Film cameras
Microflex Camera User manual
User manual for Microflex Camera. 44 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
44 pagesEnglish4.3 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Microflex
- Model / document
- Microflex Camera
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 44
- File size
- 4.3 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 4 · Read text
l. Focusing Hood. INTRODUCTION
2. Back Release Carch.
3. Neck Strap Anchor.
4. Viewing Le_nsBayoner Adaptor. I
5. Exposure Counr6r Window. I n th is m a nu a l w i l l b e f o u n d a 6. Lever Wind.
7. Shutrer Setring Lever for Double Ex-
POSUre. description of the construction of 8. Shqtter Speed and Light Value Scale
Control.
9. Shutter and Cable Refease Button. t h e c a m e r a a n d t h e s i m p l e i n s t r u c - 10. Direct Viewfinder Flao.
l l . I n d i c a t o r W i n d o w f 6 r S h u t r e r a n d
_. Aperrure Settings. tions necessaryto operate the instru_ 12. Flash Cable Sockei
13. f3.2 Bloomed Viewing Lens.
14. Aperture Control. ment. The manual does not pu rport and Aperuure Lock Release. !9. !pg"a
16. Taking Lens ilayoner Adapror.
17. f3.5 Bloomed Taking Lens. to be a treatise on twin-lens photo_
!8. MX Flash and Dela/Lever.
19. Tripod Bush.
20. Back Lock Ctip. graphy b u t w e h o p e t h a t t h e i n -
21. Back Locking Lever.
pad.22. Film PressurL
23. Counter Mechanism Setting Lever. formarion provided wiff prove of
24. Indicator Marks f9r Startini 120 Film.
25. Film Tension
Focusing Magnifier.- Spring. value to the newcomers to twin_lens?9.
27. Rear Sighr lor Direcr Vision View-
finder.
28. Release photography and enable them from Button for Direct Vision Flap.
29. Take up Spool Loaded ipis"tl- lRrine30. Depcn bf Fiela State.-
3l. the very commencement to produce Focusing Knob.
32. Supply Spool Spring Loaded Spigot.
fi rst class negatives.View original page 4Page 7 · Read text
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
The Microflex is described as a "twin-lens
Reflex".This descriptionis given to an instrument
which is, in fact, two cameras contained in one
body. These may be referred to as the viewing
camera and the taking camera.
In the Microflex the two camerasare contained
in a body which is a high pressure aluminium
die-casting,a form of construction which com-
bines lightnesswith utmost rigidity. The taking
camera is housed in the lower half of the body,
and is the conventionalcamera consistingof the
taking lens in a light-tight compartment and the
film transport. The viewing camera is in the
upper half of the body and consistsof the viewing
lens, the reflex mirror and tround glassscreen.
The lenses of both cameras are mounted on a
common front plate.
In the viewing camera the reflex mirror is so
mounted that the subject image projected by the
lens is reflected on to the ground glass screen,
the exposed area of which is the same as the
netative frame in the taking camera. The image
seen on the screen is the right way u P but
www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
laterally reversed and is identicalwith the image p.rojectedby the taking lens on to the film, io that whatever is observed on the screen at the moment of taking t[e picture will appear in the resultant negative. This very satisfactory result is achieved by.matching the' focal lengt6 of the viewing and taking lensesto an extremely close tolerance. Th" Sreat advantag.e9f being able to compose and see the subje_ctlefore thE picture'of is taken may be termed function one the viewing camera. Function two is to ensure that thE camera is in correct focus. As both lensesare of identicaf focal length and are mounted in close proximity to eachother on a common front plate, so.thatany movement of one lens is automatically followed by the orher, it follows that if th! subject image.issharp on the ground glassscreen the image will be shirp on thE resultint picture. The vieying lens of the Microflex is of greater aperture than the taking lens. Not only ddes this ensure maximum illuminationof the screen but due to the smaller depth of field of a lens of greater aperture it permits a degree of tolerance in focusing.View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
The camera incorporates a spring tensioned
focusing hood which shields the ground glas-s
screen fiom extraneous light when focusing. A
magnifier is also incorporated in the focu{ng
hood assemblyto further assistin focusint..The
central area of the front of the focusing hood can
be depressed-and converts the hood into a
sporti-finder for use at eye level. A grid is
incorporated on the ground glass screen to
assistin preserving horizontalsand verticals when
focusint the picture.
The back is readily removable but in normal
operation is hinged at the toP rear of the camera.
It' is closed and secured by a safety locking
device. The tripod bush which is Part of the
back assembly ii of substantial ProPortions and
provides an adequate base for using the camera
with a tripod.
The camera is focused by means of a focusing
knob located on the left hand side of the camera.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
undersideof the ground-glassscreen is mechan- ically linlcedto the lens panel so that the correct adjustment is auromaricallyeffected as the lens panel is moved through rhe focusingrange. The two lensesused in the Microflex have been speciallycomputed to give the maximum results for_1h_eirrespectivefunctions. Their focal tength is 77.5 mm. The viewing lens is a three-glass lens of 3.2 aperture and gives a brilliant overall resolution for easy focusing.The taking lens is the Micronar four glasslens arranged as a single, singleand cementeddoublet assemblyand is 3.5 aperture. This lens has been specia!lycomputed to give the flattesr possiblefield consistentwirh inappreciable change of focus when sropping down. Both lenses lrave all component giassel bloomed and are fully colour corrected. To ensure that the greatest benefit is obtained from the highly critical taking lens the film chamber of the camera is fitted-with a patented light trap which prevenrs any reflectionsso that the crisp defin ition of the lens is ar all times produced in the negative. The shutter used in the Microflex is a light value shutter which in addition to the normal aperture and speed scaleshas an exposure scale suitable for light meters using the exposureView original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
value scale.The speedsof the shutter are I sec.,
| 12,| 14,t/8, t/ | 5, t/30, | 160,a1125,t/300and
bulb. lt is fully synchronized and has a delay
device for self portraiture. lt is extremely robust
in design and speed settings or synchronization
settings may be altered after the shutter has been
set. The shutter is set automatically by the action
of the film winding transport thus preyenting
double exposures.
The shutter is fired b)r a press button located
in the bottom right hand corner of the lens panel.
The press button has a tapered thread which
will accept the normal cable releaseshould that
method of firing be desired.
Synchronization and delay settints are made
by a lever situated on the lower left-hand side
of the lens housing. When the lever is in the
'M'position an l8 millisecondsdelay will occur
before the shutter blades open. When on the
'X' position there is zero delay. When the lever
'D' is in the position a delay of 8 secs.will occur
before the shutter blades open. On this setting
'X' the synchronizationis type.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
A standard concenrric plug is located in the top left-hand corner of the lens panel for easy connectionwith the flash equipment. Shutter speeds and apertures are set by rotating the small knurred conrrols on the front of the lens housing.The speed and aperrure locl< which is normalfy in operation is released by pressing the push button in the centre. The settints are observed in the windo.rv in the top of the lens housing. The bayonet fittings which surround the fenses will accept a variety of accessories,i.e., filters, hoods, etc., and provide a quicl<but sure method of attachment. The film loading and transport from frame to frame is of the utmost simplicity. The film is loaded into the bottom film chamber, and the leading edge of the backing paper fed into the take-upspool.The take-upspool is wound forward by meansof the lever wind until the trianglesor arrows printed on the backing paper of the film are level with the red spots at the side of the film plane aperture. The camera is then closed. The action of closing the back of the cameraView original page 12
Page 13 · Read text
depressesa lever which sets the film transport OPERATION
mechanism.The lever wind is cranked forward
and it will automatically stoP when the film is Havingbecomefamiliarwith the general
in position for the first exposure. The lever wind principlesof the camerait is now easier
must then be cranl<edbackwards until it stoPs. to examinethe oPerationof the camera
When this action had been completed the shutter in detail. 'l' appeared will have figure and the has been set First choosethe film which is to be the exposure When window. number film in the
hasbeental<enthe action ofdepressingthe shutter loadedinto the camera.The manufacturers
release button releasesthe film transport lock of roll film havedevelopedvaryinggrades
and the lever wind can then be cranked forward of film which they recommendas being
again until it is automatically stopped, when it suitablefor specificPurPoses.The table'
must be returned to its starting position. This lists some of the well-known makesand
operation transPorts the film forward for the manufacturers' recommendations. ln while the shutter the and sets exposure second general it can be assumed that the '2' window. number film the in will appear figure
This process is continued until the l2 exPosures ilower the speed of the film, i.€., the
have been made, the exposure number appearing lower the Scheinernumber-the finer
in the film number window on each exPosure the grain; the higher the speed of the
setti n8. film-the coarserthe grain. In Practice,
for general photography an_dass-uming After number l2 exposure the sign o aPPears
in the window and the film lever wind can then that prints not greaterthanl2" x l0" will
be cranked forward without any locl<ingoPerating be required, any of GlouP I films will
give excellentresults.The camerais de- so that the film can be wound off ready for
developing. iigned to take Number 120Roll Film.
L2 www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 19 · Read text
Loirding tlrc Cantct'it(t'otttirructlI P u l l o u r c h e s p r i n g l o a d e d s p o o l s p i g o c o f P r e s s t h e s p o o l d o w n o n r h e l e f t - h a n d E n s u r e t h a c c h e e n d s o f c h e s p i g o t s a r e r h e t o p c h a m b e r , a n d s e c u r e i n c h e p u l l e d s i d e o f t h e c a m e r a a n d t u r n r h e s p o o l l o c a t e d i n t h e h o l e s i n r h e s p o o l T u r n o u t p o s i r i o n b y h a l f c u r n i n g r h e m i l l e d s p i g o t k n o b s o c h a t c h e s p i g o c m a y r e t u r n r h e f i l m w i n d e r k n o b u n t i l c h e l o n g s l o t k n o b I n s e r c r h e t a k e - u p s p o o l s o t h a t c o i c s w o r k i n g p o s i c i o n i n t h e h o l e a t t h e i n t h e r a k e - u p s p o o l i s a r t h e t o p T h e t h e s l o t i n r h e e n d o f r h e s p o o l e n g a g e s l e f c - h a n d e n d o f c h e t a k e - u p s p o o l n e w f i l m i s t h e n i n s e r t e d i n t h e b o t c o m w i t h t h e k e y o f t h e f i l m w i n d e r k n o b c h a m b e r o f c h e c a m e r a l s www.orphancameras.comView original page 19
Page 23 · Read text
T H E L E N S C A P
To remove the lens cap lift the
lower half by the tab provided-
approximately quarter-turn will dis-
engage the u pper half f rom the
bayonet mounting. To replace the
cap, enter the upper half into the
bayonet slots, rotate the upper half
i n t h e b a y o n e t u n t i l t h e l o w e r i s i n
line with the second bayonet and
fold down.
The lens cap should always be kept
in position when the camera is not
being used. Not only does it prevent
accidental damage to the lens by
careless handling of the camera, but
m i n i m i s e s t h e d a n g e r o f s t a i n i n g o r
ot he r attack by atmos p he ric im-
P u r l t r e s
FOCUSINGTHE CAMERA
Remove the lens cap. Hold the camera in rhe right h.nd and open the focusing hood, by lifting at the back edge of the hood.
The hood will remain erecr by virtue of the spring tension. View the subiect in the Sround tlass screen and with the left
hand rurn the focusing knob unril the image on the screen becomes sharp and then tends to fall away, i.e., through the point
of focus. Turn the focusing knob backwards unril the image again becomes :harp. Continue the back and forward movement
until the image is at its sharpest.
22 www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
MAGNIFIER
To assisr in critically focusing the
camera, the magnifier should be used.
The magnifier is raised into position
by pressing the central area of the
focusing hood. When using the mag-
nifier the eye should be as close as
possible. The magnifier is restored
to its closed position by finger
pressure downward.
lf reguired, the magnifier can be
removed from its frame by lifring the
m o u n r w i t h t h e r h u m b n a i l a r t h e
rear and pushing magnifier forward
towards the hood.
To erect Mognifier fo store Magnifier
GROUND GLASS SCREEN
Apart from the function of enabling the camera to be focused, rhe tround glass screen is ideal fgr composing the picture
and allows the besl possible use to be made of the negative area, To assist in the composition, the ground glass screen is
marked with a grid for checkint verticals and horizontals. lt is rmportant to notc that the hood assembly or the ground-glass
screen should not be removed from the camera unless facilities are available for checking the synchronization of che lenses.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
DIRECT VISION VIEW-FINDER
The focusin! hood is converted into a direct vision view- action pictures are being taken' On these occasions it is
finder bi depressing the central area of the front of the preferable to pre-focus the camera for a zone of sharpness
focusing h.bod. The flap will be retained in the depressed (see third example in explanation of depth of field) so that
position by a spring catch. When using the direct vision the whole attention can be given to choosing the right
viewfinder the eye should be as close as possible to the PeeP moment for firing the shutter' lt must be remembered that
sight in the back frame. To restore the flap to its normal when using the direct vision viewfinder there is no parallax
position press the catch in the rear frame' correction; it is, therefore, imPortant that at short distance
adequate margin of safety is allowed.at the top of the subiect
The direct vision viewfinder is most suitable for use when to prevent cut off.
f
www.orphancameras.com24View original page 25Page 27 · Read text
APERTURE SETTING
or opening by the controlled are settings The aperturi
by Aperture Setting 3.5 4 5.6 8 | | 16 22 is done This in the shutter. diaphragm of the iris closing
depressing the speed and aperture lock and rotating the ExposureRatio * | 2 4 8 16 32
left hand thumb wheel on the front lens housing. The
settings are observed in the window at the top of the lens From the table it will be seen that f8 requires four times
housing. The marked aPerture setcings are: the exposure at f4 while f22 requires 8 times (32/4) the
f 3 . 5 4 5 . 6 8 ll 1 6 2 2 exposure at f8. lt should be noted that each stop dowri
requires exactly double the exPosure of the preceding stop'
The f number is arrived at by the formula:- f3.5 requires f; the exposure at f4.
numoer - Focal length of lens This relationship is automatically regulated by the shutter'
Effective dia. of iris opening
Once the aperture and speed have been set in normal
From the formula it will be seen that the smaller the
number the larger the iris opening, the larger the f number operation the shutter speed and aPerture settings are
the smaller the iris opening. linked so that rotatiL\n by either of the thumb wheels will
The aperture settinS, therefore, regulates the amount of control the setting in the right ProPortion' i.e., as the
light that is passed through the lens. aDerture is increased so is the speed, as the speed is lowered
As the amount of light passing through the lens is re- the aperture is reduced ProPortionately. Reducing the
stricted, i.e., stopping down, the length of time that the aperture or stopping down the lens increases the depth of
shutter is open, or the exposure time, must be increased field.
proportionately. The range of apertures selected with the
exceDton of f3,5 have a definite relationship with the Stopping down also increases the edge definition in the
exposure and is given as a ratio by the table. negative.
26 www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
SMALLAPERTURE-IONG EXPOSURE
ensures the depth
"fr{;,!r;:quired in subjects of
27View original page 28Page 39 · Read text
PORTRAITS
When using the Microflex for portraits do not attemPt
ro fill the viewing screen with the head of the subiect.
The subject should not be less than aPProx. four feet from
the camera so as to avoid perspective distortion, and the
requisite area of the negative enlarged to make the print.
In a portrait the point of interest is in the face of the subiect
and the background must not detract from the focal interest.
For this reason use the largest aperture Permissible and keep
the subiect well away from the background. Where the
space is limited endeayour to have a neutral background:
above all, avoid placing the subiect in front of wall fittings
as the resultant negacive may tend to show the subiccc
balancing them on the head. Focus on the eyes. Avoid
h a r s h l i g h t i n g a n d e l i m i n a t e d e e p s h a d o w s b y s u p p l e m e n t a r y
lighting or reflectors. Endeavour to Put your subiect at
ease so that you may be able to caPture natural expressions.
ln the case of children their attention can be diverted by
an assistant. The most pleasing portraits of children occur
when they are unaware of the camera.
Portrait taken at l/25 sec. at f5.6. Lighting: Two phoco-
floods and reflector, one photoflood as side-back light,
the other main front light with reflector lighting shadows.
38 www.orphancameras.comView original page 39Page 43 · Read text
'ffi
w
l l l u s c r a t i o n s s h o w r h e u s e o f f i l r e r s t o s e c u r e c l o u d e f f e c t s . l n t e l l i g e n t u s e o f
f i l t e r s i n t h i s m a n n e r w i l l g r e a t l y e n h a n c e t h e p i c t o r i a l a p p e a l
www.orphancameras.comView original page 43From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.