Seneca Military Vest Pocket User manual

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      Contents

Part l-Loading the Camera
Part ll-Making the Exposure
Part lll-Removing the Film
Part lV-Developing the Film
Part V-Making the Prints
Part Vl--Greater Possibilities

Before Loading
  Before attempting to take pictures
r.'ith the \4ilitary Vest Pocket SEN-
ECA Camera, read these pages and
learn exactly how to operate its rnany
parts correctly. Farniliarize yourself
with the lens and shutter, understanding
the significance and exploring the opera-
tion of the several working parts.
  Although the camera nray be loaded
in direct snnshine, it is safer to perform
this part in subdr"red light.  Sufficient
light will pass througl'r the lens in a
small fraction of a second to change the
sensitized surface. In the same amount
of tir-ne a ray of snnshine may penetrate
the loosened wrapping and clestroy the
result of much patient effort to produce
pictures you will afterwards cherish.
  Again we say it,-read the directions
carefully and investigate the rlse of
every part before the film is loaded in
the camera. Iiinally, see that the shut-
ter is closed before loading.
             Warning
  While tke cuntera is loaded, do not
cspose tltc le tts to a strong ligltt until
thc bcllozt,s is c:v-tutdcd.

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          PART I
          '    Loading the Camera
  I-Push the slicle catch upon either
side of the c:lmera as far as possible
away from lhe end rlpon which the
winding ke-v is placecl. Gentl1' looseu
tire leather covered bacl< ancl lift  ofi.
See Fig. L





      Mike Butkus           Digitally                                                                               DN:org,Date:cn=Mikeemail=mike@butkus.org,2023.05.02signedButkus,by11:10:45Mikeo=ButkusButkus-04'00'c=UScamera manuals, ou=butkus.



                     Fig. I

  II-The  entpty spool in the film chaur-
ber at the end of the canlera opposite
the wincling key must ,be placed in the
lllrn ch:unlrer ll,r' the rvinding  kc,v.

                              o

III-Now  drzrw ottt the rvindirtg key
and insert the empty spool which was
removed from the hhn chamber at thc
other end. Turn the windirrg key ttrrtil
it slips back into positiol.r. See trig. II.
  IV-Place the camera face down upotr
a table before you, lift the small arrrr





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                      Fig. II
at either side of the empty spool cham-
ber (if they have fallen into their origi-
nal positions) ancl drop ir-rto place the
film cartridge to be exposed. Be sure
that the number of the film (254) is upon
the right side. Lock it into position by
pressing down the side arms. See Fig.
III.                       I

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                      Fig. III
  V-Break the gummed sticker and ex-
tend the free end of the black paper
through the slot of the empty spool,
making very sure that the film has been
started straight. Failure to take this
precatttion may cause the film to roll





                     Fie. IV
                         o

over the spool flallges and colrsequelltly
to stick inside the camera. Now trrrn
tl-re winding key two or three times to
bind the paper. See trig. IV.
  Vl-Replace the back and push the
slide catches as far as possible toward
the winding key. Be sure that the back
is attached securely.
  VII-Turn  the winding key until a
hand appears in the ruby window. A
few rnore turns will bring No. 1 into
the center of the wir-rdow. at which tinre
the film is  ir-r position for makir"rg the
first picture.


              Warning
  Wkile tlce camera is loaded. d,o not
erpose the lens to o strotrg light untit
the bellozus is e*tended.

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         PART II
          lfraking the Exporure





                     Fie. V
  I.-With  the front of the camera to-
v.,ard yort, push up the catch with the
tliumb-pttll clown the bed and front of
the carnera until the side brace locks
into place-then  ptrll forward the lower
part of the front ur-rtil it also snaps int'o
position. The camera is now ready to
t:rke pictures.  It is trnirecessary to tocus
the lens as it has only the one position'

Venmo @mike-butkus-camera  Ph. 2083
PayPal Name  Lynn@butkus.org      www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkus

II-To  take a vertical picture, aim the
 camera at the object and locate the
 image  . in the finder. Always look di-
 rectly into the finder from directlv above
 it and n,ot at an angle. The picture wili
 inclu_de those objeits which'appeir in the finder. See Fig. VI.
   III-For  a horizontal picture, turn the
camera over to the side (see Fig. VII)and locate the object iir'the firider on
the longer side of-the front.





                     Fig' VII
  Before attenrpting to make a1r exl)o-
sure get acqrrainted with the rrse of the
sh_utter. Locate the lever on the right
side of the camera. It snarrs tii"  itrut-
ter.,every tinre it  is pushed olre wa1,,
urat s, ror snapshots arrd the calnerlr
Itra-v be helrl carefully in tlre hurrd.

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          TIME EXPOSURES





                     Fie. VlIt
 Now find the little lever on the left
of the camera. Be sure that this left
harrd lever is set at "r" for instantane-
otls or "t" for time. To make a time
exposure set the left hand lever at "t"
and push the shutter lever once, then
the shutter stays open, then push it back
to close the shutter. Time exposrlres
may be made when the camera is upon
some solid support. It  mr-rst never be
held in the hand.





                     Fie. IX
                              I

It  is essential that tl-re camera be
 placed upon - some rigid base. A  sup- port is provided for both vertical (see
 trig. VIII)  ancl horizontal (see Fig. iX)
 DlCttlreS.





                      Fig' X
  V.-To  close tLre c:unera Dress the
thumb ancl second finger on tl-re roundecl
nickel springs wliich yorr will see at the
lower sides of the front ar-rd at the same
tirne pull the top of the front forward
gently with the forefinger. This releases
the frorrt from its vertical position. Next
release the brace at the side by prrshing
it back. Now push back the iront and
raise the bed (Do this slowly the first
few times so that you will not pinch tire
lrellows)

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         PART III
        Removing the Film
  I-After  taking the eight exposures,
turn the winding key until all the paper
is rvrapped arorrnd thc exposed  fiLrt.
  Il-Rernove the back as before and
take out the exposed  roll.
  IIl-Use  the guuured sticker in the
now ernpty spool to keep the exposed
loll tightly ro11ed.
  IV-Do not twist the film ort tltc spool
in order to tighten it;   it  is likely to
rnb the enrulsion and conseqtterttly to
spoil your pictures.
  V-Replace the back upon the ca111era
in readiness for use uDon the next oc-
casion.
  VI-In  case you are developing your
own pictures, the film is ready for the.
dark room. if you are having-your pic-
tnres developed and printed, ask your
dealer to sholv how yotl may sectlre
nrore pleasnre from the tirne spent iu
photoglaphic r'vork by doirrg yotlr owrl
Ililrslilng.

PART IV
         Developing the Film
  These directions for  clevloping are
not to be regarded as absohrte, but only
 as general hints from which the amatenr
should deviate at the first ruortrerrt hc
 obtains more pleasing results. Remcnr-
ber that the value of anv rule in tho-
tography is gauged by the excellenci or
 mediocrity of the result secured by fol-
lowing that rule.  If you find another
way of getting a better or even the same
 result, use the new way at once, yotr
are widening your acquaintance in pic-
ture making.
  I-Empty the contents of the M. Q.
tube (both chemicals) into eight orlnces
of water and place in a tray at your left.
   II-In  the center place a tray of clear
cool water for rinsing.
   III-AI  the right set the tray of acid
hypo soltrtion, for making which com-
plete directions are given upon the box.
  IV-Exclude all rays of white light
frorn the room and let the ruby light be
at least one and one-half feet fror-n thc
cleveloping tray.
              Developing
  I-Unroll the film and detach the en-
tire strip from the protecting  black
paper.

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  II-With  'one end of the strip in each
hancl, pass it continuously through the
developer. In  abottt olle tninttte the
blank spaces betrveen the pictures will
begin to show. By two rniutttes the irlr-
ages will show somewhat clearly.
  III-Continue the developureut for
five or tcn minutes until the cotttrast be-
tween the light and dark parts of the
negative has ltecotne very clistinct or the
image begins to show on the back of the
film.  If some of the tregativcs, as you
hold them between yottr eye and the ruby
light, are darker than others, they have
bden exposed for a longer time, but this
difference will be easily taken care of iu
the printing.  It  is only necessary to
watch the degree of contrast.
                 Rinsing
  I-After  developing sufficiently, rinse
three or four times in the rniddle tray of
water before you.
   II-If   desired, the exposttres may be
cut apart and fixed separately.
  -               Fixing
  I-Pass  the negatives face down
tfrough the solution two or three titnes
 before con,pletely submerging them in
 the hypo solution.
   II-If   the negatives were not cut
 apart, fold the strip several times with-
 or-rt allowing it to crack at the ends.
                            l3

Press these down so that thc solutiorr                             -fwo will reach all parts of the filnr.       or
 three rninutes after the last trace of
 milkiness has disappeared,  it is safe to
 admit white light to the roonr. Allow
 the negatives to remain in the hypo solu-
 tion for ten minutes longer.
  III-Remove the negatives to running
 water and allow then-r to reruain there for an hour. In casc rnnninq water is     Inot available, change the water:five tirnes
the first ten minutes, moving the  filrr-rs
 occasionally, and then allow them to soak
 for an hour. If desired, the water may
be changed four or five tirnes cluring e
half hour of washir-rs. It  is essential
 that the negatives be tloroughly washecl.
  IV-Suspend the wet negatives in sr-rch
a way that neither side will conre in con-
tact with anything while clrying. The
Defender trilm Clip will be found to be
very convenient for tl-ris purpose as well
as for harrdling the fih-ns while develop-
 tl1at
         Defects in Negatives
Veiled Whites or Fog
  Irihn handled too close to ruby light.       I  Exposed to rays of white light.
Muddv Effects                                     I  llxhausted developer.
  Iiorcing under-exposed  negatives in
developurent.
 Too warm a developing  solntion.
                           t4

www.butkus.usI         Irregular Lieht Spots
      _ tlrrcr crr clevclopruent due to failnre to         l<cc.p :rll palts of tlre negatir c  cr cnlyJ.      rroistenecl during developmlnt.
       Uucven inrmersion in the developing
        solution.
       Uvcr c-rllostrre.
                                               de-              lit   bells upor.r the film dnring         vercpllleltt.
        Milky Spots on Negativea
          Iiailure_to keep negatives entirely cov-
         erccl- by fixing bath or insufficieni time
         rol- lrxlltg.

                        Dontts
       Don't start until the chemicals are'
      thoroughly clissolved.
        Don't use a tray for developing if  it
      has previoLrsly beeh used for hypo" solu-
       ilon or llltal washiltg.
       Don't  rlse chemicals after  their
       strength is gone. A hypo solr_rtion is ex-
      hausted wiren air bells settle arouncl the
      edge of the tray and remain there. When
      the developing solution loses its strength,
         lt ttlrns ltrown.
        Don't allow one ray of white light to
       crrter the rootl.
       Don't hold the strip too close to the      rnby lamp, it may cause fog.
                                 l5

Don't let a trace of hyoo reach the
developer, a drop may 5pii1 the rvhole
solution. Wipe )'our hands llpon a clean
towel each time after taking thenr fronr
the hypo solution.
  Don't rernove the negatives from the
hypo until they are thoroughly fixed.'loo long is better than too sl-rort.
  Don't blame the materials, read the
clirections over again or ask your dealer.

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          PART V
         Making the Prints
  I-Mix  the contents of the M. Q. tube (both chemicals) thoroughly witli four
ounces of water at abont 70" Fahr. ar-rd
place in the tray at the left.
   II-In  the center have a tray of clear
cool water for rinsing the pr:ints after
clcveloping.
  TII-Dissolve thoroughly the  acid
hl'p9 according to the dir-cctions upon
the box aud set the tray to the rig'ht.
  IV-Darken the room to semi-dark-
lless.  It  is utlnecessary to have the
room completely dark since Argo paper
carr be handled safely ter-r feet from an
ordinary gas jet.
             Developing
  I-Place the smooth side of the nega-
tive against the glass of the printing
fratne, allowiug the dull or picture side
of the film to face up.
  II-Take one sheet of the developing
paper from its light proof wrapping and
lay it concave-side down upon the nega-
tive. This allows the dull surface of
the negative to come into contact with
the concave side of the paper.
  For a n,egatixe of  n ortnal contrast
u,se Nortnal Argo to obtain bast reswlts.
ll/lten, tke n,cgotizte is -rueah or thin, usc
Hartl Argo.  If  tltc darh places (th,e
h,iglx lights of tke n.cgotiae) ore aery

dense and tke contrast between tlte liglt't
on.ti dtrrlt fortiorts n€r1t 11111vlsed, doubletlte amount of zuater and usc Sof t Argo.
Th,e time of erfosurc artd deaclopntent
-ruill be somezulut,t lengtlt,enad. It is acry
imforlant tltot fofcr  zuitlt' tke corre ct de-gree of corftrast be u,scd witlt eaclt class
of negatiac. A sof t or zt,calt fofcr forinstance zuith, a conlrasty negatiae zuill
prod,uce tlte some rcsu'lt as a contrasty
pafer zaith tt zt,cttb n,egative. The Nor-
utal Argo iltc(tts the aae rage require-
'ntents of an tttttuteur more closely tlcan
ony otlt,cr degrce of contrast.
  III-Clamp the back of the printing
frame into place and expose to  artifi-
cial light for several seconds.
  Witlt olt ordinary gos ligltt and, a
negative of azterage dcnsit1,, crposc Argo
Polter abowt eigltt sccort,ds-cotttttittg ortc
Intndrccl, tzuo ltwudrcd, etc.
  lV-After exposure to the bright light,
hide the exposed paper until the room
has been darkenecl enottgh to perntit its
being handled safely again. Remove the
paper from the  f ratnc ltncl itrrmerse it
in the developer with :r quick sidewise
motion so that the solution reaches all
parts of the paper at approximately  tl-re
sanle tirne. The room may ltow be
lightecl again to enable the operator to
follorv thc cleveloping mole closely.
  V-I-eave the paper in the developer
runtil the pictttre l-ras conle trp to the
                           l8

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right shades of black and white. The
piiture will begin to appear in about six
seconds.
   If  tlrc shadozvs ar(  ligltt or foggl
and appcar slozuly, th,e fal,cr has notbt'ctt asfosed' long enou,glt. If on the
other ltund, the sltatlows (tre aery inten,se
crntl colte up qu,icltly, tlte erposure ltas
been, too long. Bcfore nmhing atty e.r-
ltosttrc, cut a shcet of fapcr into stril'san,d, malee trittl   e rl)osul1'cs. Y oa zuill
soon find, zuhat etltosure gives tke bcst
results. Not only zuill tlt'is save a con-
siderable atttount of ltttfer, but it  Taill
                                 ple ttsitt'g resultsenable lou  to obtoin
rnore qwicltly.
                 Rinsing
  I-At   this point-quicklytake the pritrt fromthc cleveloper        and ritrse it in the
middle tray.
                  Fixing
  I-snbmerge the print in the hypo so-
lution ancl allow it io remain for fifteer-r
minrrtes. See that the prints do not be-
corle mattecl, since in that case the hypo
solrrtion will not fix them evet-rly.
  II-Wash the prints in ruuniug water
for an hottr, takii-rg care again that they
do not becoure nTatted. If running water
is not available, change the rvater ten
or twelve times during a half ltottr. Be
srlre that the printi are thoroughly
rvashed.
                        19