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Optical Equipment Group
2-14-9 Tamagawadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8610 Japan
Tel:(03) 3708-4506
http://www.kyocera.co.jp/
KYOCERA OPTICS, INC.
2301-200 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, New Jersey 08873, U.S.A.
Tel:(732) 560-0060
KYOCERA OPTICS, INC.
6020 Irwindale Avenue, Unit A-C, Irwindale, California 91706, U.S.A.
Tel:(626) 812-8888
KYOCERA OPTICS, INC.
6200 Dixie Road, Unit 11 Mississauga, Ontario, L5T 2E1, Canada
Tel:(905) 564-9385
YASHICA Kyocera GmbH Eiffestraße 76, D-20537 Hamburg, F.R.Germany
Tel:(040) 25 15 07 0
YASHICA Handelsges. mbH Rustenschacherallee 38, A-1020 Wien, Austria
Tel:(01) 728 09 260
YASHICA AG. Zürcherstraße 73, CH-8800 Thalwil, Switzerland
Tel:(01) 720 34 34
KYOCERA YASHICA (U.K.) Ltd. Unit 7, Suttons Industrial Park, Sutton Park
Avenue, Earley Reading, RG6 1AZ, U.K. Tel:(0118) 935 6300
KYOCERA YASHICA (FRANCE) S.A. ZAC de Paris Nord l l -13, rue de la perdrix
B.P. 40067 Tremblay en France 95913 Roissy CDG Cedex France Tel: (01) 49 89 38 60
KYOCERA YASHICA DO BRASIL-INDUSTRIA E COMERCIO LTDA.
Av. Bernardino de Campos No. 98, 5-Andar Paraiso,S ão Paulo CEP: 04004-000,
Brazil Tel: (011) 889-8055
UNIVERSAL OPTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. 14/FL. Piazza Industrial Building,
133 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: 2343 5151
RI110010
Printed in Japan
Instruction manual • Bedienungsanleitung
GB/D
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ENGLISH
ENGLISH
We greatly appreciate your purchase of this Contax NX camera. The
Contax NX is an autofocus single lens reflex camera based on the Contax'
fundamental principle of "building cameras for creating works of art".
Automatic or manual focus can be selected according to the subject and
setting so that the user can achieve the desired results with accuracy.
Read these instructions carefully before using the camera to ensure proper use
and a long service life.
This camera incorporates ‘Custom Functions’ which may be used in applica-
tions beyond the normal requirements of photography. See page 87 for
details.
The abbreviation ‘
tion.
’ used throughout this manual indicates a custom func-
Safety warnings
This manual contains the following warnings to ensure safe use of the camera. Please
read the explanations thoroughly before use.
Caution
Failure to use the product correctly may result in injury to the
user or damage to property.
Warning
Failure to use the product correctly may result in serious injury
and/or death of the user.
Cautions in Handling
• Any foreign matter on the lens or mount should be removed with a blower or by wiping
with a soft lens cloth. Fingerprints should be removed by wiping gently with a commercial-
ly available lens paper. Foreign matter on the mirror should be removed by wiping gently
with a soft lens cloth.
• Remove dust and dirt from the camera body by wiping with a soft cloth. Use of organic
solvents such as benzene or thinners may result in damage to the body and should be
avoided under all circumstances.
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Caution
Warning
• Clean the camera thoroughly after use at the beach or in dusty
areas. Salt spray may corrode metal components, and may
result in damage to, and short-circuit of, electronic components,
with the possibility of smoke or fire. The presence of sand in the
mechanism of the camera will cause problems in operation.
• The lens may fog-up if the camera is moved immediately from a
cold area into a warm room. The condensation on the lens will
disappear after a few minutes, however if this process is repeat-
ed water droplets will form in the lens and camera body, and
may result in damage to, and short-circuit of, electronic compo-
nents, with the possibility of smoke or fire. Avoid moving the
camera suddenly between areas of differing temperature.
• Do not place the camera in direct sunlight. The focusing effect of
the lens on nearby objects may result in damage or fire. Always
fit the lens cap, and store out of direct sunlight.
• The camera contains precision electronic equipment. Damage to
the electronic circuits may result in smoke or fire and consequent
damage to the mechanism, and care should be taken to avoid
dropping the camera or subjecting it to physical shocks.
• Check operation of the camera, or take test photographs
before using it for important occasions such as overseas
trips or weddings. Always carry spare batteries.
• If the batteries becomes overheated the camera may emit smoke
or a burning smell. In this case, remove the batteries immediate-
ly to prevent fire or burns (take care to avoid burns when remov-
ing the batteries).
• Do not use the camera in locations where it will be in direct con-
tact with water or in locations with a high moisture content, and
do not use the camera with wet hands. Use under such condi-
tions may result in electric shock, short-circuit of electronic com-
ponents, overheating, smoke, fire, or corrosion. (Note that it is
particularly important to be careful when using the camera in
rain, snow, or at the beach.)
• Do not use the camera in the vicinity of inflammable gases. Use
in such situations may result in fire.
• Do not disassemble or modify the camera. The camera employs
high voltage, and modification may result in electric shock.
• The camera contains high-voltage circuits. If it has been
dropped, care must be taken not to touch the internal mecha-
nism as this may result in electric shock.
• During flash photography, ensure that the flash is not close to
the human eye (particularly the eyes of infants). Use of the flash
near the eyes may result in vision disorders.
• Do not look directly at the sun or a strong light source through
the camera. Such use may result in vision disorders.
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Warning
• Do not take photographs while moving. In particular, do not move
while looking through the viewfinder. Use in such situations may
result in a fault in the camera.
• Do not pay excessive attention to the subject at the expense of
your surroundings during photography.
• Do not leave the camera within reach of infants or children. Take
particular attention when using the camera near infants or chil-
dren, and do not leave it unattended. Infants and children do not
understand the safety warnings and cautions, and this may result
in the following.
• The camera dropping or falling, with consequent injury.
• The camera strap being wrapped around the neck, resulting in
suffocation.
The shutter curtain is made of very thin material. Never push it with a finger, or touch or
wipe it. When changing film, take care to ensure that the film tip does not touch the
shutter curtain. When using an air blower, ensure that only a gentle jet of air is used. If
the jet is too strong it may damage or deform the curtain. Never use a pressurized
blower.
This camera incorporates a safety circuit to protect its microcomputer again strong
external static electricity. Operation of the circuit may prevent operation of the camera
in rare cases. In this case, set the main switch to OFF, remove and reload the batteries,
and continue using the camera.
The characteristics of this camera prevent the use of infrared film for photography.
• Leaving the camera in a warm place (e.g. at the beach during the summer, in direct
sunlight inside a vehicle) for a long period of time will result in deterioration of the
film and batteries, having a negative effect on the camera.
• If the camera is to be left unused for a long period of time, remove the batteries to
guard against damage from fluid leakage.
Caution
• Avoid storing the camera in humid and dusty locations,
wardrobes containing insecticide, or laboratories containing
chemicals. Storage under these conditions may result in damage
to, and short-circuit of, electronic components, with the possibility
of smoke or fire. Ensure that the camera is stored in a location
with good ventilation.
• Battery performance generally deteriorates as temperature is reduced. In cold areas, the
camera should be placed under thermal protective covering, or inside the clothing, before
and after use. Batteries which have deteriorated due to low-temperature will recover if
returned to normal temperatures.
• Contamination of the + and - terminals of the batteries with sweat and oils may prevent
good contact. Always wipe the terminals thoroughly with a dry cloth before using the bat-
teries.
• Always take new, spare batteries on long trips etc.
• The camera will not operate if the battery contacts do not match those in the battery com-
partment.
Caution
• Do not touch the battery terminals with conductive metal objects
(e.g. tweezers). This will reduce the life of the batteries, and may
result in a short-circuit.
Warning
• Adhere strictly to the following requirements. Failure to do so
may result in damage to the batteries, fire, injury or contamina-
tion of the immediate surroundings.
Use only the specified batteries in the camera.
Do not throw batteries in the fire, short-circuit while charging,
dismantle, or heat under any circumstances.
Do not mix new and used batteries, batteries from different
manufacturers, or different types of batteries, in the camera.
CR2 batteries (3V lithium batteries) must not be charged
under any circumstances.
• When disposing of batteries, insulate the terminals by covering
with tape etc. to prevent contact with other metal objects which
may result in splitting of the batteries, or fire.
• Store batteries out of reach of children. Contact a doctor immedi-
ately if a battery is swallowed. Swallowing may result in a leak in
the battery, causing damage to the stomach and intestines.
4
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CONTENTS
BASIC OPERATIONS PRIOR
TO SHOOTING
Safety warnings ....................................................2
Cautions in Handling ............................................2
1. Fitting the strap and viewfinder shade
adapter............................................................14
2. Fitting the eye cup/diopter correction lens......15
Names of Parts........................................8
Display Panel and Viewfinder Display...10
3. Inserting the batteries and checking
the battery power...............................16
4. Mounting and removing lenses..........18
5. Holding the camera............................19
6. Loading film .......................................20
7. Setting the film speed manually.........23
8. Removing film ....................................24
BASIC OPERATIONS
1. Main switch .....................................................26
2. Shutter release button ....................................27
3. Position dial.....................................................28
4. F and R dials .....................................29
5. Mode button and mode details ..........30
6. Selecting the mode............................31
7. ABC/
button..................................33
8. Focus button ......................................33
9. Sync switch........................................33
SIMPLE SHOOTING PROCEDURE
Using the “
”(green) setting on the
position dial .....................................................36
FOCUSING
1. Selecting focus frames ...................................39
2. Focusing in the autofocus mode .......40
4. Focusing manually.............................44
SELECTING THE METERING MODE
1. Types of metering modes and their features ..48
2. Metering range...................................49
APPLIED PHOTOGRAPHIC
TECHNIQUES
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
CUSTOM FUNCTIONS
REFERENCE
MAIN ACCESSORIES
6
1. Autoexposure photography
<1. Taking photographs with the aperture
priority mode “Av” (aperture priority auto
exposure)> ...............................................51
<2. Taking photographs with shutter speed
priority settings “Tv” (shutter priority auto
exposure) mode> .....................................52
<3. Taking photographs in the program auto
mode “P” (program auto exposure)
mode> ......................................................53
2. Manual exposure photography
<1. Taking photographs with the
exposure set manually “M”
(manual exposure) mode> ..........55
<2. Using the bulb exposure
mode> .........................................57
3. Taking photographs with exposure com-
pensation
<1. Setting exposure compensation
manually (with Av, Tv, P)>...........58
1. Taking photographs using the internal flash ...72
2. Taking photographs using a Contax TLA flash..76
3. Taking photographs using other
flashes with the X contact..................81
1. List of custom functions ..................................87
2. Setting custom functions ...................89
1. Basic information on photography ..................91
2. Troubleshooting .................................92
1. Contax Data back D-11...................................96
2. Contax Cable switch LA type..........................97
3. Contax Power pack P-8, P-8D........................98
4. Contax Power pack adapter GP-1...101
5. Contax Mount adapter NAM-1.........102
6. Contax Flexible case C-9 ................103
<2. Taking photographs with the AE
lock>............................................60
<3. Taking photographs with the
Exposure Autobracketing Expoure
Mode (ABC Exposure mode)> ....62
4. Using the selftimer.............................65
5. Date and time imprinting....................66
6. Checking the depth of field................68
7. Cable switch socket...........................69
8. Replacing the camera back ...............69
4. Flash photography techniques ..........82
3. Shutter speed and aperture value
display................................................94
Main specifications ..............................104
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Names of Parts
Internal flash (page 72)
Sync switch (page 73, 84)
ABC Exposure/
button (page 62,75)
Mode button (page 30)
Display panel (page 10)
R dial (page 29)
Light button
(page 12)
Strap lug (page 14)
Shutter release
button (page 27)
Main switch
(page 26)
F dial (page 29)
Position dial
(page 28)
Strap lug
(page 14)
Dedicated flash contact (page 76)
Direct X contact (page 81)
Accessory shoe (page 76)
Internal flash
(page 72)
Lens mark
(page 18)
Lens released
button
(page 18)
Mount
(page 18)
Selftimer LED (page 65)
Aperture stop-down button (page 68)
AF supplementary light (page 38)
8
Film check window
Camera back release
button (page 20)
Camera back opening
lever (page 20)
Sync terminal (page 81)
Cable switch socket (page 97)
Eye cup F-3 (Page 15)
Battery cover/ Battery
compartment
(page 16)
Rewind button
(page 24)
Tripod socket
Viewfinder contacts (page 11)
Focusing frame select lever (page 40)
DX contact (page 22)
Film chamber
(page 20)
Cable switch socket
(page 97)
Film fixing shaft (page 20)
Data back contacts (page 96)
Shutter curtain (page 20)
R dial (page 29)
Focus button (page 45)
Camera back
release pin
(page 69, 96)
Camera back
(page 21)
Film tip mark (page 21)
Spool (page 21)
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Display Panel and Viewfinder Display
(This page describes the contents of the displays. All the information is indicated
on these diagrams for explanation purposes. The display will not show all this
information at once but only pertinent information for settings and modes.)
Exposure counter (page 21)
Selftimer remaining time (page 65)
ABC shooting order (page 62)
Bulb exposure time (page 57)
Film loading indicators
• Film advance error (page 21)
• Film advance normal (page 21)
• Film advancing (display increments)
• End of film (page 24)
• Film rewinding (display decrements)
• End of rewind (page 24)
Focusing mode (page 30)
• “
• “
• “
” Manual focus
” Single autofocus
” Continuous autofocus
Exposure mode (page 30)
” Manual exposure
• “
” Aperture priority auto
• “
• “
” Shutter priority auto
” Program auto
• “
Metering mode (page 30)
• “
” Center divied partial
metering
• “
• “
” Center-weighted average
metering
” Evaluative metering
Focus frame (normally displayed)
(page 39)
Drive mode (page 30)
• “
” Selftimer photography
(page 65)
” Single frame photography
(page 45)
” Continuous photography
(page 45)
• “
• “
Flash mark (pages 72, 76)
Internal flash compensation
mark (page 75)
Focus indicators (page 40)
“
“
”
”
lit: In focus
flashing: Focusing not
possible
Battery remaining (page 17)
Aperture value (page 51)
Focus frame selection
indicators (page 39)
Exposure compensation
value (page 58)
• 1/3 EV increments
• 1/2 EV increments
10
ABC setting and compensation range (page 62)
Internal flash compensation (page 75)
Shutter speed (page 52)
Film speed
• DX : For automatic setting (page 22)
• ISO : For manual setting (page 23)
Custom functions (page 87, 89)
Shutter speed (page 52)
Aperture value (page 51)
Exposure counter (page 21)
Selftimer remaining time (page 65)
ABC shooting order (page 62)
Film loading indicators (page 21)
Metering mode (page 48)
• Evaluative metering
• Center-weighted average
light metering
• Center divied partial
metering
AE lock (page 60)
Exposure compensation
(page 58)
Manual exposure (page 55)
Exposure compensation
value (page 58)
• 1/3 EV increments
• 1/2 EV increments
Exposure meter (page 55)
Metering difference
(page 87)
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The display in the viewfinder incorporates a variety of information - as well as
the focus, aperture, and shutter speed, it also shows the exposure meter and
exposure counter.
The viewfinder display turns on when the operations below are performed, then
automatically turns off after 16 seconds to save power.
When the main switch is turned on.
When the shutter button is half-pressed while the main switch is turned on.
If any dial is changed while the viewfinder display is switched over while the
viewfinder display is lit, the display time is extended another 16 seconds.
“
” Display time may be changed. (Power hold time, page 87).
• The viewfinder display turns off in the following cases:
Photography, Film finished, Rewinding, Rewinding finished, Film advance failure, Battery
discharged
“LIGHT” button
The display panel has an illumination
function. Press the “LIGHT” button once
to light the display panel, and press it
again to extinguish it. The panel is
cleared automatically after 16 seconds.
• If other dials or buttons are operated while
the display panel is lit, the duration of illumi-
nation is automatically extended. The dis-
play panel light turns off as soon as the
shutter is released.
” Illumination time may be changed.
“
(Power hold time, page 87)
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