Canon Auto Zoom 1218 User manual

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CCA Filter Switch
Shutter Lock Dial
Shutter Release Button/Cable Release Socket
Lens Hood Attachment Socket
Side Cover Latch
Film Type Window
Zoom Lens
Battery Test Button
for Penlight Batteries
Battery Test Button
for Mercury Batteries
Trigger Grip Attachment Screw
Trigger Grip Attachment Socket
Trigger Grip Attachment Socket
' Single Frame Release Socket
Trigger Grip Attachment Screw
Tripod Socket
Trigger
2

Power Zoom Switch
/
Wrist Strap
Knob for Lower Battery Chamber
Trigger Grip
Zoom Control Dial
Zoom Range Setting Lever
Indicator Line
Focusing
Manual Zoom
Zoom Range Setting
Film Transport Indicator
Battery Tester Window
Remote Control Switch Socket
Knob for Upper Battery Chamber
Eyepiece
Aperture Control Ring
Footage Counter
Film Plane Indicator
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Follow these simple steps for the electric eye
operation of your camera:
Load the batteries for the power system
Adjust the eyepiece to your eyesight.
Check the power levels of the batteries
2 Attach the trigger grip.
Set the CCA filter switch so that the "sun'' mark can be seen.
3 Insert a Super 8 film cartridge.
Turn the shutter lock dial to "R".

Set the aperture control ring at "AUTO".
Set the filming speed selector at "18”.
Look through the viewfinder and focus.
Decide the composition of the picture by setting the zoom
control dial either at "H" or "L” and pressing the power
zoom switch.

7 Check whether the exposure meter needle is within the proper
range.
8 Pull the trigger.
Zoom in and zoom out according to your needs.
Refer to the following pages for applying ad¬
vanced techniques to your movie making:
page
Manual Aperture Control 18
Fadings.18
Shooting with Artificial Light.19
Filters .20

Main Features of Your
CANON AUTO ZOOM 1218
Please read this instruction booklet careful¬
ly, and master the manipulations of the
various parts completely before inserting
the film cartridge into the camera. If you
are thoroughly versed in the correct han¬
dling of this movie camera, you can get the
maximum performance out of Canon Auto
Zoom 1218 to your greatest satisfaction.
■ Extraordinarily sharp and fast F1.8 12-times zoom lens with
zooming range of 7.5-90mm.
■ Uses Super 8 film cartridge — simple cartridge loading with
automatic film speed setting.
■ Automatic through the-lens exposure control with CdS cell.
■ Single-lens reflex viewing and microprism screen rangefinder
for accurate focusing.
■ Two-speed power zooming.
■ Manually operable aperture.
■ Power film drive—18fps normal filming speed, slow motion
and single frame.

Canon auto zoom 1218 super 8
CANON CAMERA C0..INC MAOE IN JAPAN
.
Loading of Mercury Batteries for Electric Eye
Before using your new camera, load it with the two mercury bat¬
teries packed in a separate envelope. The electric eye functions
only when the batteries are properly inserted.
1 Remove the lower battery chamber cover by turning the knob
to the left.
O Insert the mercury batteries according to the insertion diagram
A on the tab in the chamber.
Q After loading two penlight batteries also into the lower battery
” chamber (see the following page for proper loading), attach
the lower battery chamber cover by turning the knob to the right.
4 Use two 1.3 v M20 (#625) batteries of the same make — equiva¬
lent to Mallory RM-625R, Eveready E625N, GE #625, National
M-1D or Toshiba TH-MC.
4 Before inserting, wipe all the poles clean of fingerprints or stains
with a dry cloth. Unclean poles may cause corrosion and damage
the contact points of the camera.
4 Be sure the mercury batteries are inserted in the correct direc¬
tion. Otherwise, the electric eye will not function properly.
4 When not using the camera, keep the shutter lock dial at "L”.
4 Life of the mercury batteries in continuous use is approximately
one year. Replace the two mercury batteries simultaneously.
4 The mercury batteries can be easily removed by pulling out the
tab. Do not discard the tab.

Loading of Penlight Batteries
Load five 1.5 v penlight (size AA) batteries for film drive and power
zoom.
1 Remove the lower battery chamber cover. Insert the two pen-
* light batteries according to the insertion diagram, and screw
the cover back on.
O Loosen the knob for the upper battery chamber by turning it
to the left. Remove the top cover by sliding it backwards.
Insert three penlight batteries with the + poles facing towards
the front according to the diagram inside the chamber.
Adjustment of Eyepiece
Adjust the eyepiece before putting on the top cover.
1 Aim the camera in the direction of a bright subject and then
' look into the viewfinder.
0 Turn the eyepiece adjustment ring and adjust it so that the
L f/stop scale can be clearly seen. The eyepiece is now adjusted
to your eyesight.
9 Slide the top cover back on and then tighten the knob for the
” upper battery chamber by turning it to the right.

Checking the Power Level of Batteries
After the batteries have been loaded, check the power level of the
batteries. Press the battery test buttons at the bottom of the
camera, and check the position of the needle seen in the battery
tester window.
1 For checking the mercury batteries, press the white button. If
' the needle is in the blue zone the batteries have sufficient
power level. Otherwise, the mercury batteries must be replaced.
2 For checking the penlight batteries, press the red button. If
the needle is in the blue zone the batteries have sufficient
power level for power zoom, 18fps and slow motion. If the needle
is in the white zone the batteries have power level for power zoom
and 18fps only. And if the needle does not move past the red
zone, the penlight batteries must be replaced.
4 Always check the power level of the batteries before shooting.
Attaching of Trigger Grip
Align the connecting parts of the trigger grip and the camera and
attach the grip onto the camera by screwing the attachment screws
into the attachment sockets.

Setting of the CCA Filter Switch
Under normal daylight conditions, set the CCA filter switch so that
the “sun” mark can be seen.
4 Refer to page 19 for shooting with artificial light.
Loading of Film Cartridge
1 Open the side cover by sliding the side cover latch in the direc-
' tion of the arrow.
O Slide the Super 8 film cartridge in towards the front of the
camera with the label side facing upwards. Then set it into
position by lightly pressing down on it. The film speed is auto¬
matically set with the insertion of the cartridge.
0 Close the side cover by pressing it.
A Set the shutter lock dial at " R Pull the trigger or press the
■ shutter release button for confirming the film advance. If you
can hear the sound of film winding and the white dot in the film
transport indicator revolves, it means the cartridge is properly
inserted.
4 The Super 8 film cartridge is loaded with 50-foot length film.
There is no need for flipping over the cartridge in reverse direction
halfway through the film.
Footage Counter
The footage counter tells you how many feet of film you have
exposed. It automatically resets to “0“ when the cartridge is
taken out.

Setting of the Aperture Control Ring
For the electric eye operation, set the aperture control ring at
“AUTO”.
4 The electric eye will function only when the ring is set at the
click-stop position of ''AUTO”.
4 Refer to page 18 for other uses of the aperture control ring.
Setting of the Filming Speed Selector
1 Set the filming speed selector at ''18” for shooting at the
* normal speed of 18fps.
O Set the selector at ''SLOW MOTION” for shooting at a high speed
^ of approximately 45fps. "SLOW MOTION” is very effective
when analyzing movements or for prevention of blurring during
panning.
4 Be sure to shift the filming speed selector when not pulling the
trigger.
Holding the Camera
1 Hold the trigger grip with the right hand and place the fore-
* finger on the trigger. The right elbow should be firmly pressed
against the body. Focusing, zooming and manual aperture control
are performed with the left hand.
2 For best results, use a tripod or the Canon Chestpod, especially
when shooting in telephoto or when zooming.

Canon Chestpod
The Canon Chestpod is used for increasing the stability of the
camera and preventing blurring.
With the use of its leg and neck strap the Chestpod firmly holds
the camera against the upper part of your body. The Chestpod
js especially effective when zooming and shooting in telephoto.
Focusing
Your camera has a microprism screen rangefinder built into the
center of the viewfinder. Adjust the focus by turning the focusing
ring so that the subject can be seen most clearly through the
microprism screen rangefinder.
When you intend to zoom in be sure to focus at maximum desired
telephoto focal length and then return to the wide-angle side
for shooting. The aligned image can be seen more accurately
the longer the focal length of the lens. The focal point does not
change by zooming.
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Zooming
When you wish to zoom or want to compose your picture properly
in the viewfinder, turn the zoom lens by pressing the power zoom
switch or using the manual zoom lever. The image seen through
the viewfinder will change in magnification and the field-of-view
will also change.
When zooming is performed during shooting, any desired zooming
effect can be reproduced on the film.
Power Zooming
You can obtain smooth and regulated zoom effects by power
zooming.
I S et the zoom control dial according to your needs. If you wish
to zoom in high speed, set the dial at “ H ". If you wish to
zoom in low speed, set the dial at " L". The necessary zooming
times for the entire range are 3-6 and 10-12 seconds in 11 H " and
“ L” respectively.
2 Press the power zoom switch. Zooming towards telephoto is
obtained by pressing "T” and towards wide-angle by pressing
“W”.
4 Do not turn the zoom lens manually while the zoom control dial
is set at “ H " or " L".
Manual Zooming
When you wish to zoom faster or slower than at regular speed,
rotate the zoom lens manually.
■ j Set the zoom control dial at "MANUAL”.
2 Turn the zoom lens by using the manual zoom lever.
Zoom Range Setting Levers
You can fix the zoom range by shifting the zoom range setting
levers at any two focal points within the entire range. Zooming
will not be performed beyond the fixed range.

Checking the Exposure Meter Needle
1 Aim the camera at the subject and check the position of the
• exposure meter needle inside the viewfinder. You may pull the
trigger or press the shutter release button if the needle is pointing
inside the range of the f/stop scale.
2 Exposure with the electric eye is improper if the needle is point¬
ing to either of the red marks on both sides of the f/stop scale.
If the needle is pointing to the red mark on the leftside it means
under-exposure, and so the lighting must be increased.
If the needle is pointing to the red mark on the right side it means
over-exposure, and so a neutral density (ND) filter must be attached
to restrict the light intensity.
4 Be 'sure that the shutter lock dial is set at “R”. Otherwise,
the meter needle will not move.
Shooting
■ j Set the shutter lock dial at “R”.
2 Pull the trigger or press the shutter release button. The shutter
will function and the film will advance.
Lens Hood
Attach the exclusively-designed lens hood on your camera to pre¬
vent unpleasant glare, especially when shooting against the light.
Under-Exposure
Warning Mark
Over>Exposure
Warning Mark
f/Stop Scale
Exposure Meter Needle
15

Two types of rubber-hooded eyecups are supplied with your camera.
One is for use by those not wearing glasses and the other is for
those wearing glasses. Attach the eyecup of your preference.
Shutter Lock Dial
1 Safety Lock: When the shutter lock dial is set at "L" the
shutter release is locked and the power circuit is disconnected.
O Running Lock: Set the shutter lock dial at " R ", pull the
trigger (or press the shutter release button), and the camera
will start to run. Next, while still pulling the trigger, turn the
shutter lock dial to position. You can now release your forefinger
from the trigger and the camera will continue to run until the dial
is returned to "R” position.
Cable Release Socket
You can use the cable release socket for continuous running or
when the camera is used on a tripod.
Single Frame Release Socket
Single frame photography is performed by inserting the cable
release into the single frame release socket.
Attach your camera on the tripod, set the shutter lock dial at “ R ",
set the filming speed selector at “18", and press the cable release
to expose one frame at a time.

Panning
Panning is employed when shooting a scene from one position to
another by moving the camera around horizontally to make a con¬
tinuous shot over a wide area in one sequence.
4 Do not move the camera too rapidly in any direction, particularly
vertically. Use of a tripod is recommended.
4 Panning shots are usually started from subjects of less impor¬
tance and move on to the most important subject where it ends
by running the film longer on the last sequence.
4 It is important, when shooting panoramic pictures, to move the
camera at a constant speed.
Remote Control
With the use of a separately available remote control switch you
can operate the camera from a distance.
1 Insert the remote control switch cord into the remote control
' switch socket of the camera.
O Turn the shutter lock dial from "R" to while pulling the
trigger or pressing the shutter release button.
Q Push the knob on the remote control switch in the direction
^ of the arrow. The camera will start to run until the knob on
the remote control switch is returned to its former position.
4 When disconnecting the cord of the remote control switch from
the camera, be sure to return the shutter lock dial to “ R" first.
Otherwise, the film will start advancing.
4 The length of the cord for the remote control switch is 8 meters
(26 feet).
4 When shooting pictures with the remote control switch, first
ascertain the position of the subject and then cover the eyepiece
with the viewfinder cover to prevent reverse incoming light.
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Manual Aperture Control
The aperture can be manually controlled by switching the aperture
control ring to “MANUAL” and turning it in the direction of the
arrow. In manual operation, any desired f/stop can be set by turn¬
ing the ring while looking at the f/stop scale inside the viewfinder.
The smallest aperture opening is f/22 ( i.e., the position of the red
mark on the right side. Use this method when shooting against
the light or when you wish to stress high-key or low-key effects.
4 The exposure meter needle moves, even in the case of manual
operation, only when the mercury batteries are loaded.
4 Open one and a half f/stop further when you shift the filming
speed selector from “18” to “SLOW MOTION”.
Fadings
Fadings are used to show the elapse of time or a change in scene,
for instance, when the scene on the stage changes at the end of
a theme.
You can perform fade-ins and fade-outs with the combined use of
the aperture control ring and a neutral density (ND) filter. Use
a tripod when you perform fadings.
1 Attach an ND filter over the lens. By using an ND filter and
1 making a larger difference between the proper f/stop and the
minimum f/stop of f/22, fadings can be performed smoothly and
effectively.
O Confirm the proper f/stop by aiming the camera at the subject
^ with the aperture control ring set at “AUTO”.
Q Switch over the aperture control ring to “MANUAL”. Turn the
” aperture control ring from the minimum f/stop to proper f/stop
in the case of fade-in, and from the proper to minimum f/stops
in the case of fade-out.
4 Fading times of 1-1.5 seconds for a fast changing scene, and
2-3 seconds for a slower changing scene are advisable.

Shooting with Artificial Light
Your camera has a built-in Color Conversion A (CCA) filter so that
you can use tungsten type color film, for example, Kodachrome II
“Outdoor and Indoor Type A", under daylight conditions.
When shooting under artificial light, push the CCA filter switch
so that the red “ bulb ” mark appears and the CCA filter is released
from the optical system. In this case, shooting under ordinary
bulbs (bulbs that are not blue) becomes possible.
4 When using black and white or daylight type color films, the
built-in CCA filter is automatically cancelled with the insertion of
the film cartridge. When shooting under artificial lighting with
daylight type color film, use a blue lamp or a CCB filter over the
lens. The CCA filter switch should be kept at the same position
so that the “sun" mark can be seen.
19

Canon Filters Series IX
Type
Filter Characteristics
o#
UV (SL 39.3C)
Absorbs only ultra-violet rays. Especially ef¬
fective at seaside and high mountains. Re¬
commended for use in color photography.
0
Y3 (SY 50.2C)
increases contrast of monochrome film.
Enhances clouds, darkening the blue sky.
Brightens red and yellow.
0
R1 (SR 60.20
Makes strong contrasts. May also be used
with infrared film.
•
SKYLIGHT
Acts to harmonize the blue sky and shade.
09
ND 4
ND 8
ND4 reduces light volume by 1 / 4 , ND8
by 1/8. No effects on the reproduction of
colors of color film.
20
O For black and white film. • For color film.
Filters
A wide variety of Canon Filters Series IX for your camera are
available. Dismount the filter holder of the zoom lens, insert a
Series IX filter, and replace the filter holder.
Since Canon Auto Zoom 1218 is incorporated with a through-the-
lens exposure measuring system, any type of filter can be attached
without regard to the exposure factor.