35mm single-lens reflex cameras are today produced in many other lands - with new sources standing on the threshold, ready to meet the increasing needs of the world's photographers for a broad variety of camera systems. The Cosmorex SE is the latest in a series of 35mm SLR cameras made in the U.S. S. R.
Welcome ... to the Cosmorex world of single- Because of its many unique features, operation lens reflex photography! Your new Cosmorex of this camera is probably somewhat different camera is a precision 35mm SLR camera that from other cameras you may have owned. For gives you . . . this reason, it is strongly recommended that Through-the-lens viewing and focusing . . .
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (page 33) TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ........................................................... 2 Operating Controls ........................................... 3 If you are familiar with 35mm single-lens reflex Introduction ....................................................4 cameras from previous experience, and wish to use your new camera immediately, please turn directly to the Condensed Operating Instructions on page 33. Loading Your Camera .......................
OPERATING CONTROLS OF COSMOREX SE
OPERATING CONTROLS OF COSMOREX SE
LOADING YOUR CAMERA 2. Push up Film Cassette Spindle (29) from inside Find a spot where the light is subdued (if you're camera; drop in 35mm film cassette. Pull out outdoors, look for a shaded area or shield the enough film to insert film end in any slot in Take- camera from direct sunlight with your body or coat). Up Spool (36). Then ... 1. Open Camera Back (38) by raising Back Lock Latch (22) and swinging back open. Make sure Rewind Release Ring (3) is turned clockwise fully. 3.
6. Move Film Transport Lever (1) through two or 4. Press Rewind Knob (24) downwards firmly and twist it counterclockwise slightly; the Rewind more short strokes (letting it return to the Knob is now raised slightly above the camera starting position after each stroke) until no body. Slowly, turn Rewind Knob (24) clockwise further movement is possible. Press Shutter until resistance is felt (this takes up excess slack of Release Button (2). film within the cassette). 7.
8. Once more press Shutter Release (2), and wind have taken up the "slack" in the cassette as Film Transport Lever (1) fully ... and your first described in Step No. 4, open camera back to film frame is in position, as shown by the check that film is securely attached to Exposure Counter Indicator (34). Take-Up Spool. When moving the Transport Lever as described above, the Film Rewind Knob (24) will rotate counter-clockwise by itself.
Speed Indicator Window (19). Your camera's meter has marked numer als for films rated at ASA 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 500: this speed range encompasses virtually all general-purpose black-and-white and color films. Should your film be rated at USING YOUR CAMERA'S EXPOSURE METER Your Cosmorex SE incorporates a sensitive builtin Exposure Meter. It contains a photoelectric ( selenium) cell (25) that converts the light reflected by your subject into electrical energy, which activates the Meter Needle (17).
IMPORTANT "REPEATS" FROM COSMOREX MANUAL 1. When loading, first wind shutter all the way, then set counter to 0 (See Page 7, No. 7). If you don't, counter will not function properly. 2. To wind shutter properly move transport lever through one long or "two or more short strokes until no further movement is possible. (See Page 8). 3. Make sure rewind release ring (around shutter button) is turned clock-wise al I the way (See Page 6, No. 1).
2. Aim Meter Cell (25) at your subject. (For a practice "reading", aim meter at a brightly-lit scene or if you are indoors, at a nearby lamp.) As you do so, you'll note the Exposure Meter Needle (17) moves to a certain position, then stops. Holding your camera in this position, you now .. . 3. Match the Needle (17) by turning the Shutter Speed Indicator Ring (21) until the Exposure Meter Circle (16) is centered over the Needle (117). 4.
sensitive films. If it's necessary to shoot at 1 /60th or 1 /30th second, hold the camera as steady as possible - ideally by using a tripod, or by bracing your arms on a nearby table or other support. *Remember that your exposure meter measures all the light that reaches the meter cell direction to reach the desired speed,) Then, let the Shutter Speed Dial return to 'down' position. 6. Turn the Lens Aperture Ring (26) until (25).
• In extremely dim lighting, the Exposure Meter Needle (17) may rest near the righthand edge of the transparent window. Should this occur, place your hand in front of the Exposure Meter Cell (25) and watch the needle carefully. If the needle moves when you block the Meter Cell, the exposure meter is able to function in the existing light; remove your hand from the cell, and determine exposure in the normal way.
is in "Auto" position - so that the green letter "A" is visible on the switch.) • Your Cosmorex offers two alternative focusing methods. The microprism spot in the center of your viewfinder is composed of literally hundreds of tiny prisms which accentuate out-of-focus images, then seemingly disappear into a single, clear image when you're at the point of sharpest focus. ( If you aim your camera at this instruction book, from about two feet away, you'll see how it works.
when taking flash pictures (see page 17) or when depth-of-field is important (see page TAKING THE PICTURE Hold your camera steadily, using both hands. You'll 26). probably find it most convenient to grip the The Red "R" next to the Distance/Aperture camera firmly with your right hand, and trip the Indicator (12) shows the correction required shutter release button with your forefinger; here, for Infra-red films.
FOR SUCCEEDING EXPOSURES .. . You are ready for your next picture in an instant just move the Film Transport Lever (1) until fully wound, and you're set: just frame, focus, and shoot. As lighting may change, it's a good idea to check the Exposure Meter Needle (17) from time to time, to make sure it's still lined up with the Exposure Meter Circle (16).
fore it has been fully wound to position the last frame. This indicates that you have reached the end of the film. Should this happen, put on the lens cap, supplied with your camera, and then turn the Rewind Release Ring [31 to the left fully. This will insure that no portion of the last frame is exposed to light as the shutter is released by the Rewind Release Ring.) arrow). While resistance is felt, you are rewinding the film back into the cassette.
TAKING FLASH PICTURES Your Cosmorex single-lens reflex camera operates perfectly with any of the excellent electronic flash units now available. Today's compact electronic flash units give dozens or even hundreds of flashes on a single set of batteries; some also permit use of rechargeable 1. Make sure the Flash Synch Selector Dial ( 6) has its White Indicator Line pointing to the letter "X" on the camera top. If Dial is not at "X" position, the shutter will not synchronize correctly with the flash unit.
Set lens Aperture Ring (26) to the aperture indicated by your flash dial. You can now take pictures at any distance within the range indicated by your flash without further adjustments. 5. Select correct lens opening for film/flash combination. The short burst of light produced by electronic flash (often 1 /1000th second or faster) is too brief for your camera's Exposure Meter to measure. For this reason, all electronic flash units have calculator dials or scales which indicate the correct lens opening. A.
•In the event the flash unit does not fire when you press the Shutter Release Button (2), check to see that the flash cord is securely plugged into Flash Cord Outlet (7) , and that On/Off switch of flash unit is in "ON" position. Finally, make certain the Selector Dial (6) is at "X" position. Do not press down on Shutter Release Button ( 2) unless actually taking a flash picture. Pressing this button down fully will fire the flash whether or not the Film Transport Lever ( 1) has been wound.
USING LONG EXPOSURE TIMES ( TIME EXPOSURES) Time Exposures are exposures of one second or longer. At these extra-long exposure times, you can photograph city streets at night, dimly-lit interiors, and many subjects too faintly illuminated for normal picture-taking. To take a time exposure with your Cosmorex, set the Shutter Speed Dial (5) to "B", press the Shutter Release Button (2) ...
•Under certain conditions, your camera's exposure The Red numbers 15, 8, 4, 2, appearing next to meter may be used when making Time Exposures. the Black numbers 30-500, represent fractions of a second: "15" is 1 /15th second, and so on. These numbers appear for information purposes only, when using your camera's meter to determine exposure with cameras lacking a built-in exposure meter. First, make sure that the existing light is sufficient for use of the meter (p.
USING SELF-TIMER Your Cosmorex camera is equipped with a builtin self-timer. This trips the shutter after a 10-second delay (approximate), thus enabling you to get in your own photographs! To use it, here's all you have to do: 1. Mount camera on a tripod or other firm support such as a nearby table or shelf, with transport lever fully wound. 2. Frame, focus, and adjust camera for correct lens opening and shutter speed - exactly as you always do. 3.
*Make sure you have moved the Self-Timer Lever as far as it will go before pressing the Release Button. If the Lever has not been fully wound, the shutter will not operate. (Should this happen, just move the Self-Timer Lever downwards again - fully this time - and press the Release Button again.) *If you decide not to use the Self-Timer after moving the lever down, simply take your next CHANGING LENSES picture by pressing the Shutter Release Your Cosmorex SE single-lens reflex camera Button (2).
•Always screw the lens in firmly; when it stops, give it a slight extra twist to insure that it is securely attached. Thread-mount lenses, particularly lenses of different manufacture, may sometimes "seat" with the aperture and distance scales slightly to the right or left of "center" position. This does not indicate any defect in your camera or lenses, and in no way affects camera/lens operation. Take care not to expose your camera's interior to dust, dirt, or moisture when the lens has been removed.
r At 1/30 a-second CHOOSING SHUTTER SPEEDS AND LENS OPENINGS For the majority of outdoor subjects, a shutter speed of 1/125th second is suggested. This speed is no appreciable movement of the subject (a landscape, for example), or when the use of small lens openings (f/11 or f/16) is desired to give the deepest zone of sharp focus.
USING DEPTH-OF-FIELD FOR GREATER SHARPNESS All photographic lenses, when focused on a given subject, will show some objects in front of, and in back of, that subject more or less CHOOSING DIFFERENT LENS OPENINGS Your 58mm automatic standard lens has openings ( apertures) from f/2 to f/16. At f/2, the greatest amount of light is transmitted to the film; at f/16, the amount of light transmitted is least. Each marked number represents a 50% change in light transmitted. sharply.
Example: you're taking a picture of a landscape - and you want everything needlesharp from the foreground, all the way to the background. Your Cosmorex lets you achieve this easily and reliably, in several ways: A. Using Depth-of-Field Scale (27). Here's how: 1. Focus on the closest object which will appear in the picture. (Example: ten feet away as indicated by the white number on your Distance Scale [28] .) 2. Now, focus on the most distant object which will appear in the picture.
5. Take the picture! Everything between the two distances (10' and infinity) shown by the matching f/11 numbers on the Depth-of-Field Scale (27) will appear sharply. It's a professional technique - but you don't have to be a professional to use it for better photographs. The second way: accurate "preview" of what will and B. Using Viewfinder at Taking Aperture. Move the Auto/Manual Switch (14) on lens to " M" position. This closes down the lens to whatever opening has been set on the Aperture Ring (26).
CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA AND LENSES Your Cosmorex camera is a ruggedlybuilt camera, designed to provide many years of dependable performance. To get the longest service, and best performance, always treat your camera and lenses as you would any precision instruments - carefully! Keep your camera within carrying case whenever Should you prefer to carry your camera outside the case, your dealer can supply you with an accessory neckstrap, which attaches to your camera's neckstrap eyelets (8) and (23).
•Protect your camera's Exposure Meter Cell (25) from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for a a) Never touch the shutter curtains. b) Whenever storing your camera for an period of several hours or more. When storing extended length of time (several days or your camera, either place it in its case, or put in a more) always release the shutter prior to drawer or other location out of the sun. Prolonged storage.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING Your Cosmorex camera is designed to give you thousands of pleasurable photographs. Like any precision instrument, your camera's controls must be operated correctly for best results. Should you at any time experience any apparent malfunction with your camera, check this handy trouble-shooting chart ... and chances are, you'll be able to solve your own problem on the spot! If this happens ... Here's Why ... And how to correct it .. . Shutter Release Button (2) does not trip shutter.
If this happens ... Here's Why ... And how to correct it .. . In loading, Film Sprockets (35) do not turn and film does not take up. Rewind Release Ring (3) and/or Shutter Release Button (2) not turned fully to the right (clockwise). Turn Release Ring (3) and Re lease Button (2) completely to the right, till further movement is impossible. After loading, Exposure Counter (4) skips two or more numbers after being set to "0" position.
CONDENSED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Load Film Press Shutter Release Button (2) and turn Rewind When knob is flush with Aperture Indicator Dial (20), lock it in place by pressing down ward with clockwise motion. Press Shutter Release Button (2); now, move Transport Lever through two strokes again. Set Exposure Counter Dial (4) to "0". Release Shutter and wind film again to bring frame number 1 in place. Release Ring (3) clockwise fully. Lift Camera Back Latch (22) and swing Back open.
•Aim Meter Cell (25) at subject. Turn exposure meter Shutter Indicator Dial (21) until meter needle is centered within Exposure Meter Circle (16). Read desired combination of lens opening and shutter speed from exposure meter Indicator Scales (20, 21). Set desired shutter speed by lifting Dial (5) and rotating until speed is indicated by Red dot in center. Set desired lens aperture by turning Aperture Ring (26) until opening is indicated.
Unloading When last exposure is made, move RewindRelease Ring (3) counter-clockwise fully. Raise Rewind Knob (24) by pressing gently in counter-clockwise motion; rewind film, open back, and remove cassette for processing. Reminders Always make sure Rewind Release Ring (3) is turned clockwise fully when taking pictures. For flash, set shutter to 1/30th second and align Flash Synch Selector (6) line with "X" or "M" Mark.
ADVANCED SINGLE-LENS REFLEX PHOTOGRAPHY with your Cosmorex This section of your owner's manual deals with more advanced photographic techniques and specialized areas of photography such as close ups. While it is not required reading for genera photography, it contains many tips you will find useful when you expand your picturetaking interests. Taking Better Pictures .............................. 37 Choosing and Using Interchangeable Lenses ............................................
TAKING BETTER PICTURES A slight amount of extra thought and effort on your part can often turn an ordinarylooking photograph into a stunningly-attractive one. While there are so many factors concerning this that probably thousands of books have been written on the subject, here are some basic picture taking tips that will help you take better pictures starting with your very first roll of film ... Move in close to your subject.
than your meter indicates for the subject. ( For example, by exposing at f/16 instead of f/ 5.6.) Ask your subjects NOT to look at the camera. Pictures of people are usually much more natural looking when the people are doing something, and looking at what they're doing. A picture of a do-it-yourself handyman absorbed in a project is going to be more interesting - and a better photo - than a picture of the same person standing up, staring at the camera.
•Shoot from higher or lower angles. Taking pictures of small children? Get down to their level - literally. Kneel down, so that your camera is at eye-level with the child (instead of aiming down). The result, again, will be a much more interesting, natural-looking photograph. Taking pictures of a group of people? See if there are stairs nearby, so you can shoot from a higher angle. Each person in the group will be more visible than if you shot them at eye-level. Try to get people in your pictures.
CHOOSING AND USING INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES A major advantage of Cosmorex single-lens reflex photography is your ability to use literally hundreds of wide-angle, telephoto, and zoom lenses. Any lens in the popular "Universal Thread Mount" shared by Cosmorex and other 35mm SLR cameras with similar mounts may be used. You can choose from lenses made both by camera manufacturers, and by respected independent lensmakers such as Tamron. Which interchangeable lens should be your first choice? It depends ...
•With wide-angle lenses, you benefit from an image appears sharpest. (if you start with the lens expanded "depth-of-field" range. (This means at or close to the correct focusing distance, or that more objects in front of, and in back of, hold the camera to your eye for a long period, it the subject will appear sharp in the final will probably be more difficult to distinguish the photograph.) Since more objects point of sharpest focus.
Telephoto Lenses make distant objects appear closer, just like a telescope. In addition, they " compress" space and give more pleasing perspective to pictures of people. A telephoto lens is ideal for subjects which are impossible, or inconvenient, to approach closely: sports, wildlife, distant objects of all kinds ...
•When shooting with a telephoto lens, use the fastest However, your film image is not affected as all possible shutter speed. Remember that telephotos light rays reach the film plane when the picture magnify the image - and magnify any movement of is taken. the camera (or subject) proportionately.
Zoom and Variable Focal-Length Lenses let you select the exact focal length required for each picture. This is a tremendous benefit when making color slides, where it's inconvenient (or, without special equipment, impossible) to "crop" or re-frame the finished photograph. Zoom lenses can also be more economical: a single 85-210mm zoom lens will cost less than separate 85mm, 100mm, 135mm, and 200mm lenses, and give you the added benefit of inbetween focal lengths as well.
For greatest convenience and handling speed, DETERMINING EXPOSURE automatic lenses are recommended.
TAKING CLOSE-UP PICTURES One of the most exciting areas of single-lens reflex photography is "close-up" picturetaking. With your Cosmorex camera, it's easy to take excellent pictures of stamps, flowers, coins, and other small objects. You can even "copy" paintings or photographs, or make duplicate slides from your original transparencies. Many close-up pictures can be taken without any accessories at all. Turn your focusing ring (13) to the closest distance (1.8 feet).
Using Close-Up Lenses. This is the least ex- your meter. More, you can screw one closeup pensive and easiest way to shoot ultra-closeups. lens into another, or even use all three at the The close-up lenses are simply magnifying same time to cover an area of about 2x3" - lenses of high quality, mounted in metal rims one-half life size! that screw into your lens like a filter.
of three tubes allow shooting an object as small as 1x11/2 inches (life size). Bellows Units are devices that also go between your camera body and lens and allow from your dealer. (For critical work with extension tubes or bellows units, a special Technical Data Sheet is available on request from the manufacturer.) continuous focusing down to close range. Focusing is done by a knob on the bellows unit.
cloth. Photographing a dark mineral speci- Number "1" photoflood lamps, available men? Try putting it on a light-colored fabric from your dealer. These bulbs can be used in for the picture. The contrast between your ordinary goose-neck lamps, or in "clamp-on" subject and the background will make your sockets that easily attach to chairs, tables, subject stand out much more clearly... and or whatever's handy. To arrange lights, just appear even sharper.
A NOTE ON FRAMING ... PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH YOUR As with virtually all modern single-lens reflex cameras, the Cosmorex viewfinder shows an overall area somewhat smaller than the total film area. In practical picturetaking, this insures that everything you see in the viewfinder appears in the finished print or slide, despite the fact that slidemounts and masks in printing equipment actually cover some of the film's image.
USING FILTERS AND LENS HOODS ON YOUR COSMOREX The 58mm f/2.0 automatic lens supplied with your Cosmorex accepts standard 52mm screw-in filters and lens accessories. Filters can be divided into two basic types: color conversion filters, designed to convert color films balanced for a specific light source for use with other light sources, and color correction or special-effects filters, designed to change the overall colors of a scene and give more pleasing or dramatic effects.
FILTER REFERENCE CHART Filter Type Appearance Purpose Exposure Increase* For Factor Film Types f/Stops 1A (Skylight) Pale Amber Improves colors outdoors when light is blue All 0 0 UV (UV16) Colorless Warms colors at high altitudes or when subject is in shadows All 0 0 81 A Red/Yellow Gives most pronounced 'warming' effect; use on overcast or rainy days. Color '/z 1.4 82A Light Blue Reduces excessive reddishness of daylight in early morning, late evening. Color % 1.5 80A Med.
Filter Type Appearance Purpose For Film Types Exposure Increase* f/Stops Factor Polarizer Neutral Eliminates reflections, glare from water, glass, metal; darkens sky, makes clouds more prominent, im proves color saturation. All 1'/-2 3.0-4.0 K2 (Y2) Yellow Darkens sky, makes clouds stand out clearly. B&W 1 2.0 02 (G) Orange More pronounced cloud /sky separation. B&W 2 4.0 R2 (25A) Red Most pronounced cloud/sky separation. B&W 3 8.
CHOOSING FILMS/PROCESSING later be desired. Color negative films can be Your Cosmorex camera accepts all standard processed through your dealer or at home. 35mm film cassettes. Choose from these three Color Slide Films are normally returned as basic film types: mounted color transparencies for use in hand Color Negative Films are designed principally viewers or slide projectors. Many types are for making color prints.
Black and White Films produce negatives from which prints are made. Film types range from slow-speed, ultra-fine-grain emulsions (ASA 32) to films fast enough to make most indoor pictures possible without flash (ASA 400). Normally, your dealer makes 31/2x5" prints; enlargements are easily obtainable as well. Black-andwhite films are the simplest, and most economical, of all film types for home processing and enlarging. Standard 35mm films are supplied in 20 and 36 exposure rolls.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Camera Type ...................................... 35mm single-lens reflex camera with interchangeable lenses, focal-plane shutter, and built-in exposure meter. Format ................................................24x36mm; accepts standard 35mm 20 or 36-exposure cassettes. Standard Lens .....................................Automatic Cosmogon 58mm f/2.0; 6-elements in 4 groups. Hard-coated, color-corrected. Angle of view 420. Minimum Focus ................................ 21.2" (0.
Flash Synchronization .......................... Full M/X Synchronization at 1/30th second via selector switch. Flash Contact.................................PC outlet accepts all standard flash cords. Viewing/Focusing System................Eye-level pentaprism shows upright, laterally-correct image at life-size (1x) with 58mm lens; instant-return mirror. Focusing Screen ............................. Central Microprism surrounded by fine groundglass collar. Exposure Meter .............................
Self-Timer ..................................... Built-in with approximately 10 seconds delay. Maybe disengaged without firing shutter if desired. Tripod Socket ............................... Standard 1 /4x20, accepts all standard tripod and bracket retaining screws. Construction ................................. Metal alloys used throughout. Finish ..........................................Satin chrome, with black leather-grain trim. Dimensions ................................... Body Only: 2"x3.9"x5.