Braun Super 8 User manual

-- -- -- -~- -
Braun
SuperB Instructions
for Use
Nizo801
Nizo561
Nizo481
BRRun

Contents Filming with the Nizo 801,
561 and
481
Getting to know your Nizo camera Focal length adjustment 13 We congratulate you on
your choice of the
(brief instructions) 4 Description
of Vario zoom lens 13 Nizo camera, a
product of the pioneer
Varying the focal length 13 German film camera company. From
now
Drive system 7 Manual focal length
control
on, your films will be taken with a Super-8
Drive batteries and battery safety box 7 (on Nizo 801) 14 camera built to the highest international
Electric master switch 7 standards.
The Ni zo 801, 561 and 481
Checking battery voltage 7 Running speeds (image frequency) 14 models differ mainly in the use of zoom
Operating the camera from
an
Slow motion (filming speed switch 1)
14 lenses of differing focal lengths. This
outside
power source or from an Speeded-up action (filming speed manual therefore provides the basic
oper-
storage battery using the Nizo Power Set 8 switch 2)
15
ating instructions for all three Nizo camera
Holding the camera and operating Animation techniques 16 models.
the shutter 8 Flash
illumination for elapsed
Filming with a tripod, using a cable time filrhing 16 If you fold back the
double pages on the
release 8 left and on the right at the end of this
Electric remote
shutter release 9 The variable shutter 17 manual, you will see the controls illustra-
General description of variable shutter 17 ted and numbered. The same
numbers are
The film cassette
10
Fade-ins and fade-outs 17 used below to explain the various
oper-
Film types which may be used
10
Automatic dissolves 18
ating functions briefly, so that you can
Inserting the cassette, checking The Nizo automatic exposure rapidly become familiar with
your camera.
camera I·oading
10
reduction system 19
We have confined ourselves to essential
The built-in
filter
10
Extended exposure times 19
instructions . If you initially set all controls
Automatic extended exposure system
20 to the red dots provided, and do not con-
Exposure control
11
cern yourself with animated filming or
Meter battery
11
Synchronized filming and sound
other special features of your Nizo camera,
Checking voltage of
meter battery
11
recording
21
you will be able to shoot your first film
Automatic exposure
control
11
without giving too much thought to the
Manual operation of lens iris
12
Ultra close-up filming
22
«mechanics» of camera operation, and can
devote
your entire attention to composing
Range finding and focusing
12 Filters
23
the scenes of your film and practising ca-
Adjusting the eyepiece
(diopter
The carrying case
23 mera movements.
compensation)
12
The split-image range finder
12 Minor defects and remedies 24
Making best use of available depth
of focus
13
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Getting to knowyour Nizo camera
1. Cassette compartment
A flap secured by a catch will be found on
the rear end of the camera. Press the catch
down, open the flap and slide the cassette
into the compartment.
The first time: do
not use force if the flap
will not shut. Remove the cassette and turn
it round. The maker 's label should be
visible through the
inspection window .
2. Inspection window
This enables you to check at any time if
your camera is loaded and if so, with what
type of film.
3. Film counter
The counter returns automatically to 0
when you open the cassette compartment
flap.
4. Filter switch
Sup er -8 film stock is designed to match the
color temperature of artificial light. Your
camera has a built-in filter to adapt it for
day light filming.
When filming in da ylight , turn the filter
selector to th e sun symbol, even if using
bl ack a nd white film. If you are filming in
a
rtifici al light, turn the red triangl e on the
switch to face the la
mp symbol.
Warning: when the
artificial light filter is
out of action, a second signal will apear
next to the film feed scale above the
vi ew-
find
er im age.
The
center of the filter switch contains a
spring,loaded button marked «+1 ». If you
keep this button pressed in, the automatic
exposure
control will open up the aperture
by one
additional stop number.
5. Lens iris control
Exposure control is achieved by varying the
iris aperture,
either automatically or by
hand (the iris setting
is shown on a scale
under the image in the viewfinder). In the
center: the
meter battery voltage testing
button
(2 x 1.35 volt cells in the camera
base). Set the master
electric switch 7 to
the red dot. Press the test button. The
aperture
indicator needle should move
across to the figure 8 on the aperture scale
under the viewfinder . The 8 is colored red
for easy identification.
The first
time: leave the aperture control
set to the red dot (= a utomatic exposure
control) .
6. Hand grip lock
The hand grip can be swung back out of
the way. The grip contains a safety box for
the 6 x 1.5 volt AA penlight cells which drive .
the camera
motor .
The first
time: If the camera does not start,
the batteries may ha
ve been inserted
wrongly into the box. Please
insert the
batte
ri es as shown by the symbols on the
box.
7. Electric master switch
0 = all power circuits switched off. This
setting preserves the batteries. Red dot =
all pow er circuits switched on. Black dot =
setting for checking voltage of drive batter -
ies. The switch is spring loaded in this
position. When press
eo in firmly, the aper-
ture
indicator ne ~ dl e on the scale under
the viewfinder should move as far as possi-
ble to the left of the test mark 8. If the poin-
ter remains to the right of the 8, new bat-
teries are required.
The
first time: If the camera does not start,
make sure that the master switch is set to
the
red dot position .
8. Outside power source connection
An storage battery is available as an acces -
sory (in
the Nizo Power Set), and enables
the camera to be driven with a greater re-
serve of energy
or alternatively direct from
the mains
power supply.
9. Shutter release
Can be comfortably operated with the in-
dex finger of the left or right hand. The
drive mechanism is started electromagneti-
cally.
Th e first time: Do not jerk the shutter re-
lease when operating. Do not film in short
bur sts (a good rule of thumb is to allow
each shot to run for 5-6 seconds).
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10. Connection for cable release
This connection is used if you wish to start
the camera motor with a cable release, for
instance if one is built into the control arm
of
your tripod. It can also be used for ani-
mation in
conjunction with the manual
single frame setting of the ca'mera.
11. Connection for electric remote release
The Nizo remote release (available as an
accessory) can be connected here, and the
camera
motor started by a built-in solenoid.
12. Continuous run switch
This switch is needed to operate the auto-
matic single frame filming device. Disen-
gage the switch from its catch, and swing
over ful'ly to the right. The camera will run
until the switch is moved back.
The
first time: Do not forget to set filming
speed switch 2 to the automatic single
frame (time lapse) position before operat -
ing the continuous run switch, or else
valuable film stock may be run through the
camera accidentally. •
13. Adjustable viewfinder eyepiece
This adapts the optical system of your
camera to suit your own eyesight, as on
binoculars.
Turn the
control until the line in the center
of the split image rangefinder in the view-
finder appears sharp. This initial setting is
important for correct through-the-Iens
rangefinding.
14. Lens focusing ring
To measure distance and focus the camera,
turn this ring until the vertical outlines of
the
object being filmed pass smoothly
(without a step) from one
half of the split
, image range finder in the viewfinder to the
other, Always set the zoom lens to the
maximum possible focal length
48, 56 or
80 mm, depending on camera type) before
using the rangefinder.
If you set the lens focusing and focal length
rings to the
red figures (colored for ease
of identification), you will be able to dis-
regard the focusing
problem for most nor -
mal shots. Ample depth
of focus will be
provided for action shots which would
otherwise call for a rapid reaction on your
part while filming.
15. Automatic power zoom
The lens can be zoomed with the built-in
motor by pressing a button while filming,
or alternatively set to the desired focal
length by hand before filming starts. A
word of warning: if you are filming at more
than about
25 mm focal length (tele lens),
you should rest
or lean your hand against
a solid
object or surface, or stand the ca-
mera on its handgrip. For absolutely steady
tele shots, a
tripod is the best solution.
The first time:
Zoom shots should be in-
corporated only sparingly into your film,
and are best avoided until you have time to
experiment.
16. The Nizo 801 model only is provided
with manual override for the power zoom
mechanism
On the Nizo 801 you can disconnect the
power zoom mechanism by turning the
black ring on the lens from the red
dot back
to
O. The long zoom lens lever supplied
with the camera can then be screwed onto
the focal length
control ring, and the focal
length varied as desired by hand while
actually filming.
17. Filming speed switch 1
(for slow-motion effects)
This switch enables you to vary the stand-
ard filming speed of
18 frames per second,
and to film instead at a semi-slow motion
speed
of 24 frames per second, or at 1/3 of
the normal speed, using
54 frames per
second. By pressing the
54 button transi-
tion from
18 or 24 frames per'second to 54
frames per second and back,
for special
slow motion effects.
The
first time: The 54 frames per second
running speed reduces exposure time. The
iris therefore opens
and the depth of focus
is reduced. For this reason you must
try
to focus as accurately as possible.
18. Filming speed switch 2(speeded-up action)
This switch operates the automatic single
frame mechanism, which provides a
conti-
nuously variable time-lapse filming facility
between 6 frames per second and approx.
1 frame per minute.

Set the red triangle on the switch to the
first black square on the semi-circular
scale. Operate the
continuous running
switch
12, followed by the master switch 7.
Adjust the setting until the desired filming
rate is obtained.
The black square between the end of the
scale and the red
dot is the setting for
manual single frame filming, with the shut-
ter operated by a cable release or the elec-
tric remote release unit.
In the «autom.'8» position, the filming
speed (image frequency) is
contro lled
automatically in
accordance with the
amount of light available (automatic ex-
tended exposure system).
The first time: For
normal filming, leave
the sw
it ch set to the red dot .
19. Variable shutler
If you pull back this spring loaded-lever as
far
as the stop while filming, you will
gradually fade out the picture. If, on the
other hand, you start to film with the lever
moved fully to the rear, and a
llow it to slide
forwards slowly
while the camera is run-
ning, the scene you are
filming will be
faded in gradually.
The first time: Do
not move the fade lever
too rapidly.
Reduced exposure (partially closed shut-
ter): move the lever to the '/2 position, then
pull down. The lever will engage in this
position.
Increased exposure position: move the
lever fully back and press the lock button.
Move the lever across into the shaded zone
and release the lock button. Note that the
film
im age will not be exposed until the
automatic
single frame mechanism advan-
ces the film to the next frame. This in-
creased exposure device operates only in
conjunction with the time lapse filming
speeds made possible by the automatic
single frame mechanism (filming speed
switch 2).
The first time:
After filming with the in-
creased
or reduced exposure time mecha-
nisms, do
not forget to release the variab-
le shutter lever
and move it back to the
normal setting .
20. Automatic dissolves
As you near the end of a shot, press the R
button on the camera. The automatic dis-
so lve mechanism will fade out the scene
you are filming, wind the film back by the
amount used
for the fade and halt the drive
motor.
When you are ready to start the shot form-
ing the second half of the scene containing
the dissolve, press the R button on the
camera
and the shutter release. The cam-
era will start to run and the shutter will
automatically open.
You can check the various phases of the
dissolve in the
window : 0 = ready for
phase 1 of the dissolve (fade-
out and re -
wind); R = ready for phase 2 of the dis-
solve (fade-in).
The
first time: Do not forget that a dissolve
is
intended to provide a smooth transition
between two scenes of your film,
and time
the shots
accordingly . .
21. Connection fo felectronic flash
You can connect a flash gun of adequate
performance to this socket, and use it to
illuminate
ultra s low time lapse shots.
22. On Nizo 801 and 561 only: pilot tone
cable connector
The Nizo 801 and 561 models incorporate
an oscillator, which can be used to trans-
mit a 1000 Hz contro l impulse for each
single or every fourth frame of film, depend-
ing on the sound system and tape recorder
cable in use.
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Drive system
Drive batteries and battery safety box
The camera motor and the power zoom
mechanism are
electric ally powered by six
1.5 volt AA penlight cell batteries. This type
of battery is obtainable everywhere
for use
in
transistor radios. We recommend the
use
of manganese-alkaline cells (for ex-
ample, Mallory MN 1500, Everready E 94,
Ucar E 94). The batteries are housed in a
safety box in the camera handgrip.
To obtain access to the patteries, press the
button beneath the shutter release and
swing down the hal'ldgrip. Pull back the
knurled catch on the upper section of the
handgrip. The battery box
will be partly
ejected. Loosen the knurled
screws on the
under side of the box until the cover can
be removed. Insert the six 1.5 volt cells as
indicated by the symbols. Repl'ace the
cover and tighten the knurled screws. The
studs on the box lid are of
differing lengths
so that the cover can only be replaced in
one position. Insert
the battery box into
the handgrip and
press down
gently until
the knurled catch snaps
into position over
the projection on the
box. If the batteries
have been inserted
incorrectly,the cainera
will not be damaged
but the drive
motor
will not run.
The safety battery
box protects the con-
tacts in the camera against damage caused
by electrolyte leaking from
old batteries.
It is a good idea to obtain a sp'are battery
box (available as an accessory), especially
when filming in extremely cold conditions .
If the batteries in the camera are exhausted
or too cold to drive the motor at full power,
the complete battery box can be replaced
by the spare unit, which should be kept in
your pocket so
that the batteries remain
warm.
Master electric switch
When the master switch is set to 0, the
circuits powered by the drive and meter
batteries are
disconnected . When set to
the running position (red dot), the batteries
supply a very small continuous current and
will therefore slowly become exhausted
Vo lt age
ch ec k
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ff Ope ra tin g
pos iti on
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even if the camera motor is not run. For
this reason, the master switch should al-
ways be turned to °whenever the camera
is
not operated a prolonged period. This
will also prevent the camera from running
if the shutter re·lease
is accidentally oper-
ated. Note, too, that if the handgrip is
swung back
but the master switch not set
to
0, the meter battery will continue to
operate at full
power .
The black
dot indicates the switch setting
for checking the condition of the drive
batteries.
Checking voltage of drive batteries
When moved to the black dot setting, the
master
electric switch is spring loaded so
that it
cannot accidentally be left in this
position. To check battery voltage, push
the master
electric switch along as far as
the black
dot and hold it temporarily in this
position. Examine the aperture scale at the
bottom of the image in the viewfinder; the

pOinter should have moved as far as pos-
sible to the left
(16, 22) and away from the
red-colored
8, which acts as a test mark.
If the pointer remains opposite the 8 or
even to the right of it, all six battery cells
should be removed from the battery box
as
soon as possible.
Connection to an outside power source
or storage battery using the Nizo Power Set
If a great deal of material is to be filmed,
the camera used on a long
journey or the
automatic single frame mechanism oper-
ated
for many days on end to produce
lengthly time-lapse shots, we recommend
the provision of
an outside power supply
using the Nizo Power Set (available as
an
accessory). The Nizo Power Set can be
obtained with
either the Barix storage
battery
or a dry type (NC) storage battery.
The carrying case
contains the recharge-
able storage battery with charging and
mains lead and maintenance equipment,
a special lead to
join the camera to the
storage battery and a special locking plate
to attach the
tripod direct to the camera
base. The storage battery is capable of
running up to 30 Super-8 cassettes through
the camera before recharging is necessary.
By means of the charging/mains lead, the
storage battery can be used in a «buffer.,
circuit to power the camera from the mains
supply, if a
prolonged time-lapse filming
session is being carried out. The storage
battery lead
connection is on the camera
base, next to ·the
variable shutter lever.
Further
details are given in the operating
instructions
for the Power Set
Holding the camera, operating the
shutter release
All Nizo cameras can be operated with
either the right
or the left hand. Past the
hand through the carrying
loop before
taking hold of the grip. The shutter release
can easily be reached and operated with
the index finger.
The large eyepiece
rubber cup supplied with
the camera will normally position the eye
at the
correct distance from the eyepiece
lens. It also helps to prevent extraneous
light from affecting the
quality of the view-
finder image. However, no
light can in any
circumstances reach the film after pene-
trating the viewfinder.
If you normally wear
glasses, you may
prefer to use the padded
eyepiece rubber cup, which provides aflatter
support when using the viewfinder. Either
the cushion rubber cup
or the standard eye-
piece rubber cup can be removed and in-
stalled
without difficulty if pushed over the
projecting rim on the eyepiece.
The hand not holding the camera is used
to operate
the focusing ring or the power
zoom. When actual1y filming, the free hand
can also be used to press the camera
gent-
ly but firmly down into the other hand.
Warning: While filming, do not accidentally
press the voltage check button in the lens
iris control switch, or else incorrect expo-
sures may result.
Using a tripod and cable release
Filming with the camera mounted on the
tripod always g·ives good results, since the
picture on the projection screen is after -
wards much steadier.
In addition, a tripod
greatly simplifies camera pans, zooming in
and out, manually controlled stop-motion
shots using the single frame mechanism
and general filming at focal lengths above
40 mm.
A threaded
hole is provided in the base of
the handgrip for the tripod screw. In other
words, the camera is attached to the tripod
head with the handgrip swung down into
the normal filming pOSition. If the camera
drive is to be operated by a cable release
attached to the tripod arm, the release
should be screwed into the first socket 8

9
from the right on the camera base. If you
wish to film single frames
without using
the automatic single frame mechanism,
you can shoot each frame by operating the
cable release once. In this case, the red
triangle mark on filming speed switch 2
must be turned to coincide with the
first
black square next to the red dot.
• •
timer
If the camera base is to rest directly on the
tripod head, the handgrip containing the
batteries must be swung away.
In this case,
the outside
power supply will be needed
(see section «Nizo Power Set»).
Electric remote release
Instead of a wire cable release, the camera
drive mechanism can also be operated by
means of a Nizo remote release cable
(available as
an accessory). This actuates
Co
nne c tion for
pytp n."nn le ad
!;;::::::~ RE ~ l e , " s e button
an electromagnet installed inside the ca-
mera body, and can also be used
for manu-
ally controlled
single frame filming. The
master switch must first be moved to the
red
dot position. The electric remote re-
lease comprises a 10 m (33 It) reel of
cable, only 1.2 mm (0.05 in) thick, a push
button release and a
connection for attach-
ing another 10 m (33 It) of extension cable.
If necessary, several reels of cable can be
connected
together so that the camera can
be operated from a maximum distance of
100 m (330 It) away.
The
electric remote release permits filming
with a concealed camera,
or shots in which
the cameraman himself appears
on the
screen. The camera should be set up ri-
gidly -preferably on a tripod -in front of
the scene to be filmed, the scene should
be
correctly framed by operating the zoom
lens, and the exposure control set to
«automatic». The electric remote release
plug should be inserted in the second
socket to the
lelt of the carrying loop. The
connection for further reels of extension
cable is located on the remote release reel
next to the push button release.
Conn ec tion for electric remot e release

The film cassette
Suitable films for your camera
The Nizo 801, 561 and 481 models are
designed to accept Super-8 film cassettes.
When the camera is loaded, the automatic
exposure control
is set to the film speed of
the film stock inside the cassette. The fol-
lowing film speed ranges are available:
Artificial light color film from 13 to 23 DIN
(= 16 to 160 ASA)
Daylight color ~ilm from 11 to 21 DIN
(= 10 to 100 ASA)
Black-and-white film from
11 to 21 DIN
(= 10 to 100 ASA)
Inserting cassettes, checking camera
loading
Open the flap on the rear end of the ca-
mera and insert the cassette
into the com-
partment with the film aperture at the front.
The
circular recess on the cassette should
be on the control knob side of the camera.
If the cassette is inserted the wrong way
round, the flap will
not close . In this case,
do not use force, but remove the cassette
and insert it the
other way round as de-
scribed.
The cassette itself
automatically adjusts
the exposure
control to suit the type of film
stock being used. The film counter returns
to the start position when the cassette
compartment flap
is openeed. The counter
also runs when there is no cassette in the
camera. The
outer scale indicates the
length of film still available in meters, the
inner scale in feet. The smooth side of the
camera (opposite to the side incorporating
the controls)
includes a window which
enables you to check whether the camera
is loaded and
what film stock is being used.
If film is passing out of the cassette,
through the camera and being returned to
the cassette correctly, a red illuminated
signal
will appear at intervals above the
viewfinder image. As the length of available
film is reduce'd, the intervals between the
light signals will become longer. When the
end of the film is reached, the
indicator
lamp above the viewfinder image will re -
main on continously. You can check
that
the film has been run completely through
the camera by
looking for the word «Ex-
posed .. in the film aperture of the cassette
after removal.
The built-in filter
Super -8 color films are manufactured to
suit the
lower color temperature of artificial
light. A built-in conversion
filter (red) ad -
justs the
color temperature to suit daylight
filming when the red
triangle on the film
switch is turned to face the sun symbol.
When filming in artificial light, the red mark
should be placed opposite the lamp sym-
bol.
The special setting is indicated by a red
lamp symbol on the right, above the view-
finder image, when the camera is running.
Note this
symbol if you film in daylight, to
prevent a heavy blue tinge on your films
when developed.
For all black-and-white film and
daylight
color films, the filter switch mark should
always be
left against the sun symbol.
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