Camera functions .... 28
 

1. Light metering range ...28

2. AE lock (exposure memory) ...29

3. Stopped-down automatic exposure ...30

4. Manual exposure ...33

5. Exposure compensation ...35

6. Multiple exposure ...37

7. Self-timer ...38

8. Controlling the depth of field ...40

9. Infrared photography ...41

10. Taking flash pictures ...42

X-Fujinon lens operation and mount adapters . . 48
 

1. Changing the lens ....48

2. Types of X-Fujinon interchangeable lends ...50

3. Using Praktica screw-mount Fujinon lenses ...51

System accessories ...52

Camera care ............ 59

Specifications ................. 60

71. LIGHT METER RANGE

The table shows your camera's light meter range with films of various speeds. Since the range of ISO/ASA 100 is from EV 0 - EV 19, the range with an F1.6 lens is from EV 1/2 (at F1.6, 2 sec) to EV 18 (at F16, 1/1000 sec.)  It applies to the camera's
built-in exposure meter's measurement for aperture-preferred and stopped-down automatic exposure as well as manual.

2. AE LOCK (EXPOSURE MEMORY)

Your Fujica AX-3 has two Shutter Speed Selector settings for automatic exposure: AE and AEL, and the camera's automatic exposure setting can be locked when it is set to AE L.

1. When the Shutter Release is pressed halfway down, the shutter speed (indicated by a red LED) coupled to the preset aperture to accommodate the brightness of the subject will remain locked until you take your finger off the Shutter Release. This is referred to as AE Lock (locking the AE or automatic exposure).

2. The AE lock is useful for making automatic exposure compensation in back lighted situations. To compensate for back lighted portraits, you just bring the camera up close to your subject, press the Shutter Release halfway down and hold it there, then step back and shoot. (Don't take your finger off the Shutter Release until you trip the shutter).

3. STOPPED-DOWN AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE

You will have to use stopped down automatic exposure when shooting with a Praktica screw-mount Fujinon lens (mounted with Mount Adapter X-S), an ultra-telephoto lens, through an automatic extension bellows, a microscope (with Microscope Adapter X) or a Macrocinecopy, or with the lens mounted in reverse (with Reverse Adapter X). And to prevent light from entering through the finder and fouling up your exposure setting, you will have to use the accessory eyecup or eyepiece shutter.

Shooting with a Praktica Screw Mount Fujinon Lens {Mounted with the Mount Adapter X-S)

1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AE or AE L.
2. Set the Aperture Ring to the desired value.

3. Press in the Preview Button and, while holding it there, look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down to make sure that neither the overexposure nor the underexposure warning signal is blinking.

4. Take your picture by pressing the Shutter Release gently down.

 
 
 

Note: If you are shooting with the Shutter Speed Selector set to AEL, be sure to press in the Preview Button before you press the Shutter Release halfway down because your picture will not turn out properly exposed if you do it the other way around.

Shooting with an Ultra-telephoto Lens, with the Lens Mounted in Reverse,
and through an Auto Extension Bellows.

 

1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AE or AEL.

2. Set the Aperture Ring to the desired value.

3. Look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down to make sure that neither the overexposure nor the underexposure warning signal is blinking.

4. Take your picture by pressing the Shutter Release gently down.
 

4. MANUAL EXPOSURE

In the manual mode, both the shutter speed and aperture are set manually.

1. Set the Shutter Speed Selector to any speed you want to use.

2. Set the Aperture Ring to any f-number you want to use.4.butkus.org

3. Look through the Viewfinder and press the Shutter Release halfway down.

4. If the shutter speed you selected was 1/125 sec. but two LEDs turn on at the same time, one opposite the number 125 and the other opposite the number 30, and the one opposite 30 blinks as shown here, the correct shutter speed for the aperture you selected is 1/30 sec.

5. You must either turn and set the Aperture Ring so that you can see only one unblinking LED opposite the number 125 or set the Shutter Speed Selector to 30 so that the LED opposite 125 turns off and the one opposite 30 stops blinking and remains on.

6. After making the correct adjustment, take your picture by pressing the Shutter Release gently down.

7. You can easily make exposure compensation by taking advantage of the function just described. In the case just illustrated, you can intentionally underexpose by 1 EV by setting the Shutter Speed Selector to 60 (1/60-sec.) or overexpose by 1 EV by setting it to 15 (1/15-sec.)

8. To take pictures requiring long exposures of 2 seconds or more, set the shutter speed selector to "B". The shutter will remain open for as long as the shutter release button is held depressed so that you can trip the shutter when you want to.

5. EXPOSURE COMPENSATION:

Under normal conditions your pictures will be properly exposed without exposure compensation, but if you are shooting under special lighting conditions (against the light, etc.), or if you are taking intentional high key pictures (overexposed pictures) or intentional low key pictures (underexposed pictures), or if you are taking pictures under the conditions shown in the chart, exposure compensation is mandatory.

The procedures for making exposure compensation are as follows:

Press in the Film Speed Selector Lock and move the film speed setting to +1 or -1. Be sure to move it back to its original position after making your exposure.

Exposure Compensation with the Camera on Manual (Refer to the Paragraph on Manual Exposure, Page 33.)

After checking the correct shutter speed indicated by the red LED in the Viewfinder, turn either the Aperture Ring or Shutter Speed Selector to increase or reduce exposure by the desired amount.

Exposure Compensation with the AE Lock (Refer to the Paragraph on AE Lock, Page 29.) Set the Shutter Speed Selector to AEL and use the AE lock to make exposure compensation.
 

 

NOTE: Exposure compensation of  +2 and -2 can be made by means of the Film Speed Selector.  For example, if you are using an ISO/ASA 100 film and an amount of compensation required is +2, set the Film Speed Selector to ISO/ASA 25.

6. MULTIPLE EXPOSURE
Multiple exposure is used to create special picture effects by superimposing the same scene or another scene several times on the same frame. It is easy to do with your Fuji AX.

1. If the film has been already wound, pull out the Film Advance Lever tip slightly (by a standoff angle of the lever) and take your first picture.4.butkus.org

2. With the lever tip in this position, press in the Rewind Button. Then wind the film with the Film Advance Lever. (The film will remain stationary the shutter will cock and the Exposure Counter will remain where it is.)

3. After winding the Film Advance Lever, take your second picture. You can repeat (2) and (3) as many times as you want.

7. SELF TIMER

To take group pictures, family souvenir pictures, etc. with yourself included, use the Self Timer.

1. Mount the camera on a tripod or some other firm support.

2. Wind the film, focus the lens, and make the exposure settings.

3. To prevent light from entering through the Eyepiece, shut the Eyepiece Shutter with the Eyepiece Shutter Lever.
 

4. Swing the Main Switch all the way out toward you so that the letters "SELF" appears in the Main Switch Window.

5. Press the Shutter Release gently down. (You will hear the sound of precision electronics beating time until the shutter trips 12 seconds later.)
 
 

Note: Be careful after you start the Self Timer because the shutter will trip the instant the Main Switch is moved to ON or OFF.

8. CONTROLLING THE DEPTH OF FIELD

To check the effects of the aperture you selected -how well the background has been blurred out or how deep the zone of sharpness is- look through the Viewfinder and stop down the Lens to the taking aperture by pressing in the Preview Button. The reason you can exercise such control is that when the Lens is focused on a point, there will be a zone of sharpness extending to the front and back of that point of sharpest focus which is known as the depth of field of a lens and which works as follows:
 

1. The longer the lens focal length, the narrower the depth of field and vice versa.

2. The smaller the aperture, the wider the depth of field, and vice versa.

3. The farther the point on which the lens is focused, the wider the depth of field, and vice versa.

4. The zone of sharpness in front of the point of sharpest focus is narrower than the zone of sharpness behind it.

* You can take advantage of this characteristic of photographic lenses to use "selective focusing," that is, to draw attention to your main subject by blurring out its surroundings or to make your pictures sharp all the way from foreground to background.
 

All the interchangeable lenses of your Fuji AX have a depth of field scale etched on the top of the lens barrel. If you are using an F1.6, 50 mm lens and have set the Aperture Ring to F8 and the Distance Ring to 5m, everything approximately between 3.5 and 8.7 meters from the camera will turn out sharp (the distance between the two 8s on the depth-of-field scale.)
 
 

Note: The X-Fujinon Z 1:3.5 - 4.2/29 - 47 mm DM and X-Fujinon Z 1:3.5 - 4.5/43 - 75 mm DM lends have a depth of field scale with colored lines, which work together with the colored numbers on the aperture ring. Read the instructions packed with them lenses carefully.

9. INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY

To take infrared pictures with infrared film in your camera, the Lens is focused on a point slightly short of your subject. The procedure is as follows:

1. Focus the lens on your subject.

2. Check the distance given on the Distance Ring and move that distance opposite the Infrared Setting Mark. Next, put a red filter on the Lens and shoot. (The Infrared Setting Mark is the small red dot located next to the Lens Setting Mark. )

* Read the instruction sheet packed with your infrared film carefully because exposure is not determined by subject brightness.
 

10. TAKING FLASH PICTURES

Indoor, nighttime, and outdoor back lighted pictures are best taken with a flash.

To take automatic flash pictures with your Fuji AX, use either the Fuji Auto Strobe 300X or the Fuji Auto Strobe AZ. (Both are exclusive "system accessories" of your Fuji AX).

The Fuji Auto Strobe 300X is a large capacity flash having a guide number of 30 and it has a sub light to assist you to take bounce light pictures. By using this flash you can take perfect bounce light pictures every time, although this type of pictures are generally considered difficult to take with flash. In addition, it will automatically switch the camera's shutter speed to 1/60-sec. as soon as it is fully charged.

The Fujica Auto Strobe AZ has a guide number of 17 and it lets you take automatic flash pictures with the entire range of apertures on your camera lens. This is a highly effective flash for taking pictures of groups of people because it interlocks with the camera's film speed selector and extends the shooting distance when the camera is loaded with high speed film. This flash will also automatically switch the camera's shutter speed to 1/60 -sec. as soon as it is fully charged.

When the camera's Shutter Speed Selector is set to AE or AEL both auto flash units will let you take automatic flash pictures as soon as they are fully charged. The camera is capable of non-flash automatic exposure until they are fully charged, so even if the shutter is released by mistake, you will get a correctly exposed picture. You can also take continuous flash pictures in combination with the Auto Winder X.

1. Taking Automatic Flash Pictures with the Fujica Auto Strobe 300X4.butkus.org

1. Clip the strobe foot into the camera's accessory shoe.

2. Use any shutter speed except "B".

3. Set the Strobe's Distance Selector to either the yellow, green, or red mark. Them marks represent the following shooting distances:

Yellow .......1 - 2.7 m {3.3 - 8.9 ft.)
Green  .......1 - 5.3 m (3.3 - 17.5 ft.)
Red ......... 1.5 - 10.7 m (5 - 35.3 ft.)

4. Set the ISO/ASA speed selector on the strobe back to the number corresponding to the speed of the film you are using.

5. Read off the aperture you need for the color of the mark you selected and set the camera's aperture ring accordingly.
 
 

Example: If you are using an ISO/ASA 100 film (Fuji color HR100) and have set the Strobe's Distance Selector to the green mark, the aperture is F5.6 so you'll have to set the camera's aperture to F5.6.

6. Turn on the Strobe Switch.

7. As soon as the flash is fully charged, the Strobe's Ready Lamp will turn on. The shutter speed indicator LED opposite "60" will also turn on in the viewfinder, if the Shutter Release is pressed halfway down.

8. To take your picture, focus the lens, compose your subject, and press down the Shutter Release.
 
 

Note: If the Shutter Release is depressed all the way before the flash is fully charged, the shutter will be released in the aperture-preferred AE or manual exposure mode.

If your subject is standing near a wall, you will get distracting shadows in your picture if you flash it from the front. The situation calls for using bounce light.
The Fujica Auto Strobe 300X has a head that will tilt O - 90ø, and when tilted, it automatically converts into a twin flash having a main (G. No. 25) and a sub (G. No. 6) face to prevent your subject from becoming underexposed.
 

1. Clip the strobe foot into the camera's accessory shoe.
2. Use any shutter speed except B.
 

3. If you are using an X-Fujinon DM lens, set the Strobe's F-number dial to F1.4 (marked in red). If you are using an X-Fujinon lens, set it to the maximum aperture of the lens.

4. You can use any aperture you wish but the shooting distance will differ depending on the aperture and the speed of the film you are using. (Use the accompanying chart as your guide for selecting the aperture).

5. Switch the strobe switch to "AUTO" and shoot as soon as the Ready Lamp turns on.
6. To take your picture, focus the lens, compose your subject, and press down the Shutter Release.
 
 

Note: The continuous diagonal lines on the right show the farthest shooting distances and the hyphenated lines on the left show the nearest shooting distances.

Example: ISO/ASA 100 film, F4 .... 0.5 - 4m (1.7 -13.2 ft.) The nearest shooting distance for ISO/ASA 25 and 50 films is 0.5 meter at all apertures.

3. Taking Automatic Flash Pictures with Other Auto-flash Units

Set the Shutter Speed Selector to 1/60 sec. (X sync) and set the Aperture Ring to the specified value. The flash will do the rest to give you correctly exposed pictures. (For details, read the instructions packed with the flash you are using).4.butkus.org

4. Other Flash Units

You'll have to find the correct aperture to use by dividing the flash guide number by the distance from flash to subject and set the Aperture Ring accordingly.

Example using an ISO/ASA 100 film (Fujicolor HR100)
Flash guide number (ISO/ASA 100, meters) .....20
Flash to subject distance .....................5m
Since 20 divided by 5 = 4, the correct aperture is F4.

Example using an ISO/ASA 400 film (Fujicolor H R400) The guide number is double that of the ISO/ASA 100 film so 40 divided by 5 = 8 and the correct aperture is F8.

If your computation yields a number which falls between two f-numbers given on the Aperture Ring, set the Ring to the smaller of the two numbers (larger aperture).

X-Fujinon lens operation and mount adapters

1. CHANGING THE LENS

An advantage of the SLR camera is that it permits you to use many different kinds of lenses, and there are a wide variety of high performance X-Fujinon interchangeable lenses of outstanding color compatibility available to you for taking scenic, portraits, snapshots, etc.

There are two types:

X-Fujinon DM Lenses {Lenses with an Orange  Mark on the Aperture Scale)

These are capable of full aperture metering and programmed, shutter-preferred, and aperture-preferred automatic exposure.

However, your Fujica AX-3 is provided for full aperture metering and aperture-preferred automatic exposure only. Do not set the Aperture Ring to the orange (diamond) mark.
 

1. Auto-diaphragm lug

(Stops down the aperture to the preset value just before exposure by the operation of the Aperture Control Lever in the camera body.)

2. Full aperture signal pin

(Having a special built-in resistor for full aperture, it signals the viewfinder indicator and auto strobe circuits in the camera body on contact with a pin in the body.)

3. Aperture keying lug

(It signals the f-number to the camera body, works at 6 degrees intervals per step, and stops the aperture down to minimum when the Aperture Ring is set for the orange  mark.)

4. Lens auto/manual groove

(When a DM lens is mounted, it presses in the auto/manual pin in the camera body to activate the automatic aperture setting circuit, and when the lens is on manual, it activates the circuit for stopping the aperture down to the preset value.)

X-Fujinon Lenses (Lenses without the  Mark on the Aperture Ring)

These can be used for full aperture metering and aperture-preferred automatic exposure but not for programmed and shutter-preferred automatic exposure. They are not provided with functions (2) and (4) of the DM lenses.

3. USING PRAKTICA SCREW-MOUNT FUJINON LENSES

These lenses are mounted on your Fujica AX-3 with the Mount Adapter X-S (optional). The procedure for taking pictures is explained below. For details read the instructions packed with the adapter.

1. Screw the Mount Adapter X-S on the rear end of your lens.

2. Place the red dot on the adapter's rear end against the red dot on the camera's Lens Mount and turn the lens 65ø to the right (clockwise). It will lock into position with a click.

CAMERA CARE

* After you are through shooting, be sure to trip the shutter by pressing down the shutter release button.

* Normally. your camera does not need lubricating. It should never be oiled or taken apart except by a qualified service technician.

* Periodically, dust off your camera and wipe it with clean, lintless cloth. Use an air blower to remove dust and film debris from the interior.

* If you are not using your camera for a long interval, take it out of its case, remove the battery, and store it away from moisture, heat, and dust. The best way to store it is to keep it in a lidded container together with some desiccant, such as silica gel.

* Guard the lens and viewfinder against finger marks and dust. Use an air blower to remove dust.  Finger marks are removed with Fuji Lens cleaning Fluid or Lens Cleaning Paper. Do not touch the mirror because it will damage easily.

* Keep a note of your camera and lens numbers so that you can trace them in cam they go astray.

* If you are shooting sea-side scenes, carry the camera in a vinyl bag and take it out only when you need it.  After you return home, wipe off salt and sand with a piece of clean, lintless cloth.

* Take your camera to your service technician for its checking about once every two years. It will give you better and longer service.

* On hot days, do not leave your camera in your car or in moist places except temporarily for a very short time.

* In freezing weather, keep it warm by putting it in the case and carrying it inside your wind breaker and take it out only when it is needed.

* Guard against dropping your camera on the floor and do not leave it in direct sunlight.
 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Description:  Automatic exposure 35 mm SLR with focal plane shutter.4.butkus.org

Exposure Modes: Aperture-preferred and flash automatic exposure,
                plus manual.

Picture Size: 24 x 36 mm

Interchangeable Lenses: X-Fujinon DM lenses; X Fujinon lenses; Fujinon lenses (capable of automatic exposure when mounted with the Fujica Mount Adapter X-SI.

Standard Lens: X-Fujinon 1:1.6 f=50 mm DM, 6-component, 6-element.
                EBC X-Fujinon 1:1.6 f=50 mm DM, 6-component, 6-element
                EBC X-Fujinon 1:1.2 f=50 mm DM, 7-component, 7-element.
                X-Fujinon Z 1:3.5 - 4.5 f=43 - 75 mm DM. 7-component,
                7 element.

Lens Mount: Fujica X Mount (bayonet mount) :65' turn: 43.5 mm flange back

Viewfinder: Silvered pentaprism eye level type.

Finder Field of View: 92% vertically and horizontally.

Finder Magnification: 86X (with 50 mm lens set to infinity}

Finder Dioptry: -1.0 diopters, Focusing Three-way
                (split-image, microprism, ground glass screen)

Viewfinder Information: shutter speed indication, aperture number,
                over and underexposure warning, battery check signal.

Finder Information: Reading By turning on the power switch and
                pressing the shutter release halfway down

Finder Eyepiece: Construction Built for attaching right angle finder,
                eyesight correction lenses and eyecup

Mirror:  Coated, quick return type.

Eyepiece Shutter: Built-in to prevent entrance of extraneous light

Automatic Exposure Control: Three-magnet, electronic.

Light Metering: Silicon photocells. center-weighted averaging system.

Light Metering Range: ISO/ASA 100: EV 0 - 19 (F1.4 2 sec -F22 1/1000 sec)

Film Speed Setting: ISO/ASA 12 - 3200,1/3 step, provision for locking.

Exposure Compensation: 1 stop by means of the camera s fractional
                        exposure control

Exposure Memory (AE Lock): The exposure setting is locked by switching
                            the shutter speed selector to AEL and
                            pressing the shutter release halfway down
                            and holding it there.

Depth of Field Preview: Pushbutton

Manual Exposure Setting: By checking the manually set shutter speed
                            against the meter set shutter speed
                            (both indicated by LEDs) and making proper
                            adjustments.

Shutter: Cloth focal plane, electronically controlled from 2 seconds
                        to 1/1000 second in 1/4 steps (digital control;
                        oil less metal.

Shutter Speed Selector Settings: B. AEL. AE, 2S, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8,
                           1/15, 1/30,1/60,1/125, 1/250,1/500, 1/1000.

Power Source: 6V silver-oxide battery (4SR44}, alkaline-manganese
                    battery (4LR44) or lithium battery.4www.butkus.org

Battery Check: Signal Blinking of a red LED in the viewfinder opposite
                    the letter B" on the shutter speed scale.

Main Switch: On/Off lever on camera top: also serves as self -timer switch

Shutter Release: Two-step electromagnetic release; first step activates
                light meter and viewfinder information circuit;
                second step completes exposure provided with cable
                release socket.

Multiple Exposure: By winding the film while pressing in the film
                rewind button.

Self-timer: Electronically controlled; trips shutter in 12 seconds;
            audible signal (beep-beep) keeps you alert until
            shutter trips.

Sync Contact: X contact. 1/60-sec. hot shoe; special contacts for
            exclusive flashes; provided with sync terminal.

Auto-flash System: Automatic shutter speed setting with exclusive
            flashes automatic flash exposure.

Camera Back: Snaps open when the film rewind crank is pulled out:
             can be removed and replaced with a data back
            (Fujica Photo Recorder, optional! for printing data
            on the film.

Film Loading: Multiple-slit take-up spool for easy loading.

Film Advance: Single-stroke lever on camera top: provision for
                advancing film in small increments 144 degree winding
                angle, 25 degree stand off.

Exposure Counter: Automatic reset, additive; counts backward during
                film rewind, remains still during multiple exposure.

Film Rewind: Rewind button and crank button automatically returns
            to normal position when crank is wound.

Dimensions:  Body: 135x86x54 mm (5.3 x 3.4 x 2.1 in.)

            With 1.6/50 mm lens: 135x86x87 mm (5.3x3.4x3.4in.)

Weight Body: 520g (18.3 oz)
            With 1.6/50 mm lens: 690g (24.3 oz.)

Included Accessories: Hard case, carrying strap, lens front cap,
                        rubber lens hood.

Interchangeable Lenses: See list on page 48.

Optional Accessories: Fujica Auto Winder X. Fujica Auto Strobe AZ,
                Fujica Auto Strobe 300X, Fujica Photo Recorder,
                Fujica Mount Adapter X S. Fujica Auto Extension
                Tube X25, Fujica Auto Extension Tube X50,
                Fujica Auto Bellows X, Fujica Slide Copier X. Fujica
                Microscope Adapter X, Fujica Macro Cine Copy X,
               Fujica Reverse Adapter X, Fujica Focusing Rail X,
                Fujica Right angle Finder, Fujica Eyesight
                Correction Lenses, Fujica Eyecup, Fujica Teleconverter 2X.

Fujica Filters: (12 types), Gadget Bags L&S.

Notice: Specifications are subject to change without notice.