certo-six

Donated to 1Donated to 2Donated to 3Key :1 = Camera ‐opening button.2 = Focusing lever for rangefinder.3 = Hinge for back plate.4 = Shutter release.5 = Film counter.6 = Index dot.7 = Accessory shoe.8 = Distance scale.9 = Film advance lever.10 = Film type indicator.11 = Catch for back plate. 12 = Index mark for film start.13 = Spool peg disc. 14 = Red indicator mark for film start. 15 = Rangefinder viewer. 16 = Threaded socket for shutter release cable. 17 = Release button for double ‐exposure lock. 18 = Film ‐holding spring. 19 = Film ‐loaded indicator lever.Donated to 4Dear CERTO friend:We know you want to try out your new CERTO ‐SIX and take pictures as soon as possible! However, it is very important to read the first few pages of these instructions on how to use this camera, even if your photo dealer has given detailed instructions to you a few minutes ago.Please do not be alarmed by the number of printed pages. We are sure you will enjoy using your CERTO ‐SIX, which, correctly handled, will be your friend for many decades. Take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with your new camera. A camera should be handled with care and without force – treat it the same as you would your watch.If you are in a hurry to use this camera, please read, at least, how to open and close the CERTO ‐SIX, how the film is wound on and how a picture taken.We advise you to read, in particular, the paragraphs starting with ‘Attention’.Donated to 51. Opening the cameraSlide the button (1) towards the viewfinder window to unlock the lens platen, which will open a little. Then, gently push the lens platen downwards as far as it will go.[Note : see ‘Addendum 2008 – Film flatness’: do not let the lens platen spring open – support it with your hand.]2. Closing the cameraPress, using both thumbs, the upper linkages to the right and left of the lens until the lens platen is free to move, and then push the lens platen towards the camera front. A little resistance will be felt, but will not harm the camera.ATTENTIONThe shutter cocking lever must be released to avoid damaging the camera. The camera can be closed irrespective of the distance the lens is focused to.3. Releasing the shutterThe cocked shutter can only be released when the index dot (6) is green and aligned exactly with a number on the frame counter (5). If this is not the case and the index dot (6) is red, or the green index dot is in between two frame numbers, the shutter release (4) is locked.Donated to 6 Move the film advance lever (9) once or twice from stop to stop until the green index dot (6) is exactly aligned with a frame number. The shutter release (4) is now unlocked, and only has to be pushed very slightly to the left. You will see for yourself how easy it is to release the shutter without moving the camera. After releasing the shutter, the double exposure lock is enabled: the index dot (6) is red, and the shutter release is now locked, making double exposures impossible. When the index dot is red, you will know that exposed film has not been wound on.If you pressed the shutter release (4) but forgot to advance the shutter, and have thus now locked the shutter, you can unlock it by moving the release button (17). The same procedure should be used if you deliberately wish to take double exposures.[Note : see ‘Addendum 2008 – Shutter instructions’ for setting the exposure (selecting the shutter speed and aperture), cocking the shutter, using the self ‐timer and flash synchronisation.]4. Inserting the filmNow that you have tested your new CERTO ‐SIX thoroughly without film, we will now describe how to insert a roll of film. In order not to damage the lens, the front of the camera should be kept closed. Pull up the catch for the back plate catch (11), and open the hinged back.ATTENTIONThe camera must not be held by its back plate, and under no circumstances should the back plate be forced open further than the hinge will allow.Pull the film advance lever (9) upwards, moving it slightly back and forth, until it stops. Place an empty film spool onto the lower spool peg (13), and push the spool fully into the chamber. Twist the film transport lever back and Donated to 7forth while pressing it in until the top spool peg engages with the spool. Push the film transport lever downwards so that it seats fully. (This can only be done when the film transport lever is in its normal resting position – see the illustration on page 1.)Remove a roll of film from its packaging and place it on the film ‐holding spring (18) in the empty spool chamber, and unroll enough backing paper to allow you to put the tapered end into the long slit of the empty take ‐up spool. Make sure that it is put in straight. The loaded ‐film indicator lever (19) should be under the backing paper.The film is then advanced using the lever (9) until the ‘start’ arrow printed on the film backing is in line with the red index mark (12). Close the back and push in the back plate catch (11). Turn the frame indicator (5) anticlockwise until the triangle is aligned with the index dot (6). Then, advance the film by moving lever (9) from stop to stop until ‘1’ on the frame indicator (5) is aligned with the index dot (6), which is now green. The unexposed film is now ready for use.[Note : see ‘Addendum 2008 – Film thickness’ for a solution to the problem of close frame spacing with modern films.]5. Focusing with the rangefinderHold the open camera firmly, and, using the thumb of your left hand, move the focusing lever (2) slowly back and forth until the two circles in the viewfinder combine to form a single image without any double lines. The camera cannot be focused when the camera is closed. A good habit to develop is to set the camera to infinity after opening, as the focusing lever can move when closing the camera.Donated to 86. Advancing the film to the next frameAfter releasing the shutter, advance the film by moving the lever (9) twice from stop to stop: ‘2‘ on the frame indicator (5) will be aligned with the green index dot.7. Finishing and removing the roll of filmAfter the 12th photograph is taken, advance the film using lever (9) until the red indicator mark (14) disappears (about 14 movements). Open the camera, pull the film advance lever (9) upwards, and remove the film, taking care to not to let it unroll.Donated to 9Notes∙In order to be able to use plate adapters, enlargers or projectors, you have to remove the back completely: the back plate securing strip (3) has to be unscrewed, pulled up and rotated out of the way. When replacing the back plate, make sure that both parts of the hinge fit into each other correctly. ∙ The accessory shoe (7) is used for light meters, flash guns, tele ‐photo accessories, etc.∙ On the back of the camera are two small legs, which can be pulled out to enable you to take photographs from a table etc. without tripod.∙ When focusing the camera, the viewfinder parallax error is automatically compensated for. ∙ You can check the focusing distance using the distance scale (8).∙The film type indicator (10) reminds you which film you are using. Rotate the outer ring to set the ASA speed against the index mark. (On the opposite side of the ring, you will find the conversion into DIN.) By holding the outer ring tight, you can move, using a coin, the inner ring to colour or black and white, to match the film type in the camera.Donated to 10∙The small window (14) displays a red indicator when film is in the camera, to warn you not to open the back. ∙Screwed onto the viewfinder (15) is a lens mount, into which your optician can install a small dioptre lens, so that you can use the camera without wearing glasses.Your CERTO‐SIX camera is a very fine precision instrument and will serve you faithfully. There should be no need to force any of the moving parts. If you feel that anything is wrong with the operation of the camera, contact your dealer or write to the factor representative in your country.Donated to CAMERA WORK VON DER GÖNNA & SONS DRESDEN A 46 ‐ P.O. BOX 12 ‐ GERMANYDonated to iAddendum 2008A shutter instruction booklet was supplied with the CERTO ‐SIX, matching the shutter type fitted to the particular camera model. As I’m missing this booklet, I’ve written a section on using the shutter. I also found some helpful tips on the web on using the CERTO ‐SIX, and these have been included in this addendum (thanks to everyone who originally put them on the web).Shutter instructions Shutters fitted to the CERTO-SIXTypeMax. shutter speed Flash sync Self ‐timer * Specification Synchro ‐Compur MX 1/500 s M, X Yes High Prontor SVS 1/300 s M, X YesMedium Tempor1/250 sXYes (on late versions only)Basic* The self ‐timing mechanisms differ: see the text.Donated to iiSynchro-Compur MX shutter(The Prontor and Tempor shutters are similar to the Synchro ‐Compur.)Key :a = Shutter speed dial.b = Shutter speed index mark.c = Shutter speed scale. d = Aperture lever. e = aperture pointer.f = aperture scale.g = Shutter cocking lever.h = Self ‐timer button.i = PC socket. j = Flash sync lever.Donated to iiiSelecting the exposure and cocking the shutterBefore taking a photograph, it is necessary to set the exposure by adjusting the shutter speed and aperture, and to cock the shutter.ATTENTIONAlways select the shutter speed then cock the shutter – this is essential for 1/500 s. Cocking the shutter first stresses the shutter mechanism.The exposure is obtained by measuring the light falling on the subject with a light meter, to obtain a shutter speed and aperture combination. These values are then transferred to the camera by rotating the knurled shutter speed dial (a) so that the red index mark (b) is adjacent the desired shutter speed on the scale (c), and moving the aperture lever (d) until its pointer (e) is opposite the required aperture on the scale (f). It does not matter whether the shutter speed is set before or after selecting the aperture.The numbers on the shutter speed scale denote fractions of a second, e.g. 100 = 1/100 s, and the ‘B’ position allows the shutter to be held open for as long as the shutter button is depressed, so that long exposures can be made. Depending on the model of shutter fitted to the camera, the maximum shutter speed is 1/250, 1/300 or 1/500 s. The maximum aperture also varies, depending on the lens fitted, and is either f/2.8 (Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/80) or f/3.5 (Meyer ‐Optik 3.5/80).The shutter is cocked by pushing the lever (g) to its stop.Donated to ivUsing the self-timerNot all models of shutter fitted to the CERTO ‐SIX have a self ‐timer.The self ‐timer delays the shutter release by 10–15 s after pressing the shutter release. Operating the self ‐timer differs according to the type of shutter fitted: ∙Shutters with a self ‐timer button (h) (and no V setting next to the X and M sync positions). Cock the shutter, slide the self ‐timer button backwards, then push the cocking lever a little further to its extended stop. The self ‐timer can be used at all shutter speeds except B and 1/500 s.∙Shutters without a self ‐timer button but with, instead, a V setting next to the X and M sync positions (the three positions are differentiated by being coloured green, red and yellow, respectively). Cock the shutter, then move the sync/self ‐timer lever to the V setting. The self ‐timer can be used at all shutter speeds except B. (Attention : always cock the shutter before using the self ‐timer – forcing the sync/self ‐timer lever to the self ‐timer position V without cocking the shutter will jam the mechanism, requiring professional repair.)Using flashAll shutters have a PC socket (i) for flash units, with X synchronisation (for electronic flash) only, or both M synchronisation (for flash bulbs) and X synchronisation, depending on the type of shutter fitted, the latter selected with the green sync lever (j). Synchronisation is necessary so that the shutter is fully open when the flash illumination is at is maximum: M sync ignites the flash bulb immediately but delays the shutter release slightly (by 20 ms), as flash bulbs do not generate their maximum intensity straightaway; X sync releases the shutter immediately the shutter button is pressed, as usual, since electronic flash guns reach maximum intensity extremely quickly.Flash can be used at any shutter speed from 1 s to the maximum (e.g. 1/500 s).Donated to vShutter careIf the shutter has a 1/500 s top speed and you wish to use it, always select it before cocking the shutter: an additional spring is compressed when 1/500 s is selected, so cocking the shutter after setting this speed requires extra force, which stresses the mechanism and can damage the spring and gear trains over time.Setting all shutter speeds before cocking the shutter is a good habit to develop since the mechanism is now 50 years old.Film Film flatnessDo not let the lens platen spring open; instead, support it with your hand, allowing the bellows to extend smoothly and slowly. If the cover is opened unsupported, the resulting suction can pull the film partially into the film chamber.Also, develop the habit of only advancing the film just before taking a photograph, so that the film is as taught as possible – this extra tension keeps the film flat, which ensures maximum sharpness and aids correct frame spacing, and also avoids dust collecting on the film.Tightly spaced framesModern 120 films are generally thinner than their forbears, which can result in closer frame spacing than CERTO intended, since the advance mechanism uses the diameter of the take ‐up spool plus the accumulated film to determine how much to advance each frame. The solution is to compensate for the thinner film by increasing the spool thickness slightly. This can be done in a number of ways: for example, adding strips of insulating or maskingDonated to vitape to the take ‐up spool, lengthening the film leader, or winding on the film past the start marker on the backing – the details for each method will need to be found by experiment (run a test roll through the camera with the back removed, and mark the frame edges with a pen.).Donated to 。