Kyocera Contax NX manual

Optical Equipment Group KYOCERA OPTICS, INC. Tel:(03) 3708-4506 http://www.kyocera.co.jp/ Tel:(732) 560-0060 2-14-9 Tamagawadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8610 Japan 2301-200 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, New Jersey 08873, U.S.A. KYOCERA OPTICS, INC. Tel:(626) 812-8888 6020 Irwindale Avenue, Unit A-C, Irwindale, California 91706, U.S.A. KYOCERA OPTICS, I[...]

ENGLISH ENGLISH We greatly appreciate your purchase of this Contax NX camera. The Contax NX is an autofocus single lens reflex camera based on the Contax' fundamental principle of "building cameras for creating works of art". Automatic or manual focus can be selected according to the subject and setting so that the user can achieve t[...]

3 • Clean the camera thoroughly after use at the beach or in dusty areas. Salt spray may corrode metal components, and may result in damage to, and short-circuit of, electronic components, with the possibility of smoke or fire. The presence of sand in the mechanism of the camera will cause problems in operation. • The lens may fog-up if the cam[...]

5 4 <Storing the camera> • Leaving the camera in a warm place (e.g. at the beach during the summer , in direct sunlight inside a vehicle) for a long period of time will result in deterioration of the film and batteries, having a negative effect on the camera. • If the camera is to be left unused for a long period of time, remove the batte[...]

BASIC OPERA TIONS PRIOR TO SHOOTING BASIC OPERA TIONS SIMPLE SHOOTING PROCEDURE FOCUSING SELECTING THE METERING MODE APPLIED PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY CUSTOM FUNCTIONS REFERENCE MAIN ACCESSORIES 6 7 Safety warnings ....................................................2 Cautions in Handling ............................................[...]

9 Names of Parts Internal flash (page 72) Sync switch (page 73, 84) Position dial (page 28) Strap lug (page 14) ABC Exposure/ button (page 62,75) Mode button (page 30) Display panel (page 10) R dial (page 29) Light button (page 12) Strap lug (page 14) Shutter release button (page 27) F dial (page 29) Dedicated flash contact (page 76) Direct X conta[...]

11 10 Display Panel and Viewfinder Display <Display panel> Exposure counter (page 21) Selftimer remaining time (page 65) ABC shooting order (page 62) Bulb exposure time (page 57) Film loading indicators • Film advance error (page 21) • Film advance normal (page 21) • Film advancing (display increments) • End of film (page 24) • Film[...]

12 The display in the viewfinder incorporates a variety of information - as well as the focus, aperture, and shutter speed, it also shows the exposure meter and exposure counter . The viewfinder display turns on when the operations below are performed, then automatically turns off after 16 seconds to save power . When the main switch is turned on. [...]

13 BASIC OPERA TIONS PRIOR TO SHOOTING This section describes procedures that should be taken prior to photographing and includes basic operations of this camera. If you already have basic knowl- edge on handling a camera and wish to start taking photographs immediately , proceed to “SIMPLE SHOOTING PROCEDURE” on page 35. 04-1BC(E)_P013-024 11/[...]

14 15 1. Fitting the strap and viewfinder shade adapter First pass the strap through the viewfinder shade adapter supplied with the camera, and then attach the strap to the camera as shown below . 2. Fitting the eye cup/diopter correction lens The eye cup F-3 is fitted as shown below . When using the selftimer , light entering the viewfinder when t[...]

17 16 3. Inserting the batteries and checking the battery power <Inserting the batteries> T urn the main switch off before inserting the batteries. Open the battery compartment cover . Use a coin to turn the battery cover in the direction of the arrow . Insert two 3V lithium batteries (CR2) into the battery compart- ment. Ensure that the batt[...]

<Removing lenses> Press the lens release button and turn the lens counterclockwise all the way until it stops, then pull it forward to remove it. • Be careful not to touch the lens surface or the inside of the body when mounting and removing lenses. • When replacing the lens while film is loaded in the camera, do so in the shade, avoiding[...]

Pulling on the tip of the film, draw out the film to the position of the orange “ I ” mark, then set it over the spool. Make sure the film is flush (not bulging out), as shown in the diagram. • If the drawn out section of the film is too long, do not try to continue loading the film. Wind it back up into the film cartridge to adjust the lengt[...]

22 23 Use the procedure described below to set the film speed for film with no DX code or when you want to set a different ISO from the one indicated for the film. • The manual ISO setting range is ISO 6 to 6400. • If you set the film speed manually this setting will be used even when using film with a DX code. T urn the position dial to “ISO[...]

24 8. Removing film Once the film has been fully exposed it is automatically rewound. The numbers on the exposure counter decrease while the film is rewinding. Once the film is completely rewound, the motor stops and “00” flashes on the exposure counter . Check that the motor has stopped and that “00” is flashing on the expo- sure counter ,[...]

25 BASIC OPERA TIONS 05-1BC(E)_P025-034 11/15/01 7:27 PM Page 25[...]

The shutter release button operates in two steps. When the shutter button is half- pressed, the viewfinder display turns on and the autofocus and metering functions are activated. When pressed further (full pressure), the shutter is released and the photo- graph is taken. • Before loading film, practice pressing the shutter release button to get [...]

The position dial may be set at any one of five positions - “ ” (white), “ ” (green), “SET”, “ISO”, or “CF”. <1. Photography> The “ ” (white) and “ ” (green) settings are for photography . “ ” (white): Stores the current photography mode (focus, exposure, metering, drive) in memory . When the main switch is set[...]

Set the main switch to ON and set the position dial to “ ” (white) or “ ” (green). Press the mode button. “Focusing mode details” appears on the display panel and the current focusing mode flashes. T urn the F dial to the desired focusing mode. The selected focusing mode flashes (select the focusing mode details). T urn the R dial in th[...]

Used for ABC setting (page 62). Press the ABC button, and set with the F dial. This button may also be used for flash correction (page 75). Used for focus lock during autofocusing (page 43). Also used for one-shot autofocus with manual focusing (page 45). Selects first curtain synchronization (NORMAL) or second curtain synchro- nization (page 84). [...]

34 05-1BC(E)_P025-034 11/15/01 7:27 PM Page 34[...]

35 SIMPLE SHOOTING PROCEDURE USING THE “ ” (GREEN) SETTING ON THE POSITION DIAL Used the “ ” (green) position for simple photography . This setting is recom- mended if you are using a camera for the first time, or if you wish to take pho- tographs without worrying about aperture and shutter speed settings. 06-1BC(E)_P035-37 11/15/01 7:27 PM[...]

37 <Changing details for “ ” (green) position> The mode details for “ ” (green) on the position dial are changed as described below . Create your own mode details as required for your unique type of photography . Set the main switch to “ON”, and set the position dial to “SET”. The mode details appear on the display panel, and [...]

This camera has five focusing frames: the frame at the center of the picture, and four peripheral frames positioned diagonally . The most appropriate frame for the posi- tion of the subject is selected. When the auto select mode is switched, the selected focusing frames flash red once. <Selecting focus frames> Select the desired focusing fram[...]

The autofocus mechanism is activated when the shutter button is half-pressed while the focus dial is at the “SAF” or “CAF” position. The focusing frame selected when the shutter button is half-pressed lights red momentarily . After the distance is measured, the frame for which the focus was adjusted lights red momentarily . Set the focus di[...]

43 ❖ In the “CAF” (continuous autofocus) mode Point the camera at the subject on which you want to focus, position the subject within the focusing frame, then half-press the shutter but- ton. The focus is adjusted continuously while the shutter button is half-pressed. Check that the focus display in the viewfinder is lit, then press the focus[...]

<One-shot autofocus> When a lens fitted with the dual focus mechanism is used the autofocus mechanism can be used while in the manual focusing mode. T o use autofocusing, press the focus button. The camera adjusts the focus automatically while the focus button is pressed, and when the subject is in focus the focus is locked in that position ([...]

46 <Using lenses with an AF/MF select switch> It is not necessary to set both the lens and the camera to MF when using manu- al focus on a lens incorporating an AF/MF select switch with the NX. When set- ting the camera to AF (SAF or CAF) AF or MF may be selected immediately with the switch on the lens. When the camera is set to MF , setting [...]

47 SELECTING THE METERING MODE This camera is equipped with three metering modes: evaluative metering, cen- ter-weighted average metering, and center divided partial metering. See page 31 for setting details. T o achieve highly effective photographs with higher precision, read “T ypes of metering modes and their features” on the next page caref[...]

<Evaluative metering ( mark)> With evaluative metering, the picture is divided into five sections, as illustrated. The autoexposure sys- tem calculates the appropriate exposure based on an analysis of subject conditions and positioning. Because of this, evaluative metering can be used not only for general photography but also when the subject[...]

51 Set the exposure mode lever to “A V”. See page 31 for setting details. T urn the lens’ aperture ring to set the aperture, then take the pic- ture. The aperture you have set and the auto- matically selected shutter speed are indicated on the display panel and the viewfinder . 50 <1. T aking photographs with the aperture priority mode “[...]

<3. T aking photographs in the program auto mode “P” (program auto exposure) mode> In this mode, the camera automatically selects the combination of the aperture and shutter speed most suitable for the brightness of the subject. This mode is convenient when you want to take photographs easily with- out worrying about the exposure settings[...]

55 <1.T aking photographs with the exposure set manually “M” (man- ual exposure) mode> In this mode, you set the aperture and shutter speed yourself. This mode can also be used to intentionally achieve over- or under-exposure effects. Refer to the exposure meter display in the viewfinder to set the exposure. Set the exposure mode to “M?[...]

<2.Using the bulb exposure mode buLb> Use the bulb mode for nighttime or astronomical photography requiring long exposure times. Set the exposure mode to “M”. See page 31 for setting details. T urn the R dial to “buLb”. Set the aperture with the lens aperture ring, and take the photo- graph. The shutter is released and the film is exp[...]

59 Example When the subject is lit from behind Compensate within the range of “+1/3 EV or +1/2 EV to +3 EV”. In the average metering mode, when the percentage of the picture occupied by a bright background is large (for example people with a light, a bright sky or the sea behind them, people in front of a window , etc.), the people tend to be u[...]

61 Reposition the camera for the desired composition, then take the pic- ture. • When the exposure is locked, the exposure remains in the memory and photographs can be taken as many times as you want with the same exposure value. T o save energy , the mark turns off after 16 seconds. • In the continuous shooting mode (drive mode “C”) the ex[...]

The exposure counter changes as fol- lows to indicate the photography sequence in the ABC Exposure mode. Standard : Both digits flash. Over : Left digit flashes Under : Right digit flashes Press the ABC button to set the ABC mode. The exposure counter and ABC mark appear on the display panel, and the exposure counter flashes in the viewfinder . Foc[...]

For example, if the ABC Exposure is used at the 18th frame, the exposure counter is as follows: 1st frame 2nd frame 3rd frame 4th frame Focus position Standard Over Under (repeated) Standard Counter 18 19 20 21 Display Both left and Left flashing Right flashing Both left and right flashing right flashing • When used with exposure compensation in [...]

67 <Changing the date and time> The date and time are changed as follows. Press the mode select button to display the date. Press the select button until the item to be changed flashes. Press the set button to change to the correct value. (The seconds may be changed when “:” appears on the time display . Press the set but- ton at the tone[...]

The camera back can be removed and replaced with the separately available D-1 1 data back (page 96). Remove the camera back by pressing down on the release pin. Connect an LA type cable switch. • When taking photographs using an LA type cable switch and shooting automatically without looking through the viewfinder , it may not be possible to achi[...]

70 09-1BC(E)_P050-70 11/15/01 7:28 PM Page 70[...]

71 FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY Use of the flash is recommended with indoor and night-time photography when the shutter speed is 1/30 second or shorter . The camera incorporates the “TTL direct metering” function for controlling the built-in flash automatically from the camera when it is used together with a Contax TLA flash system. When using the TLA360 [...]

73 ❖ M (manual), modes • In the “M” mode, the shutter speed is not set automatically . Be sure to set it to 1/125 sec- onds or slower . • The set shutter speed is displayed in the viewfinder . Set sync select switch to “NOR- MAL”. Set the aperture or shutter speed in accordance with the following table, and take the photograph. • Th[...]

75 <2. Light compensation with the internal flash> The internal flash may be used for light compensation with the camera in the same way as exposure compensation. The compensation range is -3EV to +1EV . Raise the internal flash and press the button to select the light compensation setting mode. T urn the F dial to set the compen- sation valu[...]

❖ M (manual exposure) • The shutter speed is not set automatically with “M” selected. Always set to 1/125 sec. or less. • The set shutter speed is displayed in the viewfinder . Set the aperture or shutter speed in accordance with the table below , and take the photograph. • If the light is adjusted following photography , the “” mar[...]

79 Auto setting of the angle of illumination The flash’ s angle of illumination is set automatically according to the focal length of the lens mounted on the camera. ❖ Making the setting Mount the flash on the camera’ s accessory shoe and turn it “on” the flash. The angle of illumination is set automatically according to the lens mounted [...]

81 Shoe stopper The TLA360’ s “mount” is equipped with a shoe stopper that prevents the flash from accidentally coming off the camera. When attaching and removing the flash from the camera, be sure to line up the flash’s “mount” mark with the mark on the shoe lock ring. Fit the flash to the camera, select “M” as the exposure mode, a[...]

83 <2. Daylight synchronization photography> When taking photographs outdoors, for example of people in bright sun- light or lit from behind, the people tend to be dark in the resulting photo- graph. In such cases, photographs in which both the people and the back- ground are well exposed can be achieved by using the internal flash or the TLA[...]

Second curtain synchronization photography with a Contax TTL auto flash Set the sync select switch to “” . Check that the “ ” mark in the viewfinder is lit (flash is charged), and take the photograph. • Exposure control is the same as for normal flash photography (first curtain synchroniza- tion). <4. Use with exposure compensation>[...]

86 87 This camera is equipped with the 20 custom functions, shown on the table below . When the camera is first purchased, these are all set to the stan- dard or “default” functions (standard setting number “0”). (Note that all the explanations in this manual assume the detail numbers are set to “0”). T o change the custom functions, re[...]

89 Set the position dial to “CF”. The display panel is as shown at left (custom function setting mode). T urn the R dial to select “Function number”. T urn the F dial to select “Detail number”. Set the position dial to a position other than “CF”. The custom function is set. Return the dial to “ ” (white) or “ ” (green) and t[...]

90 91 <Exposure> Exposure is the act of exposing the film to light, thus converting brightness val- ues in a scene to tonal values on film. Exposure is composed of the size of the opening in the lens (the aperture) and the duration of time in which the light passes through the lens to strike the film (the shutter speed.) <Shutter speed>[...]

93 92 If there seems to be a problem, check the following table before assuming the camera is malfunctioning. 2. T roubleshooting Cause 1. Nothing appears on the display panel • No battery is loaded. • Battery is fully spent. • Battery is loaded upside-down. Solution • Insert battery . • Replace the bat- tery with a new one. • Insert th[...]

94 The shutter speed and aperture value are displayed as described below . • The shutter speed display indicates shutter speeds between “4000” (1/4000 second) and “32 " ” (32 seconds). When the camera's exposure mode is set to “Av” or “P”, the shutter speed value with respect to the aperture is displayed in steps of 1/2,[...]

95 MAIN ACCESSORIES This section describes the main accessories for expanding the range of photo- graphic possibilities. 13-1BC(E)_P095-107 11/15/01 7:29 PM Page 95[...]

97 The Cable switch LA type can be used for close-up or tele photograph photog- raphy when using a tripod or to release the shutter remotely from the camera. It is especially suited for close-up or tele photograph photography because it elim- inates the risk of camera shake when the shutter is released. Photographs are taken using the cable switch?[...]

99 2. Load the batteries in the Power pack. [P-8] Insert four AA-size batteries in the battery case (supplied with the P-8 power pack) as shown, and fit to the P-8. Place the P-8 main unit inside a jacket (case). [P-8D] Insert the batteries as described in the manual supplied with the P-8D. 3. Insert the plug on the power pack cord in the socket on[...]

■ Batteries and Films Lens : VS28-80/3.5-5.6 Film : 24-exposure cartridge Battery type : 1.5V AA-size alkali dry battery Battery type : 5V AA-size lithium battery 101 The GP-1 adapter is used in combina- tion with the Contax power packs P-8 and P-8D when used as external power supplies for the Contax NX. 100 Battery type : 1.2V AA-size NiH batter[...]

103 By extending or contracting the tip of the case, the NX can be placed in the case with the Data back D-1 1 and the following Carl Zeiss T* lenses mounted (645 mount lenses require the NAM-1 mount adapter). 102 This adapter allows the use of Contax 645 System lenses with the Contax NX. Usable with all NX models. <Mounting the mount adapter an[...]

105 Viewfinder: Pentaprism eye-level (long-eye point) • Field of view 93% • Magnification 0.78x (with 50mm standard lens at infinity , -1D diopter) Diopter correction: Eight different FL type lenses are available Focusing screen: Fixed , full matte Viewfinder display: Focus frame, exposure counter/selftimer time/ABC shooting order/film loading,[...]

107 106 Number of films: Using a new battery based on Contax testing standards Lens: VS28-80/3.5-5.6 Film: 24-exposure cartridge Miscellaneous: Aperture stop-down button, AF supplementary light Dimensions and weight: NX : 142mm (width) x 1 13mm (height) x 66mm (deapth) 605g (Not including batteries) NXD : 142mm (width) x 1 13mm (height) x 66mm (dea[...]