Arax 60 User manual

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ARAX–60(645)MLU
MEDIUM FORMATCAMERA
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1. GENERALNOTES
The ARAX-60 is amedium-formatsinglelensreflex(SLR) camerawithlight-tightrubberized fabriccurtain shutterand
6x6cm (ARAX-60)or6x4.5cm(ARAX-645)framesize.The cameraisdesignedtomeettheneedsofanyphotographer,
fromthe advancedamateur to the workingprofessional.
The ARAX-60 camerasarehand selected KIEV-60sthatundergo anextensivemechanical upgradeprocess.These
camera,lensand TTLprisms arere-assembled,adjusted,tested,andmatchedtoprovide superiorperformance.Any
deficienciesin thebasicKievdesignareaddressed viareinforcementand/or replacement.
AnewupgradedMLU(MirrorLock-Up)systemisinstalled onthosemodelsthatareordered accordingly.The Mirror
Lock-Upsystemoperatesindependentlyof the shutter release. Thisfeatureeliminatesanyvibration caused bythe mirror
movementduring macrophotographyorworkingwithlong focallengthlenses.The shuttermechanismisre-builtand
upgraded fordurabilityand accuracy,and the interiorofthecameraistreatedwithanewlight-absorbentcoating.Both
filmadvanceand framespacing arecheckedand adjusted.Additional tripodmountreinforcementresultsin improved
reliabilityofthe shutterspeed mechanismwhen using atripod.ARAXcamerashaveaspecial durable light-absorbent
blackfinish (theoriginal coatingis removed byaspecialsandblasting process andthe newproprietaryfinish isapplied),
and maximumviewfinderbrightnessisachieved via our special focusingscreenwithaframesizescale.
All LensesandPrismsarealsohand pickedandall opticaland mechanical functionsarere-tested tomeetthehigh
standardof ARAXcameras.Finally, eachcamerahastopassarigorousfinalinspection andprofessional testing.
The ARAXcamerasarethe futureofthe mediumformatgenerationgivingabsolutelyexceptional performancedueto
theirsuperiorquality.Withproperhandling andcare,yournewARAXcamerawill enableyou toproducehigh-quality
mediumformat transparencies, and dramaticlarge black andwhiteor colourprintsfor manyyearstocome.
The cameraisdesignedtouse61.5-mmwide non-perforatedrollfilm(type 120).The camera’scurtainshutteroffers
exposuretimesover arangefrom1/1000to1/2sec. andmanual exposure"B".
The cameracomescompletewiththe MCARSAT2.8/80 “standard”lens.The lensisprovided withaspecial multi-
layerantireflection coating (MC=Multi-Coating), whichupgradestheimage qualityandenhancesitscontrastdue to
better-integratedtransparencyand reduced lightdispersion.The focal lengthof thelensis80 mm, therelativeapertureis
1:2.8,the diaphragmsetting limitsaref2.8- f22, andthenear focusing limit is0.6m.
Criticalfocusing isaccomplished withthe aid ofamicro-rasterorarange finderwedge arranged inthe centerofthe
fieldof viewand withthe aid ofaground-glasssurface.
The shutter cockingmechanismisof the lever type,interlocked withthe film-transport mechanism and framecounter.
The backofthecameraishinged.The framecounterreturnstoitszeroposition automaticallywhen thebackofthe
cameraisopened.

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The cameraisdesignedtousemostinterchangeablelensesfittedwitha"PentaconSix"type bayonetmount. The
hood-type viewfinderenables the image tobeviewed on the ground-glass surfaceeitherwithorwithoutamagnifying
lens.The fieldofvisionofthehood-type viewfindermeasures53x53 mm.Magnificationofthe TTL(Through the Lens)
prismfindereyepieceis 2.5x, the field of vision measures49x51.5mm.
The cameraisprovided withflashsynchronization compatiblewithcabled flashunits.
The cameraoperatesin thetemperaturerangefromminus15toplus45o C.
INPORTANT!
BeforestartingtouseyournewARAXcamera,be surethatyou haveread and understand thismanual,
preferablywiththe camerainfrontofyou.You will then be readytoload yourfilmand beginmaking great
photographs. Congratulations on yourpurchase, and welcometotheARAX family!
2. MAIN UNITS AND PARTS
1- shuttercocking lever
2- TTLprismviewfinder
3- threadedcablereleasesocket
4–shutter releasebutton
5–Strapmount
6–Lensmount lockingring
7- housing
8- lens
9–Flashmount
10 - MLU releasebutton
11 - framecounter window
12 - viewfinderlock button
13 - diaphragmscale
14 - depthof fieldscale
15 - distancescale
16 –Shutterspeed dial
17 - back
18 - Take-upspool
19 - Filmspool
20 - depth-of-field control lever
21 - tripod socket
22 - take-upspoollock
23 - replaceable eyeshade
24 - deliveryspool lock
25 - backlock

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3. OPERATINGPROCEDURE
3.1. CameraLoading
The cameracan beloadedinlight (preferablyintheshadow).
Takethe cameraoutofthe carrying case.Open back 17byfirstsliding thearrowup tothestop and depressbutton
25 located on the lowercover. Pull locks 22and 24 bythe clips,turnthemcounter-clockwise,securing them,Thiswill
bring pivots18 and 19down.Insert the take-up spoolintotheright-handchamberofthe camerasothat the uppercentre
carrierfitsitsslot.
Holdingthespool, introducelower centre18intoitshole turning lock22 clockwise.
Tearthe papertagofftheleaderend.Insert the spool withfilmintothe left-handchamberofthe camerasothatthe
carrieroftheuppercentreentersthespool slot. Holding thefilmand leaderbyahand topreventunrolling,putlower
pivot 19 through the spoolhole, turning lock 24clockwise.
Thread the leaderendintothetake-up spooland turning thelatterwind theleaderontoituntil the markon theleader
alignswiththeredindexon thecamerahousing.
Toobtain the full-specified numberofpictureson thefilmand toensurecorrectoperation ofthe framecounter
observethe following rules:
- when loading wind the leadertightlyon the take-up spool;
- takemeasuresagainst leader cocking,creepingover thespool flangesor crumplingleader edges;
-when cockingtheshutter, takecaretobringthe leverto the stopin one smoothmotion (donotcock the shutter
usingseveral small turnsofthelever).
Close the backbypressingit tothe camerauntilaclickisheard.
3.2. Preparing theCameraforShooting
Makethreeblankshotstowind theleaderontothetake-upspool.Nowafterthe shutteriscockedthenexttimefigure
"1" will appear inframecounter window11 whichcorrespondstothe firstframeonthefilm.
Setthe film-in-usespeed onscale 10byholding lever1,andturnthe disk withscale10 until the filmspeed number
alignswiththeindex. The filmspeedscaleisgivenin unitsof DIN.
3.3. Shooting
The operation of thecamerabreaksdownintothefollowing steps:
1.Shuttercocking and filmtransport
2.Determiningtheexposuretime(shutterspeedandaperture);
3.Shutterspeed setting
4.Aperturesetting
5.Composition
6.Focusing
7.Mirror lock uprelease(optional)
8.Shutter release
Cock the shutterturning lever1up tothe stop.Ifthe shutteris fullycocked,theleverwillautomaticallyreturntothe
initial position,ifnot, itwill remain in anintermediateposition (in thiscaseitshould becocked again)Anincomplete
cockingofthe shuttershould be avoided.At the beginning ofcocking the shutteraslightincreaseofforceapplied tothe
levermaybefelt. Incocking the shutterthe filmiswound throughoneframeandthe nextnumberappearsinthe frame
counter window. The counter indicatesthenumberof framesshot.
Determination of theexposuretimeiscarriedout withthe shutter beingcocked.
Fordeterminingtheexposuretimesetonthe
calculatorthe speed ofthefilmloaded intothe
cameraturning knob 31 until the filmspeed
valuesin unitsof DIN appearsin windows28.
Seton the calculatorthelensspeed turning
scale 29until the appropriatevalue coincides
withindex30.
The lens speed meansthe number
correspondingtothe maximumrelativeaperture.
For example,for lensMC ARSAT2.8/80 =2.8.
Fordeterminingthe "speed/aperture"
combinationscorrespondingtothe shooting
conditionsdo the following:
-Presstheexposuremetercircuitactuating
button32 (it will beoffautomatically);
-Observingthrough viewfindereyepiece39
framethe subjectsothatitsimage will fall inthe
rangesofthe zone ofmeasurementofthe
viewfinder. Inthe fieldofvisionofthe viewfinder
eyepieceyouwill seeone oflighting signals:left=underexposedorright=overexposed.Slowlyturnring 27 up tothe
momentoflightingofthe second signal(ifleft signalis lit-counter-clockwise,ifright-clockwise). Determination ofthe
exposuretimeiscarried out atsimultaneousillumination of bothsignals;
-Choosethe"speed/aperture"pair, whichyoupreferforshooting on thecalculatorbyexposurescale 27 andby
diaphragmscale29
Note:
Brightlightnotbe permitted,as faras possible,topenetrateintotheeyepiece.Inthisinstance eyeshades 38
and 23shouldbeused.

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Set the chosen"speed/aperture" valuesonthecameraexposuretimeknob scale and on thelensdiaphragmscale.
Exposuresmaybe setbothwiththe shutterreleasedandcocked turning knob16 untilthe selected numberaligns
withindexon the topcover. Settingsfrom1/1000to1/60 sec.withthe shutterreleased requiresomewhatmoreeffort
than when theshutter iscocked.
Manual exposure"B"setting should be set turning the knobclockwise only(between shutter speeds1/ 1000 sand "B"
the ring islocked).
Setthediaphragm,turning ring13 untiltheselectedvaluealignswiththe indexon thestationaryring.The scaleis
fixed at all diaphragmvalues.
Forcriticalfocusing,, usetheground-glasssurface,microscreen andwedges,orthedistancescale.Turnthe ring
withscale 15.Focusing canbecarriedoutonlywiththe shuttercocked,when the mirroris inthe workingpositionand
the diaphragmisfullyopen.
Depthoffieldis determined bythe distancescale withthe aidofadditionalscale 14.Depthoffieldcan be checked by
the imageofthe objectsdetailson the ground-glasssurfacein thefield ofvision of the viewfinder, after pressing lever20
downtothe limitofitstravel,then the lenswill be closedtothe openingsetpreviously.Afterthe leverisreleased,itwill
automaticallyreturntothe initial position and the diaphragmwill fullyopen.
Depending on the specificconditions,composition canalsobecarried outbythe useof theviewfinder hood.
ToreplacetheTTLprismviewfinderwiththe viewfinder hoodproceed asfollows:
- turnring 43clockwise untilitalignswithindexes42 and 41.Depressbutton12,lift theTTL prism viewfinder up;
- set viewfinder hood 45ontheguide pins(in sodoing makecertain thatit iswell secured on thecamera).
Open theviewfinderhood,turningfrontwall 44 inthedirection ofthearrowillustrated in theFigure.Initsend position
the frontwall ofthehoodislocked and the sideandrearwallsareautomaticallyfoldeddown.When lock lever46is
shifted up, viewfinderlens47isset tothe working position.
Upon completion ofshooting withthe aid ofthe viewfinderhood,press theviewfinderlenswall tothe frontwall ofthe
viewfinderuntil theindexing leversnapsitin,thenfold upthe sidewalls(firstleft-hand,then right-hand), thenthe rear
wall, and holding the latter, returnthefront wall intotheinitialposition.
Inrapidshooting (suchassportsphotography)theviewfinderhood canbeusedasasimple frameviewfinder.Then
window48 in the rearwall ofthe viewfinderhoodwill serveasone frameand thewindowin the frontwall,closedin the
non-workingposition withcover 49, astheother. The cover, when depressed, will turnandlockinthe end position.
Inshootingwiththe frameviewfinderfocusingis effected eitherbythe useoflensdistancescale 15orbythe ground-
glassthroughtheeyepiece.
Tofold downthe frameviewfinderdepressthewall ofeyepiecelens47,inthiscasecover49 will returntothe initial
position.
After foldingdowntheframeviewfinder, closetheviewfinderhood asexplained previously.
Toreleasethecamerashutter,graduallydepressreleasebutton4up tothe stop.Duringthisaction thelenswill be
stopped down, the mirrorautomaticallyrisesand the shutteroperates.
Inthe camerasequipped withthe liftingMLU(mirrorlock up)system,beforepressingon thereleasebutton 4you can
raisethe mirrorbeforereleasing the shutter.Inordertolift the mirroritis necessarytopress button 10.atthattimethe
mirror will be lifted upwards, however the shutter isnot beingreleased. Inorder tothen makean exposurewiththe mirror

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up,justpressthebutton4.The camerawillsnap intoaction withouttheminimalvibrationsthatcan affectthe most
criticallysharpimages.
Shooting withexposuresinexcessof1/30 sec.usuallyrequiresthe useofthetripod.The tripodsocketin the camera
is providedwiththe3/8" thread.The shutterreleasebuttonisequippedwiththreaded socket3toaccommodatea
standardcable releaseor other accessories..
NOTE:When using the camerawithslowshutterspeeds of1/60thsec.orlonger,continue toholdinthe
shutterreleasebutton whenmaking anexposure,topreventthe shutterbrakefrom engaging prematurely,
resulting inuneven exposures.
4. UNLOADINGTHE CAMERA
Shooting can be carried outuntil the"K"-letter(end)appearsin theframecounterwindow,whichindicatesthatthe
filmis usedup.Then itis necessarytowind the remaining paperleaderonthe take-up spool withtheaidofthe shutter
cockinglever. Sinceinthisposition theshuttercockingmechanismisdisconnected,thereleasebutton maynotbe
depressedeachtimeafter cocking.
Upon completionofrewinding (when rewinding isover, theforceapplied tothe cocking leverdiminishes)open the
backof the camera,moveoutthe take-upspoolcentreand removetheexposedroll.
5. REPLACEMENTOFLENSES
The cameraisdesigned touseinterchangeablelenseswithaKievC(P-SIX)mount. Toremovethelensturnnut6
counter-clockwise uptothe stop anddisconnect the lensfromthecamera.
Wheninstallingthelens,itis necessarytofititIntothecamerasothatguidepinofthe lensgetsintoslotonthe
cameramouth. Then turningthe nutclockwise tothe limit ofitstravel securethelenson themount.
NOTE: The lens mountisaveryprecise mechanism.It mayturnoutthatsome lenses cannotbe inserted in
the lensmount. Thisusuallyhappenswithlenseswhich weremanufactured withoutproperqualitycontrol.
Theseinterchangeable ARSATC lensesfor the ARAX-60 (645) cameraareavailable.
Description, ARSATC
Focal length,
mm
Angleof view,
degrees
Maximum
relativeaperture
Filterthread,
mm
3.5/30301801:3.5m38x0.5
3.5/4545831:3.5m82x0.75
PCS 3.5/45Shift4583*/98**1:3.5(manual)m82x0.75
PCS 4.5/55Shift5569*/84**1:4.5(manual)m72x0.75
PCS 3.5/65Shift6566*/78**1:3.5(manual)m72x0.75
3.5/6565661:3.5m72x0.75
2.8/8080451:2.8m62x0.75
2.8/120 120361:2.8m62x0.75
2.8/150 150291:2.8m82x0.75
3.5/250 250191:3.5m82x0.75
5.6/250 250181:5.6m62x0.75
5.6/500 50091:5.6m95x1
*- without shift
** - withshift
You canpurchaseanyofthislensesonour website www.araxfoto.com
6. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
The Kiev60 TTLcameraisprovided withthe synchro-contactwithreceptacle54forthe connectionofaflashunit.To
install the flashunit tothecamerausethespecialflashshoewhichfitson the armfasteningsocket9.
Shooting withaflashunitis performedwithexposuresfrom1/30 to1/2s.
7. REPLACEMENTOFPOWER SOURCE
Toreplaceorinstallthe batteries,unscrewthe batterycap 37on the metering prism,and observingthe polarity("-"of
the power supplysourceshouldbe arrangedfromthe endof the compartment, "+"symbol isengraved on thecap) install
the freshbatteriesintothechamber. Never trytomixold andnewbatteries.
Batteryfor TTLprismviewfinders
Dimension
VoltNominal Capacity Batterymodels Diameter Height
GP IEC JISEVEREADYVARTA DURACELL SONY
11.6mm5.4mm 1.55V 165mAh357 SR44 SR44 357V357D357SR44W

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8. USE OFLIGHTFILTERS
You can uselight filtersused asattachments, whichcan bescrewed intothe frontpart of thelens(threadM62x0.75).
The achromaticlightfilterUV-1xis used forweakening the effectofultravioletrays,forexample,when taking pictures
underhigh-mountain conditions, itis alsohelpful in colour photography.
The light yellow-green filter YG-1.4ximprovestone reproductionof multi-colour objectsonhigh-sensitivephotographic
materialswithaslightlossoftheirsensitivity.Virtuallycorrecttone reproductionofmulticolorobjectsisachieved bythe
useof thefilter onmediumsensitivityfilms.
The lightfilterO-2.8X,orange,fullyabsorbsUltravioletRays.It is usedtoobtain aparticularcontrastin shootingthe
compositionswithclouds, water surfaces,landscapeswithanoticeable shadingof verdure, etc.
9. CARE AND STORAGE
Protectthecamerafromdust, moisture,snow,harmfulvapors,jerks,jolting,impactsandsharptemperature
variations.
Handle the camerawithcare, excessiveforceshould neverbe requiredduring operation.
Donot removethe lensunnecessarilysincethis mayresultindirt and dust gettingintothecamera.
Clean the cameraregularly.Removethe dustfromitsexternal and internalsurfaceswithasoft brushorblowoff the
dustwiththeaid ofarubberbulb.Thoroughlyprotecttheopticalcomponentsfromgetting dustyordirty,trytoavoid
touchingthemwithyour fingers.
Having broughtthe camerafromthe frostyweatherintoawarmpremises,do notopen itimmediately,letitbecome
graduallywarmed for 2-3hours.
Don’t leaveyourcamerawithcockedshutterfor long time.
If anydefectsorfaultshavebeen discovered,do notattempttocarryoutthe repairson yourown.Anyrepairsand
adjustmentsshouldbecarried out byqualifiedspecialists. Pleasewriteusat [e-mail]
NOTE [onlycrucialwhile the camerahasthemirror up(uncockedshutteror withMLU-function)]:
The cameracurtainsaremade from light-tightrubberizedfabricand topreserveit againstdeterioration the
following measures shouldbe taken inshooting inthe sun:
·Removethe lens cap andopen the viewfinderhood immediatelybeforeshooting;
·Donot directthe cameralenstowards thesun;
·Donot leavethecamerainthe sun during long-termpauses between shootings.
10. ONE YEAR WARRANTY
AraxFotoprovidesaone-yearwarranty[fromshipping date]thatall newcameras’ and lenses’materialsand
workmanship shallbe freefromdefects,andoperateproperlyaccording tothe manufacturer'sspecification.During the
warrantyperiod,AraxFotowill repairorreplaceanydefectiveitematthecustomer'srequest. Shippingchargesarethe
sole responsiblyofthe purchaser. The unitwill be restored toproperoperating conditionatno charge toyou (includesall
partsand labour).
Thiswarrantyis contingentupon normal and properuseofthe productand doesnotcoverdamage whichoccursin
shipment, ordamageorfailureresultingin whole orin part fromalteration,unusual physical orelectrical stress,misuse,
attachmentorinstallation oforuseofthe equipmentwithanypart, device,orproductnotapproved bymanufacturer,
failuretofollowthe mostcurrentinstructionspublishedbymanufacturerandshippedwiththe camera,withrespectto
properuseoftheproduct, abuse,neglect, fire,accident,flood oractofGod.Thiswarrantydoesnotcoveraproducton
whichthe original identificationmarksor serial numbershavebeen removedoraltered.Cosmeticdamage isnotcovered
under thiswarranty.
Version 3(2011/11/15)
ARAXInc.
Kiev, Ukraine, 01042
www.araxfoto.com
[e-mail]