Manual scanned Feb 2002 by Tony Rees Box 358 Carina Brisbane QLD 4152 Australia
[email protected] Note: Except for auto exposure, the camera is still working well using manual mode.
FEATURES OF YOUR CAMERA Your camera is a precis ion instrument, built w ith the accent on simplicity of operation. It features drop-in cartridge loading and handles all Super 8 film cartridges. The electric eye is the mast advanced CdS system used in cameras today, and it measures light by a through the lens system, similar to the operation of the human eye. Your camera uses the finest zoom lens available. To insure perfect pictures you view through the reflex zoom lens; the subject is framed as it w ill appear on the screen before you take the picture. The camera features 3 shutter speeds, 12, 18 & 32 fps (PZ503D also has the same speed) Motor pow er is provided by 4 penlight batteries, and the camera also features built-in battery tester to help eliminate battery failure. The zooming of the lens is pow ered by an electric-motor so that you alw ays enjoy smooth zooming effect. The camera has a special built-in voltage regulator using a special diode, so it does not need a CdS mercury battery for the exposure meter.
TO TAKE GOOD MOVIES 1. Alw ays hold the camera as steady as possible. When taking movies, any slight w avering of the camera w ill be very obvious w hen you project the finished film. Hold the pistol-type grip w ith your right hand and steady the camera by placing the left hand on top. Use the left hand for zoom effects. For professional results, use a tripod w henever possible. 2. Take pictures w ith the sun behind you. As the CDS system "reads" reflected light, you w ill be assured of best results if this rule is follow ed. Alw ays take precautions to see that sun rays are not focused directly on the camera lens. (Be sure to remove lens cap and keep lens clean! 3. Tilt and pan slow ly. "Panning" is the ter m used w hen the camera is moved horizontally to capture a w ide scene. This should alw ays be done slow ly to avoid jer king movements or blurring of the projected picture. A good rule of thumb is 35 to 45 seconds w hen panning 180. 4. Time your scenes. It is better to shoot longer scenes and then cut them if necessary when editing. Shoot all scenes at least 5 seconds in length.
5. Plan your movies in advance. For greater enjoy ment try filming your movies in a story sequence instead of a series of unrelated scenes. It is important that you capture the time, objects and place when filming so shoot close-ups as well as w ide angle shots often to add depth to your home movies. 6. Indoor photography. Your Super 8 camera has a built-in automatic filter for indoor photography under photo flood lamp conditions. When using a movie light unit for this camera, alw ays screw it into the top mounting hole, (Fig 1) When using alight bar stand, how ever, insert the screw into the top of the camera (Fig 2). Although camera does not include movie light, it w ill adapt to most standard movie lights available at any camera store. Don't press trigger fully immediately or you w ill have w hite spots in your movies (see instruction page 7 Item 2) It is recommended you to ensure the scale.
* LOADING THE CAMERA 1. Raise the catch on the right side of the camera, and turn it counter-clockw ise, and then the film cover door will open w ith a slight pull. (Fig. 3) 2. Next, insert the film pack as show n in (Fig. 4). 3. Close the film cover door and lock it by turning the catch clockw is e. The camera is ready for filming. 4. When properly loaded, the w indow on the right side of the camera shows the type of film being used 5. Film speed can be set automatically by putting the film cartridge in the compartment.
* INSERT BATTERIES Turn knob at bottom of pistol grip counter clockw is e with a coin and take off the cover. Insert batteries as indicated on the diagram on the outside of the battery case (Fig. 5) (Note if batteries are improper ly inserted, camera w ill not run.) Four penlight batteries are required
After batteries have been installed, cover and lock the battery chamber, and use battery tester to check battery pow er. (Note Needle of tester should be in green zone to insure proper operation, Fig.6
LET’S START SHOOTING 1.
Set the lens distance, and you are ready to take movies. 2. When setting a tr igger locking knob (Fig. 7) on "R", you w ill see diaphragm value on the right upper side of the mask through the viewfinder, and you are now ready to start filming. If at any time you see the dim light indicator signal through the lens view er, stop shooting as you have insufficient light for proper exposure. 3. When the camera is not in use, set the trigger locking knob on L and the camera w ill not operate (Fig 7)
FOOTAGE COUNTER The automatic footage counter shows the amount of film used at all times. When loaded, it w ill indicate S (start) (Fig.8) as shooting progresses, the indicator revolves until cartridge is completely used. Then it registers 50 (ft), and the indicator ceases to advance (Fig. 9). At this point, notice the change of motor sound in the camera. This w ill indicate that the film has been completely exposed. Change film cartridge and resume shooting. Super 8 cartridges can be removed at any point on the film. As the Footage indicator alw ays returns to "S", simply w rite on the cartridge how many feet of film have been used so that you can finish the roll at a later date. Alw ays test battery condition before shooting pictures.
* TO TAKE GOOD MOVIES Set the sw itch on the back of the camera to 32 f.p.s, and the camera automatically takes slow motion photography. If you desire to change from regular action to slow motion or vice-versa, it may be done during operation. Whenever this change is made, move the sw itch rapidly to avoid jamming of the camera mechanis m.
* AUTOMATIC ZOOMING The zoom lens of this Super 8 is pow ered by an electric motor. For automatic zooming, depress the T or W sw itch, and the lens w ill automatically zoom from Wide to Tele or Tele to Wide, depending upon w here the lens is. (as show n in Fig. 11) If you like to zoom manually, rotate zooming ring by hand.
* FOCUSING In order to obtain the best resolution, the Alstar P1803 and 503D are equipped w ith fast MICROPRISM focusing system in the viewfinder. Through the viewfinder, you w ill see a spot of microprism dots in the center of the viewfinder. Firstly , adjust the eyepiece until you obtain a clear image and secondly set the zooming ring to the telephoto position (64mm) and turn the scale ring till you have image sharpnes s and finally get your desired image field. (see photograph).
* FILM TRANSPORT SIGNAL If you see through the view finder by pressing dow n the shutter trigger, a blinker signal appears in the under side of the pictures frame. If the blinker has been stopped in light or black, it shows either the film has been fully transported or the film transport has been stopped due to any trouble.
* MANUAL EXPOSURE DIAL When you w ant to use any special exposure technique, just like for animation picturing, select the most suitable diaphram position w hile looking into the scale in the viewfinder. It is recommended that you set the position under a moving condition of the scale by pressing the trigger slightly,
* SINGLE FRAME SHOT By setting the sw itch in accordance with the direction on the plate, single frame shutter speed can be obtained. This can be done also w ith use of a remote control cable release. When using a cable release, insert the socket under the condition of "OFF" and keep the trigger locked and sw itch the remote control on, and then the camera get ready to make single frame shot. After picture taking, it is recommended that you take the batteries out of the compartment in order to keep a long life of the battery.
* CARE AND CLEANING Your best equipment deserves the best care. A regular schedule of cleaning the camera interior is essential and the areas around lens and film gate must be kept free of dust, dirt, or other foreign particles. Use a clean lintless cloth, moistened if necessary with drycleaning or fighter fluid. For lens and other optical surfaces, inside or out, use standard lens tissue or a softhaired brush. Keep camera body clean outside also. Treat the camera like the precision instrument it is - keep it clean and dry, avoid extremes in temperatures.
* REMOTE CONTROL UNIT This camera has a built-in circuit for remote control operation. Although the camera does not include a remote control unit, it w ill adapt to most standard remote units available in camera shops everywhere (fig. 14). It is recommended that w hen picturing by single frame and or by use of the remote control sw itch, you use the new penlight batteries.
* IMPORTANT After picturing, do not fail to return the lock knob to "L", otherw ise, battery pow er becomes empty w hile no in use.
