INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Please fold this page open!
Fig.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARTS (1) 1 Baseboard Release Button (2) 2 Film Transport Knob with Built-in Film Indicator (3) 3 Adjustment Disc for Setting the Film Speed (DIN or ASA Scale) (4) 4 Adjustment Disc for Activating the Automatic Mechanism. In the Picture Green Dot next to A = Automatic Mechanism Switched On.
The principle of the Agfa Automatic 66 With the Agfa Automatic 66 we are giving you a camera that, for the first time, uses a built-in exposure meter to regulate the shutter speed fully automatically. It should be expressly pointed out that working with the camera does not require any knowledge of the function of the automatic mechanism. If we nevertheless give a brief explanation of its operation, it is not least because of the lively technical interest shown in this new feature.
moment of releasing the shutter, the needle deflection is locked and at the same time regulates the air flowing into a cylinder. With a small needle deflection, the air inlet will be small and cause a delay in the closing process; If the needle deflects further, the air inlet is enlarged and a rapid closure process takes place accordingly.
The automatic exposure time controller in the Automatic 66 was developed by Agfa Camera-Werk according to patent DBP 923525. A number of individual well-known principles have been combined into an ingenious construction in such a way that we have come another step closer to the goal of simplifying photography.
Detailed QUICK START GUIDE description on page 1. Film insertion. 8-11 2. Set the type of film on the film indicator (2) Important until the first shot! 7 3. Set automation (4), set green point next to green A. 18 4. Set the ASA scale (3), set the black triangle to the 18 desired sensitivity of the film. 5. Set the locking ring (6) to the shortest possible exposure time, the green point next to the green A. 18 6.
FILM INDICATOR This device is meant to be a memory aid to enable you to remember at any time the kind of film with which your camera happens to be loaded. You should therefore make it a rule to set it immediately after the insertion of a film. The ASA number or the type of colour film can be found on the film packaging.
FILM LOADING OPENING THE CAMERA BACK Lateral displacement of the small locking lever unlocks the back of the Automatic 66, which can now be fully opened (Fig. 2). Fig. 2 FILM INSERTION First, the lower spool peg is pulled out by turning the knurled disc to the left (Fig. 3). The standard 120 rollfilm is unwrapped, preferably in subdued light, and the adhesive tape removed; the hand should grip the backing paper of the film firmly right up to the insertion to prevent uncoiling.
Next, the spool is placed into the fixed upper peg, and allowed to slide into the spoolchamber. The knurled disc is turned to the right again until its projection engages in the spool recess. The tapered end of the backing paper points towards the take-up spool (Fig. 4) Fig. 3 9 Fig.
The backing paper is pulled over the film channel up to the take-up spool, and the tapering end inserted into the wider of its two slots (Fig. 5). Care should be taken that after a full turn of the transport knob, the backing paper is threaded correctly between the flanges of the empty spool. Fig.
Fig. 6 The back is now closed and pushed home by pressure of the two thumbs (Fig. 6). Care should be taken that the knurled discs in the camera baseplate have been turned to the right as far as possible, as they will be locked by the closed camera back.
The release button (10) situated next to the transport knob should on no account be pressed during film winding, as this interferes with the counting mechanism. After closing the back, the transport knob should be wound on until resistance is felt, or until the knob can no longer be turned in the direction of the arrow. At the same time, the counter window (11) next to the transport knob shows that the counting mechanism has moved from ‘A’ to the number 1, and the film is ready for the first exposure.
OPENING THE BASEBOARD Pressure on the locking button (1. fig. 1) causes the baseboard with the lens panel to slide into the taking position. It is best to tilt the front of the camera obliquely downwards during this operation. THE DOUBLE - EXPOSURE PREVENTION DEVICE The Automatic 66 is equipped with an ingenious double and blank exposure prevention device. This means that the release button is locked after each exposure until the next number appears in the window after the transport knob has been wound on.
The Prontor-SVA shutter Number key: (1) 1 Knurled ring and scale for setting the diaphragm. Set to the middle red mark. In automatic mode: Set only full f-stops that click into place. In manual mode: half aperture values can also be selected. Fig. 8 (2) 2 Flash contact 3 mm. for connecting the flash cable. (3) 3 Knurled ring and scale for exposure time setting: In automatic mode: as in fig. 1 point 6 set the shortest exposure time by setting the green A next to the green dot.
4 Shutter winding lever; tension by swivelling towards the flash contact before each (4) exposure. (5) 5 Distance scale for lens focussing, refer to range-finding section p. 16/17. (6) 6 Index mark for distance-setting and depth-of-field scale (5). (7) 7 Focusing lever (8) 8 Self-timer lever (also set when using M-synchronisation). Tensioning is only possible after tensioning the shutter winding lever (4); not available in automatic mode.
RANGE - FINDING Now we will proceed to find the object distance. coupled way. This done range-finder A eyepiece shows is glance in the that the with the built-in a very simple in into back the of viewfinder the viewfinder camera image is divided: into an overall bright image and a circular central cut-out, which is tinged light blue. image will displaced focusing This at central first images lever is (range-finding) show (see two fig. moved as laterally 10).
Fig. 10 Fig. 11 This point automatically indicates the desired sharp focusing of the lens on the object concerned. Comparison of the distance numbers on the distance ring opposite the triangular mark in the centre will confirm this. The result of the range-finding operation is absolutely reliable and relieves you of the need for judging your distances. Either now, or before the range-finding, the shutter is wound.
Exposures with automatic control of exposure time. Fold open the page with fig. 1 whilst reading this chapter and pay close attention to the following three items: 1. ASA Setting With your thumb you press down on the locking disc (3) fig. 1 next to the ASA scale and place its black pointer next to the ASA number that corresponds to the inserted film (information on the film package) 2. Automatic mode Next to the scale with the moving needle is the button for the automatic mechanism.
fields, this means that the exposure can no longer regulated automatically. You can then try to bring the pointer back into the black scale area by adjusting the diaphragm ring. If this does not succeed, the automatic mechanism must be switched off and the camera used in the usual (not automatic) way. When the exposure time drops to 1 25, timed exposures with a tripod are indicated. When using filters, the automatic mechanism can still be used.
Angle of Inclination of the Camera When using the automatic exposure control, the Agfa Automatic should not be tilted more than 15° to any side; The correct position of the camera is shown in figure 9 on page 16. SPECIAL CASES OF EXPOSURE METERING For the use of the exposure meter in the Automatic 66, the same restrictions apply for certain exposure conditions as are prescribed for the manual exposure meter and are mentioned below.
changes. The automatic system is switched off and the previously determined exposure time is triggered with normal handling of the shutter. DEPTH - OF - FIELD In addition to the exposure, the diaphragm also determines the zone of sharpness in front of, and behind, the focused distance. Small diaphragm settings (stopping down) appreciably increase this zone of sharpness, or depth-of-field. It also increases the farther away the subject is from the camera.
DEPTH - OF - FIELD of the Agfa Color-Solinar 1:3.5 f = 75 mm With the focus distance set at and the diaphragm set at the zone of sharp focus will be from m to Circle of confusion 0.075 mm. With this lens, the distance to the subject is measured from the film plane (= rear edge of the accessory shoe).
CLOSING THE CAMERA Before the camera is closed, the focusing ring must be returned to Infinity. The struts remain locked until this has been done. Attempts to close the camera by force lead to damage. focusing When ring has the been returned to Infinity, both struts will readily give way to even and the baseboard return into body where pressure, the will camera it snaps shut. Fig.
UNLOADING THE CAMERA After the 12th exposure the transport knob is turned resistance is repeatedly felt. The until back a is opened – on no account in direct sunlight – by unlocking it as described on page 8 – but not fully. A few further turns of the transport knob will completely wind the end of the backing paper still protruding over the film channel. Fig. 13 The back is now opened fully, the knurled knob of the take-up side gripped (see fig. 13) and turned fully to the left.
On opening the camera back, the counting mechanism automatically returns to its starting position A, i.e., it is already at the correct setting for the next film insertion. The only other operation required is the transfer of the empty spool to the take-up side. It is advisable to give the transport knob a short turn until cog is vertical so that it can be easily and fully inserted in the slotted recess of the empty spool. The lower spool peg is retracted by a short left turn of the knurled disc (fig.
AGFA FILM FOR THE AGFA AUTOMATIC 66 To finish, may we make a few suggestions for your choice of film? For black and white film we recommend to always reach for Agfa-Isopan-F-Film 32 ASA. It is fine-grained, contrast-rich and accepts large exposure variations. With dull weather Agfa Isopan ISS 80 ASA should be used. It allows considerable margin for diaphragm and exposure time settings. Under poor lightning take Agfa Isopan Ultra 125 ASA.
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