Erecting the Reflex
Hood
By lifting the small button at the rear of the flap
(15) the side wings and back will spring into position
revealing the top focussing screen. To reclose, fold in
the side wings, press down the folded unit and secure by
closing over the front portion which will click into
position.
The
hinged magnifier
On erecting the reflex hood, a magnifier (2) will be
found hinged to the back flap. In this position it is
utilised as the negative component of the direct vision
finder (4). The camera being used at eye level. When the
magnifier is brought up into a horizontal position it is
used for critical focussing on the top reflex screen (3).
The finely-ground glass screen gives a brilliant image
which is equally useful for composing the picture and
checking the focus.
Focussing
The helical focussing mount is operated by turning a
knurled ring on the lens mount (5). The focussing scale
is calibrated from three feet to infinity and a depth of
focus scale is provided on the fixed portion of the lens
mount which is described later. The focus can be set by
scale, or by visual means watching the image on the top
focussing screen through the magnifier whilst turning the
focussing ring.
Setting the Lens Stop
The diameter of the lens opening (or aperture) is
controlled by the iris diaphragm and is adjusted by
turning the front knurled ring on the lens mount (6)
until the selected figure is seen against the arrowhead
engraved on the focussing ring. The largest aperture is
f3.5, and a sequence of progressively smaller stops each
requiring twice the exposure of the preceding number have
been calibrated. The smallest stop is f32.
Setting the shutter
The electronically tested focal-plane shutter of the
AGIFLEX can be set to five instantaneous speeds and B
(Bulb) apart from longer exposures controlled from a
separate knob. For hand-camera work, speeds of from
1/25th of a second to 1/500th are set by lifting the
speed setting knob (13) and turning it until the selected
speed coincides with the small arrowhead engraved on the
centre spindle. Make sure that it returns firmly on to
its seating.
Adjusting the shutter speed can be done either before
or after the shutter has been loaded or set. The shutter
is coupled to the film transport and is automatically set
when the film is wound on for taking the next picture by
the movement of the film transport lever (16). When the
shutter is set ready for taking a picture, the small
arrowhead will be facing the word SET. If it is desired
to set the shutter independently of the film transport
mechanism, the shutter speed setting knob (13) is rotated
in a clockwise direction until it clicks into the set
position.
Slow Shutter
Speeds
Slow shutter speeds of from 1/10th to two seconds are
calibrated on the slow speed knob (11). The shutter set
at B must be loaded before the slow speed knob comes into
operation. It is then rotated in the direction of the
arrow until the selected exposure is seen against the
index-line. The shutter can then be fired in the usual
manner. If a change to a faster speed is required before
making the exposure, the re-set button (12) is pushed
towards the knob (11) which will automatically travel
back to zero. When using slow speeds it is important
fully to depress the shutter release for the whole
duration of the exposure, and the camera should be used
on a tripod, or some rigid support.
Loading the Agiflex
camera. The layout of the two pages
did not lend itself to having the pictures scanned
separately from the text, so I have scanned the two pages
in their entirity (and yes, when I have more time I will
try to get the thing straight). The text can be found
below the pictures as I recognise that the text in the
scanned pages is almost illegible.
To open the camera back, the spring clip (19) is
released and the back will swing open. The back then
lifts out from the hinge-clip and is completely removed
for loading operations.
Two spool-pegs (20) are withdrawn and held in an
inoperative position by rotating in a clockwise
direction. An empty spool must be inserted in the take-up
side. The slot found in one end of the spool engages with
the key of the winding mechanism, and the empty spool is
inserted. It is fixed by releasing the spool-peg. The
film to be loaded is now placed in position, and is fixed
by releasing the spool-peg. Do not break the label
holding the new film until it is in position in the
camera, and be careful to remove and torn pieces of paper
when the label is broken.
The paper trailer is fed across to the take-up
spool, the tongue being inserted in the slot provided in
the spool. Sufficient movement is given to the film
transport lever (16) to ensure that the paper trailer
will wind squarely and evenly onto the spool.
The camera back is now replaced and the cover over the
red window (14) slides back. Operating the film transport
lever, the index-marks printed on the back of the trailer
can be observed through the red window. When No. 1 is
seen, the window cover is replaced and the film is in
position for making the first exposure. The automatic
counter re-set trip (18) is depressed so that No. 1
appears in the window (17). Each exposure will be
numbered in this window until the film has been finished
and is wound off and the camera is ready for reloading.
It takes two full strokes of the film transport lever to
move the film to the correct position for each
exposure.
Using the Agiflex at eye
level
When using any precision camera it is essential that
the instrument should be held firmly and all operations,
or setting-adjustments, done smoothly. Jerky movements,
jabs, or sudden poking-action on the shutter release,
will lead to unsteady pictures, or damage to the
instrument. Certain settings can be done in advance,
other adjustments made quickly immediately before taking
a photograph.
If the camera is used at eye level, the settings can
be done by scale. The lens stop and shutter speed are
set, and the focusing left until the last moment.
Depth of Focus Scale
To focus an object, the distance from the camera is
set against the arrowhead engraved on the lens mount, and
from the lines engraved on either side, it is seen at a
glance how far forward, or back, from the actual focus
other objects will also be sharp. For instance, setting
the lens at 20 feet, it will seen that at full aperture
(f3.5) objects from about 15 feet to 25 feet will be
sharp. If at the same focus, the lens is stopped down to
f16, it will be seen that objects from 10 feet to
infinity will be sharp. This automatic slide rule can be
used in another way. Supposing the selected lens stop is
brought opposite to the infinity mark, it will then
indicate the shortest distance where objects will still
be sharp. As an example, if infinity is brought opposite
a stop of f8, the engraved line on the opposite side will
show that the nearest forward focus is 15 feet. That is,
every object beyond 15 feet will be sharp.
Relation between lens stop
and shutter speed
The smaller the lens aperture (the higher the
f-number) the greater the depth of field, but at the same
time, the less the light that can reach the film. This
means that each time a smaller lens-stop is selected a
relatively longer shutter speed must be used to
compensate for the loss of light. Where rapidly moving
objects necessitate a very rapid shutter speed, the
degree of stopping-down will depend upon the brightness
of the available light. Each smaller stop engraved on the
lens-mount will need twice the exposure required for the
previous f-number. After a photograph has been taken the
film transport lever (16) is brought firmly round as far
as it will go, and is then permitted to return to the
starting point. A second movement is then given to the
lever which will stop automatically at the correct
position. Two full strokes of the lever are required to
bring the film into the correct position for the next
exposure. The number will change in the window (17). This
operation will wind the shutter and move on the film at
the same time ready for the next exposure.
Using the Agiflex at waist
level
When using the AGIFLEX as a reflex camera at waist
level, the camera should be firmly pressed against the
chest in a position where the image on the top focussing
screen can be comfortably examined. A neck-strap is
provided which can be adjusted so that a downward
pressure of the camera against the strap will help to
keep the instrument steady. The image seen on the top
screen (3) is the actual image that will be transferred
to the film when the photograph is taken. Due to
reflection, the image will appear to on the focussing
screen the correct way up, but reversed left to right. It
follows that this picture-image can be used for
focussing. The picture can be composed on the screen and
the degree of sharpness carefully examined by means of
the hinged magnifier. Every detail can be checked in the
knowledge that this actual image will expose the film
when the picture is taken. Naturally, the lens should be
used at full aperture for preliminary focussing so as to
give the maximum brightness to the image.
Interchangeable Lenses
Apart from the many obvious advantages of a
single-lens reflex, the AGIFLEX offers unique
opportunities for the use of interchangeable lenses.
Designed with a focal-plane shutter which can be used
with any lens, and a simple but accurate bayonet fitting
for quickly changing a lens, the AGIFLEX can be adapted
for special work not possible with any other type of
camera. A firm movement to the left (anti-clockwise
direction) will free the lens as seen in this
illustration.
A Choice of Four
Lenses
The normal lens which is standard to the AGIFLEX has a
focal length of 8 cm. with a full aperture of f3.5. This
lens is easily interchangeable with the 16 cm. telephoto
lens f5.5 seen in this illustration. When this lens is
used the photographic image is twice the size of that
produced with the normal lens. It is ideal for
portraiture and any picture where a narrower angle of
view is required.
Also working at f5.5, two longer focus telephoto
lenses are available - 24 cm. and 30 cm. bringing a
complete range of objectives into use that will make the
camera ideal for NATURE studies, and long distance
photography.
The Adapter Ring
Where very long focus telephoto lenses working at a
large aperture are used it is necessary to have the
largest possible opening to the front of the camera so as
not to shade off the corners of the picture. or this
reason the AGIFLEX is provided with an adaptor-ring which
can be removed by releasing the button (21). It is usual
to press this button and release the ring on the shorter
focus lens, rather than remove the lens and then press
the button and attempt to remove the ring as a separate
component. Like the ring, each of the lenses is held by a
bayonet fitting, the button is only used to release the
ring.
Colour Filters
Four colour filters spun in light screw-in holders are
available together with a lens-hood. These accessories
are interchangeable being designed with the same screw
fitting, which fits the recess in the lens mount.
YELLOW (x2) a contrast filter cutting down as excess
of blue
GREEN (x3) for general colour correction on
panchromatic film
ORANGE (x5) contrast filter
RED (x7) extreme contrast filter
The figures in brackets indicate the approximate extra
exposure required on panchromatic film.
The next page in the
instruction book contains two tabulations. I have
therefore scanned the whole page. This both reduces my
work, as I do not have to try to produce tables, and also
increases accuracy as I am not retyping material. I hope
the end result is acceptable.
Synchronised Flash
Contacts
Two flash contacts (10) are provided on the AGIFLEX.
When used with the AGILUX flashgun, it is only necessary
to fix the gun by means of the tripod-socket, and plug in
the contact-socket as seen in this picture, and the
camera is ready for use with a shutter speed of 1/25th of
a second, or slower.
General Notes on the Use of
the Camera
It is essential that the camera should be held firmly
and care should be taken to avoid shake when making an
exposure. A tripod must be used for any of the longer
exposures. Particularly when holding the camera at
eye-level, care should be taken not to let a finger rub
against the shutter setting knob (13) as this will
revolve during the period of exposure. If in doubt
whether the shutter has been set, this fact may be
ascertained by looking at the arrowhead in the centre of
knob (13) which will face the word SET if the camera is
ready for the next exposure.
Care of the Camera
A leather ever-ready case is available for the
AGIFLEX, it protects the camera from ordinary wear and
tear or accidental damage. Keep the lens free from
fingermarks and dirt. If it becomes dusty, brush it
lightly with a camel hair brush. Other marks may be wiped
VERY LIGHTLY with a piece of chamois leather, or lens
cleaning tissue. Never use cleaning compounds or fluids.
NEVER attempt to force the transport lever beyond its
natural point - the second stroke becomes shorter with
each exposure. Never lubricate any part of the camera,
and if any part becomes out of adjustment, return it to
the dealer where it was purchased. AGILUX LTD. will be
pleased to give any further advice or assistance if
required. Please quote the SERIAL NUMBER OF THE CAMERA
(engraved inside the camera body) in all
communications.
Top of
Page
|