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Zenit AGAT-18K - User Manual

Zenit AGAT-18K
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Vileyka factory “Zenit”
CAMERA “AGAT-18K”
USER’S MANUAL
0245.00.00.000-02 RE
ATTENTION! Exposure setting in your camera is made by symbols of weather that correspond to the
following typical conditions of shooting at daylight for middle latitudes.
Object on snow, in mountains, at sea at the clear sun.
Sun is clear or in easy haze, sharp shadows.
Sun is in haze, soft shadows.
Light overcast, without shadows.
Cloudy or the shadow side under an open, clear sky.
Very cloudy, thunderclouds.
In a room in 1 meter from a window at absence of direct solar illumination.
Due to continuous modernization of the camera construction there are possible inessential differences
between this manual and your camera.
1. GENERAL INDICATIONS
“Agat-18K” is modern compact scale camera. The camera works in a range of temperatures from a minus 15
up to 45 centigrade.
2. TECHNICAL DATA
Frame size, mm ............................................... 18x24
Number of frames ............................................... 72
Lens (fixed) .............................................. “Industar-104”
Focal length, mm ................................................ 28
Aperture ratio ................................................... 1:2.8
Scale range, m .............................................. 0.9 to inf.
Exposure parameters range ...... 1:2.8 @ 1/60sec to 1:16 @ 1/500sec
Film speed range, ISO ................................. 25 to 1600
Dimensions, mm, no more ............................ 95x60x45
Weight, kg, no more ......................................... 0.12
3. INCLUDED ITEMS
Name
Qty
Note
Camera
1
Lens cap with hand strap
1
On the lens
Insertion
1
Inside of the camera
Take-up spool
1
Inside of the camera
User’s manual
1
Carton box
1

Table of Contents

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Overview

  1. Function Description
  2. Important Technical Specifications
  3. Included Items
  4. Usage Features
  5. Camera Construction
  6. Preparation to Work
  7. Operating Procedure
  8. Setting Exposure by Weather Symbols
  9. Setting Distance
  10. Cocking the Shutter
  11. Photographing
  12. Photographing with Flashlight
  13. Unloading the Camera
  14. Maintenance Features
  15. Guarantee Certificate

The "Agat-18K" is a modern, compact scale camera manufactured by the Vileyka factory "Zenit." It is designed for general photography in a range of temperatures from -15°C to 45°C.

Function Description:

The camera's primary function is to capture images on film. It features an automatic exposure setting system based on weather symbols, which correspond to typical daylight shooting conditions in middle latitudes. These symbols guide the user in selecting appropriate exposure parameters (diaphragm and shutter speed) for various lighting scenarios. The camera also supports flash photography via a hot shoe connection. A unique feature is its ability to transport film "from cartridge to cartridge," eliminating the need for film rewinding.

Important Technical Specifications:

  • Frame size: 18x24 mm
  • Number of frames: 72
  • Lens: Fixed "Industar-104"
  • Focal length: 28 mm
  • Aperture ratio: 1:2.8
  • Scale range: 0.9 m to infinity
  • Exposure parameters range: 1:2.8 @ 1/60 sec to 1:16 @ 1/500 sec
  • Film speed range: ISO 25 to 1600
  • Dimensions (max): 95x60x45 mm
  • Weight (max): 0.12 kg

Included Items:

The camera comes with several accessories:

  • Camera (1)
  • Lens cap with hand strap (1) – to be placed on the lens
  • Insertion (1) – located inside the camera
  • Take-up spool (1) – located inside the camera
  • User's manual (1)
  • Carton box (1)

Usage Features:

Camera Construction:

The camera comprises two main parts: a case with mechanisms and a demountable cover with a view finder. Key controls and functional units include:

  1. Shutter release button
  2. Rewind crank
  3. Wind knob
  4. Rewind button
  5. Hot shoe
  6. Insertion
  7. View finder (front element)
  8. Lens
  9. Distance setting ring
  10. Film speed setting ring
  11. Indexed ring
  12. Exposure setting ring
  13. Dismountable cover
  14. Lock button
  15. "Star" (film advance mechanism)
  16. Take-up spool
  17. Picture counter window
  18. Eye-piece of the view finder
  19. Pressing plate
  20. Tripod socket

Preparation to Work:

  1. Removing the Cover: Remove the lens cover. Hold the camera as shown in Figure 5, push the lock button (14) in the direction of the arrow, and while holding it, remove the camera cover (13).
  2. Shutter Cocking: In an unloaded camera, the shutter can be cocked by rotating the "star" (15) towards the take-up spool.
  3. Rewind Button: Set the rewind button (4) into the working position. To do this, press the button with a finger against the stop and turn it until an index aligns with a white point. If pushing is difficult, slightly turn the spool (16). For long breaks, it's recommended to set the rewind button to the non-working position (index points to red).
  4. Loading Film (Standard Method):
    • Open plate (19) and insert the film cartridge.
    • Insert the film end into the slot of the take-up spool (16) so it exits through the opposite slot.
    • Ensure the film lies on the guidelines of the film channel without skews, and the claw of the reception coil and the "star" (15) claws fit into the film perforations (Figure 6).
    • Close the plate, ensuring the ledge on the support guideline enters the appropriate groove.
    • Release the shutter. Rotate the wind knob (3) while pressing plate (19) to the film channel to ensure the film reels onto the take-up spool and the "star" (15) rotates.
    • Close the camera cover (13) by inserting its ledge into the guidelines and pushing until it stops and the springed lock button (14) latches.
    • Advance the film past the lighted part by turning the wind knob (3) until it stops, then press the shutter release button (1). Repeat 2-3 times. The picture counter window (17) should display '1', indicating the camera is ready for shooting.
    • If the handle doesn't rotate when winding, the shutter is cocked; press the release button. If it rotates without restriction, check the rewind button's position (5.2) or adjust the film end's gearing with the take-up spool tooth (16).
  5. Loading Film ("Cartridge to Cartridge" Method):
    • Preparation: Set button (4) to work position (5.2). Hold wind knob (3) with one hand, use the other to turn the take-up spool counter-clockwise and remove it. Keep the spool if no free take-up cartridge is available. When installing the take-up spool (16), button (4) must be in work position. Hold knob (3) with your right hand, insert the take-up spool (16) onto the fork, and turn it clockwise until it stops.
    • Cartridge Preparation: Take a loaded cartridge and cut the film edge to insert it into the take-up cartridge spool slot (Figure 7). Remove the spool from the take-up cartridge, orient it as the feeding spool, fix the film, and assemble the take-up cartridge.
    • Installation: Open the plate, move the cartridges apart to match the distance between cavities, and install them. Ensure the film lies on the guidelines without skews, and the "star" tooth (15) enters the film perforation (Figure 8). The rest of the process is as described in 5.3.
  6. Setting Film Speed: Set the loaded film speed by turning ring (10) (which has two ledges) against an index on the bottom part of ring (11). Intermediate values can be set. If fingers cannot reach the ledges, use a thin object like a match.

Operating Procedure:

Setting Exposure by Weather Symbols:

  1. Remove the lens cover (21).
  2. Estimate the weather conditions and turn ring (12) to set the chosen weather symbol against the index mark on ring (10).
  3. Important Considerations:
    • "Thunderclouds" and "shootings near window" settings are not possible with 25 ISO film.
    • "Shootings near window" is not possible with 50 ISO film.
    • "At the sea" and "clear sun" settings are not possible with 1600 ISO film.
    • "At the sea" is not possible with 800 ISO film.
    • These restrictions indicate that photographing with certain film sensitivities under these conditions is not recommended due to insufficient or excessive light exposure.
  4. The camera's iris shutter will automatically set the chosen exposure parameters (diaphragm and shutter speed).
  5. The diaphragm setting is shown on the bottom part of ring (12) against the bottom index on ring (11). Corresponding shutter speed values can be estimated using Table 2.
  6. Exposure Adjustment: If the object is very dark or very light, two additional symbols-indexes ("light" and "dark") are provided near the line index on ring (10). Shifting the weather symbol towards "light" reduces exposure by 2 times, while shifting towards "dark" increases it by 2 times.
  7. Using a Light Meter: If shooting conditions significantly differ from the stipulated weather symbols, use a light meter. Determine an exposure parameter and choose the closest combination of shutter speed and diaphragm from Table 2, then set the appropriate diaphragm value with ring (12).

Setting Distance:

  1. Determine the distance to the object and adjust the appropriate value on scale (9) with the top index on ring (11).
  2. Minor errors in distance determination are not critical due to the lens's large depth of sharpness.
  3. To determine the depth of sharpness range, use the ledges on ring (11) and the circuit provided on the next page. For example, if the distance is set to 1.5m and diaphragm to 2.8, objects between 1.2m and 2m from the film plane will be sharp. If the diaphragm is changed to 8, the sharpness range extends from 0.9m to 5m.

Cocking the Shutter:

Advance the film by rotating the wind knob (3) clockwise until it stops. The shutter will be cocked automatically during this process.

Photographing:

  1. Look through the view finder (18) and point the camera so the desired object is within the luminous frames.
  2. If the object is closer than 3m, determine the frame borders using the parallactical marks inside the luminous frame (Figure 9).
  3. Smoothly press the shutter release button (1).

Photographing with Flashlight:

  1. The camera has a flash socket for cable-free electronic flashes.
  2. Remove insertion (6) and mount a flashlight into the hot shoe (5). Flash can be mounted or dismounted whether the shutter is cocked or released.
  3. When using a flash, set the diaphragm value on scale (12) only within the interval of 2.8 to 16. Settings to the left of 2.8 are not recommended.

Unloading the Camera:

  1. Using Take-up Spool: Press button (4) and adjust the index to the red point. Pull out the rewind crank (2) and rotate it in the direction of the arrow to rewind the used film into the cartridge. A weak jerk and easier rotation of the crank indicate the film has ended. Remove the camera cover (13) and take out the cartridge. The picture counter will automatically reset to the reference mark.
  2. Using Take-up Cartridge ("Cartridge to Cartridge" Transport): After shooting the 72nd frame, shoot 2 empty frames. Remove the cover (13) and take out the block of cartridges.
  3. Partial Unloading: Film can be cut from the feeding cartridge, allowing partial removal of exposed film if needed, and the rest reloaded. The freed cartridge can be used as a take-up cartridge for subsequent camera loading.

Maintenance Features:

  • Care: The camera requires careful handling. Keep it clean and protect it from mechanical damage, dampness, and rapid temperature changes.
  • Cleaning: Use a napkin or cotton wool slightly moistened with spirit, and a squirrel brush to clean the optical surfaces of the lens and view finder.
  • Disassembly: Independent disassembly of the camera is prohibited, as it can disrupt unit adjustments. Repairs and adjustments should only be performed by qualified experts in repair workshops.
  • Lubrication: The use of any greasing in the camera is forbidden.

Guarantee Certificate:

The factory guarantees the camera meets TU3-3.377-83 specifications for 24 months from the date of sale through a retail trading network, provided the consumer observes the operating rules. If the sale date and shop stamp are absent from the guarantee coupon, the warranty period starts from the camera's release date by the factory. During the warranty period, consumers are entitled to free-of-charge repair for malfunctions due to factory fault. Repairs are carried out by guarantee workshops. The nearest workshop's address is provided by the shop at the time of sale. If no workshop is available, the camera should be sent to the factory-manufacturer at: 222410, Vileyka, Minskaya obl., zavod “Zenit”, masterskaya garantiynogo remonta. The operation manual, a brief defect description, and a return address must be included. Claims regarding camera quality are not accepted, and guarantee repair is not provided if the camera is damaged due to negligent manipulation, non-observance of service regulations, or absence of the manual and guarantee coupon. Camera exchanges are conducted through the retail trading network according to the rules for exchanging industrial goods.

Zenit AGAT-18K Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandZenit
ModelAGAT-18K
CategoryDigital Camera
LanguageEnglish

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