Film cameras
Miranda D User manual
User manual for Miranda D. 32 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Miranda
- Model / document
- Miranda D
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 32
- File size
- 4.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
. . ' . . , r ' ^ 1 J f \
' . J :
FEW WORDS ABOUT YOUR MIRANDA
In cameris. with coupled iungihnA.rs, the lens, and rangefinder are operated simultaue-
ously but . are optically entirely separate entities, and the viervfinder is another separate
entity. Tfie iangefinder is mechanically cor,nplex with many moving parts which rarely stay
in peifeiit adjustment in'relation to the lens. Accordingly, the photographer who uses suQh
. d, rangefinder frequently finds his pictures are not as sharp as he had hoped. The vie.iv-
finder, on the'other.hand, usually contains no moving parts to get out of adjustment, but
it is optically so imperfect that the pholographer cannot tell with reasonable assurance What
*ill be included, and what will be excluded, from his picture. In ordinary snapshrioting
tlt. irr.onrr.ni.nce may not be great. However, nowadays photographers are becomine in-
creasingl.v demanding
More and more photogiaphers are demanding that their cameras give them black ind
'white negatives good enough to make very large prints and color transparenciesgood"enough
to project onto a large screen. Interest in fine pictures, artistically composed, is increasing
and many photographers aie demanding 35 mm. cameras which will enabie them to compose .'
and take pictures formerly thought to require the use of large ground-glass-back cameras.
lncreasing' numbers of. photographers have discovered. that small subjeets-a single flower
' t4ken closeup-often make beautiful pictures. Technical, medical, and scientific workers are
.' making photogrpphs, frequently under extreme and exacting conditions. i t -
These are th.e. hasic'reasons why the single lens reflex carnera is today coming into increasing popularit,ir'compared to ihe coupled rangefinder type. T tI '" www.orphancameras.com t.
*-h':.r*F*.: r,'-ar. , tView original page 3Page 5 · Read text
FEATURES OF YOUR. MIRANDA D
l. The Eye:Level Viewfinder offers a view-finding image which is'brilliant, eventv illu-
minated,'full lil'e size, has no parallax,,is precisely defined'at the edges, is grainless,
can be seen with glasses on, and.is not reversed from right.to left, as it is in the case
of ali twin lens reflex cameras and some single lens reflexes.
2- V.iewffnder Interchangeability permits the substitution of the chest-level collapsible
viewfinder (VF l) or chest-levei critical focuser (VF 3) in place oll the standard penta-
prism viewfinder.
3. The Miranda Lenses utilize a new'design made possible by recently improved rare
earth glass with remarkable properties. They will make pictures of extraordinary sharp-
ness and brilliance. The lenses are quickly removed permitting the use of other lenses
with a wide range of lbcal lengths. Instead of interchanging merely the front element
of a lens, the MIRANDA offers the much superior sharpness and quality of true wide
angle and telephoto lenses.
4. The Lens Mount Opening is larger than any other 35 mm camera. 'Ihis makes it
possible with adapters to use lensesmade for other cameras. Some oI' these lenses will
focus norr4ally at any distance but others can be used only close-up. The large lerrs
mount opening makes possible the use ol improved high-speed lenses without restric:-
tions imposed by the size of the mount. It eliminates vignettirig when. the lcns is
extended lbr taking close-ups, and when a fast lens of long local length is used.
5. Close-Up Photography is Ccinvenient because the standard 50 mm. lens can be
fbcused as close as 16 inches rvithout any attachment. Still closer pictures can be
' a
www.orphancameras.comView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
made easily bv further extending the lens using extension tubes or the Focabell. Close-
up pictures made by .extending MIRANDA standard or telephoto lens out trom the
camera are sharper than pictures taken with add-on lenses. In addition, ultra close-
ups. can be taken. rvhich is not possible with add-on lenses. Pictures can also be
taken through a microscope by using an adapter.
The fnstant-Return Mirror
One of the advanced feaiures of the MIRANDA D is the instant return mirror. When
the shutter release button is pr.essed,the mirrdr swings up permitting the light rays
from the lens to reach the film as the focal plane shutter opens. Immediately after
the film is exposed the mirror returns to the viewing position. When the mirror is up,
the view through the viewfinder is momentarily blocked-out, but, at speeds of li 15
second and faster, the mirror returris to the viewing position so quickly that the photo-
hardly notices the interruption. This is an important aid in following fast;..grapher
action, and rvhen fleeting expressions are important to the successof the picture.
The Rapid' Fikn-Winding Lever has a short convenient stroke. The purpose of
such a lever is defeated if the stroke is very long and inconvenient. Only light pres-
sure is required to operate the MIRANDA lever.
Quiet, Vibration-Free Operation is a result of the precision quality and superior
design of"tlte MIR ANDA shutter and mirror mechanism
MIRANDA Carnera Quality means that in the concept of this camera, in its design,
and in .the making of each component part, only one principle has been observed and
that is that. the MIRANDA must be the finest 35 mm. camera in the world. The
MIRANDA is the first camera of its type to be made in Japan. It incorporates many
original design features, some of which are stili unique. Its maker offers it to you
with ccnfidencc arrd nride.
' IView original page 6Page 9 · Read text
FILM LOADING ANT} UNLOADING
l. I{ow to Set the Filrn Indicator
Set the type of film and its speed(ASA number)
against the red arrow.
2. I{ow to Unlock the Back Cover
It ds akuags aduisable to laad and Pull the sliding back lock up and the hingecl
uril,oad tlte fiIm in tlte sfzade,ratlter back cover will open.
lftun in direet sunlight, to preuent 3. I{ow to Put Fikn in the Carnera
Jogging the rtI*. Keep tlu fiI* Pull the rewind knob rp, place the lilm cartridge
cartridge in its eontainer until readg in the film chamber, and push the rewind knob
Ju, use and dlten return it ilo the down to hold the cartridge in place.
eontainer after exposure,
www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
If necessarv, turrr the take-up spool (the flange is serrated for this purpose) until a slot is
ontop. Thengentlvdrawthefilmleaderlartheroutofthecartridge andinsertitintotheslot.
Turn the take-up spool toward the center of the camera, for ll2 revolution or more.
Be sure the perforatiolrs in the film have caught in the sprockets of the sprocket wheel.
Hold the lip of the cartridge (where the film comes out) down against the camera and
turn the reu'ind knob on top of the camera in the direction df the arrorr,, Continue turn-
ing until there is lesistance and all of the slack in the cartridge has been takcn up. You
will notice that a 2O-exposure cartridge will require several turns to absorb all of tl e slack
while a 36-exposure cartridge will have very little slack. Closc the back coler aid push
thc sliding back lock down.
Release the shutter, and advance the film with a lull stroke of the film win ing lever,
while watching tlte rewind knob to see that it turns, then release the shutter a second time.
If the rewind knob turns, it shows that the film is moving properly through the camera.
If it does not turn, either the slack was not fully taken up in the cartridge or the film is
Dot properlv attached to the take-up spool.
4. I{ow to Set the Ex-
posrrre Counter
Set the exposure counter"
dial to 0 by turning it
counter - clockwise. after
the carrlera has been
cocked.
The carlera is now ready
1'or taking the first picture.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
Unloading Filrn l. Flip up the rewind crank on the rewind knob to a
horizontal position and wind in the direction of the
arrow, while depressing the film rewind button located
at the bottom of the carnera.
After the full roll oJ flm has 2. ,\t the end of the roll you will feel the resistance in-
been exposed the rth windi.ng crease and then suddenly cease. Turn the rewind
knob cannot be turned. Do not crank several more turns to make certain the film has
iry to force another lurn, but been entirely rewound.
reaind the film back into the cart- 3. Open the back cover, pull up the rewind knob and
ridge and remoae it from the remove the film cartridge. Put the cartridge back into
camera. its container. This roll is then ready fbr development.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
,,'ili,l'
Rernernber the following essential picture taking steps.
t . Advance the film with a full stroke of 5 . Focus the lens and colnpose ,vol-lr picture
the film winding lever. through the viewfinder.
2 . Determine the exposure. 6 . Stop down the diaPhragm.
o
J . Set the shutter speed dial. 7 . Press the shutter release button ger-ltiv to
4. Set the pre-settine ring, and open 1he make the exposure "
aperture fullr'.View original page 12Page 14 · Read text
when using the speeds on the high speed dial, it is necessary that the black arrow on
the slow speed control be set opposite the index mark. The red X setting on the dial,
half-way between the l/30 and the t/60 setting, is especially provided to synchronize with
electronic flash. Time exposure are arso set on this dial by setting B opposite the red
arrow. In this case a cable release should be used and the shutter will remain open as
long as the cable release is pressed, For extremely long exposures, a cable release which
can, be locked rvith a set screw is recommended.
itqr, $ef fthe SIo*v $hutter Speed DfiaE
For speeds between I second and
I l15 second, the desired speed can
be selected by rotating the slow speed
control. When using one of the slovr
speeds, the high speed dial carr be
left at arry setting. The position of
the high speed dial does not influence
the exposure rvhen a slolv speed is
set "View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
SETTING THE DIAPHRAGM
The pre-setting ring is designed to
permit focusing at the fuil opening
of the lens, or widest aperture-f :2.8.
For exampie if you intend to make
the exposur e at f : B, turn the pre-
setting ring until the figure "8" comes
opposite to the red d ot . Using the
left forefinger, push the diaphragm
setting lever to the right until it
stops. This brings the diaphragm to its full open position
After the picture has been composed and l ocused, pull the lever
to the left until it stops.
+Ei{tfiiTfilt*+iittiiiiii
ExposuRE .,Tft,!fo!i,":;,ffi:::;:f":::,,;;,,::T:I:::,::f:,yr:,::#,:f^r,::,2 |
black and. ahite pictures undzr unusual light anditinns or ulun uting colcr filnt, a
photo-electric acPosure meler is strongl2 renmmended.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
VIEWING AND FOCUSING
Hold the carnera and push the diaphragm setting lever to
the fuli open position, then look through the viewfinder to
compose the picture and turn the focusing ring, right or left,
until the image is perfectiy sharp.
\Vith a little practice, viewing and focusing will be found to
be remarkably easy and precise. The ground glass is so fineI that it is virtually grainless, and the image is very bright . A
f,resnel iens assures that the edges of the picture will be as bright
as the center. The image is focused with the lens wide open"
to f 2.8, when depth of focus is at a minimum. In most cases
the picture wilt be taken at a smaller diaphragm opening, with increascd depth of fieid.,
and as a result the area of sharpness in the final picture r,vill be greater than it appeared
rnrhen Iooking through thg viewfinder. Flowever, this fact should not be relied on to such
an extent that focusing is done carelessly.
To make the exposure, alter stopping down the diaphragm, depress the shutter release
button smoothly, to avoid camera shake'
I. Light Subject
i l l 6 f / l l i t l B {ygug. !ubj99t I n-t S"blcct i rtn Ti f / s . 6View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
TAKING FLASE{ FICTURMS
The MIRANDA has built-in flas Flash
bulbs carr be inserted into a flash after
the shutter is cocked without risk of un
The following table shorvs the types o bs (includ-
irg electronic flash) which can be used, arr r shutter
speed dial setting and synchronization socket ]
A special bracket is available providin
w-hich any shoe-mounted flash unit ca+$
shoe-mounted accessories, such as an ex
be mounted on this bracket.
I Focal Plane Bulbs
GE No. 6 G E N o . xTyp. of F'lash
Westinghouse No. 6 M - 5
I Sylvania No. 26
Shutter Speed
I /60 to I i 1000 I /60 to I / 1000Dial Setting
Synchronization
FP FPSocket
lVith this zireonium filled rniniature bulb, the tright pattern wili be less even tlian r,rlten
the other bulbs or electronic flash are used
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USING ACCESSORIES WITH THE MIRANDA D
A chest-level collapsible viewfinder (VF l)
The Chest-Level Viewfinder and a critical focuser (VF 3) are also avail-
able as accessoriesand may be substituted
for the standard viewfinder when so desired.
The VF I viewfinder opens and closes
with a touch. A hinged magnifier is quickly
raised for accurate focusing.
The critical focuser (VF 3) is of unique design and efficiency. It has two
positions, one giving a five-times magnification of the entire field of view, the
other giving a fifteen-times magnification of the central portion of the field.
The fifteen-times magnification is for ultra-critical focusing. This viewfinder will
be found convenient wherever it is desired to look into the top of the camera,
rather than the back, for viewing and focusing. This may frequently be the
case when taking pictures of very small subjects, for example in nature photo-
graphy. With this viewfinder, the imagc is reversed from right to left.
To remove the viewfinder on the camera, pull the viewfinder release to the
left and at the same time gently draw the viewfinder to the rear. To replace
with the other viewfinder, insert the finder's rail into rne groove of the camera
and push it gently forward. It will automatically lock into place.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
V F" i Viewfindcr VF 3 Viewfinder VF 3 Vier,r'finder
r.magnification X l5) (rnagnification X 5)View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
*- Extension tubes (8 rnm & 32 mrn)'ursedand
IVfiranda standard lens were
Exposure : I sec. at fl8 on ASA 50 filrr
tisins tlvu photoflo6d lamp"s
f . x l r o s u r c :
u i t i r . \ 5 ' \
l t r r r I i l u l t o l *
www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
Exterssion Tubes
When an extrerne close-up is clesired at a dis-
tance less than 16 inches, extension tubes are
used between the carnera and the lens. These
tubes are supplied in length of B, 16 and 32rnrn.
and enable you to take full frame pictures of
insects, postage stamps, and even smaller sub-
iects. The tubes arc used by removing the lcns,
screwing the extension. tube in to the lens
rnount, then putting the iens on the end of
the tube.
Table for LIse with Extension Tubes
and 50 rmrn. f : 2.8 Standard Lens
Extension Tubes Total Field of VieH' Size-Image Increase Nearest to Farthest i
llength of tubes Iength Covered on Filrn to Needed in Point rphich can be
in rnrn.) 1in rnrn.) (in rnrn.) Subject Exposure Focused on- iin lgm.)
B B 150by 225 0. t6 r . 3 177-2 to 339.7
t 6 16 76 by tI4 O.32 t . 7 1 2 8 . 7 t o l B 3 . B
u+J6 24 50 by 75 0.48 2 . 2 1 0 4 . 0 t o l 3 L " 7
s+e7 4032 3830 byby s74s 0.640. B0 32 .. 27 B7 8B..9B tt oo 19005.. 60
l(;+32 48 26 by 39 0.96 3 . 8 7 | . 6 t o 7 9 . 6
8+ tti+gz 5 6 2 2 b v 3 3 l . l 2 -1.5 6 6 . 1 t o 7 2 . \View original page 22Page 24 · Read text
'I'he
The Focabell F'ocabell is a beilows-
typc focusing device intend-
':ci primarily {'or takinq close-up pictures. It
lbcuses over an extreme range very quickly
and convenicntlv. There are tr,vo provi-
sions Ior changing the focus, one for
rapid shifts and one for critical adiust-
mcnts. The Focabell is made with
fine prccision, is very rigid, and
r,vill be found to satisfy the mo;t
exacting requirements. In ad-
dition to MIRANDA lenses,
Lenses of other makes can
be used with adapters.
Teiephoto lenses in
short mounts can be
locused from in-
finity; other lense.s
onlv for close-up
photography.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
List of Srnall Accessories
MIRANDA Everready Case
Leather Cases for all MIRANDA lenses
'i / Flash Gun Bracket
Split-Image Range Finder
Helical Focusing Extension Tubes
Rubber Eye Cup for eye level Pentaprisrn and' chest level VF 3 viewfinders
Eye Sight Adjuster for eye level Pentaprism and chest level \'-F 3 viewfinders
, Lens Hood
Body Cap
Back Lens Cap
Lens Adapters
, X.M adapter (with this adapter any lens made for the Exakta camera may be uscd
frorn close-up to infinity)
P.M adapter (with this adapter any lens made for the Praktica or Pentacon carnerg
may be used from close-up to infinity)
L.F adapter (with this adapter any lens with standard Leica threads can be used for
close-up photography)
. CS.f'adapter (with this adapter any standard focal length Contax or Nikon lens can
be used for close-up photography)
cr'F adaptef wideangreandterephotorensesj : g;'1"'1":.^?;:';,.:il'Ti::,"Tf;i
www.orphancameras.com
IView original page 25Page 27 · Read text
f
t r
OF YOUR CAMERA . ' , 94nU
. : .. .. : ' ( " ) St o r a g e - :
'r - * Keep ysur-wrfi.,ixoe in'a'cool. diy, vdntilatedplace. r
. * Do not store,inl"d.closed.cabinet under humid conditions.
'' ..* Never. store in a lrumid place, such as a b'asement, palticularly during ,ai.ry seasons, '
, - * If it is'to.be stored for some time, remove your MIRANDA fiom the everready..r., ur.l
put it in a sealed container along with a diying agent such as silica gel . .'Do not permit
.the.dryirig agent te come into direct contact with the camera body. , -
: ' \ 1 . : " e
ii' t and SaIt \ ' : . ,(b)t'Protection."dgainst' . ; . . 1 . , ,Dirt .flp"ry
" ,'* When 1"our MIRANDA is used out of dr-rorsit wiil in time pick up a certain.amount of
dust which shoulcl be regular[y removed with a. soft, brush and air blower.
t On boarcl' ship or at the seaside,your MIRANDA should be protecied fiom contact with
salt water-spray. !f your .uri.iu i! exposed to salt spray, clean the metal and ieather'
parts rt'ith a sbf|, clean cloth,. moistened with aicohol oi ether. q
*'CAUTION: Thc lens ,r'r.fu..r. arrd ihe mirrbr surface should never be touched. They
. shoulcl be qleaned only witJr an air blower, which can be purchased quite reasonabll'.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 29 · Read text
MTRAIVM
CAMERA CO,, LTD;.
Tokyo Jdfuan
www.orphancameras.comView original page 29Page 30 · Read text
MIRANDA AUTOMATIC LENS (f r 1.9 5 cm. focol lehgth)
Diophrogm setting
rlng Shutter re!e o se button
Focusing ring
Depth of field
scole Automotic
dio phro g m
contro! button
This lens is o speciol product, with on iris diophrogm which functions in synchroniz-
otion with the focol plone shutter. You view ond focus with the lens wide open ot f 1.9,
then os you press ihe shutter releose button, the diophrogm shuts down outomoticolly to
the selected operfure. When you releose your finger pressure from the shutter butfon
-ofter toking o picture,.the diophrogm outomoticolly returns to its wide open position.
Recently designed ond mode of ro'e eorth' high refrqctive gloss, the lens is of 4
group, 6 elements construction. lt is substontiollyfree of oll oberrotions, ond will give
extreinely fine results with color filrir. This obiective is hord cooted, ond is designed . io
'l
permit occurote focusing down to o disionce of only 7 inches, permiiting the loking of
detoiled photogrophs of flowers, printed motter, etc. without ottochmenti. A control
buiton is provided which disconnect the outomotic diophrogm mechonismond puts the diq-
loF9' ! phrogm under monuol control the some os ony ordinory non-outomotic lens. With.the 1
MIRANDA outomoiic diophrogm system it is not necessory lo operote o swdep lever offer'.
every exposure in order to get the diophrogm open for the next pictureView original page 30From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.