Checking the Exposure Look
into the viewfinder. On the extreme right is a scale with shutter speeds from 1000
sec. to 2 sec. All solid black numbers are reciprocals of the real shutter speed
so that 500, for instance, stands for a shutter speed of 500 sec.
 |
Only the black-outlined "2"
at the bottom of the scale is a whole number standing for 2 sec. Above 1000 is a
red overexposure index. Below the last number 2 is the red underexposure index.
|
release button halfway. The meter needle will jump up to indicate the shutter
speed the camera has set for the aperture you have chosen. Notice that the meter
needle quickly changes position as the light conditions change or as the camera is
moved. To assure exact exposure, the camera controls the shutter speed steplessly
and will not fix it until the shutter button is pressed.
Now gently press the shutter
If the meter needle points to the red index at the top or bottom of the shutter speed
scale when the shutter button is pressed halfway, exposure will be incorrect. Correct
the exposure according to the chart below.
|
|
Check the exposure according to the following chart.
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Position
of Meter Needle
|
With
Aperture Ring at:
|
Exposure
|
|
Not touching
any red mark
|
Any f/stop
|
Correct
|
|
Touching
Underexposure Index
|
Any f/stop
|
Incorrect.
Turn the aperture ring to a larger f stop
|
|
|
Largest
f/stop
|
Incorrect.
Swit:ch to flash, add light or use a film with a higher ASA rating
|
|
Touching
Overexposure Index
|
Any f/stop
|
Incorrect.
Turn the aperture ring to a smaller f stop
|
|
|
Smallest
f/Stop
|
Incorrect.
Attached an ND filter or use a film with a lower ASA rating.
|
Note: *
ND filters, which reduce the light coming into the lens but do not affect color,
are available as optional accessories. **
If there is light behindyour
subject, exposure may not be correct even if the meter needle is not touching a red
mark. *** Remember: A large f/stop is a small number
on the aperture scale. A small f/stop is a large number on the aperture scale.
 |
If the meter needle points
to or below the camera shake warning index when the shutter button is pressed halfway
and you are using a 50mm lens, there is a good chance of camera shake which will
blur the picture. Correct as follows: 1. Select a larger f/stop. 2. Use a flash.
Or 3. Attach the camera to a tripod and use a cable release. Of course, if you are
as steady as a tripod, you can try hand-held shooting.
|
Holding the Camera
 |
Camera shake can ruin your
picture with blur. Although the best precaution in preventing camera shake is to
press the shutter release button gently, it is also helpful to hold the camera properly.
Before focusing and taking your shot, please read the following suggestions.
|
When the meter needle points above
the camera shake warning index:
1. Grip the camera firmly in both hands with some right fingers on the finger
grip and with the left hand supporting the lens.
2. Press at least one elbow firmly against your body, and press the camera
firmly to your cheek or forehead.
3. Spread your feet slightly apart with one a little ahead of the other and
relax.
Lean against a steady support, such as a wall or a tree, if one is available. |
 |
 |
 |
When the meter needle points at or below the camera shake warning index when
using a standard lens: Choose a larger f/stop or use a flash and hold the camera
as described above. If the aperture ring is at the largest f/stop and you do not
have a flash, use a tripod and a cable release.
Composing Look into the
viewfinder eyepiece and compose your picture so that your subject is where you want
it to be. The subject will be recorded on the film exactly as you see it in the viewfinder.
While composing, keep in mind that the AV-1 uses the Central Emphasis Metering method
of exposure measurement which reads the entire viewing area with emphasis on the
central portion. As long as the subject is pretty well centered in the image, this
method normally assures very accurate exposure.
 |
1. The split-image rangefinder
"tells you" that the image is in focus when the image, which is divided
horizontally when out of focus, merges to become one complete image.
|
2. The microprism ring presents a clear, steady image when in focus but a
broken, shimmering image when not accurately in focus.
3. The surrounding matte screen is foggy when the subject is out of focus
and becomes clear when in focus. When your desired subject is sharp, you know that
the focus is set correctly. You can focus with any of these three focusing aids as
you like depending on the subject and personal preference.
Shutter Release Once you have set an aperture on the lens, checked the exposure,
composed and focused your picture, you are all set to take your shot. Simply press
the shutter release button gently all the way down to set the shutter in motion for
exposure. Once you have pressed it all the way you may withdraw your finger. For
proper function of the camera and the least camera shake, it is very important to
press the shutter button gently. Chances of camera shake will also be reduced if
you make a habit of pressing the shutter button as you exhale. Following shutter
release, advance the film advance lever to wind the film. Pressing the shutter button
will not make an exposure if the film is only partially advanced or if battery power
is too low.
Frame Counter
 |
Each time the film is wound, the AV-1's
frame counter advances to the next frame, indicating the number of frames already
exposed. It will not advance higher than 38.
|
The numbers 0, 20 and 36 are marked in orange to indicate usual starting and ending
points of films. Don't be surprised if, at the end of the film, the frame counter
indicates fewer or more frames than the film is supposed to have; it depends on how
economically you loaded the film. The frame counter automatically returns to "S"
when the back cover is opened.
Rewinding the Film
 |
If, after shutter release, the film
advance lever cannot be turned or stops before the end of its stroke, the film has
reached its end.
|
DO NOT force the film advance lever or the film
will tear or become detached from the cartridge. In this case, rewinding would be
impossible and you would have to unload the film in complete darkness. DO NOT open the camera's back cover before rewinding
or most or all of your film will be ruined.
To rewind the film:
 |
 |
1. Press in the film rewind
button on the base of the camera. Once you have pressed it you can remove your finger.
|
2. Unfold the film rewind crank and turn it in the direction of the arrow. Keep
cranking until you feel no further pressure on the rewind crank. 3. Then pull
the rewind knob up sharply to open the back cover and remove the cartridge. It is
preferable to place the exposed cartridge back in its canister and to have it developed
as soon as possible.
Backlight Situation (or other lighting problems) Like all metering systems,
the AV-1'smetering system is designed to give correct exposure under normal lighting
conditions. What is not normal? Not normal is a situation in which your subject is
backlit with strong window, sun or artificial light behind it. In this case the camera
will be influenced by this light into choosing a shutter speed which wil I underexpose
your subject. The metered exposure must be increased. The same holds true if your
subject is surrounded by a bright beach or snow and the latter is taking up the major
part of the viewing area. In general, some correction may be necessary if your subject
is not centered in the viewing screen or if you wish to overexpose the image intentionally
for a high-key shot. On the other side of the coin, the camera may be fooled into
choosing a shutter speed which will overexpose your subject if it has a very dark
background, such as in stage photography and concerts; or you may wish to underexpose
your subject intentionally for a low-key shot.
 |
Backlight Control Switch When
you press this switch, the camera will automatically reduce the shutter speed 1-1/2
steps to increase exposure.
|
This will be useful in all those cases described above in which you would like to
give your subject a little more exposure, such as in backlit situations. Since the
shutter speed will be considerably reduced, make sure to check the shutter speed
in the viewfinder before shooting to make sure there is no chance of camera shake
and that the meter needle does not point to the underexposure index. It may be necessary
to turn the aperture ring to a larger f/stop for hand-held shooting and correct exposure.
 |
Warning: Keep pressing this switch until you fully
press the shutter release button. If not the AE Lock will not work.
|
Changing the Film Speed In comparison with a film with a given film speed,
another film with an ASA rating twice that of this film requires only half the amount
of light for correct exposure. Consequently, you may make an exposure correction
on a particular frame by changing the recommended ASA rating.
 |
For instance, if you have ASA 200
film loaded and you wish to overexpose the image for a backlit situation only 1 f/stop,
simply set the film speed dial to ASA 100. The camera will automatically reduce the
shutter speed one step for overexposure.
|
Again, it is advisable to check the shutter speed the camera sets to be sure there
is no chance of camera shake. On the other hand if you wish to underexpose the image
i f/stop for a low-key shot, reset the film speed dial to ASA 400. This method of
exposure correction is useful when you wish to give more or less overexposure than
the backlight control switch permits, and it is the only way to make an exposure
correction for a low-key shot.By all means, do
not forget to reset the correct ASA film speed on the dial
or the entire remainder of the film will be correspondingly over or underexposed.
Time Exposure or shooting at night When you set the selector dial to "B"
for "bulb", you can make exposures longer than the slowest shutter
speed of two seconds. The shutter will remain open as long as you press the shutter
release button. Of course, you are now in complete control of the exposure. You cannot
rely on the AV-1's meter, because you yourself are controlling the shutter speed
as well as the aperture.
 |
Although the meter needle will point
to a shutter speed when the shutter button is pressed halfway, this reading has no
meaning.
|
Using the "B" setting is the recommended procedure for recording
multiple bursts of fireworks on a frame. You may also use it when it is so dark that
the meter will not couple. You will have to determine the length of exposure either
by a separate exposure meter or by experimentation. If you use this setting often,
more battery power will be used than usual, so it is wise to have a spare battery
handy. When using such slow shutter speeds, you may have problems with reciprocity
failure. Compensation of exposure is required.
|
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Issues, Accessories, Care and Maintainance 5/6
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Highly
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created by Mr.Christian
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Essentials: - Canon AV-1 Instruction Manual | Determine Years of Made of your
Canon
Canon Flash models:- Canon 300TL flash(1.5MB); Macrolite ML-1(HTML); Macrolite ML-2;
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Others:- Canon Auto Bellow Unit Manual; Canon Macro Photography Guide, Canon Slide Duplicator Manual, Canon Angle Finder User's Manual
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