Film cameras
Kodak Retina Reflex III User manual
User manual for Kodak Retina Reflex III. 32 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Kodak
- Model / document
- Kodak Retina Reflex III
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 32
- File size
- 7.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
ICODAI( R'ETINA REFLE>r III CAMERA
world-famous Retina quality is carried to new heights in this new single_
lens reflex camera which provides brilliant focusing and viewing at ihe x
widest lens opening and an automatic "stop-downJ to a previoirsly se-
lected lens opening.
Its many unique features add greatly to picture-taking ease and scope: J
o Focusing and viewing directly through taking lens you see what - will be recorded on the film. I o Interchangeable lenses available from 2gmm (wide-angle) to l35mm
(telephoto).
o Automatic dual exposure control-centering exposure control nee-
dle, either on the top of the camera or in the finder, automaticallv
sets exposure.
o Automatic depth-of-field indicator - adjusts automatically for all distances and lens openings.
Before an important picture assignment, a trip, or any special event,
expose a magazine of film and make a few flash pictures. This will give
you practice and provide a check on your equipment.View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
'#at{f FILMS-use r(oda,k lBS Filrn www.butkus.us
I
Ecolorfitrns Kodscolor-X FiIm -A negative I
enlarge_ Kodachrome t, Film For color color film for color prints, - ments, or slides. Expose by daylight { slides for projection or from which or clear flashbulbs. 20 exposures- color prints or enlargements can be Kodak High Speed Eklachrome I made. Expose by daylight or blue
flashbulbs.20 or 36 exposures. Film - This extremely fast film per- mits excellent color pictures in low
Kodochrome-X Film- A hieher- illumination. Yields color slides for
speed film than Kodachrome III this projection or from which color
film. also yields color slides for pro- prints and enlargements can be
jection or from which color piints made. Available in Daylight Type
and enlargements can be made. Ex_ (for exposure in daylight or by blue
pose by daylight or blue flashbulbs. flashbulbs) or Type B (for existing
20 or 36 exposures. tungsten light). 20 exposures.
I Kodochrome ll professio nal Film,
Kodok Ektachrome-X Film _ For Type A This film is color-balanced \ - color slides for projection or from for use with photoflood lamps, al-
which color prints and enlargements though, with corrective filters, it can I
can be made. You can process this be exposed by daylight or flash. pro- a film yourself or have it piocessed by vides color slides for projection or
a -laboratory. Expose by daylight or from which color prints and enlarge-
blue flashbulbs. 20 or 36 expoiu.es. ments can be made. 36 exposures.View original page 4Page 6 · Read text
www.butkus.us LOADING-rn subdued Ugtrt l. To open the back of the camera, press the MTLLED LEVER clockwise; the opposite end of the lever then uncovers the opening BUTToN. press this button and the back springs open. 2. Pull out the REWTND KNoB. 3. Place the film magazine in the recess next to the rewind knob. Push the rewind knob all the wav in. turning it slightly if necessary. 4. Turn the built-in TAKE-up spooI. by one of its toothed flanges until a slot points upward. With the lower edge of the film against the lower take-up spool flange, push the film end protruding from the magazine far enough into this slot to anchor a per_ foration over the small pin. 5. Turn the take-up spool by one of its flanges until the spnocKET TEETH engage the perforations on both sides of the film, as shown inlhe illustration. 6View original page 6
Page 7 · Read text
6. After making sure that the sprocket teeth en-
gage the film perforations on both sides, close the
back of the camera, by pressing the back against
the body until it locks.
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Digitally signed by Mike Butkus
DN: cn=Mike Butkus, o=Butkus camera manuals,
ou=butkus.org, email=mike@butkus.org, c=US Mike Butkus Date: 2023.02.01 20:08:21 -05'00'View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
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SETTING TI{E FILM COIINTER
The film counter is located on the bottom of the
camera. Slide the film couNTER ADVANcg in the di-
rection of the arrow as many times as necessary to
bring the diamond-shaped mark near 36 on the
FILM couNTER opposite the triangular pointer,
when using a 36-exposure magazine. If you are
using a 2O-exposure magazine, set to the diamond-
shaped mark between 20 and 25. Press and release
the exposuRE RELEese (shown on page 15); then
swing out fully and release the RArID wIND LEVER.
Do this 2 more times to bring the film counter to
36 or 20, depending on the number of exposures
in your magazine. The film counter indicates the
number of exposures still available.
Important: After making exposure 1, a transport
lock comes into operation; neither the rapid wind
lever nor the exposure release will then operate.
This prevents the film end from being pulled from
the magazine.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
TIIE FILM INDICATOR Set the type of film (black-and-white; color, day- light; color, artificial light) loaded in the camera on the film indicator located on top of the rewind knob. Grip the rewind knob with two fingers and turn the inner ring with the thumb of the other hand until the dot index points to the type of film loaded in the camera. The film indicator has no effect on the camera mechanism; it is used as a reminder only.View original page 9
Page 14 · Read text
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Picturetaking-When you set the lens opening, shutter speed (in frac-
tions of a second) and lens opening (in l/numbers) are automatically
coupled and can be read opposite the black triangular index. Lens open-
ings and shutter speeds, then, can be changed, within the framework of a IIparticular exposure requirement, by rotating the shutter speed ring by
Fits black notched handles. A change in one means that a simultaneous r)
compensating change is made in the other. For example: the camera may
Ibe set for a combination of lens opening f /8 and 1/60 second. Suppose
this combination is not suitable for your subject because you need a fast-
er shutter speed such as l/50O second for a sports shot. In that case, turn
the shutter speed ring from l/6O to l/50O second. This automatically
adjusts the lens opening to f /2.8 and thus compensates for the faster
shutter speed time.
On the other hand, if you intend to take a picture which calls for good
depth of field,* for example, needing a lens opening such as f /16,you
must rotate the shutter speed ring in the same manner until the figure 16
on the lens opening scale is opposite the index mark. This changes the
shutter speed to 1./15 second. Such an exposure should, however, only i
be made with the camera on a firm support, for there is risk of camera
movement at exposure times longer than 1/30 second. T
*Depth of field is descqibed on poge 17.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
€IETTING AND RELEASING SIIUTTER
If the shutter is not set, pressing the ExPosuRE RELEASE will not trip the
shutter. To set the shutter, with the right thumb swing out the nepro
WIND LEVER in one positive movement to the very limit of its travel; then
let it return to its original position. If it does not return, you did not
swing it out far enough. Swinging out this lever, at the same time sets
the shutter and advances the film. If you have film in the camera it is
advanced by one frame. Operate the exposure release, by first rolling
forward its black safety-catch insert, then pressing down the exposure
release all the way with a slow, squeezing action.
If the rapid wind lever becomes locked, this qlodflS-,?---\-either that the -\
exposure release has not been pressed, or that_[!'filmt counter is at "1." l5
www.butkus.usView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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VIE'WING AND FOCI'SING
Grip the camera with both hands and look through
the eyepiece. The finder image is visible only after ft
operating the ytpto wrND LEvER. With the right
thumb, swing out the lever as far as it will go;then f
let it return to its original position. Hold the camera
at that distance from the eye which allows you to
see all of the ground glass.
In the center of the ground glass screen, you will
see in a bright, circular area a smaller circle divided
by a horizontal line; this is the split-image range-
finder. Center the eye in the viewfinder to avoid
, "blacking out" a section of the rangefinder.
There are two methods of focusing the picture
by correctly - with the aid of the rangefinder or means of the ground glass. The nature of the subject
indicates largely which method is more suitable.
Subjects without prominent horizontal or verti-
cal lines are more easily focused on the ground
glass screen. But if the subject has such lines, the
rangefinder is probably more suitable for focusing.
The illuslrotion shows one posi-
r6 fion for horizontol piclures; other
positions, of course, ore possible.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Using Ground Gloss Screen - Turn the knurled distance- scale ring, at the front of the lens mount, until the subject
I youUsingareRongefinderpicturing appearsDirectat its thesharpestcameraon theso groundthat circularglass. - area in the center of the screen covers a vertical line (pole,
face, shoulder, etc.) of the subject. Turn the distance scale
ring-the image in the upper half of the inner circle will
movO relative to that in the lower half. When the two halves
line up exactly, the camera is correctly focused.
Using Focusing Scole - Rotate the distance-scale ring until the film-to-subject distance, in feet (red figures), is opposite
the triangular, black index, located between the two red
pointers (shown page 18). The black figures are film-to-sub-
ject distances in meters.* Upper, Ouf of focus lower: In focus
Exposure Seffing - Also visible at the lower left side of the viewfinder, is the companion exposure control needle. This serves for exposure-set-
ting as described on pages 12 and 13.
DEPTII OF' FIELD
After you have properly focused on your subject, the subject will be
sharp in the picture. However, other objects in the picture area, both
in front of and behind the subject, will also be in focus. This range of
*The illustrolions in this monuol show the single (feet, only) distonce scole. n
t, .AView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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6 ?8 S numbersharpness(smalleris knownlens asopening),"depth theof field."greaterThethe depthlargerofthefieldI I
at the same distance setting.
The two red porNrpns of the automatic depth-of-field in-
dicator show, at a glance, the correct depth of field for any
distance or lens opening set on the camera. For example, as
in the illustration, if the distance setting is 10 feet and the
lens opening setting is f /8, the red pointers indicate a depth
of field from about 7Vz feet to 15 feet.
TAI(ING TFIE PICTTIRE
l. Set the shutter speed opposite the block triongulor index.
2. Sel the lens opening outomoticolly by turning the setting wheel to !
center the needle between the exposure control pointers.
3. Focus the comero by the rongefinder, ground gloss, or by setting the
comerq-to-subiect distonce opposite the focusing index.
4. Compose the picture in the reflex finder.
5. Hold the comero steody ond press the exposure releose oll the woy
down with o slow, squeezing oction to toke the picture.
IMPORTANT: For good pictures, keep the lens ond viewfinder eyepiece cleon. Blow ofi ony dust or
gril; lhen wipe the surfoce gently with Kodok Lens Cleoning Poper or Kodok Lens Cleoner ond o soft,
liniless cloth.
18View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
FLASII PICTTIR,ES
Your camera has built-in synchronization for flash'
including electronic flash. Flashbulbs are fired when
the camera shutter is released.
The camera is designed to accept flasholders,
such as the Kodak Ektamite, which attach to the
shoe bracket on the top of the camera, and are
equipped with power cord and connector tip to fit
the nresH socKET of the camera. The Kodak Ekta-
mite Flasholder accepts the AG-l flash lamp and
features small size, light weight and quick mount-
ing.
A table of flash exposure guide numbers for cal-
culating flash exposures for Kodak black-and-white
and color films, is printed on page 21. This expo-
sure information is based on flash exposures in
average-sized rooms with medium light-colored
walls. Set the shutter speed firstby turning the speed
ring; then set the lens opening by rotating the
Connecl fhe flosholder lo knurled wheel. Otherwise, the lens opening will be
lhe comero by inserting the changed because of the coupling between the shut-flosholder cord tip in theFTASH SOCKET of the comero. ter-speed ring and the lens-opening control.
t9View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
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SYNCIIRONIZATIOI\T . speed setttngs
There are three letters engraved on the side of the
shutter housing; M and X are synchronizer settings
for flash, V is the self-timer setting. These settings
are adjusted by moving the serrcron lever (illus-
trated) alter first depressing the vxl,a LocK.
Lamps, such os M-2 or AG-l the synchronizer -Set selector at X. Set the shutter at from 1 to 1/30 sec-
ond. Consult the exposure calculator on the flash-rocK older or the table on page 2l for exposure informa-
tion.
Lamps such os M.3, M-5, No. 5 or No. 2s-With
the synchronizer selector set at M, exposures can be
made from I second to 1/500 second. See the table
on page 2l for exposure information.
Electronic Flosh-Set the synchronized selector at
X. With electronic flash equipment having no lag
in the trip circuit, set the shutter at any speed from
1 second to 1 /500 second.
NOTE: Do nol use units floshed by meons of heovy-duty re-
loys or solenoids. Such units moy deslroy lhe shutler conlocls.
20View original page 20Page 22 · Read text
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THE SELF-T|4,|ER-If you wish to include yourself in
a picture, first operate the rapid wind lever; press
the VXM lock, then set the selector at V. Start the
self-timer mechanism by pressing the exposure re-
Iease. The shutter will be released after about 10
seconds - time to take your place in the picture. After moving the selector lever to V, it can only be
moved by making an exposure.
If you use the self-timer for flash shots, the shut-
ter always operates on X-synchronization. As the
self-timer runs down, the synchronizing lever auto-
matically moves to X. Any lamp mentioned herein
can be used at X selector setting for speeds from
1 to 1/30 second.I
TIME.EXPOST'RESI If a subject needs a longer exposure time than 1 sec-
ond, place the camera on a firm support and take a t
time exposure. The green scale of numbers, on the
shutter speed ring, indicates required exposure time
22View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
in whole seconds. This scale is intended to tell you
only how long the exposure release must be de-
pressed. The green letter B stands for "Brief Time."
When you set "B," or any of the green numbers to
the index mark, the shutter opens when the expo-
sure release is pressed, and closes when it is re-
leased.t
Here is an example (see illustration): Suppose
f /4 at a shutter speed of 1 second was a correct
exposure. If, however, you want to use f /Il to ob-
tain adequate depth of field, turn the shutter speed
ring until f /11 is opposite the index. The green
number "8" opposite the same index indicates that
the exposure release be held down for 8 seconds.
There is no number 2 in the series of green num-
bers because its place is taken by the letter B. If, in
the above example, you wish to use l/5.6, the expo-
sure would be 2 seconds.
-fhJX.a"t ,f,fetol Coble Releose No. 5 screws into the under side of
the exposure releose. This mokes it eosier lo open ond close fhe shutler
without moving fhe comero, provided thot the portion of the coble
releose neor lhe comero does nol resl ogoinst lhe comero supporl.
23View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
www.butkus.us MULTTPLE EXPOSTIRES In normal use of the camera, the interlock sys- tem guards against multiple exposures by locking the exposure release after an exposure until the rapid wind lever is actuated; operating this lever also sets the shutter, advances a frame of film, and moves the film counter. To take an intentional multiple exposure, first make the original exposure; then press and hold the crurcH BUTToN while operattng the rapid wind lever. Pressing this button disengages the film ad- vance mechanism but permits the operation of the rapid wind lever to set the shutter. Inasmuch as the film counter is also advanced, more frames (as many as number of multiple expo- sures made) of film will be available than is shown on the counter. To be able to use these frames of film after the counter reaches 1, thus locking the rapid wind lever, slide the film counter advance in the direction of the arrow as manv times as is 24View original page 24
Page 25 · Read text
necessary to bring the number of exposures re_
maining opposite the triangular index. ffr" rapid
wind lever can then be operated.
TFIE COTINTEII ADVANCE
The couNTER ADVANcB button can also be used to
return the rapid wind lever to its original position.
Just slide the film counter advance in the direction
of the arrow and, if the lever is locked between the
start and end of its swing, it will spring back.
SETTING EXPOSURES
wlthout a,utoma,tic exposLrre control
Shutter speeds and lens openings can also be set
without using the exposure control. However, the
shutter speed must be set first and the lens opening
afterward, by rotating the knurled wheel. bth"r_
wise, the lens opening will be changed because of
the speed ring coupling.
You can set intermediate lens openings but notwww.butkus.us intermediate shutter speeds.
25View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
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IIINTS ON TISING TrIE EXPOSIIRE CONTR,OL
REFLECTED LIGIIT READINGS The exposure control, reading light reflected Dy the
subject, measures the over-all brightness of the; scene it covers. For scenes in which neither high-
light nor shadow areas predominate, and when you
are interested equally in both, use the exposure as
determined by the exposure control.
o llnder certain condifions, however, better pic-
tures are obtained by modifying the use of the
control. For example, a reading of a person in light
colored clothing occupying approximately half of
the fief d against a very dark background would re-
sult in some overexposure of the person.
To obtain a better picture of the subject, step
close to the subject and take a reading of the light
reflected by the subject only. Use this reading.
o llnder certoin other conditions you may wish
to modify the recommended film speed to achieve
a a result which is more suitable for you. Using
slightly higher speed results in slightly denser trans-
parencies, 'vhich some people prefer when using
high-wattage projectors and a small screen. AView original page 26Page 27 · Read text
rI
slightly lower film speed results in slightly lighter
transparencies, preferred by some people using a
I low-wattage projector or a large screen.
o The field covered by the exposure control cor-
responds approximately to the field covered by the
50mm lens. When using the control to determine
exposure for wide-angle or telephoto shots, make
appropriate compensation for excessive differences
in brightness between the field covered by the con-
trol and the field covered by these lenses.
INCIDENT LIGIIT READINGS In some instances it is advisable to measure the
light falling on the subject. Press the white plastic
incident light mask, packed with the camera, over
the photocell, with the pins of the mask in the locat-
ing holes of the photocell; then point the camera
from the subject to the position from which the
picture will be made. Set exposure as usual.
This method is useful for floodlighted pictures,
snow scenes, and pictures against the light.
When the subject is inaccessible, readings can be
taken from a substitute position, illuminated simi-
larly to the subject.View original page 27Page 28 · Read text
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PFIOTO AIDS
Certoin ouxiliory equipmenl hos been referred to ond described previously in lhe monuol. This equip-
ment ond the items thot follow ore ofiered lo extend the picturetoking scope of your Relino Comerq.
See your Kodok deoler for lhese ond oddiiionol photo oids which moke up the Retino System.
Intercha,ngea,ble Lenses long-focus lenses crre imporlonl for sports
events to bring oction closer, for distonl scen-
These superb telephoto ond wide-ongle lenses ery ond for "close-ups" from q dislonce.
exlend lhe pictureloking scope of your comero
immensely. ln oddition lo the choice of two Wlde-Angle Lenses-The Kodok Refino Cur'
stondord lenses - the 50mm, f /2.8 Kodok Ret- tcigon [ens, 35nm f /2.8 ond fhe Kodok Retino
ino Xenor or lhe "foster" 50mm f/1.9 Kodok Curlogon lens, 28mm f /4 ore ovoilqble to cov-
Retino Xenon, lhere is olso o choice of three er o wider oreo ond give greoter depih of field
telephoto ond two wide-ongle lenses. thon the slondord lens. These shorf-focus lenses
ollow you to "get the subiect in" when there is
Telephoto fenses-The Kodok Retino Tele- liltle room to move bock.
,drlon [ens, 85mm l/4 gives olmosf twice the
imoge size, the Kodok Retino Tele-Xenor l35mm Note: The obove in?erchongeoble lenses ore
l/4 gives olmosl lhree times the imoge size, complele units ond ore eosily interchonged. To
ond lhe Kodok Retino Tele-Xenor 2OOmm f /4.8 remove o lens, iust hold down lhe sofely lock
(supplied in Kit) gives 4 times lhe imoge size in fronl of f he setiing wheel; then turn lhe lens
of f he stondord lens ol the some dislonce. These counlerclockwise ond lift it off.
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