Zenith 12 XP Use and maintenance manual

Zenith 12 XP

To get the best results from your Zenith study these instructions thoroughly to make
sure you are familiar with the essential features of the camera before you start
taking pictures. It is suggested that before loading the first film you sit down with
the instructions in front of you and try out all the controls to generally 'get the feel'
of the camera. It is also recommended that a 'test' film be shot and the results
examined before taking further pictures. This will enable any early operator errors
to be corrected and will give you confidence for the future.
As a 'system' camera your Zenith will accept a large number of different lenses and
additional accessories; we particularly recommend as most suitable those from the
Hellos range which will enable you to cope with almost any photographic situation.
Your Zenith is sturdily built to work happily under widely varying conditions but it
should always be remembered that as a precision optical instrument it must at all
times be treated with due care and consideration and protected from shock, damp,
dust, sand and sudden changes of temperature. With care it will give many years of
reliable service - and ; brilliant pictures.
This booklet has been provided to enable you to get the best results as quickly as
possible and is not intended to be a comprehensive manual of photography. There
are many good inexpensive books on photographic technique available and your
dealer will be pleased to recommend one suitable for your particular need.
Format: 24 x 36mm;using standard 35mm cassettes of 12, 20, 24 or 36 exposure
color or black and white film.
Shutter: Horizontal traveling Focal Plane type, speeded 1/30,1/60,1/125, 1/250
and 1/500th second plus B (brief time). Linked to self-timer giving approximately 7
seconds delay.
Flash Synchronization: Electronic flash at 1/30th sec. through 'Hot-shoe' or
standard 3mm co-axial socket
Viewing/Focusing system: Eye-level pentaprism/instant return mirror shows upright
laterally correct image. Bright Fresnel focusing screen with central microprism spot.4
Exposure meter: Zenith 12. Built-in CdS cell with L.E.D. indicators in the viewfinder.
Power source: two Mallory D386 cells. (These should be replaced once a year.)
Zenith 11 Selenium cell with match-needle read out. Both meters calibrated for 16-
500 ASA/13-28 DIN. 4
Frame counter: Additive 0-36 manual resetting type
Standard Lens: Helio 44M-4, 58mm focal length
Construction: 6 elements in 4 groups
Diaphragm type: Fully automatic instantly re-open.
Aperture range F2-F16 with click stops at full and half apertures (except between
F11 and F16)
Distance scale: 0.5 to infinity
Filter size: 52mm screw
Lens mount: 42mm thread, accepts standard single pin automatic lenses and
accessories

Loading the Camera - Step by step instructions
Always load the camera in subdued light; if outdoors
shield from direct sunlight.
Make sure that the indicator on the Shutter Release Button
[3] is facing towards the front of the camera.
Depress Shutter Release Button [3] - if shutter does not fire
advance Transport Lever [2] in short strokes until it stops
and press Shutter Release Button [3] again.
Lift Rewind Knob [16] to open back.
Insert film cassette into Film Chamber [21] projection of
cassette to bottom.
Push Rewind Knob [16] down turning slightly to seat into
cassette.
Draw out enough film to insert tip of leader into any of
Take-up Spool's

[22] slots ensuring that the second hole engages with a
tooth on the spool. Ease film forward by swat strokes of
Transport Lever [2] until it stops. The lower Sprocket Teeth
[26] should be properly engaged.
Fire shutter. Advance film by short strokes of transport
lever until both top and bottom sprockets are engaged. If
necessary tighten film on Take-up Spool [22] by turning
the flange at the base of the spool anti-clockwise with the
finger and in the cassette by gently turning the Rewind
Knob [16] in the direction of the arrow on the lever until
resistance is felt. This is especially necessary with twelve
exposure films.
Close the back of the camera until it clicks shut. Complete
wind-on if necessary until Transport Lever [2] stops.
Fire shutter. Advance film Transport Lever [2] using short
strokes until it stops. The Rewind Knob [16] should revolve
while this is being done.
Fire shutter and advance film again. Set Frame Counter [4]
to zero.
Set Film Speed Selector Dial [15] against Indicator [17]
appropriate to the speed of the film to be used. There are
two scales for films rated in ASA and DIN. Only click-
stopped numbered or intermediate positions may be used.
Intermediate positions are proportional. If using 1000 ASA
film set the selector to 500 ASA but use the next faster
shutter speed than indicated by the meter or close the
aperture ring by one full stop.

Using the Camera
Set the Speed Dial [1 ] appropriately according to the
subject. The dial is marked in figures that represent
fractions of a second-i.e. "60" is 1/60th second. It may be
turned in either direction but not between "500" and "B"
and must not be between marked speeds.
Initially we suggest that outdoors the speed set should not
be less than 1/125th sec.
Focusing. Look through the Viewfinder [27] and roughly
decide what you wish to take remembering you are
actually looking through the lens. Focus by turning the
Focusing Ring [11] clockwise for close and anti-clockwise
for far distance until the subject is sharp and clear on the
large viewing screen.
For critical focusing using the inner of the two rings in the
center and adjust until the image is clear and undistorted.
Since you are viewing and focusing through the actual lens
that takes the finished picture you can feel safe in the
knowledge that there will be no parallax problems (no
more cut-off heads in close-up
portraits and the like). There's a built-in safety margin of
course, in common with many other modern single lens
reflex cameras, the viewfinder showing an overall area
somewhat smaller than the total film area. this ensures
that everything you see in the viewfinder appears in the
finished picture despite the fact that slide mounts and
masks in printing equipment cover part of the film's image.

Depth of Field
The lens is also provided with a scale calibrated in meters
but it will seldom be necessary to refer to this.
This is the depth of field scale [13] and works the following
way:
All lenses when focused on a given subject will show some
objects in front of and behind that subject sharply in focus.
This range is called "Depth of Field" and varies with
different lenses. With any lens you will find that "Depth of
Field" is always great as small apertures such as F/16 and
less at large apertures such as F2.
Depth of Field is also greater with a more distant subject
that a nearby subject and increases nearly twice as much
beyond the subject than in front of it.
To use the depth of field scale, first focus on your subject
then determine how great a Depth of Field a given
aperture will give by reading distances against the two
marks for that aperture. The figure on the left will be the
nearest point in focus and that to the right the furthest,
thus enabling you to select that aperture which will give
the desired Depth of Field.

Using the meter
Having focused on the subject set the Lens Aperture Ring
[9] in the middle of the range (say f/8) and press the
Shutter Release Button [3] about half-way. This will switch
on the meter and one of two red lights on the right-hand
side of the viewing frame will
come on. If it is the upper one this indicates over-exposure
and the Aperture Ring [9] should be turned clockwise thus
reducing the amount of light reaching the film. Should the
lower light come on it indicates under-exposure and the
Aperture Ring [91 should be turned anti-clockwise. Turn
until both lights flash rapidly in sequence - this is the
correct exposure.
If it is not possible to get both lights flashing in sequence
even at the end of the range of the Aperture Rinai9l then
alter the Shutter Speed Dial [1] up or down and repeat the
process. The meter fitted in the Zenith 12 XP is very
sensitive and in some cases the indicator lights may move
from top to bottom without an intermediate 'flashing' stage.
In this case choose the exposure at the point of the change
from top to bottom when the latitude of modern film will
still give you the correct exposure

Set Film Speed
In the cut-outs in the Aperture Indicator Dial [15a] there are two scales for ferris
rated in ASA and DIN.
Set the speed of the film in use by turning the dial with the
small projection. Any intermediate positions may be used
and are proportionate
Point the camera at the subject, if outdoors with a bright
sky tilt it downwards somewhat. Also study the 'Helpful
Hint for Better Exposure' on page 14. Always ensure
Exposure Meter Window [15c] is not obscured in any way
when taking a reading.
With the camera still pointed at the subject turn the Shutter
Speed Indicator Dial [15b] until the ring of the Exposure
Meter Cursor [19b] is centered over the Exposure Meter
Needle [19a]. Read off possible combinations of speed and
aperture opposite each other on the two dials. Only those
speeds in white may be set directly on the camera; of the
others, 2-15 represent fractions of a second and are for
information only but the figures 1-30 are whole seconds
which may be used in a time exposure. Choose the most
suitable combination.
In extremely dim lighting, the Exposure Meter Needle [19a]
may rest near the right-hand edge of the transparent
window. Should this occur, place your hand close in front
of the Exposure Meter Window and watch the needle
carefully. If the needle moves when you block the meter
cell the exposure meter is able to function in the existing
light -remove your hand and determine exposure in the
normal way However, if no needle movement occurs-when
you place your hand in front of the meter cell the existing
light is insufficient and the exposure meter cannot be used.
In this event either a time exposure or use of a flash gun is
recommended.

Removing Exposed Film - Step by step instructions
Replace the lens cap to prevent accidental exposure of film
during rewinding.
Press Shutter Release Button [3].
With the finger tip depress the Film Rewind Sleeve
(arrowed above) into the cut-out portion of the surrounding
sleeve. It will click and stay down.
Lift out Rewind Crank [16] and rotate clockwise in the
direction of the arrow. You will feel the film being rewound
into the cassette - stop when resistance ceases.4
Lift Rewind Knob [16] fully to open camera back. Remove
exposed cassette.
Advance Film Transport Lever [2] in short strokes until it
stops. The Film Rewind Sleeve will return to its original
position.
Fire shutter.
The camera is now ready for your next film.

Photography with Flash
The meter cannot be used when taking flash pictures as the
burst of light is too short. In all cases the Speed Dial [1]
must be set to, "30-X", the aperture being determined by
the camera-to-subject distance. Tables or calculators for
this are given in the instructions for the flashgun often
being incorporated into the gun itself. Some flashguns have
built-in computers which allow the aperture to be left at
one setting regardless of camera-to-subject distance.
Set the Speed Dial to "30-X".
Remove square shield from Accessory Shoe [18] and put in
a safe place.
A lightweight compact gun may be slid into the accessory
shoe. If there is a lead connect the plug to Flash Sync.
Socket [5].
A large or heavy gun must be fitted to a flash bracket
screwed into one of the Tripod Bushes [23] on the camera
base. Connect the lead to the Flash Sync. Socket [5].
Set Aperture Ring [9] in accordance with the flashgun's
instructions.
Switch gun on, wait for "ready" light, focus and proceed.
Remember to replace the accessory shoe cover after
removing gun.

For exposures longer than the meter range (1/30th at f/2)
the "B" setting on the Speed Dial [1] must be used. The
exposure should be determined by using a hand-held
meter such as the Leningrad or by experience/estimation.
Although the camera may be rested on a firm surface the
best results will be obtained by the use of a tripod but
avoid those of a flimsy nature. A Hellos Tripod or Hellos
Mini-Tripod (illustrated) is ideal.
Set the Speed Dial to "B"
Set the Aperture Ring [9]. Focus and cock shutter by
advancing Film Transport Lever [2] in short strokes until it
stops.
Fit a short cable release (obtainable from any good dealer)
into the screwed portion of the camera's Shutter Release
Button [3]. Depress the cable release and the shutter will
stay open until pressure is released. Some cable releases
have a screw lock which avoids the need for holding it
during a lengthy exposure.
If you do not have a cable release depress the camera's
Shutter Release Button until the shutter opens and turn it
fully anti-clockwise to the "T" position. The shutter will
remain open until the button is returned to the normal
position. We recommend the use of a cable release where
possible as this will reduce the chance of "camera shake"
during the exposure.

The Self Timer [7j provides about a seven second delay in
the firing of the shutter and enables you to get into the
picture yourself. Flash can be used.
Place camera preferably on a tripod, otherwise on a firm
surface.
Set speed and aperture. Frame area In Viewfinder [27j and
focus. Cock Shutter by advancing Film Transport Lever [2]
in short strokes until it stops.
Depress Shutter Release button [3] halfway until lens closes
down and turn it fully clockwise to the "V" position.
IMPORTANT- Do not leave the Shutter Release locked in the
'V' position longer than necessary in order to minimize
battery drain.
Turn the Self-Timer Lever [8] down until it will go no
further. The "V" that is revealed is just a reminder that you
should have set the Release Button [3] to its "V" position.
Press the Self-Timer Release Button p1 and move into the
picture area as quickly as possible. The Lever [8] will slowly
return firing the shutter during its travel.

Changing the Batteries
The Meter is powered by two Mallory D386 cells which
should be changed every twelve months.
To remove. Place coin in slot of Battery Cover [19] and turn
anticlockwise until slot is horizontal. Remove cover and old
batteries
Fit two new batteries both with "+" outwards. Replace
battery cover with slot horizontal locating the two cover
arms in the camera body slots. With a coin edge push
inwards and turn to lock in vertical position.
Use a clean linen cloth when handling batteries -the grease
from bare fingers can adversely affect the electrical
contacts.
To extend the range of your photography
. . . many accessories are available from your dealer
suitable for your Zenith including an exciting range under
the Hellos name.
Alternative Lenses.
The Zenith lens has a 42mm screw mount and may be
removed from the camera body by grasping the whole lens
barrel and fuming it anticlockwise. Other 42mm screw
lenses of a different focal length may then be fitted
providing they are of the single-pin operating type.
Lenses may be interchanged at any point without losing any
frames.4 In the Hellos range specially computed to suit the
Zenith - are Wide-angle 28mm and 1 35mm Telephoto
lenses, together with a range of Zoom Lenses some with
Macro or Close-Focusing facility.
From the USSR come the well-known Mirror Lenses, MTO
3M5A and MTO 1 000A. All lenses (except Mirror type)
operate in the same way as the standard lens.