Vivitar XC-4 User manual

Digitally signed by mike butkusmike         DN: cn=mike butkus,
                              o=orphancameras, ou=29,
                                email=mike@butkus.org, c=US
                                  Date: 2017.12.23 13:17:11 -05'00'butkus





                             www.orphancameras.com

Welcometo the new, compact world of Vivitarelectronic
SLR photography!Yournew VivitarXC-4rMcombines
the speedand precisionof sophisticated,integrated
microcircuitry with the smooth, rugged responsiveness
of uncompromisingcraftsmanship.The VivitarXC-4
is compact, lightweight,balancedand totally f unctional.
All confrols are logically positionedf or quick adiustment.
The brilliant, LED viewfinder display provides an
immediateindicationof exposurebalance without        <
obstructing the viewfinder area. The twin-solenoid
shutter provides unexcelledaccuracy throughout
i ts en tire range of 4 secondsto 1/ 1000 second.
And the Vivitar XC-ArMA.ccessoryconvertsyour
camera to aperture-preferred automationin seconds!
The Vivitar XC-4 -  a systems-designedSLR camera
that's ready to grow when you are!

Descriptionof Controls
O  ExposureCounterWindow
O  FilmAdvanceLever
O  ShutterReleaseButton
O  FilmRewindButton
O ASA window
O  ShutterSpeedDial
O  ShutterSpeedIndex
 ()  Hot shoe
()  FilmPlaneReference
@ FilmRewindKnob
O  FilmRewindCrank
@  ApertureRing
@ Aperture/DistanceScalelndexLine
@ Depthof FieldScale
@ FocusingRingwww.orphancameras.com/ DistanceScales

@  InfraredMark
 A  ShutterReleaseLock
 @ ThreadedCableReleaseSocket
@  Setf-TimerLever
@  Depthof FielcJPreviewReleaseButton
 e D S t r a p L u g s & ' D ' R i n g s
     'iA"@      outlet
      'X"@     SyncPC Ouilet
@  FitnrChamber
@  FilmAperture
@  Viewfinder
@  FilmAdvanceSprockets
@  Mutti-Stottedrake-UpSpool
@  FilmPressureplate
@ TripodSocket
@  BatteryCompartmentCover




GettingAcquaintedwith Your New
VivitarXC-4
Beforeyou shootthatfirst,importantrollof film,readall
of thefollowinginstructionson operatingyourcamera.
Foldout bothsetsof coverflapsfor easyreference,and get
acquaintedwithall controlsand operatingprocedures.Take
thetimeto practicefocusing,shootingand programming
yourVivitarXC-4'scontrolsettingsbefore you

actuallyloadf i lm in the camera.The smallamount of time
requiredfor learninghowto adjustand useyourcamera
will be invaluablewhenyou'rereadyto focusand shoot
that"once in a lifetime"photograph-  you'llbe ready
whenit is!
BatteryInstallation
TheVivitarXC-4'selectronicallycontrolledmeteringsystem        r                                                                                                                                                              'is poweredby two, 1 .5 volt silveroxidebatteries(Eveready
S-76,MalloryMS 76,G 13 or equivalent).To installthe
batteries:
1 -  Unscrewthe BatteryCompartmentCover  using
a coln.
 2-  Insertthe batterieswiththe POSITIVE(+ ) sidesfacing
you (seephoto"A") The insideof the Battery
CompartmentCoveris coded(*  ) as a reminder.
 3-  Replacethe BatteryCompartmentCovbr.
 Film Loading
 1- MoveShutterReleaseLock   to the white"A"
 (Advance)position.
 2- PressShutterReleaseButton., to clearcamera
 mechanism.
 3- Foldout and liftup on FilmRewindCrank .'. to open
 thecameraback.
 4-  Insertthe f ilm cassettein the FilmChamber    ' , then
 pushdownthe FilmRewindKnob@ andturnit slightlyto
 lockthecassettein place.
 5-  Pullfilm leaderacrossFilmAperture-: and insertend
 of leaderintoone of the slotsin the filmTake-UpSpool ,-..
 AdvanceFilmAdvanceLever.J slightlyto securefilm on
 Take-UpSpool.
 6- Withthe FilmRewindCrankin the foldedout position,
 reurindthef ilm slightlyto removeany slackin the film
 cassette.Recheckto seethatthe f ilm remainssecuredto
 theTake-UpSpoolandwww.orphancameras.comthatit is properlyalignedwiththe
 2

FilmAdvanceSprockets   . Folddown rewindcrank.
 7 -  Closebackcoveruntilyouhearan audibleclick,which
 indicatesthatthe coveris lockedin the closedposition.
 Advancethef ilm by alternatelywindingthe FilmAdvance
 Leverand pressingthe ShutterReleaseButtonuntilthe
 number"'1" appearsin the Exposurecounterwindow _
 As the FilmLeveris wound,the FilmRewindKnobshould
 rotate,indicatingthatthef ilm is advancingproperly.
Setting Film Speed
Forproperlyexposedphotographs,yourVivitarXC-4's
electronicallycontrolledmeteringsystemmustbe setfor
the correctASA (USA)or DIN(lnternationat)ratingof the
filmyou are using To setthefilmspeed.
1 -   Liftthe collaron theShutterSpeedDial _
2 -- Turnthe collaruntiltheASA ratingfor yourfilmappears
in theASAWindow.  (seeASA/DINconversionchartbelow)
D I N 1       5         1          6             1              7                1 8 1 9  2 0  2 1  2 2  2 3  2 4  2 5          o o             o o                o o                   o o o                        o                          o
ASA 25  32  40  50  64  BO  1OO 125   r OO ZOO ZSO
D!i.t 26         27             28                29  30  31   32   33   34   35   36          o a o o                 o o o o                       o o o
ASA 320 4OO5OO640 BOO1OOO125016002OOO25OO32OO
3 -  Releasethe collarto lockthe settingin place.
Shutter Speed Selection
TheVivitarXC-4has a shutterspeedrangeof 4 secondsto
1/1000second,plus"8" (Bulb)forTimeExposuresand a
"M" (Manual-  1/50 second)setting,whichcan be used
in the eventof batterytailureTo setthe shutterspeed,turn
theShutterSpeedDialuntilthedesiredshutterspeed
is alignedwiththe ShutterSpeedlndex  on thecamera
body when usingshutterspeedsbelow1/30 of a second,
it is advisableto usea tripodand cablereleaseto eliminate
thepossibilityof vibrationdueto cameramovement.The
VivitarXC-4is equippedwitha ThreadedCableRelease
Socket  and Tripodsocket   for usewiththese
accesson es.

Time Exposures
Whenmakingtimeexposurephotographs.yourcamera
should alwaysbe tripod- mountedand usedwitha locking
cablerelease.TheVivitarXC'selectronicshutterwill
automaticallycontroltirneexposuresof up to 4 seconds.
Fortimeexposuresof over4 secondsin duration
1 -  Align"8" settingon ShutterSpeedDiallviththe
Sh utter SpeedlnCex.
2 -  Advancefilmand pressin on tip of cablereleaseto
openthe shutter.Turncablereleaselockto holdshutter
open.
3 -  Afterthe desiredexposure timein secondshas
elapsed.releasethe cablereleaselockto closethe shutter.

AttachingCameraCarryingStrap
1 -  Slipthe "clamplock" latchesovertheendsof strap
withtheengravedVivitaridentificationf acingthe ends.
Slipon plasticprotectors.
2 -  Feedendsof strapthroughcamera"D" Rings
andfoldbackin position,facingthe camerabody.
3 -  Feedthe endsof strapup throughthe plasticprotectors
andthenthrough"clamplock" latchesuntilapproximately
one inch(2 5 cm) extendsbeyondeachlatch.
4 -  Slip carryingstrapoveryourheadand readjustends
of strapuntilthe camerais suspendedcomfortablyat
chestlevel.

Holding the Camera
Photos"B 'and "C" illustratethe correctwaysto holdthe
cameraf or eitherh orizontalor verticalf ormatphotographs.

Focusingthe Camera
TheVivitarXC-4'sfocusingscreenincludesa central,
horizontalsplit-imagerangefinder,whichis surrounded
by a microprismcollar(seephoto"D") To focusaccurately:
                           www.orphancameras.com
 4

1 -  Checkto seethatthe lensis fullyopenedto its
 maxrmumaperture.Pressthe Depthof Fieldprevrew                                                      lr ReleaseButton(_uto assurethatthe lenswas not stooped
 downby previousactuationof the meteringcontrolsystem.
 2 -  centerthe split-imagerangefinderon yourkeysubject andturnthe FocusingRing€  untilthe upperandlower             i3F
 portionsof yoursubjectare one,clearverticalimage.              :
 3 -  Themicroprismcollarwilla) appearf ragmentedwnen imageis entirelyoutof focus;b)appearshimmeringbut  L
 viewablewhenimageis nearlyin focus andc)displaya
 sharpclearimageof yoursubjectwhenit is in focus.-
 It is especiallyuseful whenthereare no pronouncedvertical
 subjectelementson whichto centerthe horizontalsplit-
 imagerangefinder.
 4-  Theentirefocusingscreenmay be usedfor bothfocus
andcompositionof yourphotograph.Inasmuchas the
numaneyetendsto ignoreminordifferencesin sharpness,
thehorizontalsplit-imagerangefinderand/orthe
microprismcollarshouldalwaysbe usedfor criticalfocus.

Settingthe Lens Aperture
ThestandardlenssuppliedwithyourVivitarXC-4is fully
automatic,allowingyouto focusand composeat f ull
aperturefor maximumviewfinderbrightness.As theShutter
ReleaseButtonis pressedtc makeyourexposure,the
lensautomaticallystopsdownto whateverf-stopyou have
c o l o n t o d
TheApertureRing  and slruttercontroltheamountof
lightreachingthefilmduringan exposure.At a given
shutterspeedsetting,turningtheApertureRinglrom
thesmallestnurnberto the largestcutsthe anrountof
lightat eachmarkedf-stopby one-half.
Theaperturesettingalsodeterminesthe nearand far areas
in whichitemsotherthanyourkey subjectwill remairr





                                                                                                                                            "atw:iilt

acceptablysharp.This"zoneof focus" is referredto as
Depthof Field.Yourlensfeaturesa Depthof FieldScale@,
whichallowsyouto selectthezoneof focuswhichwill
appearin thefinalphotograph.Undernormallighting
conditions,selectinga largerapertureopening(eg:f2.B
or f4)will allowyouto keepyourkeysubjectln sharp
focuswhlleeliminatingdistractingelementsin the
foregroundor backgroundof yourphotograph.Underthe
sameconditions,selectinga smallerapertureopening
(eg:f 11 or f 16)willallowyouto maintainsharpfocus
on bothnearand distantobjects.(SeePhotos"E" & "F'l).
ExposureBalanceSvstem
YourVivitarXC-4incorporatesan electronicallycqntrolled
ExposureBalanceSystem,whichis automaticallyprogram,-
medwhenyou setthe ASA Dialfor the properratingof the
filmyouareusing.TheelectronicExposureBalanceSystem
(nullmeterfunction)respondsimmediatelyand preciselyto
the slightestchangein subjectlightingor shutterspeed/
aperturecontrolsettings.ThreeLEDs(LightEmittingDiodes)
are positionedabovethe viewfinderto dlsplayunder,over
nv  r r nv v  rn r  Ir v pv  t c t pv  /  \ Yv v vnv n s r rI r ec o n d i t i o n s .
ViewfinderDisplav
The ExposureBalanceSystemLEDDisplayis positioned
abovetheviewfinder,whereit is readilyvisible(see
photo"D"). To activatethe ExposureBalanceSystem
LED Display:
   -  Windthe FilmAdvanceLever.1
2-  Movethe ShutterReleaseLock Leverto the "A" position.
3-  DepressShutterReleaseButtonhalfway.
In additionto providingexposureinformation,the LED
Displayis prograrnmedto functionas a BatteryCheck
 lf the LEDDisplaydoesnotilluminate,it indicatesthat
a) the ShutterSpeedDialis at the mechanical"8" or "M"
settingor b) thereis insufficientbatterypowerremaining
to actuatethe electronicshuttermechanism(should
thisoccur,the batteriesshouldbe replacedimmediately).                           www.orphancameras.com
 6

Whenthe ExposureBalanceSystemLEDDisplayis acti-
 vated,it will indicateone of the followingconditions:
 a/ Left(red)O LEDindicatesoverexposure.
 b/ Center(green)o LEDindicatescorrecrexposure.
 c/ Right(red)€ LEDindicatesunderexposure.
 d)lf Leftand RightLEDsilluminatesimultaneously,the
 shutterspeed/aperturecombinationis out of the exposure
 systemrange.
 To set ExposureBalanceSystemfor a correctexposure:
   -  Focuscarefullyon yoursubject.
   -  Depressthe ShutterReleaseButtonhalfway.
 a/ lf the leftLEDis illuminated,selecta smalleraperture
 openingand/or a fastershutterspeed.
 b/ lf the rightLEDis illuminated,selecta largeraperture
 openingand/ or a slowershutterspeed.
 c/ lf Leftand RightLEDsare simultaneouslyilluminated,the
 shutterspeed/aperturecombinationis out of the exposure
systemrange(seeExposureValueChart,page5a)                                                                                     t tti-ft,r5,41q
AutomaticExposureControl
YourVivitarXC-4is designeOto,..offi
preferredautomaticoperationwiththe additionof the
Vivitarxc-A'" Accessory.Requiringjust secondsfor attach-
ment,the VivitarXC-Acouplesdirecilyto the camera's
ExposureBalanceSystem.In use,the lensis set at the
desiredaperture,the FllmAdvanceLeveris wound,andthe
ExposureBalanceSystemis activated.by depressingthe
shutterReleaseButtonhalfway.operatedby its own",inde-
pendentpowersupply(a single,6-voltsilveroxidebattery),
theVivitarXC-Arespondsimmediaielyto the Exposure
BalanceSystem'scommandsignalby settingthe correct
shutterspeed.As quicklyas you can advancethe film,focus
andreleasethe shutter,the VivitarXC-Awillcontinueto
adjustand readjustfor the correctExposureBalance-   all
youneedto do is focusand shootl

                                                                                                             |ta**,,             ..n)

Self Timer
 TheSelf-TimerLever@ delaysthe trippingof the shutter
 mechanismforapproximately10 seconds,allowingyouto
includeyourselfin the photographwhendesired.The
timeddelayfunctionis fullyelectronic.Thecamerashouldbe
tripod-mountedor placedon a f irmsupportwhenthis
featureis used.ForSeif-Timerrelease
  nviluLr_.,9r4[-]il5.l - r n + n n  ' ^ ^ h ^ .
1 -  Focusand conrposephotograph.Adjustcontrolsfor
correctExposureBalanceSystemDisplay(greenLED).
 rlz -  PushSelf-TimerLeverall the wav down.
3 -  PressShutterReleaseButton.
4 -  Positionyourselfin photographareawithin10 seconds.
NOTE:lf you decidenotto usethe Self-Timeraftersetting
 if  it (\ usv ev e  vSL tv eY n  L2r aa v hv vov Jv, o ) mr r r nv v \v / A ir hr r pv Sv r rhv lL tL tv er r   vSl Jnv ev u e r ^ lDu r qi ra l  tL nv  t h e
"8" position.Thiswill releasethe Self-TimerLeverwithout
activatingthe shuttermechanism.
FlashPhotography
TheVivitarXC-4is synchronizedfor "X" f lashphotography,
usingeitherthe HotShoe@ or the "X" SyncPC Outlet _
Witheitherconnection,the shuttershouldbe set at the red,
1/60 secondmarkingon the ShutterSpeedDial.
As describedin "AutomaticExposureControl,"yourVivitar
XC-4is designedfor conversionto f ullyautomaticexposure
controlundernormaloutdoorlightingconditions.When
photographingunderlightingconditionsthatrequirethe use
of supplemental.flashillumination,usea VivitarAutomatic
ElectronicFlashUnitfor maximumsoeed.easeand con-
sistencyof results.
RemovingFilm
Whenyou havefinishedexposingthe lastf ramein yourfilm
cassette(12,20and 36-exposuresettingsare codedin red
on yourExposureCounterDial),removecassette:
1 -- Pushin FilmRewindButton@.
a                          www.orphancameras.com

2 -  Foldout FilmRewindcrank and turnin directionof
 arrow.
 3 - when FilmRewindcrankturnsfreery(withouttension
 or "drag"),pull up on Crankto opencameraback.The
 ExposureCounterwill automaticallyresetto zero.
 4 -  Removethe exposedcassettefor processing.Insert
 freshrollof filmwhilecamerabackis stillopen,oi close
 backfor storage.
 NOTE:lfcamerais to be stored,pressdownon Shutter
 ReleaseButtonto be certainthatcameramechanismis
 cleared.

 HelpfulHints
 1.- Alwayskeepthe ShutterReleaseLock   in the white,
 "L" (locked)positionwhenthe FilmAdvanceLeverhasbeen
 woundbut you are not yet readyto makeyour nextexposure.
 Accidentallypressingthe ShutterReleaseButtoncan
 a/ activatethe ExposureBalancesystem,causingunnec-
 essarybatterydrainor b) releasethe shuttermechanism,
 ruininga f rameof film.
2 -  The CustomCasefor yourVivitarXC-4incorporates
twosmallcompartments{or storinga spareset of batterres.
Byalwayskeepingfreshbatteriesin you' case,you wrll
avoidthe inconvenienceof losingelectronicoperationif the
camera'sbatteriesshouldfail. 0 o,{ kc,s-{f
Caringfor Your Camera

 t                   r    t -  \       / - -           - n     h  / I -  I\TVIHFUHCEANYCAMERAOPERATION.Consult i
thisOwner'sManualif anyquestionsoccur.
2 - REMOVEBATTERIESWHENSTORINGCAMERA.              )
Batteriescan leakas theyage,causingdamageto your
camera.Alwaysinspectthe batteriesfor signsof leakage
beforeinstallingthemin yourcamera.
3 - KEEPTHELENSCAPON WHENNOTTAKING                                           {IPHOTOGRAPHSThe cap protectsyourlensfromdustor                  3

dirtparticles.
   4- CLEANYOURLENSPROPERLYRemovedustwithan
   air blower.Whennecessary,use lenscleanerand tissueto
   gentlycleanthe lensand viewfindereyepiece.
   5- CLEANYOURCAMERA'SINTERIOR.Periodically
  removeanydustor f ilm particlesf romthef ilmchamber,
   rearlenselement,take-upspoolareaor FilmPressure
   Platewithan air blower.InspectFilmPressurePlatefor
  accumulateddepositsfromfilmbacking,andcleanwith
   lenscleanerand tissueif required.
   6-  KEEPYOURCAMERAAND FILMAWAYFROMDIRECT
  SUNLIGHTOR HEAT.Neverstoreyourcameraor film on
   the rearwindowdeck,glovecompartmentor otfrerhotareas
   in yourcar.
   7- PROTECTYOURCAMERAFROMMOISTURE.DO NOT
   storeyourcamerain a moisture-retainingenclosureor
   environment.In areasof highhumidity,extracareshouldbe
   takento insurethatyourcamerais keptin a comparatively
   cool,dry location.
   8- DO NOTTOUCHSHUTTERCURTAIN,
  Specifications
  CameraType:35mmElectronicSLRwithcenter-weighted,
    TTLExposureBalanceSystem.
   FilmFormat:24mmx 36mm
   LensMount;Universal(M-42)ThreadMount
   Shutter:Horizontaltravel,fullyelectronicfocalplaneshutter.
    Twinmatchedsolenoids;one per shutterblade,Elec-
     tronicshutterspeedsf rom4 sec.to 1/ 1000sec.,plus
    mechanical"8" and "M" settings.Mechanical"M" set-
     tingof 1/50 sec.providedwhenbatteriesare inoperative.
   Self-Timer;Approx.'10seconddelay.Electronicallytimed,
   Activatedbv ShutterReleaseButton.



                              www.orphancameras.com
.   1 0

ExposureBalanceSysfem..TwoCdS cellsbehindprism,
   withcenter-weightedaveragingsensitivitypattern.Match
  LEDdisplayin viewfinder,withLEDoverand under-
  exposurewarntngs.
 ExposureRange:EV 0.75to EV 1B (ASA25lDlN 15 with
  50mmf 1.9lens)
 FilmSpeedRange:ASA 25 to 3200,in 1 /3 EV increments.
PowerSupply:Two,1 .5 volt silveroxidebatteries(Eveready
  5-76,MalloryMS-76,G-13or equivalent).
 Viewfinder;Fixedeye-levelpentaprism.MatchLEDdisplay.
  -1.0Diopter.Horizontalsplitimagecenterwith micro-
  prismcollaron mattefresnelscreen.
 Flashcontacts:"X" sync Hot shoe and pc ouilet contacts.
  "X" sync up to 1 /60 sec.
FilmAdvance:Single-strokerapidFilmAdvanceLever.
  Built-indoubleexposureprevention
ExposureCounter:Progressivefrom "S" to 36. Automatic
  Counterreset.
Fi Im Loadi ng : VivilarM u lti-SIottedTake-u p SpooL
FilmRewind;RewindCrankand RewindButtonon too of
  camera.
Dimensions(body only); 138 mm x 85 mm x 51 mm
  5 . 4 i n x 3 . 3 i n x 2i n
Weight(body only): 499 g (17.6oz )
AccessorySize:49mm
S p ecif icat io nssu b j e c tt o c h a n g ew i t h o utn o tice .





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