USER'S MANUAL SILUET ELECTRO
Table of Contents
Technical specifications
| Camera type | 35 mm camera |
| Shutter | Electronically controlled central shutter with gradeless shutter speeds from 8 sec. to 1/250 sec. |
| Negative format | 24×36 mm |
| Lens | Triplet F 4.0/40 mm. Distance setting from 80 cm. |
| Camera viewfinder | Line viewfinder with parallax compensation. Light signals for over or underexposure and battery check. |
| Light meter | Built-in CdS light meter coupled to the shutter speeds and film sensitivity. |
| Film sensitivity setting | From 20 to 320 ASA |
| Battery | 1 piece 5,6 Volt Mallory 7H 34 or Ucar type 537 |
| Flash synchronisation | Fit for bulbs and electronic flash |
Batteries and the checking thereof
As depicted on the picture to the side, the battery space is located on the bottom of the Siluet camera. It is closed off by a round lid, equipped with a so called right helix. You can open it with a small coin. Careful, because the thread is very delicate, and is quickly damaged.
You should place the battery, a Mallory 7H34, in the space with the +pole upwards. To check the battery a checking system has been built in to your camera. To that purpose you set the handle on the bottom of the lens ring to K. (See the illustration to the side.) If the red light on the right hand side in the viewfinder lights up, the electroc circuit and the battery are in order.
In normal use the life of the battery is around one year.
Function description
On the downward side of the lens tube you'll find a button which has the following functions:
B = longer speeds than 8 seconds.
(Flash) = setting for flash photography;
A = setting for automatic photography.
K = battery check.
The white dot on the button should be opposite to the function symbol of your choice.
Inserting film
To open the back of your camera you should push the button on the side downwards. The back will automatically jump open. When you place the camera with its back toward you, you can insert the film easily as follows:
- Pull up the rewind crank so that the film cassette bay becomes vacant.
- Insert the film with the take-up lip in the direction of the take-up spool, and press down the rewind crank.
- Place the beginning of the take-up lip in the take-up spool, and in such a manner that the second perforation hole falls over the tooth.
- Take care that the film's perforation falls correctly over the teeth of the sprocket. (See illustration.)
- Close the back.
After this you make two or three faux exposures to move your first image in place. This you check with the image counter, that should point to number one after two or three faux exposures.
Setting film sensitivity
The sensitivity of each film is noted on its box in ASA and/or Din. You set the sensitivity by turning the ring with the white dot until it reaches the right value. It is recommended to control occasionally if the correct ASA value is still set.
Exposure counter
Your Siluet Electro has an automatic exposure counter that runs from 1 to 36, continuously counting along with the transporting of the film, that counts the number of exposed pictures.
Release
It is very important that you control the shutter release (see picture) with moderation, this to avoid shaken photographs.
Film transport
You transport the film to the next image by turning the transport lever on the rear side of the camera till the end point.
B setting
Whenever possible, you can take pictures with longer shutter speeds than eight seconds. You set the handle (see image) to the B setting. By pressing the release you open the shutter, and when you release it, the shutter wil shut. It is important however to use a sturdy tripod.
Viewfinder information
In the viewfinder you receive various information:
- Image borders.
- Parallax correction.
- Right or not exposure.
Ad a. The outermost image border as you find it in the viewfinder through the framelines shows everything you will capture with the exposure from three meters and further.
Ad b. When your subject is located at a shorter distance you will have to use the innermost framelines as a border.
Ad c. To the right of the viewfinder you'll find two lights:
A red signal that indicates that you'll get a shorter shutter speed than 1/250 sec. and/or set a too large aperture (exposure will not be correct).
Correction by setting the aperture ring to a smaller aperture, for instance from eight to eleven.
Yellow signal indicates that you will get a too long shutter speed (use tripod).
Correction by setting the aperture ring to a larger aperture, for instance from eleven to eight.
Setting distance
You have two possibilities to set the distance. You can do this on the meter scale, or by using the distance symbols.
Depth of field scale
On the lens is located a ring on which are also the aperture numbers. Through this ring you can see what your depth of field per picture will be.
Say you set a distance of two meters. You use aperture 8. At the leftmost digit 8 your depth of field will start at ± 1.30 meters and end at the rightmost 8, which is ± 4 meters.
Using for instance aperture 11 your depth of field will increase, but your shutter speed will equally decrease.
Flash photography
On the Siluet Electro you'll find two possibilities to attach a flash. One through the accessory shoe for direct linkage, and one to the side of the camera for cable contact.
A table on the box of the flash lights indicates which aperture number should be used for a certain distance and film.
When you use an electronic flash, this is deductable from the manual of the flash.
Make sure you set the handle at the bottom of the lens to the flash sign.
Rewinding exposed film
When your film is fully exposed, it should be rewound to the film cassette. This cannot be done right away.
On the bottom of your camera you will find a button (see image). You have to press this button and keep it pressed. Then you rewind the film all the way with the rewind crank (see image). To check if the film is completely rewound you should listen closely for a click. You can also feel by the tension on the film. Keep in mind that you have to rewind ± 1.60 meters of film.
You open the rear of the camera and take out the film.
When you open the rear, the image counter will reset to H. (H = the mark for the start of a new film).
Important tips
Read through the manual carefully; ignorant use of the camera can lead to unnecessary damage.
Our specialists check your camera with the utmost care. If nevertheless any malfunctions surface, leave the repair to specialists. We guarantee you a good and quick service.
The Siluet-Electro is an optically and mechanically high-class instrument. Protect it against falling and bruising/moisture and dirt. The carrying bag can help you with this.
When you do not use the camera for a long time, it is recommended to take the battery out of the camera.
East West Agencies imports and sells through outlets a gamut of high quality technical and optical equipment from the USSR, which rightfully has the reputation of being sturdy and without frills.
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Documentation and information can be requested from:
East West Agencies/Technical & Optical Equipment B.V.
Binckhorstlaan 340‒342
2516 BL The Hague
Tel.: 070-81 41 01
EAST WEST AGENCIES
Technical & Optical Equipment bv
The Hague ‒ Binckhorstlaan 340, telephone 070-81 41 01*
