www.butkus.us

IyA,L{vY(il,,tPn,ISMAT

NOMENCTATURE

www.butkus.us1. Cocking Lever
2. Shutter Button
3. Focusing Ring
4. Shutterspeed Dial
5. Aperture Dial
6. Eyepiece
7. Filmspeed (ASA) Dial

8. Photocell Window
9. Synchroflash Terminal
10. MXV Selector
11. Lens Catch
12. Backlid Catch
13. Rewind Crank
L4.. Exposure Counter

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15. Cartridge Chamber
16. Sprocket
17. Take-Up Spool
18. Distance Scale
19. Depth of Field Scale

Mike Butkus

Digitally signed by Mike Butkus
DN: cn=Mike Butkus, o=Butkus camera manuals, ou=butkus.org,
email=mike@butkus.org, c=US
Date: 2022.12.26 15:16:00 -05'00'

20. Sprocket Release
2I. Synchroflash Terminai
22. Accessory Clip
23. Strap Eyelets
24. Tripod Socket

Venmo @mike-butkus-camera

PayPal Name

Lynn@butkus.org

Ph. 2083

www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkus

BEFORE TOADING FOR PICTURE-TAKING
Film-loading is done in very much the same manner as with other 3S-millimeter miniaturecameras. However, because the MAMIYA PRISMAT is a single-lens reflex camera of special
design and construction, its principal features and its workings will first be explained.
VIEWFINDER AND FOCUSING

Because the \4AMIYA PRISMAT is a single-lens reflex camera, it has no separate view-finder. The light entering the main lens is deflected upward by a hinged mirror inside thecamera to form an image on a ground-glass screen which is visible through the eyepiece(6) and pentaprism in true orientation. There is interposed between the hinged mirror
and the pentaprism a Fresnel lens and condenser to give uniform brightness to the entire
viewfinder field. There is also interposed a prismatic coupled rangefinder so that focusingof the MAMIYA PRISN'{AT can be accomplished speedily and accurately by means of a
split-image focusing zone at the center of the field of vision.
When a subject is sighted through the eyepiece, there will be seen within the clear centercircle a rectangle bisected by a horizontal line. If the portions of the subject, on which
focus is to be adjusted, failing within the bisected rectangie are not in true vertical align-www.butkus.usment, the camera isout of focus. Turnfocusing ring(3)

and bring the parts

enclosed by theupper and lower
halves of the rectangle (focusingzone) into correct alignment. The distance between the camera and subject then can beread off the distance scale (18).
When focusing, be sure that your eye is at dead center of the eyepiece (6), and that the
portion of the subject, which must be brought to correct focus, falls squarely over or in thecenter of the focusing zone. This caution is particularly necessary when shooting at close
ranges.

Do not attempt to focus by means of the sharpness of the image visible in the viewfinder field. True focus is obtained by the split-image focusing zone.
Because sighting and focusing is done through the picture-taking lens, there is absolutely

no parallax due to disparity of the optical axis; while interchangeable lenses of varying
focal length always give full coverage of the viewfinder field. The magnification of the
viewfinder image when using the standard lens (f :48 mm) is x .26.
When the shutter button is pressed, and the shutter mechanism is released, the view-finder image is blacked out by the movement of the hinged mirror. Recocking, by operating cocking lever (1), will return hinged mirror and aperture to viewing position.
The markers visible along the right edge of the viewfinder frame are for exposure adjustment by means of the built-in exposure meter. Explanation of this function is given
below.
AUTO'IIATIC APERTURE

In order to provide the viewfinder the maximum brightness when sighting and focusing,
the aperture opens up fully (tll.9 in the case of the standard lens) when the cocking
lever is operated. When the shutter button is pressed, the aperture automatically closes
down to the previously adjusted fl setting, and exposure of the film is effected at
this value.
COUPLED EXPOSURE METER

The built-in exposure meter of the MAMIYA PRISMAT is coupled to the shutterspeed

www.butkus.usdial (a) and the aperture dial (5) by meansof a cursor (blue pointer) visible at the rightedge of the viewfinder field, which is brought

into alignment with the exposure meter
needle (slim opaque marker). Moving either

the shutterspeed dial (4) or the aperture
dial (5) will cause the cursor (transparent
blue pointer) to move. Deflection of the
exposure meter needle is caused by the in-tensity of the light reflected by the subject,impinging on the photocell through thephotocell window (8).

When the cursor isin true alignment with the exposure meter
needle, the exposure controls (aperture and shutterspeed) are properly set for correct
exposure of the film.
However, when actually taking pictures, the filmspeed dial (7) must first be set at the
ASA number (speed rating) of the film in use. Failure to make this adjustment will result

in incorrect coupling of the built-in exposure meter to the exposure controls.
Shutterspeed and aperture settings are changed by turning the respective dials (4 and 5).
Shutterspeeds may be changed either before or after cocking. With aperture settings,

however, it is more convenient to adjust after the cocking lever (1) has been operated topermit viewing and focusing.
COCKING. AND SHUTTER OPERATION

When the cocking lever (1) is swung through its stroke by means of the thumb, thefilm is advanced one frame, and the shutter mechanism is cocked. The lever will springback if it is released. It is preferable, however, to ease it back into original position
gently.

The cocking lever (1) remains locked, after cocking, until the shutter is released bypressing the shutter button (2).

When the MXV selector (10) is set at "Y", the built-in self-timer (shutter action delay)is brought into action. The shutter will operate approximately 10 seconds after the shutter
button is pressed. Moving MXV selector (10) to " V " can be done either before orafter cocking.
Caution 1. Operate cocking lever (1) or shutterspeed dial (a) only after shutter action

www.butkus.ushas been completed. This caution applies particularly to B

setting (bulb-shutter remains open for as long as shutter
button is kept depressed) and to slow shutterspeeds (1 and1 2 second).
Caution 2. Do not operate cocking lever while built-in
self-timer (shutter operation r,r-ith MXV selector at ,,V")
is in action.
Caution 3. When using neither self-timer nor synchroflash, keep MXV selector (10) at ,,X".
LENS CHANGE

The MAMIYA PRISMAT is designed for use at will of
three types of lenses; the standard F 1.9, f :4g mm; theF 3.5, f :38 mm wide angle ; and the F 3.5, f :100 mm
telephoto.

When removing the standard lens from its mount, keep
depressed in direction of arro',r- the lens catch (11) withthe left thumb, grip with the right hand the lens barrel

where the depth of field scale (19) is engraved, and turnlens barrel counterclockwise until red dot comes intoalignment with red triangle (shutterspeed index mark).
Then the lens barrel can be lifted clear of the mount.
(Fig. A, B and C)
To mount standard lens on body, match red dot onlens barrel with red triangle on mount. Push lens
catch (11) with left thumb, then turn lens barrel
clockwise until it locks in position when the lens catch isreleased.

Caution l. When removing and replacing lens, always grip lens barrel at depth of field
scale (19) position and never by the focusing ring (3).
Caution 2. When the lens is removed, either the hinged mirror or the shutter vanes
will be exposed. On no account touch these delicate parts. If there is any speck of duston these parts, remove by squirts of air from a bulb syringe.
Caution 3. After refitting lens on mount, always move aperture dial from f.ll.9 to f 122
or vice versa to ensure proper coupling of iris diaphragm mechanism.

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FIIM TOADING
Standard 3S-millimeter miniature film is accepted by

the MAMIYA PRISMAT, monochrome or color, 20 or 86
exposures per roll.

Standard safety cartridges or the
special MAMIYA cassette for users of bulk or darkroom loading film can be used. When loading camera,
however, avoid direct sunlight, work in the shade undersubdued light.

1. When backlid catch (12) is pulled out, the backlid
is released.
2. Swing backlid fully open, then pull out rewindcrank (13). Place loaded safety cartridge or special
cassette, knob end down, in cartridge chamber (15).
Pull out a few inches of the film, and fit end in slitof take-up spool (17). Wind at least a turn on take-up
spool, seeing to it that the perforations engage sprocket

www.butkus.usteeth. Take up slack by turning rewind crank (13) indirection of arrow; then snap shut the backlid. (SeeFigs. 1, 2, 3, and 4).

i;
'i
ii

3. Operate cocking lever (1) and release shutter bypressing shutter button (2). Repeat two or threesuch blank shots until exposure counter (.14) moves
from triangle mark to numeral 1. You are now readyfor your first picture.
4. Turn filmspeed dial (7) and set at ASA rating of
the film in use. The rod dots indicate ASA 32 and 160.

COUPTED EXPOSURE METER

1. First, make sure that filmspeed (ASA) dial (7) is set at the ASA rating of the filmin use.

2. Next, set shutterspeed dial ( ) at desired shutterspeed.
3. Sight subject through eyepiece. The slim dark marker (exposure meter needle) rvill
indicate the brightness of the subject-matter.

www.butkus.us

4. Turn aperture dial (5) so that the cursor (transparent blue marker) comes into
exact alignment with the exposure meter needle. The exposure controls (shutterspeed
and aperture) are now set to give correct exposure of the film.
5. When alignment of the cursor and the meter needle cannot be obtained, that is to
say the cursor cannot be brought into overlap position even at either maximum or
minimum aperture size, re-set shutterspeed at slower or faster position then adjust aperture

dial (s)6. Shutterspeed dial (4) must be set in click-stop position (at any one of the scale
graduations). Aperture may be at any point within the scale range since adjustment is
continuous, not in steps.

7. The shutterspeed dial (a) may be used for adjustment of the cursor if desired. In
this case, however, the cursor will jump in steps, and fine adjustment by the aperture dial(5) will be necessary. Also, excessively slow shutterspeed in combination with extremelv
small aperture may be obtained.
Caution 1. When using the coupled exposure meter to obtain the correct exposure
settings, make sure that the photocell window (8) is not obstructed in any way. Otherwise

the meter needle indication will not be correct.

with shutterspeed at 1 and with aperture fully open (f/1.9 with thestandard lens), the exposure meter needle remains at the low end of its range' beyond thereach of the cursor, the subject is not bright enough to register properly on the film'
Caution 3. If, with shutterspeed at 500 (1i500 second) and with aperture at 22 (t122),
the exposure meter needle is deflected upward beyond the range of the cursor, the brightness is such that overexposure of the film will be caused. In this case, a filter must be
used to reduce the intensity of the. light transmitted by the lens. However, tne main
subject itself may not be excessively bright, and the overexcitation of the exposure meter
may be due to extraneous light (such as direct sunlight on the photocell window). Make
Caution 2. If,sure that conditions are normal.
Caution 4. It is therefore advisable to measure the brightness of the subject at as closea distance as is practicable, catching only the light reffected by the subject. With theexposure determined in this way, the cursor and the meter needle not necessarily be inalignment when actually shooting the subject from a greater distance.
Caution 5. When taking pictures of subjects that cannot be approached, measure brightness by training camera on foreground to eliminate much of the sky.
Caution 6. Under reverse lighting conditions, or when subject is photographed against

www.butkus.usthe sky, be sure to measure brightness of the subject only; otherwise underexposure of
the subject will result, and a silhouette effect will be obtained.
Caution 7. When a filter is in use, compensation is necessary. This can be readily
effected by means of the filmspeed dial (7). If, for instance, with the filmspeed dial set at
200 for film of ASA 200 rating, a filter with absorption factor of. x2 is in use, simply shift
the filmspeed dial setting to 100 before matching cursor and exposure meter needle. If theabsorption factor of the filter is x4, shift filmspeed dial to 50.

CAMERA GRIP
Supporting the weight of the camera on the palm of the left hand, the left thumb andindex finger are made to grip lightly the focusing ring (3). The right hand grips the rightside of the camera, with the ball of the right index fingertip resting lightly on the shutter

button (2), and the thumb on the cocking lever (1).
Bring camera up to eye level, and a steady grip is achieved. (Fig. A)

When adjusting exposure controls by means of the coupled exposure meter, merely
shift grip of left thumb and index finger to the aperture dial (5) or the shutterspeed
dial (a).

tr'?

""","& * i*fG)When using camera in vertical position, first set exposure controls and focus in normal

then swing cocking lever side up, supporting weight of camera with the left
hand at the left side, now facing downward. Keep left elbow tight up against your body.
position,(Fig. B)If the cocking lever side is facing downward, support weight by right hand, and use
right thumb to operate shutter button (2). Steady camera by means of the left thumband index finger gripping the focusing ring (3). Keep right elbow tight up against yourbody. (Fig. C)
These basic grips are used r,vith any of the interchangeable lenses.

www.butkus.us
FOCUSING

When the cocking lever is operated, and swung fully through its stroke, the film
is advanced, the shutter mechanism is cocked, and the viewfinder is activated with theaperture fully open.

While sighting the subject, turn focusing ring (3) so that the split-image of the subject
seen in the focusing zone at center of the viewfinder field becomes correctly aligned.

1. For ease of judging correct alignment of the subject, choose clearcut vertical lines
such as poles, tree trunks, window frames, and nose and cheek lines.
2- When taking vertical position pictures, first focus in normal horizontal position, thenturn camera on side for composing and shooting.
3. Once the subject is in focus, the distance between camera and subject will be indicated on the distance scale (18). The available depth of field (focusing tolerance) will beshown on the adjacent depth of field scale (19). When it is necessary to check available
depth of field with higher precision, consuit the depth of field tables.

4- When using infra-red film in conjunction with red filters, adjust focus in usual way,then, noting the distance indicated on the distance scale, shift this reading to the index

mark ,, R ". This is necessary in order to compensate for the shift in focus due to theshorter wavelength of infra-red rays.
DEPTH OF FIETD

Depth of field is the term applied to focusing tolerance at a given distance. If thecamera is focused on a certain subject at a distance of say 15 feet, there is available,
depending on the aperture setting, a certain leeway in front of and behind the subject inwhich objects will register with adequate sharpness. This leeway is known as " depth offield."

The following are the attributes of depth of field:
1. Depth of field varies with aperture size : smaller the aperture the greater the depth.
2. Depth of field varies with focused range : greater the distance the greater the depth.
3. The shorter the focal length of the lens, the greater the depth of field.
4. Depth of field is greater behind the object in exact focus than in front.
The depth of field of a given lens is determined by its focal length and its inherent
resolving power (expressed by size of circle of confusion). Depth of field tables are
furnished to provide a more accurate guide than the depth of field scale on the camera.

With proper awareness of depth of field, it is possible to obtain photographs with sharp

www.butkus.us
DEPTH OF FIELD TABLE(Circle of Confusion, 1.71,000 inch)

MAMIYA-SEKOR F1.9, 48 mm

Focused Distances (in feet)

Aper
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30

F

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register of subjects at varying distances from the camera.

For example, to obtain a picture of a subject 20 feet from the camera in front ofa building 40 feet distant, both in sharp register, the aperture setting should be at f.18, andthe focus (distance setting) should be at 15 feet. If, at the same aperture setting, thecamera is accurately focused on the subjects at 10 feet, background objects up to only
18.5 feet distant will register sharply

Using this principle, it is possible to dispense with focusing for subjects more than
13 feet distant from the camera by pre-setting the focus at 30 feet on the distance scale(18) and using aperture settings of fl9 or less (11, 16 and 22).

UNTOADING FILM
When the specified number of exposures available on the film has been used up, stoptaking pictures, and return film into safety cartridge or special cassette.
1. Press sprocket release button (20), It will remain depressed. Erect rewind crank (13)and turn in direction of arrow to return film into safety cartridge (MAMIYA cassette).
2. When end of film is reached, and the end becomes detached from the take-up
sprocket, this can be sensed by feel. Stop rewinding so that end of film is not woundwww.butkus.usinto the safety cartridge. Open backlid, avoiding direct illumination, and remove cartridge(or cassette) by pulling out rewind crank (13). Depressed sprocket release button (20) will
return to original position when the cocking lever is operated
Caution l. If after the specified number of exposures (sometimes before) the cocking
lever jams part way through its stroke, do not force. Press sprocket release button (20),and complete cocking lever stroke to permit it to return to original position.
Caution 2. If, when the cocking lever jams, force is applied, the end of the film may
become detached from the cartridge spool, making it impossible to rewind the exposed

film. If this happens, unloaC camera in complete darkness. Otherwise film will be
spoiled.

SHUTTER OPERATION

1. Shutter dial (a) and MXV selector (10) may be adjusted whether or not the cocking
lever has been operated.
2- When using synchroflash, the MXV selector (10) is set at position M for class M
flashbulbs, and at position X for electronic flash (strobo) or class F flashbulbs. For normaluse, always keep MXV selector at position X.

3. When MXV selector (10) is set at position V, the built-in self-timer is brought into
action. A time lag of about ten seconds occurs between pressing of the shutter button andrelease of the shutter mechanism
4. The screw socket at center of shutter button (2) is for fitting cable release or
independent self-timer (necessary when using position M synchroflash for self-photography)'b. When camera is put away for any length of time, the shutter mechanism should be
released (uncocked).

SYNCHROFTASH PHOTOGRAPHY
Position M This setting of the MXV selector (10) is for synchroflash photography withclass M flashbulbs (time lag: 20 milliseconds). Accurate synchronization will be achievedat all shutterspeeds including 1/500 second.
Position X With no time lag introduced, this position is for electronic flash (strobo) at
all shutterspeeds, and for class F flashbulbs at speeds of 1/30 second and less.
When using flash, the intensity of the flash and the distances involved are the factors
determining correct exposure. The built-in exposure meter cannot be used. Read the
instructions coming with flashbulb or electronic flash equipment.

I

I

I

www.butkus.usSynchroflash terminals are provided at front of camera (JIS B German type) and at
center of the accessory clip (22). Use whichever is convenient, depending on the type of
flashgun.

sPECtAt ACCESSORTESINTERCHANGEABI.E LENSES

In addition to the standard lens (F 1.9, f :48 mm, 6-element, 48.'40') and a wide angle lens(F3.5, f:38mm,4-element,59') and a telephoto lens (F3.5, f:100mm,S-element,
24,,20,).

IENS HOODS

Two Types available, one for the standard and wide angle lenses, and the other for the
telephoto.
FITTERS

Availabie in a wide range of varieties in two sizes, for standard and wide angle lenses,
and for telephoto.
OTHER ACCESSORIES

Copying stand, angle finder (with adapter holder), diopter correcting adapter (lens ring,rubber protecter, and adapter holder), special MAMIYA cassette, Etc.