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 Camera FAQs
What lens do I have on my Zenit?
The most used lens for Zenits, is the Helios 44M. The designation
is as follows: the 44M is the type, but not 44 mm, as the lens
is 58mm and the biggest aperture is f.2. This is a normal combination
of speed and light sensitivity. As you go above 50mm, you get
closer to telephoto lenses and less than 40-50mm are wide angle
lenses.
How do I focus the lens?
The focus ring (outer ring) is turned to focus the camera. When
the small prism in the middle of the finder disappears, the lens
is focused. If you go closer than the minimum distance, you can
bring the pictures back into focus by _stopping down_ the lens.
This means you should choose a higher f-stop number. The depth
of field can be directly read from the red line in the lens. Sixteen
gives the greatest distance of field (DOF) while two gives the
smallest. When you choose the 16 stop, the picture is sharp from
2 meters to infinity. The DOF distance scale starts with the smallest
aperture opening, 22 or 16 in most cases, and goes to full opening,
2, 1.8 or 1.4 in most cases. The aperture scale for the Helios
44M 58/2 is as follows: 16, 11, 8, 5.6, 4, 2.8, and 2. The numbers
mean part of full opening. 16 is 1/16 of the full opening. 2 is
1/2 of the full opening. If the lens does not have any light loss
then the highest f-stop is 1 and all of the light is passing through
the lens.
The film counter is the ring around the film advance lever. It
is marked with numbers from 0 to 36, and refers to numbers of
film frames/exposures on your film, normally 24 or 36 exp. After
the film is loaded and you wind it through 2 exposures, just align
the O with the white arrow.
The exposure meter is on the side next to the rewind lever. The
exposure meter readout (on E and EM, and all non-TTL (Through-the-Lens)-exposure
meters) allows you to set the film speed ASA/DIN by turning the
inner wheel to the correct number corresponding to the film you
use. When you adjust the exposure meter, just point the camera
toward a middle gray reflection source such as grass, concrete
or dark skin. Align the metal ring in the window on top of the
camera body with the small arrow by turning the outer wheel. Then
you can read out the proper combination of shutter speed (outer
ring) and f-stop (inner ring).
R means Rewind. You can rewind the film when the ring is turned
to the left and the red dot is at the R. If you don_t do this
you can easily destroy your film. Be sure to practice before shooting
anything that you really want to keep.
What are the shutter speeds?
The shutter speeds usually run between 1/30 sec. and 1/500 sec.
A shutter speed wheel at the top of the camera controls the shutter
speed. The different shutter speeds give you different possibilities:
You can control the light amount/exposure time, and freeze the
action. Thus by shooting at 1/500 sec. you can freeze moving action
that would be blurred at 1/30 sec. if you are not using a tripod
the it is better to use short speeds, like 250 or 500. To change
aperture, just lift the ring about 3-5 mm and turn to desired
speed.
How do I load film?
To load the film, open the camera back (E, EM) and lift up the
lever on the side of the camera. Be sure that the camera is clean
inside and take care to remove any dust. Place the film cartridge
into the left with the rewind crank in the upper position. Put
the film tongue into the take-up spool on the right Guide the
film onto the film transport wheels so that they are hooked on
the perforated holes on the film sides. Release the shutter, and
wind the film by turning the film advance lever on the top of
the camera. When the film is secured, hold the film cartridge
in the compartment, and rewind a bit, so the film is lying flat
between the guide rails over the shutter opening. Close the camera
back. Take 2 exposures, and watch the rewind wheel turning. If
it goes smooth around, the film is well placed. Then you should
align the film counter and camera is ready for shooting.
How do I change the lens?
How do I change lens? Zenit have either a screw mount (M42) or
bayonet mount (Pentax K). The screw lens is turned clockwise to
add, and counter clockwise to change. The bayonet have a mark
for alignment, and a release button. To release lens: Hold the
lens release button pressed in, and turn the lens counter clockwise.
Put on lens by aligning mark on lens and at the side of the lens
mount. Remember with screw mounts: Always turn M/A switch to M,
or loosen the shutter release lock, so the release is in high
position. Otherwise you can risk destroying the auto aperture
pin on the lens. You can feel the resistance if it begin to happen
while you are turning the lens.
How can I check the
exposure meter?
The Zenit TTL meters are very sensitive to light, and a concerted
effort must be made to block all light from entering the eyepiece.
If your camera came equipped with a rubber eyecup, like the Fotosnipers,
by all means use it. The variation of exposure when a meter is
moved around a scene is normal. Any decent meter will do this
with the possible exception of an incident meter. The Zenit TTL
can be easily checked with a light meter and a Kodak or other
18% gray card, though a 90% reflectance white card can be used.
Place the gray card so that it is evenly lit by the sun ( it is
best to do this outdoors, as some Zenit meters are not as accurate
under artificial light), and move the camera close to the card
without casting a shadow on it. The card MUST fill the viewfinder,
and it need not be in focus. Take a meter reading, making certain
that stray light is carefully blocked from entering the viewfinder
eyepiece.
Next take a close up reading of the gray card with the handheld
exposure meter, again making certain that the meter is reading
ONLY the gray card and that no shadow is being cast on the gray
card. Compare the meter readings, and this will tell you if the
Zenit TTL meter is in error or not. If you get a one stop overexposure,
I would not worry about it if you are shooting B&W or color
print film, as this will not really hurt anything, and may be
a distinct advantage. For transparency materials an accurate handheld
meter properly used is the best.
How can I take out the film?
You must rewind the film. First turn the ring outside the shutter
release towards R. Rewind the film by turning the rewind lever
on the other side of the camera. On E and EM, you must press down
the wheel, and turn left to raise it. Turn the wheel until you
hear the film going into the film cartridge.
How can I get really sharp pictures?
The first rule of thumb for great pictures is using a tripod.
The bigger and heavier the tripod, the better. Using weights or
sandbags to hang on the hook between the tripod legs will increase
stability. This makes a difference when the wind is blowing and
when you use long shutter speeds and/or telephoto lenses. Usually
poor pictures are a result of the photographer and not the equipment.
When shooting by hand, every little shake and movement will show
up in your pictures. The best way to avoid this, is to use fast
shutter speeds, and higher film speed (ASA value). The lens will
give sharper pictures by stopping down to f. 5.6, f. 8 or f.11.
Optical performance is usually found at around 5.6. A lens hood
will give better results when you are shooting against strong
light/sun. Often the front element or filter will catch stray
light on the surface, and give a gray surface/low contrast result
in your pictures. You can just hold your hand up over the lens
to create a shadow or place the camera lens in shadow to improve
you outdoor pictures.
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