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The Canonflex RM is a single-lens reflex 35mm camera, designed for both amateur and professional photographers. It features a pentaprism, eye-level type finder, and can be coupled with the Waist-level Viewer 2 RM. The focusing glass utilizes a specially treated Fresnel lens with high resolving power and a split-image type rangefinder for precise focusing. The camera is equipped with a quick-return mirror.
The camera uses a Super Canomatic system for its fully automatic pre-set aperture mechanism. The lens is ordinarily wide open, but when the shutter is actuated, it automatically closes down to the pre-selected aperture stop. After the shutter operation is completed, it reopens to full aperture. The manual aperture ring allows the lens to be opened or closed independently of the pre-selected aperture stop, enabling photographers to see the actual sharpness of the picture. When using the manual aperture mechanism, the automatic pre-set aperture ring should always be at the full opening position to prevent straining the internal automatic mechanism.
Canon offers a range of interchangeable lenses for the Canonflex RM, extending from 50mm F1.8 to 1000mm F11, with 14 lenses in total. These lenses are known for their high resolution, contrast, brilliance, and color fidelity, featuring Canon-exclusive Spectra-Coating. The Super Canomatic Lenses have a fully automatic springback diaphragm, which closes down to the pre-selected aperture stop when the shutter is released and then returns to full-opening view instantly, providing a bright view at all times.
The Canonflex RM features a single-pivot focal plane shutter, linearly calibrated from 1/1000 to 1 second, plus a "B" setting for bulb exposure. The "B" setting keeps the lens open as long as the shutter button is pressed, suitable for exposures longer than 1 second. For time exposures, the dial can be set to "B" and a cable release with a lock can be used. The 1/60 second scale on the dial is also used for X flash synchronization, specifically for speedlight (electronic flash) photography. Intermediate speeds other than calibrated settings should be avoided.
The camera includes a needle-type exposure meter coupled to the shutter speed dial. With ASA 100 film, it has a sensitivity range from LV 6 to LV 17, effective with film speeds from ASA 10 to ASA 800. To set the film speed, the outer sensitivity ring of the shutter dial is lifted and turned. The outer ring can only be lifted and turned, and the dial cannot be turned beyond 10 to the right or 800 to the left in the indicator. Film speed information is typically found on the film box or in the film's instructions.
To decide the shutter speed, set the desired aperture stop, aim the camera at the subject, and turn the shutter speed dial to align the lens aperture reading with the needle. Ensure the shutter dial is set to a click stop. When reading the meter, avoid covering the photo-cell with your hand. The aperture stop reading is carried out along the guide line. Alternatively, to decide the aperture, set the desired shutter speed as recommended by the film instruction, point the camera at the subject, read the aperture stop indicated by the exposure meter needle, and set the automatic pre-set aperture ring accordingly, reading the corresponding position of the zebra pattern edges. While positions between numbers on the shutter speed dial cannot be used, positions between numbers on the aperture ring can. For correct exposure, it is recommended to set the shutter speed first and then adjust the lens aperture.
The exposure meter can be adjusted so that the needle always points to "O" when the photo-cell is covered. To do this, turn the zero adjustment cover to the left and remove it. An adjustment pin with a groove will be visible; use a screwdriver or stick to turn the pin left or right until the needle points to "O". During this operation, the photo-cell must be completely covered. When photographing against a very bright background (e.g., blue sky), there's a tendency for the main subject to be underexposed if the photo-cell is faced too far upward. To avoid this, prevent the camera from tilting upward when reading the exposure meter. When shooting against the light, it's important to decide whether to emphasize the background or the main object to determine the exposure.
The Canonflex RM supports flash photography with the Canon Flash Unit V-2 mounted to the direct flash connector socket. Speedlight (electronic flash) can be used at 1/60 sec. setting. The camera automatically adjusts the time lag of the flash when the shutter speed dial is set. A lens hood is necessary for flash photography. The synchronization chart indicates which flash bulb types (FP, M, F) synchronize at various shutter speeds (1000, 500, 250, 125, X/60, 30, 15, 8, 4, 2, 1, B). A black mark indicates non-synchronization. The 1/60 sec. position is used for "X" contact. For extra small flash bulbs with very low light quantity, a speed slower than 1/15 sec. should be chosen.
The built-in self-timer is actuated by pressing the shutter release button. To use it, wind the film, turn the self-timer lever in the arrow direction, and press the shutter button. The shutter will click approximately 10 seconds later. The self-timer lever should be turned more than 2/3 of its complete turn. The time can be adjusted by the position of the self-timer lever. Film winding can be carried out after the self-timer lever has been set.
Turning the film winding lever until it stops advances the film one frame and sets the shutter. This operation also sets the mirror's operating mechanism and the lens's automatic pre-set aperture mechanism. The film counter advances one number with each frame, showing how many pictures have been taken. When the back cover is opened, the exposure counter dial automatically returns to "S" (starting point). If the film winding is incomplete, the shutter will not release. In such cases, wind the lever once more. A cable release can be attached to the shutter button.
The Canonflex RM can use either daylight loading film (in a cartridge) or film loaded in a special Canon magazine V.
The rewind crank should turn each time the film is wound, indicating correct film winding onto the take-up spool. If the rewind crank does not turn, it means either the film end has come loose from the take-up spool or the film perforations are not caught on the sprocket teeth. In such a case, refer to the film rewinding section and then reload the camera.
After loading the film, ensure the film speed is displayed in the film speed indicator window on the shutter speed dial. Refer to page 9 of the manual for details on film speed settings.
When the film roll is finished, rewinding the film back into the cassette (or magazine) involves the following steps:
Accidental double exposure is prevented by a built-in device. However, intentional double exposures can be made:
Remove the lens cap and look through the finder. Turn the focusing ring. The picture in the circle in the finder is split in two by the center line when the object is out of focus. The object is in focus when the image seen in the center aligns vertically. The entire picture that will appear on the finished film can be seen in the focusing glass, eliminating parallax even with interchangeable lenses or altered distances. For special effects or specific situations, focusing can be done on the part outside the circle, disregarding the split-image method. A waist-level viewer can be attached to the eye-level finder, best suited for ultra telephoto lenses, copying work, and microphotography. Four types of adjustment eyesight lenses are available for the Canonflex RM (+1.5, 0, -2.5, -4), recommended for those who wear glasses.
The distance scale indicates the distance between the focused object and the film surface. While not essential for ordinary photography, it's useful for checking depth of field, infra-red photography, and flash. On the scale, exact positions for single-digit numbers are at the center of the number, for two-digit numbers midway between them, and for three-digit numbers at the middle number. When measuring distance, measure from the film position mark on the camera to the desired point, then turn the distance scale to the appropriate number.
Canon lenses feature an "R" letter on the depth-of-field scale for infra-red film. When using infra-red film, focus normally. Read the object's distance from the red distance scale. Then, turn the lens barrel until the distance reading aligns with the "R" mark. For example, if focused at 15 ft., move the 15 to the "R" position.
The depth-of-field scale shows the range within which a sharp picture can be achieved before and behind the point of focus. This range varies with the chosen F-stop; a larger lens aperture results in less depth of field. For example, with an F-stop of 5.6 and an object focused at 5m (15 ft.), the camera will yield a sharp picture from approximately 3.7m (12.3 ft.) to 7.8m (26 ft.). At F11, the sharp range extends from 2.9m (9.7 ft.) to 17m (56.7 ft.). The Super Canomatic Lens allows viewing the actual sharpness through the viewfinder eyepiece by manually rotating the manual aperture ring.
General| Brand | Canon |
|---|---|
| Model | Canonflex RM |
| Category | Digital Camera |
| Language | English |
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