ROAMER I and ROAMER II
posted 7-12-'03
This camera manual library is for reference
and historical purposes, all rights reserved.
This page is copyright© by Butkus camera manual site. M. Butkus, NJ.
This page may not be sold or distributed without
the expressed permission of the producer.
I have no connection with any camera company.

On-line camera manual library

Back to main on-line manual page

If you find this manual useful,
how about a donation of $3 to:


M. Butkus, 29 Lake Ave.,
High Bridge, NJ 08829-1701
and send your e-mail address
so I can thank you.
Most other places would charge
you $7.50 for a electronic copy
or $18.00 for a hard to read Xerox copy.

This will help me to continue to host this site,
buy new manuals, and pay their shipping costs.

It'll make you feel better, won't it ?

If you use Pay Pal, use the link below.
Use the above address for a check, M.O. or cash.



https://www.PayPal.me/butkus

Venmo  @mike-butkus-camera  Ph 2083

<<< IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS OR ANY PDF FILE
PRINTED, BOUND AND MAILED TO YOU,
SEE THIS OUTSIDE COMPANY'S OFFER
>>>


Click here for a Roamer I and II PDF
made from this file


  Roamer I and II camera

 

 

The ROAMER Cameras

Romer camera The universal requirements of the vast picture. taking public are reflected in the design of both the Roamer I and Roamer II folding cameras.

The versatility of these folding c cameras makes them ideal for the photo fan who requires a highly effective camera, yet one which is easy to carry and easy to use. Our Design Engineers have developed these precision picture-taking instruments, which require only a minimum of adjustment on the part of the camera user. The exacting construction, and the many built-in features make these Roamer cameras outstanding recorders of family, friends, and other "kept-for life" events.

It was with the realization that photography has long been graduated from a "pastime", and is now a necessity, that the Roamer I and Roamer II cameras were developed.

It is advisable to practice with empty camera, after you have read the instructions outlined ill this manual.

OPENING
Press button (fig. 1), and pull down the front until it locks into position, as indicated in (fig. 2). The camera is now open for picture taking

TO CLOSE
Before closing the Roamer I, or Roamer II, make certain that the distance focusing ring is turned back to infinity position and that the waist-lever view finder is in vertical position.
Then, press down the release lever (fig. 3 ) and close the front.

Romer camera

Romer camera

Romer camera

Romer camera



· DISTANCE FOCUSING

Romer camera

To set the lens for the distance between the camera and subject to be photographed, rotate the knurled focusing ring (figs. 4 and 5) until the distance required is opposite the distance marker.

 

 

Romer camera Settings for distances other than those indicated on the focusing scale can be made by approximating the distance setting desired.


· LENS OPENING

Romer camera

ROAMER I

The Roamer I has an Achromat (color corrected) coated lens.

To set the diaphragm opening through which the light passes when the shutter opens for the exposure, rotate the f stop indicator ring. (fig. 6 shows setting at fl6.)

Each stop opening, from f32 to F11 permits twice as much light to reach the film as the preceding stop.


Romer camera

ROAMER II

The Roamer II has an f4.5 anastigmat, color corrected, coated lens. The f stop marks are indicated on the top of the lens mount. The f stop indicator can be moved in either direction for the desired aperture. Figure 7 shows the lens set at f8.

To use f stops not marked on the scale of the Roamer I or Roamer II, set the indicator between the two nearest numbers.

 


· SPEED ADJUSTMENT

Romer camera

ROAMER I

There are two positions on the Roamer I shutter, "Instantaneous" for snapshots, and "Bulb" for long exposures. For all ordinary pictures keep the speed indicator on "I" (fig. 8 ) . For time exposures move the timing lever to "B" (fig. 9 ) . It is recommended that a cable release and a tripod or other firm support be used for "B" exposures.

ROAMER II

Shutter speed markings are indicated on the front of the lens mounting for convenient, time saving adjustments. Turn the shutter speed ring until the indicator is opposite the desired speed. The Roamer II scale is marked for speeds from 1/25 to 1/200th of a second, "B". Figure 10 shows the shutter set at "B".

In using Bulb, the camera should be placed on a tripod or other firm sup port. Use of a cable release is recommended.

 



· THE VIEW FINDERS

Romer camera

WAIST-LEVEL VIEW-FINDER
This viewfinder enables you to take full length pictures of subjects without stooping. To take horizontal pictures with this finder, simply turn the camera and finder to the side (fig. 11).

EYE-LEVEL TELESCOPIC VIEWFINDER
This finder is ideal for action and candid shots. Hold the camera firmly at eye level and frame the subject in the viewfinder window (fig. 12).

 



· RELEASE

Romer camera ROAMER I - The Roamer I is equipped with an automatic self winding shutter. It is important that the camera be held steady during exposure, otherwise a blurred picture will result. Press down the shutter release, slowly and smoothly. The release will return to its original position as you remove your finger--the picture is taken on the first down stroke.

ROAMER II - The Roamer II is equipped with a unique trigger shutter release. When using the eyelevel finder, hold the camera steady and push the trigger release smoothly downward with the index finger of the left hand (fig. 13). To trip the shutter trigger when using

the waist level view-finder, it is most convenient to use the index finger of the right hand.

For horizontal pictures, using the waist level viewfinder, is advisable to use the thumb of the left hand. A few moments practice with this shutter trigger and you will soon discover the full advantage of this release.

When taking Bulb pictures, make certain that the camera is held steady on a tripod or other solid support. Locate the subject in the viewfinder.  Press the shutter lever to open the shutter. Hold for the required length of time, and then release. The picture is now taken, and the film should be advanced for the next exposure.

· LOADING

Romer camera

Both the Roamer I and Roamer II are especially designed to use either 120 or 620 size film.

To load, push button sideways, in direction of the arrow (fig. 14), and open the back. Pull out the film roll retaining knob, and place the full roll of film in the lower film chamber (fig. 15). Put the take up spool in the upper c chamber The retaining knobs will automatically center the film rolls.

Now break the seal on the film roll and pull the end of the paper across to the empty spool. Thread the end of the paper through the longer slot in the take-up spool as far as it will go (fig. 16). Turn the winding knob two or three turns in the direction of the arrow, and then close the back cover.

 

Romer camera Push up the safety film window guard (fig. 17), and turn the winding knob until the figure "1" appears in the window. The film is now ready for the first exposure. After each exposure, turn the wind knob until the next number appears in the window.

It is advisable to slide open the film window guard only when advancing film.


· UNLOADING
After the 8th exposure has been made, turn the winding knob until the end of the protective paper is completely wound onto the take up spool. Now, as you did in the loading operation, open the back of the camera. Do not pull the end of the paper to tighten the film roll--this may scratch the film. Pull out the film roll retaining knob, and remove the exposed roll of film. Moisten the gummed sticker and seal the roll. The film is now ready to be developed.

PHOTOFLASH UNIT

Romer camera

The Roamer I and Roamer II have built in flash synchronization. For taking flash pictures, an accessory flash cable and flash unit must be slid into the synchronizing clip. The camera synchronizer in

camera synchronizer Insures perfect t timing between the opening of the shutter and the flash of the bulb.

Follow the instructions that accompany each Roamer Cable l lash, and Mercury Photoflash Unit, for setting up, and battery and bulb loading. Do not use the exposure data in the Mercury Photoflash Instruction Sheet, however, as it does not apply to either the Roamer I or Roamer II. See pages 18 and 19 for all flash bulb exposure data which applies to these folding camera.

To determine the proper distance and lens setting for photoflash exposure with the Roamer I and Roamer II:

1. Locate the speed rating of the film you are using under the column marked Tungsten Weston.

2. Read across until you reach the distance in feet between camera and subject to be photographed.

3. In the lower section of the exposure chart find the G. E. or Wabash bulb number you are using.

4. Read across the flash bulb line you have located. The point at which the distance column and the flash bulb line meet is the diaphragm opening to be used.

For example, with the ROAMER I, if the Tungsten Weston film speed you are using is 32, the distance from the camera to subject is 10 feet, and the bulb being used is a G. E. #22, then the diaphragm should be set at f32.

An example with the ROAMER II: If the Tungsten Weston film speed you are using is 32, the distance from the camera to subject is 16 feet, and the bulb being used is a G. E. #11, then the diaphragm should be set at F11.

If there is no diaphragm number listed at the point where your readings meet, the distance between camera and subject must be altered.


· CABLE RELEASE

Romer camera

 

The location of the Roamer I cable release connection is shown in figure 18, and the Roamer II cable release connection is shown in figure 19.

Two of the many cable release types for the Roamer cameras are:

Leitz cable release

Ellen cable release (with solid end)

Consult your local photographic dealer--he has a complete selection of cable releases.

Romer camera


· TRIPOD SOCKETS
Both the Roamer I and Roamer II are equipped with two tripod sockets for convenient picture taking in horizontal or vertical position.

PHOTOFLASH UNIT
With the photoflash unit and flash cable adapter you can get those "impossible" pictures, day or night, indoors or outdoors.

UNIVERSAL ROAMER FLASH CABLE ADAPTER
This compact flash cable adapter together with the Photoflash Unit keeps your Roamer camera active day or night, indoors or outdoors.



Romer camera

 

Romer camera