INSTRUCTIONS

Remote-control LEICA R (RC LEICA R)

Electronic control unit for the LEICA R 3-MOT with motor winder R3

Model/Code: 321.111-123

Introduction

The RC LEICA electronic control unit increases the practical range of the LEICA R 3-MOT in many ways. The various actions and functions are explained in these instructions, which also describe some practical possibilities. More detailed information is contained in the working sheets for the LEICA R 3-MOT¹).

The RC LEICA R electronic control unit has an appliance cable of 2m length with a screw plug. Extension cables (length 25m) with threaded coupling plugs (Code No. 14274) can be supplied. They can be combined into lengths of up to 100m for electric remote control. The RC LEICA R electronic control unit is supplied with current by the motor winder R3.

¹ In preparation

Brief description

1. Broad push-button [release button] for single-frame and series release.
2. 9mm high, two-digit red seven-segment display of completed exposures. The segments light up for about 2 seconds after each exposure.
3. Reading key [reading key] for the display of the number of completed exposures at any time.

Control Functions

After the key (3) has been dabbed, the digital display lights up for about 2 seconds.

4. Input key [input key] for the correction of the digital display when a few exposures have already been completed without the RC LEICA R and the instrument has been switched off (only when the slider-switch is at "TEST"). Zeroing of the digital display through simultaneous operation of the reading and input keys ([reading key] + [input key]).
5. Rotary interval switch with scale for automatic single-frame releases at variable time intervals. Standby indication by LED of the digital display lighting up on the left.
6. Slider switch for two interval ranges: The switch "x1" or "x10" is digital and is therefore precise: Setting "x1" = about 1 frame/0.5 sec. or about 1 frame/1 min. Setting "x10" = about 1 frame/5 sec. or about 1 frame/10 min.
7. Slider switch for various functions: Setting "LEICA" = camera is released through push-button (1) or interval switch (5). Setting "TEST" = release functions blocked. Release intervals can be programmed by means of the rotary switch (5). The release impulse is signalled by the lighting-up of the right-hand diode of the digital display (2), but the LEICA R 3-MOT is not triggered. This permits precise determination of the time intervals. With switchover from "TEST" to "LEICA" the camera is triggered at the preselected interval.
8. Screw plug¹).
9. Explanation of function on the back of the instrument.

¹ Suitable for same: 5-pin coupling plug, 302-013.154-004, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH, Technical Service Center, P.O.B. 2027, D-6330 Wetzlar (Germany).

Connecting the Instrument

1. Set rotary interval switch (5) at "0".

2. Unscrew the plug (8) in the socket of the motor winder R3 (match markings on the plug and on the motor winder) and secure it by screwing it home.

The connection between the RC LEICA R electronic control unit and the motor winder R3 can be extended up to a distance of 100m.

Manual Release

1. Set slider switch (7) at "LEICA" and switch on LEICA R3-MOT.

2. Briefly depress the broad push-button (1) for single-frame release.

Series Release

Continuously depress the broad push-button (1). As long as this is depressed one frame after another is exposed; up to 2 frames per second depending on the shutter speed.

The automatically determined or manually set shutter speeds as well as the setting "x" = 1/90sec (for electronic flash synchronization) except "B" can be used.

Display of Completed Exposure

After each exposure there is feed-back by the camera. The number of the exposures made with winder release appears as a 9mm-high two-digit red seven-segment display (2), which lights up for about 2 sec. after each exposure. At the position "36" of the camera counter the motor winder and the RC LEICA R are automatically switched off, the digital display is erased.

Erase of the Digital Display

The digital display can be erased through:

Switching off the camera with the main switch.
Swinging out the film transport lever of the camera.
When the position "36" is reached on the film counter of the camera.
Disconnection of the control unit from the motor winder R3.
Simultaneous operation of the reading and input keys (3 and 4) on the control unit.

Reading Completed Exposures

Through brief dabbing of the reading key (3) the number of completed exposures can be read at any time. The digital display lights up for about 2 sec.

Zeroing

The digital display is zeroed by simultaneous operation of the reading (3) and input keys (4).

Correction of the Digital Display

If a few exposures have been made without the RC LEICA R electronic control unit in position or the display has been erased, the digital display of the RC LEICA R electronic control unit can be made to agree with the film counter of the LEICA R3-MOT.

1. Set the slider switch (7) at "TEST".

2. Dab the input key (4) until the desired display appears.

Interval Releases

Single-frame releases can be set at variable time intervals with the rotary interval switch (5) with scale. Because of the operating times between one exposure and the next, short timings - below interval setting "5" in the "x1" range - are not possible at slow shutter speeds (from 1/15 sec.). The slider switch (6) serves for the choice of the interval ranges "x1" and "x10".

Interval Settings

Setting x1: Interval range from about 0.5sec to about 60sec.

Setting x10: Interval range from about 5sec to about 600sec (= 10min). The engraved scale values are orientating values (see graph). Precise times can be determined by means of a test (see next sector "Programming").

Programming

1. Set slider switch (7) at "TEST". The RC LEICA R electronic control unit cannot release the motor-winder R3 now. This prevents accidental releases when a film has been inserted in the camera.

2. Set the rotary interval switch (5) at the desired scale values.

3. The left-hand diode of the digital display lights up to indicate standby.

4. The right-hand diode of the digital display lights up when a release impulse is given. With the aid of this impulse check the desired interval can be timed, for instance by comparison with the second hand of a watch. The rotary interval switch (5) is used for regulation.

Impulse Checking and Regulation

Impulses can also be checked acoustically when the LEICA R3-MOT is released. To avoid loss of a frame when a film is inserted in the camera proceed as follows:

1. Place the lens cap or camera body cover in position.
2. Set the camera selector for multiple exposures at "double exposure".
3. Set slider switch (7) at "LEICA".
4. Set the rotary interval switch (5) at the desired scale value.
5. The left-hand diode of the digital display indicates standby by lighting up.
6. The functional sequence of the camera makes the release impulse audible. With the aid of this impulse check the desired interval can be timed, for instance by comparison with the second hand of a watch. The rotary interval switch (5) is used for regulation.
7. After regulation first set the slider switch (7) at "TEST" and zero the selector for multiple exposures.

With long intervals, the release frequency (impulse sequence) can first be regulated at 1/10 of the desired interval to save time. By switching over from "x1" to "x10" the desired long interval will be obtained.

Examples

Example: Desired interval = 300sec (5min)

Set slider switch (7) at "TEST".

Slider switch (6) at "x1".

Turn the rotary interval switch (5) roughly to scale value "7-8".

Optical impulse check.

Regulate the impulse sequence via rotary switch to 30sec.

Set slider switch (6) at "x10".

Proceed analogously if you require very accurate impulse intervals in the x1 range.

Example: Desired interval: 1.3sec

Set slider switch (7) at "TEST".

Slider switch (6) at "x10".

Turn the rotary interval switch (5) roughly to scale value "4".

Regulate impulse sequence at 13sec with rotary switch (5).

Set the slider switch (6) at x1.

Releasing the Camera

The LEICA R3-MOT with motor winder R3 is released when the slider switch (7) is changed from "TEST" to "LEICA".

Graph for Interval Settings

Attention: The first exposure is made according to program when the right-hand diode lights up and not automatically during the switch-over from "TEST" to "LEICA".

The graph provides a guide value for the desired interval. To use it, find your desired time interval on the vertical axis (Time interval in sec.). Trace horizontally to the curve, then drop vertically to the horizontal axis (Interval position) to find the required setting for the rotary interval switch (5).

Graph Description: The graph plots "Time interval in sec." (Y-axis, 0.6 to 70) against "Interval position" (X-axis, 1 to 10). A sigmoid curve shows the relationship, indicating that higher interval positions correspond to longer time intervals. The curve illustrates how to determine the correct rotary interval switch setting for a desired time interval.

Practical Examples

Self-timer

The RC LEICA R electronic control unit can be used as a self-timer at variable delay times. The delay time is determined by the setting of the interval. For instance, scale value "6" = about 10sec delay time, when the slider switch (7) is set at "TEST". When the right-hand decimal point of the digital display (impulse check) lights up, the slider switch (7) is set at "LEICA". The exposure will be made after about 10 seconds. The completed exposure can be checked with the lighting-up of the digital display of the RC LEICA R electronic control unit. After the completed exposure, the slider switch (7) returns to "TEST".

Multiple Exposures

In conjunction with the selector of the LEICA R3-MOT for multiple exposures, movement phases can be recorded on a single frame. As a rule, the best results are obtained in front of a dark background. Electronic flash units with standard flash contacts (coaxial plugs) can be connected via the flash socket of the LEICA R3-MOT. The shortest interval depends on the recycling time of the flash unit used.

Exposure Control

If the camera has been set up in conjunction with other accessories on a site that is difficult to reach, the RC LEICA R electronic unit can be connected to check the exposures, for instance to the mains unit NL 3 in conjunction with the LS 16 IR light trap. Further practical examples, suitable connecting layouts and circuit plans of the motor winder R3 and the RC LEICA R will be found in the collection of working sheets for the LEICA R3-MOT¹).