Nikon INSTRUCTION MANUAL
NOMENCLATURE Shutter-speed dial lock Film rewind knob
Distance scale Aperture/Distance scale index Focusing ring Meter coupling shoe Aperture ring Depth-of-field indicators Meter coupling ridge ASA film-speed dial ASA film-speed scale Film rewind crank Film-speed scale index Shutter-speed scale Frame counter Meter ON index Film-advance lever Power check button Film-plane indicator Power check lamp Viewfinder eyepiece Accessory shoe Hot-shoe contact 3
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), shooting with the Nikon EL2 is as simple as: 1) Set the shutter speed dial to " A " to prepare the camera for automatic operation, as detailed on page 13.
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 Infrared photography Film-plane indicator Depth of field Depth-of-field preview button Depth
FOREWORD The Nikon EL2 camera offers the serious photographer the highest standard of quality, performance, convenience and versatility available in an auto 35mm SLR camera. The EL2 is engineered to take the guesswork 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 instructions carefully and practice using the controls before you load any film in the camera.
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.
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.
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 position, 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.
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 settings (see page 13), advance the film via the filmadvance lever (see page 14) and make two blank exposures to dispose of the initial portion of the film exposed during loading.
OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS Setting the Film Speed As film response sensitivity during exposure to light (called "film speed") varies with film type, adjustment 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.
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.
OPERATION OF CAMERA CON ROLS — 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 preset the lens aperture, turn the aperture ring until the desired 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 clickstop settings for more precise exposures.
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.
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 automatic or manual shutter speed selection.
UNLOADING FILM When the frame counter indicates the last exposure has been made, or when the film-advance lever can no longer be stroked, the roll of film has been fully exposed and it should be removed from the camera. To unload the camera, first press the rewind button on the camera baseplate; then, unfold the rewind crank and turn it in the direction of the engraved arrow, using a smooth, even pressure.
HOLDING THE CAMERA Camera shake is one of the most common causes of unsharp pictures, especially at slow shutter speeds. Learn to hold the camera correctly and practice steady shutter squeezing. The photos show the best ways to hold the camera for sharp pictures. Wrap the fingers of the right hand around the camera body so that the index finger rests comfortably on the shutter-release button and the thumb fits between the camera body and the film-advance lever.
SHUTTER RELEASE OPERATION For sharp pictures, correct shutter releasing is just as important as steady camera holding. After advancing the film to a fresh frame, the camera is set for shutter release via the button provided at the upper right. When taking the picture, hold the camera steady (as explained previously), relax and depress the button using a steady even pressure to release the camera's shutter—remember, a quick jab of the finger will cause camera movement and may result in a blurred photograph.
Focusing is done at full aperture with Nikkor lenses fitted with an automatic diaphragm. This technique provides the brightest possible images on the focusing screen for easy focusing and composing. It also minimizes depth of field so that the image snaps in and out of focus distinctly. The Nikon Type K screen comes with the camera as standard equipment.
Out of focus In focus 21
FOCUSING-continued Infrared Photography The plane of sharpest focus for infrared light is slightly more distant than its counterpart for visible light as seen through the camera's viewfinder. Thus, for sharpest focus in infrared photography, adjustments must be made. To compensate for this shift in focus, first focus the image sharply through the viewfinder. Then, turn the focusing ring counterclockwise until the point focused is aligned with the red dot (or line) provided on the lens barrel.
DEPTH OF FIELD Depth of field refers to the zone of acceptable focus extending in front of, and behind, the plane of sharpest focus. Within this zone, image blur is negligible and everything may be considered as being in sharp focus. Three factors greatly influence the depth of field: the focal length of the lens in use, the camera-to-subject distance, and the taking aperture. The smaller the aperture and the shorter the focal length of the lens, the greater the depth of field.
DEPTH OF FIELD-continued Depth-of-Field Indicators Depth of field can be read directly from the distance scale in meters or feet with the aid of the color-coded depth-of-field indicators engraved on the lens barrel. Each pair of colored lines on either side of the central distance scale index line corresponds to f/numbers of the same color on the aperture scale. To find the depth of field at a particular aperture, first focus the lens on the subject while looking through the viewfinder.
EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT The exposure meter of the Nikon EL2 utilizes Nikon's through-the-lens center-weighted exposure measurement at full aperture. The meter reads the light over the entire focusing screen but favors the central 12mmdiameter area, while taking the entire area into consideration. This allows you to make precise readings of the selected subject area, and results in more balanced overall exposures.
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EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT-continued Manual Shutter Speed Selection When the shutter-speed dial is set to other than the " A " setting, manual shutter speed selection is provided, with exposure determination via the "match-needle" method.
0 TIP 500 c iP 5D0 250 60 30 15 I < 2 I 2 < D Deliberate one-step underexposure I Exposure Control The amount of light reaching the film plane is determined by a combination of the lens aperture and the shutter speed. Since the two are interrelated, different combinations will give the same exposure. A 1-step change in the shutter speed, or a 1-stop change in the aperture setting, will either halve or double the exposure.
EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT-continued Metering Range If the black meter needle fails to leave the " A " or " B " positions during auto (or fails to "match" the green needle in manual), even after all possible lens-aperture/ shutter-speed combinations have been tried, then the available light is too bright or too dim for the meter's range.
• Metering with a bright area in the center will cause underexposure of the main subject. • For correct exposure, first measure the main subject; then, recompose and shoot.
STOP-DOWN EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT With some Nikkor lenses, full-aperture exposure measurement is not possible, either because the lens has no automatic diaphragm, or because the lens does not couple with the built-in meter; with certain accessories, too, lens/meter coupling is not possible, thus, preventing full-aperture measurement. However, the camera's meter can still be used for exposure measurement via the stop-down method.
For automatic diaphragm lenses with no coupling ridge, first set the shutter-speed dial for either automatic or manual shutter speed selection. When using automatic, next depress and hold the depth-of-field button to stopdown the lens diaphragm and adjust the aperture ring until the black needle indicates the desired shutter speed; then, while holding the button depressed, press and hold the memory lock until the completion of the exposure.
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS Some exposure correction may be necessary when certain types of films are used for copying or photomicrography applications; the amount of correction required, however, will depend on the type of film and the specific application. The following table lists the exposure corrections in f/stops required for various film/shooting requirements.
EV RANGE OF THE CAMERA The camera's meter may be used only within the shutter speed range covered by the exposure value (EV) range of the meter, which varies with the aperture and ASA setting. The chart on page 37 shows the relationships between the f-stop, shutter speed and film speed, indicating the slowest functioning shutter speed (for metering purposes) with any film speed/f-stop combination.
EV RANGE OF THE CAMERA-continued • How to read the EV range chart The chart indicates the EV (for ASA 100) vs. shutter speed range. To determine the shutter speed range, note that the bars in section A indicate the responsive range of the EL2's photosensitive SPD element (i.e., f/8 covers EV 6 ~ 23, f/16 covers EV 8 ~ 23) for the f-stop in use. In Section B, note the f-stop being used on the appropriate ASA scale.
Section C 37
FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION Nikon | The Nikon EL2 camera is designed to synchronize with most types of flashbulbs at almost all shutter speeds and with electronic flash at speeds to 1/125 second. Additionally, the camera is fitted with an automatic sync switchover circuit which selects the proper synchronization timing as the shutter speed is selected (operation with the shutter-speed dial set to " A " is not possible, however).
MIRROR LOCKUP The reflex mirror must be locked in the up position when using either the Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/5.6 or the OP Fisheye-Nikkor 10mm f/5.6 lenses, since their rear elements protrude into the camera body and interfere with mirror movement. Locking up the mirror is also necessary when changing the battery mounted in the chamber at the bottom of the mirror box. To lock up the mirror, turn the mirror lockup lever upward as far as it will go (approx. 45°).
TIPS ON CAMERA CARE Good camera care is primarily common-sense care. Treat your Nikon EL2 camera as you would any other precision optical instrument and it will provide you years of trouble-free service. Although ruggedly constructed, your camera may be damaged by shock, heat, water or misuse. By observing the following tips, you will be assured of the longest possible service life.
• • • • perature and, then, store in a cool, dry location. Remember that failure to dry out the camera may result in the growth of fungus on lens surfaces—a condition that will render your camera useless. Should your camera be accidently dropped on the floor or in water, take it to your dealer immediately for servicing. Thorough servicing can be guaranteed only at an authorized dealer. Always store the camera in an ever-ready case or compartment case when not in use.
CHANGING THE LENS To remove the lens from the camera body, press the lens release button and, holding the button depressed, twist the lens clockwise as far as it will go. With this action, the lens will come loose and can be lifted out. until it clicks and locks into place. These steps provide for full mounting of the lens, while simultaneously indexing the lens' maximum aperture setting to the camera's metering circuit.
Coupling Lever Lock/Release Operation The EL2 is fitted with a meter coupling lever at the base of the lens to provide for coupling between the metering circuit and the lens' meter coupling ridge. When the camera body is used with lenses offering automatic maximum aperture indexing, the lever remains in the normal position. However, when the camera body is used with lenses and/or accessories not provided with this feature, the lever must be locked up to permit exposure measurement via the stop-down method.
ACCESSORIES Auto Winder AW-1 The compact and lightweight Nikon Auto Winder AW-1 is a precision drive accessory which offers greater versatility of operation with the EL2. The winder attaches directly to the baseplate of the camera and provides for effortless, automatic film advance operation that complements the camera's built-in automatic exposure features.
Lens Hoods The use of a lens hood is recommended at all times to prevent extraneous light from striking the lens (a cause of flare and ghost), and as an added measure of protection for the lens. An extensive lineup of hoods is available to meet the needs of all Nikkor lenses. Camera Cases Available in both hard and soft (pouch) construction, Nikon camera cases offer excellent protection for your camera body and mounted lenses. Various sizes available ensure use with most Nikkor lenses.
FEATURES/SPECIFICATIONS Ty^pe of camera: 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) Picture format: 24mm x 36mm (35mm film format) Lens mount: Nikon F mount (bayonet type) Lenses available: Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, f/2 or 55mm f/1.
NIPPON KOGAKU K.K. No reproduction in any form of this booklet, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorization from the publishers. Printed in Japan (77.7.
