Film cameras
Nikon F2A Photomic Finder DP-11 BOOKLET Product booklet
Product booklet for Nikon F2A Photomic Finder DP-11 BOOKLET. 27 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon F2A Photomic Finder DP-11 BOOKLET
- Document type
- Product booklet
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 27
- File size
- 1.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
NOMENCLATURE
Powercheckbutton
Couplingleverrelease
Metercouplinglever
Finderreleaselever
Meterwindow
ASA filmspeedindex ring
ASA filmspeedscale
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Sh u tter-speedselector
Shutter-speedindex
Shutter-speedscale
Ready-light
Viewfindereyepiece
Focusingscreenseatingsprings
Ready-lightcontactView original page 4Page 6 · Read text
FOREWORD T h e N i k o n F 2 A P h o t o m i c F i n d e r D P - l 1 i s Other merits of the DP-11 include the dis- a compact, precision pentaprismfinder as- play of the shutter speed setting (as well as sembly designedto fit any F2 Nikon camera the aperture setting previously mentioned) body. The DP-11 incorporatesthe Nikon within the finder, the meter display both center-weighted th ru'th e-le ns metering meth- inside and outside the finder, full usability od that concentrates 60% of the reading for both full-apertureand stop-down mea- within the 12mm-diametercentral portion surement as required, threaded eyepiece of the view-field; thus, metering is precise frame for attaching various viewing aids, for varied lighting situations, and covers and the ready-light built into the eye- virtually 1OO%of the picture image frame piece for convenience whe n operating as visible on the focusing screen. with flash units. One outstanding new feature with the To ensure you get the best resultsfrom your DP-'t1 is the provision for operation with F 2 A P h o t o m i c F i n d e r D P - 1 1, r e a d t h i s i n - the new Nikkor lensescapableof automatic struction manualcarefully.Keep the manual maximum aperture indexing during mount- handy until you have thoroughly familiar- ing on the camerabody. The meter coupling ized yourself with the unit and its oper- lever provided on the DP-11 engagesthe ation. A few minutes of preparation will meter coupling ridge provided on thesenew help you avoid costly mistakes. lenses to pr.ovide for lens/meter coupling and automatic indexing of the lens' maxi- mum aperture. And the DP-11 is alsofitted with a small viewing prism at the baseof the front plate to provide for aperture-direct- readout from the scaleprovidedon the lens.View original page 6
Page 7 · Read text
PREPARATIONFOR USE
Attaching the Finder
The F2A Photomic Finder DP-l1 attaches to any F2
Nikon camera body without the need for modifications
or adjustments, and provides for automatic maximum
aperture indexing and full-aperture exposure measure-
m e n t ( v i a t h e b u i l t - i nc o u p l i n gl e v e r )w i t h a l l N i k k o r l e n s -
es fitted with a meter coupling ridge. Additionally, the
DP-.|1 can be mounted on the camera body at any time
either before or after the lens is attached.
lf the finder is to be used with a lens fitted with a meter
coupling ridge, mount the finder as follows: Set the aper-
ture ring on the lens (if attached) to the maximum aper-
ture setting, gently place the fi nder in the mounti ng
position and, then, press the finder downward until it
clicks and locks into place; be sure to pressfirmly to
ensure that the finder mounti ng clamps engage the
seating pins on the camera body. Lastly, check that the
coupling lever is releasedand (if a lens is mounted) that
the meter and lens are properly coupled.
lf the finder is to be used with a lens not fitted with a
meter coupling ridge, mount the fi nder as follows: Lock
the meter coupling lever in the up position (see"Coupl-
ing Lever Lock/ReleaseOperation" on page 8 for de-
t a i l s ) , p o s i t i o n t h e f i n d e r f o r m o u n t i n g a n d , t h e n , p r e s s
i t d o w n w a r d u n t i l i t c l i c k s a n d l o c k s i n t o p l a c e ;a g a i n ,
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be sure to press firmly to ensure proper engagement with the seating pins. Note that operation with lenses not fitted with a meter coupling ridge will require stop- down exposure measurementas describedon page 20. ShutterSpeedCoupling The shutter*peed selectorof the DP-11 finder is part of an extender assembly that couples with the camera's shutter-speeddial. After mounting the DP-l1 on the camera, turn the selector left or right until it engages with the camera's shutter-speeddial and the two can be turned in tandem. Removingthe Finder To remove the DP-l 1 from the camera, press the finder release lever inward and rotate toward the front (this action releasesthe mounting clamps); then, depressthe finder releasebutton at the rear of the camera body and lift the finder out of the camera.View original page 8
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PREPARATIONFOR USE-continued
CouplingLeverLock/ReleaseOperation
The DP-11 finder is fitted with a meter coupling lever
that provides for coupling between the finder's meter-
ing circuit and the lens' meter coupling ridge. When the
camera body is used with lensesoffering automatic maxi-
mum aperture indexing, the lever remainsin the normal
position. However, when the camera body is used with
lenses and/or accessoriesnot provided with this feature,
the lever must be locked up to permit exposure mea-
surementvia the stop-down method. To lock up the lever
prior to mounting the lens, simply push the leverupward
and to the right until it clicksand locks into position.To
release the lever for operation with a lens or accessory
capableof automatic maximum apertureindexing,simply
slide the coupling lever release (located just above the
lever) to the right until the lever returns to its normal
lowered position; then, mount the lens or accessoryas
normal.
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Settingthe Film Speed
The exposure meter of the DP-l1 must be adiusted to the
speed of the film in use to ensure correct exposure; thus,
a film-speed scale (ASA graduations) and an index ring
are provided on the finder. To adiust, lift up the milled
ASA film-speed index ring and turn it until the red index
triangle is aligned with the ASA value for the film in use.
The meter can be set across the full range of from ASA 6
to ASA 6400. The film-speed dial has two dots between
each pair of numbers for intermediate settings such as
'125,64, 80, etc.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
PREPARATIONFOR USE-continued
I nstalling the Batteries
T h e F 2 A P h o t o m i cF i n d e rD P - 1 1i s p o w e r e db y t w o h i g h -
performance silver-oxidebatteriesloaded in the battery
chamber in the baseplateof the camera. To install the
batteries,fi rst remove the battery chamber cover (turn
i t 9 0 " c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s ue s i n g a c o i n o r s i m i l a r o b j e c t ) ;
t h e n , p l a c e t w o 1 . 5 V s i l v e r - o x i d e( b u t t o n - c e l l t y p e )
b a t t e r i e si n t h e c h a m b e r ,m a k i n g s u r e t h a t t h e p l u s ( + )
side of each unit faces out. After inserting and properly
seating the batteries, replace the cover and lock it to
s e c u r et h e a s s e m b l v .
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Checkingthe Batteries
The camera'sfilm-advancelever serves as the ON/OFF
switch for the DP-l1 finder. To check battery power, pull
the lever out just far enough to uncoverthe red meter ON
index on the top of the camera, press the power check
button and check the meter window at the center of the
finder for indication of the power level. lf the needle
within the window swingsto the right edge of the front
notch (or beyond), battery power is sufficient. lf the
needlefails to swing, battery positioningshould be check-
ed; then, if the needlestill fails to move, replacebatteries.
++
B a t t e r i e Os K , R e p l a c e
batteri esView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
EYEPIECEREADY-LIGHT
The DP-l1 finder has a built-in ready-lightfor use with
Nikon SpeedlightUnits. This unique feature providesfor
greater ease of operation during flash photography, as
the photographerneed not remove his eye from the eye-
piece to check if the SpeedlightUnit is ready for the next
exposure;this built-in lamp lets the photographerknow
the condition of the flash (either "ready" when on, or
"not ready" when off) at all times even while viewing.
(For additional information, see the instruction manual
s u p p l i e dw i t h t h e S p e e d l i g h t . )
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EXPOSUREMEASUREMENT The exposure meter of the DP-11 features a center- weighted TTL metering system coupled to the shutter speed and aperture controls. The meter reads the light over the entire focusing screen but favors the central 12mm-diameterarea. This allows you to make precise readingsof the selectedsubject area, resulting in balanced overall readings. The amount of light reachingthe film is determined by a combination of the lens apertureand the shutter speed. Of course, since the two are interrelated, different com- binations will give the same amount of exposure when carefully chosen. The best combination for your needs will depend on the resultsdesired.Use fast shutter speeds to freeze motion, or use slow speedsto create deliberate blur. Small apertures give greater depth of field, while large apertures restrict sharp focus to the main subject. The table below shows how control settings are inter- related;all combinationsshown give the same exposure. A perture tl't.4 f12 t12.8 fl4 t ls.6 Shutter 't speed 1/s0o 1l2so l"t2s 1l60 1J30 (second)View original page 14
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EXPOSURE M EASU REMENT-continued
DeterminingExposure
Exteriormeter The DP-11 features an exposure meter display visible t l window within the viewfieldfor easy-to-readoperationwhile view-
\d ,: ing and focusing.Additionally, the selectedshutter speed
and lens aperture settingsare visible on either side of the
meter display to allow the photographerto check at a
glance the camera settingsin use.
To determine the correct exposure with the DP-l 1 : EIECorrect bxposure Switch on the meter by moving the film-advancelever
Overexposure+ | + Underexposure to the 20" standoff position; with this action, the meter
will swing to indicate the exposure condition of over-
exposure (needle to the left), correct exposure (needle
to the center) or underexposure(needle to the right).
lf the needle moves to the left, increase the shutter
I nteriormeterindicator speed or decreasethe aperture until the needle is cen- tered; if the needle remains at the right, decreasethe
shutter speed or increasethe aperture until the needle
is centered. The figure on this page shows the various
meter needle indications. Note that the same metering
operation may be performed using the external meter
window positionedatop the finder. |J
roI www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 17 · Read text
EXPOSUR E M EASUREMENT-continued
MeteringRange
lf the finder's meter needle fails to center, even after all
possible lens-aperture/shutter-speedcombinations have
been tried, then the availablelight is too brightor too dim
for the meter's range. To correct this situation, several
measuresmay be taken, as follows: Switch to a new film
(either higher or lower ASA) that more closely matches
the availablelight; mount a neutral density filter on the
lens to decreasethe light reachingthe film plane; or use
artificial lighting (i.e., an electronic flash unit) to increase
subject illumination. The DP-11'smetering rangeextends
from EV 1 (f 11.4 at l second) to EV 17 (f lS at 112000
s e c o n d ) w i t ha 5 0 m m f l 1 . 4 l e n sa n d A S A 1 0 0 f i l m .
H igh-ContrastLightingSituations
When there are substantialbrightnessdifferencesbetween
the main subject and the background,unimportant bright
spots or dark spots can adversely influence the finder
reading, and thus the final exposure. To prevent under-
or overexposureof the main subjectunder theseshooting
conditions, some corrective action must be taken to en-
sure proper exposure of the main subject. Fortunately,
the DP-11'scenter-weightedTTL meteringaction simpli-
fies adjustments, making for quicker camera operation
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and more accurate final results.
To compensate for an excessivelybright or dark back-
ground, target the main subject in the center of the focus-
ing screen while performing metering; this action ensures
that the main emphasisof the meter reading will be on
the chosen subject. Then, after completing aperture and
shutter speed adjustments, recompose to the desired
picture composition and make the exposure without
readjusting the camera controls. For example, when
shooting landscapes,it is often advisable to aim the
cameraslightly downward duri ng exposure measurement
to eliminate the effects of a bright expanse of sky; with-
out such compensati,on,the landscapemay appear under-
exposed in the final print. Also, for backlit subjects, it
may be necessary to move closer to the subject to en-
sure a proper reading. (See following pagesfor example
photos.)
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STOP.DOWNEXPOSUREMEASUREMENT
With some Nikkor lenses,full'aperture exposure measure-
ment is not possible,either becausethe lens has no auto-
matic diaphragm, or becausethe lens does not couple
with the finder's meter; with certain accessories,too, lens/
finder coupling is not possible, thus, preventing full-
aperture measurement. However, the DP-l 1's Photomic
meter can still be used for exposure measurement via
the stop-down method. Before mounting the lens (or
accessory)on the camera body, push the meter coupling
lever up and to the right; with this action, the lever will
remain locked up for stop-down exposure measurement
(to release the lever after removing the lens/accessory,
push the releaseto the right as described in "Coupling
Lever Lock/ReleaseOperation" on page 8). After setting
the finder, mount the lens or lens/accessorycombination
on the camera,switch on the meter by moving the film-
advance lever to the standoff position, and then set the
controls for correct exposure as follows:
For automatic diaphragm lenses with no coupling ridge,
set the camera to the desired shutter speed;then, depress
the depth-of-field preview button to stop down the lens
diaphragm and, while holding the button depressed,ad-
just the aperture ring until the meter needle indicates
correct exposure. Be sure to release the depth-of-field
button prior to making the exposure.
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For fixed-aperture lenses,such as Reflex-Nikkor lenses, simply adjust the shutter-speedselector until the meter needle indicates correct exposure. For con-venience, shutter speeds can be set at intermediate settings in the ' 1/80 sec. to 112000 sec. speed range for precise ex- posures.The exposurecan additionally be controlled via built-inor accessorYND filters. For bellows units, extension rings and preset lenses,set the camera to the desiredshutter speed;then, stop down the lens manually until the meter needleindicatescorrect exposure.Preset'type lenses include PC-Nikkor lenses. * nI *View original page 22
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EXPOSURE COMPENSATIONADJUSTMENTS
Adjustmentsfor FocusingScreens
Light transmission properties vary somewhat with focus-
ing screentype, thus occasionallyrequiringexposurecor-
rection to compensate for the combined effects of the
lens/screencombination in use. The numbers listed in
the various blocks of the table on the opposite page
denote the amount of correction necessaryin f/stops.
To adjust the DP-11 for the indicatedf/stop correction,
lift and turn the ASA film*peed index ring until the
ASA value for the film in use is allgnedwith the appro-
priate mark engravedon the ring. In the example figure
shown, ASA 100 is aligned with the -% mark to provide
the correction required when using the Type C screen
w i t h a D P - 1 1 P h o t o m i c F i n d e r - e q u i p p e dF 2 N i k o n
camera and the Fisheye-Nikkor6mm f 12.8 lens,as indi-
cated in the table. (when "0" is indicated in the table,
no compensationis required.)
= Exposure measurementvia full-aperture method.
I= Exposuremeasurementvia stop-down method.
= Exposure measurement not possible;lens/screen
combination permits only focusingoperation.
Blank space indicateslens/screencombination cannot be
used.
22
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CAREAND HANDLING-t
Your F2A Photomic Finder DP-11 is durable. However,it also deservesthe
same care you would give any precisioninstrument. Follow the simple pre-
cautions given below and the finder will give you many years of depend-
able performance.
o Always attach or remove the finder properly. Do not use excessivet force in either case.
o When not in use, store the finder with a prism guard in a case.Avoid
storing it where it is liable to be exposed to excessiveheat, cold or
dam pness.
o Avoid fingerprints and dust on the prism surface. Brush away grit with
a soft brush or use a rubber lens blower. Do not use cloth or ordinary
tissue.lf smudgesor fingerprintspersist,use a lens tissuesparinglydab-
bed with a professionally-recommendedlens cleaner.Wipe with a cir-
cular motion and gentle pressure.(Even an approved lens cleanercan
causedamageif it seepsinto the prism mount.)
o When it is not being used for a long period, check the finder period-
ically to see that it operatesproperly.
o Before leaving for a holiday, make a few trial exposuresand allow at
least two or three weeks'timefor film processingand making any need-
ed repairsor adjustments.This simple precautionwill make your holi-
dav a memorableone.#View original page 26From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.