Fujica AX-3 User manual

1: This highly sophisticated SLR camera lets you take aperture-preferred
automatic and manual exposure pictures with shutter speeds ranging all the
way from 2 full seconds to 1/1000 second. Its built-in, high precision,
microcomputer-controlled automatic exposure system represents the latest
in LSI technology.
2: Thirteen LED shutter speed indicators and an aperture indicator window
in the viewfinder let you set exposure without taking your eye off your
subject.
3: Soft-touch electromagnetic shutter release; 2 seconds to 1/1000 second
stepless shutter speeds; simple manual exposure setting by watching LED
shutter-speed indicators in the viewfinder; provision for taking
continuous shots at 2 fps with an auto winder X.
4: A wide assortment of "system accessories" (including the exclusive
Fujica Auto Strobe 300X-guide number 30, Fujica Auto Strobe AZ, and the
Fujica Photo Recorder for printing data on the film) expands your picture-
taking scope well beyond present horizons.
5: Fujica X "short turn" 65 degree lens mount permits quick lens changing
and accepts the entire line of the new X-Fujinon interchangeable lenses
from wide-angle to telephoto as well as other lenses to let you take full
advantage of the SLR system.

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1. ATTACHING THE STRAP AND PUTTING THE CAMERA IN IT'S CASE





2. MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING THE LENS





Position the red dot on the lens rear opposite the red dot on the Lens
Mount, then push the Lens in and turn it 65ø to the right (clockwise). It
will lock into position with a click.

While pressing in the Lens Lock toward the camera body, turn the Lens to
the left (counter-clockwise) as far as it will go, then pull it out toward
the front.

Using the Rubber Lens Hood

When shooting against the light, fit the accessory Rubber Lens Hood on to
the lens to prevent flare and ghost caused by the light falling directly
on the lens surface.

3. LOADING AND CHECKING THE BATTERY


Choosing the Right Battery

You can Us any one of the following batteries but be sure to use a new
battery.

6-volt silver oxide battery (4SR44).

6-volt alkaline manganese battery (4LR44).

6-volt lithium battery.

* Special precautions for the use of batteries in cold weather




1. Generally, the battery performance will
decrease rapidly at temperatures below 0                                             2. Silver oxide batteries are
Degrees C. If you are shooting in sub-zero                                             well suited for shooting in
weather, it is always best to use a new                                             cold weather. They are also
battery. If the temperature is extremely                                             recommended for taking a large
low, it is advisable to keep a spare
                                             number of pictures.battery on hand and use the camera battery
and this spare battery in turns while
warming them up with your body heat.





1. Remove the Battery Compartment Cover by pushing the Cover Lock in
toward the Lens with your fingernail and lifting it up.


Notes: 1. One new silver-oxide battery or lithium battery will normally
last about 8 months, and one new alkaline-manganese battery about 6
months.

2. Before loading, wipe both ends of the battery clean with a dry piece of
cloth.

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3. If you are not taking pictures for a long while, remove the battery
before putting the camera away.

2. Insert the battery, plus (+) and minus (-) ends correctly, as shown in
the Battery Compartment.

3. The battery will load easier if you insert the minus (-) end first.

4. To unload, press down and pull out the plus (+) end of the battery with
your fingernail.





5. Replace the Battery Compartment Cover by sliding in the inner edge and
pressing the cover down.

CHECKING THE BATTERY
If the battery is not up to the required strength, you will not get
properly exposed pictures because your Fujica AX-3's shutter is
electronically controlled regardless of the exposure mode employed. Make
it a habit, therefore, to check the battery before you start taking
pictures.

1. Turn on the Main Switch.

2. Look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway

3. If the red LED opposite the letter "B" at the bottom of the shutter
speed scale blinks (about 4 times a second), it's time to change the
battery because it is being worn out.

4. If no LED turns on in the viewfinder, the camera will not operate
because the battery is completely exhausted.


Notes: 1. If you are taking your camera on a trip, be sure to bring a
spare battery along.

2. When shooting in cold weather, check the battery frequently because low
temperatures will reduce battery efficiency.

3. If you are not taking pictures, turn off the main switch to prevent
unnecessary battery drain.


Main Switch

Your Fujica AX-3 has a main switch (ON/OFF/Self timer Lever) on the left
side top of the camera (next to the Film Speed Selector). Before you start
taking pictures and before you check the battery, be sure to switch it ON
by pulling the lever out toward you while watching the Main Switch Window-

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4. LOADING THE FILM:

Use cartridge-packed 35mm roll film.





Always load and unload film in subdued light.





1. Open the Camera Back by pulling the Film Rewind Knob all the way out.
(It will not open unless the knob is fully pulled out.)

2. Drop the film cartridge into the Film Chamber with the spool head
(protruding portion of the cartridge) pointing to the camera bottom, then
push the Film Rewind Knob down to its original position.

3. Pull out the film tip and insert it deeply into the slot of the Take-up
Spool, but make sure it doesn't go through the spool hub.





4. Wind the film with a stroke or two of the Film Advance Lever and make
sure the Sprocket Teeth catch the film perforations.





5. Erect the Film Rewind Crank and turn it in the direction of the arrow
to take up any slack in the film, make sure the film is properly
positioned between the guide rails, then close the Camera back.

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6. While watching the Exposure Counter, wind the film with the Film
Advance Lever and press down the Shutter Release. Repeat until the second
white dot from the letter "S" (first white dot from the red "O") appears
in the center of the Exposure Counter. The film has now been positioned
for the first shot.


* The film is advancing properly if the Film Rewind Knob turns while the
Film Advance Lever is winding.

* The white dots between the numbers in the Exposure Counter represent odd
numbers.

* You can position the film faster by setting the Shutter Speed Selector
to 1000 because the shutter will trip faster.





7. Film identification The Film Confirmation Window in the camera back
will tell you at a glance whether there is film in the camera or not. If
you have Fuji film in your camera, it will also tell you the film type and
the number or exposures it will yield.

The procedure is the same as that described in (j) to A). To wind the
film, close the Camera Back, switch the auto winder switch to SINGLE or
CONT. and press down the Shutter Release.

* If the film does not advance, turn off the auto winder and switch it
once again to SINGLE or CONT.

* For further information, read the Auto Winder instruction manual.


5. SETTING THE FILM SPEED SELECTOR





After loading the film, be sure to #t the Film Speed Selector because your
pictures will not be properly exposed if it is not set for the speed of
the film loaded in the camera.

The speed of the film you are using is printed on the film box.


1. While pressing in the Film Speed Selector Lock (a white button beside
the Film Speed Selector), turn the selector dial and set it for the speed
of the film you are using, that is, if you are using an ISO/ASA 100 film,
set the number 100 opposite the Film Speed Setting Mark.

* The marks labeled +1 and -1 on each side of the Film Speed Setting mark
are used for making exposure compensation. Be sure to use the center mark
for setting the Film Speed Selector.

2. The lines etched between the numbers on the Film Speed Selector
represent the ISO/ASA speeds shown above.

3. The corresponding ISO/ASA and DIN film speeds are as follows:


6. AIMING THE CAMERA

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1. Hold the camera with your left hand as shown press the left elbow
against the side of you; chest, relax your right hand and press the
Shutter Release gently down.

2. When shooting with the camera held vertically, try to keep it extra
steady because it will be less stable in that position.

3. The film is advanced with the right thumb and the Shutter Release is
depressed with the right forefinger.


Taking automatic exposure pictures

    1. SHUTTER SPEED SELECTOR SETTINGS

Your Fujica AX-3 is an aperture-preferred automatic exposure camera. You
just set the aperture then turn and set the Shutter Speed Selector to AE
or AEL and the camera will select the right shutter speed to give you
correctly exposed pictured
         - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -
The shutter on your Fujica AX-3 is electronically controlled from 1/1000
sec. all the way through 2 seconds and B regardless of whether the shutter
speed is set automatically or manually. The settings possible with your
AX-3's Shutter Speed Selector are as follows:

Notes: 1. Remember, your Fujica AX-3 has a built-in "memory lock," that
is, the shutter speed obtained by depressing the Shutter Release halfway
down will remain locked and the LED indicator in the Viewfinder will not
change position until you take your finger off the Shutter Release even if
there are changes in subject brightness and aperture value {refer to the
paragraph entitled "AK lock" on page 29).





2. To switch from AE or AEL to the other settings, turn the Shutter Speed
Selector while pressing in the Shutter Speed Selector Lock. (You cannot
turn it unless the Lock is in depressed position).
2. VIEWFINDER INFORMATION
The information provided in the Viewfinder of your AX-3 is as follows:





Note: Your Fijica AX-3 uses a fully automatic electronic shutter. The
shutter speed indicated in the viewfinder represents an approximate value.

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3. PROCEDURE FOR TAKING AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE PICTURES





1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AE or AEL.

2. Use any aperture you want; that is, if your lens is an X-Fujinon 1:1.6
50 mm DM, set the Aperture Ring to any one of the f-numbers from F1.6 to
16.

3. Look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down.
An LED will turn on in the left side of the Viewfinder to show you the
shutter speed that will precisely suit the preset aperture and subject
brightness to yield a correctly exposed picture.
For example, if the aperture you selected is F5.6 and the shutter speed
coupled to it by the camera is 1/250 sec., the LED opposite the number 250
will turn on.
4. Over and underexposure warning





If the aperture you selected is not compatible with the camera's shutter
speed range, that is, if it is too large and needs a shutter speed that is
faster than 1/1000 sec., the red LED opposite the number 1000 will turn on
and blink (8 times a second) to warn you that your picture will be
overexposed; and if it is too small and needs a shutter speed that is
slower than 2 seconds, the red LED opposite 2S will turn on and blink
(also 8 times a second) to warn you that your picture will be under-
exposed.

5. Guarding against camera shake.
If you are taking a dimly-lit subject, the camera may provide a shutter
speed that is slower than 1/30 sec. for the aperture you selected, in
which case you will have to guard against camera shake by mounting the
camera on a tripod or using something firm to support it, such as a table
or the top of a chair.

4. FOCUSING THE LENS
     Focusing with the split image rangefinder





In the center of the viewfinder of your Fujica AX-3 you will see a split-
image spot a microprism collar; around it which, in turn, is surrounded by
a ground glass screen. Any one of them can be used focusing the lens.





Eyesight adjustment lens The far - or near-sighted can use an eyesight
adjustment lens (+2, +0.5, - 2.5, - 4 diop., optional accessory). It will
let you focus the lens without glasses.

1. Look through the Viewfinder, center the part of the subject on which
you want to focus the lens in the split-image center and turn the Distance
Ring.
2. Your subject is in sharp focus when the upper and lower segments of the
image in the split image center fall in line. This method of focusing is
best for taking pictures of subjects that are formed mainly of straight
lines such as buildings, towers, etc.
    Focusing with the Microprisim Collar
1. Look at your subject through the microprism collar and turn the
Distance Ring.

2. Your subject is in sharp focus when it appears smooth and clear. This
method of focusing is recommended for portrait work.


    Focusing with the Ground-glass Screen

1. Look at your subject through the ground-glass screen and turn the
Distance Ring.

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2. Your subject is in sharp focus when it appears sharp and clear. This
method is recommended for focusing the lens quickly and for copying work.





Estimate the distance from camera to subject with your eye and set the
Distance Ring to that distance (white numbers= meters, green numbers=
feet).

Focusing by Eye Estimation
This method is best for taking quick snapshots. However, if you are using
a large aperture or are taking close-ups, or if you are shooting with a
telephoto lens, be sure to focus the lens precisely.

5. REWINDING THE FILM
After exposing a roll of film, wind it back into its cartridge and take it
to your photo finisher as soon as possible.

* If you are at the end of a roll and the Film Advance Lever feels tight
as you are winding it, do not force it. Just return it to its normal
position and rewind the film into its cartridge.





1. Press in the Rewind Button (provided on the camera top.)

Note: Before pressing in the Rewind Button, pull out the Film Advance
Lever by a stand-off angle of the lever, or the Rewind Button may
disengage and the film may not be rewound.

2. Erect the Rewind Crank and turn it in the direction of the arrow. You
will feel a sudden release of tension when the film has been rewound into
its cartridge.





3. Open the Camera Back by pulling the Rewind Knob all the way out and
unload the film. (The Camera Back will not open unless the Rewind Knob is
fully pulled out.)



* Be sure to open the Camera Back
only after you have rewound the
film back into its cartridge.


 Camera functions

71. LIGHT METER RANGE

The table shows your camera's light meter range with films of various speeds. Since the range of ISO/ASA 100
is from EV 0 - EV 19, the range with an F1.6 lens is from EV 1/2 (at F1.6, 2 sec) to EV 18 (at F16, 1/1000
sec.)  It applies to the camera's
built-in exposure meter's measurement for aperture-preferred and stopped-down automatic exposure as well as
manual.

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2. AE LOCK (EXPOSURE MEMORY)





Your Fujica AX-3 has two Shutter Speed Selector settings for automatic
exposure: AE and AEL, and the camera's automatic exposure setting can be
locked when it is set to AE L.

1. When the Shutter Release is pressed halfway down, the shutter speed
(indicated by a red LED) coupled to the preset aperture to accommodate the
brightness of the subject will remain locked until you take your finger
off the Shutter Release. This is referred to as AE Lock (locking the AE or
automatic exposure).

2. The AE lock is useful for making automatic exposure compensation in
back lighted situations. To compensate for back lighted portraits, you
just bring the camera up close to your subject, press the Shutter Release
halfway down and hold it there, then step back and shoot. (Don't take your
finger off the Shutter Release until you trip the shutter).

Note: As long as the Shutter Release is pressed halfway
down, the shutter speed indicating LED will not change
position even if the Aperture Ring is turned. If you want
to use a different aperture, take your finger off the
Shutter Release, reset the Aperture Ring and check the
shutter speed again through the Viewfinder.



3. STOPPED-DOWN AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE

You will have to use stopped down automatic exposure when shooting with a
Praktica screw-mount Fujinon lens (mounted with Mount Adapter X-S), an
ultra-telephoto lens, through an automatic extension bellows, a microscope
(with Microscope Adapter X) or a Macrocinecopy, or with the lens mounted
in reverse (with Reverse Adapter X). And to prevent light from entering
through the finder and fouling up your exposure setting, you will have to
use the accessory eyecup or eyepiece shutter.

Shooting with a Praktica thread mount Fujinon Lens (Mounted with the Mount
Adapter X-S)





1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AE or AE L.
2. Set the Aperture Ring to the desired value.





3. Press in the Preview Button and, while holding it there, look through
the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down to make sure
that neither the overexposure nor the underexposure warning signal is
blinking.

4. Take your picture by pressing the Shutter Release gently down.

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Note:
If you are shooting with the Shutter
Speed Selector set to AEL, be sure
to press in the Preview Button
before you press the Shutter Release
halfway down because your picture
will not turn out properly exposed
if you do it the other way around.


Shooting with an Ultra-telephoto Lens, with the Lens Mounted in Reverse,
and through an Auto Extension Bellows.





1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AE or AEL.

2. Set the Aperture Ring to the desired value.

3. Look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down
to make sure that neither the overexposure nor the underexposure warning
signal is blinking.

4. Take your picture by pressing the Shutter Release gently down.

4. MANUAL EXPOSURE

In the manual mode, both the shutter speed and aperture are set manually.





1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to any speed you want to use.

2. Set the Aperture Ring to any f-number you want to use.





3. Look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down.

4. If the shutter speed you selected was 1/125 sec. but two LEDs turn on
at the same time, one opposite the number 125 and the other opposite the
number 30, and the one opposite 30 blinks as shown here, the correct
shutter speed for the aperture you selected is 1/30 sec.

5. You must either turn and set the Aperture Ring so that you can see only
one unblinking LED opposite the number 125 or set the Shutter Speed
Selector to 30 so that the LED opposite 125 turns off and the one opposite
30 stops blinking and remains on.

6. After making the correct adjustment, take your picture by pressing the
Shutter Release gently down.

7. You can easily make exposure compensation by taking advantage of the
function just described. In the case just illustrated, you can
intentionally underexpose by 1 EV by setting the Shutter Speed Selector to
60 (1/60-sec.) or overexpose by 1 EV by setting it to 15 (1/15-sec.)

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8. To take pictures requiring long exposures of 2 seconds or more, set the
shutter speed selector to "B". The shutter will remain open for as long as
the shutter release button is held depressed so that you can trip the
shutter when you want to.


5. EXPOSURE COMPENSATION:

Under normal conditions your pictures will be properly exposed without
exposure compensation, but if you are shooting under special lighting
conditions (against the light, etc.), or if you are taking intentional
high key pictures (overexposed pictures) or intentional low key pictures
(underexposed pictures), or if you are taking pictures under the
conditions shown in the chart, exposure compensation is mandatory.

The procedures for making exposure compensation are as follows:





Press in the Film Speed Selector Lock and move the film speed setting to
+1 or -1. Be sure to move it back to its original position after making
your exposure.

Exposure Compensation with the Camera on Manual (Refer to the Paragraph on
Manual Exposure, Page 33.)

After checking the correct shutter speed indicated by the red LED in the
Viewfinder, turn either the Aperture Ring or Shutter Speed Selector to
increase or reduce exposure by the desired amount.

Exposure Compensation with the AE Lock (Refer to the Paragraph on AE Lock,
Page 29.) Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AEL and use the AE lock to
make exposure compensation.