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Congratulations on your choice of the Zenza Bronica SO-A singie lens reflex camerawhich has been developedto give you higl. quality 5,erformance,simple handling convenienceand extremely useful versatirrty,such ls requiredfor pro- fessionalphotography. The Zenza Bronica SO-A has been designedto take full advantageof the square 6cm x 6cm medium format and has been developedas a complete modular "system" camera,with a very high degreeof interchangeabilityin lenses,finders, focusingscreens, film backs,etc. To obtain best results from your camera, may \re suggestthat you read this instruction manual carefully, before you even touch the camera. Thoroughly , familiarizeyourself with its working parts, before loadingyour first roll of film, and your pleasurein using the Zenza Bronica So-A will be even greater. NOTICE Although the instructions following are based on the use of the Waist-Level Finder S, the choice of finders is left to the discretionof the photographer. : www.orphancameras.com 1 ;!*;,4b-- ,*;tli*fa*, -,: -. I CONTENTS Specifications of the 7' .JZA BRON ICA 15. fnterchangingFinders... ...21 SO.A 2 16. Waist-LevelFinder and Interchanging PArtSOf thE ZENZA BRONICASO-A 4 Magnifiers ......21 ':r. 1. Loadingthe Battery . 17. Settingthe Aperture . .23 2. BatteryChecking... : . .1 . ..'.. 8 18. FocusingAdjustments . 3. Attachmentand Removalof Film Backs. 8 19. DistanceScale and Depthof FieldScale . .25 4. Constructionof Film Back. .10 20. InfraredPhotography . .26 5. FilmLoading.. ..10 21. FlashPhotography . .27 6. ASA/ISOFilm Speed Dial . .14 22. MultipleExposures ....28 7. FilmType lndicator Frame . .14 23. MirrorLock-Up . .28 8. FilmAdvance and Shutter Cocking . .15 24. fnterchangingFocusing Screens . .32 9. ExposureCounter 25. Attachmentof the NeckStrap . .33 10. FilmUnloading . .16 26. Factsabout the Battery . .34 11. Settingthe ShutterSpeed Dial . .17 27. PointersonShooting.. .....35 12.ShutterReleaseButton .....18 28. Careof the SO-A . , . 35 13. Time(T) Exposure . .19 29. Depthof FieldTable . .37 14. ExchangingLenses ....20 30. Specifications of Zenzanon-SLenses . .38 o-- ;;{bMu*f;*l&'.,:* rr*r-.;d*n$&i,,,.-. ,,;Lia;*. *rdlig6,b'c*:iffa. specificationsof the zENzA BRoNlcA so-A i Type 6cm x 6cm format lens shutter single lens reflex camera, with interchangeablelens, film back, finder and focusingscreen sl'stems. Frame size 55.6mm x 55.6mm Film 120 rolf film (12 exposures)and 22O roll film /24 exposu .sr, with exclusivefilm backs. Standard lens Zenzanon-S80mm F2.8 lens;interci,i,i-geal:le type;6 elerrr.ntsin 4 groups; multi-layer anti- reflection coated; 51o angle of view; F22,minimun: aperture; helicalfocusing from infinity to 80cm. Filter size 67mm diameter on 50mm to 250mm lens;95mm diameter on 40mm lensand 500mm lens. Lens mount Exclusivefour-claw Bronica SO bayonet mount. Focusing Helicaffocusing systembuilt into each lens;angle of rotation 171o for standardlens. Lensdiaphragm Fully automatic instant reopening lens diaphragm action; equal-distant aperture scale graduations;depth of field previewing. Shutter Electronic control sElKo #0 between-lensleaf shutter; shutter speeds8 sec.to 1/500 sec., without intermediate settings, plus T (time exposure); mechanical control 1/500 second. Multiple exposure Multiple exposurepossible with leveron camerabody. Mirror lock-up Mirror lock-up possiblewith switch leveron the side of camerabody for a singleor continu- ous picture taking. Film back Dayfight loading interchangeabletype; exclusive backs lor 12O (12 exposuresl,22O 124 exposures)roll films and Polaroidpack films; with ASA/ISO film speeddial on Film Back SO 1201220 and ASA film speed switch on Polaroid Film Back S coupling to the finders with built-in exposure meter, when attached. Finder I nterchangeablefinder system. @ www.orphancameras.com ik. Focusingscreen Interchangeabletype; Standard type, supplied with camera, has split-image rangefinder spot surrounded by microprisrr ring and full-area matte screen. Optional types are (1) central matte spot, (2) fullerea matte with grid-lines, (3) microprism spot and (4) split- imatd,' bngefi nder spot. '? Flashsynchronization X*ettiri!' (up to 1/500 sbc.) Battery checking Red-colored LED lights up at front end of finder, outside screenarea, when battery check button is depressed;also doublesas shutter closingsignal. Battery Single6-volt silver oxide battery (No. 544, PX-28 or 4G13) or alkaline manganesebattery (No. 4544 or 4LR44l. Dimensions 92mm wide x 109mm high x 179mm long (with standard lens and Waist-levelfinder S) Weight 1,500 grams (with standardlens and Waist-levelfinder S) 915 grams . .so-A camerabody w/Film Back so 115 grams Waist-levelf inder S 470 grams .Zenzanon'S 80mm lens The specificaiionsare subject to changewith or without prior notice. @ '"*.lrdd*dm ; -':."r,.,.*i*i.lr:ful[-,,n+, Partsof the ZENZA BRONtCA SO-A ss Apertu re ri ng Depth of f ield scale Distance scales F ocusingring Lens alignment dot Waist-level finder Focusing hood catch Shutter speed dial Shutter speed scale M agn if ier Back cover release button Back cover release ( |eft) bu tton (right) Sh u tter release bu tton ASA/lSO film speeddial Exposure counter o www.orphancameras.com Mu.ltiple exposure tever Lens release Neck strap eyelet F ilm winding crank bu tto n F inder release bu tton Battery check button Depth of field F ilm plane mark Drevte lever Spool h older Darkslide slit Cable release M anu al winder Sh u tter release bu tto n eYelet locking ring soc k et N eck strap F ilm back release b u tton Mirror lock-uPswitch lever o T ime exposure lever Film type indicator frame Set screw Flashsynch contact Accessory mounting guide Tripod socket (1/4" screw) Battery chamber cover Battery ch am ber bu tton @ www.orphancameras.com I I Loadingthe Battery The electronically-contralled shutter will not work without loading the battery. The shutter will be mechanical- ly controlled when the battery is not loaded and will be re- leased at 1/500 sec., regardless of the setting on the shutter speeddial. Use one 6 volt silver oxide bat- tery or alkaline-manganesebat- tery. * The battery may be obtained at any photographic equipment A. Depress the battery chamber B. Coincide the plus (+) and or electricalappliance shop. button with your finger and, at minus (-) marks on the battery the same time, move the battery with similarpolarity indications chamber cover in the arrow-indi- in the battery chamber. Then, cated direction. The cover will push in the battery. come off easily. Insert the battery chamber cover into the BATTERY end first and then move the cover in the other direction (oppositeto the arrow indication)until it Ioc ks. * The shutter will be mechani- cally-controlled(at 1/500 sec.) when the battery is loadedwith polarity marks reversed. o | | eattery Checking $ | nttachmentand Removalof Film Backs The film back is a film chamber completed action, whether un- that can be attached or detach- cocked shutter or f ilm not ed freely, thus permitting free advanced.Thus, it's always pos- exchangeof film typeseven dur- sible to choose the film type ing shootingsessions. most suited for the shot, even The camera body and film back midway in the roll. are fully coupled, upon connec- A film speed dial is availableon tion. Therefore, always turn the the fifm backs and can be used film winding crank completely for setting the film speed of the one time, upon attaching the film loaded in the film back, film back. lf winding is not pos' which will, furtherffrofo, suto* sible,all preparationsfor taking matically couple when the ,find- the picture have been com- er with built-in exposure meter lf a redcolored battery check pleted. But, if winding is pos- is attached to the camera body. LE D lights up outside the sible, rotating the film winding This should be veny convenient when using films of different focusing screen area (central crank until it stops wi ll auto- in variousf ilm back. front of finder), when the bat- matically take care of the in- sensitivities tery check button is pressed, the battery is loaded properly and there is sufficient power for operatrons. * lf the LED does not light up, (1) the battery is not loaded properly or (2) the battery is completely drained and should be exchanged. @ www.orphancameras.com I I eattery Checking $ | nttachmentand Removalof Film Backs The film back is a film chamber completed action, whether un- that can be attached or detach- cocked shutter or film not ed freely, thus permitting free advanced.Thus, it's always pos- exchangeof film typeseven dur- sible to choose the film type ing shootingsessions. most suited for the shot, even The camerabody and film back midway in the roll. are fully coupled, upon connec- A fllm speed dial is availableon tion. Therefore, always turn the the film backs and can be used film winding crank completely for setting the film speed of the one time, upon attaching the film loaded in the film back, film back. lf winding is not pos- which will, furthermore, auto, sible,all preparationsfor taking rnaticalfy couple when the find- the picture have been com- er with built-in exposure meter lf a redcolored battery check pleted.