Time Exposure Cameras

[bakanosaru]

As far as I can tell there are three series of cameras with some kind of auto-b function (nizos, bauers, and the eumig/bolex cameras).

Has anyone tried all three? How do they compare and what are the differences in the way the time exposure feature functions?

[lastcoyote]

I have the Nizo 801M which has the auto-b function. It is pretty simple function that it will open the shutter and let the light in, at the same time it is start counting the time, when the time right, it will run to the next frame of film and start counting again. You will need an external lightmeter for reference the time. Or u trust the internal lightmeter to do the counting for u.

I was once had the Bauer A512 also has the auto-b function but I couldn't try it too good as it was broken on the way mailling to me.

Hope that's help.

[filmfan]

I have a eumig 860, or is it 680, I can't remeber exactly. Anyway, when the time exposure is on the camera has a seperate meter that controls the exposure time. If I cover over the meter I can get about a 20 second exposure time out of it, which is great for night photography. I also have a Elmo Super 104 which has an interesting ability. It uses a mechanical cable release for single frame photography and my paritcular camera might be working wrong, since the shutter will stay open for as long as I keep the cable pressed. I don't think it's supposed to work this way, but maybe it is. At any rate, with this camera I could time every exposure manually.

[Rick Palidwor]

I also have a Elmo Super 104 which has an interesting ability. It uses a mechanical cable release for single frame photography and my paritcular camera might be working wrong, since the shutter will stay open for as long as I keep the cable pressed. I don't think it's supposed to work this way, but maybe it is. At any rate, with this camera I could time every exposure manually.

Nice feature. Anyone know if that's normal or a quirk?
Rick

[Rick Palidwor]

I also have a Elmo Super 104 which has an interesting ability. It uses a mechanical cable release for single frame photography and my paritcular camera might be working wrong, since the shutter will stay open for as long as I keep the cable pressed. I don't think it's supposed to work this way, but maybe it is. At any rate, with this camera I could time every exposure manually.

Nice feature. Anyone know if that's normal or a quirk?

Last Coyote wrote:
"It is pretty simple function that it will open the shutter and let the light in, at the same time it is start counting the time, when the time right, it will run to the next frame of film and start counting again."

Strictly speaking not true. It doesn't count time, it "counts light": i.e. waits for the requisite minimum exposure, under the current light conditions, before advancing. In other words, in a low-light environment it can take a very long time to advance a frame, but take it into the light and it will click very rapidly. In other words, it varies with the light on a continual basis. I have yet to own one. Wish I did.

Rick

[Mitch Perkins]

As far as I can tell there are three series of cameras with some kind of auto-b function (nizos, bauers, and the eumig/bolex cameras).

Has anyone tried all three? How do they compare and what are the differences in the way the time exposure feature functions?

Nizo takes a reading through a little bead on the plastic panel, above the taking lens. Avoid lens shades and pawing the camera around there, though you can place your hand in front of the bead, thereby fooling the camera into longer exposure time(s).

Accessing the drive mechanism by hand/finger can be done without too much fuss on some cameras [Nikon Super Zoom].

Running film transport [drive gear] slowly and at a consistent rate of speed will produce time-exposures of unknown length - shutter open/closed can be marked on a gear for more precision. Camera must be set to runlock and have either no batteries installed - or - blank inserted into electronic remote jack, if there is one.

Mitch