Difference between revisions of "Cosina Hi-Lite EC"

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The '''Cosina Hi-Lite EC''' is a [[SLR]] camera body for [[35mm film]]. It has a [[depth-of-field]] preview function that's triggered by pressing the [[shutter release]] button halfway. This function is also needed to determine the shutter speed with help of the [[TTL|TTL meter]]. To regain a bright viewfinder image the button for temporary aperture reopening has to be pressed.
 
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The viewfinder screen has a focusing aid in its center. The left side of the finder image shows the needle and the shutter speed scale of the meter which includes a rectangular battery control mark.
 
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/309796958/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/arzitek/51050456172/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://static.flickr.com/117/309796958_3fea9183c1.jpg
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51050456172_22dfc01bfe.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
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|image_text= The Cosina Hi-Lite EC doesn't profit<br/>from the Zeiss lens's electric function
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|image_text= Unusual: an [[M42]] camera with "auto" shutter setting
 +
|image_by= Spot Matic
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
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==specifications==
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The '''Hi-Lite EC''' is an innovative [[SLR]] from [[Cosina]] introduced in 1972.<ref>Page 229, {{McKeown12}}</ref> It is among the few models ever to offer aperture-priority autoexposure using plain-vanilla [[42mm screw lens | M42 screwmount lenses]].
 +
 
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The shutter release plunger has a long travel, and partway through its stroke the lens stops down to shooting aperture and the metering circuit activates.<ref>This scheme returned with Cosina's later [[M42]] models the [[Cosina CSL | CSL]], [[Cosina CSR | CSR]], and [[Cosina CSM | CSM]]; but they are manual-exposure-only models unless the clunky & noisy motorized AEC adapter is attached.</ref> Fast-acting silicon blue photocells are able to read the scene illumination in the split-second before the user fully depresses the release button, and indicate the resulting shutter speed with a needle in the viewfinder. However there is no easy exposure compensation possible, aside from "lying" to the camera about the film's ASA/ISO speed. Rather the user can manually select a shutter speed different from the one indicated by the meter needle.
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 +
To return the viewfinder to its brightest image, a silver button on the front of the camera resets the lens to its widest aperture and deactivates the meter.
 +
 
 +
The autoexposure system is enabled with an electronically-timed vertically-traveling shutter which ranges steplessly from 2 to 1/2000 seconds. [[Flash sync]] is at 1/125th of a second. The shutter is dependent on power from the somewhat uncommon 6 volt silver-oxide battery, loaded through a cap on the back of the body; and there is a battery-check button to confirm the viewfinder needle reaches to or above the index mark in the center of the shutter-speed scale.
 +
 
 +
ASA or DIN are set using a collar below the shutter-speed dial. The collar around the rewind crank is simply a film-type reminder for the user, but does not connect to the meter system. There is a mechanical self-timer lever on the front of the body.
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The followup [[Cosina Hi-Lite ECL]] model adds a couple of refinements.  McKeown notes a '''Cosina Hi-Lite EC II''' adding a spot-metering option with AE lock in addition to the averaging pattern, but we have not seen it.<ref> Also said to be rebadged as the [[Vivitar 650/SLX]], a camera which indeed was [https://www.flickr.com/photos/vox/51160504912/in/pool-camerawiki announced] and even profiled in ''Modern Photography'' magazine's 1974 "Annual Guide to 47 Top Cameras" but may not have reached production. This shows the spot/average selector replacing the film reminder dial, and the AE hold button replacing the battery check.</ref> The original EC is also rebranded as the [[Argus/Cosina EC 2000]].
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==Specifications==
 
*Type: [[SLR]] body
 
*Type: [[SLR]] body
 
*Manufacturer: [[Cosina]]
 
*Manufacturer: [[Cosina]]
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*Year of launch: 1974
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*Year of launch: 1972
 
*Film: [[35mm film]] with speeds 15 to 33 [[film speed|DIN]]
 
*Film: [[35mm film]] with speeds 15 to 33 [[film speed|DIN]]
 
*Lens mount: [[M42|M42 screw mount]] with aperture release mechanics
 
*Lens mount: [[M42|M42 screw mount]] with aperture release mechanics
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*Shutter: [[Copal]] electrically controlled [[focal plane shutter]] with speeds 1 sec. to 1/2000 sec. or B, or w/o battery: single speed
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*Shutter: [[Copal]] electrically controlled [[focal plane shutter]] with manual speeds 1 sec. to 1/2000 sec. or B, or w/o battery: single speed
 
*Metering: [[TTL|TTL metering]]
 
*Metering: [[TTL|TTL metering]]
 
*Exposure: shutter speed selected manually or controlled by meter
 
*Exposure: shutter speed selected manually or controlled by meter
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*Film advance: lever with analog exposure counter, rewind unlock button and rewind crank
 
*Film advance: lever with analog exposure counter, rewind unlock button and rewind crank
 
*Dimensions: 145&times;99&times;53mm
 
*Dimensions: 145&times;99&times;53mm
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*Power: Type 544 6V battery, battery control button, on/off-switch
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*Power: Type 544 6V battery, battery check button, on/off-switch
 
*Connectors: hot shoe and two other flash connectors
 
*Connectors: hot shoe and two other flash connectors
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==Notes==
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<references/>
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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*[http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/cosina/hi-lite-ec.html Hi-Lite EC] at [http://www.kameramuseum.de/1cosina/hi-lite-ec.html Kurt Tauber's]
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/cosina/cosina_hi-lite_ec/cosina_hi-lite_ec-splash.htm User's manual] at Michael Butkus Jr.'s [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html Orphan Cameras]
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*[http://www.mikebutkus.com/chinon/cosina/cosina_hi-lite_ce/cosina_hi-lite_ec.htm online manual] at [http://www.mikebutkus.com Michael Butkus Jr.'s]
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* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/arzitek/with/51050456172/ Several views] of the Hi-Lite EC from [https://www.flickr.com/photos/arzitek/ 'Spot Matic' on Flickr]
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*[http://www.kameramuseum.net/0-fotokameras/cosina/hi-lite-ec.html Hi-Lite EC] at [http://www.kameramuseum.net/titelseite.htm Kurt Tauber's] (in German)
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/309796958/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://static.flickr.com/117/309796958_3fea9183c1.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= The Cosina Hi-Lite EC gains nothing<br/>from this Zeiss lens's electric function
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|image_by= Uwe Kulick
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
  
 
[[Category:Cosina|Hi-Lite EC]]
 
[[Category:Cosina|Hi-Lite EC]]
 
[[Category:Japanese 35mm SLR]]
 
[[Category:Japanese 35mm SLR]]
 
[[Category:42mm screw mount]]
 
[[Category:42mm screw mount]]
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[[Category:H|Hi-Lite EC]]
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[[Category:H|Hi-Lite EC Cosina]]
 
[[Category:C]]
 
[[Category:C]]

Latest revision as of 05:36, 15 February 2023

51050456172_22dfc01bfe.jpg
Unusual: an M42 camera with "auto" shutter setting
image by Spot Matic (Image rights)

The Hi-Lite EC is an innovative SLR from Cosina introduced in 1972.[1] It is among the few models ever to offer aperture-priority autoexposure using plain-vanilla M42 screwmount lenses.

The shutter release plunger has a long travel, and partway through its stroke the lens stops down to shooting aperture and the metering circuit activates.[2] Fast-acting silicon blue photocells are able to read the scene illumination in the split-second before the user fully depresses the release button, and indicate the resulting shutter speed with a needle in the viewfinder. However there is no easy exposure compensation possible, aside from "lying" to the camera about the film's ASA/ISO speed. Rather the user can manually select a shutter speed different from the one indicated by the meter needle.

To return the viewfinder to its brightest image, a silver button on the front of the camera resets the lens to its widest aperture and deactivates the meter.

The autoexposure system is enabled with an electronically-timed vertically-traveling shutter which ranges steplessly from 2 to 1/2000 seconds. Flash sync is at 1/125th of a second. The shutter is dependent on power from the somewhat uncommon 6 volt silver-oxide battery, loaded through a cap on the back of the body; and there is a battery-check button to confirm the viewfinder needle reaches to or above the index mark in the center of the shutter-speed scale.

ASA or DIN are set using a collar below the shutter-speed dial. The collar around the rewind crank is simply a film-type reminder for the user, but does not connect to the meter system. There is a mechanical self-timer lever on the front of the body.

The followup Cosina Hi-Lite ECL model adds a couple of refinements. McKeown notes a Cosina Hi-Lite EC II adding a spot-metering option with AE lock in addition to the averaging pattern, but we have not seen it.[3] The original EC is also rebranded as the Argus/Cosina EC 2000.

Specifications

  • Type: SLR body
  • Manufacturer: Cosina
  • Year of launch: 1972
  • Film: 35mm film with speeds 15 to 33 DIN
  • Lens mount: M42 screw mount with aperture release mechanics
  • Shutter: Copal electrically controlled focal plane shutter with manual speeds 1 sec. to 1/2000 sec. or B, or w/o battery: single speed
  • Metering: TTL metering
  • Exposure: shutter speed selected manually or controlled by meter
  • Viewfinder: pentaprism finder, focusing aid on screen, ocular with frame for finder accessories
  • Film advance: lever with analog exposure counter, rewind unlock button and rewind crank
  • Dimensions: 145×99×53mm
  • Power: Type 544 6V battery, battery check button, on/off-switch
  • Connectors: hot shoe and two other flash connectors

Notes

  1. ↑ Page 229, McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover).
  2. ↑ This scheme returned with Cosina's later M42 models the CSL, CSR, and CSM; but they are manual-exposure-only models unless the clunky & noisy motorized AEC adapter is attached.
  3. ↑ Also said to be rebadged as the Vivitar 650/SLX, a camera which indeed was announced and even profiled in Modern Photography magazine's 1974 "Annual Guide to 47 Top Cameras" but may not have reached production. This shows the spot/average selector replacing the film reminder dial, and the AE hold button replacing the battery check.

Links

309796958_3fea9183c1.jpg
The Cosina Hi-Lite EC gains nothing
from this Zeiss lens's electric function
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)
Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Cosina_Hi-Lite_EC&oldid=221301"