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Arax 88 Instructions For Use Manual

Medium format camera

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The ARAX is a medium-format single lens reflex (SLR) camera with either an all-metal (gold or black) or light-tight
rubberized fabric curtain shutter and interchangeable film magazines (sizes: 6x6 or 6x4.5 cm). The camera is designed
to meet the needs of any photographer, from the advanced amateur to the working professional.
The ARAX cameras are hand selected KIEV-88s that undergo an extensive mechanical upgrade process. These
camera bodies and magazines are re-assembled, adjusted, tested, and matched to provide superior accuracy and to
assure a light tight fit between the magazine backs and camera bodies. Any deficiencies in the basic Kiev design are
addressed via reinforcement and/or replacement.
The camera is designed to use 61.5-mm wide non-perforated roll film (type 120/220). The camera's curtain shutter
offers exposure times over a range from 1/1000 to 1/2 sec. and manual exposure "B". The shutter cocking mechanism
and the film transport mechanism are interlocked, thus preventing unintentional double exposures.
The camera comes complete with the MC ARSAT 2.8/80 "standard" lens. The lens is provided with a special multi-
layer antireflection coating (MC = Multi - Coating), which upgrades the image quality and enhances its contrast due to
better-integrated transparency and reduced light dispersion. The focal length of the lens is 80 mm, the relative aperture is
1:2.8, the diaphragm setting limits are f2.8 - f22, and the near focusing limit is 0.6 m.
Critical focusing is accomplished with the aid of a micro-raster or a range finder wedge arranged in the center of the
field of view and with the aid of a ground-glass surface.
The camera is designed to use most interchangeable lenses fitted with a "Pentacon Six" type bayonet mount. The
hood-type viewfinder enables the image to be viewed on the ground-glass surface either with or without a magnifying
lens. The field of vision of the hood-type viewfinder measures 53x53 mm. Magnification of the TTL (Through the Lens)
prism finder eyepiece is 3x, the field of vision measures 53x53 mm.
The camera operates with interchangeable film magazines, which provide either 12 exposures of 6x6 cm size or 16
exposures of 6x4.5 cm size on type 120 film, or 24 exposures of 6x6 cm size on type 220 film. The interchangeable film
backs offer the ability to change film types at any time, even in mid-roll.
The camera is provided with flash synchronization compatible with both cabled and hot-shoe flash units.
The camera operates in the temperature range from minus 15 to plus 45
IMPORTANT!
Before starting to use your new ARAX camera, be sure that you have read and understand this manual,
preferably with the camera in front of you. You will then be ready to load your film and begin making great
photographs. Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome to the ARAX family!
www.araxfoto.com - medium format cameras, lenses, accessories , services
A R A X - 88
MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1. GENERAL NOTES
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C.
Page 1 of 8

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Summary of Contents for Arax 88

  • Page 1 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE 1. GENERAL NOTES The ARAX is a medium-format single lens reflex (SLR) camera with either an all-metal (gold or black) or light-tight rubberized fabric curtain shutter and interchangeable film magazines (sizes: 6x6 or 6x4.5 cm). The camera is designed to meet the needs of any photographer, from the advanced amateur to the working professional.
  • Page 2 2. MAIN UNITS AND PARTS 1 - lens 15 - flash hot shoe mount 2 - lens focusing ring 16 - film magazine lock button 3 - distance scale 17 - exposure scale index 4 - depth-of-field scale 18 - finder hood 5 - diaphragm ring 19 - rapid wind crank handle 6 - diaphragm scale...
  • Page 3: Operating Procedure

    3. OPERATING PROCEDURE 3.1. Preparing the Camera for Loading Take the camera out of the case. Insert dark slide 11 as far as it will go. Having displaced button 16 in the direction of the arrow, remove it from the camera. NOTE: The film magazine lock will open only with the dark slide pushed home.
  • Page 4 Please remember that the correct, high quality operation of the camera is guaranteed ONLY if you use the magazines of the original manufacturer (in this case ARAX). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE ARAX magazines on Hasselblad cameras and DO NOT USE Hasselblad magazines on ARAX cameras! 3.4.
  • Page 5 If the film magazine for the 6x4.5 cm frame size is attached to the camera, the composition should be framed by the thickened lines in the finder’s field of view. Focus the camera with the aid of the ground-glass surface with a micro-raster and a rangefinder wedge or with the aid of the distance scale by turning focusing ring 2 with the scale.
  • Page 6 4. DETERMINING THE EXPOSURE WITH THE AID OF THE TTL/SPOT PRISM VIEWFINDER The TTL/SPOT viewfinder provides a direct image of the subject for composition. It also provides accurate shutter speed and aperture values with the aid of its built-in exposure meter. The TTL/SPOT viewfinder has two exposure metering modes: averaging and spot modes.
  • Page 7 The camera is designed to use interchangeable lenses with a Kiev C (P-SIX) mount. ARAX cameras have a specially designed quarter turn bayonet mount called "Insert and Twist". It allows the use of the full range of interchangeable lenses (Schneider-Kreuznach, Zeiss [including Sonnar 2.8/180], Meyer, Arsenal and others).
  • Page 8: Flash Photography

    8. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY The ARAX can use most flash systems for which attachment to the camera incorporates a hot shoe in yoke 15 and plug socket 14. This allows you to use flash units with the hot shoe (cable-less connection) and flash units with plug sockets (PC cable connection).