Film cameras
Sears Tower 32A and 37A User manual
User manual for Sears Tower 32A and 37A. 16 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Sears
- Model / document
- Sears Tower 32A and 37A
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 16
- File size
- 2.1 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
S E A R S , R O E B U C K A N D C O , U S A a n d S T M P S O N S - S E A R S L M T T E OView original page 2
Page 3 · Read text
a
o High-speed,extra-sharpf:1.7Mamiya-Sekorlens in Tower32A . . . fast, sharpf:2.8
Mamiya-Sekorlens in Tower37A . . . these lenseswere developedby fine-camera
craftsmenfor superiorfull coloror blackand white photography
o Reflexviewing. . . the pictureyou see throughthe viewfinderwindowis the actual
picturethat will appearin the final photo
o True-imageviewfinderprovidesfast,accuratefocusingunderall conditions
o Focusat full aperture... the lensopeningclosesautomaticallyto the pre-setlens
aperturewhenyou pressthe shutterbutton
o Single-strokerapidactionleverautomaticallywindsfilm and cocksshutter...pre-
ventsdoubleexposure
r Tower32A.'. . focal planeshutterspeedsfrom I to U1000-secondplus "Bulb" and
ttTimett
o Tower37A. . . focal planeshutterspeedsfrom I to 1/500-secondplus "Bulb" and t'Timett
o Self-timer on Tower 32A.. . lets operatorget into picture
o Bayonet lens mount for interchangeablelenses
o Optionalexposuremeteravailable... meter makes it easyto set correct lens opening 'and
shutter speed for sharlpestpictures possible
o Synchronizedfor flash bulbs and electronicflash
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 6 · Read text
|Loading Always load your camera in subdued light.
Load with any type of 35mmfilm, color or black and white.
Open back of camera for loading by lifting up Back-lockCatch (R).Pull up
the Rewind Knob (P), drop your film cartridge into the empty chamber,and
push the Rewind Knob back into its original position. Turn knob slightly
unti I it snaps into place. .
take-up spool o
sprockets Pull the tapered end of your film across back of cameraand insert it into a
slit of the take-up spool.Advance Rapid-windLever (K) and make sure film
is properly engagedin sprockets.Swing shut back of camera and make sure
it locks securely.
Film CounterDial (J)... This dial automaticallyadvancesto "S" (start)when
you close the camera.Advance the Rapid-wind Lever (K) twice, depressing
the ExposureButton (L) each time. Advancethe leveronce more and the Film
Counter Dial is automatically set at "1" and you are ready to take your first
picture.The dial movesone mark each time the film advancesand tells you
how many exposureshave been made.
Note: When the Rapid-wind Lever (K) is advanced, the Rewind Knob (P) should turn
. (after slack has been taken up in the magazine). This will provide a check on whether
or not film is advancing properly.
Film ReminderDial (Y)... Once set, this handydial makessure you do not
forget the type of film being used in the camera.The outer ring is for setting
the exposureindex number (ASA rating)of the film. Referto the instructions \ for this number.
The numbers in the lower-centerportion of the dial are for recording the
number of exposureson the roll of film being used. Use the red numbersfor
color f ilm, the black numbersfor black and white.
film cartridgein chamberView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Correct Exposure
Correct exposureof film is determined by setting lens opening (f: stop) and
shutter speed in proper combination. The right combination of these two
settings depends on subjects,amount of light, and type of film used.
For greatest accuracy in making these settihBS,use an exposure meter. A
special exposuremeter (No.7639)that can be attached to this camera is avail-
able through the camera department of your local Sears Store, or may be
ordered from Sears CameraCatalog.The meter mounts right on the camera
and assures correct exposuresat a | | times. Mounting instructions are in-
cluded with the meter.
A guide to the proper exposure settif,gS,under typical light conditions, is
includedwith most film. For example,when using Kodacolorcolor film under
a bright sun, and your subjects are stills, set the shutter speed at 1/60-second
and the lens openingat f :11.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Lens Opening Pressthe Lens OpeningRing Button (W) and turn the Lens Opening Rine (F) until the desired f: stop number is set at the white marker. Make sure the ring locks at the click stop. The Tower 32A has eight lens settinBS,ranging from tzl.7 to t:22, while the Tower 37A has seven settihgs, ranging from t22.8to f:22. The t:L.7 and f22.8 settings let in the greatestamount of light, while f:22 lets in the smallest amount. As the diaphragm is opened from tz22to f:2.8 or f:1.7,the lens open- ing doublesat each setting... for example,twice as much light enters at f:11as at f:16.View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
Shutter Speed
Simply turn the Shutter Speed Dial (M) until the desiredsetting is opposite
the black marker.Make sure dial is firmly set at click stop.
The shutter speed is the amount of time your film is exposedto light. "60"
(1/60-second)is the speed recommendedfor normal action and poses. For
fast action shots,you have speedsranging from LlL25to 1/500-secondon the
Tower 37A and LlL25to UlffiGsecond on the Tower 32A.For slow action, maxi-
mum depth of field, and poorly lighted shots,you have speedsrangingfrom
..8"1/30 to l-second,plus and "T".
When shootingat these slower speeds,use a tripod or other firm support to
prevent camera movement,which blurs the picture.
For time exposure pictures, set the Shutter Speed Dial (M) at ..8" or "T".
Set on "8", the shutter will stay open as long as you press the Exposure
Button (L). Set on "T", the shutter automaticallystays open until the dial
is turned to "8".
o www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
Viewing and Focusing The viewyou seels the pictureyou get! Becausethe sightingand focusingimageis provided by the main lens,you seewhat the lens sees.Thereis no parallaxregardlessof distanceor focal lengthof lensused. AutomaticDiaphragmLever(D). . . Becausethe main lens is usedfor sightingand viewing, the viewingimagewill be darkwhenthe lensopeningis small(example:f:22).Therefore,after settingthe shutterspeedand lensopening,pull downthe AutomaticDiaphragmLever.This opensthe lensto its fullest and allowsyou to view the scenebeing photographedwith the maximumamountof availablelight.Whenthe ExposureButton(L) is presseddown,the lens openingautomaticallyclosesto the settingindicatedon the LensopeningRing (F). Focusing...Sightthroughthe Eyepiece(V) anOturn the FocusingRing (A) until a sharp, clear imageappearsin the groundglasscircle. Be sure to hold the camera steady when you press down the Exposure Button (L). Cameramovementcauses picturesto blur. When using infra-red f if m adjust to sh a rp f o cu s and note the distance indicated on the DistanceScale (B). S h ift the f ocus setting so that the distance setting is aligned with the red dot just to the right of the orange d istance marker.View original page 10
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Depth of Field
Depth of Field With your camera focused clearly on the subject, the subject will be sharp
in the resulting picture.Other objects in the picture area, both ln front and
in back of the subject,will also be in focus. This range of sharpnessis the
"depth of field." The larger the f: stop number (smaller lens opening),the
greaterthe depth of f ield.
How to use... With your camerafocusedon the subject,look at the Depth
of Field Scale. Note the white f: stop numbers to the left and right of the
orangedistancemarker.Take your current f: stop from the lens openingring
and locate it in the numbers on the Depth of Field Scale (C). The number
of feet opposite the f : stop on the left representsthe "near' lim it of your
depth of field. The number of feet indicated on the right representsthe
"far" limit of the depth of f ield.
Examp le: The lens opening is set at f :8. The FocusingRing (A) indicates
the subject is 7 feet away. Therefore,the depth of field is from
5 feet to 10 feet. All objects within this area will be sharp in
your picture.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
Self -Timer. ! ! This handysetting gives the operatorplenty of time to get into the picture.When the Self- Timer Lever(H) is turned counterclockwiseas far as it will go, a delayof about 10 secondsis obtained.Turningthe lever less resultsin a shorterdelay. Whenusingthe Self-Timer,makesurethe shutter is cockedto avoidmistakes. Pregsingthe Self-TimerButton (H) is the only way to actuatethe Self-Timer.The Exposure Button (L) will operatethe cameraafter the Self-Timerhas been set, but it will not actuate the Self-Timer. Whenusing the Self-Timer,place the cameraon a tripod or other sturdy supportso there is no chanceof the camerafalling. FLASHPICTURES... Yourcamera'sfocal plane shutter mechanismpermitsusing either flash bulbs (FP6or FP6B) or speedlight(electronicflash).Simply plug the connectorcord of your f lash unit into one of the Flash Sockets(S) (FP for flash bulbs or X for speedlight). ' lf you use flash bulbs,set the Shutter SpeedDial (M) at 1/60 to U500-second,followingthe instructionsincludedwith your film and flash bulbs.lf you use an electronicflash,set the speeddial at any appropriateorangenumber. . . these rangefrom 1/30 to l-second. Your flash unit may be attachedto the Tripod Socket (X),or used with the accessoryshoe clip (suppliedwith your camera).To attach the clip, unscrewthe Eyepiece(V),fit the acces- sory clip into place in the recesswith the clip section extendingover the cameratop . . . screwEyepieceback into place.View original page 12
Page 13 · Read text
Unloading Film...
Alwaysunloadyourcamerain subduedlight.
Do not attemptto take any more picturesafter availablenumberof exposures(20or 36)
havebeenmade.
To rewindfilm, pressin SprocketReleaseButton (Z) so that it remainsdepressed.Pull
up the handleon the RewindKnob (P) and turn in directionof arrowuntil film is com-
pletelyrewound.
Whenend of film is reached,slight resistancewill be felt as end detachesfrom.take-up
spool.Openbackof cameraand removefilm. DepressedSprocketReleaseButton (Z) will
returnautomaticallyto originalpositionwhen Rapid-windLever(K) is operated.
Note:lf, at end of roll of film, the Rapid-windLeverjams part way throughits stroke,do not
force.Pushin the SprocketReleaseButtonto free leverso its strokecan be completed. \
lf jammedleveris forced,the film maybreakor becomedetachedfrom the feed spool. n
lf this shouldhappen,the cameramust be openedin a darkroomif film is to be saved. ;\
€
Alwayskeeplenscapon camerawhennot in use.. . this is especiallyimportantwhencamera S
is exposedto sunlight. +
Do not storecamerawith cockedshutter,. , this placesunnecessarytensionon the shutter f,
mechanism. )t
Whenthe lens barrel'isremoved,the reflexmirrorcan be seeninsidethe camerabody-
DO NOTTOUCHTHIS MIRROR.Blowoff any dust with a bulb syringe.
Do not attemptto makeany repairson yourcamera.Do not oil the shutteror any otherpart
of the camera.lf serviceis necessary,returnthe camerato your nearestSearsStore.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
3 L B c > t ' t 7 ( 3 L l l f ' l u t c i@ FocusingRing DistanceScale Know Your Camer a..'@,c Depth of Field Scale @ AutomaticDiaphragmLever @ Lens @ Lens OpeningRing(t: stop) @ Shoulder-strap Hook Q) Self- timer Film CounterDial@o,@ Rapid- wind Lever E xposure Buttono,@ Shutter SpeedDiaI @ Film PlaneReferenceMark @ AccessoryShoe @ RewindKnob and Handle Back- lock Catch Flash SocketsQ) Lens ReleaseLever Film ReminderDial (nSn rating)@eooView original page 14
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lmportant N otice
about the Model 3 28
Arl the information in this booklet pertaining to Model 32A is correct
for the Model 32B, with the exception of these 4 improvements!
1 The viewfindernow has a ground glass viewing screen plus a split image rangefinderto
make precise focusing even easier.When you turn camera focusing ring, the ground glass -sharpens up" and the two halves of the circular split image rangefindercome togetherat
the same time. This will serve you as a double check for sharpness.
2.ry The Flash Sockets for electronicand regularflash units are now on the side of the apron
of your camera.This helps keep the flash unit cord away from the viewfinder eyepiece.
Continueto follow the directions in the flash section of this booklet.
3 The f ilm reminderdial (ASA rating)O is locatedon the top plate underthe f ilm rewinding
knob.
4 The accessoryshoe clip @ is mountedon the top plate (detachable).
SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO. and
SIMPSONS-SEARSLIMITED
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
Accessory Lenses. , . Telephoto and wide-angle lenses are available which can be used inter- changeablywith your Tower 37A camera.Accessoriesare also available for close-up photography. / To removethe normaf lens, twist off the entire lens barrel while pressing in the Lens ReleaseLever (T). To replace lens, match the red dot on the inside rim of the lens barrefwith the red dot on your camera.Twist lens into place until Lens ReleaseLever clicks shut. A full rangeof filters is also availablefor your camera... use an Ednalite No. 713f ilter adapter,SearsCatafogNo. 8114. A compfete line of photo aids and auxiliaryequipmentfor your camera is availableat most Sears Retail Stores,or through your Sears catalog.View original page 16
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.