Kodak Signet 50 Instruction Manual

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contents

Loading 6

Kodak Film 10

Setting Film Index 12

Exposure Value Number 13

Exposure Settings 18

Distance Settings 22

Taking the Picture 26

Flash Pictures 28

Photo Aids 32

Open the back by pushing the LATCH upward with the
fleshy part of your finger. Push out the REWIND KNOB
with your thumb. Put the film magazine in the recess
next to the knob. Push the rewind knob all the way in,

turning it slightly, if necessary.

Swing out the RAPID WIND LEVER until the opening

in the take-up drum is up.

Drop the end of the film into the opening in the
take-up drum. Swing out the rapid wind lever until
the pins on the take-up drum engage the film perfora-
tions and the film is wound halfway around the drum.
Close the back. Make sure the latch snaps in place.

Swing out the rapid wind lever until the mechanism

6

RAPID WIND LEVER

7

locks - this takes several full strokes of the lever. The
first frame of film will then be in position and the

EXPOSURE COUNTER will be automatically set at 1. The

counter will move a mark each time the film is ad-
vanced up to exposure "36." It will show the number
of exposures made.-

Note:

8

Neither the exposure counter nor the shutter release will
operate unless film for exposure "1" is in position.

UNLOADING-Never in bright. direct light

After the last exposure, and before the back is opened,
it is necessary to rewind the film into the magazine.

Hold the camera in the left hand with the rewind
knob toward you and the lens up. Pull the rewind
knob out until you feel resistance (about

1;4

inch).
Push the REWIND RELEASE in the direction of the
arrow and hold the release while turning the rewind
knob clockwise, in the direction of the arrow, until
the film is completely rewound into the maga-
zine. The film is completely rewound when
you feel a lessening of tension on the rewind
knob.

Open the camera back; this automatical1y
returns the exposure counter to E (empty).
Raise the rewind knob fully and remove the
film magazine.

9

COLOR

10

*available in 20· and as-exposure magazines
tavailable in 20·exposure magazines

Kodak Plus·X Film"

This is a moderately fast, fine-grain film for
all-around picture taking.

Kodak

rnx

Film'

You'll like this ultra-speed film having medi-
um contrast, moderate graininess and wide
exposure latitude. It's ideal for sports pic-
tures and other snapshots where adverse
lighting conditions are encountered.

Kodak Panatemlc-X Film'

!,

Here's a new, modern film with micro-fine
grain and high resolution, for those who

I

want super-size enlargements with crisp,

I

brilliant tone rendering.

r

11

12

The film index for the film loaded in the camera can

be found in the instructions packed with the film and
on page 11. Turn the
appropriate index for the film in the camera is oppo-
site the pointer. For example: The daylight index of
Kodachrome Film Daylight Type is 10; set 10 in the
opening for daylight exposure of this film.

Make sure that the film index setting always cor-

responds to the index of the film used.

,..50

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, ASA VALUE

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FILM INDEX WHEEL

The film indexes shown in
the opening marked ASA
are, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25. 32,
40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125.
160, 200, 250, 320, 400

until the

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171

16

reading provided by the meter and, if necessary, adjust
the film index.

With color film it may be worthwhile to take a few
pictures of a typical sunlit outdoor subject, with the
sun in back of you, for test purposes. One picture
should be taken at the setting indicated by the expo-
sure meter and the others, one-half exposure value
number more and one-half exposure value number
less. From the picture-taking results, when projected,
you can tell readily whether you should use the film
index setting suggested by the film manufacturer or a
higher or lower one.

Another approach to getting the kind of pictures
you want is to use the exposure meter as recom-
mended, and note whether the slides are correctly ex-
posed, too light, or too dark.Ifthey tend to be light,
try a higher film index; for example, if" I 0" is the sug-

gested film index, try a setting at12or

16.

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ExpOSure

Supplied with your camera, are 7 exposure value cards
(one for each of the7Kodak color and black-and-
white 35mm
posures for flash shots; the other side shows exposures
for the five most common outdoor lighting conditions.
Slip the proper exposure card, for the film you are
using, into the holding frame on the back of the cam-
era. The recess is deep enough to hold two cards. The
cards also show what kind of film you have in the

camera.

Select the proper exposure from the card.
The exposures in the daylight exposure table for

Kodachrome and Kodak Ektachrome Films are for

average subjects in daylight from two hours after sun-
rise to two hours before sunset. For side- or back-
lighted close-ups in bright sunlight, with important
shadow detail, deduct 0.5 to 1.0 from the exposure
value. With light-colored subjects, add 0.5.

Value

films.)

eards

One side of the card gives the ex-

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opening to
shutter speed time.

On the other hand, if you intend to take a picture
which requires good depth of field (see page 23), need-
ing a lens opening such asf/16, rotate the shutter

speed ring until the black dot index on the lens open-

ing ring is at 16. This changes the shutter speed to

1/15

be made from a firm support, such as a table or tripod,

because there is a risk of camera movement at slow
shutter speeds.

If you want to set the exposure without reference
to the exposure value numbers, be sure to set the shut-
ter speed first and the lens opening afterwards. If you
reverse the procedure, changes in the shutter speed
will also change the lens open ing, due to the linkage
between the lens opening ring and the shutter speed
ring .

1/4

and thus compensates for the faster

second. Such an exposure should, however, only

2J

For quick distance settings line up the diamond-
shaped. index under the appropriate subject zone,

CLOSE-UPS, GROUPS, and SCENES, with the triangular .•.

index. Zone focusing can be used only at lens openings

between

ings larger than

-for flash pictures, estimate carefully or measure the
film-to-subject distance and line up the appropriate
footage number with the triangular index.

t/5.6

and

fl8

and smaller (larger numbers).

For careful distance settings-when using lens open-

f/5.6 -

for pictures of nearby objects

SCENES

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22

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Nearest

Distance

About
6 Feet

Focusing

Distance

10 Feet

Farthest

Distance

About

50 Feet

Depth of Field

L

Distances. are measured from the film plane to the subject.
The film plane coincides approximately with the back edge

of the Accessory Clip on the top of the camera.

-I

24

When taking pictures, hold the camera close to your
eye so that you can see the complete luminous view-

frame. What is seen within the frame will be in the
picture.

Note the two paral1ax pointers, one on each side

near the top of the view-frame. The 5 ~ near the

upper left corner of the view-frame, when the camera

is held horizontally, indicates the upper edge of the
picture when the subject is 5 feet from the camera.
The ...•••3, on the right side, indicates the upper edge
of the picture when the subject is 3 feet from the cam-

era. The part thus eliminated at the top of the frame

is added to the bottom of the frame.

The illustrations at the right show two ways of hold-
ing the camera. Use any method you prefer as long as
the camera is held steady.

1.

Set the red index dot to the exposure value number
obtained from the exposure meter or the exposure
value card.

2.

Turn the shutter speed ring to the desired speed
setting or lens opening. For average snapshots set the
shutter speed at "60" (1/60

3.

Set the distance.

4.

Select the view in the viewfinder.

5.

Hold the camera steady; then press the shutter re-

sec.).

lease lever all the way down with a slow, squeezing
action.Ifthe film has not been advanced to the next
frame and the word WIND appears in the viewfinder,
or if the film leader has not been wound off fully, you
cannot press the release lever.

To advance the film, with the right thumb swing out

the rapid wind lever one full stroke or several short

26

ones until it locks; then let the lever return to its

original position. Now you can press the shutter re-

lease lever.

After you have taken the last picture, the rapid
wind lever locks. The film must be rewound into the
magazine before opening the camera. To do this, push
the rewind release in the direction of the arrow
and hold the release while turning the rewind

knob clockwise, in the direction of the
arrow, until the film is completely
rewound into the magazine.

Flash pictures, in black-and-white or color, are easy to
make with your camera. The built-in synchronization
of your Kodak Synchro 250 Shutter permits the use
of flash, including electronic flash. Flash lamps are
fired when the camera shutter is released. Flash ex-

posure data is on one side of the exposure value cards.
The Kodak Synchro 250 Shutter synchronizes No.5,
No. 25, and M-2 lamps at speed 30 (1/30 second).

Electronic flash (zero-time delay) synchronizes at all

shutter speeds.

The Signet 50 was designed to use flasholders with

Kodalite fittings such as the Kodalite Super-M 4
Flasholder and Kodak Rotary Flasholder, Model
These flasholders do not require the use of a bracket
to attach the flasholder to the camera. Instructions for

using the flasholders are packed with them.

28

l.

MaKing

1:

FI••~h

Pictures

Kodal ite Super-M 4 Flasholder

Insert the No. 5 or 25 or M-2 flash lamps into the

lamp socket.

Koda!< Rotary FLasholcler, MQdei 1

Insert the M-2 flash lamps into the plastic lamp disc.

2.

Set the index on the shutter speed ring to 30,(1/30

second). A No.5 or 25 lamp has a flash duration of

Note:
Do not insert a lamp in
the lamp socket until
the flasholder has been
connected to the cam-

era,

29

approximately. 1/50 second; an M-2 lamp has a flash
duration of approximately 1/100 second, thus pro-
viding effective stopping of subject movement if most
of the exposure light is provided by the flash.

3. Estimate carefully the distance in feet you are from
the subject and set the lens accordingly.

4. Obtaining Exposure From Exposure Value Card

a. Slip the proper exposure card into the holding
frame, with the Flash Setting side out.

b. Determine the exposure value from the distance
in feet to the subject and the type flash lamps used.

c. Transfer the exposure value to the shutter speed

ring being sure that the shutter speed is 1/30 sec.

5.

Hold the camera steady; then press the release lever

all the way down with a slow squeezing action.

30

Inf.

25 181/2
10

6

4
3

21f2

Inf.

25 I
10

6
5
4 I 101f.
3 I 9%

21f2

'Subject·to·lens distance is measured to front of the Portra Lens

191/2

16Y.

1

15
14'/4
13'/4 6

12'/.

111/2

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h

You'll have a lot more
fun with your Signet 50

Camera, when you use
some of the products
pictured in this section.

32

Kodak Signet 50 Field Case

This de luxe, velvet-lined, top-
grain leather case combines

practical protection with drop-

away front convenience. Open-

ings on the side of the case
permit attaching the flasholder
with the camera in the case.
Strap inside top holds 7 expo-
sure value cards.

Kodak 300 Projector

Choice of two models. Here's
the newest in projectors. The
projector comes complete in a
self-carrying case, has finger-
tip knob controls for focus and
elevation, and weighs only 9
Ibs. The changer accepts up to
36 cardboard mounts. A short,
high efficiency, 300·watt pro-
jection lamp gives brilliant
pictures.

Kodak Filter Kit, No.1 044A

The Kodak Signet 50 Camera
accepts Series 5 Kodak Filters
and Combination Lens Attach-

ments directly. The Kit con-
tains a Kodak Skylight Filter
(No.1Mto add warmth to pic-
tures taken in the open shade
or on overcast days; a Kodak

Daylight Filter (No. 85C) for

converting indoor type F color

films for outdoor use, and a
Pictorial Yellow Filter for ac-
centing clouds.

Kodak Ektachrome

Outfit,

35mm

This outfit includes the Kodak

Day-Load Tank and all neces-
sary equipment and supplies
for processing your own 35mm

Ektachrome Film. No darkroom

required, either.

The outfit also contains stor-

age containers of 16-ounce ca-

pacity for the various chemi-

cals and 100 Kodak Ready-

Mounts for mounting your
transparencies.

Processing

Kodaslide 400 File Box

It's styled like a book for con-
venient bookcase storage. This
file box holds up to 400 card-
board or 176 glass slides which
are stored in 16 Kodaslide
boxes for handy slide group
filing.