Difference between revisions of "Cosina Hi-Lite EC"
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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] | *[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] | ||
* [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] | * [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] | ||
− | *[http://www.kameramuseum. | + | *[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) |
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/309796958/in/pool-camerawiki/ | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/309796958/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
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[[Category:Japanese 35mm SLR]] | [[Category:Japanese 35mm SLR]] | ||
[[Category:42mm screw mount]] | [[Category:42mm screw mount]] | ||
− | [[Category:H|Hi-Lite EC]] | + | [[Category:H|Hi-Lite EC Cosina]] |
[[Category:C]] | [[Category:C]] |
Latest revision as of 05:36, 15 February 2023
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
- ↑ 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).
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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
- User's manual at Michael Butkus Jr.'s Orphan Cameras
- Several views of the Hi-Lite EC from 'Spot Matic' on Flickr
- Hi-Lite EC at Kurt Tauber's (in German)
The Cosina Hi-Lite EC gains nothing from this Zeiss lens's electric function image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights) |