PREFACE
LC-A (LOMO COMPACT-AUTOMAT) is a miniature scale camera with telescopic viewfinder and automatic program exposure working. The camera operates in temperature range from minus 15 to +45°C, direct solar radiation and precipitation excluded. The camera is powered from a d.c. source, type SR-44P (CUO.l8-Y2), S-76.
Note. When using another power source with temperature operation range lower than that of your camera, the camera temperature operation range is to be limited with that of the power source.
Camera LC-A has some distinctive features.
- It is so small that you can carry it in your pocket or in a handbag.
- Automatic exposure working is ensured in a wide range of object brightness.
- The camera is provided with a device protecting the photo objective and viewfinder objective from mechanical damages and contaminations in storage.
- The camera is provided with electromechanical program shutter controlled with electronic exposure meter ensuring automatic working of exposures.
Camera viewfinder is telescopic.
- A luminous picture limiting frame with a parallax mark for taking at near distances, a light indicator for control over power cells energetic level, a light indicator warning of expected shutter speeds longer than 1/30 s are in the field of vision of the viewfinder.
- A wide-angle high power objective <Minitar 1> is rigidly built in the Camera which considerably extends opportunities of the camera (photographing of architectural subjects and landscapes at short distances, photographing of landscapes in small premises and so on). In this case, some vignetting (decrease of brightness and definition towards the margin of the field) is possible.
- Focusing is carried out by the distance scale and by symbols visible in the viewfinder field of vision.
For photographing with a flash bulb, a manual diaphragm setting in the range of 2.8 to 16 is provided. At switching-over from automatic operation (A) to manual diaphragm setting, a shutter speed 1.60 s is set.
Contact X is used for synchronization of the shutter with the flash bulb.
Film advance and shutter cocking are carried out simultaneously by means of a hand wheel with 360° rotation angle. Frame counter counts number of frames taken, and it is set to initial position automatically as soon as the camera back is opened.
Rewind crank is of a tape-measure type. For rewinding, film advance gear disengagement knob is to be fixed in the depressed position.
SPECIFICATIONS
Film accepted 35 mm
Frame size 24X36 mm Number of frames 36 Overall dimensions 107 x 68 x 43.5 mm Mass 250 Gr
Photographic objective <Minitar 1>focal length 32 mm relative aperture f/2.8 field of vision angle 63° focusing range from 0.8 to inf. stopping down limits from 2.8 to 16
Electromechanical program shutter is controlled with electronic exposure meter.Shutter speeds from 1/500 to 2 (and sometimes more) Range of film light sensitivity from 25 to 400 ISO Shutter speed for taking with the flash bulb 1/60
DESIGN
Camera parts and main controls are given In Fig. 1-5.
1... guard cover 2... guard curtains 3... photographic objective 4... light-limiting device of photo detector 5... viewfinder 6... film light sensitivity setting knob 7... film light sensitivity window 8... objective focusing key 9... manual diaphragm setting and operation modes key 10... release knob 11... decorative plug 12... frame counter window 13... flash bulb joint 14... guard curtains control key 15... film advance gear disengagement knob 16... cells container cover 17... cells container 18... tripod socket 19... shoulder strap 20... motor attachment connector 21... take-up spoof shaft output 22... shutter cocking and film feed lever 23... viewfinder inspection window 24... rewind hand wheel 25... rewind knob 26... rewind hand wheel axle yoke 27... cassette receptacle 28... film position limiters 29... film advance gear 30... take-up spool 31... pressure plate 32... camera back |
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PREPARING FOR OPERATION
Installing and Checking the Cells
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Camera Loading
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Setting Value of Film Light Sensitivity
After
installing the cassette with film into the camera, it is required to introduce
into the exposure meter a value of light sensitivity of film applied (the
value given on the packing). For this aim rotate film light sensitivity
setting knob 6 (Fig. 2) till a value required appears In window 7 as is
shown in Fig. 10. For subsequent operation, loading the camera with a new
film, it is required to introduce a new value of light sensitivity. The light sensitivity scale in the camera has numberings 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 ISO. If there is no light sensitivity value of your film on the scale, set the value making use of Table 1. Exact correlations of light sensitivity values are given in thick print in the Table. |
Focusing and Framing
Objective in
the LC-A camera can be focused by distance scale and by symbols visible
in the viewfinder. |
TAKING
Automatic Taking
Before taking, draw apart curtains 2 (Fig. 2) covering objective 3 and viewfinder 5.
Bring diaphragm setting key 9 to position <A>.
Look at window 7 to check up whether film sensitivity value is set correctly.
Cock up the shutter with complete revolution of hand wheel 22 (Fig. 5).
Check up for serviceability of the power source slightly pressing down release knob 10 (Fig. 2) and watching the indicator in viewfinder inspection window 23.
Focus the objective and find subject borders by means of the picture-limiting frame.
Check to see that you have not shut with your fingers light-limiting device 4 and objective 3.
Press release knob 10 up to stop. Release the knob only after shutter responding.
Taking with a Flash Bulb
With
slight depressing of the release knob, you can see in the viewfinder a red-color
indicator at the upper right corner simultaneously with the red-color indicator
at the upper left corner. Its luminescence is a witness of an exposure time
longer than 1/30s. In this case, in order to avoid somewhat blurred image on the film, it is necessary to ensure steadiness of the camera, i.e. to carry out taking from a support, from a tripod or to apply a flash bulb. Camera design is rated for application of the flash bulb with cableless connection. Operation mode of the camera with the flash bulb differs from automatic operation only in determination of diaphragm value and input of this data into the camera mechanism. Shutter speed of 1/60s is set automatically when diaphragm values from 2.8 to 16 are set. To determine diaphragm value, divide the flash bulb guide number by an object distance value in meters. A result obtained is the diaphragm value required for taking with the flash bulb. Put key 9 (Fig. 2) against the calculated diaphragm value as is shown in Fig. 13, and bring key 8 (Fig. 2) to a corresponding position with respect to distance scale as is shown In Fig. 11. The camera Is ready for taking. |
FRAME COUNTER
The
frame counter operates on the addition principle and shows number of frames
taken. It is advisable to take a first picture when counter digit <1>
is against the index. Numbers <l2>, <24>, <36> and the
initial point on the frame counter scale are marked yellow.
With the camera back open, the frame counter is set to initial position automatically. |
FILM ADVANCE AND TAKING OUT
Cocking of the shutter and advance of the film are carried out in the camera simultaneously, with complete revolution of hand wheel 22 (Fig. 5). Sometimes, however, the complete revolution of hand wheel 22 is impossible because the film end is lacking for a full frame.
Don't force the hand wheel in this case, otherwise the film can break loose from the spool core.
Press the film advance gear disengagement knob 15 (Fig. 4). Hinge away knob 25 (Fig. 5) and turn it in a direction pointed with the arrow (Fig. 14).
Rewind over, you will feel a slight jerk of the film and an easier run of hand wheel 24 (Fig. 5).
Pull hand wheel 24 upwards taking hold on knob 25. At the end of hand wheel run, when the camera back is opened, take out the cassette with the film.
Now the camera is ready for subsequent loading with film.
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
Don't allow heating of your camera, never leave it in the sun, on the hot sand etc. as it can cause damage of the film, power source or electronic system and lead thus to a wrong exposure.
Pay attention to cleanness of lenses as their contamination deteriorates quality of film image.
The objective and viewfinder can be wiped on the outside only with a clean cambric or linen napkin, on breathing on glasses.
Protect the camera against shocks and jerks, in order to avoid damage of precise mechanical and electronic systems.
Never disassemble the camera.
Only skilled experts of repair shops can allow curing troubles, if any, in your camera.
For long-term storage, the shutter should not be cocked. Take power source cells out of their container, also.
Move the guard curtains key to a position at which the curtains shut the objective and viewfinder.
Never wipe non-metal parts of your camera with alcohol, acetone, petrol and other active solvents.
Protect the camera against humid and dust.
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