Film cameras
Nikon MD-15 User manual
User manual for Nikon MD-15. 23 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon MD-15
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 23
- File size
- 1.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 5 · Read text
CONTEITfTS FOREWORD
1{OMEIiICLATURE Designed as a companion unit for the Nikon FA,FOREWORD. ......4 Motor Drive MD-15 automatically advances theBASIC OPERATION. 5-13 film through the camera either single frame or
tA]fuAL sHooTINO.. ......14 continuously. At S, the film is automatically
S|MULTAI{EOUSSHOOT|NG. ....15 advanced to the next f rame as soon as the picture
ACCESSORTES ... . 16-19 is taken. At C, it advances continuously up to a
MC-12 Remote Gontrol with Button Release. 16 maximum of 3.2 frames per second (with the shut- MC-4RemoteGord ....17 ter speed al11125 sec. or faster.)
Pistol Grip Model 2 and Furthermore, power for the FA is supplied from
MC-3 Connecting Cord .....17 the motor drive's batteries, so even if the camera's
MR-2Terminal Release .....18 batteries are completely exhausted, the Nikon FA
MT-2 | ntervalometer and can still operate. And when used in combination
MC-16 Connecting Cord .... 18 with Nikon's remote control accessories, you can
MW-1 Radio Control Set and perform totally unmanned photography. (For
MC-s Connecting Cord details, see the "Accessories" section.)
ML-1 Modulite Remote Control Set Before using the MD-15, please read this instruc.
and MC-B Connecting Gord ...... 19 tion manual from cover to cover. A few minutes
TIPS O}I MOTOR DRIVE CARE . . .20 wisely invested now will pay off later in years of
OPTIMUM BATTERY PERFORMAI{CE ... ...21 rewarding picture-taking experiences.
SPECTFTCATIONS ......22
www.orphancameras.comView original page 5Page 7 · Read text
BASI C O PERATI ON-conti n ued
4. Install the battery holder. $. Gheck battery power. LED lnsert the holder back into the chamber. While Push the battery check button @ lf the
applying gentle pressure to the holder, tighten the indicator @ lights up, the batteries have been loaded
locking screw by rotating it clockwise; then return the properly and their power is sufficient. lf the LED does
knob of the locking screw to its original position. not light up, see if the batteries are installed properly
or replace them with a f resh set.
o When checking battery power with the MD-15 attached to
the Nikon FA, make sure to sel fhe MD-15's S-C mode
selector @ fo L. Af S or C position, the film might be auto'
matically advanced and the shutter accidentally released.
As soon as the battery check button ls depressed, Nikon
FA's exposure meter is turned on and the LCD appears in
the viewfinder. But, it will automatically disappear 16
seconds after you remove your finger.View original page 7Page 9 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION-continued
l il1"'"'t
Gonfirm that the 1O. Attach the camera body to theO,'r lf,D-lSts s-G mode motor drive.
theselector is set at L. Place the camera body on top of MD-15 so that
lf it is not, depress the S-C mode MD-15's mounting screw @ lines up with the camera's
selector locking button @ as You tripod socket and the MD-l5's camera positioning pin
turn the S-C mode selector to L. @ is aligned with the. motor drive positioning hole in
the camera body.
o The MD-15's S-C mode selector
doubles as a power switch for the
MD-15. When the S-C mode selector
is sef at L, the MD-l5 is automatically
turned off and its tilgger button is
locked. But, even in this case, the
power supply for the camera bodY is
still supplied.
BView original page 9Page 11 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION-continued
GOm- serector at 1 4 13. Return the -:il:i:t;: g"o" erats film advance
lever to its original While depressing the locking button @, set the S-C
position. mode selector to either S for single-frame or C for
lf you used the lever during film continuous shootino.
loading, make sure to push it back
in.
o With the camera's film advance lever
left at the standoff position, the shut-
ter will be released as soon as the
trigger button is pushed, but the film
will not be advanced to the next
frame. To advance the film with the
MD-l5, simply return the film advance
lever to its original position.
10View original page 11Page 13 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION-continued 16. Push up the rewind slide @, When the end of the roll of film is reached. the o While the LED is lit, do not attempt to move the camera's motor drive automatically stops and the LED lights film advance lever back to the flush position even if it rs at up. Once again confirm that the film is at an end by the standoff position; also do not move the S-C mode se- checking the camera's frame counter; then push the lector to L and then back again to S or C, as either of these two operations might cause the film to be cut. rewind slide up and immediately the LED will go out. o After the end of the roll is reached, it takes a short time for o After the LED lights up, push up the rewind s/lde as soon as the LED to come on; however, this does not indicate a possib/e to conserve battery power. malfunction. o When the end of the roll is reached, do not depress the o lf the motor drive's rewind slde is difficult to operate, trigger button or the camera's shutter release button, detach the motor drive from the camera body first; then because the film might be cut. Especially after the motor push in the camera's film rewind button manually. drive's rewind s/rde is pushed up, there is a possibility that not only the film might be cut but that the last few frames willbe double exposed. 12View original page 13
Page 15 · Read text
MANUAL SHOOTING
When you want to advance the film manually with the To return to normal motor drive operation, return the
motor drive attached, follow this procedure: film advance lever to its original position after releas-
1. Set the S-C mode selector to L. ing the shutter or winding the film fully. lf you return
2. Pull out the camera's film advance lever to the the film advance lever to its original position without
standoff position. winding the film, the film will automatically be ad-
3. Release the shutter by depressing the camera's vanced to the next frame as soon as the SC mode
shutter release button. selector is moved from L to S while the meter is on.
4. Wind the film via the camera's film advance lever However, if you move the S-C mode selector f rom L to
S or C after the camera's meter has turned off, the
film can be advanced to the next f rame by depressing
the trigger button halfway.
14View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
SIMULTANEOUS SHOOTING
To fire several motor-driven cameras at the same Nikon FA
time, the Remote Cord MC-4 with plus and minus
banana plugs is available as an accessory.
Follow the diagram for proper parallel connection and
make sure to reduce the length of the connecting
cord from each motor drive to the main switch, so
that the total resistance is less than 100 ohms. lf
more length is required, use a relay. In addition, if a
change of batteries is required, exchange all batteries
for fresh ones at the same time.
o When connecting the MC-4'splugs in parallel, arrange each
terminal (+ positive and - negative) so they face the same
direction. Otherwise, this might cause a malfunction or
damage each unit.
Extension cord
www.orphancameras.com 15View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
AGGESSORIES
To expand your photographic horizons, Nikon offers
a variety of accessories for remote control photogra-
phy. All accessories must be electrically connected to
the MD-1 5 via the remote terminal at the base of the
handg rip.
MG-l 2 Remote Gontrol with Button
Release
For remote control up to 3 meters away, the MC-12
has a handgrip and trigger button for convenient
operation. Depressing the button halfway turns on the
camera's exposure meter; depressing it f urther
releases the shutter. With the button depressed, the
meter stays on for 16 Sec., automatically turning itself
off to conserve battery power. In addition, the MC-10
Remote Cord is also usable with the MD-15, but it is
impossible to confirm the LCD information via the
remote cord's trigger button.
16View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
MC-4 Remote Gord Pistol Grip Model 2 and MC-3
With plus and minus banana plugs, the MC-4 Cord Gonnecting Gord
can be used to fire up to several motor-driven camer- Nikon's special pistol grip can be screwed into either
as simultaneously. the camera's tripod socket or the tripod mounting
collar of a supertelephoto lens to provide more stable
handheld shooting. When electrically connected via
the MC-3 Cord, it is impossible to confirm the LCD
information by depressing the trigger button of the
pistol trip.
www.orphancameras.com 17View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
AGG ESSO RI ES-conti n ued
-
MR-2 Terminal Release MT'2 lnterualometer and MC.l6
Allows the MD-15 to be triggered with the AR-2 Cable Gonnecting Gord
Release. Viewfinder display of shutter speed is not MT-2 is Nikon's latest intervalometer featuring quartz
provided when the button is depressed halfway. timing control for utmost accuracy. lt provides time
lag shooting with the Nikon FA camera. You can
trigger the motor drive for time-lapse exposures by
connecting an intervalometer or similar device to the
trigger circuit in place of the ON/OFF switch. In this
case, there will be a slight time delay between the
moment thd trigger circuit is closed and the shutter is
released.
1BView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
MW-l Radio Gontrol Set and MC.s lU|L-l Modulite Remote Gontrol Set
Gonnecting Gord and MC-8 Gonnecting Gord
Provides interference-f ree remote control up to Utilizes modulated light to control up to two motor-
0.7km. Three separate channels allow three motor- driven cameras automatically. Compact and easy to
driven cameras to be operated automatically. Easy to handle. Can be used up to 60 meters away.
handle.
www.orphancameras.com 19View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
TIPS ON MOTOR DRIVECARE
1. When the MD-15 is attached to the camera body, 6. lf the film reaches the end of the roll before the
the camera takes all its power f rom the batteries in MD-15's f ilm-advance operation is completed, the
the motor drive. So, even with depleted batteries or motor drive may not operate properly when the
none loaded in the camera, the FA still operates. next film cartridge is loaded into the camera. lf this
lf you plan to keep the MD-15 attached for a long happens, first set the motor drive's S€ mode time, remove the batteries f rom the camera body. selector at L and then use the camera's film ad-
2. When not actually taking pictures, the MD-15 vance lever to wind the film initially; after that, the should be turned off to conserve battery power. motor drive will operate normally.
3. Always keep the motor drive's connecting parts 7. When attaching the MD-15 to the PF-4 ReproCopy
(electrical contacts @, coupling prong @, etc.) Outfit, use the accessory AH-2 fripod Adapter.
clean, as dust or smudges might prevent the motor
drive f rom operating properly.
4. Do not attempt to turn the motor drive coupling
prong with your fingers, as this might cause a
malfunction.
5. In case the MD-15 fails to ooerate after attach-
ment, detach it and trip the shutter using the
camera's shutter release button. Then before
manually advancing the film to the next frame,
reattach the MD-15.
20View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
OPTIMUM BATTERY PERFORMANGE
1. New batteries 5. Battery brands
Between manufacture and first use, all batteries Do not use mixed brands of batteries, nor batteries
exhibit some drain. Therefore, care should be with different model numbers. Also, avoid mixing'
taken to purchase the newest (and freshest) ones new and old batteries since proper performance
possible. To help you do this, some manufacturers wiil not be obtained and battery leakage into your
stamp the date of manufacture on the bottom of MD-15 may occur.
r each battery. Ask your camera dealer for assist- 6. Disposal
ance in interpreting the codes. Do not dispose of batteries by burning. Also, for
2. Temperature safety's sake, never attempt to disassemble bat-
Battery life ratings are based on operation at teries.
around 20"C (68'F). At other temperatures, bat- 7. Polarity
tery life is shortened. At 0oC (32oF), for instance, When installing batteries, observe the voltage
battery life is shortened by as much as two{hirds. polarities carefully. Reversal of the positive (+) and
Spare batteries should therefore be kept available negative (-) terminals may result in leakage. lf
if operation in low temperatures is anticipated. leakage should occur, clean carefully or take your
3. Continuous use MD-15 to your authorized dealer or nearest Nikon
Batteries are drained much more quickly by con- service facility.
tinuous use than by intermittent use.
4. Storage
When not in use, the batteries should be removed
to prevent damage from leakage. To minimize
drain during the period of disuse, store the batter-
ies in a cool, dry place.
www.orphancameras.com 21View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
SPECIFICATIONS
off whenUsable camera: Nikon FA Power switch: Via SC mode selector;
Attachment By turning attachment wheel set at L position
method: after removing camera's electri- Manual film By setting S€ mode selector at
cal contacts cover. advance: L position and using camera's
Shooting modes: Choice of single-f rame (S)or film advance lever
continuous (C)f iring via SC Rewind slide: Couples to camera's film rewind
mode selector; lock (L)Position button: turns off LED indicator
also provided when pushed up
exposure meterFiring rate: Maximum 3.2 fps at shutter Metering switch: Turns camera's
speeds of 1 /125 sec. or faster; on when trigger button is de-
single-f rame operation also pressed halfway; LCD staYs on
possible at S position for 16 seconds after taking
Usable shutter From 1 to 1/4000 sec. excePt finger off trigger button
for speeds: M250 and B in programmed, Remote control Accepts various accessories
shutter-priority, ape rtu re-priority, terminal: remote controloperation
(W)t99mm or manual mode of Nikon FA Dimensions: Approx. 147.5mm
Power source: Eight 1.5V AA-type Penlight bat- (H)x 73mm (D)
1 47.Smm (W)x+Zmm teries orAAtype Ni-Cd batteries* Approx.
Battery check: Via LED indicator by dePressing (H)x+7rnm (D) (excluding hand-
battery check button grip)
Battery life: Approx. 50 rolls in continuous Weight: Approx. 390g (without batteries)
shooting with new manganese *Data using Ni-Cd batteries maY batteries; approx. 70 rolls with
new alkal ine-manganese batte r- vary according to the perfom-
ies ance or recharged condition of
LED indicator: Lights up when f ilm reaches end the batteries marketed.
of roll fVote.' Ail pertormance data is at normal temperatures
[25'C (77"F)].
22 Subiect to change without noticeView original page 23From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.











