ZEISS IKON Box-Tengor 54 Installation and operation manual

Instructions for using the
B 0 ·'X - TEN 'G 0 R:
No.54:
2 5/1 6x i 3/4 inches (4 :5 '>< 6 em) for Rollfilm BIIS .
No. 54/ 2: .
31 /4 X 21 /4 inches (6 x 9 em) for Rollfilm BIIS ;: ;
No. 54/ 15:
41/4 x 21 /2 inches (6.5x ll em) for Roll6.lmD~
Z E ISS I K 0 N A - ~ ~ D RES DEN ·
C 2446 E

2
s
X
T
I~~~~~~~*----R
L
D
N
~b~~--V
Fig. 1 Box-Tengor 31/. X 21/,/1 (6 X 9 em)

Before using a Box-Tengor Camera, which is of re-
markably simple construction, tryout all manipulations
mentioned in these lines before 10adiI1g. Failure with
the first photographs will then be avoided.
D = Lever for
setting the diaphragms
L= Releasing lever
N =
Catch for locking the . shutter release
R =
Catch to lock the two parts of the camera body
S = Film winding key
T = Slide for time exposures
V = Screw nut for the cable release
W1 W2 =
Finder
X = Supplementary lens attachment
3

Fig. 2 Box~Tengor in two parts
F1Fz=Springs with plugs Zl and Z2' on which the spools are placed
Zl Z2= Plugs on which the spools are placed
4

Slot
+
Fig. 3
Loading of the
Box-Tengor'Cameras
Pull bolt R (fig. I) outward whereupon
the camera can be easily separated in
two parts (fig. 2). In the 25/16 x 13/4"
and 41 / 4>:: 21/2" cameras, both parts
are held together by the carrying
strap, but this does not render the
insertion of the films more difficult.
The spool shaft is hollowed at both
ends so that it can be rea dily at-
tached to the spool plugs in the ~pool
bearings. . An empty spool will be
found in the upper spool bearing;
when changing spools subsequently
pro ceed as follows:
One end of the spool shaft is slotted
(fig.3), the other has a round hole.
S

6
Fi g. 4 In serting
th e empty spool

Fig. 5 Inserting
the full .pool
7

Fig.6 Attaching the paper , end upon the empty spool
8

With your right hand seize the ' empty spool at the
slotted end and place it on plug Z2' Press spring Fz
aside, guide the slotted end of the spool past the
key and , attach it to the key-plug. By turning the
key, the pin passing through the key-plu'g will engage
the slot of the spool shaft and make the spool turn
with the key. Insert the full spool in the other
hearing so that the end of the film is on top pointing
towards the guide roll (fig.S).
The spool is placed upon the plug Zl' the spring Fl
pushed aside far enough to allow free passage for
the other end past the , righthand solid plug, till the
pin engages the hole in 'the spool shaft' (fig. S).
Loosen
the end of the covering paper, draw it over
the two small rolls and insert it in the long slit of
the empty spool. Then turn the key two or three
times in the direction of the arrow so as to connect
the covering strip firmly with the empty spool.

The Shutter
Below the shutter release L (see fig. 1) a catch N
has been provided for the purpose of locking the
shutter to avoid unintentional exposures when the
camera is not in use.
To take snapshots a pressure on lever L opens and .
almost instantaneously closes the shutter. After down-
ward pressure release the lever; it will automatically
return to its original position . .
For time exposures pull out slide T. A pressure on
lever L opens the shutter. When this pressure ceases,
the shutter closes.
For flash-light photographs, or when it is desired to
take lon g time exposures, draw out slide T, and after
pressing down the lever L, secure same by pushing
in the catch N. The shutter may also be operated
by m eans of a wire release inserted in the bush V.
10

Supplementary lenses
The Box-Tengor Cameras have built-in supp l ementa ry
lenses. By setting the lever X on one of the figures
corresponding to the distance between camera and
object, the requisite attachment is brought behind the
camera lens. The various models can be regulated as
follows: No. 54:
3-10', 10'- ex:> (infinity),
No. 54/2:
3- 6', 6-20', 20'-ex:>,
No. 54 /15: 6-12', 12 -30', 30'-ex:>.
With the lever X co rrectly set, all objects lying within
these limits will therefore be sharply defined.
II

Fig. 7 Removing ht e exposed spool
12

Diaphragms (Stops)
Under the lens is the diaphragm scale. The Dia-
phragms of model 54 are fill and f/22, and with the
models 54/2 and 54/15 fill, f/16 and f/22.
Set the lever D on to one of the given stops, namely
11, 16
or 22. The larger the number, the smaller
will
the aperture be, whilst the picture will con-
sequently be sharper; the smaller the aperture, the
longer must be the time of exposure.
Removing the Exposed Spool
Mter the last exposure wind up the paper strip com-
pletely by turning the key, take the camera apart
as described on page 3 and fasten the end of the
paper to the spool by means of the gummed label
attached to the end of the strip.
13

Remove the exposed spool (fig. 7) by pulling it toward s
the spring actuated spool bearer, exerting at the sam e
tim e with the other hand a slight pressure on the
oth er end of the spool to prevent it from being
. jerked away.
Remove the empty spool as well, insert it in the key
bearing, and the camera will be ready to receive·a
new film spool.
14

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
About the treatment of the camera
As a camera is not a worthless toyit should be treated
with care and not exposed to rain or left on wet
gra~s, etc., but kept in its leather case in a place
where
it cannot be damaged. The care you devote to
it will have a good effect upon the film, the lens,
and, above all, the picture. .
Which film to be used
Box-Tengor uses Roll-Film for taking pictures. Always
ask for Zeiss Ikon Roll-Film B II 8 or D 8 which will
produce excellent pictures if properly handled. The
highest sensitive Zeiss Ikon Ortho Ultra Film (23 0
Scheiner!) is particularly recommended for use when
15

lighting conditions are not too good. The reason for
using
th e same film for 26/
16
X P/4" as for 31/4
X 21/2"
is explained by the fact that every section of the
31/4x21/2" film gives two pictures of the size 26/
16
x P/4".
In this way 16 photos are obtained on one spool.
The sealed filmspools are light-tight and can be put
in the camera and taken out again in broad daylight,
though it is not advisable to expose the spool to
gl aring .light. Better keep it in a dark place (cupboard,
etc .) at medium temperature and insert it in the
camera when the light is somewhat subdued.
The ex posure times
I
Snapshots at a speed of 1/
25
of a second should be
mad .e preferably when the sun shines, i. e., the object
to be taken must be illuminated by the sun, though
the rays should not reach the lens. Aim the camera
on the object to be photographed and make sure
16

that the whole object appears in the finder. After
adjusting the camera, move the lever of the shutter
carefully · without jarring the camera, which should be
pressed firmly against the hody and held perfectly level
without tilting, or unsharp pictures will result.
Immediately after exposure turn the key till the next
unexposed film section is in working position. This is
indicated by the appearance of the following number
in the red window at the back of the camera.
The 25/
16
X P/," camera has two red observation
windows at the back. The numbers of the B II 8 film
must appear once at the lower window and once at
the top; every picture is exposed on only one half
of the full film section.
Time exposures
To mak e a time e xposure pull out the slide T and
adjust the stop by the lever D unless you wish to
work at full aperture (Portrait). When taking portraits,
17

the face should be well illuminated while the lens
should
never be held direct in the source of light.
IPlace
the camera on a fixed support (stand, table,
post, etc.) while carefully moving the "lever.
The camera is provided with two bushes so that it
can be screwed to a stand for vertical as well as for
horizontal. exposures.
The two bushes have "el!glish
thread. When using tripods with continental screw
an adapter No. 1628/3 must be fitted; - After making
a
time exposure, set the c amera at once to "instan-
taneous" by pushing back the slide (T).
The focussing
As a general rule leave
the lens set at infinity (00).
The focal depth of the different cameras will then
reach to the following distances: 10 feet (2
5/16 X P/4")'
20 feet (31/4 X 21/2")' and 30 feet (41/4 X 21/2/1). For
closer . distances see instructions on supplementary
lenses (page 11).
18

The exposure time
Generally speaking, snapshots taken out·doors .will
t~rn out good. - When the lighting is bad, time
exposures will be necessary, as well for landscapes as
for ·
groups and portraits.
The Zeiss Ikon exposure table will show the correct
exposure time under all circumstances. For indoor ex·
posures of persons use always the largest stop, th e
length of exposure depending on the lighting conditions
of the room (size and number of windows, colour of
wall paper) and the intensity of the outdoor light.
Use the exposure table or the Zeiss Ikon exposure
meter "Diaphot", whenever you can.
19

Al ways use
ZEISS II(O N FILM
..
The film to give exce ll ent resu lt s !
III 8129.50.534 Printed in Germany
DINA7