Robot Guide Reference guide

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              A T}NIQIIE CAMERA

          The Robot is often viewed with a degree of wonder.
          Whilst everybodyagreesthat  it is a good camera,it is also
         a modelthat doesnot fit into the usualrangeof instruments.
           Yes, it is precision built, it is fi.tted with Sood lensesof
          wetl known i'eputation,it is a small,well madecamera,but
                 it hasfeaturesto which a conventionalphotographeris notll      accustomed,which he cannot placeand with which he has
         no experience.ln consequencehe just wonders.
         What  I considerto  b! the outitanding featuresof the
         Robot are:-
          There is a spring motor built-in which in one wind wlll
         automaticallydo all the necessaryactionsto.get the camera
          ready.  lt is'not even neces-sary^t'oactuatethis motor, thls,2,          too,'the cameradoes itself. On releasingthe shutter the
          negative is exposed in the usual way, but as soon as the
           sh[tter closes,'theRobot spring motor sets itself into action
         and In the matter of a fraction of one second it transports   I[]ri          the film, resets the shutter, and counts the number of!R         exposuresmade, so that one is immed.iatelyready for the
          next exposurewithout havingmore to do than releaseagain.
           Twenty-four exposurescan be made in quic.ksuccession
            (ln fact up to 6 o'r 8 exPosuresPer second)therefore the
         Robot carifollow every event so-quicklythat nothing need
         passunrecorded. This, of course,is quite a uniquefeature.
              i\ot many other cameras (apart from cine instruments)
         can do without a number of manipulationsbetween two
          shots. There is the film to be transported,often the shutter
        needsto be cockedwhich meansdelay,and distractionfrom
          the subfect to be photogrqPh+,. redu-cingat the best, theli I l r        working-ptrotographsspeedto bne-tentli of that of a Robot camera. In          taking                of  sPorts,. children, technical, and
 [ ,          scieniifii proc-essbs,etc., the ability of the Robot to shoot
          quick sequenceswith any desired interval cannot be over-
          estimated.
          A definite dlstancesetting for sequencesof action would
         be of little use as in the movementthere is bound to be at

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least some distance variation. On the other hand when
taking sequencesthere is no time left for individualadJust-
ments. This problem hasbeenovercomein the Robot in the
best possibleway. A rangefinderas built into other 35 mm.
precisionmodels has been dispensedwith.  Instead,short
focus lensesare employedas standard(3 to 4 cm.), giving
the greatest possibledepth of field of which the best use
can be made with the help of an ingeniouszone focusing
system.This systemautomaticallyshowsat a glance(and in
colour) the best setting if anythingfrom as closeas possible
to infinity should be in focusas well as giving the depth of
field for any distancesetting.
  One could argue,of course,that a short focuslens needsa
close approachto the subject,which is likely to give an
exaggeratedeffectof preshortening. To avoid this a picture
size of  I x   I in. has been chosen,for which these short
focuslensesagainare normal.
  Here one could step in and saythe picture size is gettlng
rather small. Whilst this may be quite correct, the usual
miniature size is no more than  I x  l{  in. (Leica,Contax,
Retlna,etc.), and more often than not only a portion of the
negativeis enlarged. We are quite accustomedto seeing
 f 0, 12, l5 diameter enlargementsfrom such negatives.
There is no reasonwhy the Robot negativeshould not stand
up tothe samedegreeof enlarglng(asin actualfact it does).
Consequentlyphotographsof  l0 x  l0 in. to  15 x 15 in.
and more are beingobtainedby observingthe usualcareand
precisionIn processing. These sizes are as much as any
amateur (or professionalfor that matter) will want.
  Another good point is, most Robot standard lensesfocus
down to about 20 in. (50 cm.). Therefore,close-upwork
such as table-top,copying,photographingsmall objectscan
be often done without the help of auxillary equipment.
SupplementaD/lensescan, however,be used if necessary.
  For the rest the Robot is very much in line with other
modern miniature cameras. Double exposure prevention
device, releaselock, easy cutting off of partly exposedfilm
in daylightare all provided.

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  Further-the lensesare interchangeable,.long-focuslenses
are provided for specialisedpurposes,-is      and a wide range of
acceisoriesand attiachments  also available.
  One point is important. The internal constructionof the
Robot is so ingenious,and mechanicallywell executedthat
there is practiially nothing to go ryr.gng.Users.and specially
photogriphic repair workshops.fully agree that the need
ior repaiisto Robot camerasis almostentirely unknown.
    lf  I were asked for suggestionsto imProve the Robot, I
would say: simplify'sp6cialit.
  Replac6 the        cassettesof the Robot with  the
standard35 mm. film cartridge.
     I would also plead-in spite of what has been said about
the virtues of tone focusirig-for a rangefinderto be built
 into the camera which w6uld enhancethe usefulnessof
standard lensesand is, in fact, almost essentialwhen using
tele-photo objectives.

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        THE ROBOT CAMERA

  The Robot measures4{ x 213116x2tn.  (11.5x 7.1 x
5.1 cm.) overalland weighes2l ounces(595grams)including
lens and two cassettes.The body is of stainlesssteel and is
coveredwith fine grain morroco leather.
  As negative material the standard 35 mm. cine film is
employed..Up to 50 exposurescan be taken on a singleload
o.f film. Th" picture size is  I x   I in. (24 x24 mm.). The
shutter built Into the Robot is a revolvingdiscwith'a fixed
slot which movesdirectly behindthe lens-.The movement
is shake-freeand not affectedby cold weather.
  A spring-drivenclockwork built into the cameratrans-
ports the film, winds the shutter and operatesthe exposure
counter          up to24 exposuiesin one wind. The exposure         for
is made.by pressingthe button. On releasingthe button,
the mechanismls brought into action,automaticallywinding
on the film, and resettingthe shutter so that the camerail
immediatelyready againfor the next exposure. Exposures
can thus be madeat a rate of up to 6 or  I per second.
  A built-in optical finder can be used as direct vision and
angularfinder.
  The Robot lensesare interchangeable.A range of differ-
ent lenses is available,affording wide variation in focal
length, aperture, and scope. The lensesare focusedby
distance scale, combined with  click stops and elaborat'e
     focusing. Colour markingsgive both the depth oflof'g
    a1 every distancesetting, and tthe most suitablehyper-!eld.
focal distance.

The Robot  Models
ROBOT l, the original model introduced first in 1935,and manufactured
up to 1938, answers the general description given above. The shutter
has speedsof  l, l12, ll5, l/10, 1120,ti50, l/100, l/300 and l/500 sec.,
and. time exposure setting. An optically worked yellow-greeh filter  is
built into the camera. The findei swivbls on  its iocket illowing   lt to
be used for  direct vision and angular observation.  The film counter
is cafibrated from   I toM,  and repiats itself for No.25 to 50 exposures.

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   The later examples of this model have a release lock ring as safeguard
    against accidental release. The Robot  I uses special cassetteswhich are
    loaded in the darkroom.
   ROBOT  ll was introduced in 1939. The main variat,lonsfrom Model  I
    are the following. The shutter speeds are l12, l15, lll0,  l/25, l/50,
         | / 100, | /250 and  | /500 sec., and B. The built-in filter of Robot  I has been
    omitted. The finder is fixed, but is fitted with an angular prism allowing
    right-angleand direct observation. The film counter is let into the body,
    counting continuously from   I to 55. A safety catch locks the release.
   The camera has a built-in synchroniserfor flash work. The light channel
   between lens and film is wider, allowing wider aperture and longer focal
    length lenses to be used without  cut-off, than is possible with Robot  l.
   The film cassettesemployed are different from those in Robot l, allowing
    reloading in daylight with usual daylight refills.
   ROBOT  ll WITH DOUBLE SPRING MOTOR, otherwise indentical to
    Robot  ll has a motor which projects  I in. above the top of the camera,
    allowing to pull through up to 48 exposuresin one wind up, as compared
    with the up to 24 exposures of the regular model.
   LW ROBOT.  A variation of the Robot   ll was produced during the
     late war years, called the LW Robot.  lt is with black finish, has a double
    spring motor and a number of simplificationsin construction. As there
    are only a very limited number of this model which have reached the
    market, and as the manufacturers are willing to convert this LW camera
     into a standard model, no further  reference to this special Robot wlll
    be made here.

   Handling   the  Robot
     Our first task is to load the camerawith film. To start
   with we take  it for granted that we have a loaded Robot
   cassetteand the camerain front of us. The loadingshould
   be done In subduedlight.

   Loading  the Robot
               l.  Open back.
          2.  Pull out  driver  knob.
          3.  Remove empty  take-up  cassette.
          4.  Fix  film  end  to  centre  spool  of  take-up
             cassette.
          5.  Close take-up  cassette.
          6.  Place loaded  film  cassette  in  fllm  spool
10        chamber.

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                   INSIDE THE ROBOT





lnside of the Robot  l.





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 Inside of the Robot  ll.
 The inside of either model shows the film feed cassetteon the left and the take-up
 cassetreon the right (see also page 26). The spro^cketis visible next to.the take-up
 cassettein the fil-m tiack.  Toi  ieft isthe view-finder. In the Robot lthis can be
 swung round to the  left for use as a righ.t-angle finder, while Robot  ll has an
 auxiliiry eye-piece at the extreme left forthe same PurPose which is brought into
 use as required (page 26).
 The exposure counter  is on top  right  of the. camera together with  the driver
 knob and the motor-winding knob in the middle. Next to the winder knob is
 tte rtrutte. releasebutton. Tn Robot lthere  is a lock just underneath the motor
 winder to stop accidental release. ,(This is absent in earlier.Robot  I models.)
 Robot ll has a'specialstud on toP of the camefa.(Page9) for this p.urpose..,The
 hinged camera back shows presiure-plate and the p.ressure.pads.(Robot.l)'or
 preisure studs (Robot  ll), for opening'the cassetteswhen the back is closed.

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         7.  Pulf out  driver  knob.
         8.  Ptace tafcl-up  cassette  into  take-up  spool
          chamber.
         9.  Turn driver knob to tighten film between the
             cassettes.
       10. Close camera back.
              I l.  Make two  blind exposures
        12.  Set exposure  counter.

       l. To open the hinged-on back: firmly press body and back together
     and pirsh sliding catch on side wall of camera downwards.
    2. Pull up the milled driver knob which  is situated above the film
      counter, and hold it up during the action 3 below.
     3. Remove the take-up casette by pulling it out of its chamber wlth two
       fingers, or tipping the camera over, and letting the cassette drop
       into the hand.
     4. Open the cassette and fix the film to the centre spool as shown on
      pages 25 and 28.
     5. Close take-up cassette as shown on Pages25 and 28.
     6. Placethe loaded film cassette-the one which contains the unexposed
       film-into  the chamber below the viewfinder so that the film with
      the take-up cassette at  its end points to the take'up chamber.  (ln
      Robot  ll the two quide pins of the cassette have to  slide into the
      guide groove on toi  of thL film chamber.) Never press on the loaded
       film cassette of Robot  l, as the spring loaded film slot would open and
      might fog the film. The film cassette is automatically opened in the
     camera by the pressure of the pressure pads in Robot  I and pressure
      knobs in Robot ll in the camera back.
     7. As 2 and keep pulled up during 8 betow.
     8. Pushthe take-up cassetteinto the take-up spool chamber, and let the
       driver knob slide back.
     9. Turn the driver knob in an anti-clockwise dlrection whlle pressing
        lightly on the take-up cassette. lt first will engage in the slot of the
      centre spool of the take-up cassette and then draw the  film  taut
      between the two cassettes,so that the teeth of the sprocket engage
       In the perforation of the film.
     10. Close the  camera back by  pressing the  hinged back against
      camera body and pushing the sliding catch upwards.
         I l. The end of the film projecting from the loaded film cassette Into the
      take-up cassette was exposed to  light when  loading the camera,
       therefore two  blind exposures have to be made to get unexposed
t2    film behind the lens. To make the two  blind exposures, give the

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          HOW TO LOAD THE ROBOT





 l. Open back (page l2).
2and 3. Pull out driver knob and remove the empty take-up cassette (page l2).
 4. Open take-up cassette and fix film end to centre spool (page 26).
 5. Close take-up cassette (page l2).
 6. Place loaded cassette in feed chamber (page l2).
 7 and 8. Pull out  driver  knob and place take-uP cassette in  take-up spool
   chamber (page l2).
 9. Turn drlver knob to tighten film between cassettes (page l2).
l0and  ll.  Close camera back and make two blind exposures (page l2).
12. Set exposure counter (page l4).

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     spring motor  in the centre on toP of the camera about half a turn  in
     the dJrection of the engraved ariow  (clockwise).  Press the release
     button twice  (if release button cannot be depressed see instruction
     on page 20, No.7).
   12. To set the exDosurecounter in:-
      Robotl: Turn the outer milled ring which carries numbers, untll
     number 24 shows opposite the red arrow head on the inner disc.
    When the release bdtton  is depressed again to take the first picture,
     the inner disc will rotate and the arrow head comes to stoP opposite
     No.   I thus indicating that the first exposure has been taken. The
     numbers on the ring appear out of oider  but the arrowhead will
     always slip to the next humber. The counter itself carries only_the
     num'bers from   I to  24, so after 24 exposures  it  starts again from
     No.  l.  Consequently,'5, if after numerous exPosures the arrow head
      points to  let us say   the total number of exposures made will be
     2 4 + 5 : 2 9 .
       Robotll: Pressthe coupling pin (that is the short projecting stud.in
      front  and slightly to  the  left  of the  driver  k.no!,) and turn  the
      sprocket whe-el (wtrictr projects slightly out on the back wall on top
      of tt'r" camera) until "Or' comes to  lie opposite the black dot on the
      film counter cut-out. The Robot ll counter is calibratedfrom  I to 55.
     Sometimes it  is (for reasons of internal construction of camera) not
      possible to set the "0"  absolutely exactly to the dot.  That does not
       inatter, the counter will  still mechanically indicate the exposures
     made.

   Holding   the Robot
           It is obviousthat the camerashould be held as steady
   as possibleas the slightestshake,even if not seen in the
   ori!inal negative will become visible on  enlargement.
  A flarticularlysteady ho!d of the camera is necessarywhen
   working with speedsbelow l/50 sec.
     Alwals stand with your legs aPart. T.h" .Robot should
   be taken firmly into both handswith both elbows Pressed
   closeto the b<idy. Rest the cameraagainstthe nose, place
   the right index hnger on the releasebutton, rjght thumb
   againsacameraback,whilst right middle $S".  bent down-
   viards pressesagainstthe camerafront. The thumb of the
    left hand should-supportthe camerafrorn underneath,the
    left index finger from the cameratop, wtrile the middle
   fingers will be pressedagainstthe camerafront.
t4   To release,use finger pressureonly, keep the hand and

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 THE ROBOT VIEWFINDER     HO\ry TO HOLD THE ROBOT





                                        Hold  the  camera firmlY  in
                                           both hands,





                                               with   both  elbows  Pressed
Top  left: As  direct  vision  oPtical finder,    close to the bodY'
Top right: As right-angle viewfinder, Below
left: As chest level reflectingfinder (page l8).





For use as a  right-angle viewfinder the
Robot I finder is-swung round (page l8).

                                           always stand  with  the  legs
                                                 well apart,




The Robot   ll  finder  is changed over  by
pushing the changing knob on top  of the
viewfinder   towards   the  camera   front    and hold quite stil I while you (page 20).                                 Press the shutter. t

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     its grip on the camerasteady. The actual pressingdown wlll
   have to be done slowly and smoothly. The slower the
   exposuretime, the smoother must be the release.
    Do not let the releasingindex finger rest on the driver
   knob as this turns as soon as the releaseknob has been
   presseddown and is releasedagain,otherwisethe automatic
   transport of the film would be hampered.
     For slow exposuresin the hand, rest the elbows, or at
    least lean the body, againstsome support to avoid shake.
    In this way an exposureof even l/5 sec.can be madewithout
   noticeableshake.
    Use of a tripod is necessarywhen taking time exposures.
      It is also recommendedfor speedsfrom l/10 sec.to   I sec.
   The tripod will screw into the tripod bush In the bottom
    plate of camera.

    Carrying   the Robot
     However elegant it may be to carry the Robot on a long
   strap hanging from the shoulder, this position is guite
   unsuitablefor quick action. Manya good shot has been lost
    in this way. A better method is to carry the Robot on a
   short strap round the neck, so that  it lies on your chest.
   Openingthe caseand liftingthe cameraup to the eye is then
   a matter of a split second.
     There are a number of different types of casesavailable.
   The ever-readycasecarriesthe camerareadyfor use; there
    is a cameraholding screw which preventsthe Robot from
    falling out of the opened case. A leather purse with zip
   fastener may be used when the camera is carried in the
   pocket or hand brg.

   Shooting   with  the  Robot
    The  main manipulations here descrlbed should be
   practised so that they will become practically automatic.
   They will help to make the Robot in your hand the qulck
   acting,quick firing instrumentit hasbeendesignedto be.
              l.  Load camera with  film.
16     2.  Wind  motor,

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    3.  Set shutter.
    4.  Set stop.
    5.  Set distance.
    6. Look at picture in viewflnder.
    7.  Release.
 l. Loading of the camera has been fully described on page 10.
2. Wind the motor by turning the winding knob in the centre on top
   of the Robot in the direction of the engraved arrow (clockwise direc-
   tion) until  it comes to a definite stop. The tension of the spring gear
   is constant.   lt does not relax even if  it  is left in the wound positlon
   for some time. The tension of the spring is sufficient for 24 exposures
  without rewinding except where the shutter is set for l/500 sec. In
   this casethe motor will pull l0 to  l5 exposures only.
    The actual number of frames automatically pulled through in one
  wind of the motor may slightly vary in accordancewith the thickness
  and brittleness of the film.  At the same time   it  is a good practlce
  when making a series of exposures to wind up the spring after each
  seriesto ensure an adequatedrive and avoid the nuisanceofthe spring
  running out in the middle of a sequenceof photographs.
3. Set the shutter speed by turning the shutter setting knob on the
  camerafront until the required speed shows opposite the index mark
  on the camera body above the setting knob. The values given 2, 5, 10,
  25,50, etc., arefractionsof secondsand stand for l12, l15,lll0,1125,
      | /50 sec., etc.
      Robotll has the speeds l12, l15, l/10, 1125,1150,l/100, 11250,
   l/500 and B. The shutter speed knob can be turned in either direc-
   tion and also fully revolved. RobotI has the speeds l, l12, l/5, l/10,
  1120,U50, l/100, l/300 and 1i500 sec., and  l.   ln early models of
  Robot  ll the shutter speed knob can be turned clockwise up to
   l/500 sec. where  it comes to a definite stop, and has to be turned
  anti-clockwise from there to come to the slower speeds down to T,
  where again it comes to a stop. Also in early Robot ll, the l/50 sec.
   is marked in red, indicating the recommended minimum shutter
  speed for pictures taken with the camera hand-held to avoid camera
  shake.
    The  lever with  the green arrow  actuates the  built-in  filter  of
  Robot  | (see page 6l). When pressing this lever in the direction of
  the arrow, the  filter  is swung into  position behind the shutter
  opening. At the same time the shutter setting knob is turned to the
  next  longer exposure time, thus automatically allowing for  the
  doubling of the exposure which is needed with the filter requires.
  Swinging the  filter  back again automatically sets the shutter back
   to  its original position.  lt is, of course, possible to change the shutter
  speed after the filter has been brought into position.
    Time exposures. Both  "B"   of Robot   ll and "T"   of Robot   I are   t7
ROB-B

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          t'bulb"  exposure.  At this setting the shutter remalns open as long
        as the rele'ase button  is pressed down and will close as soon as the
        pressure is removed. Long time exposures can be made with a cable
        ielease with  fixing screw.  The cable release is screwed into the
       threaded hole in the release button.  With  the shutter set to B or
         T, the cable is pressed,and the locking screw tightened. The shutter
          will now remaih open until the locking screw on the cable is loosened.
         Another method of making "Time"  exPosureswith both Robot ll
       and the later series of Robot  | (which have a release lock ring below
        the motor winding knob) is simply to turn the release lock into the
        locked position after having pressed down t,he release button with
        the shuiter set to B or T. The shutter will now remain oPen until
        the releaselock is pushed back.
          For slow exposures of  l,   | 12,l15, or   li l0 sec.,the releasemust be
        kept pressed down until the shutter has closed, otherwise a much
        sh6rt6r exposure time is given. The closing of the shutter is clearly
        audible.
          ,f. The stop (aperture of the lens) is set by turning the movable front
         ring of the lens until the aperture value required (i.e. 3.5,4,5,6,8,
               ll,  etc.) is opposite the index mark. The purpose of the diaphragm
           is to adlust the effective opening of the lens. The smaller this opening
       (when the lens is stopped down) the greater will be the depth .of
          field (see page 42). At the same time less light can Passthrough the
        lens and consequently the exposure time has to be longer (see page
         54). Some of the stops are marked in colour, the purpose of which in
        conjunction with the distancesetting is fully explained on page 43.
       5. The distance to which the lens should be set is the distance between
        the camera and the subject to be photographed. The distance is set
       on the milled ring on the lens mount so t,hat the index mark (a black
        arrow head) points to the distance required.  For distance setting
        with the built-in filter of Robot l, see special note on page 61. Some
        distance figures are marked in colours, and also beside the index
       mark are a number of coloured dots, the PurPose of which in con-
        junction with the aperture setting is fully explained on page 43.
       6. The viewfinder, is of the direct vision type and should be held close
          to the eye. Do not attempt to turn the camera to the right or  left
       away from the eye, nor move the eye from the centre of the eyepiece
         to find the limitation of the field of view.  This "spying round the
        corner" businessis deceptive. What  will appear on the negative is
        only what you can see in the finder when holding the eye ciose to
       and in the ientre of the eyepiece and looking straight ahead. The field
          of view given is exact for photographs taken at 9-l?ft.  away.  A-t
          inflnity a trifle more appears on the negative than is seen through
        the finder and at 20 in. to  6ft. a shade less.
           Ihe Robot I viewfinder is normally used as a direct vision oPtlcal
18      finder.  By turning the finder through an angle of 90o, lt becomes a

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          HO\^/ TO SHOOT WITH THE ROBOT





After loading as descr'ibedon pages l0 and l4:

2. Wind the motor (Page l7).

3. Set the shutter sPeed (Page l7).

4. Set the stop (page l8).

5. Set the distance (Page l8).

6. View the picture through the finder, and

7. Press release (Page 20).

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        right-angle finder.  You can now look round the corner.  Nobody
       expects to be thus photographed, so you can avoid camera con-
       sciousness. By looking downward in the right-angle position of the
        finder, the eye.close to the eyepiece, you ian use it'as a reflecting
        finder at chest level. In the rilhi-angle position the viewing image ii
       blue and p.ermitsestimating the monochromatic appearancJ(in biack
      and white) of the subject to be photographed.
          I.he Robotll ftnderis also a direlt vision 6pticalfinder. To use it as a
       right-angle fi-nder,push the changing kno6 on top of the viewfinder
      toward the front of the camera, and looking thiough the auxilary
                  at the side. You can also use it as1 chest-level reflecting        lle.piece.
       finder like with the Robot  l.  Here, too, the viewing image in the
       right-angle position is blue.
      7. Releasethe shutter by gently pressingthe releasebutton. Speedsof
        l/25 sec. and shorter are instantaneous,and can be taken with the
      camera held in the hand.  lt is, however, advisableto use | /25 sec. as
       sparingly.aspossible,as there is some danger of jerking the camera.
      (S19 p. l4for howto hold the Robot.) For time eiposures see p. 17.
        The moment the exposure has been made and the pressure bn the
       button releaseda whirring sound will be heard.  lt iomes from the
      motor as it transports the film, tensions the shutter and moves the
      exposure counter. This takes about  | /10 sec. For the duration ofthe
      sound of resetting the camera it is not necessaryto hold the camera
      steady as the photograph has already been taken the shutter is closed.
        To prevent accidentalreleaseof ihe shutter both Robot ll and the
        later models of Robot  I are fitted with a shutter looking device. In
       the Robot  ll the release is locked by pushing the relEase locking
      knob.(on top of the camera between ttre winaing-Correspondingly,knob and the drivei
      knob)  in. the .direction of the driver knob.                       to
      unlock the release for use, push the locking knob in'the  diiettion
        of the winding knob.  In the Robot  I of the later series there  is a
       milled ring. below the winding knob.  By turning the milled ring
       anti-clockwise,the releaseis locked. Turning the n=ngin a clockwisE
       direction unlocks t,he releasefor use.

   Unloading   the Robot
      After having.takenall.exposures(the numberof exposures
     is. automaticallyrecorded on the exposure counter), the
    film has to be removed from the camera, preferably in
   subdueddaylightor at leastin the shadowof your body.
              l.  Make three  blind exposures.
         2.  Open camera back.
         3.  Remove take-up  cassette.
20      4.  Close camera back, or reload camera.

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          HOW TO UNLOAD THE ROBOT





I and 2. Make about three blind exposures,then open the camera back (page l2).
3. Remove the take-up cassette (page 22).
4. Close camera back or reload camera (page l2).





             HO\^/ TO CUT OFF EXPOSED FILM





 t and 2. Make two blind exposures,then oPen camera back (page l2).

 3. Cut film near feed cassette. Do not cut through perforation holes (page 22).

 4. Remove take-up cassette and close camera or reload rest of film (page 221'

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          l. To make the blind exposures release the shutter three times.
      2. Open the camera back as described on page 12, No.  l.
      3. Remove the take-up cassette which now contains the fully exposed
        film (see page l2).    lt  is possible that a small rest of film has not
      been exposed. In this caseit will project out of the take-up cassette.
         In that case close the camera again and make a further'few  blind
       exposures, in order to transport all film into the take-up cassette.
      Any other method of winding the film rest into the take-up cassette
         (for example, by turning the driver knob) might causeslight fogging
         of the last few exposures. Never press a Robot  I cassette which con-
        tains film as the spring loaded film slot would open, and fog the
         film. As soon as the cassetteis removed it should be wrapped up,
       preferably in black paper, until the film is taken out in the darkroom.
      As soon as the film is taken out in the darkroom the cassette is ready
        for re-use.
     4.Close the camera back as described on page 12, No.  10, or reload
       (see page l0).  You can reload immediately, before removing the
      exposed film from the take-up cassette,only ifyou have spare cassette.

    Cufting Otr Exposed Film Parts
           lf a film which is only partly exposed is to be processed,
    the exposedpart can easilybe cut off in subdueddaylight.
               l.  Make two  blind exposures.
         7.  Open camera  back.
         3.  Cut or tear  film near feeding cassette.
         4.  Remove take-up  cassette.
         5.  Close camera or reload rest of film.
         l. Make two  blind exposures by releasing the shutter twlce.   This
         will bring the last exposed frame into the feeding cassette.
     2. See page 12, No.  l.
     3. See above, No. 3.
     4. See above, No. 10. To reload the rest of the film immediately you
      need a spare take-up  cassette.  Otherwise you must removi  ihe
      exposed film from the take-up cassette in the darkroom.  For re-
      Lgadingsee-10.  A total of six exposures are lost through cutting the
        film, therefore, the exposure c6unter should be advanced b/  six
       divisions.


22

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    ROBOT FIIMS AAID CASSETTES

Robot  Films
  The Robot usesthe standardperforatedcine film of 35 mm.
width.  lt may be obtainedas:-
  BULK LENGTHSof l8 to 200 ft. (5.5-60m.). In thls case
a suitablelength hasto be cut off to be loaded in the dark-
room into the Robot cassette(see p. 24).
 DARKROOM REFILLSare cut lengthsfor 50 exposures
which have to be loaded into the cassetteIn the darkroom
(see page 24). These darkroom refills are the same as the
36 exposureslengthsfor 24 x 36 mm. miniature cameras.
  DAYLIGHT REFILLSsuitableonly for Robot ll are ready
cut and trimmed films for 55 exposureswhich are supplied
wound on to a centre spool and covered with a black PaPer
strip to allow loading 6f the Robot ll cassettein daylight.

Handling
  Cassetteshave to be loaded with film from bulk lengths
or with darkroom refillsin a completelydark room. A dark
green safelightcan be usedwith gi'eat care,but as Practically
 itt fS mm. iegative film is fully-coloursensitive,even this
 light may fog t-hefilm.  lt i_salwiys'  saferto work in complete
 dirknes!. This is not difticult.  lt is, however, advisableto
 practisefilling with a dummy frlm first -in daylight before
 itarting the dlrkroom work. [n the caseof slow positivefilms
an amblr or orangelight can be used.
  When handlinq-thJ actual film particular care must be
taken nor to touEh its emulsion(mitt) side. lt shouldonly
 be handledby holding the film dn either side of its edge,
 preferablybetweentliumb and index finger. At the same
 iime  it  ii of no less importancethat the place in which
 loadingis done should be perfectlydry, cleanand.dustfree.
 only   i spotlessclean negativewill produce good .pictures.
  Wh.n usingbulk film f6r loadingcassettes,the edgeof the
 work benchian be marked with notchesor drawing pins
 to indicate various distanceslet us say for 12, 24, 36, and 23

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   50 exposur-e.lengths of film.  This considerablysimplifies
   .measuringfilm lengthsin the darkroom. No siecial trim-
    m.ingofthe film is needed,a strajghtcut is allthat'lsrequired.
   The film             spooled on to the fifm cassettecentre spbol, as                .is
    describedon page25. While winding, hold the fiim only
    by its edge.
    When winding_thefilm on and off, do not put too much
    pressureon the film. The film ends must not be squeezed
    while they are passingthrough the hand. Failureto take
   these precautio.ns                           result in fogging,or may give rise                  Tay
    to pecu.liai'.kindsof exposureeffectq known as'"lightning
    flashes". Theseare due to electricaldischargesand-appeai
   as dark                   lines-running from the edge of the film to-          .zigzag
   wards the centre of the picture.

    Film  Length  Required
       In the Robot I the amount of film accommodatedby the
    cassette-                 on the thicknessof the particular type of          .depends
    film. While with the thinner basefilms-rhe cassetddwill
    hold 5. ft. (1.5 m.) which. is equivalenrto 50 exposures,
          thicke.rtypes_willonly allow enoughfor 40 exposures,   lome.
     i.e. about 4[  ft. (1.3 m.).
      In the Robot ll a 5 ft. (1.5 r.)  length should be usedto
    give 50 exposures. With  the usual darkroom refills or
    daylight refills which are slightly longer, 55 exposureswill
   be obtained.
     Shorter film lengthsof coursecan be used. The length of
   any required num^berof exposuresmay be easilyfound by
   allowing.                 in. (10 cm.) rrailer on either end,.and l* id.           1
    (2.8cm.) for eachpictureand spacing.Thusfor l8 exposures
    8.1, (18 x  l*).                    28f in. (or 20 {   (18 x 2.8) :70cm.)                =    of film are needed.

    Iroading   the  Robot   I Cassette
              l.  Work   in total  darkness.
         2.  Prepare  film.
         3.  Open Robot   I cassette.
24     4.  Wind  film on centre spool.

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     5.  Introdtrce centre spool into cassette case.
     6.  Fix  lid.
l. Seep.23.
2. fn the case of bulk film measure out of the length needed (p.Z4l,
   In case of a darkroom  refill remove its wrappins.  As this'htm  is
  about.5|.ft._long, cut off in case of a thin filni 4 in-. (10 cm.), in case
   of a thick  film,   I ft. (30 cm.).   In order  not to have to wasre any
   material, the Robot  I user may consider cutting the usual darkroorir
   refill in half and loading one half at a time intb the cassetteglving
  about 25 exposures.
3. Ope-n Robot  I cassette by removing its lid and pulling out the centre
  spool.
4._Clamp the end of the film under the spring clip on the centrespool.
  Take the spool in the left hand so that drive kdy slot points to*ards
  you and push the end of the film  (it does not matter whether  lt  is
   cu.t.off.squarely.or torn  off) as far as possible under the spring clip,
  with  the emulsion side (matt)  inwards, towards the  ceritre hetll
  core. Wind the film squarely, moderately light.  Do not touch the
  emulsion with your fingers, only the back and sides may be touched.
5. To introduce the  centre spool with  film on   it  into the cassette
  take the case into your  left hand so that the flattened side faces
  upwards. Now press the film slot spring with the index finger out-
  wards by placing it into the slight recess in the flattened side of the
  cassette.Slide the centre spool with film (the end with the round hole
   first)  into-the  cassette, leaving the  first 2 in. of film unwound, by
   first slipping one edge of the unwound film under the  proiectini
  corner of the film slot spring and then pushing the whole siooi homE
   into the cassette case. A short end of film will now remain'projecting
  out of the cassette through the film slot.
6. Push the  lid over the cassette. The drive knob  slot  will  project
  through the hole in the  lid.  The cassette is now loaded and light-
   tight.

Fixing Film  to the Take-up  Cassette of Robot  I
       l.  Work  in subdueddaylight.
    2. Open take-up cassette.
    3.  Pull out about 2{ in. of film from fllm cassett€.
  .    l.   Fix fllm end to centre spool of take-up cassette.
    5.  Insert centre spool intb cassette case.
    6.  Fix lid.
    7.  Insert cassettes into camera.
2. Seeabove,No.3.                             25