User manual ZENITH 12

[. . . ] Shutter: Horizontal traveling Focal Plane type, speeded 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500th second plus B (brief time). Linked to self-timer giving approximately 7 seconds delay. Flash Synchronization: Electronic flash at 1/30th sec. through 'Hot-shoe' or standard 3mm co-axial socket Viewing/Focusing system: Eye-level pentaprism/instant return mirror shows upright laterally correct image. [. . . ] Focus by turning the Focusing Ring [11] clockwise for close and anti-clockwise for far distance until the subject is sharp and clear on the large viewing screen. For critical focusing using the inner of the two rings in the center and adjust until the image is clear and undistorted. Since you are viewing and focusing through the actual lens that takes the finished picture you can feel safe in the knowledge that there will be no parallax problems (no more cut-off heads in close-up portraits and the like). There's a built-in safety margin of course, in common with many other modern single lens reflex cameras, the viewfinder showing an overall area somewhat smaller than the total film area. this ensures that everything you see in the viewfinder appears in the finished picture despite the fact that slide mounts and masks in printing equipment cover part of the film's image. Depth of Field The lens is also provided with a scale calibrated in meters but it will seldom be necessary to refer to this. This is the depth of field scale [13] and works the following way: All lenses when focused on a given subject will show some objects in front of and behind that subject sharply in focus. This range is called "Depth of Field" and varies with different lenses. With any lens you will find that "Depth of Field" is always great as small apertures such as F/16 and less at large apertures such as F2. Depth of Field is also greater with a more distant subject that a nearby subject and increases nearly twice as much beyond the subject than in front of it. To use the depth of field scale, first focus on your subject then determine how great a Depth of Field a given aperture will give by reading distances against the two marks for that aperture. The figure on the left will be the nearest point in focus and that to the right the furthest, thus enabling you to select that aperture which will give the desired Depth of Field. Using the meter Having focused on the subject set the Lens Aperture Ring [9] in the middle of the range (say f/8) and press the Shutter Release Button [3] about half-way. This will switch on the meter and one of two red lights on the right-hand side of the viewing frame will come on. If it is the upper one this indicates over-exposure and the Aperture Ring [9] should be turned clockwise thus reducing the amount of light reaching the film. Should the lower light come on it indicates under-exposure and the Aperture Ring [91 should be turned anti-clockwise. Turn until both lights flash rapidly in sequence - this is the correct exposure. If it is not possible to get both lights flashing in sequence even at the end of the range of the Aperture Rinai9l then alter the Shutter Speed Dial [1] up or down and repeat the process. The meter fitted in the Zenith 12 XP is very sensitive and in some cases the indicator lights may move from top to bottom without an intermediate 'flashing' stage. In this case choose the exposure at the point of the change from top to bottom when the latitude of modern film will still give you the correct exposure In the cut-outs in the Aperture Indicator Dial [15a] there are two scales for ferris rated in ASA and DIN. Set the speed of the film in use by turning the dial with the small projection. Any intermediate positions may be used and are proportionate Set Film Speed Point the camera at the subject, if outdoors with a bright sky tilt it downwards somewhat. Also study the 'Helpful Hint for Better Exposure' on page 14. [. . . ] The exposure should be determined by using a hand-held meter such as the Leningrad or by experience/estimation. Although the camera may be rested on a firm surface the best results will be obtained by the use of a tripod but avoid those of a flimsy nature. A Hellos Tripod or Hellos Mini-Tripod (illustrated) is ideal. Set the Speed Dial to "B" Set the Aperture Ring [9]. Focus and cock shutter by advancing Film Transport Lever [2] in short strokes until it stops. Fit a short cable release (obtainable from any good dealer) into the screwed portion of the camera's Shutter Release Button [3]. Depress the cable release and the shutter will stay open until pressure is released. [. . . ]