Universal A SINGLE PAGE Univex Mercury User manual

IMPORTANT
 qI  HIS  canl,era is a  precision  instrument,
 L  which  prod,uces excellent  photographic
results when operated properly. The correct
manipulation of ,the parts  is as mechanical
as  driving  an  automobile, although much
simpler, and should be learned at the outset.
After that, the art in photography is acquired
with some practice and experience.
  We have attempted to make the sections
in  this booklet logical and plain, so that no
technical knowledge is needed to understand
its  contents.   Theret'ore, please read  these
instructions  carefully.  Simulate  taking  pic-
tures without  film  in  the camera until you
are familiar with  all the controls. Study the
section on the subject oI exposure to under-
stand its application.
  Then you are ready  for  your  first  roll  of
film and can expect to get good results.
TOREWORD
Behind the Univex Mercury stand progressive
engineering and the extensive resources of
the Universal Camera Corporationoone of the
largest unit manufacturers of camefas in the
world. Check this list of a few of the Mercury
cardinal features:

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A modern metal focal plane shutter with'
    accurate speedsto l/1000th of a second.
     A  built-in flash synchronizer for flashbulb
     pictures that ensures positive synchronization
     of the exposure and flashbulb when the latter
      is burning at its maximum brilliancy.
      Interchangeable lenses starting  with  the
     f3.5 Tricor 35mm. Lens, which has unusually
    great depth of field.
l
i     A  helical focusing dial  with  graduarions
Ii    on it for photographing subjects at distances
    from the camera of eighteen inches to infinity.
     The  ability  to take fast successive actionI
t    shots of a moving subject without taking the
I   camera away from the eye.
      Attachments  for  a range  finder and an
    exposure meter.
lII     A metal exposure calculator on the back
II    of the camera.
     A depth of focus rable on the camera.
      Concentrated corttrol within a very small
    area of all the dials and scales to be operated.
     Three types of black and white films which
    produce miniature  negatives of  rregligible
    cost yet capable of  sharp enlargement at
    B" x  10".              Also  color  film. See Film  Section                   ''6   on pages   and 7.
    A camera which immediately classifies it-
    self with ^superiorphotography.

i F l - l e a
A. Lens.      'ostopotB.  f         Scale.
C. Focusing Mount  Distance Scale.
D. Distance Scale Knob.
E. Distance Scale Index  Line.
F. Wind  Knob.
G. Exposure Counter.
H. Speed Knob.
f .  Shutter Speed Scale.
J.  Index  Line  for  the  Exposure Counter and
    Shutter Speed Scale.
K. Direct Optical View Finder.
L. Clip  for Range Finder and Exposure Meter.
M. Flash Synchronizer Clip  for Photoflash l-Jnit.
N. Shutter Release Button.
O. Socket  for  Cable Release.
P. Depth  of Focus Table.
Q. Metal Loops for Neck Cord.
NOTE:  These letters will be used throughout the
instructions when mentioning parts of the carrlera^
4
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WHICHFILMTOUSE?
Univex ofiers the choice of three fine quality
35 mm. films in both the eighteen and thirty-
six exposures lengths for  black and white
work, and the Univex Dufaycolor  film  in
eighteen exposureslength for color work. The
following information  tells what can be ex-
pected of each film.
     ANIT/EX MICROTOMIC  FILM
          No. 236-M and, 2lB-M
This is an extremely fine grain panchromatic
film  of moderate speed sensitive to  all  the
colors.  It  is used for  indoor and outdoor
photography, and  is  excellently  suited  for
work where the fineness of grain for enlarge-
ments to unusual size is more important than
speed. It has very good latitude, producing
tone values from the deep shadows to strong
highlights.  It  has an  anti-halo backing  to
eliminate glare and fazziness around bright
spots and highlights in the picture.
     ANII/EX  ULTRACHROME  FILM
           No. 236-C and, 218-C
This is an orthochromatic type of film, which
means that it is not sensitive to red light, and
 is used for general outdoor pictures. It has
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generousspeed, is fairly fine in grain, and has
 good latitude-better  than the usual for this
 class of film. Has an anti-halo coating.
   AN II/ EX U LTRAPAN  SA PERSPEED
      FILM  No. 236-55 and 218-SS
 A super sensitive type of film designed par-
 ticularly for use under adverse conditions of
 lig\t  or with high shurter speeds.Sensirive to
 all colors of the spectrumo it  is an excellent
 medium for work  in  artificial  light and for
 special effects with  filters.  It has unusually
 fine grain  for a film  of such high speed ancl
 will produce very satisfactory enlargements of
 moderate magnification. Possessesa remark-
 able degree of latitude, and is a most versatile
 film for candid photography either in or out
 of doors.  It has an anti-halo backing.
  UNIT/EX DUFAYCOLOR  FILM  ROLL
               No. 218-D
  This  film produces color pictures on the
 film  itself in the form  of a "transparency"
which,  like  a  lantern  slide, may be  pro-
jected upon a screen, or viewed by holding
up to the light. From transparencies of proper
quality,  ir  is possible for paper prints to be
made. This, as with  all color film, is not as
fast as the black and white kind.  Also. cor-
rect exposure is essential.

! l a a a t a a a a t a t t a ! f                   t f    ! a   t a a a a a   a a a
 TO LOAD CAMERA
  a . l a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a                   l a a f   a a t a a

 FIG. 1. Wind  the  shutter by  turning  the
 knob (F) as far to the right (clockwise) as ir
 will go. When done slowly, two clicks will be
 heard before the shutter is fully wound. The
 winding may be done at any speed, though.
  Hold the camera in the left hand so that the
 release button (T)  for the back cover is fac-
ing you and is ahove your hand. Press this
release button and open the back cover (V)
at the same time.
FIG. 2. Luy  the camera, lens down, on a
table or other solid support so that the bot-
tom of the camera is facing you. Be care{ul
not to place the lens on a projecting object
that would touch and scratch it.  Remove the
empty spool.
FIG. 3. Load the camera with  tttt proper film
for the conditions under which the pictures
are  to be taken.  For  explanation  of  the
special features of each type, see the section
on FILMS.  Both the eighteen and thirty-six
exposures lengths can be used.
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Leader and   trailer
s t r i p s    o f  p r o t e c t i v e ,
paper  are  attached  to
the  start  and  end  re-
spectively of each roll.
f'his  protects  the  film
p r o p e r    f r o m    b e i n g
f ogged  by   light  and
also eliminates  the  in-
convenience of rewind-
ing  after  the  pictures
have been taken. Load-
i n g a n d u n l o a d i n g
should be done in sub-
dued light, not in direct
sunlight,  and  the  pro-
t e c t i u e p & p e r    s h o u l d
not  be  permitted    to
loosen from  the  roll.

  When  ready  to load
the camera, remove the
outside  wrapping    of
the  roll and save it  for
rewrapping   after  the
pictures have been tak-
en. Hold  the  full  spool
in the left hand so that
the  gear  side  is down

and  break  the  paper'
 sealo which  can  gen-
 erally be done conveni-
 ently  with  the  right
hand thumbnail. Do not
tear small end of pro-
tective paper since this
is needed  f or  thread-
itrg into the spool.
FIG.  4.  Pick  up  the
empty spool and hold
it  with  the  gear side
d o w n   i n    t h e   r i g h t
hand. Thread  the end
of  the paper  through
one of the slots as  f ar
as it  will  go, and turn
it back so that   it  lies
smoothly on the hub.
FIG.  5. Wind  up  the
paper to the right and
away from you on the
empty spool  until  the
vertical arrow and the
word Sprocket that are
printed on the back of
the paper are about an          OADINOCHAMBER
inch from  the hub.
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FIG.  6.  Holding  both  spools, set  tlt,e Iull
      spool ot' /il*  into the loading chumber, fitting
       th,e gear erud onto the pr oj ecting pin  at theffi      bottom ol the cumere. The curved spring in
      the chamber keeps the paper from loosening
      on the roll. I(eep the left thumb on the spool.
      FIC.  7.  Pull  out enough film with the right
     hand to be able to seat the take-up spool in





ffi                                      TAilT.UPCfIAT{BTR
WW
      the take-up chamber. The  spool's gear side
       rnust be seuted on the projecting  pin  in the
       bottom oI the camere.ffi
fr,     FIC. B. The camera should now appear as
       illustrated, with the colored side of the paper
      showing. If  the printed  vertical arrow  is not
       directly over the sprocket then turn the take-
     up spool by hand slightly until this is the case.
        Close the back cover (V) and listen for the
       click rvhich indicates that  it has locked.
                                                                         I-"r

FIG. 9. Hold the camera in the right hand.
Set the number 17 graduation rnark ol the
exposure.cou,nter (G)  opposite the index line
 (/).   This is done with the thumb of the left
hand by pushing against one of  the three
small buttons on the disc. The number 17
mark can be recognized easily as a longer line
than the others.
FIG. 10. While winding the film into position
for the first exposure, chqck ocmsionally that
the film movement indicator (W)  is turning
during each shutter winding.  This indicates
that the film  is automatically  advancing the
distance of one frame each time. The purpose
of the indicator is to give warning to the user
if the camera has been loaded improperly so
that the sprocket is not pulling  film through.
  Press down the shutter release button (N)
and while holding  it down turn the wind knob
 (F)  until the shutter has clicked about ten
times. The shutter speed scale  (I) may be
                      oobulb"    'otime"at any setting except         or           for
this.   After  that,  rvind up  the  shutter and
press down the release button  (N)  altern-
ately until number One on the exposure coun-
ter (G)  is opposite the index line  (J).  Be
careful at this point  to stop at One, other-
wise some film  will  be wasted.  The  film  is
now ready for the  first picture.
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a t a a a a a " a aa t a t a a I  f a a a a f r a a a a a a a
 TOUNLOADCAMERA
  a a a f   f a a a a f a r a a a a . . a a a a r f       r a a a a .

   After the thirty-sixth picture has been taken
on the laige  roll,  or the eighteenth on the
small roll, the film should be removed from
the camera. To do this, press and hold down
the shutter release button  (N)  and, at the
same time, turn the wind knob  (F)  through
about twenty  revolutions,  or  until  the  film
movement indicator (W)  stops turning  with
each winding.  This indicates that the trailer
strip has been completely unwound from the
supply spool.
  The shutter speed scale (I)  will turn either
intermittently  or continuously when winding
up the  film  at the end of a  roll  -   and at
the beginning-but   is normal, and should be
disregarded.
FIG.   f f.  Open the back cover (V) and place
the camera, lens down, on a solid support.
The curved spring in the chamber keeps the
paper tight on the spool.
FIG.  f2. Remove the take-up spool and hold
it  firmly, being careful not  to  let the pro-
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tective paper loosen from the roll. Fold under
        the tapered  trailer  end, then  seal the  roll
        with  the gummed  strip  on  the  paper. The
         film  spool should be wrapped  and kept  in

  It-.-tl





         its container in order to prevent any possible
       fogging  or collection of dust.
       The  film  is now ready  to be developed,
      which should be done as soon thereafte,  u,
       possible, by u photo-finisher or by  yourself.
     The  quality   of  the image  on  all  sensi tized
      products  is retained by prompt  development
       after exposure.
        Before closing the back cover (V),  transfer
      the empty spool to the take-up chamber. The
     camera is ready  for the next  roll  of  filrn.


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! f   r f    t   ! t t t       t ! t t f         f  t f    ! t t r f         f  f  t !    !   ! f t
TO TAKE PICTURES
  t t t l f       t t t t       l l    t r r t r l r r t r t t r t t                  I  f  r r

 IITEI/ER   photograph directly  into the sun
/   I   or  other source of  illumination.  It  is
generally best to have the light behind the
camera.
  Keep the lens (A)  clean since dirt on  it
results in pictures that are fuzzy and clouded.
Use a soft cloth or lens tissue for this and be
careful not to scratch the surface of the glass.
  When  you  are ready  to  take  the  pic-
tures, determine the proper exposure to use
 ( f  number and
shutter s p eed )
 f or  the  existing
light  conditions
on  the  subject.
Details on  thisa r e d i s c u s s e d   ff,",
under the head-ing of Exposure ;*$
and of Exposure
C a l c u l a t o r ,   i n
separate sections
fu rt he r i n  t h is
booklet.

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FIG. 13. Turn  the lmurled, ring  ol  the   I
    "stop" scale (B)  to line up the proper I num-
    ber uith  the short white index line ad,jacent
     to the scule. Do not  try  to  foice  the  ring
   beyond its limits of movement. The illustra-
                               tion shows the lens
                             set properly for f5.6.

                          FIG. f4. Wind, up the
                            shutter belore setting

                                                 netsuiFhu--,^
                                                            z i ) - b                  - . f    \
'HUTTEE   'PEEP                  67     -llZZ--    rilLsi-\Y
     tcAtF             14

    the shutter speed,.
   P r e s s     i n    t h e
   speed knob (H),            FASt/ty6.rlo0rrtr
    to  unl o ck  the          ?/t/e/ycEtcAt€      t5   \w    disc, and, tur n
    the  scale   until
   the desired,shutter speed is aligned with the
    ind,ex line.   Let  the knob spring back, or
    pull  it back, into locked position so that the
   disc is about flush with the face of the camera.
   The scale is not reset again for continuous
   exposures until  a  different  shutter  speed
                  (Continued on page 20)            17

<>F
  Excellent results can be obtained with the
Uniuex Mercury over a wide range of photo-
graphic subjects, including informal  portrait
work and others right up to fast action shots.
  Standard  enlargements measuring about
the same size as popular contact prints (see
opposite page)  are  available nationally  at
commercial photo-finishers for very low cost.
Simply ask your  photo-finisher to give you
                             'olarger-print."this  standard  type  of                 Of
course, the negatives can be enlarged to any
size desired, and sharp results can be ex-
pected at B" x 10".
  The  quality  of  the  pictures, as  in   all
photography, depends a great deal upon the
quality of the work turned out by your photo-
finisher. He should use fine grain developer,
have equipment  to keep the negatives free
of dust and scratches, and use modern pro-
jection printers to produce the standard size'olarger-prints"                  at economy prices.    If  you
cannot get this type  of service, our  list  o{
dependable commercial photographic houses
throughout the country who do this type of
work  is available upon reguest.


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Projeetion  print  from  Mereury  negative.





   Photo-finishers  can  supply  prints  about
               this  size at  low  cost.

                                             l9

is desired.   It cannot be turned, through  tlte
  small space betu;een T and. 1000.   iht,    i,
  emphasized with a  hatl  circle  notch  in  the
  disc.
   The illustration shows the shutter set for
      second (200 on the scale represenrs  I/19
  I/200th_ second, etc.).  The  shutter speed
 scale  (I)   is marked  for  instantaneous ex_
 posures of  l/20th,   l/J}th,    l/40th,   l/60th,
 t/I99\h         _r/200th,                     'otime.r,.t/300th,  l/r000th  s"cond, and "bulb,"            and
 FIG.  f5.  Estimate  lairly  accurately the  d,is-
 tance to the subject and, turn  the d,istance
 scale (C)  by  its knob  (D)  to  line up the
 proper number with the index /lne. The illus_
 tration shows the lens focused for a subject
 l0 feet from the camera.
   Settings can be made on  the  scale for
 subjects from   l,  -  6n from  the camera to
 infinity, made possible by the special charac_
 teristics of the lens.  fhis  peimits extreme
close-upsas well as distant shots.
FIG. 16. For pictures with the long dimen-
sion vertical, hold the camera steady in front
of or against the face as illustrated.
FIG.- 17. For pictures with the long dimen_
sion horizontal, hold the camera as shown.
20
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FIG.  f8.  Look  through  the  optical  aiew
 finder (K)  and, center the subject in  it. The
 camera  is  being aimed  directly when the
 finder {ront window appears centered in the
 finder  tube, as shown  in  the  illustration.
 Sighting  should be  perpendicular  to  the
 subject, except for  landscapes and  similar
 scenes. Interesting pictures can be taken at
 an angle, but incorrect perspective may re-
 sult  if the angle is too great.
   For close-ups, subject within 3 feet of the
 camera, center 'the  subject  with  the two
 arrows located in the lower right  corner of
 the finder. This  corrects for  parallax  (the
 deviation caused by  the small distance be-
tween the lens and the finder) and ensures
 centering of subject in picture.
FIG. 19.  Hold the caffLerastead,y tirst, and
 then press the shutter release button  (,V)
grad,ually by rolling  the fi,nger down into the
beueled,section. The bevel design keeps the
camera from being jarred by quick pressure
on the button.
  Do not have any of the fingers touching
the shutter speed disc (H and I)  while tak-
ing the picture.   If  the rotation of the disc
is interfered with, the shutter will be slowed
down.
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screw the cable into the cable release socket
 (O), and press the cable button when ready
 to operate the shutter.
  The picture has now been taken, anil the
shutter  should, be wound up again  lor  the
nex,t exposure.  It  is impossible to get a dou_
ble exposure (two pictures on the same sec-
tion of film)  with this camera since the film
is moved to  the  next frame  automaticallv
each time that the shutter is wound.
    "Bulb" and "Time" Shots
FIG.  2f.  When  it  is desired to take a pic.
ture  needing a  longer  shutter  time  than
l/20th  second, use either the .,bulb', or theootime"       shot method. It  is best to set the cam-
era down on a solid support for both.
  The  "bulb"              method, js reconlmended, for          o'tirneo'a short         shot.  Align B on the shutter
speed. scale  (I)  with  the index  line.  press
the shutter release button (N)  on the cam-
erd  or on  the  cable release, to open the





            FOP"n/nE"E|FOtARE         Fo?tu,gErtuturE,
                                                                                 2l@@
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shutter.   HoId,  it down  for  the desired, tirne
      and                       let go, thus end,ing the exposure.            ,then
             making a long,otirne', shot, aliln T on1t_Vhen
       t,he shutter speed, scale  (l)   with  the ind,ex
        line.  Press the release button  to open the
       shutter,  wait  for  the desired length  of  ex-
      posure time, then press the button again to
      end, the exposure.
       A convenient way to time the exposure is
       to count "one one-thousand,two one-thousand,
       etc., ten one-thousand," say, for ten se,conds.
   EXPOSURE
         Exposure,  explained   practically,   relers  to  the'#,
       "stop"  opening   (f  number)  combined, with  the
        shutter speed, needed for  taking a picture.   This
      can be worked out with  the eiposure calculator
        (U),  or with  the exposure meter and a simple
       setting on the calculator.
       The film needs a predetermined amount of light
        in  order  to  register  the  picture  properly.   a"    t
      number  represents a  certain  sirC  oi  diaphragm
      opening in the lens. A larger opening (smallei  f
      number)  is needed on a dull day in order to get
        suffrcient light  on the  film.  And' a smaller  ap-er-
       ture (higher  f number)  is needed on a bright iay
        in order not to have too much light on the film.
           l'he  f3.5 Tricor  lens has the fol'iowirrg  f  ,,stop;,
      markings:                          4, 5.6, B, lI,  16,22.  FiS.S,"pr"-                    !3.5,
        ._"1t.  much greater diaphragm opening than I22.
      F3.5 passes"     approximate[y S0/.  rnire H{fu through
                                     25