Nikkormat EL

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Nikkormat EL
1972 ~ 1976

I got mine at eBay.

Specialities: EL's auto exposure system based on a 4 opamp (Operational amplifiers) analogue computer; the first did the log conversion (with a transistor in its feedback; the voltage of the emitter-to-bias voltage increases log to the input current), the second opamp does the calculation (taking ASA and f-setting in account; both drove one slider resistor below the ASA button). In the log world a multiplication is a subtraction, so the the second opamp was an current adder. The further opamps did the integration (light amount threshold) and timing.

That was a huge step forward to the AE solutions, which used the position of the meter needle seen in the viewer to limit the movement of the f-stop lever at the back of the lenses, the lever which holds the aperture open before exposure - to have a bright picture in the viewer. With the A mode a much higher dynamics got possible than with S mode !

- 2 screen available: Micro and split circle
- interchangable screens: So far I know only by Nikon service
- no film reminder
- ASA settiing: No offset
- speed in finder: 4 sec to 1/1000; Auto and B (bulb)
- no flash ready indicator
- longest official auto speed: 4 seconds. With longer times the risk of not closing the shutter before battery empty (practical longest auto time was about one minute)
- stop auto exposure: by switching off
- AE lock: Timer lever, push in other direction
- exp compensation: None
- Power on / off: Wind lever

March 2010 More Nikon Reviews Canon Leica Pentax

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Ken

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