Nikon EL2 User Manual
MÊkon
INSTFIIOTON MANU^
NOMENCLATURE
Shutter-speed dial lock
Shutter-speed dial
Lens mounting flange
Reflex mirror
Battery chamber
/'em
Film rewind knob
Camera back latch release
Threaded sync terminal
Exposure compensation ring
Film-speed dial lock
Lens release button
Mirror lockup lever
*1 MU Lens mounting index
Coupling lever release
Meter coupling lever
Distance scale
Focusing ring
Aperture ring
Meter coupling ridge
ASA film-speed dial
ASA film-speed scale
Film rewind crank
Film-speed scale index
Power check button
Power check lamp
Accessory shoe
Aperture/Distance scale index
Meter coupling shoe
Depth-of-field indicators
Shutter-speed scale
Frame counter
Meter ON index
Film-advance lever
Film-plane indicator
Viewfinder eyepiece
Hot-shoe contact
BRIEF GUIDE TO CAMERA HANDLING
The Nikon EL2’s conveniently-placed controls
and fully automatic shutter facilitate operation
under even rapidly changing conditions. After
performing the preliminary steps as presented
in “Preparation for Use" (pages 8 ~ 12), shoot
ing with the Nikon EL2 is as simple as;
1) Set the shutter speed dial to “A” to prepare
the camera for automatic operation, as de
tailed on page 13.
2) Set the lens aperture to the setting appropri
ate for the shooting situation at hand by
turning the aperture ring, as detailed on page
14.
3) Turn on the meter and shutter control by
simply moving the film-advance lever to the
30° standoff position, as detailed on page 14.
4) View/focus/compose the subject through the
viewfinder, turning the lens’ focusing ring as
necessary to achieve a sharp image (see pages
20 ~ 25).
5) Assume a shooting stance and depress the
shutter button to expose the film (see pages
18 and 19).
CONTENTS
Foreword..........................................
Preparation for use
Installing the battery..................
Removing the battery
Checking the battery..................
Loading the film
Prior to shooting
Operation of camera controls . .
Setting the film speed
Setting the shutter speed . . .
Setting the aperture
Film-advance lever
Frame counter
Shutter release button lock . .
Self-timer.....................................
Memory lock
Unloading film
Holding the camera.........................
Shutter release operation
Operation via cable release . .
Focusing
Depth of field
..........................................
Infrared photography
Film-plane indicator...................
Depth-of-field preview button
Depth-of-field indicators . . .
.........................
................
.........................
.......................
................
..................
....................
............................
...............................
.................................
..............
................
..................................
7
‘
8
8
9
9
10
11
12
12
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
18
19
19
20
22
22
23
23
24
Exposure measurement................................................ 26
Automatic shutter speed selection......................... 26
Manual shutter speed selection.............................. 28
Exposure control...................................................... 29
Metering range.......................................................... 30
High-contrast lighting situations............................ 30
Stop-down exposure measurement............................. 32
Exposure compensation adjustments......................... 34
EV range of the camera................................................. 35
Flash synchronization
Mirror lockup ................................................................. 39
Tips on camera care
Changing the lens.......................................................... 42
Coupling lever lock/release operation
Accessories.................................................................... 44
Features/specifications ................................................ 46
..................................................
.....................................................
..................
38
40
43
FOREWORD
The Nikon EL2 camera offers the serious photo
grapher the highest standard of quality, performance,
convenience and versatility available in an auto 35mm
SLR camera. The EL2 is engineered to take the guess
work out of photography with automatic features
anyone can learn to use in minutes. To get the most
out of your Nikon EL2 camera, study the instruc
tions carefully and practice using the controls before
you load any film in the camera. Keep this booklet
handy for ready reference until you have mastered its
basics, and follow the suggestions for camera care
given on page 40. The few moments you spend famil
iarizing yourself with the camera will guarantee
you the best results and increase your picture-taking
enjoyment many times over.
PREPARATION FOR USE
Installing the Battery
The exposure measurement and shutter control circuits
of the EL2 are powered by a single 6-volt (type 544)
battery mounted in the battery chamber at the bottom
of the mirror box. To install the battery, first remove
the lens (if mounted) from the camera body (see page
42) and lock up the mirror (turn the lockup lever
upward as far as it will go, as described on page 39) to
gain access to the battery chamber. Then, open the
battery chamber (slide the lid to the left, then up)
and install the battery, making sure to properly align
the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the
battery as depicted on the interior of the lid. After
_______
inserting and properly seating the battery, snap the
chamber lid shut, unlock the mirror and remount the
lens preparatory to shooting.
Caution: Should the battery be installed incorrectly (i.e., in the
reverse direction) in the chamber, its energy will be depleted in
a matter of minutes; thus, take extra care to insert the battery
properly. Also, be careful not to touch the shutter curtain and
mirror surface while installing the battery.
Note; Remove the battery when the camera is not to be used
for a long period; this will prevent leakage within the camera.
Also, keep the camera as warm as possible when operating
under cold-weather conditions; otherwise, the battery may fail
to function. (See “Tips on Camera Care” on page 40 for
additional information.)
Removing the Battery
The battery chamber’s built-in ejector-type mechanism
makes for easier removal operation when removing/
replacing the battery. To remove the battery from the
camera, take off the lens and lock up the mirror as
mentioned previously. Then, while holding the camera
upside-down, release the battery chamber lid and push
it slightly toward the back of the mirror box until the
battery drops free of the chamber. After removing the
battery, install a fresh one as explained previously.
Checking the Battery
The EL2 is provided with a special circuit that enables
the photographer to check the battery power condition
without causing excessive battery drain which might
occur by having to turn the camera on. To check bat
tery power, simply depress the power check button
and watch the power check lamp for indication of the
power level. If the check lamp glows, battery power is
sufficient. If the lamp fails to glow, battery positioning
should be checked; then, if the lamp still fails to glow,
replace the battery.
Note: When checking battery power, hold the button depressed
only long enough for the check lamp to glow; prolonged de
pressing only serves to drain battery power.
PREPARATION FOR USE —continued
Loading the Film
Slide the camera back latch release at the side of the
rewind knob to the rear and, while holding the release
back, lift the rewind knob up until the camera back
pops open. Then, with the rewind knob in the up posi
tion, drop a standard film cartridge (a Nikon reloadabletype cassette cannot be used) into the left-hand film
chamber with the film leader aligned along the film
guide rails.
After positioning the cartridge and film leader properly,
push the rewind knob down to hold the cartridge in
place and, then, insert the end of the film leader into
any of the slots in the film take-up spool. If necessary,
release the shutter and, then, stroke the film-advance
lever slowly to make sure that the leader winds smooth
ly on the spool and that the film edge perforations
engage with the film sprocket roller. When satisfied
that the film is properly feeding and is traveling correct
ly along the film guide rails, snap the camera back shut
to seal the film chamber. (Also, see “Tips on Camera
Care” on page 40.)
Caution: When loading film, be sure to shade the camera from
direct exposure to sunlight to prevent inadvertent “fogging”
of the film.
Prior to Shooting
Fold out the rewind crank and turn it gently in the
direction of the engraved arrow until you feel a slight
tension; this tension indicates that there is no more
slack in the film cartridge. (Be sure not to rewind the
film back into the cartridge.)
Set the shutter-speed dial to one of the fixed-speed set
tings (see page 13), advance the film via the filmadvance lever (see page 14) and make two blank ex
posures to dispose of the initial portion of the film
exposed during loading. While advancing the film, check
that the rewind crank turns in the direction opposite
the arrow. Crank rotation indicates that the film has
been loaded properly and is being advanced. Then, fold
the crank flat for film storage.
After advancing the film two frames to dispose of any
exposed film, the frame counter at the upper right of
the camera will indicate “0”; now advance the film one
more frame to prepare the camera for taking the first
exposure.
Note; Setting the shutter-speed dial to one of the fixed-speed
positions (rather than to “A”) prior to making blank exposures
will provide for the most rapid loading as this action will pre
vent the camera from selecting a slow speed, as might be the
case should loading be performed with the lens cap in place.
However, be sure to reset the dial to "A” if automatic operation
is to be performed.
11
OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS
Setting the Film Speed
As film response sensitivity during exposure to light
(called “film speed”) varies with film type, adiustment
of the camera’s metering circuit is essential to ensure
uniform exposures under all operational conditions.
Thus, a film-speed dial (ASA graduations) is provided
for this purpose, with a safety lock mechanism built-in
to prevent accidental shifting of the dial during shooting.
To set the film speed, depress the film-speed dial lock
and, while holding the lock depressed, turn the ASA
film-speed dial until the red index mark is aligned with
the ASA value for the film in use. After setting the dial,
release the lock and test the dial to ensure that it is set
firmly at the desired ASA value. The meter is sensitive
across the full range of from ASA 12 to ASA 3200.
The film-speed dial has two graduations between each
pair of numbers for intermediate settings such as 64,
80, 125, etc. The figure below indicates the values for
all intermediate settings.
Setting the Shutter Speed
The Nikon EL2 is set for automatic or manual shutter
speed selection via the shutter-speed dial positioned to
the right of the finder, with setting operation possible
at any time either before or after the shutter is wound.
The dial is provided with positions for automatic (“A”),
speeds of from 8 seconds to 1/1000 second, and a "B”
setting. To set the dial for automatic shutter speed se
lection, simply rotate the dial clockwise until the green
“A” (automatic) setting clicks and locks into place
aligned with the shutter-speed scale index at the base
of the dial; the built-in locking mechanism ensures that
the dial cannot be accidently shifted from the automatic
position during shooting.
To set the dial for manual shutter speed selection used
during “match-needle” exposure measurement, simply
depress the shutter-speed dial lock and, while holding
the lock depressed, rotate the dial counterclockwise off
of the “A" position; when the dial is aligned with white
settings of from 2 to 1000, the actual shutter speed is a
fractional value of from 1/2 second to 1/1000 second,
while the remaining settings indicate the actual values
of from 8 seconds to 1 second. The red "125” setting
indicates that the 1/125 second shutter speed is the
fastest speed providing X synchronization for use with
electronic flash units. At the “B” setting, the shutter
remains open as long as the shutter-release button is
depressed. If you have forgotten to install the battery,
the shutter gives a mechanically fixed speed of 1/90
second regardless of the dial position. (See "Flash
Synchronization” on page 38 for additional infor
mation on flash photography.)
Note: The Nikon EL2 consumes battery power at all shutter-
speed dial settings and, thus, is subject to the same limitations
on battery life (i.e., approx. 10 hours continuous operation
with fresh batteries) even at the "B” setting.
OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS-continued
Setting the Aperture
The ring fitted at the base of the lens adjusts the size of
the aperture (or opening) in the iris diaphragm. To pre
set the lens aperture, turn the aperture ring until the de
sired f/number setting on the scale is aligned with the
index mark provided on the lens. The iris diaphragm can
also be set to intermediate apertures between the click
stop settings for more precise exposures.
Film-Advance Lever
The film-advance lever simultaneously advances the
film, cocks the shutter and operates the frame counter.
It also switches on the exposure meter in the finder
and unlocks the shutter-release button. To advance the
film, stroke the lever with the right thumb in a single
stroke totaling only 135°. A built-in locking device
prevents the shutter from being released unless it is
fully cocked and the film advanced a full frame. At the
completion of film advance, release the lever and it
will return to the 30° standoff position ready for shut
ter release.
Note: Do not apply pressure to the film-advance lever while
making an exposure.
Frame Counter
The frame counter operates automatically to show how
many frames have been exposed. When the camera back
is opened for loading, the counter is reset to the “S”
(start) position, two frames before “0.” Once the
camera is loaded and the back closed, each filmadvance/shutter-release sequence will cause the frame
counter to advance one position until the maximum 20
or 36 frames have been exposed. The dial of the frame
counter is calibrated with dots (for odd numbers) and
figures (for even numbers), and with settings of “S,”
“20” and “36” in red.
Shutter Release Button Lock
A special control is fitted around the base of the shut
ter release button to provide for greater ease of opera
tion when using the EL2 with the Auto Winder AW-1
mounted for automatic film advance. With the shutter
release button lock, the film-advance lever’s meter
ON/OFF and shutter button lock functions are dupli
cated to enable positioning of the lever flush to the
body while using the Auto Winder. To operate the
camera via the shutter release button lock, simply
switch the lock to the left to reveal the red meter ON
index; in this position, the meter is on and the shutter
button is unlocked for normal release operation. When
not using the Auto Winder, switch the lock back to the
right and operate via the film-advance lever.
Note; Whenever the camera is stored, be sure that the shutter
release button lock (as well as the film-advance lever) is set to
the “meter-OFF” position to ensure against accidental battery
drain.
15
OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS-continued
Self-Timer
The built-in self-timer can be used to trip the shutter
after a delay of approximately 10 seconds, and it will
operate whether the shutter speed dial is set for auto
matic or manual shutter speed selection. To take a pic
ture using the self-timer to fire the camera, first set the
aperture and shutter-speed controls, advance the film,
and cock the self-timer by turning its lever downward
as far as it will go; then, simply depress the shutter re
lease button to start the countdown, with shutter re
lease occurring at the completion of the cycle (note that
the mirror will rise as the shutter button is depressed
and return at the end of the cycle). Note that the self
timer can be set either before or after advancing film;
however, once cocked, it cannot be reset except by
pressing the shutter release button. The self-timer may
not be used at the “B” shutter-speed dial setting.
Caution; Should self-timer operation be performed with the
camera set for automatic operation, be sure that the finder eye
piece is covered to prevent the entry of stray light. Failure to
do this can result in incorrectly exposed pictures.
Memory Lock
The convenient location of the self-timer lever, making
for ready finger access, proves advantageous when using
the built-in memory lock function. Memory lock enables
the photographer to retain an exposure measurement
taken close-up to the subject, or via selective composi
tion through theviewfinder, by “locking in” the reading
taken prior to operating the lock. To operate the
memory lock, view through the finder and meter on
the selected area; then, simply push the lever toward
the lens to hold the reading until the completion of the
exposure. The reading will be retained as long as the
control is held in this position. Thus, several frames can
be exposed using the same locked reading. Also, the
aperture can be adjusted without affecting the shutter
speed locked in. (See “High-Contrast Lighting Situa
tions” on page 30 for details on the use of the memory
lock function.)
16
Loading...