Flexaret III User manual

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T-lrnfle^''let                   l/l
      CAMERA
D escription and operating instructiong q
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The I'LEXARET III.
Description of the camera:
The Flexaret III is a twin lens reflex camera for twelve 0X6 cm pictures.
Focusing is effected by shifting the lens panel You see the image, right side
: uF, in the ground glass scre€n. Viewing lens is f/3 lens of small depth of
de finition to ensure perfe ct focusing. Sharp focusing is easy wiLh the buiit-in
magnifier of Iarge diameter which shows brilliant image of subject on the
whole ground glass scre€n whiie you are taking the picture. The hood can
be changed into eye-level viewfinder suitable for taking fast sport shots.
Taking lens is the three element f/3,5 Mirar anastigmat of B cm focal length
which can be focused from infinity to 1 meter.
The taking lens is provided with antireflex coating.
The central PRONTOR II-00 shutter has speeds of 1 ta l/2A0 second plus
bulb and time setting and built-in automatic release.
The fiim rewind is carried out by turning the crank at the right hand side of the camera. By turning it to the stop you rewind the correct length of
film, which is very quick and convenient. lt is not necessary to set the numbers of the film backing paper in the control window. The number of
frames is automatically shown in the picture ccunter window at the right
hand side of the camera. The counter is automatically set at zero by opening
the camera cover when extracting the exposed film.
The camera body is an uncorrosive casting of aluminium as the majority
of other camera parts so that the camera is very light it weights only 0,?5 kilogramme. -
Sizeofthecamera:9,3X10,1X14cm(i.e.3,7X+X5,6inches).

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Operating instructions:
l. Sensitive material:
Weuse6X9cmroIIfiIm(B2)togettwelve6X6cmpictures.
2. Opening the camera:
At the left hand side of the camera is a milled knob (fig. I 1) which can - to open the be unscrewed by turning it to the left. Then it can be pressed
camera cover (fig. I 2). -
$. Preparing the camera for inserting the film:
Inside the camera is an empty spool (fig. U 3), either u'oodeg or metal. - chamber (fie. III 4). This ttri. ipool should be inserteci ih tle upper spool - is effected in the following way: PuII out the shiftable knob (fig, UI 5) and secure it in the pulled out - position by giving it a small turn. insert the- spool tfte upp€r cfiamber by putting it on the driving pin (fig. - spoof notch at one side of the spool s_n?ps. into the inlay III 6) so tit"i tft" the by turning accompiish pin. This easy to is driving ?) of the' (fig.- lli by III 5) gi. knob (fig. loaded spring the (fie.- ttr.tt -rejcase iu opening" tuining"ti"t if in its- normal position so that its pin snaps in the round -
of the"spool. This can be facilitated by turning a8,ain the crank.
4. Inserting the film:
The fihn is inserted in the camera in daylight. chamber pull out the ipring loaded knob (fig. lV I n) ot the lower spool
(fig. IV gl an^d pu"t the spool with fiim on the fixed spool pin (fig. IV r0) - -4

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  and on the pin of the spring loaded l.rnob (fig. IV   11) 6y releasing it in its   original position.                                    -
  The filnr is always sealed by a piece of adhcsive tape. Break it and unwind
   about 5 cm (2 inches) of the backing paper whose coloured side should show
   oubward if you have inserted the film spool properly (fig. V).
   Slip the cut out start of the backing Faper in the longer notch of the upper
   spool (fig. V). Now rewind the film by turning the crank forrn'ard and back
   until the triangle marks (> <)  on the marging of the backing paper are
   opposite the white dots on the film leader (fig. VI    L2). Care should be taken   that the pap€r is wound on correctly from the lower-   spool over the leader on
   the upper spool.
5. Closing the camera:   {"2^a1
   Close the camera lid by pressing it (fig. VII    2) with both thumbs (fig. VII)   until the lock snaps to and secure the millcd- knob (fig. VII    1) by screwing    it in so that it is then possible to press it down.            -    It  is not possible  to open the camera   if  you happen  to press  the knob by chance.
  Advancing the film:
  To prepare the film for shooting you have to turn the film advance crank
  4 times to the stop and release it always to return in its original position.
  At the same time, you watch in the frame-counter window (fig. VIII     13)   the rvhite control dots which are then replaced by figure 1 after the fourth-
   pressing of the crank. Now the film is ready for the first picture.
    It is important to turn the crank always to the stop and return it in its
   original position since otherwise the film would not be set at the start. Tire
  back of the camera is fitted also with a control window (fig. Vff    14) to   enable the film advance control. It  is- used if the film backing paper-  is not
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provided with tht marks (> {), br if you have made a mistake ii1 advancing
tfre fitm (if the crank has not been turned to the stop etc.). ln this case open the control window (fig. VII 14) and set in it figure 1 and then the follo- wing figures (12 totally) which- are printed on the coloured side of the
backing paper.
The controi window is provided with colourless celluloid so that the setting
of figures is very convenient. After advancing the film you have to close
the window by the lid (fig. VII 15) so that the mark >>Z<< is visible. -
7. Preparing the camera for shooting:
a) Focusing:
Open the viewing hood by lifting its upper lid (fie. IX 16). The re' maining hood parts spring into position automatically. -
By lightly pressing the inner part of the upper tid (fig. X 17) you loosen - position. the magnifier (fig. XI B) which springs into horizontal Put the magnifier to -the eye and focus the image in the ground glass
screen by moving the focusing lever (fig. XII 19). Correct f ocusing of the image in- the ground glass screen ensures a tazor-sharp image on the film. When photographing moving objects which it would be difficult to focus before shooring, estimate the camera-to-object distance and set it on the
distance scale (fie. XII 20) below the focusing lever. The distance scale is calibrated either in feet- or meters. The ingraved figures indicate always
the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera front
lens. By setting the point of the focusing lever e. g. at figure 3 you have
focused the camera for the distance of 3 meters.
b) Settins the lens aperture:
The quantity of light to be transmitted by the lens can by controlled by

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stopping down the lens. On tlre aperture scale (fig. XII are marked the diaphragm numbers (f-nurnbers) 3,5-4-5 -ZL) against which you can set the aperture setting Iever-6-B-11(fig. XII -16-2222). The full diaphragm aperture corresponds to the number 3,5. On the- contrary,
by setting the aperture number 22 you diminish the diaphragm aperture
and the lens transmitts only a small quantity of light. The f-numbers
have been so chosen that each next following higher nurnber corresponds
to half the quantity of light when compared with the previous lower
number.
For example: With f-number 5,6 the lens transmits a certain quantity of
light. When stooped down to the next higher f-number: B it transmits
only haif the quantity of light. With f-number 4 the quantity of light
would be doubled.
The highest performance of any lens is attained at a specific diaphragm
aperture, usuaily between B and 11. The sharpness of image is greatest
at these stops (f-numbers).
c) Settins the shutter speed:
The shutter (fig. XII 23) is calibrated by numbers 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, indicating the- shutter speeds i. e. the exposure time. Number 1
corresponds to 1 second, 2 l/2 sec., 5 1/5 sec., etc., 200 meaning L/200 second. In addition there are- also the letters- B and T for time exposures.
We recommend the beginner to shoot pictures in the hand at l/L00 second
if he wants to get clear pictures. Only experinced amateurs can shoot
pictures at l/25 sec., or even longer without using a tripod.
Set the number of the chosen speed at the red mark of the milled shutter
ring (fig. XII-24).
The shutter speed should be chosen according to the lens aperture or,
vice versa, the correct Iens aperture is determined by the shutter speed,

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t by the help of an exposure table, exposure mete&'or on the basis of
experience.
d) Cocking the shutter:
The shutter is cocke d by pressing the cocking lever (fig. XII in the direction indicated by an arrow. -25)
8. Picture taking:
After focusing, setting the lens aperture and shutter speed, you can shoot
- the picture. HoId the camera firmly with both hands (fig. XiII) and press the shutter
release Iever (fig. XII quietly wibh the thumb of your right hancl without shattering the -26)camera. You can obscrve the image in the ground
glass scre€n throughout picture taking either through the magnifier (fig. Xi)
or without it at the standard eye distance of 25 cm !10 inches). The magnifier
can be tilted out of way by pressing it down til it snaps in.
9. Eye-level viewing:
Sometimes it is advantageous to use the eye-level viewfinder particularly in following {ast actions (in sports etc.). Set thre inner part of- the cover lid
into the horizontal position (fig. X 1?) and put the square window of the' sport viervfinder (Iig. XI 27) Io your- eye so that you can observe the obiect (fig. XIV). In viern'ing the- sc€ne to be photographed the square window of
the cover lid and of the back lid should coincide.
10. Shooting with cable release:
If you wish to use the cable release srew it in the release socket (fig. XII - 28) on the shutter. However, we r.eoommend to use it only ip time exposures.
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11. Shooting with automatic release:
  The self-timer built in the Prontor Il-00 shutter enables you to get also
 '  on the picture.   For this purpose, the'camera should be fixcd on to a tripod, or placed on
  a stand. After setting the shutter speed and pressing the shutter cocking
   Iever you have to cock also the red marked selftimer lever (fig. XII     2g).  By pressing the release lever (fig. XX   26) you start the self-timer- and                                                --   thus delay the shutter release by about 10 seconds.
12. Time exposures:
   These exposures cannot be carried out in the hand, the camera must be
    scre'ul'ed on a tripod. For this purpose, there is a tripod socl<et (screwed 3r8l/
   thread) on the bottom of the camera. Set the red mark of the miiled shutter-
   ring (fig. XII   24) against letter >T< or >B<. The >T< position means that   the cocl<e d shuttcr-     oF,ens and rcmains open when the release is pressed. You   shut it by pressing the release once more.
  The >B< position means that the shutter opens when you press the release
  and remains open throughout the time you hold the pressed release. >B< and
  >T< settings enable, therefore, unlimited exposure time. It is of advantage   to use a cable release..                      -
                              $'rLK''99s13. Further pictures:
  Advance the film after each exposure by turning the crank until checked.
14. Taking out the film:
   After taking the twelfth picture move the crank (about ? times) until you
  wind the end of the backrng paper on the uppet' fihn taking spool. The end
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of the rewind can be controlled in the window on the back of the camera.
   Then you can open the camera lid and take the spool with film from the
   upper chamber. Care should be taken lest the film is loosened and unwound.
   Wind firmly the end of the backing paper and seal it by the label attached
   to the film end. This is carried out in daylight.
15. Closing the viewfinder:
   First tilt the side lids (fig. XI    30), then the baek lids (fig. XI   31) and    last the front lid of the viewfinder-     (fig. XI     16).                  -                                                 -
16. Depth of definition:
   The lens gives a sharp image of not only the objects in the focus plane (i. e.
   in the focused distance) but also of objects before and behind this plane.
   This feature, characteristic to every lens, is called depth of focus or depth
   of definition. It increases by stopping down the lens.
   The attached table shows depths of definition with various camera-to-object
    settings and f-numbers. The data in the dep,th of focus table have been
   calculated for the maximum unsharpness (so called dispersion ring) of
    0,06 mm.
   Example: Focus the lens for 3 meter distance and stop it down to 11. All
   objects lying at the distance of 2,32 to 4,28 meters from the front lens of the
   camera will be sharp on the picture.





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17. Maintaining the eamera:
The photographic camera should be treated like a fine instmment and given
some care. I
. Before rnserting the film, dust the inside of the camera with a bair brush. Lenses should be cleaned (not too frequently) by a clean, soft, washed cloth.
I Lens surfaces are dusted off by a soft hair brush. Protect the camera from
mechanical damage, humidity, and chemicals.
18. Developing the film: A
If you wish to do it be yourself, take care to develop the film in a fine I grain developer without scratching it.
We recomm€nd you to make the processing in a dcveloping tank and to use
a well-proved developer by known makers.
' Those who wish to prepare the developer themselves will appreciate the
. following well-proved developer prescriptions:
: a) The KODAI( D-?6 developer:
, distilled or boiled water (50o Centigrade) .. 750 ccm
i metol 2g
i anhydrous sodium sulphite 100 g (or sodium sulphite crystals 200 e) '. hYdroquinone 5g
borax 2g
All these chemicals should be dissolved separately after another by
lightly stirring.
As soon as trre chemicals have been dissolved add distilled or boiled water
to 1000 ccm.
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The chemicals should be dissolved separately one after another by lightly
stirring.
When they are dissolved add distilled or boiled water to 1000 ccm.
Developing time at 1B-20o C is about B minutes.
Exposure time remains unchanged.

       Accessories for the FLEXARET III reflex carnera:
a) Ever-ready leather case with shoulder strap.
b) Lens shade (30 mm in dia.) to be slipped on the lower lens. When shooting
   pictures against the light the iens shade prerzents light beams from falling
  on to the lens and protects the film against ghosts, i. e. Iight reflections.
c) Coloured filters (30 mm in dia.)
  We supply 5 sorts of precisely ground coloured filters of optical glass:
    1. G 1 filter: light yeilow, filter factor L,5-2X.
   2. G2 filter: medium yellow, filter factor 2-3X.
   3. G 3 filter: dark yellow (orange), filter factor 3-4X.
    4. GR 1 filter: green, filter factor about 3-4X.
   5. R 1 filter: ruby red, filter factor about 6-10X.
It is impossible to give the filter factor (that is the number of times a given
exposure must be increased) quite precisely since it depends on specific
conditions (hour of day, season, altitude above sea level, colour of the photo-
graphed object, film sensitivity to colours etc.). It is necessary to try.
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 Carnera parts:
 1. Lock and release knob of the         16. Viernrfinder lid.
   camera cover.                           17. Inner part of the viervfinder  lid.
 2. Camera cover.                           18. Magnifier.
 3. Film spocl.                                19. Focusing lever;
 4. Upper spool chamber.                   20. Distance scale.
 5. Spring loaded knob.                    21. Diaphragm opening scale.
 6. Drive pin.                               22. Aperture setting lever.
 7. Drive pin inlay.                         23. Shutter.
 8. I-ilm advance crank.                    24. Milled shutter-ring.
 9. Lor.ver spool chamber.                   25. Shutter cocking lever.
10. Fixed spool pin.                         26. Shutter release lever.
11. Pin of the spring loaded knob.         27. Back window of the viewfinder.
12. Fiim leader.                             28. Cable release socket.
13. Exposure counter window.              29. Self-timcr release lever.
14. Control window.                        30. Side lids of the viewfinder.
15. Control window lid.                     31. Back lid of the viewfinder.





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