Flexaret 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 User manual

THE FTEXARET 2Vix2V4 REFTEX

DESCRIPIION
        The Flexaret is a twin lens reflex camera which takes twelv. 2l/4" 121/4" pictures on 120
           film. Focusing is effected by shifting the lens standard. You see ihe image right side up
        on the ground glass. The F/3 coated viewing lens assures crilically sharp {ocus because
          of its wider aperture. Sharp focusing is easy wiih the built-in large-diameier magnifier
        which shows a brilliant image on the entire ground glass screen while you are taking
         the picture. The hood can be changed into an eye-level viewfinder suitable for taking
          fast spori shorts. The iaking lens is a fine,4 element coated F/3.5 Belar anastigmat, Scm
          focal length, which can be {ocused {rom infiniiy to 3t/2 leet'
        The camera body is a non-corrosive casiing of aluminum (as are ihe maiority o{ other
        camera parts) so fhat the camera is very light, weighing only 25 ounces.

OPER,ATING ]NSTRUCTIONS
 f . FILM:
        Use 120 or B-2 roll film fo get iwelve 2t/4x21/4 (5 x 5cm) pictures.
2. OPENING THE CAMERA:
        At ihe right side of ihe camera, lens facing you, is a milled knob (Fig. l-l)  which can
        be unscrewed by iurning ii counterclockwise. Then it can be pressed to open the camera
         back  ( Fie. l-2 ).
3. PREPARING THE CAMERA FOR INSERTING THE FI[M:
           lnside the camera is an empty spool (Fig. ll-3) which should be inserted in the upper
          spool chamber (Fig. lll-4). This is effected in the following way: Pull out the knob (Fig.
            lll-5) and secure it in the pulled out position by giving it a slight twist.
            Insert the spool in ihe upper chamber by putting ii on ihe winding cross piece (Fig. lll-6)
         so that the notch af one side of the spool snaps inlo ihe inlay (Fig. lll-7) of the driving
           pin. This is easy to accomplish by turning the crank (Fig. lll-8). Then release the knob
           (Fig. lll-5) by lurning it in its normal posiiion so that iis pin snaps in the round opening
         of ihe spool. This can be facilitated by again turning the crank.
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4. INSERTING THE FIIM:
        The {ilm is inserted in ihe qamera in daylight. Pull out ihe knob (Fig. lv-s) of ihe lower
          spool chamber (Fig. lV-9) and pui the spool with film on fhe fixed spool pin (Fix. lV-10)
        and on the pin of the knob (Fig. lV-ll) by releasing  it in its original poiition.
         Unwind about 2 inches of the backing paper with qolored side outward (Fig. V).
           Sllp the backing pdper in the longer notch of the upper spool (Fig. V). Now, rewind the
          film by iurning the crank forward and back until the triangle marks* (> <  ) on the          backing paper are opposite the white dots on the camera (Fig. Vl-12). Care should be
          taken that the paper is wound correctly from ihe lower spool on +o the upper spool.

5. CTOSING THE GAMERA:
         Close the c.rmera lid by pressing  it (Fig. Vll-2) with both thumbs (Fig. Vll) until the
           lock snaps, and secure the milled knob (Fig. Vll-l) by screwing it in so that it is impossible
           to open accidentally.

6. ADVANCING THE FILM:
       To prepare the film for shooting, you have to wind the film-advance crank 4 iimes and
          release if to ihe original position each time. At the same time, watch in the frame counier
        window (Fig. Vlll-13) for lhe figure I afier the fourth iurn of ihe crank. Now lhe film is


                                                                                                     ,,.,                                      t         '      '

ready for the firsl picture. The back of ihe camera is fitted with a control window (Fig.
          Vll-14) to check ihe film advance. lt is used if the film backing paper is not provided
         with the marls ( > < ), or if you have made a mistake in advancing ihe film (if fhe          crank has not been turned to the siop, etc.).
        The control window is provided with clear colored celluloid so that lhe setting of figures
           is very convenienf.
          *This marking varies on difrerent films, sometimes appearing as a double arrow (KD-|
7. PREPARING THE CAMERA FOR SHOOTING:
        a) Focusing
          Open the viewing hood by lifting its upper lid (Fig. lX-16). The remaining hood
             parls spring into posiiion automatically. By ligh+ly pressing the inner pari of lhe
            upper lid (Fig. X- l7) you release the magnifier  ( FiS. Xl- l8 ) which springs into               horizontal posifion. Put the magnifier lo the eye and focus the image on the ground
              glass screen by moving the focusing lever (Fig. Xll-19).
             Correct focusing of the image in the ground glass screen assures a razor-sharp image
           on the film.
         When photographing moving obiects which would be difficult to {ocus before shooting,
             estimaie the camera-to-obiect disfance and set it on ihe disfance scale (Fig. Xll-20)
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below the focusing lever. The distance scale is calibraied in {eet. The engraved  fig-ures
    indicate the distance between the obiect to be photographed and the camera front
    lens. By setting ihe poinf of the focusing lever e.g. at figure 5 you have focused the
   camera for the distance of 5 feet"
b) Setting the lens aperfure
   The quantity of light to be transmitted by ihe lens can be controlle{ by sfopging.down
   fhe lens diiphrajm. On the aperture scale (Fig. Xll-21) are marked the diaphrag.m
   numbers (F-numbers) 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, ll, 22 and 25 against which you can set the
    aperture setting levei (Fig. Xll-22). The full diaphragm aperture corresponds to 3.5.
   By setting the aperture'ai numb"r 22 you decrease the diaphragm aperture and the
    lens tranlmits only a small quantity of light. The F-numbers have been chosen so
   lhat each nex+ following higher numbers iorresponds to half the quantity of light
   when compared wifh the previous lower number.
    For erample: With F-number 5.5, lhe lens transmits a ceriain quantit-y of light. Whel
   siopped down fo the next higher F-number 8, it transmiis gnly half the quantity of
     light. With F-number 4, ihe quantity of ligh+ would be doubled.
c) Setting lhe shutier speed:
   The Pronlor S shutter (Fig. Xll-23), which is specially adiusled for Flexarel, is cali'
   brated by numbers indicating ihe-shutter speeds i.e. "l"  corresponds to  I second,

"2"-l 12 second, "5"-l/5  second, "200" meaning l/200 second, etc.. The letter            "8" denotes bulb exposures. At this setting, ihe shuiier remains opgn a! long as the
              release lever is held-down. The shuffer synchronizes at all speeds wilh "X" type Strob
               light; synchronizes with SM or SF bulbs at all speeds up io and.including l/1.09
              selond;-synchronizes  with type M flash bulbs at all speeds up to and including ll25
              second.
       We recommend ihai the beginner shoot pictures in the hand at l/25 second or {asler
                   if he wants to get clear pictures. Only experienced amateurs can shoot pictures ai
             slower speeds without using a iripod.
            Sei the number of the chosen exposure speed at the mark on fhe milled shuiler ring
                            ( Fie. Xll-2a)  .
        d) Cocking the shutler
           The shutter is cocked before each shot by pressing the cocking lever (Fi9. Xll-25)
               in the direcfion indicated by the arrow.
8. PICTURE TAKING:                                            $'tfta 'u5
          After focusing, setting lhe lens aper+ure and shutier speed, you can .shoot.the P!c!ure..
        Hold the         firmly with both hands and press the shutter release lever (Fig. Xll-26)          with fhe thumb""r".uof youi righi hand without moving ihe camera. You can observe ihe image
          in the ground glass r".""n ihroughout picture taking either ihrough ihe magnifier (FiS.
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Xl) or without it at the standard eye distance of about l0 inqhes. The magnifier can be
        moved out of the way by simply pressing it down.
9. EYE.IEVEI VIEWING:
         Someiimes  il  is advantageous to use the eye-level viewfindgr-parlicu.larly in .following
           fast aciion (in sports, e+cl) S"t the inner pari of the cover lid into the horizontal posiiion                     'and'put'the                                                                                            eye                                                                                               (.Fig. Xl-27l.fo.your                                                                viewfinder                                   window                                 siuare                                               oi th. s.port           ilig.-X-iit                                                                                  the square                                                                                        to. be phoiographed,                                                        scene                                           subiect.                                                ln viewing.t[ie                          obr"r"" the                itru+ yo|         to
        window of the"uncover lid and of the back lid should coincide.

IO. SHOOTING WITH CABTE RELEASE:
              lf you wish to use a cable release, screw it in lhe release socket (Fig. Xll-28 ) on the
              sh uiter.
I I. SHOOTING WITH SELF.TIMER:
        The self-timer buih in the Prontor shulter enables you lo get into the picture. For this
          purpose, the camera sould be fixed on a tri.pod, or placed on a stand or table. Afler
          se+ting ihe shutter speed and pressing the shutter cocking lever, you have lo cock the

self-fimer lever (Fig. Xll-29). By pressing the release lever (Fig. Xll-26) you start the
           self-timer and ihus ielay +he shutter relelse by about l0 secondi.
12. TIME EXPOSURES:
           In order lo take time exposures, ihe camera must be screwed on a tripod. For this purposel
          there is a tripod socket on the bottom of ihe camera. Set the shutter (Fig. Xll-2a)-against
         the letter "B".
        The ''8" position means thai the shutier opens when you press lhe release and remains
           oP.en as,long as you hold lhe release down. Therefore the "8" setting enables you to have
           unlimited exposure time.
I3. FURTHER PICTURES:
         Advance the film a{fer each exposure by turning ihe crank as far as it will 9o. CAUTION:              lf is imporfant lo wind crank ihe full distance it will move, oiherwise the film will not
        advance a full frame, and the spacing beiween piciures will be incorrect.
I4. TAKING OUT THE FILM:
         After taking the twelfth piclure, move lhe crank (about 7 iimes) until you wind lhe end
         o{ the backing paper on the upper film taking spool. When the end of +he film can be
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I7. CARE OF THE CA'VIERA:
        The photographic camera should be freated like a fine instrumenf and given delicafe care.
          Before inserting ihe film, dusi the inside of +he camera with a hair brush. Lenses should be
         cleaned (nof foo frequently) with a clean, soft lens tissue. Lens surfaces are dusted ofi
        by using a soft camel hair brush. Protect your camera from mechanical damage, humidity,
        and chemicals.





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Digitally signed by mike butkusmike               DN: cn=mike butkus,
                             o=orphancameras, ou=29,
                              email=mike@butkus.org, c=USbutkus           Date: 2019.08.15 14:12:58 -04'00'