Kalart Press Camera User manual

This Handbook Is Especially
     Prepared For KALART
      CameraNo.F"r t'+o
The serial number of your Kalart camera is stamped on the
 cameraback, at the end where the film holder is inserted.
       Important Precautions
       of the control features of the Kalart camera are quiteY1'y
different from those of any other cameta.In order to save
time.in becoming familiar with them-and  to guard against
possrDre damage to camefa mechanism-special  attention
is called to the following:
Do not attempt to close the camera until you read page 4
The Automatic Track Lock makes it impossible to turn the
focusing knobs until you . . . see page 6'
The Range Finder cannot be operated unless the selector
Lever is set for the eye you are uiing. Seepages 6 and 7
The Luminous View  Finder introduces an entirely new
principle. See pages 9 and to
The Focuspot light  will  not turn on until  .  .  . see page 11
The Bed Rest can be brought to the standing position in
only one way. See page 19
The "Electric Brain" makes it impossible to trip the shutter
by means of the electric shutter releaseuntil you have taken
certain steps.Seepage 21
The camera cannot be used at triple bellows extension until
 . . . see pages 38 and 39




Copyright  L948, The Kalart Company,  fnc.,  Stamford, Conn. printed  in U.S.A.




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Messagefrom the President
Perhapsthe first point of interest about your new KALART
Camera is that it was designed and built by men who started
 their business careers not as camera manufacturefs but as
professional photoglapherg. As such, our knowledge  of
camerasand camera limitations was initiated and developed
in terms_of practical picture-taking. In designing and pro-
ducing this camera, our main objective was to ovErcome the
technical handicaps that beset you, the photographer.
All of our researchand resourceshave been directed toward
this end frorn the date our  first product, the KALART
SPEED FLASH, was introduced. This minimized the prob-
lem of insufficient light and incorrect exposure.
Next in order was the KALART SYNCHRONIZED  PRISM
RANGE FINDER  for instant, automatic, exact focus, elim-.
inating the_neces_sityfor  ground glass or guess focusing.
This was followed with the KALART FOCUSPOT to malie
qigh_t_fo_coslngas speedy and accurate as day focusing with
the KALART RANGE FINDER.
Your KALART CAMERA was engineered to the concept
that all of these improvements should be incorporated in tf,e
body of a camera, together with other safety, viewing and
control features designed to minimize mechanical worries,
guard against human error and leave you free to concen-
trate on your subject.
Your KALART  CAMERA   is a precision instrument.  Its
development required_twelve longlears  of research,experi-
mentation and breakdown tests. You can see that we have
spared neither time nor expense in building your camera,
and we believe you have the finest instrument of its kind.
  n*



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Gettirg Acquainted \flith
    Your KALART

  Regardless of how long you have been taking pictures
  how              other camerasyou have used, you wi-ll hnd the-or       Tany
Kalart Camera different  in many ways. These differences
have been scientifically designeil to'make  picture-taking
faster, easier and more certain.than ever befbre; and yoi
 will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you will  ieel
at home-with    Jvour Kaiart.
  SO-   first  of  all, get acquainted with  your Kalart  by
reading-the description of  its features and parts. Keep th'e
camera in front  of you as you read -   identify  the location
of the- parts ty  the illustrations on the insidt cover pages
-  and put the camera through  its paces as you go a1ong.
    It  is particulady important  that you read pages 3 to 32-
before attempting  to use the camen. Many features are
exclusive with  the Kalart  Camera, and  it   ii  both simpler
and safer to understand them before handling them.
  The Kalart Camera is ruggedly built and should last a
lifetime. The body is die-casfil.rminom  alloy, and all mov-
itg  parts are made of  carefully  selected-wear-resisting
metals. At the same time, the Kalart Camera is a fine pre--
cision instrument and should be treated as such. Handle
all movements with  an easy, gentle touch.  If  something
seemsto stick or jam, don't force it. Read the instructionl
again. The chances are that you are attemp,ting to move a
part incorrectly.
  After you have used your Kalart Camera a few times,
you. will come                  look upon                                                      it not only as a beautifully               _to                         _engineered          and complete photographii  instrument  bui          _
alio as a d-ependable'friend^that"wi^ll help you get fine
pictures undel practically all conditions.



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r
                        Filrn Size
           The film size for the Kalart Camera is 3V+ x 4t/a inches.
           Either sheet film or film packs in standard holders may be
     I          used.
           The  3/a x  /a   film  size -  often  referred  to  as the I         standard quaf,ter plate -  offers a number of advantages,
          which will  quickly be appreciated by those accustomed to
           other sizes.It is large enough for satisfactory contact prints
         and makes possible needle-sharp, brilliant  enlateements up
            to salon size without objectionable graininess -  even wheh
           the enlargement is made from only a fractional portion  of
           the negative.
               In addition, Sr/ax4Vq negatives may easily be retouched,
           often a necessaryprocedure in  portrait photography and                                                                              "           frequently desirabli: with other iegatives:
            Furthermore, the Luminous View  Finder  is designed
            to define the picture atea far more accurately than con-r           ventional view finders. Thus pictures may be composed to
             utilize the  full  film  size and negatives will  be iirarp  to
           the edges.
               Finally,  the  3/a x 4t/n size efiects a wor,th-while and
           year-after-yeat saving on  film  costs, compared to, larger
          negative sizes.                                        j,r-f/os     .u,.
              Opening tbe Ca?nera
             Slide the camera opening button  (r)  ,towards the bottom
            of the camera. This  will  cause the camera bed to spring
         open several inches. Then push the bed down  until    it
            clicks into  its open position.
           To move the lens and bellows  to  the  picture-taking
            position, place the thumb and middle  fingei on the lenl
          standatd locks (3)    squeezethem together -  and slowly
         draw the lens standard on  its track as far forward as it
              will  go, which                                to the infinity  stops (4).  Releasing the                                  is
           fingers automatically locks the lens standard to the irack.
             At  this point   it  is suggested that you close the camera,
                          yourself with  this procedure. See next page.
I       to familiarize

Sclueezing tlte lens stuucl-
arcl locks togetlter  u'itlt tltc
tbumb  ancl midclle  lingcr
permit s clrau,ing  t be leus
and bellou,s to the infiuity
stops-or   returning  tltent
 t o    t lte  interiot'   of    t be
                       Ctllll€l'tl.




       To Closc tbc Camera
  Squeeze together the  lens standard locks  ( 3 ) between
the thumb  and middle  finger, and gently push the lens
standard back into  the interior  of the camera as far as it
will  go. Next,  press the bed support  struts  (z)  towards
each other with  the two thumbs. This  will  release the ends
of the two  struts from  the sockets into which  they  fit and
cause the camera bed partially' to close. Push it to the fully
closed position.
  Caution -    If  the camera does not close smoothly,   it  is
because ( u )  the  track has not been racked back  to  the
infi.nity positio",.(p)   the lens board has not been returned
to  its normal position  after using the risirg  front  or lateral
shift or  (.)  the bellows and lens standard are not pushed
far enough  into  the  interior  of  the camera. Check these
points. Do not ase f orce.



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ln  closing tbe cdmerd, tbe lcns board  is pushed into  tlte
interior  ol tbe cdilt€rtt as far as it  u'ill go. Tbe bed support
slruts dre released by pressing tbem tou'ards eacb otlter
u'itb tbe tu'o thumbs, Tb€ cttl/n€tabed can tben be pusbecl
                  to the lully  closecl position.

u

       Focusing and, Viewing
  Focusing and viewing the subject are usually done in
connection with each other, and the Kalart Camera's special
built-in  features make these two  operations speedy and
simple.
   After the lens standard has been brought forward to the
infinity stops, it is moved to the position of sharpest focus
by means of the focusing knobs (l).  There ate two focusing
knobs -  one on each side of the camera-  to permit focus-
ing with either hand.
   In front  of each focusing knob -  and visible as a slight
bump on the outside of the camera-   is a small release
button  (6). The camera is equipped with automatic track
lock, and the track cannot be moved nor the focusing knob
turned unless the release button is depressed.
  While  focusing, keep the release button depressedwith
the index finger and rirove the focusing knob- forward  or
backward with the thumb. The instant pressure is released
from the release button, the track automatically locks -
eliminating danger of its accidentally slipping o.tt of focus.
  There are four ways of  focusing the Kalart Camera:
Range Finder -  Focuspot, for  night  or dim  light -  Dis-
tance Scale-  Q1es6d Glass. For oieuing  the subject, two
methods may be used: Luminous View Finder-Ground
Glass. In adiition,  the Focuspot may be used for locating
the approximate center of  ,the picture when using the
camera in dim light or total darkness.
     Range Finder Foco*ring
  This is the fastest, most exact and simplest method, and
your  built-in mnge finder has been caiefully checked at
the factory for accuracy at all distancesfrom infinity  to 3,.
At closer distances focusing is done on the ground glass.




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There are two view finders (27 and 28), one at the top
             right of the camera and the other at the top left. \$fhich to
         use depends entirely on which is easier for your individual
          eyes. If you prefer to focus with the rigbt  ele, you should
         use the lef t aieut fnder  -  and vice versa. There are two
          reasonsfor this. First, you avoid pressing your nose against
           the back of the camera. Second, it  is essential that the eye
           not used for focusing has a clear view of the subject. This
              is explained in the section on the Luminous View Finder.
              After  deciding which view finder you will  use, be sure
           the range finder selector lever (29)  is in correct position.
                  It should touch the button L  if the left view finder is to
         be used, and the button R  if you are using the right view
            finder. Only one view finder can be in a functioning posi-
            tion at a time.
                               Range Finder  lmage,





                  Out of f ocus.                               ln focus,
           To focus with the range finder, hold the camera so that
         one eye is close to the finder you have selectedfor use, and
          shut the other eye. In the approximate center of the view
           finder you will see a brilliant  square image. This  is the
          range finder image. Point the camera towards your subject
         and focus on some element in the subject that has distinct
I

lines. If you see two images, ,the camera is out of focus. To
obtain correct focus, turn the focusing knob forward  or
backward until  the two images merge. That indicates "in
focus."
   In  taking horizontal  pictures,  it  is easiest to focus on
vertical lines -  a tree, up and down stripes in  clothing,
etc. fn  taking vertical pictures, focus on horizontal  linds
-  the roof of a building, a person's belt, chin, mouth, etc.
  Note -Due    to personal vaiations  in vision you may
find that as set at the  factoryt the range finder image   ii
not- entirely cleat and sharp. If  this  is the case, you may
easily adjust it to suit your eyes.Insert a small-bladed screw
driver  into  the range finder  pupillary  adiustment screw
(35) and tutn  it in either requireddirection  un;til the image
is sharp. This adjustment should be made while  sighting
through botb view finders.
  Occasionally when the range finder images are in the
merged or  "in  focus" position, one will  appear slightly
higher or lower than the other. This may be caused by
severeoutside shocks such as blows to the camera-  or by
sudden variations  in temperature or  other  climatic con-
ditions.
  While  this does not indicate that the range finder is out
of adjustment, it  is very easy to make the necessarycor-
rection. Insert a dime or screw driver in the range finder
parallel adjustment screw (34) and turn this screi  slightly
to  left or right  until the images are in correct alignment.





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Luminous Vieru Findcr
  The Luminous View Finder -  sxslu5ive with  Kalart -
introduces a revolutionary new way to see the area covered
by the film and to keep yoor sobject under constant ob-
servation in full  life size.
  As you look through the view finder, you will notice that
the small range finf,er image  is surrounded by- a much
larger black arca in which you will  see four white  lines
foriring  a rectangle. The numerals in these lines-L27,   f.or
examplE -  represent the f.ocal length of your lens in mm.
  Focusing should be done with one eye closed. Aft_er you
have finis[ed  focusing, and with the closed eye still shut
-fix   yout g ze on the four white  lines. Make sure that all
four are diitinct. Now-and   without moving the position
bf the head or camera-oPen the other eye. As you do so,                                                                                                                                                       'the white lines are "transferred" from one eye to the other
and appeat to be projected around the subject. The area
within ihe projected white lines rePresentsthe area covered
by the film. Thus, you can observe the subject's action with
futt eye vision uttd k""p  your picture peifectly framed at
the same time.
  The Luminous View Finder is designed to show what is
in your picture with great accuracy.-Those who are accus-
tomed to conventional viss/s15-n/hich normally show less
than the area covered by the film-usually   find that  it  is
not necessarvto allow  for  this difference with the Kalart
Camera. Thit  is, the film  will  record only the area within
 the four white lines as seenwith the Luminous View Finder.
 Flowever, it  is well to comPare aPParent Viewer coverage
 with actual film coverage when taking your first pictures.
   Don't think anything is wrong-noteither with the camera or
 with you  if the white"tines do      "ttant&t"-  quickly the
 first fbw times you try the Luminous View Finder. The_only
 trick to  it is to'keep ihe eye at the window so centered that
 all four white linei are seen bv tbat eye.

Tbis  is utbat yort see utben
                you  open  the  otber  eye.
               T be  I our  ubite   lines  dre
                   transf erred  lrotn  the eye
                 bebind  tbe aieut finder  to
                  the other eye and appear
                as a  proiected  luminous
                frame around  the subiect,
               T be area utitbin  the lumi-
               noas lrame represents tbe
                 are.d cot'ered by tbe  fil*,




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FocuspotFocusing
           The function of the Focuspot is to enable you to do fast,
           precision focusing in dim  light  of even in total darkness.
             th.  Fo.,rspot consistsof a sniall electric lamp which is com-
          bined witli  the built-in  range finder. The Iight from  this
         lamp is projected in twin be-amsfrom-the two range finder
         and^Fo&spot  windows  (11). The beams prod'uce teal,f         projected images of the lamp filament.
           To  focus with  the Focuspot, first  turn  the Focuspot
          switch (30)  to "ON."  Tak6  all the necessarysteps for
           operatins the shutter -   includ'ing'uitbdrauting  tbe  f'ln
            b'older tTidt. The Focuspot will  noi operlte until the slide
              is withdrawn and the sirutter cocked.-It is well to try this
               first with an emPty film holder.
           Push either shutter release trigger (32) forwad  sligbtly
                up the slack -   but nit-bat-d'-enougb to trip tber         to take
            shutter. T^histurns on the Focuspot light. Point the camera
          so that the Focuspot beams fall^on your subject. Turn the
           focusinq knob folward  or backward until  the two beamsI       merge. Yo,.tt  subiect is now in focus. The Focuspot light
            will-automatically go off just before the shutter oPens.
           The best way to view your supie-cta{19-l'$rhenusing the Focuspot
              is with the Ltiminous View Finder.       doing this  it  is
           advisable to turn the FocusPot switch (30)  to "OFF."  ButI                  if vou are working  in  s.tcli extreme darkness that this is
             imirractical, simply"turn on the Focuspot light and.poi:rt the
         camera at your r.rb;..t as if  it were 1 fash{ight. Tlie Focus-
           pot shows ihe approximate ceoter of the picture.
          A valuable additional use of the Focuspot is as a "watch-
            the-birdie" gadget in photographing children and animals.
         The  little  lights attract their attention and helP you get a
            natural, inteiested expression.
             'W'hen                  you are not using the Focuspot, the Focuspot
           switch sh6uld be turned tdthe  "OFF"  position to avoid
          unnecessarydrain on the batteries.

                                                    1 1

lY/ben  inserting     il   ,tcu)
F ocuspot  bulb,   it   is  im-
 portant tltat its flament  be
 irt  alignment    u,itb   tbe
small  proiection   at  top
redr  ol  tbe socket. Also,
 tltis  proiection  must   ftt
into   its  corres ponding
  grooye in tlte camerd,





  N ote    Due  to tolerances allowed  in  the commercial
manufacture of these lamps,  it may be necessary to re-focus
the lamp filament  after a new bulb has been inserted. The
bulb can be tested by directing  the Focuspot beams on a
                                L2



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Iight colored wall at a distance of 8 feet. If the images of
the lamp filament are not of uniform sharpnessinsert the
blade of a small screw driver into the hole beside the re-
taining screw and turn  slightly  in  either direction  until
the ,two filament images are uniformly  defined.
        D'istance Scale Focusing
  The Kalart distance scale (12)  is marked for infinity and
various distances, in feet, up to 2.5'. The markings repre-
sent distancesas measured from the flm  (or ground glass)
to the subject. The camera is in correct focus f.or a specified
distance when the white marker on the camera track lines
up with the foot marker on the focusing scale.For example,
to set the camera f.or 6 f.eet, turn the focusing knob until
the track marker is opposite the 6 foot marker.
   In photographing landscapesor other objects calling for
an infinity  setting, focusing may be done entirely with the
distancescale.In addition, the distance scale is often helpful
in determining the best distance setting when your subject
includes objects at various distances. For example, your
range finder may show that one object is 25 feet away and
another only 8 f.eet away. In order to get both in the sharp-
est possible focus, it is advisable to set your camera for one-
third  the distance between, that, is about I3l2  f.eet (For
depth of focus tables, see page 28.)
  The distance scale also serves as a reference table when
taking Speed Flash pictures. For every combination of flash
bulb, shutter speed, and fiIm, there is an exposure guide
number which, when divided by the distance from lamp to
subject, gives the correct  f.  setting for  the shutter  For
instance, if the exposure guide number is 195 and the sub-
ject is 12 feet distant, divide 195 by 12. The result is 16-
 and,f .t6  is the correct diaphragm setting. (Data on expo-
sure guide numbers is furnished by the manufacturers of
flash lamps.)
                                          r 3

Ground, GlassFocusing
   In order to focus on the camera'sground glass (37 ), first
set the shutter at T and the diaphragm at f f 4.5, and open
the shutter. The ground glass cover (36)  and focusing
hood  ( 38) open when you slide the focusing hood release
button (39) towards the bottom of the camera. For critical
focusing, the built-in magnifier (4O) may be pulled down
from the inside top of focusing hood.
  The ground glass exactly correspondsto the size of your
film and permits composing your picture to the extreme
edges.As a general rule, ground glass focusing should be
done only when the camera is on a tripod or firm support.





    T he camera back may be remoued by  first  slippins  tbe
       'tbifingers of tbe rigbt  band under -tbe open end and  lif ting
         back'ap-tbeabout %  ol an incb, Grasp tbe exposed side
    arms  utitb     tbumb  and middle  finger  ol  lelt  band and
        press dou'n on back u,itb the tbam5  of  rigltt band,
                           r4


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Ground glass focusing is desirable when-
    Using ihe dsing front  or lateral shift
     Photographing-interiors,  still  lifes and other subjects
       requiring  careful composition or meticulous study
        of depth of focus.
  Ground glass focusing is necessarywhen-
    Photographigp objeets closer than 3 feet.
    Using wide angle or other special lenses-unless your
      range finder or distance scale or both have been ad-
       justed to these lenses.
  Remooing Camera Back -   In composing pictures to  fit
certain exact shapes,it is frequently helpful to make pencil
lines on the ground glass or attach a paper mask to  it. The
metal back of the Kalart Camera may easily be removed for
this purpose or for cleaning.
  To remove the back, slip the index and rniddle fingers of
the right hand under the back-much  as if you were insert-
ing a-film holder. Then  lift  the back up about 3ft". ThIs
movement will expose the two side arms that hold the back
in place. Grasp thise two arms with the thumb and middle
finger of the left hand-but  avoid squeezingthem together.
Press down on the back with the thumb of the right hand.
This will  completely release the back from the side arms.
  To replace the back, simply slide it into  its normal posi-
tion. The side arms lock  it in place automatically.

Ilolding  Canrcr"a,in, tbc lfancl
   For a camera taking  a picture  size as large as irA  x 4r/+
and with Range Finder, Fbcuspot and Speeii Flash nuitt  in,
the Kalart  Camera  is amazin1l1 compact,  light  in weight
and  precisely balanced. Special thought  has been given
to making  the camera easy q" hold  in  the hand, so- that
instantaneous exposures may be taken at elow speeds with-
out  jarring  the camera and causing blurred  pittures.
   In  addition  to dual focusing  controls, view  finders and
shutter release triggers  (32),  the Kalart Camera has dual
hand grips (24)  built  into the interior  sides of the camera.
Thus, every photographer can hold and operate the camera
in whatever way best suits his eyes and hands.
  There ^re many times when rapid handling  of the camera
is ver)' important, and you will  avoid fumbling   if )'ou will





Correct  u'ay to  bold  tlte
Kalart Camera  il   f outsing
u'itlt tlte right eye. Use lef t
rie u' finder-bold   camera
body   u'it lt  rigbt  band -
o p e r a t e    l o c u s i n g  k n o l t
u'itb lelt fingers -  operate
sbutter release u'itlt  rigltt
                  t bumh.





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Crtrrect u'd),to   ltold  tlte
 Kalart  Cd?il€r'ctil  locrtsittg
  u'itb  lef t  e)'e. L'se rigbt
  t,ieu, finder-ltold    cdilt€ttt
 bocly u'it lt  lef t bdncl-o p-
 €rdte locusing knob  u'itlt
  rigbt   fingers     operate
 s butter  release  u'itb   lelt
                     I ltumb,





 form the habit of alwa;'s using the same hands for the
 same oPerations.
   In deciding which hands and fingers you will use, a logi-
     starting point is the eye. A9 mentioned under "Range :ul Finder FocusinF," if                        natura lly focus with the rigbt eye,                    .you
 you must use the left view finder .  .  . and vice veria. The
 followirg  represents a good assignment of hands and
 fingers t-o various camera operation-s.
   Focusing.uitb.r-igb1 eye                        -and_using                                                  left aieut fnder-Hold
camera body with  right hand-operate  focusing controls
with left fingers-{.perate shutter ieleasewith  rigit  thumb.
  Focusing utit.b-l1ft-eyeo?d using rigbt oieut                                           fn1er-Hold
camerabody with left hand-operateTocusi.g controls with
right fingers-operate shutter ielease with tEft rhumb.                                                                     I
    It is not necessaryt9 rl1p.the left hand under the canying
strap, as the fingers should grasp the built-in hand gfib.
                                                       t 7

One   u)cty  to  bold   tbc
Kalart  Camera u'ben tak-
ing  uertical  pictures and
locusing   u'itb  the   rigltt
eye, U    f ocusing  is done
u'itb tbe left ele , tbe posi-
t ion   of    t be  hands   is
         reuersed,





Anotber  uay  to hold  the
Kalart  Carnera utben tak-
iog  oertical  pictures  and,
locusing   utitb  tbe   rigbt
eye,  lt  focasing   is done
uitb  tlte  left e!€, tbe posi-
t i on   ol     t he  bands   is
         reuersed,





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Placing Canrcra on Flat Surface
  The camera is provided with a bed rest (?;). To bring
this rest to the standing position, Pressthe edge n_earestthe
camera opening button *ith  the ilde-x finge.r,attq raise the
rest to the up-right position with  the middle finger. To
return rest to  ihe folded position, pull   it  straight out
stigbtlT-then  fold  it back into its recess.





T be bed rest is brougbt  to





            Tripod Sockets
  The camera has t*oltipod   sockets-one for horizontal
 pictures and the other for  vertical. The tripod socket for
 iertical pictures is under the carrying straP. To unhook the
                                 L 9