Konica Auto A User manual

CONTENTS


Name of Each Part          Training of Camera

                           Important Points for Light
Focusing
                        Measurement at Full Lens Opening

 Depth of Field             Meter's Coupling Range

 Infrared Film
                            Electric-Eye Photography
Compensation Mark

Depth of Field Table       Watching Meter in Viewfinder

Film Rewind           Name of Meter in Viewfinder

                   TTL Metering and Fully Automatic
B (Bulb) Exposure
                           Control

Synchroflash
                            Shutter and Aperture
Photography

Exposure for
                         Film Loading
Synchroflash Pictures

Hexanon Interchangeable
                         Handling of Mercury Battery Cells
Lenses

Lens Interchange          Loading of Mercury Battery Cells

Stopped-Down Aperture    Major Specifications for
Measurement          KONICA AUTOREFLEX A...

Hexanon Interchangeable
                           Accessories
Lenses

MAJOR SPECIFICATIONS FOR KONICA AUTOREFLEX A

Type : 35 mm SLR equipped with focal plane shutter and built-in CdS meter for automatic exposure
determination.

Picture Size : 24 X 36 mm.

Film : 35mm film in cartridge, 20 or 36 exposure.

Standard Lens: HEXANON 57mm f/1.2 (6-group and 7-element), 57mm f/1.4 (5-group and 6-element) or 52
mm f/1.8 (5-group and 6-element). Minimum taking distance 1.5 ft. (0.45m.)

Mount: KONICA Mount II (bayonet), 47mm. in diameter and 40.5 mm. in flange back.

Aperture Device : Fully automatic aperture (automatic full lens opening).

Shutter : Copal Square S, B, 1 - 1/500 sec. calibrated in equally-graded 1 :2 progression, M and X synchro,
electronic light coupled to 1/125 sec. with X synchro and to all shutter speeds with M synchro.

Viewfinder: Eye-level viewfinder using pentaprism, lens focused with Micro Dia Prism of dispersion alignment
type at viewfinder center.  Meter visible within field of view.

Mirrorpan>: Mirror edge vertically flips.  Full quick return type.

Exposure Adjustment : TTL system using super-high sensitive compound CdS meter (light measured mostly
at center of picture image). Automatic aperture lens Electric-eye: Full electric-eye system coupled to film speed,
shutter speed and interchangeable lenses at full opening. Manual aperture: direct reading of f-number coupled to
film speed, shutter speed.

Manual pre-set aperture lens: zero method after camera is set to film and shutter speeds. Zero-method
system in which camera is coupled to pre-set aperture, film and shutter speeds. Two 1.3V mercury battery cells
used as electric source.

EE Coupling Range: EV4.5 to EV17 with ASA 100. Coupled to ASA 25 to 1,600 (DIN 15 to 33).

Film Winding : Film wound by winding wind lever in single action.  Shutter charged and mirror and automatic
aperture set simultaneously.

Film Counter : Automatic Film Counter which returns to "Start" mark simultaneously with opening of back
cover and indicates number of pictures exposed.

Film Rewind: Film rewind button depressed at first for subsequent film rewind with crank. Button
automatically returns to original position.

Dimensions and Weight: With f 1.8 lens -- 148 mm (width) 95mm (height) X 89 mm (thickness), 930grams.
With f/1.4 lens - 148mm (width) 95mm (height) X 90mm (thickness), 1,010 grams. With f/1.2lens - - 148mm
(width) X 95mm (height) 96mm (thickness), 1,200grams.




LOADING OF MERCURY BATTERY CELLS   The compound CdS meter of
                                                the KONICA
                              AUTOREFLEX A takes two
                                        1.3V mercury battery cells as
                                                               its electric source. Wipe the
                                         mercury battery cells,
                                                accessories for camera, with
                                            a piece of dry and clean cloth
                                         and put them into the
                                         mercury battery chamber.

                                                    1. Turn the cover of the
                                        Mercury Battery Chamber 27
                                             counterclockwise with a coin
                                         and detach it from the
                                           chamber.

                                                    2. Insert the two cells into the
                                         mercury battery chamber, the
                                           "+" side up, according to the
                                                 figure printed on the seal
                                                 inside the chamber. After the
                                                      cells have been put into
                                                   position, put the cover on the
                                        chamber and screw it
                                                       tightly. D>



Handling of Mercury Battery Cells

* A* A mercury battery is fully serviceable for more than one year if used
normally. The battery voltage drops abruptly when it becomes weak, the CdS
meter will stop normal operation. When the meter pointer does not move even
in bright light, replace the battery with a new one.

For the mercury battery, it is recommendable to use 1.3V battery, Mallory PX-
675 or Eveready EPX-675. pan>
SeeSee this link on a Wein Air replacement battery.
Make sure the battery cover has air holes, these batteries need air to work !

Since there are various batteries which resemble the above, but are of a
different voltage than that required, caution should be observed when
replacing so as not to damage the camera. When not using the camera for a
long period, store it in a place with little moisture after taking out the mercury
battery.


FILM LOADING


* T* The KONICA
AUTOREFLEX A takes 35 mm roll
film which comes in a cartridge.


* For film loading, avoid the direct
sunlight and do it in the shade. If
there is no shade, one way would be
to use the shadow of your body.

1. Pull the Back Cover Lock 26
and open the Back Cover 32 of the
camera.
2. Direct toward the underside of
the camera that side of the cartridge
through which its spindle sticks out
and put the cartridge into the
Cartridge Chamber 2 .

3. Insert the film tip into the Film Take-      4. Turn the Film Winding Lever (17) and take up
up Slit 33, of the Film Take-up Spool 34).   the film on the spool. Ascertain that the teeth of the
Any slit is usable. Choose any slit into      Sprocket 15) r in gear with film perforations, before
which the film tip can be inserted with       the back cover is to be closed. Depress the back
ease.                                    cover with a finger tip, and it will be closed with
                                              ease.





Turn the Film Winding Lever
until it does not move further
and the film will be
transported by one frame and
the shutter charged at the s
time. The mirror and the
automatic aperture will also
be set.

<> Each time when the winding
lever manipulated, the film counter
advances one reading, indicating the                       To Check Film Advance: When the film is
number of pictures that have been
                                 being taken up in a correct manner, the Filmtaken. When the back cover is
                            Rewind Knob 14) turns counterclockwise. If it doesopened after the exposure of a roll
                                   not turn counterclockwise, it means that the film isof film, the film counter
automatically returns to the "S"        not being properly wound.
(Start) position.

SHUTTER AND APERTURE


A shutter is designed to control the amount of light reaching the film surface in terms of
time and photographically to fix an image of a subject on it. The shutter speed scale has
calibrations of B (Bulb) and 1 to 500. The readings of 1, 2, 4, 8 .... 500 indicate the
shutter speeds of 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 .... and 1/500 sec., respectively.





5. After the back cover is                                  6. Wind the film and depress the Shutter Button
closed, flip up the Film
Rewind Crank 13 and turn                                   (1. Repeat this action until the figure "1" appears in the
it in the direction indicated                           Film Counter Window 18. )
by an arrow mark on it to
reduce the slack of the film.

                        Use of Electric-Eye (EE) Release Button

                            This lens is provided with an EE lock system to prevent
                               the "EE" mark of the aperture ring from accidentally
                               slipping off the index mark.

                     When you want to use the manual aperture instead of
                             using your camera in the EE system, push the button on
                               the aperture ring and then turn the ring. When your
                          camera is re-set to "EE", the ring will automatically lock
                                into position without depressing the ring button.

                        The shutter speed reading of "B" is used when there is the
                           need for the exposure of over one second.

                                  (See the explanation on "B Exposure" on Page 42.) B (bulb) means
                                      the shutter will stay open as long as the shutter is being held open. A
                                   locking cable release can keep it open for long exposures. Meter
                                 does not function in this setting.
                             The colored figure of "125" is the maximum shutter speed for
                                   synchronization with electronic flash.
                         Do not turn the shutter speed dial while the shutter button is
                                    depressed.

The lens aperture is designed to control the amount of light reaching the film surface in terms of area
and the depth of field (See Page 34), the scope in which the lens may be focused on a subject. The
aperture ring of each lens has a scale of f-numbers, ranging from a reading for its full opening to a
reading at the time the lens is fully stopped down. The aperture ring clicks into position at each lens
aperture reading. As the ring moves from f/2 to f/2.8, the amount of light reaching the film surface
proportionally increases. Their relations are indicated in the above figure. For example, the amount
of light at f/4 is half the volume of f/2.8, and the amount of light at f'5.6 is half the volume of F4.

The aperture of a lens bearing the mark of "Electric Eye" is fully automatic. Only during
the split moment when the shutter is released, the lens is stopped down to a determined f-
number and then automatically returns to the full opening at once.





                          METER COUPLING RANGE

                                          The meter coupling range of KONICA
                                 AUTOREFLEX A is, irrespective of the film
                                                    speed, from 1/15 to 1/500 sec. of the Shutter
                                             Speed Scale (16i. Yellow digits, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4
                                             and 1/8 sec. are not coupled.

                                                     In the case of light measurement at full lens
                                                   opening, the meter will be interlocked
                                                    (coupled) within the ranges given below.
[3] Set the aperture ring to the Electric
Eye.                                       With f/1.2: EV4.5 (f/1.2,1/15 sec.)
                                 EV 17 (f/16, 1/500 sec.) With f/1.4: EV5
 Turn the Aperture Ring '12) and bring the Electric-   (f/1.4,1/15 sec.), EV 17 (f/16, 1/500 ec.)
Eye Mark 10) in line with the index mark. The ring   With f/1.8: EV 5.7 (f/1.8,1/15 sec.) - EV 17
clicks into position at any f-number calibration.       (f/16,11/500 sec.)

                                      NOTE: Upon changing the film speed and the
                                                             shutter speed beyond the coupling range, the
                                                    meter needle swings, but it is advisable not to use
                                                          the camera.

                                                             [4] Train the camera at your subject and look
                                                      through the viewfinder, and the meter will be
                                                               visible in the field of view.

                                                                         If the Meter Needle (42) is visible within the
                                                            correct exposure range, it will be possible to
                                                        secure correct exposure. Focus the lens and frame
                                                          the subject before the Shutter Button (1) is
                                                      depressed to take pictures under the Electric-Eye
                                                       system.

IMPORTANT POINTS FOR LIGHT MEASUREMENT AT FULL LENS
OPENING

When under-exposure is recognized by the meter needle, select slow shutter speed.
Whereas, in over-exposure, obtain fast shutter speed. In case the meter is within a correct
exposure range, it allows making EE photography. On the other hand, if the meter needle
is beyond the range, even changing of the shutter speed dial within a range from 1/15 to
1/500 sec., EE photography is impossible.

 In the event that you want to give priority to the selection of a lens aperture over a
shutter speed because of your specific photographing purpose, turn the shutter speed dial
while looking through the viewfinder and bring the meter needle in line with the reading
of the desired shutter speed. Make sure at all times that the shutter speed dial clicks into
position at the calibration of a desired shutter speed.


When the Electric-Eye
system is not used ....
When there is the need to manually control
exposure due to a specific photographing
purpose, turn the Aperture Ring ..12; to
detach the Electric-Eye mark 10i from the
index mark and an exposure is determined
according to the Manual Aperture Scale 11:'.
Here, the meter visible in the field of view
serves as a meter which is coupled to the
film speed, shutter speed and f-number at
the full opening of the taking lens, and the
Meter Needle (42) indicates a correct lens
aperture. Read this f-number and determine
a proper lens aperture according to the
manual aperture scale.

TRAINING OF CAMERA





  Hold the camera tight.
 To take a sharp picture, hold the camera in
                                                                It is more difficult to hold the camera verticallya stable manner to prevent it from being
                                             than to hold it horizontally. It would be advisableaccidentally jarred when the shutter button is
                                                 to get yourself accustomed to the vertical holdingdepressed. Hold the camera in both hands
                                              of the camera because there are many cases inand make it stable by holding it against the
                                       which the camera must be trained vertically.face and nose. Depress the shutter button
with the bulb of a finger to release the
shutter.


FOCUSING

Focusing is done by turning the Focusing Ring 9 and
watching the Micro Dia Prism 45 at the center of the
viewfinder. When the lens is not focused, the image looks
rugged. The image is clearly visible, however, when the lens
is accurately focused. The image in the rest of the field of
view is also clearly visible. When an interchangeable lens,
long in focal length, is used, it is difficult to observe the
Micro Dia Prism.

For focusing, it is advisable to watch the image outside the
Mat Plane 46, To ensure the accurate focusing of the lens, it
is necessary to correct the eyesight of the viewfinder.
Eyesight adjustment lenses are available for short- and long-
sighted people.

The viewfinder is of the single-lens-reflex real-image type.
The image visible in the field of view, therefore, is the same
as that exposed on film.




  DEPTH OF FIELD
When the lens is focused on a
subject at some distance, not only
the subject but also a certain area
around the subject will be sharply
delineated in a photograph, and this
area is known as a depth of field and
has the following features. 1. The
larger the f-number, the bigger the
depth of field.

  2. The farther the distance at
which the lens is focused, the bigger
the depth of field is.
 3. When the lens is focused on a
subject, the depth of field is bigger
for the section in front of the subject
than that behind the subject.
 .4. The shorter the focal length, the
bigger the depth of field is. The
depth of field may be ascertained
either with the depth-of-field scale
or with the manual aperture. As for
details, reference is made to the
table of depths of field.

The Depth-of-Field Scale 22 is so calibrated that readings identical to those of the lens aperture are
provided on both sides of the Distance Scale Index Mark. After the lens has been focused, read this scale,
and the depth of field will be the section sandwiched between the two readings of the used aperture.

For example, let us assume that the distance between the file plane and the subject on which the lens has
been focused is 30 feet (10 meters). The depth of field will be 22 to 46 feet (7 to 16 meters) for f:4 and 13
feet (4 meters) to infinity (o) for f/16.



Infrared Film Compensation Mark:
When infrared film and a red filter are used in taking infrared photographs, read the
Distance Reading 23 aligned with the Distance Scale Index Mark 484 after the lens has
been focused as in normal photography and then turn the focusing ring to bring this
reading in line with the Infrared Film Compensation Mark 47 before the shutter button is
depressed for a shot.



                                               Focal Plane Mark : The distances
                                        shown on the Distance Scale are
                                                  those from the Focal Plane Mark "--
                                                    " which indicates the position of the
                                                   film plane.





LIGHT MEASUREMENT AT FULL LENS OPENING
ELECTRIC-EYE PHOTOGRAPHY

(Light Measurement at Full Lens Opening)

In the event that a lens equipped with a fully automatic aperture under the Electric-Eye system and having an
Electric-Eye mark, pictures may be taken under the Electric-Eye system while light is measured at the full
opening of the lens and the viewfinder is brightened as a result of its full opening.

FILM REWIND

After a pre-determined number of pictures have been taken on the film loaded in the camera, the film
will be wound back into the original cartridge. If the back cover of the camera is opened without
rewinding the film, note that the film will be exposed to light and the whole of the film will become
useless.

* When the winding lever no longer moves further after the advance of the last frame of the film, do
not try forcibly to wind the lever but put the lever back to the original position.
Take the cartridge out of the camera in the shade.

[1] Depress the Film Rewind Button X30). Once it is depressed, the button remains sinking.

[2] Flip up the Film Rewind Crank 13' and turn it in the direction indicated by the arrow mark inscribed
on it. This action will take the exposed film back into the cartridge.

[3] The film rewind action comes to an end when there is a sudden easing of the load on the film
rewind crank. Open the Back Cover (32) and take out the cartridge.

* The film rewind button which remains depressed will return to the original position when the film
wind lever is wound.



Turn the shutter speed dial to align the "B" mark on the Shutter Speed Scale (16) with the index mark,
and the shutter will be opened during the time when the shutter button is kept depressed and it will be
closed once the finger is separated from the button.

This process is usable when there is the need to expose film for more than one second.

The bulb exposure is not usable in the electric-eye photography. Turn the aperture ring to detach the
Electric-Eye mark from the index mark and use the manual aperture scale.
When a tripod is used, the tripod is screwed into the tap-hole on the underside of the camera. It is
advisable to use the KONICA Cable Release designed exclusively for the KONICA cameras.

SYNCHROFLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
 When pictures are to be taken in a circumstance which
does not permit Electric-Eye photography, such as at
night and in a dark room, or when there is the need to
use an auxiliary light during the daytime, use either
synchroflash bulbs or electronic lights and take
synchroflash pictures.





 For synchroflash photography, use
the Accessory Clip III on which
either a synchroflash gun or a small
electronic light unit may be mounted.
As your camera is equipped with a
tap-hole each for Classes M and X,
insert the plug into the Synchroflash
Contact Tap-hole "M" .6' for bulbs of
Classes M and FP or the
Synchroflash Contact Tap-Hole "X"
5) for electronic lights and bulbs of
Class F.

Exposure For Synchroflash Pictures

The Electric-Eye system is not usable for synchroflash photography, and exposure is
determined according to the Manual Aperture Scale ''11). The required lens aperture (f-
number) is computed by dividing the guide number of the used synchroflash bulb or
electronic light with the taking distance. For example, in the event that a bulb of Class M
is in use and the guide number for the shutter and film speeds is 75 and that the taking
distance is 9 feet, the lens aperture (f-number) will be about 8, whereas: 75-9=8 As
regards the shutter speeds with which each synchroflash bulb or electronic light is
synchronized, refer to the table.
* The guide number is shown on the package of each synchroflash bulb. A table of guide
numbers is available depending on the synchroflash gun. Here, use this table.




LENS INTERCHANGE





To dismount the lens                    To mount a lens on the camera
To dismount the lens, depress the Lens            To mount a lens on the camera, bring the red dot
Interchanging Button (4), when the silver part of the   of the lens in line with the Lens Mount Index
lens barrel is gripped and the barrel is turned        Mark (red dot) (7) of the lens barrel and
counterclockwise and pulled out of the camera as      correctly sink it into the camera. Then grip the
the red dots of the barrel and camera are aligned        silver port of the lens barrel and gently turn the
with each other.                                       lens clockwise until it clicks into position.

NOTES:
* When the lens is detached from the camera, do not
touch the inside of the camera.

* Prevent dust from coming into the camera and
falling on the dismounted lens and see to it that the
lens surface is neither scratched nor marred with
fingerprints.

Manual Aperture

(Stopped-Down Aperture Measurement)

The lens is stopped down to measure light when a preset or click aperture lens
is used or when the automatic aperture system may not be put to use due to the
utilization of an extension ring or bellows.

1. Set the Film Speed (ASA or DIN).

Lift and turn the external ring of the shutter speed dial so that the reading of the
sensitivity speed of the film used in the camera appears in the Film Speed Indicator
Window.




                        2. Determine the Shutter Speed.

                     Turn the Shutter Speed Dial 8 , select a
                         shutter speed suitable for your subject and
                       bring the reading of this speed in line with
                        the index mark.




3. Determine the Exposure.

Train the camera at your subject, look through the viewfinder and turn the aperture ring
so that the Meter Needle 42 will come in line with the Index Mark 39; visible in the
viewfinder. Correct exposure is assured when the meter needle is aligned with the index
mark. Focus the lens and frame the subject before the shutter button is depressed.

IMPORTANT POINTS OF STOPPED-DOWN APERTURE
MEASUREMENT
The stopped-down aperture measurement system has nothing directly to do with the
aperture scale visible in the field of view. In the event that the meter needle does not
come in line with the index mark even if the aperture ring is turned, select another
shutter speed. If the needle comes above the index mark, pictures will be under-exposed.
Here, select a slower shutter speed. If it comes below the index mark, choose a faster
speed.

Q There is no aperture in microphotography.
Here, pictures must be taken while the shutter speed and the lights are adjusted.

Q When the lens is stopped down for a close-up, select a correct exposure while seeing
to it that strong light does not come in the camera through the eyepiece.





 When a manual pre-set aperture lens is to be used, set the pre-set aperture ring to the
reading of the smallest aperture, before the ring is turned to secure a correct exposure.

In the event that the subject is moving so fast that there is the need for quick
photographing actions, exposure may be determined by simultaneously turning the pre-
set aperture ring and the aperture ring after they have been aligned with each other.