Film cameras
Nikon MD-3 User manual
User manual for Nikon MD-3. 25 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-3
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 25
- File size
- 2.2 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 6 · Read text
FOREWORD
The Motor Drive MD-3 is designed for use with any F2
Nikon camero. lt winds the film and cocks the shutter
outomotically each time you pressthe trigger button. you
can also set it for completely outomatic sequenceshoot-
ing ot speeds of up to four frames per second. Smooth
remote control operotion is easy with accessoriessuch as
the Modulite Remote Controt Set ML-l or the lnter-
valometer MT-|. To obtoin the best results, read the in_
structions in this manual carefully before attempting to
use the unit. Keep the manual handy for reference until
you have thoroughly fomiliarized yourself with your
MD-3. A few minutes of preporotion will help you ovoid
costly mistakes.
J
5View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
ATTACHINGTHE MOTOR DRIVE
With the camera'sbackclosedand locked,fold down the
camera'sO/C key. Checkthat the O/C knob on the MD-3
is in the normalpositionwith the thumb leverpointing
to the rearof the motor drive;it shouldbe lockedin this
position.Placethe cameraon the motor drive,inserting
the key on the camerainto the grooveon the motor
drive'sO/C knob.
Turn the mountingscrewin the directionof the arrow
shownin the photo until the cameraand the motor drive
fit togetherwith the shutterreleasecouplingof the cam-
eraand the shutterreleasepin of the motordriveproperly
aligned.Tightenthe attachmentscrewfirmly.
Next, attach the cordlessbattery pack. Placethe motor
driveon top of the packand carefullytightenthe mount-
ing screwon the bottom of the pack until the two units
are seatedsnuglytogether.Note that the cordlessbattery
pack can be attachedto the motor drive before mount-
ing it to the camerabody.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
TOADINGTHE CAMERA
Depressthe O/C knob lock-releaseon the motor drive the right (towardthe back of the camera)until it clicks
and turn the O/C knob to the left as far as it will go. The shut. Turn the rewind knob gently in the directionof
cameraback will then springopen. Before loadingthe the arrow until you feel a slighttension.This will take
, film, set the frame counter to 40 and triggerthe motor up any slackin the film cartridge.Set the indicatorofthe
drivea few timesto check that it is operatingcorrectly. frame counter at 40 by turning the framecounterpreset
lf it isn't, it is probablymountedincorrectly.Remount wheel, and then pressthe triggerbutton and make two
and try again.You shouldload the film into the camera blankexposures.Lastly,set the numberof the frameson
, in the normal way. Consultyour camera'sinstruction the loadedfilm. For conveniencein setting,the frame
book for details. counterpresetwheelwill rotatein eitherdirection.
Then close the cameraback and turn the OIC knob toView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
POWERSOURCES
The Motor Drive MD-3 can be used with the Cordless
Battery Pack MB-l or MB-2, or with the AC/DC con-
verters.
MB.2
lnstallingthe batteries
Releasethe batteryholdersby pressingthe grip clipson
eachsideof the battery pack,and pull them out. Place
four penlightbatteriesin eachholderMS-2,makingsure
that the positiveand negative(+ and -) terminalsare
lined up correctly.Then fit the battery-loadedholders
backinto the MB-2until they click into position.
Life-spanof the batteries
The numberof rollsof film that can be shot with one set
of batteriesis difficult to predictaccurately,sincethis
dependson too many variablefactors.In the sameman-
ner, the numberof rolls of film that can be shot at the
motor drive's rated speedvarieswith the types of bat-
teriesused.The ratedfiring speedcan be maintainedfor
approximatelyten 36-exposurerolls of film when zinc-
carbonbatteriesare used,and for about 20 rollsof film
when alkaline-manganesebatteries are used. These
amountscan be extendedto approximately50 and 80
rolls,respectively,but with a correspondingslowdownin
the firing speed.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
This tableshowsthe numberof 36-exposurerollsof film Checkingbattery power
whichcan be fired on one set of batteries. t Pressthe power check button on the sideof the Battery
PackMB-2. lf the LED's light up, the batterieshavesuf-
Wrolls T y pe oFbittEr i-ei-------l t 0 2 0 s 0 8 0 1 0 0 ficient power. lf not, the batteriesare exhaustedand
z Inc-carbon must be changed.All eight batteriesshould be changed,
Air<aline-manganese I sincefull performancewill not be obtainedif old and
new batteriesare mixed.I ttre range of guaranteedfiring speed
I---l The range within operative battery power but without guar-
antee of the rated firing speedView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
-POWERSOURCES Continued,
MB.1
The CordlessBatteryPackMB-1 holdsten penlightbat-
teries,or two MN-l NC Battery Units, which are availa-
ble as optionalaccessories.
Installingthe batteries
Fold out the clip on the O/C key of the battery pack
and turn in the direction of the arrow to open the cover
of the battery holder. Placefive batteriesin eachof the
PenlightBattery Holder MS-l as illustratedon the side
of the holder.Then slip the holderinto the battery pack.
To installthe MN-l NC Battery Units,slidethem into
the pack in the sameway.
Life-spanof the batteries
The number of rolls that can be shot with one set of
batteriesvariesasfollows.Approximately15 36-exposure
rolls can be shot at the guaranteedrated firing speed
with zinc-carbonbatteries,and approximately30 rolls
with alkaline-manganesebatteries.Theseamountscan be
extendedto approximately100 and 160 rolls,respective-
ly, but with a correspondingslowdown in the firing
speed.NC battery units haveenoughpowerfor shooting
80 rolls of film at the rated firing speed,or up to 120
rolls but at slowerfiring speeds.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
Thistableshowsthe numberof 36-exposurerollsof film Checkingbattery power
whichcan be fired on one set of batteries. To check the battery power, depressthe power check
button on the sideof the batterypack.lf both the LED's Number of rolls
light up, the batterieshavesufficientpower. lf only the l 5 30 8 0 1 0 01 2 0 1 6 0 ffi
Zinc-carbon lower LED lightsup, the batteriescan still be used,but
A lkaline-manganese i will be exhaustedsoon. lf neither LED lights up, the
NC battery unit MN-l I batteriesmust be changed.All ten batteriesshould be (fully charged)
changed,since full performancewill not be obtainedif |Ih
old and new batteriesare mixed.I rn. rangeof the guaranteedfiring speed
[--l tfre range within operative battery power, but without guar-
antee of the rated firing speed
l 1View original page 12Page 14 · Read text
FRAMECOUNTER
The framecounteron the motor drive showsthe number o Be careful to set the numberof framescorrectly. lf
of unexposedframesremainingon a roll of film. lt is you overestimatethe numberremainingon a roll of
calibratedin even numbersfrom 0 to 40. The frame film, the result may be that the motor will pull the
counter presetwheel can be rotated in either direction. film off the supply spool or damageits perforated
Whenthe counterreacheszero,the motor will stop auto- edges,sincethe motor will continueto operateuntilI matically.lf you want a certain numberof framesto be the counterreacheszero.
set for continuousfiring, just set the counter to the de- o Turning the frame counter'spresetwheel away from
sired number. This operationcan be done repeatedly. its zero positionwhenthe motor driveis removedfromI The framecounteron the cameraalsocontinuesto oper- the cameramay occasionallyresultin the motor drive
ate when the motor drive is attached,so you can easily running freely until the counter resetsitself to zero.
seehow many exposuresyou haveleft. This is a normal operatingcondition,causedby the
end of the film being reachedbeforethe motor drive
completesits advancecycle,and is no casefor concern.
Whenthe motor drive is reattachedto thecamera,this
conditionwill be correctedautomatically.
o The motor will not operate when the counter is at
zero. Always check the counter before starting to
shoot,especiallyat the beginningof a roll.
l,'
t,'View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
FRAMECOUNTER
The framecounteron the motor drive showsthe number o Be careful to set the numberof framescorrectly. lf
of unexposedframesremainingon a roll of film. lt is you overestimatethe numberremainingon a roll of
calibratedin even numbersfrom 0 to 40. The frame film, the result may be that the motor will pull the
counter presetwheel can be rotated in either direction. film off the supply spool or damageits perforated
Whenthe counterreacheszero,the motor will stop auto- edges,sincethe motor will continueto operateuntil
matically.lf you want a certainnumberof framesto be the counterreacheszero.
set for continuousfiring, just set the counter to the de- o Turning the frame counter'spresetwheel away from
sired number. This operationcan be done repeatedly. its zero positionwhenthe motor driveis removedfrom
The framecounteron the cameraalsocontinuesto oper- the cameramay occasionallyresultin the motor drive
ate when the motor drive is attached,so you can easily running freely until the counter resetsitself to zero.
seehow many exposuresyou haveleft. This is a normal operatingcondition,causedby the
end of the film being reachedbeforethe motor drive
completesits advancecycle,and is no casefor concern.
Whenthe motor drive is reattachedto thecamera,this
condition will be correctedautomatically.
o The motor will not operate when the counter is at
zero. Always check the counter before starting to
shoot,especiallyat the beginningof a roll.
I
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
MODE CONTROT(SC) R|NG OPERATION
For single-frameshooting,set the mode selectorring at Single-frameshooting
"S" and for continuousshooting,set it at "C." Depress Depressthe SC lockingbutton on the motor drivehand-
the ring lock-releaseand selectthe operationmode re- grip and turn the mode selectorring to "S." As soonas
quired.The usableshutterspeedsare from 1 to 1l2OO0 the trigger button is released,the motor drive auto-
sec.plus B for single-frameshooting,and from X (1/80) maticallywindson the film and cocksthe shutterready
to 112000sec.for continuous.When the ring is at the for the next exposure.Whenusingshutterspeedsslower
"L" position,the triggerbutton will be locked.Usethis than 1/60 sec.,be sure to keep the triggerbutton de-
settingwhenyou are not shooting,as it will preventacci- pressedlong enough for the shutter to completethe
dentalexposures. exposure.Otherwise,the exposuretime may be shortened
unintentionally.Do not pressthe triggerwhile the film is
beingwound.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
REWINDING
Continuousshooting When the roll of film in the camerahas been exposed,
Set the mode selectorring to "C." Chooseany shutter pressthe rewind slideup as far as it will go. Then unfold
speedfrom 1/80 and faster. As long as the triggerbutton the rewindcrank on the camerabody and turn it to re-
is held down, the motor drivewill continueto fire auto- wind the film. Whenthe film is fully rewound,turn the
matically. Releasingthe button stops the motor drive O/C knob to open the cameraback,and removethe film
after it has advancedthe film one frame and cockedthe cartridge.
shutterfor the next exposure.
The numberof framesshotper secondwill varyaccording
to the powersourceused.The tablebelowillustratesthese
variations.
Number of frames per second Usableshutter
speed(sec.)
Type of battery
Cordless Battery Pack MB-l
r Zinc-carbon 3.5
o Alkaline-manganese 3.5
o NC battery unit MN-1 4 x (1/80)-
Cordless battery Pack MB-2 112000
o Zinc-carbon 2.5
o Alkaline-manganese 2 . 5
AC/DCConverterMA-4 4
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
DOUBLE,/MU ITIPLEEXPOSURES
You havea choiceof two operationalmodesfor making (B) For multipleexposures:
doubleor multiple exposureswith your motorizedF2, 1. Pushthe rewindslideup and hold it up for the dura-
either"S" or "C." The "S" settingis recommendedfor tion of the multipleexposuresession.
photographicsituationswherea deliberatecomposition 2. Make the number of exposuresyou require, and
is aimedfor; the "C" settingis more suitablefor special releasethe rewindslide.
effectssuchas multipleimagesof a movingsubjecton a 3. After completingthe last exposure,make two blank
singleframe. exposureswith the lenscoveredwith a lenscap.These
blankexposuresare to resetthe film transportmecha-
Using"S" setting nism and'to advancethe film readyfor the next ordi-
First, set the mode selectorto "S." and rememberthe nary exposureor setof multipleexposures.
numbershownin the frame counterof the motor drive. 4. Then, reset the frame counter of the motor drive to
(A) For doubleexposures: read one frame lessthan the numbershown before
1. Pushthe rewindslideup as far as it will go; thiswill makingthe multipleexposures.
disengagethe film transportmechanism.Then release
the slide.
2. Makethe first exposureby triggeringthe releasebutton
on the motor drive.Whenyou lift your fingeroff the
button, the shutter will be recockedby the motor
drivebut the film will not be advanced.
3. Triggerthe shutterfor the secondexposure.Releasing
your fingerfrom the triggerbutton will resultin the
film advancingnormally and the shutterrecocking
readyfor the next ordinaryexposure.
4. Resetthe frame counter of the motor drive to read
one frame lessthan the numbershownbeforemaking
the doubleexposure.View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
'3C"Using setting N o t e :
First,set the mode selectorto "C:'and rememberthe | ) You con alwoys verify the correct number of exposed frames by referring'to the comera's frome counter. The camere's
numbershownon the framecounterof the motor drive. frame counter only advonces os the film is transported, pro-
1. Pushthe rewindslideup as far as it will go. Hold the viding you with a reliable means of determining the number
slide in the "up" positionfor the durationof the of f rames exposed.
shoot i ng sessio n . 2) You can also get multiple exposures by pushing the rewind slide up and then releasing it before each exposure. Pushing
2. Triggerthe motor drive for the requirednumberof up and releasing the rewind slide during this operation tends
exposuresor until the action you are followinghas to shift the film frame slightly, although this is insignificant
finished. (0.2mm shift), but you con avoid it altogether by holding the
3. Releasethe rewindslide,coverthe lensand maketwo slide up throughout the sequence.
blankexposures.
4. Resetthe frame counter of the motor drive to read
one frame lessthan the numbershownbeforemaking
the multipleexposures.
! www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
OPERATIONWITH A SPEEDLIGHT SIMULTANEOUSFIRING
operationwith a repeatingflash unit, such as the 58-6, Two or more camerasmay be fired in unison,either in
is possibleat any shutterspeedup to 1/80 sec.lt can be single-frameor continuousoperation.Connecteachcam-
synchronizedat variousspeedsup to 3.8 frames per era with a motor drive, cordlessbattery pack and MC-4
second by shifting the output power setting,but it RemoteCord. Then connectthe red and blackplugson
shouldbe borne in mind that this may not be the case the remotecordsto a singleswitchto triggerthe motor
with otherbrandsof flashequipment. drivestogetheras shownin the illustrationbelow.
1 8View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
MOTOR DRIVEOPERATIONTIMING
When performing variousoperationsusingan intervalo- The value for T variesaccordingto the power source
meteror similardeviceconnectedto the cordless-battery-used,but must be greaterthan the time intervalshown
pack-equippedmotorizedcamera,certain timing factors in the tablebelow.
must be taken into considerationto achieveproper re- M 8 . 1 Power source M B-2 MA.4
sults.For eachspecialshootingsituation,weigheachfac- Penlight M N . 1
tor carefullyand makecompensationadjustmentsin tim- Time interval ttT" 0.32 0.28 0.45 0.28ingas necessary. sec.
A time lagexistsbetweenthe triggeringof the camera(via When the mode selectorring is set at the "S " position,
the remotecontrol device)and the actualreleaseof the the triggercircuit is openedand closedas shownbelow.
shutter.When the mirror is locked up, this delay is The motor drivewill beginto makeexposuresat a pre-
0.03-0.05 sec.; when the m irror is coupled,however, determinedinterval.Any shutterspeedcan be used.
the delayis extendedto 0.05-0.07 sec.Note that for the I= time of closing the trig-
mirror-coupledcondition,the time delayvariesslightly ger circu it
dependingon the powersourceand voltage. t,= time for completion of
The followingillustrationsshow how to obtain the cor- exposuresequence tr= O.25 sec. (increasesas bat-
recttiminginterval. tery voltage decreases)
Whenthe mode selectorring is in the "C" position,the
onloff switch opens and closesthe trigger circuit as ('8"shown below. Usableshutterspeedsare from X (1/80) For exposureslongerthan one second,use the set-
ro I 12000. ting. At this setting,exposuretime is almostequalto the
f = time of closing the trig- time requiredto closethe triggercircuit (tt ).
ger circuit
(0.05 sec.StS 0.15 sec.) IE
T= desiredinterval
www.orphancameras.com1 9View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
REMOTECONTRO1 RemoteCord MC-4 lntervalometerMT-l The motor drive can also be triggeredby connectingthe This timing control deviceenablesvariousspecial-effects RemoteCord MC-4 to its remote terminal.The shutter photographictechniquessuchas time-lapse,work-sampl- will be releasedby contact betweenthe two endsof the ing, time-exposureand delayed-exposure.lts output remotecord. An extensioncablecan alsobe connected; socket should be connectedto the remote terminalon any length is acceptable,so long as the circuit resistance the motor drive via the ExtensionCord MC-5. doesnot exceed100 ohms.View original page 22
Page 23 · Read text
RadioControl Set MW-1 Modulite RemoteControl Set ML-l
The Radio Control Set MW-l is an FM wirelessremote Connectthe receiverof the ModuliteRemoteControlSet
control deviceto operatethe motor-drive-equippedcam- ML-l to the remote terminalon the motor drive via the
eraat distancesup to 0.7 km in open,unobstructedareas, ConnectingCord MC-8. Usingthe ModuliteSet,you can
andup to 0.3 km in urban or mountainousareas.lt can perform remote control operationover a distanceof up
operateup to threecameras,eitherindividuallyor simul- to 60m. The receiveronly respondsto a modulatedlight
taneously. signalfrom the transmitter,so the possibilityof inadver-
tent triggeringdue to the influenceof speedlightor other
bright light sourcesis eliminated.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
ACCESSORTES
Quick ChargerMH-l PistolGrip Model 2
The MH-l recharges70 to 80 percentof the powerof the The PistolGrip Model 2 (availableas an optionalacces-
NC Battery U nit MN-l in approximatelythree hours. sory) providescomfortablesupportfor fingertip opera-
There are four acceptablelevelsof input power,namely tion of the motor-drive-equippedNikon F2-seriescamera
100V, 117V,220V,and 240V. poweredby a cordlessbatterypack.lt is particularlyuse-
ShutterReleaseMR-l ful for a telephotolens,a zoom lensor a Reflex-Nikkor
Screwingthe MR-l into the remoteterminalof the motor lens providedwith a tripod mountingcollar.The pistol
driveprovidesa choiceof triggerbutton positions,which grip is connectedto the remoteterminalon the motor
makesshootingat difficult cameraanglesmore conven- drivevia the ConnectingCord MC-3.
ient. lt is alsothreadedto acceptthe NikonCableRelease Battery PackI acket MA-3
AR-2 for copyingand still life operation. The Battery PackJacketMA-3 is felt-linedand leather-
clad to providethe batteriesinsidethe CordlessBattery
Pack MB-1 with necessaryprotectionagainstthe cold. lt
ensuresthat the motordrivewillcontinueto work at peak
efficiency.The two strapsaffixed to the jacket allow it
to be slungfrom the neck,shoulder,or waist.
22View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
SPECIFICATIONS OPTIMUM BATTERYPERFORMANCE
Suitablecamera: 1 . New batteries: Between manufacturing and first use, all
Any Nikon F2-seriescamera batteriesexhibit some drain. Therefore,care shoul{ be purchase to possible. the newest (and freshest)ones Shootingmode: taken you To help do this, some manufactures stamp the date
Single-frameor continuous(max.36 frames) of manufactureon the bottom of each battery; ask your
Shootingspeed: cameradealerfor assistancein interpretingthe codes.
4 fps.max.(usingMN-1Nicd unitsor AC/DC 2 . Temperature: Battery life ratings are basedon operation
converter) atlifearoundis shortened.20"C (68"At F).0"C,At forotherinstance,temperatures,batterybatterylife is
Framecounter: shortenedby as much as2l3. Sparebatteriesshould there-
Subtractivetype fore be kept availableif operation in low temperaturesis
Possibleto presetthe desirednumberof anticipated. 3 . Continuous use: Batteriesare drained much more quick- exposures.Automaticmotor stop whenthe ly by continuoususe than by intermittent use.
frame counterreacheszero 4 . Storage: When not in use, the batteriesshould be re-
Usableshutterspeeds: moved from the cordless battery pack to prevent dam-
1/80-1I2OOOsec.(continuous) age by leaking.To minimize drain during the period of
1-112000sec.plus B (single-frame) 5 . disuse,Batterystorebrands:the batteriesDo not usein a mixedcool, drybrandsplace.of batteries,
Powersources: nor batterieswith different model numbers.Also, avoid
DC supplybetween12 and15 volts mixing new and old batteriessince proper performance
CordlessBatteryPackMB-1 will not be obtained and battery leakagbinto your MD-3
CordlessBatteryPackMB-2 6 . mayDisposal:occur.Do not dispose of batteries by burning. Also,
AC/DCConverterMA-4 for safety'ssake, do not disassemblebatterieswhen dis-
Remotecontrol: posing.
Possible;usesthe remoteterminalon the MD-3, 7 . Polarity: When installing batteries,observethe voltage
connectedvia a connectingcord. tivepolarities(__)terminalscarefully.willReversalresult inot leakage.the postttvelf leakage(+, andshouldnega-
l Dimensions:Approx.147 (W) x 106 (H) * 62 (D) mm occur, clean carefully or take your MD-3 to your dealer.
(includingthe grip)
Weight:Approx. 3559t
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