Zenit 12XP - General help?

<p>Hey folks, after much deliberation I purchased a VERY cheap (£3) Zenit 12XP instead of going down the Minox 35mm route.<br>

So far I the wrong purchased batteries so i'm hoping the light meter works when I get the right ones, and a nice Kodak 400 - 36exp film for a test and to see what i'm like considering I have very little experience with anything other than a digital SLR.<br>

I had a look at the online manual, and took the plunge to install the film, all went ok I believe, the only thing that is worrying me is, when I was cocking the transport lever several times like told to so in the manual the film rewind knob wasn't turning as well, like it said it should have.<br>

Have I installed the film correctly?<br>

Also, I am having great detail in working out the correct film speed, shutter speed, and aperture ring settings, any idea's?<br>

I would definately like to go down the B&W film route, and have a play about to try and master this beauty!<br>

Any other info or guides would be greatly appreciated!<br>

Ta<br>

Alex</p>

<p>Supposed to say great problems - not great detail!</p>

 

<p>Turn the rewind crank to take up the slack, then it should turn when you advance the film.<br>

You may want to check out the Zenit Camera Group on Yahoo. Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, is there, including repair tips and pointers.</p>

<p>The 12XP (or CD) is a great and simple camera. The light meter can be sensitive to light from the viewfinder, and it's not very accurate at all. I will suggest an external lightmeter or just Sunny-16. You cant go below 1/30s, so I see the Zenit as a "daylight camera".<br>

A common fault is "banding" on the negatives. Quite often its related to one single shutter speed. I had a XP with banding on 1/125 but no banding on the other speeds. Run a test film through the camera and check all speeds before you shoot any important motives.</p>

<p>Don't forget that when it comes time to actually rewind the exposed film back into the cartridge the rewind release "button" is directly below the shutter button on top of the camera ! Something my old Zenit's English instruction manual failed to mention .</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Cheers for answering guys!<br>

@ Roger - I did what you said, and now all is good! Cheers! And added Yahoo group, just need to be accepted!</p>

<p>Cheers Joachim, have looked up the sunny-16 and makes lots of sense!<br>

This film will be purely trial and error!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thankyou Gabor, I didn't realise that!<br>

Cheers,<br>

Alex</p>

These Zenith cameras are pretty good when they'Re working! I think you made the right choice... the Minox 35mm route is

well that route.. the Zenith.. is the road less taken!! Good Luck!! Please post!!

<p>Cheers Chuck!<br>

Will keep you all updated, been messing around with different speeds, lighting etc.<br>

I know this should be simple, but I am struggling to understand the theory behind film speed, due to my Zenit displaying ASA/DIN, as i'm running ISO400 film, any idea's what speed I need? I understand it relates to shutter speed as well!?</p>

<p>Thankyou!<br>

Alex</p>

<p>You can use any film speed you like, but the Zenit is limited to 1/500s. If you use a 100 ISO film in bright sun 1/125s = f16. With a 400 ISO film you have to use 1/500s and f16. Im sure you can find a f22-lens, but if you want to shoot pictures with greater depth of field, you will have to go below f16 (more like f5.6 for portraits). That means you need a shutter speed faster than 1/500 or ND-filters to prevent over exposure.<br>

In bright sun you dont need anything faster than 100 ISO in my opinion, unless you are shooting fast moving object with a camera capable of shutter speeds beyond 1/500s. On an overcast day you loose at least 3 or 4 f-stops, and a 400 ISO film is a logic choise.</p>

 

<p>Thankyou for clearing that up!<br>

Cheers<br>

Alex</p>

<p>You're shooting color negative film right? Well, if that's so then don't worry about over exposure. Color negative film has lots of tolerance for over exposure and not very much for under exposure. Want to really know about the "sunny 16" rule? Read<a href="http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm"> these pages</a> about by Fred Parker. Works a treat. I guarantee it. Follow his suggestions and if you're exposures are bad, there's a problem with the camera or the operator.</p>