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Thank you for purchasing the Yashica FX-70 Quartz. The FX-70 Quartz is an easy-to-operate automatic exposure (AE), single-lens reflex camera. This camera includes a high-precision, quartz/digital-controlled automatic exposure mechanism, convenient AE Lock, viewfinder with easy-to-read information, and electronic self-timer. In addition, automatic flash exposures can be taken when the camera is used with the dedicated electronic flash unit "CS-201 Auto". Before using the camera, be sure to read this instruction booklet carefully to learn the correct use and care of the camera.
Contents
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(1) Exposure Counter (2) Self-Timer Lever (3) Film Advance Lever4www.butkus.org (4) Electromagnetic Shutter Release (5) Shutter Selector (6) Flash-Ready Signal Contact (7) Direct X Contact ('hot-shoe) (8) Accessory Shoe (9) Exposure Compensation Index (10) Film Speed Dial
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(11) Film Rewind Crank (12) Film Rewind Knob (13) Handgrip (14) AE Lock Lever (15) Lens Release Button (16) Focusing Ring (17) Aperture/Distance Scale Index (18) Aperture Ring (19) Contax/Yashica Lens Mount (20) Lens Mount Index (21)Self-Timer LED |
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<Mounting the Lens> First remove the camera-body cap and then insert the lens mount into the camera-body mount, matching the red dot on the lens mount with that on the camera body. Then, gripping the lens barrel firmly, turn the lens clockwise until it locks with a click. When mounted correctly, the aperture/distance scale index on the lens will point toward the top of the camera. When using a lens cap of the snap on type, attach or remove it from the lens by pressing in the two side-tabs. <Removing the Lens> While pressing the lens release button, turn the lens counterclockwise slightly and remove it from the camera-body mount. Always keep caps on the camera-body mount and the lens mount when the lens is left off the camera. Avoid touching camera interior or lens surface with your fingers. Avoid direct sunlight when removing or mounting the lens with film loaded in the camera.4www.butkus.org |
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Batteries power all the cameras functions including shutter system, exposure control, etc. The FX-70 Quartz will not operate without batteries. Use two 1.55 V silver-oxide batteries (SR44, Eveready S76, Ucar S76, Mallory MS-76 or equivalent) or 1.5 V alkaline-manganese batteries (LR44 or equivalent). 1. Open the battery compartment cover on camera base by turning it counterclockwise with a coin. |
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2. Insert two batteries into the battery holder according to polarity diagram shown on the holder. Then replace the holder in the battery compartment and firmly secure the compartment cover. If the battery polarities are inserted incorrectly, the camera will not operate. 3. Set the shutter selector to "AUTO" (or X, B), and while looking into the viewfinder, press the shutter release lightly to check that the viewfinder LEDs light steadily or flash. |
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<Battery Check>
Battery condition is indicated by the LED display inside the viewfinder. When batteries are good, the LEDS will light steadily, or flash at regular intervals. When batteries are weak, the camera will warn you of this condition by changing to the flashing LED display shown in the diagram shown below. The camera will continue to operate for a period in this condition, but you should replace the batteries with new ones as soon a possible. When battery power falls below rated voltage, the LEDs will not light, and the camera will not operate. The LED display will remain lit for about 10 seconds after you release your finger from the shutter release button.4www.butkus.org
<Battery Precautions>
* Battery life is approximately 1 year with silver-oxide batteries, and about 6
months with alkaline - manganese batteries, but this may vary depending on
frequency of camera use, the strength of batteries at time of purchase, ambient
temperature, etc.
* Batteries are apt to perform poorly in sub-zero temperatures, causing picture
taking difficulties and LED failure. Keep the camera as warm as possible and
carry extra batteries just in case those in the camera should fail. Batteries
affected by such extreme temperatures will recover power after being kept warm
for a while.
* When installing batteries, wipe the cell cap and base clean. Oily residue on
battery terminals could cause poor electrical contact.
* Remove the batteries when the camera is not used for extended periods.
* Make it a rule to carry spare batteries with you on long trips.
* Do not throw batteries into a fire or attempt to take them apart. THIS IS
DANGEROUS. Also keep batteries out of reach of small children.
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Always use a standard 35 mm film cartridge (12, 20, 24
or 36 exposure roll). Avoid direct sunlight when loading film. 1. Open the camera back by pulling the film rewind knob all the way
out. 2. Place the film cartridge in the film chamber. Then, push the rewind
knob back in, turning it slightly until it falls into position, if
necessary. 3. Draw out the film leader and insert the tip into any slot on the take-up spool.
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| (4) Advance the film slightly with the film advance lever
until the perforations on both sides of the film engage the sprocket
teeth. If necessary, trip the shutter for blank shots and keep advancing
the film until both rows of perforations engage the sprocket. Close the
camera back and Dress until it locks into place.
<Film Advance Lever> Use one full stroke of the film advance lever to advance the film. The electromagnetic shutter release will not function unless the lever is given a full stroke. The film advance lever is easier to I operate if it is kept in the standoff position (20 degree arc) 5. Unfold the rewind crank and turn it gently in the direction of the arrow to take up film slack. |
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(6) Wind the film advance lever and trip the shutter
alternately until the exposure counter reads "1". Now you can
start taking pictures. If the film rewind knob rotates in unison with the
operation of the film advance lever, it means that the film is feeding
properly. When taking blank exposures, remove the lens cap and point the camera toward a bright area, or set the shutter selector "X" or "B" and press the shutter release button. If blank exposures are made with the lens cap in place and the shutter selector set to "AUTO", excessively long exposures will result.
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<Exposure Counter> The exposure counter moves each
time the film advance lever is fully stroked, and automatically resets to
"S" (Start) when the camera back is opened, regardless of whether the
camera is loaded or not. The exposure counter starts with "S", then
"1", followed by even numbers from "4" through
"36". The odd numbers are indicated by dots marked between the even
numbers. The orange-colored numbers "12", "20",
"24" and "36" correspond to the number of exposures in
standard 35 mm film cartridges.
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Proper film speed setting is necessary to assure correct
film exposure. The film speed number (ASA/ISO) in normally indicated
on the film box. While pressing the film-speed dial release-button, rotate the film
speed dial until the ASA/ISO film speed number for the film being used
lines up with the exposure compensation index mark "X1"
(orange-colored). Then, release the button and check to see that the dial
is set on the proper click stop.4www.butkus.org Film Speed Values (ASA/ISO)
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| This shutter controls the amount of time the film is exposed to light. All shutter speeds on the FX-70 Quartz, including "AUTO" (automatic exposure), "B" (bulb), and "X" (Flash Sync-Speed), are controlled by an electronic circuit using a highly accurate quartz oscillating element. | ![]() |
<Shutter Selector Modes>
"OFF"..... In this position, the batteries are turned off and the camera does not operate. When not using the camera, set the shutter selector to this position to avoid unnecessary battery drain and accidental exposures.
"AUTO".... In this position, the shutter speed is automatically controlled to give correct film exposure for the aperture setting selected, subject brightness, and speed of film being used. This setting is also used when making flash pictures with the electronic flash unit CS-201 Auto, (or the Contax TLA20, TLA30).
"B" ...... (Bulb) In this position, the shutter remains open for as long as the shutter release button is depressed.
"X"..... (Flash Sync-Speed) In this position,
electronic flash units other than the CS-201 Auto (or Contax TLA20, TLA30) can
be used for making flash exposures. The flash sync-speed is set at 1/100 second.

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The aperture ring regulates the amount of light transmitted to the film plane. The amount of light transmission is halved when the aperture is changed to the next larger F value (for example, when f/4 is changed to f/5.6), and doubled when it is changed to the next smaller f value. The aperture also controls the depth of field, a lens property giving you varying depth in the plane of focus at different apertures. (Refer to page 76) To set the aperture, turn the aperture ring until the desired aperture setting is aligned with the aperture/distance scale index. The aperture ring can be used at in-between positions. With the exception of PC Distagon and mirror lenses, all Yashica and Zeiss interchangeable lenses feature automatic diaphragms that stop down the selected aperture when the shutter is activated. Thus, your viewfinder always gives you a bright image at full aperture of the lens used.4www.butkus.org |

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Focusing with the FX-70 Quartz
is done by using any element of its convenient Freeway focusing system
consisting of a split image spot, a microprism collar and an outer matte
field.
<Horizontal Split image Spot> When using the split-image spot to focus, turn the focusing ring until the top and bottom halves of the image merge. If the image is out of focus, the two halves will not merge. <Microprism Collar/Matte Field> To focus with the microprism collar, turn the focusing ring until the glittering effect disappears from the collar area, giving you a sharp, clear image when in focus. To focus with the outer matte field, turn the focusing ring until the image appears sharp and clear, free of any foggy effect. |
| · When using long focal length lenses, or lenses with a
relatively small maximum aperture 04 or slower), or when performing close-up
photography at high magnification, the microprism collar and split image spot may become dark, making focusing difficult. In this case, focus using
the outer matte field.
<Diopter Lenses> Special correction lenses are available for those who find it difficult to focus with their eyeglasses on. There are 8 types available: -5D (diopters), -4D, -3D, -2D, OD, + 1 D, + 2D, and + 3D. Choose the one suited to your eyesight needs. These lenses should be used with an accessory eyecup. |
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In order to take a beautiful, in-focus photograph, it is
necessary to hold the camera steadily. Since most blurred pictures are
caused by camera shake (moving the camera at the instant of exposure), you
should practice with the camera until you feel accustomed to holding it
properly. Hold the camera in the palm of your left hand, using your
fingers to rotate the focusing ring. Hold the camera's handgrip firmly in
your right hand, resting your forefinger on the shutter release button.
With your left elbow against your body, hold the camera up to your face
firmly, and while looking through the viewfinder, press the shutter
release lightly. Besides the horizontal position, the camera can of course
also be used to take pictures in the vertical position. In any event,
practice until you find the positions that best suit your own photographic
style.4www.butkus.org
Depending on conditions, it may also be a good idea to stabilize the camera by leaning your body against a building, resting the camera on a fence or other support, etc. |
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| <LED Indicators> When the shutter
release button is pressed lightly, the red LEDs (light emitting diodes)
will light or flash to indicate the shutter speed at time of exposure. The
LEDs will remain lit for about 10 seconds after you remove your finger
from the shutter release button. <Flash-Ready Signal Mark> When using the flash unit "CS-201 Auto" or the Contax "TLA30", "TLA20" flash units, this signal mark will light green when the flash unit is recharged and ready to use. |
<Shutter Speed Scale> The numbers in black at the right
of the viewfinder indicate the camera's shutter speeds in fractions of seconds
(e.g. "1" = 1 second, "2" = 1/2 second, "125" =
1/125 second, ... "1000" = 1/1000 second). The red "2" means
2 seconds, and the "LT" means automatic "longtime" exposures
up to 11 seconds. "B" indicates underexposure or use of the B (Bulb)
shutter selector setting, and "OVER" indicates overexposure.