Film cameras
Sears Tower 45 / 46 User manual
User manual for Sears Tower 45 / 46. 25 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 45 / 46
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 25
- File size
- 2.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 1 · Read text
www.butkus.us
5,.. $, n0EBucK A1{D C0. At{B SlMPS0t{S-StARS Lllrlllt0
Copyright 1957 Sears, Roebuck and Co.View original page 1Page 3 · Read text
outstanding features:
e focal plane shutter permits 12 accurate speeds
from 1 to 1/1000 second . . . also takes time and
bulb exposures.
o extra focusing range of lens lets you shoot as
close as 1B inches, perfeci for close-ups.
o rapid film wind and shutter cocking lever speeds
up picture-taking. I
r coupled range and view finder assures extra rl
sharp pictures.
osynchronizes for flash bulbs and speedlights
automatically.
o double exposure prevention.
o click-stop lens openings . . . for accuracy and
convenience.View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
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you have selected
Sears best TOWER 35mm Camera. lts many out-
standing features assure you of a wide variety of
photographic thrills. As you read this booklet you
will become acquainted with the various parts of
your camera. With a little practice you will be able
to take extremely slow or extra fast pictures in
sharp detail with color or black and white 20 or
36-exposur"e film.View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
g the camera
o Turn camera upside down with lens facing you.
o Lift base plate lock handle and turn left, in direc-
tion of arrow, to "Open".
o Lift to remove base plate.
film
. . . Should always be done in the shade, never in
bright light. Use 35mm (20 or 36-exposure) color
or black and white film.
open@ n.rove take-up spoot from right side of
@ ffof O loaded film cartridge and take-up spool (as shown in fig. 3) and insert end of film securely
under clip on take-up spool so that glossy side of
film is facing away from you. (Make sure that
knurled knob on take-up spool and tip end of
film cartridge are both in up position,) Film is
properly attached when its perforated edge is
flush with flange under spool's knurled knob.
@ erf r film from its cartridge until not more than 2 perforations, behind the film's bottom curved
edge, are visible and lower gently into slot along
back of camera (fig. a),
@ S"t camera on its base so that lens barrel is facing
awayfrorn you. Then open back cover of camera by
fis. 3View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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hooking your thumb nail into grooved portion on
base of cover and lift upward (fig, 5).
|fl Swing outward rapid film wind lever slowly to
advance film. Look through open back of camera
to make sure film perforations are engaging in
the sprocket wheels and that film is moving to the
right. Continue swinging outward rapid lilm wind
lever until it stops; then release. (Remember,
rapid film wind lever will not swing back unless
you have advanced it completely.)
O Wipe off dust and fingerprints on inside of back cover with a soft brush, gau2e or cotton cloth.
Then close back cover.
O Replace base plate and turn lock handle right, in direction of arrow, to "Close".
O Press shutter release button. Advance rapid film wind lever until it stops; then release.
Repeat Step B to make sure that any film exposed O to light, while loading camera, has been fully
advanced.
@ Set exposure counter dial on zero by turning dial's two protruding pins in direction of arrow.
YOU ARE NOW READY FOR TAKING YOUR
FIRST PICTURE.
on camera's back cover, match @ Referring to chart
ASA pointer with your film's ASA index by turn-
ing center dial. This is a reminder informing youknurled knob
what type of film is inside camera. clip
film cartridge
Ju#**s.***v*.'I!n?-;*l
:$s\ss:lsftsffiView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
how to take pictu res
holding the camera
Two forms of pictures can be taken with your
TOWER 35mm Camera' A horizontal picture is
taken when camera is held as in fig.6. The prcture
will be vertical when camera is held as in fig. 7.
The right hand should always help support
camera and, at the same time, the right index
{inger should be in a position to operate shutter
release button. Either middle or index finger of
the left hand should always operate the focusing
lever. Holding the camera, as previously de-
scribed, permits a very rapid change from horizon'
tal to vertical pictures, and vice versa. lt also es-
tablishes a habit for picture-taking because the
same set of fingers are used to operate the shutter
release button and/or focusing lever in either
horizontal or vertical Position,
fis.6 fig. 7
ffi:tl ''s*h_*r
,View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
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Ing
Your TOWER camera's coupled range finder
eliminates guess-work in focusing to obtain pic-
tures with sharp detail.
Q Sigl-'t through view finder eyepiece to determine what you desire to include in picture. Keep in
mind the main subject to be photographed.
@ Sigl''t through range finder eyepiece and focus upon main sub.iect. Look for a yellow image
superimposed on the view.
Move focusing ring untrl the two images in range
finder (fig. 8) coincide with each other (fig. 9).
Now subject is in focus. When focusing, make
sure that your hand does not cover any of the
camera's front windows.
(note: To help you obtain critically focused pic-
tures, slightly move range finder focusing lever
(at left of film rewind knob) until subject can be
seen at close range for easier focusing.)View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
{ adv &ncing film
'{ Your camera's rapid film wind lever speeds up
cocking and picture-taking advancing film by{ After time. same at the exposure for next shutter
pressing shutter release button, another picture
cannot be taken until you swing outward rapid
film wind lever. This prevents accidental double
exposures (taking one picture over another).
(note: To make intentional double exposures for
special effects, follow instructions given in an'
other section of this booklet,)
m in ing correct exPosu res:
Correct exposure is determined by using the
proper combination of two camera settings: lens
opening (f/stop) and shutter speed. The proper
combination of those two settings depends upon
the subject, amount of light and type of film used.
For best results, use an exposure meter to deter'
mine proper lens opening and shutter speed.
We recommend using TOWER Exposure Meter
(No. 9707).
lens opening
. . . determines the amount of light entering the
camera through its lens to the film. Tne lower the
f/stop number, the larger the lens opening and
the greater the amount of light that reaches the,
camera's film. To adjust lens opening, turn click'
stop tens opening ring (at front of lens barrel)View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
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slow shutter
Digitally signed by mike speed dial
butkus
DN: cn=mike butkus,mike o=orphancameras, ou=29, slow shutter
email=mike@butkus.org, c=US speed dial lock
Date: 2018.08.20 14:03:25butkus -04'00' fast shutter
speed dial
black shutter speed
index marker
red shutter speed
index marker
fig. 10
until its black dot is lined up with desired f/stop
number on outer f/stop scale.
shutter speed (refer to fig. 10)
. . . refers to a specified length of time that film is
exposed to light.
For fast shutter speeds (from 1125 to l/1000
second), do the following:
e Set slow shutter speed dial (on front of camera)
by depressing slow shutter speed dial lock and
turning dial to red 25.
o Advance film by swinging outward rapid film
wind lever until it stops; then release.
o Lift fast shutter speed dial (on top of camera) and
turn until desired shutter speed number is next to
black shutter speed index marker on top of
camera. (Always make sure that fast shutter
speed dial sinks into position at desired setting
before pressing shutter release button. When
using a setting of 1/1000 second, the fast shutter
speed dial will sink only half way.)
(note: lt is recommended to set desired shutter
speed after having advanced film for its next
exposure. With this TOWER camera, however'
you may also set desired shutter speed before
advancing film. Just lift and turn fast shutter
speed dial until desired shutter speed number is
next to red shutter speed index marker.)View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
For slow shutter speeds (from 1l15to I second
or when a time exposure is to be made)r a
tripod is usually.recommended for all these slow
exoosu res.
o Lift fast shutter speed dial (on top of camera) and
turn until red 25-1 is lined up with black shutter
speed index marker. Then set slow shutter speed
dial (on front of camera) by depressing slow
shutter speed dial lock and turn dial to desired
setting.
r Advance film by swinging outward rapid film
wind lever until it stops; then release.
o At T setting (for long Time exposures), on slow
shutter speed dial, press shutter release button.
The shutter will not close until you turn slow
shutter speed dial to 1 second.
comptring the picture
The camera's built-in view finder shows the area r to be photographed. Hold the camera level with
the view finder eyepiece close to your eye.
hof d camera steady and level;
shutter release button Oressslowlv 'E -f
Avoid touching fast shutter speed dial which
rotates when shutter release button is pressed.
.,.;i*ar..-View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
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picture-taking steps in brief:
"
@ n"rnove cover from camera lens.
O fo"us on subject by sighting through range finder eyepiece and turning focusing ring, (Use
range finder focusing lever for critical focusing.)
@ eAuunce film by swinging outward rapid film wind lever until it stops; then release.
@ S"t shutter speed dial. (Be certain that film has
been fully advanced.)
frrn lens opening ring to f/stop number which @ will meet prevailing light condition. (For best
results, use an exposure meter.)
O g"Toose the picture by sighting through view Ttnoer eyeprece.
@ ffofA camera steady and tevel; slowly press shutter release button. Repeat Steps 2-7 for
taking each picture.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
tu
% w ".';""::;::N':ti mee xposure pictur€)s
'ffi'
. . . may be taken under dull lighting conditions,
either indoors or outdoors without a flash bulb.
When taking Time exposures, place camera on a
tripod or other firm support. (A tripod socket is
provided in base of camera.)
Q S"t lens opening. Turn lens opening ring to
desired setting.
@ s"t shutter speed: At B setting on fast shutter speed dial . . . set
slow shutter speed dial (on front of camera) by
depressing slow shutter speed dial lock and
turning dial to red 25.
At T setting (for long Time exposures) on slow
shutter speed dial . . . lift fast shutter speed dial
(on top of camera) and turn until red 25-1 is lined
up with black shutter speed index marker.
Press shutter release slowly. lf using B setting,
shutter stays open as long as shutter release
button is held down; at T setting, shutter will not
close until slow shutter speed dial is turned to
1 second.
time exposure suggestions:
For best results, use an exposure meter.
o To avoid camera movement . . . use a tripod. lt
is also wise to use a cable release. Unscrew and
remove ring from around shutter release button.
Then attach a cable release, (Leica-type, No.6741),
equipped with a time exposure lock attachment.
o To avoid subject movement . , . pose your sub-
jects in a comfortable position so they will not
accidentally move during the Time exposure.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
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hotog raphy
Flash lighting helps you get sharp, clear indoor or
outdoor pictures in color or black and white. your
camera is equipped with two separate types of
synchronization, ("M" and "X"), for flash ex-
posures. "M" type synchronization permits flash
bulb exposures and "X" type permits electronic
speedlight flash exposures.
Another versatile feature of your camera is its
automatic selection of proper type of flash unit
synchronization when you change shutter speeds:
For speeds llE second and sloweJ . . .
an "X" type synchronization is obtained for using
an electronic speedlight.
For speeds l/50 second and faster . . .
an "M " type synchronization is obtained for using
focal plane flash bulbs (such as, No. 6, 26, etc,).
Connect electronic speedlight or flash gun to
camera by inserting its plug into flash synchro-
nization socket on back of camera.
pu*li's,otView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
flash exposure chart
(Refer to camera's back cover)
Here is a quick, easy way to find the correct lenrs
opening (f/stop) for a specific shutter speed at
various distances when using No. 6 focal plane
flash bulbs. All you have to do is. ..
e Match ASA pointer with your film's black and
white or color ASA index, at left of chart, by tunn-
ing raised center dial.
o Determine camera-to-subject distance in feet.
o Select shutter speed.
o Read the chart downward under the determined
camera-to-subject distance in feet and you wiIl
have the correct lens opening (f/stop) number
lined up for each shutter speed shown on ASA
pointer dial. (For example, f:11 is the correct lens
opening (f/stop) number when the film's ASA
index is 100, the camera-to-subject distance is 10
feet and you have selected a shutter speed of
1/tqo second. See fig. 11.)
fig. 11View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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ding film
. . . should always be done in the shade, never in
bright light.
o Press film reversing button (button R next to
shutter release button on top of camera).
o Lift film rewind knob until it is just above the
coupled range finder eyepiece and turn in di-
rection of arrow. Continue turning until film re-
wind knob turns freely. This is an indication that
film is back in its cartridge.
o Turn camera upside down so that lens is facing
you.
o Lift base plate lock handle and turn left, in
direction of arrow, to "Open".
o Lift to remove base plate.
o Remove film cartridge with thumb and finger or
by turning camera right-side up and tapping
camera's base against palm of other hand to
catch falling cartridge.
o Place film cartridge into its container and have it
processed immediately.
o Replace base plate and turn lock handle right, in
direction of arrow, to "Close".View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
of field
for sharp focus
. . . is the range of distance, near and far fronn a
focused-upon subject, which will be in shanp
focus. This depth of field varies with the lens
opening (f/stop) used. Remember, the srnaller
the lens opening the greater the range of sharp
focus.
Your camera is equipped with a depth of field
scale (see fig. 12) so that you can easily read the
range of sharp focus before taking each picture.
The numbers on focusing ring distance scale and
the lens opening numbers on each side of black
locusing index comprise the range of sharp focus"
The following example shows how to read thre
depth of field scale: Camera-to-subject distance
is 7 feet, exposure calls for a lens opening of f:16
Set focusing ring at 7 feet (as shown in fig. 12).
Look for the number 16 on each side of the black
focusing index.
The depth of field scale shows that objects be-
tween 5 and '12 feet will be in sharp focus.
tig.12
:h of
scale
k focusing
indexView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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close-up photography
One of the outstanding versatile features of your
camera is that it can shoot pictures of subjects
at as close a range as 1.5 feet (18 inches) from the
f ilm without the aid of any accessory, lf the lens
barrel is turned toward the red numbers for
close-up photography, the lens barrel will seem to
come to a stop somewhere around the number 3.5
feet. The focusing lever must be turned further
in the same direction until it is set at 1,5 feet.
At the red numbers, less than 3,5 feet, the range
finder does not couple with the lens, Therefore,
in making close-up pictures (3,5 to 1,5 feet), the
distance from the film inside the camera (indi-
the cated by a horizontal line -O- beneath
TOWER name triangle on top of camera) to the
subject must be measured and the focusing ring
must be set to that distance nunrber.
For taking close-up pictures, you must take into
account the difference in height between view
finder and taking lens. To make sure your picture
shows actual scene you desire, aim the camera
approximately 1/, inches higher than the area you
intend to photograph.
Here is a chart (fig. 13) showing the picture area
covered when photographing subjects less than
3,5 feet from film plane inside camera, {ig. 13
Measured
Distance 1.5 ft. 1.75 ft. 2.0 ft. 2.25 ft. 2.5 ft. 2.75 tt. 3.0 ft. 3.5 ft.
Focused Upon:
Picture 6X in. Ttyuin. 9x in. iOlla in. i2 in. li 3pzu in. \q,,i int. tl,i in, Area by by by by by by by by Covered: 9Yz in. 11% in. 13r'4 in. L5% in. 18 in. 20 in. 22in. 26,Xe in,View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
(refer to fig. 12)
Here's what to do when using infrared film and
f ilter:
o Determine camera-to-subject distance.
o Turn focusing ring until distance number, lined
up with black focusing index, lines up with red R
on depth of field scale.
(For example, if camera-to-subject distance is 7
feet and 7 is lined up with black focusing index,
then move 7 to the right until it lines up with red
R.)
ke an intentional
dou ble exposu re
(for special effects or if flash bulb fails,)
You may intentionally take more than one picture
on the same film frame at various shutter speeds
with various lens openings. Here's all you do:
After making a regular exposure, DO NOTo advance rapid film wind lever.
Turn fast shutter speed dial in a counter-clock-o wise direction, while it is still fully depressed,
until it stops. Remember to hold fast shutter
speed dial securely so that it does not slip back
while turning.View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
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rill
I*rltI
I
l
i fuLkut 'u t
Compose the subject and press shutter release
button.
You will be able to superimpose a number of
pictures on one frame by repeating Steps 2 and 3.
iq- i To change shutter speeds (between 1/25 and
I 1/1000 second), while taking more than one
picture on the same frame, make sure slow
shutter speed dial is set at red 25. Then lift fast
shutter speed dial and turn counter-clockwise
until desired speed number is lined up with red
shutter speed index marker.
To change shutter speeds (between 1/15 and 1
second), while taking more than one picture on
the same frame, make sure fast shutter speed
dial is set at red 25-1 . Then set slow shutter speed
dial by depressing slow shutter speed dial lock
and turn dial to desired setting.
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for using either fast or slow
shutter speeds but remember DO NOT advance
rapid film wind lever.
caution: Occasionally, when the fast shutter
speed dial is turned in a counter-clockwise di'
rection and set at a position half-way between the
numbers indicating shutter speeds, the safety
device automatically locks the shutter and film
advance mechanism. To unlock, turn the fast
shutter speed dial in a clockwise direction until
it goes no further.View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
e your camera's
versatility with these
TOWER accessories:
accessory lenses (see fig, 14)
Increase your picture-taking range with telephoto
and wide angle lenses. The telephoto lens is a
must for taking close-up pictures of distant sub-
jects (i.e., wild animals that you can't approach
closely, sports stars from the stands, etc.). Use a
wide angle lens to include more of subject when
you cannot back up far enough with your camera's
regular 50mm lens.
fig. 14View original page 21From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.