Nikon Nikomat Elw User manual

·INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Foreword
The Nikomat
ELW is Nikon's new 35 mm SLR with automatic exposure con-
trol, which
is thorough-going in its accuracy, durability and is easy to operate.
This new camera
has made automatic film winding possible with use of the
Auto Winder AW-l, a new exclusive accessory.
To take pictures
of good quality, it is most imp ortant that you fully understand
the functions
of a camera, and learn to operate the controls with ease and
conf
id ence. If you are a beginner, please read the section on basic operations of
this instruction manual. Keep this manual handy for ready reference. The time
you spend familiarizing yourself with the camera
will guarantee you the best
results and increase your picture-taking enjoyment many times over.
About the Nikon Warranty
The Nikon Worldwide Service Warranty Registration Card, which identifies
your Nikomat
ELW by its serial number, is your guarantee that the camera
you buy
is a new one. When you return this card to a Nikon distributor you will
receive your Nikon Worldwide Service Warranty Certificate, which entitl es you
to a one-year warranty anywhere throughout the world, subject to the
conditions listed
in the certificate.
Only
an authorized Nikon dealer can provide you with a Nikon Warranty
Registration Card.
We cannot guarantee any camera or lens sold to you by an
unauthorized dealer without a Warranty Registration Card, since it may be
second-hand equipment.

CONTENTS
NOMENC LATUR E ... . • .. .. . . . .. . .. . .. . 2 Reminder check
li st ..... . ........... . . 32
F EATUR ES ... ... . .. ............... . 6 APPLIED OPERATIONS . .
... . . .. ... . .. . . 33
SPECI F ICATIONS .... . .... . ....... . ... 8
TTL EX POSURE METER .. . .. .. ..... . .. 34
BASIC OPERATIONS ........... . ...... . 11 EV ran
ge chart .. . ..... . .......... 36
Ba tt ery ca re .... . . . .. . .... . ........ 12
In
sta lling the bat te ry .... . ........... 12
Ba
tt ery t es t ...... . ... .. . .. . . .... 13
Repl
aci ng the ba t te ry. .. . .. . ..... . ... 14
Not es on batt ery ca r e. . . . . . . . . . .. 15
Mountin g the lens ......... . ....... . .. 16
Removi ng the lens
....... .. ...... . ... 17
Att ac hing & re mo ving th e Nikon Au to
Winder AW -l . . . . . . . . .. . ........... 18
EXPOSURE CONTROL
... . .... . ..... .. 40
The s
hutt er sp ee d dial a nd the us e ... . .. . . 40
Automatic ex pos ur e control ...... . ... . . 40
Manual ex
po s ur e c ontrol . . ....... . . . .. 41
Le ns ape rtur e diaphr ag m. . ....... . .... 42
Depth-of-field p
re vi ew button . .. . ..... . . 42
Stop·down expos
ur e meas ur eme nt ....... . 43
COMPENSATION OF EXPOSU RE.
... ... .. . 44
How
to use me mor y lock .... ........ . 45
G
EN E RAL ST E PS OF PICTURE- TAKING ....... 19 Repro-copyin
g, slid e-co pying a nd
Loading a f ilm ........... . .. . ....... 20
Se
ttin g th e ASA film s pe ed . . ....... . . ... 22
Se ttin g s hutt er -s p ee d dial at A (Auto) . ... .... 22
Winding the film . . ... . ........ . ... .. 23
Blank exposure
... .. .. . . ........ ... . 24
Frame c
ount er .. . . .. . .. . ........... . 24
photomi crography .... .... ..... . ... 46
DEPTH OF
FIELD ..... ... ..... ... ... 47
SELF-
TIMER .. . . .. ..... . .. . . .. . .. . 48
MIRROR LOCK ... .. .... . . . ... . ... . 49
INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY .... . . . .... . 49
FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION . .. .. ....... 50
Se
ttin g the ape rtur e ring .. .... .. ........ 25
Holdin g the ca mera ... . ..... . ....... .. 26
Focusing
......... . .......... .. ... 26
Vi ewf inder frame coverage.. . . . ... 27
Rel
eas ing th e s hut te r ... . ........ .. ... . 28
Re
windin g and unloading f ilm . .. . .... . . . . . 29
ACCESSORIES
.. ...... . . .. ...... .. ... 53
NIKON AUTO WINDER AW -l ...... ... ... 54
FILT E RS . . ... . . . ..... . ..... . .... 55
LENS FOOD . . .
..... . ............. 56
OTHER ACCESSORIES . . . . .... . ....... 57
CAMERA CARE CAUTIONS ........ .. ..... 58
Photogra
ph y of automa ti c ex p os u re co ntr ol ..... 30

NOMENCLATURE
Front (ELW body only)
r------------ Depth-of-field preview button
.-------- Mirror (do not touch the surface)
Meter co uplin g pin
Lens-release bu tton
ASA film-speed setting ring
trap eyelet
L- _______ Battery chamber
L- _________ Ba yo net mount
L- ____________ Self-timer/memory lock

NOM E NCLATURE
Top (With 50 mm Fl.4 lens installed)
Shutter speed indi
Film-advance lever / meter on - off <witdh ----
Film-plane indicator --- ..,.
3
Meter ON mark
Synch indicator window
Shutter speed dial
Shutter speed dial lock
Strap eyelet
Frame cou
ntf" ----" :..::s.I
Meter ON
Shutter-release b
JtVon ·-------1
Aperture ring ----------'
Aperture scale ----------
Depth -of-field scale ----------
Bottom (Camera body only)
Coupler for Auto Winder
R
ewind button -----
...------------ Hot-shoe contact
1,....----------- Meter coupling pin
~ ---, = -=::------ Accessory shoe (Hot-shoe)
R
ewind knob
ASA film-speed setting ring
Synch
termin al (with cap)
Back cover lock
ASA film-speed index
1..-.:'-- ___ Rewind crank
'------- Mirror-lock lever
'------- ASA film-speed dial lock
~ ______ Meter coupling prong
'---= = == '------- Aperture indicator / Di stance index
....------- Distance scale
r------- Focusing ring
to-winder connecting terminal
Tripod socket/Auto Winder
attaching screw socket

Back
.---------------------------------- Film chamber
.--------------------------------- Film holding fork
r------------------------------- Battery check button
r------------------------------ Battery check lamp
r----------------------------- Film guide rails
,------------------------ Viewfinder
.------------------ Sprocket
r--------------- Film take-up spool
~------ Film press i ng roller
Back cover
Film pressure plate
L- ________________________ Shutter curtain

NIKON AUTO WINDER AW -l
;;;;;:: :--------------------------------- Co upl er
Power switch
-----,
Pil ot lam
Rewind
butt on spindle
=- ------------------ Camera a tt aching sc rew
=- ------------ Camera connecting terminal
Battery cha
mb er cover sc rew
r----------- Ba tt ery cha mb er cover
r------------ Rewind butt on
,..------- Tripod socket
Camera a
tt aching sc rew
5

6
FEATURES
1. When used with the Auto Winder AW-1, the
Nikomat
ELW will automatically wind the
film after releasing the shutter-release button.
2. It is an automatic exposure control camera
with an apertur e- priority automatic electro nic
shutter s pe ed control system. A manual
shutter-s pe ed- priority system can a ls o be
employed.
3. It is equipped with an exposure memory lock,
convenient when taking pictures with severe
brightness differences between subject and
background.
4. At the automatic setting, the shutter speed
can
be set from 1/1000 to a full 4 seconds,
and all speeds in between, and the shutter
speed can be visually confirmed in the view-
finder.
5. At a manual setting, exposure can be set u si ng
the match needle ma nu al system.
The shutter speed can be set from 1/1 000 to a
full 4 seconds, using precalibrated settings
plus B.
6. The Nikomat ELW has a built -i n TTL center-
weighted exposure meter. The meter, coupled
with any Ni kkor interchangeable lens with
the Nikon bayonet mounting system, can
perform
not only at full aperture but also
stop-down measurement as well, using the
depth-of-field preview button.
7. The reliability of the meter is insured by the
adoption
of monolithic Integrated Circuit
and Functional Resista
nce Element(FRE}
in its electronic circuitry.
8. Even if the exposure meter battery is deplet-
ed, the shutter
will operate at 1/90 sec.
m
ec hanically.
9. The shutter can
be synchronized with an
electronic flash up to the high speed of 1/125
sec.

10. To avoid accidental or improp er operation,
the following safety locks have been provided:
Refer
to the nomenclature page for the loca-
tion
of each of these items.
(1)
To lock the shutter -release button and
the exposure meter power source, set
the shutter -release button lock and the
film-advance lever at their locked posi-
tion (flush against the camera).
(2)
The sh~tter speed dial locks when it has
been
set on automatic (A). For manual
exposure control, release the lock by
pressing the silver button at the center of
the shutter speed dial, and set the dial to
the desired speed.
(3)
The rewind crank cannot be raised unless
you slide back
the back cover lock. This
prevents accidental opening
of the back
cover.
(4)
The ASA setting ring cannot be turned
without pressing the ASA dial release lock.
11. All parts, including the built-in battery
checker, hot shoe, synch terminal with screw
connector, etc., have been designed with con-
venience
in mind.
7

8
SPECIFICATIONS
Type ........................................ 35 mm Single lens Reflex Camera
Picture area ..... .. ... .. .................. 24 mm x 36 mm
Film used ................................. Various types of 35 mm film
Lens mount ..... .. . .. .............. .. . .. Nikon F bayonet mount
Viewfinder ............................... Eye-level pentaprism type
Viewfinder screen .........
.. ..... .... Split micro system (K type)
Central portion-split system
(3 mm in diameter)
Outer ring-microprism system
(1 mm width)
Viewfinder frame coverage ....... Approx. 92% of final picture area
Mirror .. .... ......... .. .......... .. ......... Quick return type with mirror lock system
Shutter . .. ......................... .. ...... Electromagnetic-controlled focal-plane shutter with down-
ward-vertical movement
Shutter speed .......... .. ....... .. . .. ... *Stepless speed variations from 4 ~ 1/l 000 sec . on auto
control
*Speed variations same on manual control plus 8, except
that they are stepped
In either case, the shutter speed can be confirmed by the
indicator needle inside the viewfinder
* When power source exhausted, speed mechanically fixed
at 1/90 sec.
Exposure meter .......... .. .. .. .. .. .... *TTL CdS meter with center-weighted metering at f ull
aperture with Nikkor auto lenses.
*Maximum aperture range: f/1 .2 ~ f/5.6
* ASA range: 25 ~ 1600 (19 settings)

* Metering range: EVl ~ EV18 with ASA 100 and Fl.4
lens (e.g., f/1.4, 1 sec. ~ f/16, 1/1000 sec. at ASA 100 with
50
mm Fl.4 lens)
Full aperture F number scale .... 1.2 -2.8 -5.6
Film winding .................
.. .... .. .. A single stroke with the film-advance lev er winds film 135°,
clearance angle 30°
Automatic winding
of approx. 2 frames/sec. is possible by
the use of the Nikon Auto Winder AW-l
Frame counter .... .. .... .. ............. Additive, automatic resetting
Self-timer ....
.. ........................... Can be set for 8- to 10-sec. delay. Also serves as memory
lock
Film rewind
.. ........................... Crank system. Rewind button returns automatically
Accessory shoe .................. .. ..... Contains hot-shoe contact
Synch terminal .
.. ...................... Inner thread accepts Nikon synch cords for positive
connection
Synch contact ....................
.. .... Flash lamp (6 mark) a nd electronic flash (~mark)
switch-over system
The electronic units can
be synchronized up to 1/125 sec.
Battery ..................................... One 6 V silver-oxide battery
Battery checker .. .............. .. ...... Glows to indicate battery is good
Dimensions .............................. 145
mm (width) x 54.5 mm (depth) x 93.5 mm (height)
(body only)
Weight ...................................... Approx. 790 grams (body onl y)
9

BASIC OPERATIONS
The Nikomat ELW is an aperture-priority elec-
tronic automatic exposure camera, and its
handling
is very easy. Before using this camera,
read this section on "Basic Operations" care-
fully
and familiarize yo ur self thoroughly with
the camera. This will insure you obtain the best
resul ts.
For more detailed explanations on manual
exposure, special picture-taking methods, etc.,
please r efer to the section entitled "Applied
Op er at ioAS", starti ng on page 33 .
II

BATTERY CARE
Install ing the battery
Either a 6-volt silver-oxide or alka lin e- manganese
battery
is used to power both the exposure meter
and the electromagnetic shutter-speed controlling
circuits. The battery chamber
is in the mirror box.
1. To install the battery, first remove the lens
from the camera (see page 17) and lock the
mirror
in the up position by turning the milled
mirror-lock lever upward to gain access to the
battery chamber
in the mirror box.
2. Then with a finger, press the battery chamber
lid to the left at the indent and lift it up.
12
3. Wh en inserting the battery, be sure to align the
positive and negative
(+ and -) terminals cor-
rectly
as shown underne at h the battery cham-
ber lid.
To close the lid, press down. Remember to
re-
turn the mirror to its original focusing and
viewing position.
Caution : If the battery is installed in the opposite
alignment , its energy will be depleted within a matter of
minutes.
Also be careful not to touch the shutter curtain and the
mirror surface.

Battery test
The battery should be checked when:
*A new battery is installed.
*A camera is about to be used after a long period
of storage.
*It is suspected that the b attery has been depl ete d
after a long p er iod of use.
Press
the b attery check button on the back of the
camera.
A built-in battery checker lets you check the
condition of the b attery. Depress the white butt on
and the signal lamp will glow with a bright ora nge
li g ht , indicating that the b attery has been properly
in serted and its p ower is ade quat e.
Th e battery can be tested regardless of the
position of film-advance lever and shutter-release
button lock.
13

BATTERY CARE-Continued
Replacing the battery
When the battery check la mp does n ot glow when
pr
essi ng the battery check button, replace the
battery with a new on
e.
(1) Remove the lens, a nd lock the mirror in the
up position.
14
(2) Open the battery chamber lid.
(3) Ho ld the camera ups id e do wn , and pu sh the
battery cha
mb er lid . The battery will roll out
of the chamber.

Notes on Battery Care
Pr eve nting unnecessary di sc harge
To prevent unnecessary discharge, set the film-
advance lever and the shutter-release button lock
in the off position, except when taking pictures.
Cold resistability of battery
Although both th e
si lver-oxide battery and
al ka lin e-manganese battery are exce ll ent in low
temperature performance, there is a marked ten-
dency for battery performance to deteriorate
below O°C (32°
F) . Therefore, it is recommended
that a n ew battery be us ed and the camera itself
be protected from low temperatures when taking
pictur
es below O°C (32° F) .
A battery which temporarily deteriorates due to
low te
mp erature ca n continue to be used, as it s
capacity recovers
wh en the temperature rises back
to normal.
*Wipe both battery terminals with a soft and dry cloth or
paper before inserting it into the camera.
* The battery may conduct poorly due to the leakage of
battery fluid, etc. when it is kept inside the battery
chamber for a long time. When such leakage occurs,
clean the
battery chamber and replace the poor battery
with a new one.
* When the camera is not in use for a long time, remove
the
battery and store it separately.
* Do not disassemble, short-circuit, or burn batteries.
15

MOUNTING THE LENS
To mount a lens, first push the camera's meter
coupling pin to the right
as far as it will go. Set
the lens diaphragm
at f/5.6 and insert the lens into
th
IY bayonet mount, making sure that the coupling
pin fits into the slotted prong on the lens. Twist
the lens counterclockwise until it locks into place
with a sharp click.
In lenses having no slotted prong, mounting
is
done at a position where its aperture indicator
a
ligns with the coupling pin of the camera.
16
Maximum aperture indicator
In order to measure light at full aperture with
lenses
of different maximum apertures, the
Nikomat
ELW's meter must be adjusted for the
maximum aperture
of the lens in use. This must be
done each time a lens is mounted. Turn the
aperture ring all the way to the minimum aperture
setting (largest f/number), then
all the way in the
opposite direction. This step automatically adjusts
the meter to the maximum aperture
of the lens.

Maximum aperture scale
The above adjustment can be confirm ed by look-
in g at the maximum apert ur e scale on the ring
with the coupling pin. The scale h as a ra ng e of
f/l.2 to f/5.6. For example, if the 50 mm F1.4
lens
is mounted on the camera, the red index mark
should fall opposite the 1.4.
REMOVING THE LENS
To remove the lens from the camera, pr ess the
len
s- release button a nd twist the lens to the rig ht
as far as it will go. The lens will come loose and
can
be li fted ou t.
* Please do not try to remount the lens while In
the process of removal. The slotted prong of the
lens must be disconnected from the coupling pin
of the camera once, and the coupl ing pin turned
to the right
as far as it will go , before the lens
can
be remounted.
17

ATTACHING & REMOVING THE NIKON AUTO WINDER AW-1
To attach the AW-1
Align the spindle of the coupling portion of the
Auto Winder
AW-l with the slot of the coupling
portion on the bottom of the ELW, and turn the
camera attaching screw of the AW-l clockwise
with a coin, and tighten securely. For details con-
sult the manual for the AW-l.
* Be careful not to leave a gap between the EL W
and AW-l . Such a gap may disturb the proper
operation of the automatic winding system and
could
be the cause of trouble.
~ ' ~ _ <L ,
[]
18
To remove the AW-1
Before removing the Auto Winder AW - l, be sure
to turn the power switch
off first. Then, remove
the AW-l from the Camera by turning the camera
attaching screw counterclockwise.