Film cameras
Wittnauer Adventure / Legionnaire 35mm User manual
User manual for Wittnauer Adventure / Legionnaire 35mm. 25 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Wittnauer
- Model / document
- Wittnauer Adventure / Legionnaire 35mm
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 25
- File size
- 2.0 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
Tlr,eAutomat'ic Wittnauer
Adnenturer & Legionnaire ModeLs
1. Accessory shoe. 7. Cover latch.
2. Exposure meter 8. Diaphragrn
(Legionnaire setting scale.
model). 9. Shutter release.
3. Exposule meter 10, Flash contact. calculator
(Legionnaire 11. Focusing scale.
model). 12. Focusing ring.4. Exposure meter
indicator 13. Depth of field
(Legionnaire scale.
model). 14. Diaphragm
5. Rapid advance. setting lever.
lever (single 15. Shutter speed stroke advances setting ring. film, counts
exposure, winds 16. Shutter speed
shutter, releases scale.
double exposure
prevention 17. Combined
device). viewfinder and
6. Exposure corinter' '- viewingr'angefinderwindows. (subtracting type
- shows how 18. Rewind knob.
many exposures 19" Tlipod socket. lemain in film
cartridge). 20. Rewind button.View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
II \ ONGRATULATIONSon your choice of the fully automatic Wittnauer
camera. Your new camera will repay you manyfold with years ofI I
\-/ fine photography. For here, truly, is the perfect blend of optical and
engineering automation. Made with wATcHMAKER skill and precision,
the outstanding Wittnauer 35mm camera offers every advancedand useable
photographic feature.
The new Wittnauer "high definition" cHRoNnXlenses have been computed
with the most modern mathem atical formulas and are ground to exacting
specifications to insure razor-sharp clarity and full color fidelity. All glass
-air surfaces are coated to reduce internal reflections and assure brilliant
pictures. Wittnauer quality cameras are versatile enough to meet the most
demanding photographic assignments.
On the following pages you will find a full description of the many features
designed to make Wittnauer picture-taking more successful. Please read
this booklet carefully before using the camera.
T H E L O N G I N E S - W I T T N A U E R B U I L D I N G
5 a o F T F T H A V E N U E , N E \ ^ / Y O R K 3 6 , N . Y .
www.orphancameras.comView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
r
Opcretiort rtf tltc F ully Autontcttic IT'ittrteuet',J5trtrttCatnc?'cL
1. Advance film and wind shutter by moving rapid wind lever once.
2. Measure light value with
built-in meter (on Reporter
and Legionnaire models
only).
3. Choosemost desirable shut-
ter speed.
4. Adjust diaphragm.
5. Focus and view subject.
(6. Releaseshutter-
take picture.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
To OTien tlze Ca?TLera
not put excessivestrain on the back while open as it
has been carefully fitted at the factory ard p"oper
alignment is impor.tant to correct closure atrd long
life.
a. film retaining roller (recessed, so metal
roller does not actually contact negati,ae
area).
b. pressure plate holds film perf ectly flat and
in focal plane during etrposu,re.
c. cartridge retaining spring.
d. reutind post.
e. fiIm plane guide channels.
f. fiIm aduance sprocket.
g. film take-up spool.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
I'ull ottt the t'ervittcl knob as fal as it rvill go and
inselt a fresh cartliclge into tlie enrpty chatnbel'.
Thc caltliclse is itrset'tcclso that the long plojection
is tou'ai'rls thc bottonr of the calllel'a. Push the
lcu'inrl knob back into its oliginal llosition, turning
it gently at the sanre titne so that the slot in the
leu'incl post cngages the ci'ossbat' of the film spool.
Moilet'tr eniulsiotrs at'e extt'etlely iight sensitive and
e v e n t h c t n o s t c a l e f u l l y c o t l s t l ' u c t e d c a l t l i d g e
slioulcl be plotectcci fl'ollr the clii'ect lays of the
sun. Loacl ancl unload the calllel'ul in the shadorv of
a tlee ot' builclittg. If no shadorv aleas al'e avail-
able, tut'n youl bocly so that youl owll shaclorv
rvill offei' 1tt'otectiotr.
Plotect filtn calti'idge florn physical rlarnage oi'
abuse. Rouqh llsag(' ltlay tetrtl to clistolt the car'-
ti'iclge atrcl rlestloy its light-ploofing ability' To
fui'thei' pL'otcct fi.ltn, clo trot allou' loaclerilcalti'iclges
to bc' stolecl at high te'tlrpcl'atut'es.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
To Attach, Film and Complete
the Loading Operation
Pull out enough of the trimmed film Ieader so that
the end can be inser.ted into the slot of the take-up
spool. The notch in the take-up spool should catch
on a film sprocket hole. The take-up spool may be
freely rotated by tur.ning in the direction indicated.
At the same time, engage the perforations in the
film with the sprockets of the film advance wheel.
Continue io tur.n the take-up spool and draw film
out until the sprockets have engaged perforations
on both sides of the film. Enough exlra film has
been supplied by the manufacturer to provide for
the leader used when loading. The correct number
I of exposures still remain in the cartridge. Noiv,
close the camera back. A slight pressure will be felt
when the back is almost closed. This is normal and
is the result of the action of the pressure plate
which forces the film into the correct focal plane.
With the back held firmly closed, snap the cover
latch into position and the camer.a is made com-
pletely. light tight.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
The exposure counter is located on the number 36 (or 20) is opposite the indicator
lapid wind lever and is of the SUBTRAC- mark. Advancing these two fr.ames removes
TION TYPE. It will count backwards to film that may have been "fogged" during
show, at a glance, the number of UNEX- the loading process.
POSED FRAMES still available. ote : C hampion, Constel)ttion, Challenger
Before taking the first pictut'e, set the ex- Continental modelsy're prouided utith a
posure counter by bringing the red dot buil\-in fi.Im speed re der dial.
(near the number 36) into register with Whe\setting the posure counter, also set
the black index mark on the lapid wind the fi s p e e i a l .
lever. (When using a 2O-exposur.ecaltridge, This ha\dy i icator
register the green dot). This is accom- u (after
plished by rotating the counter disc in di- the cam has been
rection of art'ow. Now, advance the r.apid put a$de) o\he type
wind lever fully and r.elease. Pr.ess the and rati of the
shutter release button. This oper.ation is culrently \aded
repeated a total of two times until the the camera.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 10Page 12 · Read text
r To Unload
When the last frame has.been exposed, the CHECKING THE REWIND ACTION
exposure counter will indicate the number The rewinding action can be checked by
1. Do not continue to advance the film be- releasing pressiure on the locking button
yond this point or it may be torn from its during the rewinding operation. If the
protective cartridge. mechanism is working properly, consider-
able resistance to further rewinding will be Exposed film should be rewound into the noticed. Do Nor ATTEMpTro FoRcE THE RE- cartridge so it may be taken from the
camera in ordinary room or daylight. To do wrND KNOB,ORTHE FrLM PERFORATTONSWrLL BE ToRN. To continue the rewind operation, this, turn the camera over and depress the depress the rewind locking button once rewind locking button. At the same time, more. If, during the above test, no resist- lift the rewind knob slightly and turn it in ance is noticed after the locking button has the direction indicated by the engraved
arrow until all film has been rewound. The been released the film has been pulled from
rewind locking button must be held down the cartridge and the camera should be
during the entire rewinding process.'When opened only in a darkroom.
rewinding has been completed, you will
"feel" a definite slacking in the resistance
of the rewind knob. In addition, you can
"hear" the film leader as it slips off the
take-up spool and returns to the cartridge.
When completely rewound, the camera's
back may be opened and the film replaced
with an unexposed cartridge.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 12Page 14 · Read text
,/'
The distance flom the camela
to subject-estimated or estab-
lished by.means of an accessoly
l a n g e f i n d e r ' - i s b l o u g h t i n t o
legistel r,r'ith the black dia-
r-nond-shapedm\k in the center'
of the "depth of neld" i'ing by
lotating the nrilled r')qg on the
flont of the lens mounQ. The
lens tut'ns smoothly in its rhqunt
and may be set at any dista
flom 3 feet to infinity.
Sight thlough the viewfindei'
u'indow. In the cenbel of the
field of view, you will see a
blight ambel coloi'ed cilcle.
This is the langefindel image
and since the langefincler is in-
ternally coupled to the lens, set-
t i n g t h e f i n d e i ' a u t o r n a t i c a l l y
a d j u s t s t h e l e n s f o r p e r f e c t
focus.
l 0 www.orphancameras.comView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Focus the lens by tulning the focusing levet. on the lens mount. At the same time sight through the viewfinder and notice that a double in-rage of the subject will appeai.in the cir.cular. blight spot in the centel of the field. By tur.n- ing the focusing lever', the two images can be made to coincide pelfectly. When this occur,s, collect focus has been attained and no fur.ther. adjustment is necessat'y. The exact camela-to-subject distance can be l e a d ( i n f e e t ) f l o m t h e s c a l e o n t h e l e n s mount. Focus so that the ilJ'"z,f7,5r€Jr ---'*i-most itnportant palt of the I 6 subject is pelfectly aligned in the langefinder'. An alea in fi'ont of and behind the subject will also be in focus (depending on the diaphlagm opening selected). This alea is called "depth of field". Fol mole inforrnation on how to use youl built-in "depth of field" scales, see pages 16 and 17.View original page 15
Page 17 · Read text
Retttling tlte I'Ieter utul I)etu'rtrining Sonr.eInqtortant Hints
Erposure Tittrcs
7. Screen the meter from tlrc influence ofHold the camela in taking position, with ercessiae skyli.ght (beach, snow or land-the meter pointed towards the subject (basic scape scenes) by tilting the camera slightlyleflected light system). The needle will point doutnutard uslrcn taking a read;ing.to a black ol white sector on its scale. Turn
the ring on which the exposule times are 2..To take an efiposure reading directlg
marked (outer ling) until the tliangular' against the sun, shade tlte honeycomb cell
indicator appeals above the ploper sector. in the sanle uaA Aou u;ould shade the lens.
Correct exposur:e times and diaphragm
stops now appear on the lower side of this 3. If in doubt, take closeup meter readings
same ring. of the most important parts of tlte subject.
Now, select the combination of shutter Zeroing tlrc Meter
speed and diaphragm opening that best
suits your purpose. Sports action would call If , usitlt th.e h.oneycomb window completely
for a high shutter speed (and wide dia- darleened, the indicator does not coincide
phragm), while a scenic view might call enactly utith the 0 mark, it can be adjusted
for the depth of field possible only with a by turning the small reset screu) on the
small diaphragm opening (with slower bacli of the camero. NorE z Tlte zero adjust-
shutter speed). ment is a delicate one-use e*treme care.View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
T o Set the Diapht'crgm Opening
The lens diaphragm is set by means of the greater' "depth of field" and greater over-
lever on the upper side of the lens mount. all sharpness. For a more detailed explana-
Bring the arrowhead on the lever into reg- tion of "depth of field" see page 16.
ister with the selected diaphragm opening.
Note, the larger numbers indicate a smaller
diaphragm opening...which admits less
light to the film. Thus, f :16 represents a
smaller "opening" than f.:2.8.
Each full diaphragm adjustment repre-
sents a L007o change in light. F:11 repre-
sents twice as much light (under constant
shutter conditions) as f :16. Diaphragm
openings and shutter speeds form the
information needed for correct exposure.
Since a larger diaphragm opening admits
more light, it may be used in conjunction
with a faster shutter speed to "stop" ac-
tion. In the same way, a slower shutter
speed used in conjunction with a smaller r ! n
diaphragm opening would result in a
L4 www.orphancameras.comView original page 18Page 19 · Read text
T o Set the Sh,utterSpeed
The Wittnauer Vero Shutter has been sub- racy. The shutter is automatically wound
jected to rigorous tests and examinations each time the rapid wind lever is advanced.and is capable of a high degree of aecu-
Exposure times are indicated as fractions
of a second on the shutter speed ring. The
numeral 25 represents L/28 of a second;
50 represents 1/50 of a second, etc. To set
a particular shutter speed, turn the large
milled ring until the selected speed is oppo-
site the diamond-shaped mark on the,.depth
of field scale". Shutter settings may be
made either before or after the film is
advanced.
The letter "B" represents bulb. IVhen set on
"8", the shutter will remain open as long
as the shutter release button is depressed.
With the use of a Wittnauer..locking" cable
release, extremely long time exposures can
be made. Time exposures should not be at-
tempted unless the camera is firmly sup-
ported on a tripod or other suitable object.
15View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
Depth of Field
When you focus on this point...
Some Hints
When your principal subject has
great depth-use a small opening
and achieve overall sharpness.
When the background is disturb-
ing-eliminate it by using a large F I E L D H O F < - D E P T + opening...offering a shallow depth Picture uill be sharp f ront
e H e r e . . . t o . . . H e r e + of field-and allow the background
to become blurred and out of focus.
...you are actually in focus throughout an
entire zone. This area is called the DEPTH
OF FIELD.
The Depth of Field varies according to the
diaphragm opening selected. A small dia-
phragm opening will provide great depth
of field. A large opening will offer a shallow
depth of field.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
\ Depth ol Field ScaleTells Area ol Focusf,qo"E1)eraPicture First focus on the most impoltant subject. Then the zone of sharpness may be read flom the scale engraved on the lens mount. Example: Assume the exposure selected lesults in a diaphragm opening of f :8.0, r'ead the en- graved footage malkings opposite f :8 on each side of the lens mount. One side will provide the closest, and the other the far'- thest limit of shalpness. To adjust the depth of field, merely change the diaphlagm open- ing. (Adjust the shuttel speed to maintain correct exposules while changing the shar.p- ness zone.)View original page 21
Page 22 · Read text
//l
Internal Synch,ronizatiowMakes Wittnauer Flaslr,Pictures
Stmple to Take-Maintains Accurate Emposure
The fine Vero shutter on your Wittnauer a flash bulb and is less expensive to use in
camera is fully synchronized for both elec- the long run because there are no buibs to
tronic flash and flash bulbs. replace.
To use erpendable F?ash Bulbs Ask your authorized dealer to demonstrate
the Wittnauer Power Flash electronic unit Plug the flash cord (flom flash gun) direbtly which is compact, carefully engineered and into the flash contact on the front of the designed to give over 1'00,000flashes frorn.. camera. Now, when the shutter is released, a single tube. a built-in switch makes electrical contact
at precisely the light moment for peak flash To use electronic flash, proceed as above efficiency. Thus, the flash bulb is "fired" and plug the flash cable into the contact on when the shutter leaves are fully open. To the front of the camera, When the shutter * insure full use of the entire light output is released the electronic flash is "fired". of the flash bulb, a shutter speed of 7/25
second or slower is recommended. No ELECTRONIC FLASH MAY BE USED WITH ANY
external adjustments or "bulb type" cor-
rections are necessary with the modern SHUTTER SPEED.
Wittnauer Vero shutter. Flash exposures are determined by "guide
numbers" and fu'll instructions accompany To use Electroruic Flash your flash unit, or can be found on every
Electronic flash provides a softer light than package of flash bulbs.
18 www.orphancameras.comView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
. r \VATCIII\IAKER-i\IADE WITTNAUER CAMERAS A R E Y E R S A T I L E E N O U G H T O M E E T E V E N T H E N I O S T D I F F I C I ] L T P I C T U R E - T A K I N G A S S I G N I \ I E N T . Coupled rvith today's high speed films, your camera can become the tool through which you may find an important new vista of artistic expression. W h e n p h o t o g r a p h i n g , h o l d t h e c a m e l ' a fir'mly in both hands and lelease the shutter. gently and deliberately without moving the camera. Firm plessul'e is especially impor- tant when slorv shutter speeds ar.e used. Watch for' "peak" action to capture excit- ing moments and fleeting expl'essions. When photographing under exti'emely adver.se light conditions using long exposure times (1 second to L/75 second) use of a tripod is I'ecommended. In this way, vibration due to pl'essure on the shutter release is eliminated assuling shalp, crisp pictules.View original page 23
Page 24 · Read text
( - \
\.-/ ARE for your Wittnauer camera as you would a fine
watch. The lens should be cleaned periodically, but only with
a soft camel's hair brush or lintless lens tissue. Never use
eyeglass tissues as they will remove the delicate anti-reflection
coating. Keep the camera in its ever-ready case and protect it
from unnecessary shock.
Get to know your camera well. You will find it a most pleasant
and competent companion.
LONGINES-\ /ITTNAUER BUILDING, NEW YORK, N.Y.
20 www.orphancameras.comView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
--r-
_>--
WHERE TO FIND THE MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPHS
Attaclting FiIm and Completing Focusing andViewing. . . . .Pages 10-11
Loading Operation . . Page 5 Helpf uI Hints f or Better
Built-in Erposure Meter . . .Page L2 Picture Taking . Page 19
Calibra,ting tlrc Erpo:;ure Meter. . .Page 13 I n c i d e n t L i g l t t . . . . P a g e L ?
Cantera Operation Page 2 Inserting FiIm. Page 4
Clmoner Lens . Page 1 Loading aruI Unloadirug Reuieut Page 9
D e p t h o f F i e l d . . . . . P a g e 1 6 Opening tlte Camera, Back. . . . . Page 3
Depth of Field Scale . . .Page L7 Rapid Film Adaance Leaer. . . . Page 7
Detailed Diagram, of Reading the Erposure Meter . . Page 13
ImTtortant Parts . .Inside Front Cover ReflectedLight . . .Page L2D ouble E rposure Preuention Setting tlt e Diapltragm Opening . . . Page 14 Mechanisrn, ..Page 7 Setting the Erposure Counter. . .. . Page 6Electronic Flaslt . . Page 18 Setting tlrc Film Speed. . . .Page L2Erposure Hints . . Page 13
Film Speed Ratings. . . Page L2 Shutter Speed . Page 15
FiIm Transport llleclrunism Page 7 Slrutter Winding . . Page 7
Flash Synehronization Page 18 (Inloacling tlte Carneru. .. . . . Page 8View original page 25From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.