Contax 159MM User manual

CONru
lnstructionmanual
Bedienungsanleitung
Moded'emploi
-llanual de inslrucciones
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www.orphancameras.com

The
operating
instructionsinthisrnanual
aregiven withreference
tothe camera
when
used
withthePlanar
T' 50mm f/l.4 for
PrograrnMode.
However,theoperations
arethesarne
when
other
interchangeable
ZeissT* lenseswith ProgramMode
capability
areused. DieindieserBroschure
gegebenen
Bedienungsanleitungen
beziehen
sich
aufdie
Kamera
inVerbindung
mitdemPlanar
T*
50mm,tf1,4
fUr
Programm-Betriebsart.
Die
gleichen
Bedienungs-
schritte
gelten
aber
auch,
wennandere
Zeiss
T*-Wechsel-
objektive
mit Programrn-Betriebsarten-Einrichtungverwendet
werden.

Contents
Description
ofParts
Lens
Changing
....
Battery
Installation
.
Film
Loading
Setting
the
Film
Speed
Focusing
Operation
Viewfinder
Display
Aperture
Ring
Shutter
Control
Dial
Film
Rewinding
Metering
System
Exposure
ModeSelection
....
Using
the
Program
AE
Mode
Using
the
Aperture-Priority
AE
Mode
....
Manual
Exposures
Exposure
Compensation
Quartz
Self-Timer
..
Multiple
Exposures
..
Flash
Photography
Release
Socket/l
nterchangeable
Camera
Back
Infrared
Compensatron
Mark/Focusing
Screens
Depthof-Field
Camera
Accessories
Camera
Care
lnhalt
Bezeichnung
der
Teile
Objektiurvechsel
Einlegen
der
Batterien
Filmeinlegen
.
Einstellung
der
Filmempfindlichkeit
..
Scharfeinstellung
Sucherdisplay
Blendenring
.
Versch
luR-Einstel
lscheibe
FilmrUckspulen
MeRsystem
.
Wahl
der
Belichtungs-Betriebsart
Verwendung
der
Programm-AE
Betriebsart
verwendung
der
Blenden-Vorwahl-AE
Betriebsart
Manuelle
Belichtung
BelichtungskomPensation
...
Quarz-Selbstausloser
Meh
rfachbelichtungen
Blitzfotograf
ie
Ausloserbuchse/Auswechselbare
Kameraruckwand
.....'
I
nf
rarotkorrektu
r-Markie
ru
ng/Suche
rscheiben
Schdrfentief
e
Kamerazubehor
Kamerapflege
Technische
Daten
..
6
12
l4
20
28
30
32
34
36
40
42
50
54
60
64
6B
BO
B4
B6
9B
r00
102
r06
rr0
I14
7
t3
t5
21
29
3l
33
35
37
4\
42
5l
55
6l
65
69
BI
B5
87
99
r0r
r03
107
ill
It5
Specif
ications
www.orphancameras.com

FilmSpeed
Ring
Exposure
Compensation
Dial
MainSwitch/Battery
Check
Electromagnetic
Shutter
Release
FilmAdvance
Lever
M
u
ltiple-Exposu
reLeve
r
Exoosure
Counter
AE
(Auto
Exposure)
LockLever
Lens
Release
Button
Carrying
Strap
Eyelet
Self-Timer
Index
Self-Timer
Button
Lock
Ring
Self-Timer
Button/Self-Timer
Flasher
Deoth-of-Freld
Preview
Button
AutoFlash
Contacts
Shutter
Control
Dial
Film
RewindCrank-Handle
FilmRewind
Knob
Direct
XContact
XSynch
Terminal
Contax/Yashica
Mount
Deflection
Mirror
Program
Coupling
Lug
Lens
Index

@
@
q)
@
@
@
o
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
o
@
@
@
(D
Viewfinder
Eyepiece
Accessory
Shoe
Shutter
Speed
Index
Shutter
Dial
Lock-Release
Button
Film
Rewind
Stud
FilmCassette
Chamber
Shutter
Curtain
Data
Back
LED
FilmGuide
Rails
Winder
Coupling
Terminal
Winder
Coupling
FilmRewind
Release
Button
Battery
Check
LamP
Release
Socket
Sprocket
Take-up
Spool
Pressure
Plate
Memo
Holder
Camera
Back
BatteryCompartment
Cover
TripodSocket
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(MountingtheLens)
Firstremove
the
camera-body
cap
andthen
insert
the
lens
mount
into
the
camera-body
mount,
matching
thered
doton
thelens
mount
withthat
on
the
camera
body.
Then,
gripping
thelens
barrel
firmly,
turn
thelens
clockwise
until
itlocks
with
a click.
When
using
a lens
cap
ofthe
snapontype,
attach
or
remove
itfrom
thelens
bypressing
inthe
twoside-tabs.
(RemovinE
the Lens>
While
pressing
thelens
release
button,
turn
the
lens
counterclockwise
slightly
andremove
itfrom
the
camera-
bodymount.
Always
keep
caps
onthe
camera-body
mount
andthe
lens
mount
when
thelens
isleft
offthe
camera.
o Avoid
touching
camera
interior
or lerrs
surface
with
your
fingers.
o Avoid
direct
sunlight
whenremoving
ormounting
the
lens
with
filmloaded
in
the
camera.

The
electronicshutter and exposureconfrol systems
of the Contax 159
MM arebattery
powered
so be sure
to operatethe camera with the batteriesloaded.
Usetwo 1.55Vsilver-oxide
batteries(5R44
or
equivalent)
or 1.5
Valkaline-manganese
batteries
(LR44
or equivalent).
tr Openthe battery
compartment
coveroncamera
base
by
unscrewingitcounterclockwise
with
a coin
edge.
Z Insert
two
batteries,
stackedtogether,
into
the
battery
holder
withthe
(
+ )sidefacing
upasshown
by
the
battery
polarity
marks
on
theholder.
Thenreplace
theholder
in
the
battery
compartment
and
firmly
securethe
cover.
lf
the
(+ )and
(-) sides
are
incorrectly
inserted,
the
camera
will
not
function.
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ln ON position
Position EIN
En position marche (ON)
En la posicion ON
ln OFF position
Position AUS
En positronarr€t (OFF)
En la posicton OFF
(Main Switch)
The
Contax
159
MM
has
a main
switch
whichis
used
to
turn
the
powbr
ON/OFF.
Turnthe
switch
in
direction
ofthe
arrow
until
itclick
stopsanda red dot
(for
ON)appears,
settingthecamerain
a state of readiness.
Withthe
main
switch
turned
on,
pressing
ofthe
shutter
release
button
partway
in
willcausetheviewfinder
LEDs
tolight
upand
stay
on
for16
seconds.Whenthe
main
switch
isturned
back
(red
dot
in
covered
position),
all
ofthe
electrical
circuitswill
be
turned
off,causing
allcamerafunctionsto
cease.
When
not
using
the
camera,
make
sure
thatthe
main
switchisturned
OFF
(red
dot
in
covered
position)
to
prevent
accidental
release
ofthe
shutter.
(BatteryCheck)
lfthe
batterycheck
lamp
lights
up
(red)
whenthe
main
switch
isfuither
turnedfromits
ON
position
in
direction
of
the
arrow,
itmeans
the
batteries
are
good.
Whenthe
batteries
weaken,
thelamp
will
give
awarningflash. In
thiscase,have
fresh
batteries
ready
or replace the
batteries.
Whenthe
batteriesfall
belowa rated output,the
lamp
will
not
light
and
the
camerawill
not
function.
t6

li I
f
$
(Battery Precautions)
r Batterylife
is
approximately
1year
with
silver-oxide
batteries,and
about
6 months with
alkaline-manganese
batteries,
butthismay
vary
depending
onfrequencyof
camera
use,
the
strengthof batteries
attimeof purchase,
ambienttemperature,
etc.
o When
changing
batteries,
replace
both
batteries
atthe
sametime.
Do
not
mix
old
and
new
batteriesorthose
of
differenttypes.
o Batteries
are
apttoperform
poorly
in
sub-zero
temperatures,
causing
picture
taking
difficulties
andLED
failure.
Keepthe
camera
aswarm
aspossible
andcarry
extra
batteries
just
incase
those
inthe
camera
should
fail.
Batteries
affected
bysuchextremetemperatures
will
recover
power
after
being
kept
warmfora while.
. Wheninstalling
batteries,
wipethe
cellcap
andbase
clean.
Oily
residue
onbattery terminals
could
cause
poor
electricalcontact.
. When
going
onextendedtrips,
take
along
a spare
set
offresh
batteries.
. Do
not
throw
batteriesinto
a fireorattemottotake
them
aoart.
o Keepthe
batteries
outofchildren'sreach.
lf swal-
lowed,
immediately
consult
a physician
for
emergency
treatment.
(VorsichtsmaRregelnfiir die Batterien)
o Silberoxidbatterien
haben
eine
Lebensdauer
von
etwa
einem
Jahr,
Alkalimanganbatterien
von
etwa
6 Monaten.
Die
Lebensdauer
derBatterienhdngt
jedoch
von
der
Hdufigkeit
desKameraeinsatzes,
derBatteriespannung
zumZeitpunkt
des
Kaufs,
derUmgebungstemperatur
und
anderenEinfluRfaktoren
ab.
o Tauschen
Sieimmer
beideBatterien
gleichzeitig
aus.
Mischen
Sienichtalte
undneueBatterien
und
solche
verschiedener
Typen.
. BeiTemperaturen
unterNull
nimmt
dieBatterieleistung
ab,waszuSchwierigkeiten
beimFotografieren
und
Versagen
derLeuchtdiodenfUhrt.
DieKamera
moglichst
warmhalten,
undErsatzbatterien
mitnehmen,
falls
die
Batterien
in
derKamera
versagen
sollten.Die
Spannung
derbei
sehrtiefenTemperaturen
versagendenBatterien
nimmt
wieder
zu,wenn
dieseeineZeitlang
warmgehalten
werden.
o Vor
Einsetzen
derBatterien
diese
oben
undunten
sauberwischen.
OligerRuckstand
aufden
Batteriepolen
kann
unterUmstdnden
einenschlechten
elektrischen
Kontakt
verursachen.
o Wenn
SieaufldngereReisen
gehen,
nehmen
Sie
einenSatz
frischer
Batterien
mit.
o Batterien
wederin
einFeuerwerfen
noch
zerlegen.
o Halten
Sie
die
Batterien
ausderReichweite
von
Kindern.Wenn
sie
verschluckt
werden,rufen
Sie
sofort
einen
Arzt.
l8
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Always usea standard 35 mm film cartridge (12,
20,
24or 36 exposure roll).
Avoid direct sunlight when
loading film.
tr Open,thecamera
backby
pulling
thefilmrewind
knob
all
the
wayout.
2 Place
the
filmcartridgeinthe
filmchamber.
Then,
push
therewind
knobbackin,turningit
slightlyuntil
it
falls
into
position,
ifnecessary
E| Draw
out
thefilm
leader
andinsertthetipinto
anyslot
onthe
take-up
spool.

w@
FF
oX
g Then
slowlyturn
the
spool
with
thefinger,
advancing
the
film
until
its
top
andbottom
perforations
engagethe
sprocketteeth.
E Before
closing
the
camera
back,make
sure
that
the
film
perforations
are
engaging
the
sprocketteeth
andthat
the
film
cassette
port
is
properly
positioned
as
shownin
theillustration.
E Take
up
any
film
slack
byunfolding
the
film
crank
and
turning
it
gently
in
direction
ofthe
arrow
until
it
stopswith
atightening
ofthe
film.
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ll Alternately
operating
thefilm
advance
lever
and
shutter
release
button,take
someblank
exposures
until
the
exposurecounter
reads
"1 " Use
the
"'1" reading
on
the
exposurecounter
as
your
starting
point
fortaking
photos
lfthefilmrewind
knobturns
when
you
operate
the
film
advance
lever,
it
means
thatthe
filmis
beingfed
properly
When
blankexposures
arebeing
made
before
the
exposure
counter
reaches
"1," the
camera
shutter
will
release
at 1/100
sec.
regardless
of the
selected
shutter
speed
(except
"8") setting,and
theshutter
speed
LED
within
the
viewfinder
displaywill
pulsate
at
"125.''
Whenthe
counterreaches
"1," the
camera
will
24 automatically
switchto the
selectedexposuremode.
(Film Advance
Lever)
Whenthe
film
advance
lever
is
stroked
a full throw,it
advancesthe
film
oneframe
andwinds
the
shutter
with
the
sameaction.
Setthelever
inthe
standoff
position
beforehandtoensure
a smoother lever
operation.

The
exposure
countermoves
each time the filmadvance
lever
isfully
stroked,
and automaticallyresets
to "S"
(Start)
whenthe cameraback isopened,regardless
of
whether
thecamera is loaded
or not Theexposure
counter
startswith "S," then
"1," followed
by even
numbers
from "2" Ihrough
"36 " Theodd numbers
are
indicated
by dotsmarked
betweenthe even numbers The
orange-colorgd
numbers
"12:' "20," "24'
' and "36"
correspond
to the number
of exposures
instandard
35
mm film
cartridqes
26
Usethe memo holder
to remind
filmis loaded
inyour camera by
film
cartoninto
it,
or even
useit
for the shots
you have
taken
yourself
of what type
of
slippingthe
endof the
to hold
the exposure
data
www.orphancameras.com

Besure to sef the f
ilm speed
properly as it is vitat to
obtainingcorrectexposure.The
applicablefitm speed
is indicatedon the outside film packet.
while
pulling
upon
the
film
speed
ring,
rotate
it
tillthe
film
speed
number
for
the
filmin
use
aligns
with
the
white
index
mark
rhen,release
thering,
letting
it
clickright
on
the
proper
click
stop
soon
after
setting
thefilm
speed,
check
tosee
that
the
exposure
compensation
dial
is
setat "X1."lf itis
at
any
setting
other
than
"X1,"
you
willnot
be
ableto
obtain
correct
exposures.
Filrn$peed
Values
tl$0)
FiImernpfindIichlqeitsskala
{lSO}
$ensibilitesdepellicu
le
(l$CI)
Valaresdela
sensibilidad
dela pel[cula
{l$O}
12 25 50 100 200 400 800 1600 3200
t..I..1..1..t.. 1.. 1..1.. t
16 20 32 40 64 80 125160 250
320 5oO 1m0
640 1250 2000
2500
28

Focusing ,s done with a split-image focusing center,
microprism
collar and a surroundingmatter screen.
When
using
the
split-image
spottofocus,
turn
the
focusing
ring
untilthe
top
and
bottomhalves
oftheimage
merge.
lfthe
image
is
out
offocus,
the
two
halves
willnot
merge.
To
focus
with
themicroprism
collar,
turn
thefocusing
ring
untilthe
glittering
effect
disappears
from
the
collar
area,
30
giving
you
a sharp,
clearimage
whenin
focus.
Tofocus
withthe
outer
matte
field,
turn
the
focusing
ring
until
the
image
appears
sharp
and
clear,
free
ofanyfoggy
effect.
' whenusinglong
focal-length
lenses,
or lenses
with
a
relatively
smallmaximum
aperture
(f4
orsrower),
orwhen
performing
close-up
photography
athigh
magnification,
the
microprism
collar
and
split-image
spotmay
become
dark,
making
focusing
difficult.
lnthis
case,
focus
using
the
outer
matte
field.
E
p
b
o
o
e
S
d
o
(
!
I
I
r
I
z
s
L
s
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When
the
shutter
release
buttonis
pressed
partway
in,
the
necessary
exposure
information
isindicated
byLEDs.
Since
the
eyepointhas
beenmade
longer
than
usual,
you
can
seethe
entireviewfinder
image
without
anyvignetting.
The
LED
displayfeatures
a 3-stage
brightness
control
Program
AE mode display Aperturedisplay
Blenden-Display
Affichagede I'ouverture
Indicacionde la abertura
Programm-AE
Betriebsart
Display
Affichage
du
mode
AE
programme
Indicacion
del
modo
programado
AE
which
automatically
adjusts
theintensity
to
the
prevailing
lighting
condition.
o When
the
exposed
film
is
sentout
for
processing
and
printing
of
standard
size
prints,
be
mindful
that
the
prints
will
show
somewhatless
than
what
will
appear
onthe
film.
Dedicated
flash
mark
Markierung
fur
angepaRten
Blitz
Repdredeflash
Marcadel
flash
Shutterspeed
LED
VerschluRzeiten-LED
LED
de
vitesse
d'obturation
LEDdevelocidaddelobturador
Shutter
speedscale
Verschlu
Rzeitenskala
Echelledes
vitesses
d'obturation
Escala
develocidades delobturador
xposurecompensationdisplay
Bel
ichtungskompensations
Display
Affichagede la compensationd'exposition
de exposicion
Indicacionde la compensacion
32

The
aperturering
regulates
the
amountof light
transmitted
tothefilm
plane.
The
amount
of light transmission
is
halved
whenthe
aperture
is
changedtothenextlarger
f
value
(for
example,when
f/4ischanged
to f/5.6),
and
doubled
whenitis
changed
tothenext
smaller
f value.
The
aperture
also
controlsthe
depthoffield,
a lens
property
giving
you
varying
depthintheplane
offocus
at
differentapertures.
(Refer
to page
102)
To
setthe
aperture,turn
the
aperturering
untilthe
desired
aperture
setting
is
alignedwith
the
aperture/distance
scale
index.
The
aperturering
can
beused
at in-between
positions.
Theminimum
aperture
settingof "16" isin
green
to
indicate
that
thelens
is
tobe
setatthis
position
in
the
34
Program
AE
mode.
Theminimum
aperture
settingvaries
with
thetype
of lens in
use.
The
aperturecanbe
confirmed
using
theviewfinder
aperturedisplay.
IntheProgramAE
mode,
the
camera-
selectedaperture,and
intheAperture-priority
AE
and
the
Manualmodes,the
user-selectedaperture,
as
well
as
intermediatevalues,
aredisplayed.
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Thef
unction of the shutter rs to control the length of
time the film is exposedto light. On the Contax 159
MM, whethersef in the ProgramAE. Aperture-priority
AE,
or Manual exposure
mode, the shutter speedis
controlled by an electronic circuit incorporating a high
precisionquartzosci
Ilator.
(Shutter ControlDialSetings)
"P" (for
Normal
ProgramMode) Fortaking
pictures
in
the
general
program
AEmode.
"HP" (for
High-speedProgramMode) Fortaking
pictures
in
the
program
AE
mode
usinga high
shutter-
priority
speedof 1/1000 second.
36
I'LP"(for
Low-speedProgram
Mode) Fortaking
pictures
in
theprogram AEmode
usinga low
shutter-priorityspeedof
1/60
second.
(34" Fortaking
pictures
in
the
Aperture-priority
AE
mode.
"4(X)0"
tw
"1" For
exposure
settingsusing
theManual
gxposure
mode.
"4000,""500,"
"60,"and "1" represent
usable
shutter
speedsettingsof 1/4000,1/500,1/60 and1
second
respectively.
When
thesetting isshifted to a next
larger
number
(for
example,from125to250),theexposure
timeis
successively
halved
with
each
setting;
conversely,
when
shifted
toa next
smaller
number,the
exposuretime
is
successively
doubled
with
eachsetting.
3'B^" The
shutter
remains
open
during
thetimethe
shutter
release
buttoniskept
pressed
soitisused
fortaking
long
exposureshots.
(Setting the Shutter
Control
Dial)
Set
the
shuttercontrol
dial
byturningituntilthe
desired
number
or letter
(all
letter
settings
click-stopped)
aligns
with
the
shut
speed
index.
The
dial
locksin
the
"P,"
"HP,""LP,"
and
"A"
positions
to prevent
accidental
shifting
ofthe dialed
mode.
The
dialcanbeunlocked
by
pressing
the
shutter
dial
lock-release
buttonand
turningthe
dialatthe
same
time.
o The
dial
cannot
beused
inint
mediate
settingsbetweenclick
stops.

When
the end of the roll of film is reachedit will not
bepossibleto advancethefilm any further.lnstead
of
attempting to forcibly advance the film, check the
exposure
counter to seewhetheryou havecome to
theend of the roll. lf so,be sureto rewind the film
into ifs cassettebeforeremovingit from the camera.
tr Depressthe
film
rewind
release
button
oncamera
base
for
aninstant
and
let
go.
2 Unfold
the
film
rewind
crank
handle
and
turn
itin
directionof
the
arrow.Whenthefilm
endunhitchesf
rom
thetake-up
spool
you
willfeela slight
resistance;however,
continue
rewinding
until
the
crank
handlerotates
freely.
Then
openthecamera
backand
removethe
cassette
fromthe
camera.
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