Film cameras
Mamiya Auto XTL User manual
User manual for Mamiya Auto XTL. 36 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
36 pagesEnglish10.7 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Mamiya
- Model / document
- Mamiya Auto XTL
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 36
- File size
- 10.7 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
Mike Butkus DigitallyDN:email=mike@butkus.org,Date:cn=Mike2026.01.10signedButkus,by19:38:06Mikeo, ou=Butkus.org,Butkusc=US-05'00'View original page 2
Page 4 · Read text
XTL CONTROL CENTER
1000 500 250,125) 60 30 1s 8 4 2 1 B
(a) Micro diaprism focus area (f) F/stop inciicator
(b) Ground glass focus area (g) Under exposure. wa++ing mark
(c) Fresnel screen (h) Stop down aperture index
(d) Shutter speed indicator (i) Spot/average indicator
(e) Over exposure warning lnark ( j) Manual indicatorView original page 4Page 5 · Read text
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DESCRIPTIOiI OF PARTS
l. Self-timer 19. Built-in lens hood
2. Neck strap eye-let 20. Lens focus ring
3. Automatic reset exposure counter 21. Depth of Field scale
4. Meter OFF locking button 22. Aperture ring
5. Shutter release button with threaded cable 23. FP and X terminals
release receptacle and soft release button 24. Film chamber
6. Single stroke rapid fllm advance lever 25. Viewflnder eye-piece
7. Shutter speed dial and ASA/DIN window 26. Focal plane shutter
8. Exposure hold contro! switch 27. Film advance sprockets
9. Accessory shoe with built-in flash contact 28. Rapid loading take-up J-pool
10. Penta-prism housing 29. Removable hinged compartment door
11. Film plane reference point 30. Film pressure plate
12. Battery test light 31. Film cartridge pressure plate
13. Rewind knob with rewind crank 32. Lens release knob
14. Battery check button 33. Battery compartment cover
15. Spot/average meter system selector switch 34. Tripod socket
16. Easy grip pad 35. Rewind release button
17. Depth of Field preview button 36. Motor drive covet
18. Raised red dots forlensmountingandremoval 37. Auxiliary shutter release for motor drive
OPEN FLAP F
LView original page 5Page 7 · Read text
Venmo @mike-butkus-camera Ph. 2083 PayPal Name Lynn@butkus.org www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkusView original page 7
Page 8 · Read text
www.butkus.us We know that when you purchase an exciting new product like your momiyofsekor Auto XTL Camera, you want to use it im- mediately. For this reason, here is an AUTO XTL SHORT COURSE to show you how to take a few pictures before you read the detailed instructions on all the great features at your command, Have fun.View original page 8
Page 11 · Read text
INSERTING THE BATTERYI
Your new Auto XTL Camera is supplied with a silver oxide battery
(S-76) especially designed for its unique metering system. lt
will last approximately one year depending upon use and must
only be replaced with an Eveready 5-76 battery or equivalent.
No other substitute can be used.
Open the battery compartment on the base of the Auto XTL by
turning the cover counter-clockwise with your thumb and fore-
finger, and remove (A). You may use a coin to loosen the cover
if it is too tight, but continue to remove it with your thumb or
forefinger.
Clean the battery contacts with a clean dry cloth to assure they
are free of oil or dust which can interfere with making positive
contact. With the (+) sign facing you (B) insert the battery
and replace the cover, tightening with thumb and forefinger,
turning it clockwise until it's tight.
When the camera is not in use, or when changing lenses, always
LOCK the meter in the OFF position. To do this, press the
button on top of the film advance lever (C).View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
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CHECKIIUG POWER SUPPLY
Press the red Battery Check Button located near the Rewind
Knob. A green light will show in the small circular window to the
right of the Rewind Knob indicating the battery has sufflcient
power (D).
Check periodically in this manner to make sure that the battery
is up to operating power.
l0View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
LOADING THE FILM
Pull up on the Rewind Knob until lock disengages and fllm door
swings open (E). When you do this the Exposure Counter will
automatically return to zero. Drop the film cartridge into the
chamber, push down and rotate the Rewind Knob until it drops
into its fully seated position.
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Rotate the take-up spool with your flnger until one of the slots
is facing you. (The arrow on the take-up spool indicates the
direction in which it rotates). Unwind enough film (about 2
inches) so that the leading edge may be inserted in the slot (F).
\,
,"
"1"2
1lView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
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With slow steady pressure advance the film with the Advance
Lever and check to see that the film sprocket holes are engaged
in the teeth of the film transport sprocket (G). Close the door
firmly until you hear a click. The letter " S " will automatically
appear in the Exposure Counter Window every time fresh film is
loaded in the camera. Gently turn the Rewind Knob clockwise
to take up the slack of the film.
Press the Shutter Button and advance the film by rotating the
Film Advance Lever to the right with your thumb until it stops. - *..rff.t.,Release the lever and repeat several times until the figure " 1 " fur5f-- ,M,appears in the Exposure Counter Window (H). As film is
advanced, the Rewind Knob will rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection indicating that the film is advancing properly. iht!;",Your new momiyo/sekor Auto XTL camera is now ready for :[dlr
action. W'iffiit***"*' W ,
t2View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
FILM ADVANCE LEVER
The Film Advance Lever on your Auto XTL metering systems. By continuing the stroke
Camera accomplishes the following operations : to the right until the lever stops, it advances
1. Activates the light metering systems. the fllm and cocks the shutter. Release the
2. Advances the film forward one full frame. lever and it returns to the " meter on " posi-
3. Advances the film (frame) counter. tion. You may turn ofi the metering system
4. Cocks the shutter. and snap the lever to its fully seated position
As the lever is slowly pulled away from the by pushing down on the leatherette button on
body of the camera (approximately I/2 inch), top of the Film Advance Lever (l).
it clicks into a position that turns on the light
13View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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SETTING THE FILM SPEED
Lift the outer ring of the Shutter Speed Dial and rotate it in
either direction until the ASA number of the film you are using
appears in the window (J). The speed of the film you are using
can be found in the data sheet which is packed with the film
or printed on the film cassette itself.
For films using the DIN rating, turn the ring until the correspond-
ing number appears in the window next to the DIN marking.
The table below indicates the ASA and DIN numbers available.
The numbers represented by the dots are shown in parentheses
next to the respective dot.
(16) (17) (19) (20) Q2) (23) Q5) (26) Q$ Q9) (31) (32) (34) (35)
t4View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
SELEGTING THE SHUTTER SPEED
The length of time that fight is allowed to strike the film is
controlled by the focal plane shutter. The shutter consists of
two opaque " curtains " which travel across the opening and
allow light to reach the film. The speed at which these blinds
travel and the gap between the two blinds determines in fractions
of a second the exposure time for your picture. For example,
10OO on the dial indicates 1/LOOO of a second and 60 indicates
1,/60 of a second. The figure 1 indicates one full second. The
B setting is used for longer time exposures. At this setting,
the shutter will remain open as long as the shutter button is
held down. For exposures less than 7/60 of a second, it is
advisable to use a cable release, tripod or other steadying devices
to avoid camera movement which can res.ult in blurred or fuzzy
pictures.
To set the shutter speed rotate the Shuttgr Speed Dial in either
direction until the desired number clicks into place next to the
black indicator arrow (K). The speed you select is also indicated
on the bottom of the viewfinder control center so that you can
set the speed without removing the camera from your eye.
IMPORTANT: When selecting a shutter speed, do not pull up on the Shutter Speed Dial or you may
inadvertently change the ASA speed setting.
t5View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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SETTING THE LEIUS
Now that you have determined the time the light will be allowed
to strike the film, you may set the precise amount of light.
This amount of light is represented by " f " numbers or f/stops
engraved on the lens aperture ring which clicks into place as
you rotate it. The f/stop designations indicate the opening
formed by the diaphragm of your lens. When operating manually,
you may use the " click stops " provided or set your lens at
any setting between click stops (L).
16View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
FOCUSING AND VIEI,VING
The momiyo/sekor Auto XTL is a single lens reflex camera.
This means that you view the subject through the taking lens.
Since the same image is transmitted to the eye as to the film,
parallax is eliminated. You see the picture in the viewfinder ex-
actly how it will appear later on your developed prints or slides.
Focusing the Auto XTL is made easier by the micro diaprism
focusing grid in the viewfinder. This small round area in the
center of the finder exaggerates the difference between the
" in focus " and " out of focus " image (M). By rotating the
focusing ring on the lens barrel until the micro diaprism disap-
pears, the image is in focus for both the eye and the film (N).
For subjects with irregular outlines, like wooded hillsides, the
entire ground glass area of the viewfinder may be used for
focusing. ln any case (except with infra-red materials) when
the image appears to be sharp in the finder, it will be sharp on
the film.
INFRA.RED PHOTOGRAPHY
When using infra-red film, first focus the image as above. Then
note the distance as represented by the number which appears
opposite the footage index mark on.the lens barrel. Rotate the
focusing ring until this number is opposite the small red mark,
and the lens will be correctly focused for infra-red photography
at that distance. This is necessary because infra-red fllm is
sensitive only to infra-red light rays, which focus on a plane
slightly behind that of ordinary light rays.View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
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USING AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY
Your momiyof sekor Auto XTL has a precision dual metering
system which frees you from the necessary manual operations
of conventional cameras. Now you can enjoy complete free-
dom and expression without having to figure out exposure set-
tings. With accurate electronic precision, the Auto XTL makes
the necessary adjustments for correctly exposed pictures. Just
follow these simple steps for automatic operation :
L. Load the camera with film and set the correct ASA speed
for the film used.
2. To turn on the metering system pull the Advance Lever
away from the camera body approximately 7/2 inch.
3. Select your shutter speed (L/L25 for usual outdoor situa-
tions)
4. For automatic operation set lens aperture ring so " AUTO "
(or green dot) is next to red index dot (O).
5. Check viewfinder to verify exposure needle is not in red area.
6. Compose and focus your subject in viewfinder and take
picture.
l8View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
SELECTING METER SYSTEM
There are two ways of determining correct exposure with your
camera. Whether you use the Spot or the Average system will
depend upon the type of picture you are taking.
: " SPOT " Reading
The " Spot " method of exposure calculation is especially valuable
when the most important area of the picture is either much
lighter or much darker than the general picture area, or in land-
Scapes, where sky light would register a much higher reading
than trees or buildings at ground level. Such a situation would
cause under exposure if the subject were to be measured with
a conventional, averaging meter from the camera position.
" Spot " reading is also useful for subjects under insufilcient
lighting such as indoor shots or night scenes.
To obtain a spot reading, move the Spot/Average selector switch
www.butkus.us down until the letter " S " appears (P)
Looking through the viewflnder you will notice that the letter
" S " in a yellow square appears in the right vertical section of
the Control Center. This indicates that the metering system is
reading about 6% of the total picture you are viewing. Focus
the lens so that the subject is critically sharp. Then aimr the
camera so that the micro diaprism focusing spot in the center
of the viewflnder falls upon the most important part of the
19View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
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picture you are about to take. Make sure that this spot does
not include any part of the picture that is either lighter or darker
than the section you are reading.
Now, snap the shutter for perfectly exposed picture.
: AVERAGE " Reading''When the scene to be photographed is made up of areas of
equal importance, an overall, average reading is preferable. Push
the Spot/Average selector switch up until the letter " A " ap-
pears (Q). The letter " A " in a yellow square will also appear
in the right vertical section of the Control Center, indicating that
the whole picture is being measured by the meter. Focus on
the subject and snap the shutter.
20View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
SETTING EXPOSURE HOLD CONTROL r0
You will encounter some picture taking situations in which you
may want to depart from routine metering in the automatic
position such as :
1. Your subject is backlighted or sidelit and will not be posi-
tioned in the center of the picture ;
2. The most important light falling on your subject is so critical
that you have to move in closer to take a reading and then
return to your original position.
Many creative photographers feel that the best composed photo-
graphs do not always have the center of interest in the center
of the pictur:e. lf this is your preference and if your subject
is positioned to either side of the picture as you see it in the
viewfinder, you will find the Exposure Hold Control (R) a help-
ful feature.
Take a close-up reading of the important portion of the picture, press the Exposure Hold Switch and
then compose as desired. The Auto XTL metering system will " memorize " the exposure until you
flre the shutter. lf you are taking a portrait in an extremely backlighted situation, you can move up
close to your subject and take a spot reading on a portion of your subject's face; press the exposure
hold switch, and then move back to your original position. After you have taken the picture the ex-
posure hold switch will automatically return to its original position so that subsequent photographs will
not be affected by the previous " memorized " meter reading.
You can release the exposure hold switch any time by pushing up on it with your fingertip. With a
small amount of pressure the exposure hold switch will return to its original position. (ln situations
where special readings will be repeated, we recommend that you reset the aperture ring on the lens
to the f/stop which corresponds with that particular exposure setting. This procedure will ensure that
all of your subsequent photographs are made at the special exposure you have selected).
2tView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
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USING SELF TIMER il
The self timer provides a method of taking delayed action pictures,
aliowing a photographer to get in to his own pictures !
When the self timer lever is rotated counter-clockwise, it travels
approximately 70 degrees, and a delay of eight seconds is
provided before the shutter flres. Shorter intervals may be
accomplished by rotating the lever for shorter distances any- www.butkus.us
where between 30 and 70 degrees (S). The timer is activated
by pushing the shutter release button.
NOTE : tf the self timer lever is not rotated at least 3O degrees,
the timer will not function properly.
22View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
SELECTING DEPTH OF FIELDl2
a *Q*t- When a camera lens is focused to give a sharp image of -"t particular subject, some objects slightly behind, as well as some
objects slightly ahead of the subject will appear to be sharp. ds"fus The distance between the nearest and farthest objects, which
Field. '- are in focus, is called Depth of qr $;;-.4.*= Depth of Field changes each time the f/stop changes, becoming }{qs greater as the lens is stopped down toward f /16, while decreas-
f ing as the f/stop is opened toward f /I.8 or /1.4. Other factors
influencing depth of field are the focal length of the lens and
the focusing distance at which the picture is taken. The shorter
the focal length and/or the smaller the lens diaphragm opening,
the greater the depth of field for any given focusing distance,
and vice versa.
Proper use of depth of field can enable the photographer to
t/ 5.6 utilize the principles of " selective focus " which often means
the difterence between ordinary snapshots and pictures of quality.
For example, the proper selection of a " sharp " zone of focus
can eliminate an unwanted object in the background. The same
could be true of foreground objects. (See photos to left).
When you wish to view the depth of field before taking a picture
with the Auto XTL, focus with the micro diaprism spot as ex-
plained before and press the depth of field preview button. This t/ L6 causes the lens diaphragm to close (i.e, " stop down "). lf youView original page 25Related documents and language editions
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.