Film cameras
GAF L-17 User manual
User manual for GAF L-17. 18 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
18 pagesEnglish2.4 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Gaf
- Model / document
- GAF L-17
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 18
- File size
- 2.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 5 · Read text
F o r d e t a i l e d www.orphancameras.com .f,"Jf3:33coNDENSEDtNSTRUcnoNs
1. Insertbattery 4
2. Load camera 5
3. SetASA film speed 8
4 . A d v a n c e f i l m t o f i r s t f r a m e , . . . . . . . . G
5. Pushdownexoosuremeterswitch,set shutter
speed,and adjustf /stop ringuntilneedle
i s c e n t e r e d . . . . . 9
6. Observesubjectthroughviewfinder. . 11
7. Focus 11
B. Depressshutterrelease 12 F i g . 1
READENTIREBOOKLETFOR DETAILS
LOADING BATTERY
A mercurybattery(MalloryPX-625or equivalent)
powersthe built-inexposLrremeter.lt is supplied
with the camera, eitherinstalledor packedsepa-
ratelyin the carnerabox,
To install battery:
Usinga coin,unlockbatterycompartmentcoverby
turningit counterclockwise90 degrees(Fig.1) Re- Fig.3 F i g .4movecover.Placebatteryin compartmentwith plus
sideup (Fig.2), Replacecover to removedeposits.Arreragebatterylife is aboutone
Cleanbatterybeforeinsertingand thereafterat regu- year.Sincethe batterymay developa leak,remove
la.rintervals.Wroeboth sideswith a rouqh material it beforethe camerais stored.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
TESTING BATTERY
check batteryeverytime the camerais used.To test *'riirtigiilr'.'.ffi
battery,look into viewfindereyepieceand depress
batterytest button (Fig.3). lf the batteryis in good
condition,a g reen light wiil appearabovethe view-
finderimage (Fig.4) Repracethe batteryif green
lightdoes not appearor if it is verydim
LOADING CAMERA
Use20- or 36-exposure35mmfirmin standardmag-
azine.GAF@films are availablefor making color
slides,colorprints,or black-and-whiteprints.
F i g .6
To load camera:
1. Pull out film rewindknob (Fig.5) untilcarnera
back is released,then swingcameraback open all
the way.
2. Keepfilmrewindknobpulredallthewayout,insert
r^nagazineinto charnberwith protrudingend towards
bottomof camera(Fig 6) push in film rewindknob,
lf it does not go back all the way, turn knob until
it does.
3. Insertend of filnrinto slot in take-upspool (Fig.
7). Placethumblightlyoverf ilnron bottomsprocket
wheel and operatefilm advancelever until upper
sprocketwheelalso engagesf ilm perforationsand F i g . 7 F i g . 8
f ilm is securelywrappedaroundtake-upspool(Fig.
B).when the filmadvancereverrocks,free it by de-
pressingthe shutterrelease.close camera back
{irmly.View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
4. To makesurefilm has been loaoedproperly,op-
eratefilm advancelever(Fig 9) untilit locks Now
turn rewindknobclockwiseuntila resistanceis felt
Do not forceit, Keepobservingfilm rewindknob;ii
should turn counterclockwiseever)/tirne the film is
advanced.DepressshutterreleaSewheneverthe
filmadvanceleverlocks.OperatefilmadvanCelever {('fiuntilfigure is oppositethe pointerin the expo-
sure counterwindow(Fig 10) Do not pressshutter
releasewhen the frgure "'l " is oppositethe index
mark.
Camerais now readyfor the firstexposure. F i g . 9 F i g 1 0
lf the film rewindknob does not turn whilethe filrn
advancelever is being operated,the carneraWaS T h e n e x t h i g h e r f i g u r e m o v e s t o t h e i n d e x l i n e e v e r y
not loaded properly.Eitherthe film became de- t i m e t h e f i l m a d v a n c e l e v e r i s o p e r a t e d .
tachedf rom the take-upspool,or the sprocketsd id W h e n t h e C a m e r ab a c k i s o p e n e d t o r e m o v ef i l m , t h enot engagethe perforations.Opencameraback,re- c o u n t e ra u t o m a t i c a l l yr e t u r n st o " S " ( s t a r t ) .m o v e a n d r e l o a df i l m ; f o l l o w s t e p s 2 , 3 , a n d 4
carefully. UNLOADING THE CAMERA
Unloadcamerawhen(r,vithaZ]-exposurerollof film)EXPOSURE COUNTER the red figure"20"* is oppositethe indexlinein the
The numberof exposUresalreadymadeis indicated exposure counterwindow.
by the numbersin the exposureCounterwindowad- Unloada 36 exposurerollof filmwhenthe red figure
jacentto the filmadvancelever.As thereis no space "36" * is oppositethe indexline.
to show everynUmber,Somefiguresare indicated
by dots Eachdot representsthe figurefollowingthe Do not open cameraback until the unloadingpro-
one beforeit. In Fig.11 for example,the dot nextto cedure has been completed. 5r1" standsfOrfigUre"2", the followingdOt Stepsfor unloadingcamera:thefigUre
(adjacentto indexline)for figure"3" 1. Unfoldrewindcrank.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
2. Depressrewindbuttonon camerabottomall the
way.
3. Turn rewindcrankclockwise.A tensionis felt as
the film is being rewoundinto the magazine.Stop
turningthe rewindcrank when the tensionis re-
lieved,indicatingthatall the film has been returned
to the m agazine.
4. Opencameraback by pullingout rewindknoball
the way.
5. Liftout f ilm cartridge.
Havefilm processedwithoutdelay.
- A f t e r t h e 2 0 t h o r 3 6 t h p r c t u r e o n e o r m o r e f r a m e s m a y s t i l l b e F i g . 1 1
a v a i l a b l e ,T h e s e f r a m e s m a y b e u t i l i z e d b y o p e r a t i n g t h e f i l m
a d v a n c e l e v e r a f t e r t h e r e d f i g u r e 2 0 o r 3 6 h a s b e e n l i n e d u p
w i t h t h e i n d e x l i n e i n t h e e x p o s u r e c o u n t e r . P i c t u r e s m a y t h e n
b e t a k e n u n t i l a r e s i s t a n c e d u r i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e f i l m a d -
v a n c e l e v e r i n d i c a t e st h a t t h e e n d o f t h e f i l m h a s b e e n r e a c h e d
Do not lorce film advance lever beyond that point.
W h i l e t h i s p r o c e d u r e p r o v i d e s o n e o r m o r e a d d i t i o n a le x p o s u r e s
p e r r o l l , i t i s n o t r e c o m m e n d e d a s t h e f i l m m a y b e c o m e s e p a -
r a t e d f r o m t h e s p o o l . T h e s e p a r a t e d f i l m c a n n o t b e r e w o u n d ,
i t s r e m o v a l f r o m t h e c a m e r a r e q u i r e s a d a r k r o o m o p e r a t i o n ,
SETTING THE SHUTTER SPEED
The figureson the shutterspeeddial indicatetrac- To set the shutterspeed,t u r n d i a l u n t i l t h e d e s i r e d
tionsof a second.The figure125,for example,in- figureis linedup withthe b l a c k l i n e a d j a c e n tt o t h e
dicatesa shutterspeedof 1/125thof a second. shutterspeeddial on the c a m e r a b o d y . l n F i g . 1 2 ,
'(8"The settingis used when a longerthan one for example,the shutteris set for a 1 /1251h of a
secondexposureis required.The shutterwill re- secondexposure.
main open as long as the shutterreleaseis held
depressed.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
FILM SPEED SETTING
The ASA speedof the film is specifiedon the box or
in the instructionsheetpackedwith the film.
Pull up ring aroundshutterspeeddial and rotateit
untilthe ASA. indexof the film is alignedwith the
line at the centerof the ASA windowon the shutter
speed dial. In Fig. 12 for example,ASA 100 has
beensetat the indexline.Whenthe ringis released,
the selectedASA speed automaticallylocks into
olace.
Dueto the lackof spaceon the dial, somefilmspeed
numbersare representedby dots.Thefollowingchart
showstheASAandDINnumbersrepresentedby dots.
ASA Speed
8 0 0 o o 4 0 0 o o 2 0 0 o . 1 0 0 . 6'1 . 4 0 o 2 5 o 1 6 o 1 0
+ t + + + + rttt llll tI llllll 5 0 3 2 2 0 1 2 6 4 0 5 0 0 3 2 0 2 5 0 1 6 0 1 2 5 80
DIN SPeed
3 0 . o 2 7 o . 2 4 o o 2 1 o 1 9 . 1 7 . 1 5 o 1 3 o 1 1
A t rr rt t t A tt lll t l l l l l l l * T h e s a m e i n s t r u c t i o n sa p p l y t o f i l m s c a l i b r a t e d a c c o r di n g t o
2928 26 25 23 22 20 18 1 6 1 4 1 2 t h e E u r o p e a n D I N s p e e d r a t i n g s y s t e m . L i n e u p t h e D I N f i g u r e
w i t h t h e i n d e x l i n e u n d e r t h e w i n d o w m a r k e d " D l N " .View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
AUTOMATIC/ MANUAL SWITCH
The'switchshownin Fig. 13 is usedto selectauto-
rnatieor manual f/stop operation.For automatic
operation,push switchdown all the way. Now the
letter"A" is visibleabovethe switch(as in Fig.13)
With the switchin this position,the lens is open at
its widestf /stop to providea brightviewfinderimage"
At the instantof exposure,the automaticmechanism
closesthe diaphragm to theopening seton thef /stop
n n g .
For manualoperation,pull switch up all the way.
Now the letter"M" is visiblebelowthe switch(Fig.
14).With the switchin this positionthe diaphragm F i g . 1 4
is alwaysset at the openingindicatedby the f/stop
n ng.
EXPOSURE
Thecamerafeaturesa match-needletypesemi-auto-
nraticCdS exposuresystem.For accurateexposures
the user has only to centerthe needlein the view-
finder,as shownin Fig.i 5.
To center needle:
rrA''1. Set Automatic/Manualswitchon the lens at
(as d escribed above). F i g .15 F i g .16
2. Pushdown switchshownin Fiq. 16 to turn on ex-
posu re meter. 5. Turn f/stop ring, first clockwise,then counter-
3. Set desiredshutterspeed. clockwise,until needle is centered,as shown in
4" Observesubjectthroughthe viewfinder. Fig.15.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
6, Push up exposuremeter switch to return lens
diaphragmto automaticoperation.
Exposureswill now be accurate.Turn on exposure
meterand re-centerneedlewhenever a changeoc-
cursin subjectbrightnessor illumination.
lf the needlestaysabovethe h orizontalposition(Fig.
17) even afterthe f /stop ring is set at the smallest
lensopening,turnshutterdialto a f asterspeed.This
will permitthe centeringof the needle.
Whenthe needleremainsbelowthe h orizontalposi-
tion (Fig. 1B) even after the f /stop ring is set at
the largestlens opening,turn the shutterciialto a F i g1. 7 F i g1. 8
slowerspeedto allow the centeringof the needle. provideadequateexposure.Changeto a Iaster'f ilm
For example,if at a 1/125 secondshutterspeedand (witha higherASA number)or use flash.
an f 116lensopeningthe needleis abovethe hori- Since the CdS electriceye measuresthe entire
zontalposition(as in Fig. 17), resettingthe shutter imagearea,a backgroundthat is much brighteror
speedto a 1/250thof a secondor fasterspeedwill darkerthan the principalsubjectmay causean ex-
bringthe needlebelowthe horizonlalposition.The posureerror.A close-upreadingwill minirnizethe
needlecan then be centeredby turningthe f /stop effectof such backgrounds.Aim the carneraaI the
nng. most importantpart of the subject(the face rn the
lf at a 1 /125th of a second shutterspeed and the caseof a portrait)froma distanceof aboutsix inches
largestlens openingthe needleremainsbelowthe and centerthe needle;then returnto the original
horizontalposition(as shown in Fig. 1B),resetting camerapositionand makethe exposure.
the shutterto a 1/60thof a secondor slowerspeed When the picturesare consistentlyover- or under-
will raisethe needleabovethe horizontalposition;it exposed,the filmmay be moreor lesssensitivethan
can then be centeredby turningthe f/stop ring. its ratedspeed.This can be easilycorrectedby us-
lf even at the largestlens openingand the slowest ing a higheror lowerASA (or DIN)speedthan the
practicalshutterspeed the needle remainsbelow one printedon the film box or in the instruction
the horizontalposition,the light level is too low to sheet.Usea hioherASA numberto correctfor over-
1 0View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
exposureand a lower ASA numberto correctfor
underexposure.For example,if picturesmadeon a
ASA 100 f ilm are consistentlyoverexposed,set ASA
speedat 125 or 160,dependingon the degreeof
overexposure.lf filmsare underexposed,set ASA at
B0 or 64.
EXPOSURE METER RANGE
Virtuallyall situationsurflcounteredin averageuse
fallwithinthe operatingrangeof the exposuremeter.
Whenthe few seldomusedfilmspeed/shutterspeed
combinationsthat are outsidethis rangeare set on
the camera, a red f lag appearsin the viewfinder F i g 1 9 F i g , 2 0
(Fig 19). The appearanceof the red f lag indicates
thatthe meteris not operating,necessita.tingthe use FOCUSING
of a separateexposuremeter. Observesubjectthroughviewfinder.Turn focusing
The followingtable showsthe ASA film indexand ringfirstin one direction,then in the oppositedirec-
shutterspeedcombinationsthat are withinthe oo- tion, until image is sharpest*.The brightermicro-
eratingrangeof the exposuremeter: prismareain the centerof the viewfinderis provided
to facilitatefocusing.
The distancescale may also be used for focusing. Film Speed ShutterSpeed Range Estimateor measurethe camera-to-subjectdistance
Uo to ASA 25 From1 sec to 1 /1000 sec in feetor meters,thenturnthe focusingring untilthe
ASA 50 From1 sec Io 1 /1000sec figurerepresentingthat distanceis alignedwith the
red diamond.ln Fig. 2C for examplethe camerais
ASA.1OO From1 sec to 1/'1000 sec focusedfor subjectsat a distanceof 4 feet from
ASA 2OO From1/2 secto 1/1000sec the camera.
*Users
ASA 4OO From1 /4 sec to 1 /1000 sec of infraredfilm must adjustthe distancesetting: Note the figure that after focusingis adjacentto the red dia-
ASA BOO From1/B sec lo 1 /1 000 sec mond on the distancescale then move that figure over to the red "R" found to the right of the red diamond.
1 1View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
DEPTH OF FIELD
"Depthof field" designatesthe near and far limits
of the areathatwill be sharpin the picture(in front
of and beyondthe subject).Depthof f ield is con-
trolledby the f /stop. The largerthe lens opening
(f/stop), the shalloweris the depth of f ield. The
smallerthe lens opening,the greaterthe depth of
f ield will become.
The depthof fieldmay be checkedvisuallyor it can
be arrivedat with the use of the depthof fieldscale.
For a visualcheckin the viewfinder,pushdown ex-
posuremeterswitch.This closesthe diaphragmto F i g . 2 1 F i g . 2 2
the lensopeningset previouslywiththe f/stop ring
lmagesharpnesscan now be observed,
The depth of field scale indicates(afterfocusing)
the approximateareathat will be sharpin the pic-
ture Noteon the f/stop ringthe figurelinedup with
the red d iamond.Locateon the depthof f ield scale
the correspondingpair of figures.Theirpositionon finderis centered,takethe pictureby depressingthe
the adjacentdistancescale indicatesthe extentof shutterrelease.To preventcameramotion,pressre-
the areathatwill be sharpin frontof and beyondthe lease softly,with an even pressureof the finger.
subject.In Fig 21 for example,the lensis focusedfor Whereverfeasible,use a tripod when the shutter
subjectsat a distanceof 15 feet f rom the camera speedis set at 1/30 secondor slower,
andf 111is linedup withthe red diamond.Checking SELF.TIMERthe distancescaleoverthe pair of 11's,it is found
that objectsf rorn about 10 f eet to 30 f eet will be The self-timerenablesthe photographerto get into
sharpin the picture. the picture,Use a tripodor placecameraon a firm
support.Get camerareadyfor exposure.Moveself-
TAKING THE PICTURE timer lever counterclockwise,as far as it will go
Afterthe lensis focusedand the needlein the view- (Fig. 22).
12View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
Startself-timerby depressingshutterrelease,then
take positionin front of the camera.Exposurewill
take placeapproximatelyB secondsaftershutterre-
leasehas been depressed.
USING FLASH
Use flash when the exposuremeter indicatesthat
the existinglight levelis too low for providingade-
quateexposure(whenthe meterneedlecannotbe
broughtto the horizontalpositioneven by usingthe
largestlensopeningand the slowestpracticalshut-
ter speed).
Electronicflash and conventionalflash units using F i g . 2 3
flashbulbsor flashcubesmay be used.
The camerahas a hot shoe (accessoryshoe with
built-inflash contact)and t\nrostandardP.C. out-
lets.one marked"M", the other"X".
For AG-1, AG-18, M-2, M -23 flashbulbsand allElectronicand conventionalflashunitshavinga foot flashcubes,plugflash unit into outletmarked"X"withbuilt-in contactmay be usedwithouta connect-
and use 1 /30 secondor slowershutterspeed.ing cord.Justslidethe foot of the flashunit intothe
r3X" For 6, 68,.26, and 26F flashbulbs,plug the P.C.accessoryshoeall the way.As the hot shoe has
type synchronizalion,it can be used with electronic cord into the "M" outletand use any shutterspeed
f lash at a 1/125 second or slower shutterspeed. between1/30 and 1/125 second.
With AG-1, AG-'lB, AG-38, M-2, M-28 flashbulbs Use the guide numbersystemto establishflashex-and flashcubesin conventionalflash units, use a posure*.Findguidenumberfor speedof f ilrnbeing
1/30 secondor slowershutterspeed.The two P,C. used in the instructionssuppliedwith flash unit oroutletson the camera(Fig.23) acceptthe P.C.cord flashbulb.plugor flashunits.
..X': *So called "automatic" electronicflash units provide correctPlug electronicflash units into outlet marked exposurewithoutcalculations.Followinstructionsprovidedwith
and use 1/125 secondor slowershutterspeed. t h e u n i t .
1 3View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
To arriveat the f/stop to be used, dividethe guide exposureswitchto the left once more,operatefilm
numberby the distancein feet betweensubjectand advanceleverto wind shutter,then depressshutter
flash.For example,with a film havingASA 64 speed, release.This can be repeatedany numberof times'
a flash unit with a guide numberoI 32 for that film, Whenthe requirednumberof exposureshave been
and a flash-to-subjectdistanceof B feet, a lens made,transportfilm for the next exposureby oper-
openingof f/4 will provideccrrect exposureoe- atingfilm advancelever(withoutmovingthe multiple switch). exposure nuTb,er),,cause:3? _ 4 (t/4). !gyi9e the multipleexposureswitch to the lf after moving (distance in feet) 8
left,bul beforeoperatingthe film advance/ever,it is
decidedthat a double exposureis not wanted,it
may be canceledby movingthe switch back to its
originalposition(to the right).
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES *When the multipleexposureswitch is in that position,the area
the right is red to warn the user that the camera to it onWhen desired,the shuttercan be rewoundwithout adjacent exposure. double rs set fortransportingthe film. This featurepermitsmaking-
doubleor multipleexposureson a singleframe of
film.
Place camera on a rigid tripod. Take first picture FILTER SIZEth'eusualway. Beforeoperatingfilm advancelever,
slide multipleexposureswitch to the left (towards The f /1.7 lens acceptsSeriesVll filtersin 52mm
releasebutton),as far as it will go". Operatingthe diameterx .75mmpitch screw-inmounts,or 54mm
film advanceleverwill now wind the shutterwithout slip-onmounts.
advancingthe film.Be carefulnot to movethe cam- Thef/1.4 lensacceptsSeriesVll filtersin 55mm di-
era whilethe shutteris being rewound' ameterx .75mm pitch screw-inmounts,or 57mm
Depressthe shutterreleaseto make a second ex- slip-onmounts.
posureon the same frame. Operatingthe shutter FILM PLANE INDICATOR releasereturnsthe multiplOexposureswitch auto- ex- know to necessary it ls work types of In certain (to prevent acci- originat position to its matically -e- plane. mark The the film of the location is actly exposure lf a third exposures). double dental
desiredon the sa"meframe,just move the multiple on the cameratop indicatesfilm position.
1 4View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com CHANGING THE LENS
Beforelens is removedalwaysdisconnectexposure
meter by pullingup switch (Fig. 24). Keep turning
1 lens counterclockwise(shownin Fig.24) untilit is
separatedfrom the camerabody.
To replacelens,insertthreadedend into openingin
carnerabody and keep turninglens clockwiseuntil
it is f irmlyseated.Do not forceit.
The camerais equippedwith a Pentax-typemount,
it acceptsa g reatvarietyof wide angle and telephoto
Ienses.
CAMERA CARE F r g . 2 4
The G A F SingleLens Reflex Camerais a precision
instrument.Used with care, it will provideyears of IMPORTANT:The originalbill of sale (datedsales service. slip with name and addressof dealer)is nov/ ac- Protectthe cameraf rom dirt, rain, dampness,and cepted as proof of purchasefor establishingthe excessiveheat. Avoid touchingthe lens. To clean warrantyperiod.No warrantycard is provided.To lens,breatheon it, then wipe it gentlywith a soft, help identificationin case of loss or theft, keep lintlesscloth or tissue.Do not use eyeglasstissues amongyour personalrecordsthe cameramodeland as theymightdamagethe lenscoating. serialnumbers. lf anythinggoeswrong,do not try to repairit. Take it
to a dealer or send it to the nearestG A F Photo
EquipmentRepairCentershown in the list on the
back cover.
1 5View original page 16From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.