Nikon EL2 User Manual

Name: Nikon EL2
Brand: Nikon
SKU: 1641503
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MÊkon

INSTFIIOTONMANU^

NOMENCLATURE

Shutter-speed dial lock		Film rewind knob
		Camera back latch release
		Threaded sync terminal
		Exposure compensation ring
		Film-speed dial lock
		Lens release button
Shutter-speed dial	/'em	Mirror lockup lever
	/'em

Lens mounting flange		*1 MU Lens mounting index
Reflex mirror		Coupling lever release
Battery chamber		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

presented

in “Preparation for Use" (pages

12),

shoot

ing with the Nikon EL2 is as simple as;

Set

the

shutter speed dial to “A”

prepare

the

camera

for

automatic

operation,

tailed on page 13.

Set

the

lens aperture to the setting

appropri

ate

for

the

shooting

situation

hand

turning

the

aperture

ring,

detailed

on page

14.

Turn

on the

meter

and

shutter

control

simply

moving

the

film-advance

lever

the

30° standoff position, as detailed on page 14.

View/focus/compose

the

subject

through

the

viewfinder, turning the lens’ focusing ring as

necessary

achieve

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..........................................		7
Preparation for use.........................	‘	8
Installing the battery..................		8
Removing the battery................		9
Checking the battery..................		9
Loading the film.........................		10
Prior to shooting .......................		11
Operation of camera controls . .		12
Setting the film speed................		12
Setting the shutter speed . . .		13
Setting the aperture ..................		14
Film-advance lever....................		14
Frame counter............................		15
Shutter release button lock . .		15
Self-timer.....................................		16
Memory lock...............................		16
Unloading film.................................		17
Holding the camera.........................		18
Shutter release operation..............		19
Operation via cable release . .		19
Focusing..........................................		20
Infrared photography................		22
Film-plane indicator...................		22
Depth of field ..................................		23
Depth-of-field preview button		23
Depth-of-field indicators . . .		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..................................................	38
Mirror lockup .................................................................	39
Tips on camera care .....................................................	40
Changing the lens..........................................................	42
Coupling lever lock/release operation..................	43
Accessories....................................................................	44
Features/specifications ................................................	46

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.

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 shutterspeed 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 film- advance/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.

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.)

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