Cosina Hi-Lite EC
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| The Cosina Hi-Lite EC doesn't profit from the Zeiss lens's electric function image by Uwe Kulick (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. In this case 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.
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. 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).
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)
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| image by Martin Hilber (Image rights) |
