Selfix Guide Reference guide

SEIFIX CAMERAS
   The Selfix cameras are sensible. They represent the
  traditional British characteristics of straightforward, solid
  design without frills, but incorporating all essentials and
  most worthwhile features. They are thus suitable for
  practically any field of amateur photography. They are
  simple to handle, reliable, and made to last a lifetime.
    Their optical equipment, produced by one of the world's
  most famous lens makers, fully matches the mechanical
   reliability.
    There are two series of Selfix models; the pre-1940 (no
  longer made) and the modern series. Each series contains
  three main models for the different picture sizes, and is
   fitted, in the case of the pre-1940 series, with a whole range
  of different lenses and shutters. The basic design and mani-
  pulation is similar throughout, though the mechanical details
  of the modern series are, of course, much more up-to-date.
  However, we list the older Selfixes as well as the modern
  models for the benefit of the many amateurs who have used
  the cameras since they were first introduced.
    The models marked o are now discontinued.

  The Modern Selfrx Models
  o SELFIX 920 takes 8 exposures 2f x3f in. (6x9 cm.) on standard size
   120 and 620 film. lt has built-in hinged masks to convert the camera for
   l2 exposures 2dx2f in. (6x6 cm.). The weight is 33{ oz. (l050grams),
   the dimensions (closed) are 6x3Sx2 in. (15x9.2x5 cm.). The body is
   die-cast aluminium, the drop baseboard and back are sheet steel. The
   back is hinged on. The front is fully self-erecting and perfectly rigid;
   the metal parts are satin chrome finished. The front cell of the lens
   rotates for focusing. Leather bellows connect the camera front to the
   back.  lt incorporates a body release, double exposure lock, and a depth
   of field calculator. The viewfinder is of the van Albada type. A carrying
   handle is fitted to the camera top. The camera carries supports to
   stand on a level surface for horizontal and vertical use as well as two
   tripod bushes.
    The Selfix 820 has an Epsilon 8-speed shutter with B and T setting,
    built-in flash contact and cable release socket. The lens is either the
    10.5 cm. Ross Xpres f 3.8 or the 10.5 cm. Ensar f 4.5.
4   SELFIX 820 SPECIAL. This model replaces the Selfix 820 and ls

PICTURE SHAPES \^/ITH THE SELFIXES





Top left: 2[x2[ in.Top right: 2[x3[  in.
Bottom; 18 x2* In. (4

similar to it but has a rangefinder built into the camera toP plate. The
    rangefinder is not coupled to the lens but is combined. in one eyepiece
    witE the direct vision'viewfinder. A built-in mask reduces the field of
    view when taking 2[x2[  in. pictures. The Epsilon shutter has two
     flash sockets, onJfor eleitronic flash the second one for flash bulbs.
    oSELFIX 16120 MODEL I takes l6 exposures l8I2*  i\: (4.5x6.cq.)
    on srandard iize 120 and 620 film. The weight is l9t oz. (620 grams), the
    dimensions (closed) are 4$x3*x  l{ in. (12x9x3.8 cm.). The bodl.is
     die-cast aluminium, the drop Sasebbard and back are sheet steel. The
    back is hinged on. The front is self-erecting, and perfectly. rigid. The
    metat partiare satin chrome finished. The front cell of the lens rotates
     for focirsing. Leather bellows connect the camera front to the back. The
    camera hal a body release. The viewfinder is of the direct vision !IPe
    and built into thecamera body. A baseboard support  is fitted to allow
    the camerato be used on a level surface for horizontal shots, as well as
   two tripod bushes.
     The Selfix 1-Oiiti Model I is fitted with the 4-speed Epsilon shutter
    with B and T setting, built-in flash contact and cable release socket. The
     lens is the 7.5 cm. Ensar Anastigmat F4.5.
     SELFIX 16120 MODEL ll is similar to the Model I described above but
    has a folding Albada type finder, double exposure lock, and depth of
     field calculator.
     The Selfix 16120 Model ll is fitted with the 8-speed Epsilon shutter
    with B and T sedting, built-in flash contact and cable release socket. The
     lens is the 7.5 cm. Ross XPres F3.5.
      SELFIX 16120 Model lV. This now replaces Mo.lgl l; it is fitted with
    the 7.5 cm. Rosstar f 4,5 coated anastiginat, in an Epsilon shutter with
   8 speeds, l-l/300 sec., B. and T.
      SELFIX l2l2} MODEL ll takes l2 exposures 2tx2* il.(6x6.cm.) on
    standard 120 or 620 film. The design of the camera, shutter, lens and
    finder fitted is the same as of the Selfix 16120 Model ll. Camera front
    opening catch and body release are fitted with conveniently shaped
    khobs io the front of the camera top plate.
     SELFIX l2l2} Models t and lV are similar to Selfix 12120 Model ll
    (above). In place of the Albada finder an optical direct vision finder is
     fitted.' Both modets have a coated 7.5 cm. Rosstar f 4,5. The Selfix
   nPA Model I is equipped with the 4-speed Epsilon shutter, the 12120
    Model lV has an 8-speed shutter.
  The Pre-1940 Selfrx Models
   o SELF|X220 takes l2 exposures 2*x2f in, (6x6.ry.) on size l]0- (n99    eZOl film. Internal hinged'masks fold intb place for l6.exposu!'.es tt )< 2*
     in. (4.5x6 cm.). Th; weight is J3 .o1 (6q0 8j3ms), the dimensions     (cloied) are 5{ x4x lf; in. (t+x 10x4.3 cm.). _-The camera has an all-
     inetal Sody wiitr hing6d baik. The front is ielf-erecting,.ald perfectly
 6 rigid. Thd metal paris are satin chrome finished. A radial lever on the





-:;rf  i'lib*:*  - * 4-

baseboard moves the lens front forward for focusing and also carries a
depth of field indicator. Leather bellows connect the camera front to the
baik. Most models have a body release. The viewfinder  is of the eye-
level optical type, with a reversible masking cover for the two Picture
sizes. A film iounter, geared to the film winder, is also fitted. The
camera has a baseboard Gg for standing on a level surface, as well as two
tripod bushes.
  The Selfix 220 is fitted with an Ensign 3-speed, Prontor | 4-speed,
Prontor ll 8-speed, or Compur'The8-speed shutter, all with B and T settingand cable rel6ase socket.      lens is a 7.5 cm. Ensar Anastigmat f7.7
             or a Tessar     or                                         f 4.5.              f 4.5;f' 6.3,                         been made with a built-in coupled FoDg€'                   has also      same           camera  The
finder, and is known as the Autorange 220.
                                                          120 (notc SELFIX 320 takes g exposures.mask  2*x3f in. (6x9 cm.) on size620) film. A thin metal         fits into the back of the camera for l5
er.pbsures l8x2* in. (4.5xQ.T.). Tlt".weigF!  it l9 22. {4!a gra.ms)',thedirirensions lclot"a) bre 6*x3*X l*  ilr (16.ry8.2x 3.8 cn.).  Thecamera has an alt-m6tal body with hinged back, The front is self-erecting
and perfectly rigid. The metal parts. are either black enamel led or
chroinium plated-. The front cell of the lens rotates for focusing.. Leather
bellows connect the camera front to the back. Some models of the
Selfix 320 have a body release.
  The viewfinders are in eye-level frame finder with folding m-ask for the
smaller picture size, and a waist-level reflecting finder on the front. The
camera has a baseboard leg for setting up on a level surface, as well as two
tripod bushes
  The Selfix 320 is fitted with an Ensign or Vario 3-speed shutter with
B and T setting and cable release socket. The lens is a 10.5 cm. Ensar
Anastigmat  f 6.3 or f 4.5.
o SELFIX 420 takes 8 exposures 2*x3f in. (6x9 cm.) on gize 120 (not
620) film. Built-in hinged.masks convert the camera to !ak9 l2-exposures
2*x7! in. (6 x 6 cm.). The wei_ght is 26.o_2. (717 grams), the d.imensions
                                                    c.amera has a lig.ht(jfoseE) ard 7x 38x  f * in. (17.8x 9.2x4.5 ..t.).. T!"ittoy cast body with hinged'sheet metal back. The back carries two film
winiows witfr sliding covers for the two sizes. The front is self-erecting                 -The                       metal parts are black enamelled or chromiumand perfectly rigid.
platdd. The'froit celt of the leris rotates fo1 fo.cusing. Leather bellowsconnect the camera front to the back. A body release is fitted. The
viewfinders are an eye-level frame finder with folding Fa:k for.thesmaller plcture size, ahd a waist-level reflecting f!nde1 on the front. The
camera has a baseboard leg for setting up on a level surface, as well as
two tripod bushes.
  The Selfix 420 is fitted with a Vario 3-speed, Pronto 4-speed, Prontor  ll
8-speed, or Compur 8-speed shutter. A number of these cameras were
made after 1945 wittr Eisilon 4- or 8-speed shutters. All shutters have
B and T settings and a cable release socket. The lens is a 10.5 cm. Ensar
Anastigmat F6.3 or f 4,5, or Tessar f 4,5.                       Z

The Lenses
     The lenses built into the Selfix cameras are not inter-
    changgable and consequ.ent_ly neither telephoto nor wide
    angle lenses can be used. The only opticai supplemenrary
    e.guipment consists of converging- mdniscus lbirses which
    altow the camera to be focused-atlearer distances tn.n the
   4f ft. possible with rhe unaided lens (see page 5l).
     ENSAR ANASTIGMAT,  l0.l 9rn., f 4.5, as fitted to the Selfix g20, is a
    four-component (Tessar typg) lenj,' has'" gooa itandard of definition
    over the entire negative fieid even at full ap-erture and can be graduallv    improved            on sto.pping                    down to                                                          for                                                                             ali gun"rii                                                    f 6. lt is suitable                                                                      ;-h.t;1    graphic          work.                       lts relatlvely                                   fast.aperture                                       makes                                                                       ir usetirt                                                             For ph"ioi-
      ra.PF)'!n pogrligh!,fast moving subjects, sports or when t.ri"l  iicturE,    with slow (colour) film.
    ENSAR ANASTIGMAT, l0.S cm., f 4.5 and f 6.3, as fitted to the           320-    Selfix                    420,            and                      good                                        qualiqy.                      are                                      lhr"u-.orponunt iuni"t. The            6.3                    is only                           half                                   as                            as flst    Ensar f                                  ihe f'4.5.
    ROSS          XPRES,                      10.5 cm.,                                           is a four-lens                                                                                       air                                           { 3.8,                                                   anastigmat,'Thewith    spaced              coTponent           front                       and                            cemented                                       back componjnt.                                                                    Ross
    {ntu-t is accepted generally as a perfect optical equiiruni. The defini-
    tion is very gool even at.full aperture, cove.ring'th'e negative fuli/ rnO
    evenly-illuminating  it to the.very corners. The ["rt perf[rmin." of the
     .Rgtt. Xpres is. given around f-lts5.6. The correction remains undimin-    ished at smaller apertures.    wide apercure permits instantaneous
    e.xPosures i1 qogrest ligltt, indoors,. in artificial iight, etc., and is par-
    ticularly useful for working with colour film.
     TESSAR, lq.5 cm., f-4.5,as fitted to some Setfix 320 and 420 modefs,
     ls similar to the Ross Xpres in construction and performaniu, Urt not    quite as fast.
    ENSAR ANASTIGMAT, T.5 cm., f .1.5,as fitted to the Selfix 16120 and
   220, is a threg-ggTponent  lens simifar to the Ensar f 4.i nitla to the    Selfix 320 and 420..
    ENSAR ANASTIGMAT, 7.5 cm., f 6.3 and f7.7, are similar to the    Ensar f 4.5, but only one-half and one-third as fast rerpectively.
     ROSSTAR-7.5 cm,                                         .f 4.5 is a new and improved version of the three-   gomponent Ensar. lt is characterized bi high resolving po*ur and
   better coverage of the field at full aperture.
    ROSS XPRES, 7.5 cm., F1.5, is similar to the 10.5_cm. Xpres in per-   formanc",                       eguivalent lens fitted to the Selfix l6l?:b *O lfpO.                 11,1,-i:,.h:    It is v9ry slightly faster even than the Xpres F3.B,.nd-it tfrur the   fastest lens fitted to an)r Selfix camera.
                                                   Ross Xpres, but onryg .o]5:tnil'J.?Jffi.,  f 4.5, is simirar to the 2.5 cm.

THE SELFIX SHUTTER (pare tt)
                                               TENSIONING
                                                   LEVER

  CABLE
  RELEASE
  SOCKET
  FLASH
  SOCKET





                                                       RELEASE
                                                   LEVER
When opened up the Epsilon sh-utter- presents a mass of levers and springs. The
tensioning lever tensions the.main spring which pgwerf the central ring thit opens
and closes the blades. The lever below the cable release socket, orlhe release
lever.(worked by.the body release) then frees the catch holding the blades closed,
and thus makes the exposure.





teft:-l'h9 eight-spee.d Epgilon shutter is fitted to the Selfix 16120 Model tl, and to
the Selfix 820 (w1th a fastest pp.e3d 9f  ! l??0 second). Right: The four-speedEpsifon shutter is fitted to the Selfix 16120 Model  l.

Coated Irenses
    The lenses used in the Selfix 820, 16120 and 12120 models
   are coated. Coating, or, as it is sometimes called, blooming,
                                                                                                                          fi ne  fi  | m   consists of the .pplication of a m icroscopically  .
   of magnesium flubride on the lens surfaces which con-
   sideraFly reduces the light reflection at glass and air surfaces
    in the lens. For examP-le, in a four-comPonent f _4.5 lens of
   the Ross Xpres type the loss ol light due to surface reflec-
   tion is in tlie regidn of about 35 P-er cent.,. a figufe which is
                                                                                         a. gain   reduced by coating to about 5 Per cent. Apart from
    in the speld of the lens which may in actual practice be as
  much ai 50 per cent. (:  half a sdop), coating reduces the
   scarter of light which impairs the contrast olthe image. This
    results in ahore brilliant negative, especially in the shadow
   regions where the tones are most subdued and so brilliance
   ani contrast is most needed. The fact that a lens has been
   coated can be recognlsed by observing in the lens reflections
    of, let us say, a lamp, which aPPear distinctly coloured, as a
    rule a rather deep blue with a tinge of red.

  The Care of l"enses
     The treatment and care of lenses is important. On account
                                                                                                        is   of its chemical composition, high quality optical glass
    susceptible to the influence of moisture, and for this reason
   never touch the glass with the fingers. Since comple.le
   protection is impolsible, clean the lens surface occasionally
   with a clean, soft chamois leather. Grease, rain spots, etc.,
   may be removed with a pad of cotton-wool moistened in
   ether. Neither glass nor the coating film will be affected by
    this treatment.

   Lens Hoods
     The lens hood is atube, as a rule made from metal, placed
   over the front of the lens to protect it from light coming
   from outside the actual picture area. There i: no p.icture
10 which could not be impr6ved in clarity and brilliancy by the

use of a lens hood. The wider the aperture of the lens the
     more important is the use of the lens hood. When strong
      light coming from objects outside the actual picture area
      strikes the lens, it considerably reduces the brilliance of
    the picture. This applies not bnly to photographs taken
      ag?inst the            the lens hood becomes indispens-               -light-when     able-but also to sunshine in generaf  .

    The Shutters
      THE EPSILON shutter built into the Selfix 820 has eight speeds: l, *,        l!5, lll0,.ll25, l/50, l/100 and 11250 second, and B an-d T iettings fo-i
  .   short and long time exposures respectively.
.+>THEEPS|LoNshutterbui|tintotheSe|fix@andSe|fix
     |2l20Mode||,hasfourspeeds:||25,|/50,|/|@cond,and
     B and T settings.                                       r
      THE EPSILON shutter built into the Selfix 16120 Modet  ll and lV and
        l2l?0. Model ll and lV has eight speeds:  l, *, I l5', li 10, 1125, t/50, l/100
     anq f/300 second, and B and T settings.         All the above Selfix Epsilon shutteis are of the between lens t)rpe,
      carry.an !r!s d|apttt?St which can be stopped down to f 22, are syn-      chronized for flash (see page 63) and have a cable release socket.
     o THE EPSILON shutter built into some Selfix 420 and Autorange
      (rangefinder 220) models has four speeds: 1125, l/50, l/100 and l/150
      second, or eight speeds: l, l12, l15, lll0, l!2,5, l/100 and l/150 second;
      as well as B and T settings.  lt has a cable'relea3e socket,'but no flash
    - contact.                                                                   1
     c THE ENSIGN shutter built into Selfixes 220 and 320 has three speeds:
       1125, l/50 1nd l/100 second, as well as B and T settings. This is an ever-      set type of shutter; i.e. it requires no tensioning.
    o THE VARIO shutter built into Selfixes 320 and 420 has three speeds:
           | 125, l/50 and l/100 second, as well as B and T settings. lt requires
      tensioning in the normal way.
    c THE PRONTO and PRONTOR I shutters built into Selfixes 220 and
     420havefourspeeds:||25,|/50'|i|00and|l|25second,aswe||asB
     and T settings. They have a delayed action mechanism.
    o THE PRONTOR  ll shutter built into Selfixes 220 and 420 has eight
      speeds: l, l12, l15, l/10, 1125, l/50, l/100 and l/150 second, as wellas
    B and T settings. lt has a delayed action mechanism.
    o THE COMPUR shutter built into Selfixes 220 and 420 has eight
     speeds: l, l12, l15, lll0, 1125, l/50, l/100 and |.1250 second, as wellas
    B and T settings. lt has a delayed action mechanism.
                                                               11

ITANDTING TTIE SETFIXES
   Ioading
      Load the film into the camera in subdued daylight or your
   own shadow.
        l. Open camera back.
     2. lnsert empty spool in charnber on  winding
        k"y side.
     3. lnsert rollfilm in other empty chamber.
     4. Fix paper end on to empty spool.
     5. Wind film transport knob through two turns.
     6. Close camera back.
     7. Turn film transport knob until No.  I aPPears
          in film window.
      l.  Slide the locking latch (or button) on top of the camera in the dlrec-
        tion of the arrow, and the camera back will open on its hinge.
    2. The empty film spool has to be in the take-up chamber-that  is the
      one below the film transport knob-before a film can be inserted.
      The empty spool has a slot at one end, while the other end has a
       round hole. The projecting bar of the film winding key is engaged
          in the end with the slot, while the other end receives the peg on the
        opposite side of the chamber. In the 16120, 12120 models, as well as
         in 220 and 320, the peg is mounted on a spring plate. Press this in
         slightly to allow the spool to drop into position. In the 820 and 420
       models the film key has to be pulled outward.
    3. Put the full roll of film into the chamber opposite the one with the
        film transport knob by pulling out the side pin on its spring or the
       knob on the side of th'e body t--o allow the sp6ol core to bntei. Then '        let the pin drop back in the central hole of the core itself. The
       tongue or pointed end of the backing paper on the spool must be
      on top and point towards the empty take-up spool.
    4. Break the gummed paper slip holding down the backing paper of the
          full spool, and remove the seal as far as possible. Draw the pointed
       end of the backing paper across the film aperture and fit it into the
      " longer slit in the core of the empty spool. The black inner side of the
        backing paper must face the camera lens.
    5. Pull the backing paper taut by giving the film transport knob tWo
       turns. The paper has to lie flat between the flanges of the empty
        spool and must on no account chafe or rub them.  lf the paper does
       not lie flat and straight, adiust it.
       Close the back of the camera and secure by trylng to pull it open-,- 6.lZ     without touching the catch.

LOADING THE SELFIX (pase l2)





Top left:    Open the camera back.
Top centre:   Insert the empty spool in the take-up chamber.
Top right:    Insert the full spool in the other film chamber and pull out the end
             of the backing paper.
Centre left:   Fix the end of the backing paper on to the take-up spool.
Centre:      Tighten the backing paper.
Centre right: Close the camera back.
Bottom left:  Turn the film transport knob until No. I appears in the film window.

7. Turn the film transport knob until No. l-preceded bY ? hand and a
      row of dots-appears in the red window on the camera back. 9fgn       the sliding .o"Li' of the window to allow observation. The Selfix
       820 and 42]0 models have two windows, one marked "8" the other one
      "12". For the full 2f x 3* in. pictures use the window marked "8"
      (:8  exposures) and- ignbre tf,.u other one. For 12 exPosur.es
        )* r 2f in. wirh'the buiit-in mask, slide one filggr over,gach of the
      nTr giia" rolters in the direction of the lens, before l.oodingthe film,
      when'the two halves of the mask witl spring up and can be folded
      over the negative aperture to reduce this to the smaller size. At
      the same tiire    the window marked "12" (: l2 exposures)'        The Selfix 220 ""has similar built-in masks, but only onefilm window.
      Wind the film to No. t in the window. Then turn the film counter
        disc by hand, gripping  it by the twoPegs,  unti.l the indicator points
      to N6. l.   T-he' film counter disc is ieversible; one side carries      numbers from I to 16, for t6 pictures l$x 2t i\. with the masks,
      and the other side carries numbers I to 12for l2 pictures without
      the masks. To change over, pull up the disc by its. central knob,
        slightly pressing the two peg; inwirds, turn round, and replace.
       lgiore the red window at ihe back after the first el(Posure.         -         For l6 exposures l$ x  Zf,in. with the Selfix 320, fitthe thin metal
      mask su pplied over ih" n lh apertu re. The narrow ledges at each
      end mutt'fit into the space beiween the film aPerture and.the film
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I        rollers. Load the film as described above, aria wind until No.
        appears in the lower of the two film windows in the back.

   Shooting
       l. Open camera front.
    2. Set distance.
     3. Set aperture.
    4. Set exPosure time.
     5. Sight the subiect.
    5. Release.
     7. Wind on film for next exPosure.
    8. Close camera.
      l.  Pressure on the front-opening button releases the camera front,       which will at once spring intJits proper taking positiol: Tilt the
       camera slightly forwird is it opens. With the modern Selfixes there
          is no need- to retard the quicti-opening movement by applying the
       hand as a brake (as some users do) to prevent the film from_b-eing
       sucked forward out of its focal plane. The Selfixes 820 and 16120 are
         fitted with beltows ventilation'which prevents the film from being
14     pulled out of place when the camera is opened.

SHOOTING WITH THE SELFIX (Pts" t4)





                                        To use the rangefinder of
                                         the Selfix 820 Special
                                                            (be/ow) adjust the focusing
                                                   wheel u ntil the two images
                                                 in the eyepiece  fuse.
                                             Read off the d istance on
                                           the wheel, and set the
                                                camera lens to the same
                                                                        d istance.




Top left:     Open the camera front.
Top centre:    Set the distance.
Top right:     Set the aperture.
 Centre left:    Set the shutter speed.
Centre:        Sight the subiect.
 Centre right:   Re lease.
Bottom left:  Wind the film on for the next exPosure.
Bottom centre; Close the camera.

2. Set the distance by rotating the front cellof the lens. On Selfix 16120
       Model I as well as on Selfixes 320 and 42C the scale of focusing dis-
        tances is engraved on the outside of the lens front, Selfix 820, 12120
       and 16120 Model  ll have the scale on the outer lens rim. Selfix 220 has
        the distance scale on the front of the baseboard. Turn the lens front
         until the distance figure comes to lie opposite the metal pointer
        projecting from the sh utter casing. On the Selfix 220 move the
        focusing lever until the central A mark points to the required
        distance on the scale.
        The Selfix 820 Special has an uncoupled rangefinders  built-in.  lts
        manipulation is the same as described below under Rongefinder for
        the Se/fx.
       The distance between camera and subject can be determined.
        either by guess work or measurement. Preferably use a rangefinder,
       but as a rough measure you may pace out the distance between
       camera and subject, counting each average step as 3 feet. For close-
       up work use a tape or similar measurement.
          Rongefrnder for the Selfix. As relying on guess work for estimating
        distanies is unsatisfactory,  particularly with wide apertures, and the
       use of a tape measure is generally quite impracticable, separate
        rangefinderC have been made available for use with cameras where it
           is not built in. These are constructed on the "coincidence" principle.
     On one side of the square tube is the viewing aperture fitted with an
       eye-cup. Behind this (within the tube) is a semi--transparent silvered
        mirror at an angle of 45o, and at the other end of the tube a reflecting-
       prism which can be tilted relatively !o the fixed mirro!'.by means of       a cam mechanism attached to the calibrating focusing disc. Setting
       the index to infinity (@) and looking through the viewing aperture
       one perceives in the middle of the circular field of view a smaller and
        lighter circle, and in this a double image of g near object whose
        dlstance from the camera  is to be ascertained. By simply turning the
        graduated disc the two images may be made to supef-iTpose so that
        ioincidence  is so perfect that only one image, instead of the- previous
       double image, is visible. The scale on the rangefinder willthen show
        the subject-distance. By means of a tinted glass one of the images  is
       coloured; this is a great help in separating two images and so
         simplifies the adjustment for coincidence.
       The Autorange version of the Selfix 220 has a cou pled range-
        finder built in. Watch the subject through the eyepiece and move
       the focusing lever until the two images in the finder fuse into one.
       This automitically sets the lens to the right distance.
    3. Set the aperture-(stop) by turning the diaphragm lever on the top
       rim of the shutter (Selfixes 820, 12120 and 16120) until the indicator
         points to the scop required (scale on the top rim of the shutter). _On
       some pre-1940 Selfixes the lever and scale are below the shutter. The
       purpose of the diaphragm is to adjust the effective. opening of the
       iens. The smaller this bpening (i.e. the more the lens is stopped-
16    down) the greater the deilth oiRLtA (see page 28). However, is less

HOLDING THE SELFIX





Top:  How to hold the Selfix 820 for horizontal and vertical pictures.
Centre: How to hotd the Selfix l6!20 Model lV for horizontal and vertical pictures.
Botrom: Holding the Selfix 16120 Model  ll for horizontal and vertical pictures.
 SEL-B

light can pass through the stopped-down lens in any given time'
       th1 exposure must be lengthened accordingly (see page 53).
   1, Set the shutter speed by turning the outside milled ring so-that one
        of the engraved ipeeds comes opposite the index mark. The values
                                                                              for                                            and                                                      stand                                                              therefore                                      seconds                          are fractions-df                          etc.,              1,2,5,       given:'i                                                                      3-speed,                                                       Ensign                                            the                    second,         second,                                     etc. On                                l/5 second,                   l/2
        Vario, and Pronto shutters, move the lever with the pointer above
       the shutter to the required sPeed.
          All shutters, except Ensign'3-speed, require tensioning by pulling
       the tensioning lever-in an anti-cldckwise direction as far as it willgo.
      With the Van-o, Pronto, and Compur shutters pull the lever clock'
      wise. For time exposures at B (short time) and T (long time) the
       Epsilon shutters r6quire tensioning _too, the other shutters do
       not. When the shutter speed  is set to B, the shutter remains oPen as
       long as the release lever is pressed down, and closes. on being
        relelsed. When set to T the jhutter oPens when the release lever
 ,       is pressed down and will only close when the release- is pressed a
       seiond time. Thus the T setting is useful when the shutter has to
       remain open for a long time.
       To make time exposures at the T setting wlth Selfixes fitted with
       a double exposure lock (820, 16120-l  | , 12120' I l) a cable release must
       be used, since pressing the release button would not only oPen the
       shutter but also lock the button. The button could not then be
       pressed a second time to close the shutter. The cable release acts
        iirectly on the release lever on the shutter and is thus not connected
       to the double exposure lock. lfthe shutter should have been opened
        accidentally on T by the body release button, it can. be closed by
       pressing the releas6 lever on the shutter (belovr the lens).
   5. Open the finder of the Selfix 820 by lifting uP the finderfront griP;
        thit of the l2/20 and l6/20 Model ll springs into Position automatic-
         ally on opening the camera front. Both are of the van Albada type.
       This is an optical viewfinder in which the actual field covered -by the       camera is iridicated by a white boundary line which seems to be just
        as far away as the subiect. As some part of the surroundings of the
         field to b6 included on the negative-outside the boundary line-
       remains visible through the finder, it is possible to keep an eye on
       these surroundings  at the same time. This is of particular value when
       photographing mbving subiects. The actual handling of the finder
           is the lame aJdescribed below for the direct vision finder.
          ln the 920 camera with mask for two picture sizes, the finder
        carries a second pair of lines indicating the square image size when
       working with the mask for l2 exposures.
        The Suilt-in finder of the Selfix l6120 Model l, lV, l2/20 Model I,
         lV, and 820 Special, is atubular direct vision finder. Hold the back-
        sight close to the eye. Do not attemPt to turn the camera to the
         rilht'theor left, away fiom the eye, nor rirove the eye from the centre18     of     eyepiece io find the iimitation of the fi'eld of view. This

"spying round the corner"  is deceptive, as only that section seen in
    thb'ceitre of the eyepiece while looking straight ahead will appear
   on the negative. The field of view is exact for photograp.hs taken at
   9 to l2 ft.-distance. At infinity a trifle more aPPears on the negative
   than is seen through the finder, and at 4 to 6 ft. a shade less.
     The viewfinder iront of the 820 Special carries a mask. Slide this
     in front of the finder opening to redirce the field of view to the 2* x
                                          l?rex^posures.                using                      camerafor                    the       when   2f-Toin.                                           Selfix 320 and 420, pull up the                              of the                         finder         use             the               frime
   frontframe. The rearsight as well as the small size mask will-open
   up at the same time. When using these cameras for !6 or l2 ex-    pbsures respectively, leave the finder mask up; for full-size 2ix3i
    pictures push it down out of the way.
     fhe reilecting finder on the front, of the cameras  is for waist-level
   viewing. For full-size upright pictures ignore the view taken in by
    the strips at the sides between the corners. For horizontal Pictures
    turn th; camera and finder round, and ignore the parts of the view
   between the corners of the top and bottom. When using the Selfix
   420 for 12 pictures ignore ali the parts of the view between the
   corners at the sides as well as on toP and bottom.
     The Selfix 220 has an oPtical tubular finder with reversible cover.
   Use this in the same way-positionas the finder of the Selfix l6/20 Model  l.  When the masks are in           inside the camera for 16 Pictures'
   the smaller vertical apeiture of the finder cover should be at the
   front. When used for'12 pictures, the larger square aPerture should
   be at the front. To changd over, simply lift off the cover, turn round,
   and push on again.
    On the rangefinder version (Autorange) the optical viewfinder  is
   combined with a rangefinder (p. l6). The viewfinder carries a
   push-on mask for lSx2f in. pictures; this is removed when taking
   2[x2[  in. shots.
6. To make the exposure Press the body release very gentl)'. On
    Selfixes with the Ensign 3-speed shutter, push down the lever at the
   top of the shutter. txpoiures of I 125,- | 150 second and less, are
   initantaneous and can be taken from the hand. But use l/25 second
   as sparingly as possible from the hand, as there is some dange.r of
   jerking oi itrat<ihg the camera. And even a slight jerk, enlarged six
   br eigtt times onlhe print, will show uP as an unsharp picture. But
   ifyou have a steady hind and a chance of leaning against a wall or-
   even better-of supporting the camera on something  firn_r' you can
   often make exposurbs not-only of 1125, but also l/10 and eve.n l/5
   second without shaking. For time exPosures use a cable release,
   which screws into the cable-release socket thread.
      Selfixes 820, 12i20 and 16/20 Model ll are fitted with a double
   exposure lock. After an exposure' you cannot Pr9!: the body release
    until the film is wound on to the next picture. This prevents acci- .A   dentaldouble exposures of one negative. In addition, the Selfix l6/20 IU

Model  ll has a small cut-out In lts top plate beside the film transport
   knob which shows a red signal when the film behind the lens is
   exposed and goes blank on advancing the film ready for the next
    exPosure.
7.  Turn the film transport knob until again a row of dots pass the film
   window, followed by the figure 2 (or whatever the ndmber of the
    next exposure is). With Selfixes taking two picture sizes, make sure
   you are using the correct film window.
     For 8 exposures with Selfixes 820, 320 and 420 use the left-hand
   bottom window. For 12 exposures with Selfixes 820 and 420 use the
    central window.
     For l6 exposures with Selfix 320 use both film windows. Forthe
     first exposure No. I should be visible in the lower window (p. l3).
   For the second exposure wind until No. I appears in the upper
   window. For the third exposure wind until No. 2 appears in ihe
   lower window. For the fourth exposure wind until No. 2 is in the
   upper window, and so on until all exposures are finished.
    With the Selfix 220 wind until the next number on the film
   counter disc is opposite the index mark.
8.  Close the camera by pressing down the upper links of the struts on
    either side and then raising the baseboard of the camera until it
    engages on the main body. With the Selfix 320 press the struts down
   and inwards.

Unloading
   l. Wind off paper end.
  2. Open camera back.
  3. Remove exposed film.
  4. Close camera back or reload with new fllm.
 l. When all exposures are taken, wind on the film transport knob until
   the paper end disappears in the film window on the back of the
   camera-. Finally give a further three turns to the key to wind the
   paper fully on to the take-up spool.
2. Open the camera back as described on page 12, No. l.
3. Remove the film by pushing the spool sideways against the sprlng
   stud in the bottom ofthe camera until clear ofthe tiansport key anil
    lifting the film out of its chamber. On Selfixes wh6re the'film
   transport knob pulls out, pull this out first. Seal the film with the
  gummed label adhering to it and wrap it up until it is developed.
4, Close the camera back as described on page 12, No.6, or reload as
    Instructed on page 12.

UNLOADING THE SELFIX (pase 20)





Top left:    Wind off the end of the backing paper.
Top right:  Open the camera back.
Bottom left: Remove and seal the exposed film spool.
Bottom righu Close the camera.

FIIMS FOR THE SETFIX
         selfix 820, 12120 and l6120 models take the srandard z* x3*'
           cm.) films on either size r20 or 620 spoolr.-\lfiiii.     {6x,9     both.type: of s.pool                          1-e^gSually.suitable, gse a size 120 take-up     spogl wj!! a                                  a size 620 take-up spool *iif,                   lize 120 filni, and    a size 620 film. This ensures that the film'al*ays runs
     straight and is correctly centred in the camera.
       Pre-1940 selfixes (modelsz20,320 and 420) will only take
     riTS 12O^spools. size 620 spools with theiy'diff"r"ni .or"
      wilt not lrt these cameras.
      There is no such thing as "best" firm for any or every kind
    of pictu.re. Each type of firm has certain tharact.iirii.r,
     especially with regdrd to colour sensitivity, speed, grada-
     tion, latitude, and grain.

   Golour Sensitivity
      The ordinary emulsion is only sensitive to violet and blue
     light, and theiefore is bound do give an unrrue black-and-
    white rendering.of s.ubjects contai-ning                                   e yellow, green andior    red (as practically all 6b;ects do).       '
    An improvement has been mide in the orthochromatic
    emulsion which is sensitive also to green and yellow, while
    the panch.romatic film is sensitive iot only td violei Uir",
    green and yellow, but also to red. some particutaily fasi
    panchromatic films are over-sensitive to red'and will r6nder
     this colour too light.
     The advantage.i of having a negative material sensitive to     all colours-violet, blue, -greenl yellow and red-are so
    striking that the genuine-panchiomatic film has almost
    displaced the other types of film for general purposes. Still,    for subjecrr                    l.o! condaining red (grein randstapls) oi when    righting conditions tend to blot out reds tob riruch flios
   of portraits taken in incandescent light), orthochrorltl.
    materfals come In very useful.
        sinc.e. panchromatic-films are fully corour sensitive, they        .
    should be developed in total darkn6ss. ortho films ian bL
22 processed by a diep red darkroom light.


   -"':+*J'*   .""e*.;'aE                   elr..oii**,        :#.   - -s;slx;;& ,g

Speed
  The sensitivity of film materials to light in general is
measured by various scales (BS and ASA exposure index,
Scheiner, Weston, DlN, etc.). Scientists and manufacturers
all agree that, none of the methods employed to determine
the ipeed of films is entirely satisfactory, and continue to
give preference to one or the other of them. In any case,-lthough        speed is a very obvious asset, it is also a quality
which must be paid for by possible disadvantages of the
material in some other respect. To call the fastest film the
best would be just as foolish as to select a racing car for
daily motoring.
  While there is no scientifically correct conversion of one speed rating
system to another owing to their different principles, the following
tible gives some guidance to their practical relationship.

        CONYERS'ON OF DIFFERENT SPEED SYSTEMS
 Scheiner BS & ASA ExPosure  Weston G.E. DrN    H.&D.
                lndex Numbers    Speed Speed
         (Arithm;)   (tog)
    14"              t.5            130          1.2       2   41t0" 60    17"           3             16"        2.5         71t0" t20   200          6              190       5               4I   t0/10" 250    230           l2           22"       t0         t6    t3/t0'  500   26"         25           25"     20       32    t6lt0' 1000   290         50           28"     40       64    t9lto' 2000    320         t00            31"      80       t25    221t0' 4000

   In this table each value represents twice as fast a film speed as the one
immediately above it. In some systems this doubling of film speed means
increasing the speed number by 3o each time (Scheiner, B.S. log ind-ex,
DIN), while in others the film speed itself is directly proportional to
the Speed index number, and therefore inversely proportional to the
expoiure required (B.S. arithmetical index, Weston, G.E., H. & D., etc.).
 SLOW FILMS of less than about 26' Sch. can be usefully employed for
scientific photography, copying, architectural details. Their main
advantage is their extremely fine grain, making special- fine grain
development unnecessary. Their disadvantage is their inability to coPe
with live subjects in other than exceptionally favourable lighting
conditions, lack of latitude and, in most cases, hard gradation.       23