Delayed Action Release for Self Portraitures

The delayed action release is fitted to the bottom of the shutter and is set by moving the lever as far as it will go.
Warning: The delayed action release cannot be used with "B" setting (time).  It would damage the shutter.

The Optical Exposure Meter

There are three rows of figures of different density inside the exposure meter (right hand eye piece). With the eye piece held close to the eye, aim the camera at the subject to be taken. The highest figure which is discernible after looking through the eye piece for about 20 seconds will be the light value and is the basis for reading off the exposure time from the exposure tables on the camera case.

Click here to see the Light Value Scale

How to Read the Exposure Time from the Exposure Table
Example. Assuming that the figure 10 is the highest discernible figure in the exposure meter, refer to the table which is attached to the back of the camera case and look for figure 10 in the top horizontal row. The left-hand vertical row, in front of the thick black line gives the apertures from the 2.8 to 16. It is then possible to read off the exposure times for each aperture from the vertical row running down from the figure 10. Assuming that aperture 16 has been chosen (smallest aperture), the reading in the vertical line under the figure 10 for aperture 16 will be 1/10 second. For aperture 11 an exposure time of 1/25 second would be required, for aperture 8, 1/5n second, for aperture 5.6, 1/100 second and for aperture 4, 1/300 second. No exposure time for aperture 2.8 is given because for this light value (10) so large an aperture would be unsuitable. The same procedure should be adopted for all other light values.

Note: The table is compiled for film with a sensitivity of 17/10 DIN.  For 21/10 DIN the exposure times should be halved and for 13/10 DIN they should be doubled.

The corresponding values for other sensitivity scales may be taken to be as follows:

DIN	SCHEINER	WESTON	ASA/BS
21/10 17/10 13/10	31 27 23	64 25 10	12 32 80

How to Focus

After estimating the distance between the camera and the subject to be taken or after ascertaining it by means of a range finder (which can be mounted on the camera), the second milled ring situated on the lens is turned to register with the line which will be found in the middle of the fixed ring engraved in red. The scale of the distance setting ranges from 3'/2 ft. to infinity. Exposure Time The shutter is set by bringing the red line on the milled ring of the shutter into register with the desired speed which is engraved on the collar on top of the shutter housing.

The Depth of Field

The depth of field comprises the area which is sharply defined by the lens, from the foreground to the background. This area or depth varies according to the aperture chosen, that is to say, a large aperture (f/2.8) gives less depth of field and a small aperture (f/16) gives a greater depth of field. The depth of field for every aperture setting can be read off the red scale on the middle ring of your  Paxette.

This repeats on the left and on the right on the centre LINE, the range of lens apertures.

Examples . If the focus is set between 20 and 30 ft., everything will be sharp from down 60 ft. to about 15 ft. when working with an aperture of f/4. If working at f/8 however, everything will be sharp from infinity down to 12.5ft.
 

The Palette should be held firmly in both hands so that the rounded bottom edge is resting on the palms of the hands. When the shutter is released, the left hand will then be keeping the camera steady.  The camera and the hand should be pressed against the head and a broad stance adopted to ensure steadiness. Another point to observe is that the ball of the right hand should exert slight counter pressure whilst the second finger of the right hand presses the trigger.

 

This should be done gently and without jerking. Move the finger only and not the whole hand. Allow the finger to rest on the release lever until the release has run off. Remain calm whilst taking a picture especially when taking snapshots with the Paxette.   Good results amply repay the trouble taken.

If the Paxette should happen to go wrong, the temptation to get a screwdriver and open it up should be resisted. The correct assembly of, say, the shutter or the relationship of the lens to the focal plane are most delicate matters, and even a skilled mechanic not accustomed to cameras should hesitate. A faulty camera should not be touched but should be handed to a good photographic dealer who has a specialist repairer with special tools at his disposal.

 

Camera	Format	Lens	Shutter
Paxette	24 x 36 mm	f/2.8	Pronter S 9 - speeds delayed action : flash
Paxian I	6 x 6 cm	f/7.7	3 - speed (B - 1/25 - 1/100)
Pacian II	6 x 6 cm	f/3,5	Vario 4 - speed : flash
Inperial Box	cameras for 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"	and 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" with and without flash