for most accurate focusing. As standard lens the f2 Helios
44M 58 mm is fitted with fully automatic re-openingaperture
which can be switched to manual setting too. This Helios 44M
lens is of six elementsin four groups focusingfrom 0.5 metres
to infinity with an angleof view of 40".
Zenith ES Photosniper is a special verston of the Zenith E
camera combined with the TAIR-3 PhS 300 mm /4.5 lens
which has a quick focusing device and which is mounted in
rifle style with shoulder butt and pistol finger release.Its
springJoaded,pre-set diaphragmcloses down to the pre-set
position at the moment of shooting; for this purpose the
Zenith ES varies from the E model in that it has an additional
releasebutton at the bottom of the camera body. It also
featuresa more remote exit pupil of the viewfinder eyepiece
for easiershooting.
Zenith TTL, introduced late 1978, features the same lens
and viewfinder as the Zenith EM above, but has CdS through
the lens metering with pointer on the viewfinder indicating the
position for correct, over- and underexposure.Its shutter
speed selector dial is larger,easy to read and non-rotating. A
fold down crank is provided for rewinding.
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HANDLING THE ZENITH
As with all manufactured articles, the Zeniths are subiect to
a continuous processo/ development. This means that there
may be minor differences in design or specification between
your comeraand thesetnstructions.
Holding
It is bbvious that the camera should be held as steady as
possibleas the stightestshake,evenif not seenin the negative,
will becomevisiblein the enlargement-
FOR HORIZONTAL PHOTOGRAPHShold the camerain
the palm of both hands,the fingersgripping the.front of the
body. the thumbs againstthe back. use the middle finger.of
the ieft hand to move the lens focusingmount, and the index
finger of the right hand to operate the releasebutton. Keep
thJ elbows pressedagainst the body. Either the right or the
left eye may be usedon the finder.
Always standwith your legsaPart.
FOR-VERTICAL PHOTOGRAPHSturn the camerathrough
90o so that the left hand pressesthe camera against your
forehead from above. Use the thumb and the index finger
to move the focusingmount. The right hand holds the camera
from below with the thumb on the releasebutton. It is of no
consequenceif the position of the handsis reversed;you can
suit your own convenience.
To releasethe shutter, pressthe releasebutton with the ball
of the finger (or thumb). Use finger pressureonly, and keep
the hand and its grip on the camerasteady.The actualpressing
down will have to be done slowly and smoothly. The slower
the exposuretime, the smoothermust be the release.
For ilow exposuresin the hand, it is advisableto rest the
elbows or at least to lean the body againstsome support in 'press-release' order to avoid shake. In this way a action
exposureof about /a secondcan be risked without incurring,
camerashake.
Such a support is also desirablefor faster exposures,as quite
a lot of movementstake placeinsidethe cameraafter pressing
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HOLDING
For horizontal shots (right)
hol d the camera i n the Palm
of both hands, the fingers
gripping the front of the
body, and the thumbs
asainst the back. Focus the
lJns with the middle finger
of the left hand. n@n trI-t l i elbows l closel to t Press the
(. the body, l) 1 l
For uorirht shots (below) turn the camera through 90" so that always stand withayour lets
the leit hlnd supports it from underneath' Alternatively, turn.it
iound in the oiher direction, so that the left hand presses the
camera against the forehead from above. In this case the thumb oi the right hand presses on the release button, while the I
palm of the right hand supports the weight of the camera. i /\
\ andthold quitet still\
you release.
l t \
,
t:::::,:,:::i',1,I
Above: lt is specially importanr ro Keep the camera really steady during the exposu.re and for a fracjion
oi a second aiter pressing the release button. Whenever possible support your body against something
iotid, such as a tree orl.r1ll o. prop up your hands against your knees or a table, particularly with slow
speeds. Use a cable release for time exPosures from a tripod.
1 1I
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the releasebutton. A slightly unsteady hold may thus easily
lead to blurred pictures.
The use of a tripod is necessarywhen taking time exposures.
For upright photographs from the tripod use a ball-and-
socket head to allow changing from horizontal to vertical
position.
Carrying
For convenienceand protection, the camerashould alwaysbe'carried in its ever-readycase.This caseis designedto hold the
cameraready for use.
To be ready for quick action, it is best to carry the cameraon
a short strap round the neck so that it lies on your chest.
Lifting it to the eye then takes a split second.
Viewing and Focusing
Focus after cocking the rapid-wind lever to ensure that the
reflex minor is in 100% correct position.
The image reflected by the lens on to the screenis always
visible with the exception of the actual instant of release.
The brilliant imageappearsin natural size,free from parallax.
A viewing pentaprism shows the image upright and right-way-
round at eyeJeveland on modelsTTL and EM a fresnelfield
lens ensuresevenillumination into the very corners.
The best way to arrive at critical definition is to turn the
focusingmount of the lens, (which on modelsB and E should
be set to full aperture),slowly to and fro while observingon
the ground glassthe subject to be focused.As you turn the
mount, the image becomesmore and more sharp up to a
certain point, beyond which it again loses definition. At this'beyond' stage,turn the mount back again,narrowingdown
the degreeof movementuntil you arrive at the point of best
definition. Zenith TTL and EM have a micro-prism image
centre. It shows distinctly fuzzy outlines while the lens is
not focused and becomesclear on setting the lens correctly. 'becoming this clear' is rather different in characterfrom
the normal ground glassimage.Just before the imagebecomes
sharp,it appearsbroken up into numerousdots on the micro-
screen.The moment the imageis really sharp,this dot pattern
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YIEWING AND FOCUSING
The viewfinder shows the image upright and the right way round, whether the camera i3 held for
horizontal (left) or vertical liight) shooting. With the standard lens the image also appears in
rpproximately natural viewing size.
@
The Zenith EM and TTL viewing screen (left) consists of a circular mtcroprism. sp-ot. The rematnint-
area is covered by a fresnel leni. The central area is the microprism zone which acts as a kind of
multiple rangefinder. When the image is sharply focused,. the pattern of dots virtuallv disappearc
(rishti. Whe; the image is out of foius it appears blurred; the pattern is then strongly visible. lt
i"i1aihs visible even aslhe image approaches sharpness, breaking up the picture rather like the lines
ofatelevisionscreenoranengrivertsscreen.Thedisappearanceofthe patternatthepointofmaximum
focus is quite abrupt, and thui provides a really accurate means of checking the exact image sharpness.
ihe Zenlth B and'E has a ground glass focusing screen covering the whole image field.
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becomesinvisible. Always have the lens at full aperture when
focusingwith the microprism.
Finally the fine grain ground glasscollar around the centre
spot of the Zenith TTL and EM may be found helpful when
fbcusing contrastlessor colourlessobjects and also when
usingtelephotoor wide-anglelenses.
FocusingMoving Subi ects
The orthodox way of focusingwith the ground glassmay be
adopted for taking photographs of subjects that are fairly
stationary.A different method of focusing is required when
taking subjectsin motion. Set the lens to a distanceat which
the subject will be in a given moment, or focus at some spot
which it actually has to pass, and pressthe releasebutton
when the subjectis reachingthe pre-focusedpoint.
With subjectsliable to react self-consciously(e.g. children)
set the lens to a suitable distance,and then approach the
subject, exposingas soon as the screenimageappearssharp.
Alternatively, focus at some object which is at the same
distance from the camera as the subject,but in a different
direction. When you have found the range swing round to
pressthe releasebutton as soon as the victim slips into the
field of view of the finder
he-viewing the Dep th-of-Field
You can examine the precisedepth-of-field you get with the
pre-selectedaperturebefore taking the picture, in the caseof
Zenith B and E by simply closingthe aperturering to the stop
you intend to use; in the caseof Zenith TTL and EM turn the
serratedwheel on the lens mount nearestto the camerabody
from A (automatic aperture) to M (manual aperture) when
the lens will stop down automaticallyto the pre-selectedvalue.
The imagewill, of course,becomedarker,but you can seethe
extent of sharpnessto the fbreground and the background
from the subjectyou have focusedon. Seealso Aperture and
Depth-of-Field, page 46. After pre-viewing,re-set lens for
normal working.
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Infra Red Film Indicator
The Helios 44M lens of Zenith TTL and EM has an infra red
focusingmark indicatedby a red R besidethe distanceindica-
tion mark. When infra red film is used, fdcus in the ordinary
way. Then read off the distanceon the lens mount scaleand
turn this to the red letter R engravedon the distancescale.
For example,if the focusing scalepoints to l0 m, turn the
focusing ring so that the l0 m mark comes to lie opposite
the R.
DelayedAction Release
A self-timer,or delayed-actionrelease,is built into the front
of the camerabody to the left of the lens.This timer permits
self-portraits.
It is advisableto place the cameraon a rigid support, prefer'
ably a tripod or the edgeof a table. Set shutter speed,aperture
and transportfilm asusual.
To usethe delayed-actionrelease,swingthe leverdownwards
as far as it will go, anti-clockwise,before or after the film
transportlever hasbeenadvanced.On Zenith TTL and EM the 'M'(manualHelios 44M lens has to be switchedto position).
To bring the timer into action,pressthe button just abovethe
self-timer setting lever and the shutter will automatically be
releasedafter about 7 seconds.
Film Plane Position
If extremely
requitefltotcriticalgilctolfocusingpnoluilnpll),with a tape measure!0rnteniltnis necessarytlte Ilufnnt the rear edgeof thedistancefrom the subject to 3 mm inside
top plate of the camera.
Shooting
Practice the following operationsfirst with an empty camera
until you can do them practicallyautomatically.
1. Transport the film by moving the transport lever as far as
it will go. This advancesthe film and film counter and
tensionsthe shutter readyfor the next exposure.
2. Set the shutter speed(before or after cocking the shutter)
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by lifting and turning the speed dial either way to bring
the required speedopposite the mark in the centre of the
diat - on the TTL, the mark on the camera top plate.
For short time exposures,set the shutter speed to B;
the shutter will remain open as long as the releaseis
depressed.
For long time exposures, you can press the release
button (on B) and turn it anti-clockwise;the shutter will
then remain open until you turn the releaseclockwise
again.
3. Set the aperture on Industar f3.5 by turning the aperture
""81",tff iiSrH'Jil'illl'i", zenrthB andE turnthe
lens front ring with the aperture numbers engravedon it
until the aperture required points to the red indicator
mark. It will click into position. After checking the
picture field in the finder, turn the milled aperture ring
(Uetrind'tLT"fi3,TJ'lX'J'i:i3the aperture scale).|;";,lff'"rrto the left as far as it will go. andrr'. is
normally used with fully automatic aperture. Ensurethat
the A/M switch is set to A (automatic) and then turn the
aperture setting ring to the required stop where it will
click into position. The aperture remains fully open for
viewing and focusing and closesdown automatically to
the pre-selectedvalue on pressingdown the shutter release
buttbn. If this lens is required to be used with manual
AiM switch to M (manual) and then set the aperturevalue tllllruruilil|ffiilillffilllililtilillililillil
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llllllleditt0lyt0t|t0$t0lfill0ffi 4. Focus and determine the picture area by looking through
the finder eyepiece. Turn the focusing ring on the lensilitiView original page 16Page 18 · Read text
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and EM allows you to measurethe light giving the correct
aperturefor any given shutter speed.To use the meter:
1. Set the film speedeither in ASA or DIN (accordingto
the film you are using) by turning the top disc of the
meter until the speedpoints to the index line in the cut-
out segment.
2. Point camera to subject and turn the outer ring of the
meter until in the cut-out meter window the needlecuts
the movablecircle through the middle.
3. Read off on the outer rim of the meter. opposite anyilit shutter speed the corresponding aperture. To simplify
matters pre-selectand set on the shutter the speedyou
want to use (e.g. I ll25 for generaloutdoor work) read
off the aperture opposite 125 and set this on the lens
mount.
The shutter speedsengravedin black are those which
you have on the shutter dial, the red onesare time expos-
ures which require a rigid support of the cameraand non-
moving objects and can only be obtained with B setting of
the shutter.
4. Make sure the shutter is set to the speedyou want to use
and set the apertureon the front of the lens mount.
, r l
l l
trnb*klnstl,nl*ro,r.r*:ll*:llil The Zenith TTL has a built-in CdS meter which is powered
by a 1.25V mercury battery. The life of the battery in normal
movementililllUof theliltilmeter theiltu|endriloflftltlits life,ilfiltllresultingililil inltlsluggishililtillllilltl
needle which indicates the need for replacement.To change
the battery, unscrew with a coin the lid to the left of the view-
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Tb use the TTL Meter
l. Check that the correct film speed is set on the camera.
2. Pre-setthe shutter speeds.For generalphotography out-
doors the most useful speedto pre-setis l/125 sec.
3. Switch to the meter by pressingthe shutter releaseto its
first pressurepoint.
4. Thrn the aperture ring while looking through the view-
finder until the circle on the right of the finder is bisected
by the movableexposuremeter needle.Whenit comesto
rest in the centre, you have the correct exposure.If the
needledoes not reach the centre,evenif you open up the
aperture fully, that indicates there is insufficient light for
a correct exposureat the pre-setshutter speed.Then you
need either a slower shutter speed or flash. With the
needle off centre towards the + mark with the aperture
fully stopped down, it means too much light and the
shutter has to be set to a higher speed.Alternativelythe
aperture can be pre-setand the shutter speeddial turned
until the circle in the finder is bisectedby the needle.
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LOADING AND UNLOADING
The Zenith cameras,use standardperforated 35 mm film. It
is availablein various packings(see also page 25), the most
convenient being standard daylight cassettes.These are light-
tight containers with a ready-cut and trimmed length of film
for 36 or 24 exposures and are loaded into the camera in
daylight.
Avoid loading or unloading the camerain brilliant sunlight,
though; choose a shady spot or do it in the shadowof your
own body if nothingbetter is available.
Loading 'T' l. Make sure that the shutter releaseis NOT set to lock
position, and on models EM and TTL the rewind release
ring is in normal position where the three dots line up.
2. Open the cameraback by pulling out the sliding catch at
the side of the camerabody, permitting the cameraback
to swingopen on its hinges.
3. Pull up the rewind knob as far as it will go, then place a
loaded film cassetteinto the empty film chamber (below
the rewind knob) with its hollow part towards the rewind
key, while pushing up the cassetteretaining spindle. The
mouth of the cassettewith the film end must point
towards the take-up spool. Push the rewind knob back.
4. Attach the film leader to the take-up spool. Hold the
cassettein position with the left thumb, while pulling
with the right hand 4 to 4tA in (10 to I I cm) of film from
it. Push the free end of the film into one of the slots in
the take-up spool of the Zenith TTL or EM camera and
under the spring of the Zenith B or E. The take-up spool
can be turned on its axis by its serratedlower flange to
bring a slot or the spring into the most convenient posi-
tion for inserting the film. Turn the serratedflangeof the
take-up spool in the direction of the film cassetteuntil the
film slack is taken up. Before closing the camera back,
make sure that the perforations of the film engagein the
teeth of the film transport sprockets.
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LOADING
Loading the Zenith. (l) Open camera back. (2) Insert cassette. (3) Thread film into take-up spool.
(.1) Close camera back. (5) Make 2 blind exposures. (6) Set film counter.
Unloading the Zenith, ( l) Depress rewind butron on model B, (2) on others, press centre of e_xpo_sure
meter anJ turn anti-clockwise to release the rewind knob. (3) Rewind film, (4) ditto on TTL. (5) Open
c.mera back. (6) Extract cassette.
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5. Close the cameraback by pressingthe hinged back on to
the body. On modelsB and E slidethe locking latch down
to secureit in this position.
Wind on the film and release the shutter twice. This
advancesthe first two frameswhich havebeen exposedto
the light while inserting the film into the camera.TheseHtill two wasted leader frames do not count as part of the
number of exposureson the film.
7. Set the film counter on top of the film transport lever
only after winding on the film. Turn the disc in an anti-
clockwise direction until the engravedarrow head on the
'O' - to get ready to take wind the lever rim points to
once more. When inserting the film, check it is properly
loaded by observingthe rewind knob (at the opposite end
of the camerato the transportlever)as when you advance
the film, the rewind knob should turn anti-clockwise.This
provesthat the film is being pulled out of the cassetteon
to the take-up spool. In the caseof films shorterthan 36
exposures,it is advisableto take up the possiblefilm slack
in the cassetteby first turning the rewind knob in a clock-
wise direction until a resistanceis felt.
8. Set film speedon modelswith built-in exposuremeter.On
Zenith E and EM turn cut-out in top of rewind disc to the
ASA or DIN speedof the film employed,on TTL turn the
disc around the rewind crank until the required ASA or
DIN speedfigure point to the index mark on the camera's
top plate.
The disc on Zenith B rewind knob is intended as a
reminder of the film type and speedyou have inserted
into the camera.It does not influencethe working of the
carneraat all. To set: hold rewind knob and apply thumb
pressureon disc and turn it until film type and speedlines
up with the index mark.
Untoading
After all exposureshavebeenmade(the number of exposures
taken is automatically shown on the film counter disc), unload
the camera.
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l. As a precaution against exposing the last frame to the
light - as releasingthe rewind has the effect of firing the
shutter -- place the lens cap back on the lens (or cover it
with any other light-tight object).
2. Set for rewinding. On Zenith B and E press the rewind
button between the shutter speeddial and frame counter
: wheel in the top plate of the czurleraand keep it depressed
during the rewinding of the film.
On Zenith EM and TTL press shutter releasebutton
and turn the rewind releasering (on the baseof the release
button) fully anticlockwise. This permits rewinding the
film without applyingconstantpressure.
3. Rewind the film. Rewind the film into its original cassette
by turning the rewind knob clockwise. On Zenith E and
EM gently pressand turn the centre of the rewind knob,
anticlockwise and the rewind knob will springup. Zenith
TTL has a fold-up crank. Winding becomesdistinctly
easierthe moment the film is fully wound back.
4. Open the cameraback, removethe cassette,therr close the
cameraback or reloadwith a new film.
The Double and Blank Exposure Lock
The Zenith cameras are fitted with a double and blank
exposurelock. This meansthat the samepiece of film cannot
be exposedtwice and, further, that the film cannot be wound
on by mistakebefore an exposurehasbeenmade.
If, therefore,you cannot pressthe releasebutton, you must
transport the film by meansof the rapid-windinglever. If the
rapid-windinglever cannot be moved, the camerais ready for
use or you have come to the end of the film and you have to
unload.
To ensure that the interlock mechanism works, always
releasethe shutter button fully before operating the film
transport lever.If you havewound on the film and still cannot
depress the shutter release,check that its collar has not 'lock'position. accidentallymoved to the
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Cutting off Exposed Lengths
If a film which is only partly exposedhas to be processed,set
the shutter for the next exposureand in the darkroom or in
complete darkness,cut off with a pair of scissorsthe frame
which lies in the film aperture. Retrim the remainder of the
film (see pages25-26), fix it again on the take-up spool and
closethe camera.
It is ready for the next exposureonce the film counter has
been set three oumbers forward (the amount of film lost
through cutting and reloading).
The reinsertingcan be done in daylight. [n this casea total
of about 6 frames are lost for, after inserting and closing,two
blind exposureshaveto be made.
Some makes of colour film which are returned to the
manufacturers for processingare for technical reasonsonly
acceptedin their full length and should, therefore,not be cut.
Changing Partly Exposed Films
To replacea partly exposedfilm by another one, for instance
if you want to take a few colour photographsin between some
black and white shots,proceedas follows:--
1. Check the number of exposedframeson the film counter.
2. Rewind the film but stop immediately you feel a slight
resistance.This resistancecomesfrom pulling the film end
from the take-up spool. If the film is to be reloadedagain,
you must not pull the whole film into the cassette,other-
wise the film end would have to be extracted by opening
the cassettein the darkroom.
3. Unload the re-wound film and note the number of expos-
ures taken on the beginningof the film. Now you can load
the camerawith any other type of film.
When reloading, load the partly exposed film in the
usual way, cover the lens with a lens cap (or hold some
opaque material against the lens) and as additional pre-
caution stop fully down. Wind the releaseuntil the film
counter has advancedby the number of frames already
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exposed.To be on the safeside it is advisableto allow one
more frame to pass.
The rest of the film can now be exposedin the usual
way.
Other Film Packings
In addition to standardcassettes.some 35 mm films are also
availablein various loose packings for loading into cassettes.
This is a cheaperway of usingfilm as you do not haveto buy a
new cassetteevery time with the film. The following packingstt are available.
DARKROOM REFILLS are lengths cut and trimmed for 36
exposuresand have to be loaded into a cassettein total dark-
ness(e.g.in a darkroom,or a light-tight changingbag).
BULK FILM is supplied in lengthsof 6,rn to 60 m (18 to
200 ft) and is the most economicalway of using film. A suit-
able length is cut off to be loaded into a cassettein total
darkness.working in total darknesswith refills or bulk film is
not difficult. It is, however,advisableto practisefilling with a
dummy film first in daylight before starting the darkroom
work.
Handling, Winding and Timming the Film
When handling the actual film, particular care must be taken
not to touch its emulsion (matt) side. Always handle it and
wind on the centre spool of the cassetteby holding the film by
either side of its edge,preferably between thumb and index
finger. At the same time it is of no less importance that the
spot on which the loading is done should be perfectly dry,
cleanand dust free.
When using bulk film in loading cassettes,the edge of the
work bench can be marked with notches or drawing pins to
indicatevariousdistances,let us say for 12,24,36 exposures
of film. This considerably simplifies the measuring of film
lengthsin the darkroom.
The film endsneed trimming. At the beginningof the roll of
film make either a straight or wedge-shapedcut for the centre
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