Home/Butkus archive/Mamiya
Film cameras

Mamiya DSX User manual

User manual for Mamiya DSX. 37 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.

37 pagesEnglish3.3 MB PDF
Mamiya DSX manual cover
Read the manual Original PDF
Download PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly

Document details

Brand
Mamiya
Model / document
Mamiya DSX
Document type
User manual
Language
English
Pages
37
File size
3.3 MB
Category
Film cameras
Document date
Not specified in catalog

Search available document text

Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.

Page 6 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
SPECIFICATIONS:  momiyo/sekor DSX1000and DSX500


C A M E R A T Y P E :                                  S H U T T E R :
     35mm Single Lens Reflex with two separate         DSX 1000: Focal plane with speeds from 1 to 1/
       behind-the-lens,f ull aperture metering systems;          1000 second and B for time exposures.
      one  for averaged readings and one for spot              Built-in variable delay self-timer.(DSX 1000 only)
            r e a d i n g s .                                  DSX 500: Focal plane with speeds from 1 to 1/                                                                                                                                                    II
FILM SIZE AND CAPACITY:                               500 second and B for time exposures.
       Perforated 35mm film in standard 20 or 36 ex-    E X P O S U R EC d T T N O T :
       posure cartridges.                              Two separate metering systems with one CdS
STANDARD AUTOMATIC LENSES:                                     cell positioned on the back of the reflex mirror
       momiyo/sekor   SX 55 mm t/1.4                          (spot system)and one CdS cell located on each
       7 elements in 5 groups                                    side of the viewfinder eyepiece in the penta-
       Angle of view: 43'                                     prism housing (averagingsystem).
      Accessory size: 52 mm                                 Both metering systems are cross coupled to the
       momiyo/sekor  SX 55mm f/1.8                          shutter speed  control, film speed  dial, and
         " 6 elements in 5 groups                              diaphragm mechanism on  all automatic SX
       Angle of view: 43'                                        lenses. This dual system accurately measures
      Accessory size: 52mm                                           light at  full aperture with momiyo/sekor  SX
       momiyo/sekor  SX 50 mm t/2                            lenses. With other universalthread mount lenses,
       6'elements in 4 groups      \                                the dual metering systems will operate in the
       Angle of view: 47'                                    stop-down mode.
      Accessory size: 52mm                                                          ,     The film advance lever switches the metering
L E N S M O U N T :                                            system on and actuates the diaphragm mecha-
       Universal thread mount (42mm) with locking           nism on  all automatic SX lenses. The Spot/
       p i n .                                                 Averaging selector switch on the camera body
View original page 6
Page 7 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com



       allows the use of either system of exposure     F I L M A D V A N C E :
       calculation.                                           Ratchet type film advance lever transports film,
                                                            cocks shutter, and advances exposure counter
                                                                              in a single stroke (160')orby a number of shorterM E T E R S E N S I T I V I T Y :
                                                                strokes.     ASA 25 to 3200  DIN 15 to 36
                                               E X P O S U R EC O U N T E R :V I E W F I N D E R :
       Pentaprism type with micro-diaprism center spot            Progressive type, reads from "S" (start) to 36.
      on Fresnel screen for rapid focusing. Brackets           Counter automatically resets to "S" when film
                                                       compartment door is opened.        visible in finder indicate location of spot meter
       reading area (60/oof fie.ld). Pointer and "S" and    D I M E N S I O N S :
 ,      "A" symbols visible in finder indicate whether           Width        : 5 31/32 in. (151.Smm)
        the spot or averaging meter system is being            Height       : 3 3/4 in. (95 mm)
       used. Exposure needle and reference points           Thickness: With 55mm f/1.4 lens 3 61/64 in.
                                                                                 (100.5mm)        indicate necessary exposure adjustments.
                                                                                                     ith 55mm f/1.8 lens 3 25/32 in.FLASH SYNCHRON IZATION:
                                                                                  (96mm)      Two  separate  flash contacts are  provided,
                                                                      With 50mm f/2 leni:3 3/4in. (95mm)      marked "FP" and  "X". Proper selection of
        terminals allows correct synchronizationfor all   W E I G H T
       types of flash pictures.                                With 55mm f/1.4 lens: 3314/16 oz. (9609)
      A built-in"hot shoe" accessorybracket is located           With 55mm f/1.8 lens:32 2/16 oz. (9109)
       atop the viewfinder, for use with cordless flash            With 50mm t/2lens:   31 3/16 oz. (8859)
        units. (DSX 1000 only)
R E F L E XM I R R O R :                                     Note: U.S. Patent No. 3612703 "Combined spot and
        Instant return type                                   averaged photometric system."
View original page 7
Page 8 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
SHORTCOURSEOF INSTRUCTIONS


                                   Insert an Eveready 5-76 silver oxide
                                 battery (or equivalent)





                          Load the film.
                                         Pull up the rewind knob to open the film
                                compartment door, drop in the film cartridge
                                and push down the knob, turning it until it
                                   drops into place. Insert the end of the film
                                     leader into the film take-up spool, making
                                    sure the perforations along the film edge
                                      are hooked onto the teeth of the sprocket.
                                  Close the film compartment door and ad-
                                  vance the film and press the shutter button
                                    repeatedly until the number "1" appears in
                                      the Exposure Counter Window.
View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com



Set the film speed.                                       Focus on your subject
Pull up the outer ring of the film speed dial                                by rotating the focusing ring until the
and turn it until the ASA/DlN number (or re-                             image in the center of the viewfinder
presentativereference mark) of the f ilm you                               screen appears sharp.
are using appears in the window opposite
the white index mark.

                                                          Turn on the exposure meter
                                                                      by pulling the Film Advance Lever away
Set the shutter speed.                                               from the camera body approximately1/2
When outdoors in bright or hazy sunlight,l/                                                                                     i n c h .
125 second is generally suitable for most
photographs.When indoorsin a well lit room
1/60 second should be sufficientto capture                           Set the exposure.
your subject, depending upon the film you                               Center the exposure meter needle be-
a r e u s r n g .                                                         tween the brackets in the viewfinder by
                                                                          I     turning the Aperture Ring or the Shutter
                                                      b   S p e e d D i a l .
Set the "Spot/Average" Switch
to "A" (average) for general photography,
or "S" when your subject is strongly back                       Compose your picture and Press
o r s i d e l i t .                                                       the shutter release button.
View original page 9
Page 11 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
    INSERTINGTHE BATTERYI
                                 Open the battery compartment door on the base of the camera by
                                         turningthe cover counterclockwisewith your thumb until the white dot
                                          aligns with the letter 'ro " (open).

                                      Clean the battery contacts with a clean, dry cloth to assure they are
                                            free of oil or dust which may interfere with making positive contact.
                                       With the (+) sign facing you, insert the battery and replace the cover,
                                         tighteningit with the thumb, turning it a one-quarterturn in the opposite
                                          direction of the arrow.
View original page 11
Page 12 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
LOADINGTHE FILM


                                A. Open the film compartment door hy pulling up the Rewind Knob.
                             Drop the film cartridge into the compartment and rotate the Rewind
                           Knob until it drops down and locks the cartridge in place.





                               B. Insert the film leader into one of the slots in the Take-up Spool.





                                    1 0
View original page 12
Page 13 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com



C. Slowly advance the film by stroking the Film Advance Lever as far
   to the right as it will go. lf the lever stops midway, press the Shutter
  Release Button to free  it for another stroke. Be sure that the holes
  on both sides of the film are caught by the teeth on the Film Trans-
   port Sprockets.
  NOTE: The film must pass under the Take-up Spool when advanced.


D. Gently turn the Rewind Knob clockwise to take up the slack in the
     f i l m .


E. Close the Film Compartment Door and advance the film several
  times until the number "1" appears in the Exposure Counter Window.
  As the film is advanced through the camera the knob will turn in a
  counterclockwisedirection,indicatingthe film is advancingproperly.
  As the film is advanced the shutter will be cocked automatically.Your
  camera is now loaded and ready to go.





N O T E : A V O I D D I R E C T L I G H T W H E N L O A D I N G A N D U N L O A D I N G
       T H E F I L M .

                                                     11
View original page 13
Page 14 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
 SETTING THE FILM SPEED


                                            Lift the outer ring of the Shutter Speed Dial and turn it in either direction
                                        until the ASA rating of the film you are using appears opposite the index
                               mark. Your films ASA rating can be found printed on the film cartridge
                                     or in the instructionsheet packed with it.

                             To use the DIN rating, turn the Shutter Speed Dial until the correct
                           number appears in the DIN window on the dial.

                             Below is a table of the available ASA/DIN ratings with the numbers
                               represented by the dots shown in parenthesesbeneath them.





A S A  2 5 .      . 5 0     |    r  1 O O .    . 2 O O .      . 4 0 0 .       . 8 O O      1 6 0 0     3 2 O O
           32  40     64 80      r25 160   250 320    500 550    looor250     20002500
D I N    1 5  .      . 1 g    .      .   2 L   . . 2 4 . . 2 7 . . 3 O . .                    3 3 . . 3 6
         16  t7    19 20     22 23    25 26    28 29    31 32      34  35



                                       12
View original page 14
Page 15 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
SELECTINGTHE SHUTTERSPEED


                          The shuttercontrolsthe length of time light is allowed to strike the film.
                          The speed at which the two shutter curtains pass across the film is
                         measured in fractions of a second that correspond to the numbers on
                               the Shutter Speed Dial. (250 is 1/250 second, 2  is 1/2 second, etc.)
                          The number"1"on the dial representsone full second exposure.When
                                set on the "B" setting,the shutterwill remain open as long as the Shutter
                           Release Button is depressed.When using the " B" setting,and for ex-
                           posures longer than 1/30 second, a cable release and tripod should
                            be used to minimizecamera movement.

                          To select a shutterspeed, turn the Shutter Speed Dial until the desired
                          speed lines up with the index mark.

                        NOTE: Shutter speeds may be set before or after the film is advanced,
                                      but be careful not to pull up on the ShutterSpeed Dial. You may
                                      inadvertentlychange the film speed setting.





                                     13
View original page 15
Page 16 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
FOCUSINGAND VIEWING


                          The momiyo/sekor DSX is an SLR camera. That means that the image
                            you see in the viewfinder is the same image you will see in the final
                             photograph.

                            Focusing the DSX is made easier by the micro diaprism focusing grid
                                      in the viewfinder.This small, round area in the center of the viewfinder
                            exaggerates the difference between the "in focus" and "out of focus"
                             image. By rotating the focusing ring on the lens barrel until the micro
                             diaprism disappears,the image is brought into focus.

                              For subjects with irregular outlines, like wooded hillsides,the entire
                            ground glass surrounding the micro diaprism may be easier to focus
                                 with, turningthe Focusing Ring until the image appears sharp.

             INFRA.REDPHOTOGRAPHY
                                lnfra-red light waves focus on a plane slightly behind that of visible
                                     light.When using infra-redfilm you can compensate for this difference
                             by focusing slightly behind your subject. First focus normally until your
                              subject is sharp Note the position of the Footage Index Mark on the
                             DistanceScale. Rotate the Focusing Ring until the small red dot moves
                                  into this position and your lens wilf be focused for infra-red photo-
                               g rap hy.

                                          1 4
View original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
TURNINGON THE METER


                           To activatethe cameras metering system, pull the Film Advance Lever
                         away from the camera body approximately1/2 inch until it clicks into
                                position.To prevent unnecessarydrain on the battery,lock the meter
                                      in the "OFF" position when the camera is not in use. Press the "OFF"
                               button on top of the Film Advance Lever and the lever will retract to-
                           wards the body





                                          1 5
View original page 17
Page 18 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
SELECTING THE METERSYSTEM


                            There are two methods  of determining correct exposure with the
                            momiyo/sekor  DSX. Whether you use  the  "Spot"  or  "Average"
                           system will depend on the type of picture you are taking.
                 SPOT READING
                          The "Spot" method of exposure calculationis especially valuable when
                               the most important part of the picture is either much lighter or darker
                              than the surrounding area, as in a landscape, where the sky is much
                                brighter than a tree or house. A picture like this would be under-
                           exposed if measured with the camera's averaging meter.
                              "Spot" readings are also useful in dim light, such as indoor or night
                             scenes, because the "Spot" meter reacts more quickly under these
                               conditions than an averaging meter.
                           To take a "Spot" reading, set the shutter speed and move the Spot/
                           Average Selector Switch to the "S" position. The small pointer at the
                            bottom of the viewfinder screen will point to the letter "S". Look through
                               the viewfinder and aim the camera so the brackets fall on the most
                               important part of the picture. For the most accurate reading be sure
                                the bracketed area doesn't include objects much lighter or darker than
                                the area you want to measure.
                 AVERAGEREADING
                                                        lf your subject is not surrounded by very light or dark areas, and is not
                                    backlit, the averaging system is often the best to use.
                           Push the Spot/Average Selector Switch to the letter "A". The pointer in
                                the lower section of the viewfinder will move outside the brackets to
                                the "A" to remind you the entire picture area is being measured by the
                             meter.

                             10
View original page 18
Page 19 · Read text
SETTINGTHE EXPOSUREwww.orphancameras.com


                                   1. Turn the Shutter Speed Dial until the shutter speed you wish to use
                                    lines up with the index mark. Outdoors in bright or hazy sunlight 1/125
                            second should be fast enough for most situations,depending upon the
                                                                  f i l m y o u u s e . I n d o o r s i n a w e l l  l i t r o o m , 1 / 6 0 s e c o n d o r s l o w e r s h o u l d
                              be sufficient under most conditions.
                                    2. Rotate the Aperture Ring on the lens until the needle to the right of the
                                   finder is centered between the open ends of the index mark. When
                                 the needle centers, the exposure will be correct. lf the meter needle
                             does not come to the center no matter what aperture you choose,
                            change shutter speeds.When the needle is on the (+) side, the picture
                                           is overexposed and you need to select a faster shutter speed. When
                                 the needle is on the (-) side,the picture is underexposed and a slower
                                     s p e e d s h o u l d b e c h o s e n .

                       NOTE: You may reversethe procedure if you wish to use a certainaperture.
                                      In this case, select the aperture and center the meter needle by  ro-
                                   tating the Shutter Speed Dial.
                        When using SX lenses it is not necessary to push the Film Advance
                              Lever toward the camera body to take a meter reading. This action is
                                                                  t a k e n o n l y t o v i e w d e p t h - o f -ife l d .
                                      In general photography the meter requires no special calculationsor
                             compensation to obtain correct exposures even  if filters or close-up
                  E x o o s u r e M e t e r N e e d l e     accessories such as auto-bellows or auto extension tubes are used.
          S p o t / A v e r a g e      I n d i c a t o r          Meter readingstaken withthe normallens alone and then with accessories
                               attached may not be the same due to the properties of the accessories,    Area Measured by Spot Meter
                                 but the exposures will be correct. In close-up photography the meter
I n d e x o f M e a s u r i n g R a n g e               reading must be taken after the final focus, since exposure in this
                               instanceis affected by the distancebetween lens and f ilm.

                                            1 7
View original page 19
Page 20 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
DEPTH OF FIELD


                       When the camera is focused on an object, an area in front of and be-        *f          hind the object will also be  in acceptably sharp focus                                                                                  I
                                 distance                         The                                    between the nearestand farthestobjects in focus is called          il1                                           -Field.                             Depth-of T^-F
                         Each time the aperture is changed, depth-of-fieldchanges also. As the
                              lens rs stopped down towards t/16, depth-of-fieldincreases,and as the
                                                                            l e n s r s o p e n e d t o w a r d s t / 2 , i t d e c r e a s e s

                         Knowing how to use depth-of-fieldallows the photographerto use the
                              p r i n c i p l e so f  " s e l e c t i v ef o c u s " t o e l i m i n a t eu n w a n t e d f o r e g r o u n da n d
                          background objects from his photographs,and could mean the differ-
                          ence between a snapshotand a successfulphotograph.

                          To view the depth-of-fieldin your photograph with the DSX, bring your
                              subject into sharpestfocus and press the Film Advance Lever in towards
                              the camera body  This causes the lens diaphragm to "stop down"
                         (become smaller) The exposure meter needle may deviate from       I
                              the center of the index mark, but do not readjustthe exposure setting.             lI                         The lens is now at the aperture at which the picture will be taken


                        NOTE: When taking exposure meter readings with SX lenses, DO
                                      t  / 1 6                           NOT press the Film Advance Lever tor meter reading.

                                 1B
View original page 20
Page 21 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com




                                   The depth-of-field will appear in the viewfinder exactly as it will appear
                                                  in the finished picture.By changingthe focus while the lens diaphragm
                                                      is stopped down you can select the area of sharpness in your photo-
                                        graph. When usi'ngpreset or non-automaticlenses the diaphragm must
                                     be set manually,but the same results are achieved.

                                  You may also determine the depth-of-field by checking the scale on
                                          the lens barrel. Numbers representing lens apertures appear at the
                                       near and far limits of depth for any given focus distance and lens open-
                                                                                  I n g .

                                        For example, if the standard lens is focused at 15 feet, one of the marks
                                         representing f/11 appears at the 10 foot mark and the other at the 30
                                             foot mark. This means that in a photograph focused at 15 feet and the
                                     diaphragm set at t/11, everything between 10 and 30 feet will be in ac-
                                       ceptably sharp f ocus.


THE AUTOMATICLENS
                                   The momiyo/sekor  standard lens features an automatic diaphragm to
                                                     let you view the scene at the lens maximum aperture. When you press
                                          the Shutter Release Button the lens will automatically "stop down" to
                                          the aperture you selected and re-open immediately.

                                              1 9
View original page 21
Page 22 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
    CHANGINGLENSESt0
                                C A U T I O N : P L E A S E R E A D T H I S S E C T I O N C A R E F U L I - YB E F O R E A T -
                                      T E M P T I N GT O R E M O V E O R  I N S T A L LA L E N S

                                   To remove an automatic lens from your camera, first press the meter
                                   "OFF" button. Hold the camera securely with one hand and press the
                                     Lens Release Button. With the other hand, f irmly grasp the lens and
                                           rotate it counterclockwiseuntil all the threads have been disengaged.

                                   To mount the lens, screw the lens threads into the lens mount on the
                                   camera body, rotating the lens clockwise until it stops and locks into
                                       place with a sharp click While mounting the lens, never press the lens
                                         release button

                                    Always be sure the meter is in.the "OFF" position,and that the threads
                                        are properly engaged. lf the lens is difficultto screw in, remove it and
                                         inspect the threads for dirt or other foreign matter

                                 Do not touch the reflex mirror in the camera body after removing the
                                             lens. Dust particles can be removed with a blower or soft camels hair
                                          b r u s h .

                                                                                    I M P O R T A N T :
                                         Protectyour camera body and lens by using lens and body caps.


                                           20
View original page 22
Page 23 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
    HOLDINGTHE CAMERAtl

                                     Support the camera in the palm of the left hand, with the thumb and
                                          forefingergripping the focusing ring. The palm of the right hand should
                                                                  fit againstthe right side of the camera body with the forefingerresting
                                      near the Shutter Release Button and the thumb on the camera back.

                                    Look through the viewfinder with the camera resting against the fore-
                                   head to help steady it, and the left elbow held in againstthe body.

                                   As a general rule,the camera should not be hand held at shutterspeeds
                                       slower than 1/60 second. This becomes particularlyimportant when
                                       using lenses of longer than normal focal length,where it may be neces-
                                        sary to use even fasterspeeds to eliminatecamera movement.Atspeeds
                                       slower than 1/60, a tripod is a must for the sharpestphotographs.





                               IMPORTANT:When attaching the camera to a tripod that has a long
                                                   attachment screw, adjust the screw to less than 1/4 inch
                                                (6.35mm)to prevent damage to the interior of the camera
                                                       b o d y .

                                              21
View original page 23
Page 24 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
    SELF TIMERf2
                                   The DSX 1000 has a built-in self-timer, providing a method of delaying
                                          the shutter release up to 10 seconds, allowing the photographer to
                                        include himself in his own photographs.

                               When the self-timer is rotated 180 degrees, a delay of 10 seconds is
                                        provided before the shutter is released. Rotating the lever less than
                                    180 degrees gives shorter delay times. The self-timer "activating"button
                                                rs located behind the lever and is visible only when the timer is set for
                                          u s e .

                                      Since the self-timer operates independently of the Shutter Release
                                          Button, the camera may be operated in the normal manner, using the
                                         Shutter Release Button, even when the self-timer has been set.
                                 NOTE: lf the Self-timer Lever is not rotated at least 90 degrees, it will
                                                 n o t f u n c t i o n .





                                              22
View original page 24
Page 25 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
         PHOTOGRAPHYr3FLASH
                                   The flash terminals, marked FP and X (10), allow for a choice of flash
                                         synchronizations.The selection of a terminal depends upon the type
                                                 of flash used, as well as shutter speed. The following table shows the
                                           correct combinationsto be used in various flash situations.These com-
                                          binationsmust be observed to insure correct synchronization.

                                  Shaded areas indicate the shutter speeds at which listed bulbs are to
                                      be used, with the cord attached to the correct terminal position





                                    Flash Synchronization Ghart
                                                   S H U T T E RS P E E D S
                                  F L A S H
                                  T E R M I N A L





                                           23
View original page 25
Page 26 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com



                       EXPOSUREFOR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
                                                  ln flash photography,exposure is determined by the guide number of
                                         the flash bulb or electronic flash unit. The guide number representsa
                                         relationshipbetween the power of the flash and the speed of the film.
                                     F l a s h b u l bg u i d e n u m b e r s c a n b e  f o u n d o n  t h e p a c k a g e t h e y c a m e  i n
                                    Guide numbers for electronicflash units are found in the manufacturers
                                          specifications

                                 Once you've found the correct shutterspeed for your type of flash,(see
                                      FlashSynchronizationChart), you can compute the correct lens opening
                                         b y t h i s f o r m u l a :
To use the X ("hot shoe") contact on the      G U l D E N U M B E R+ L E N S - T O . S U B J E C DT I S T A N C E : A P E R T U R E
c a m e r a w i t h c o r d l e s s f l a s h u n i t s , p u l l
the cover off the shoe and fold it down        lf the flash you are using has a guide number of 56, for example, and
out of the way                                             if, after focusing, you determine from the lens barrel Distance Scale
                                            that the subject is 7 feet away, divide 56 by 7 The answer is 8; therefore
N O T E : W h e n u s i n g   f l a s h u n i t s w i t h    the correct aperture is f/8
       synchronization cords, an  e-
                   l e c t r i c a cl h a r g e i s p r e s e n ti n t h e    Not only is flash the most effective light source for indoor snapshots
            " h o t s h o e " K e e p  t h e c o v e r  i n    and shooting in dark places, but it's also an effective tool for back-
       place to prevent the possibility    lighting portraits and filling in shadows. Remember that when flash is
        o f a  l i g h t e l e c t r i c a ls h o c k w h i l e    used as a supplementallight source, exposure must be based on the
               t h e u n i t i s c o n n e c t e d                                   l i g h t f r o m t h e m a i n l i g h t s o u r c e ( s u c ha s t h e s u n ) .


                                         24
View original page 26

From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.

PDF verified 2026-10-10.