Camera PH-324
TM 11-2361

Military version of the Kodak 35

Above photo is thanks to Thorsten Moeller from Germany. Camera is in Thorsten's personal collection.

SECTION I
DESCRIPTION

1. CAMERA PH-324.

a. Camera PH-324 (fig. 1) is a 35-mm still camera, equipped with an f/4.5 anastigmat Lens of 51-mm focal length. The camera has a between-the-lens shutter. It includes carrying Case PH-371 (figs. 1 and 2) and is part of Photographic Set PH-261. This camera is fitted with click stop adjustments.

b. The lens (fig. 3) is marked for the following lens openings f/4.5, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, and f/16. At each of these openings the lens opening lever fits into a click stop in the shutter speed and lens opening index plate. This mechanism assures correct positioning of the lens opening lever, prevents it from being moved accidentally to another lens opening, and permits setting the lens opening without reference to the index plate. The focusing collar is engraved for focusing on the following distances; 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 25, and 50 (feet), and "INF. (infinity) A click stop at the 25-foot setting enables the camera to be focused rapidly and positively for this distance.

c. The shutter (fig. 3) has four speeds: 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, and 1/150 (second). Bulb or time exposures can also be made by setting the shutter speed selector to B or T, respectively. The shutter is cocked automatically when the film is wound.

d. The finder (fig, 4) is of the direct viewing type, located above and to the rear of the lens. When not in use, it is folded down as shown in figure 5.

e. An exposure counter dial (fig. 5) and a film release button (fig. 5) are located next to the winding knob, marked WIND (fig. 5).

2. CASE PH-371.

a. Carrying Case PH-371 for Camera PH-324 is large enough to carry the camera with a filter fitted over the lens in a 1 1/4 inch diameter adapter ring. A yellow filter and an adapter ring are parts of Photographic Set PH-261. Refer to TM 11-400.

b. The carrying case is composed of two parts: the body section shown on the camera in figure 2(1), and the cover section shown removed from the camera in figure 2(2). The cover section is attached to the body section with snap fasteners.

c. The carrying case is attached to Camera PH-324 by means of a large knurled-head screw underneath the carrying case. This screw enters the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera below the winding knob (fig. 5).

3. TYPE OF FILM.

This camera uses 35-mm film, black-and-white or color, in daylight-loading cassettes.

SECTION II
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

4. GENERAL.

Before taking the camera to the scene to be photographed, select the film with due regard to the subject and to the light condition to be encountered, when these factors are known. Before making the selection, consult the table of daylight exposure data on the opposite page. The exposure data listed apply to film in prime condition. For film stored under hot or humid conditions, increase the exposure by opening the lens one stop or by using the next slower shutter speed. For scenes taken in early morning or late afternoon or winter scenes (except snow scenes), or when a yellow filter is used, increase the lens opening by one division or use the next slower shutter speed.

5. PRELIMINARY CHECK.

a. Remove the camera from the carrying case by unscrewing the knurled-head screw underneath the carrying case and unfastening the snap at the back bottom center of the case.

b. Inspect the lens for dust, fingerprints, or smudges. Remove the dust with a camel's-hair brush, and if necessary, clean the lens with lens tissue or a lintless cloth.

c. Turn the winding knob (fig. 5) to see that it turns freely and does not bind. Note that the winding knob can be disengaged by lifting it upward. The winding knob should be pushed down, touching the top cover of the camera, except when exposed film is being rewound into its magazine.

6. LOADING AND WINDING FILM.

Always load the camera in subdued light, never in direct sunlight.

a. Turn the lock button on the bottom of the camera to OPEN (fig. 6); then slide off the back assembly (fig. 7).

b. Insert the 35-mm film magazine in the empty recess opposite the film take-up spool. The crosspiece in the recessed end of the cassette must be inserted in the slot of the rewind key post, which is turned by the knob marked REWIND (fig. 5).

c. Carefully pull the film leader from the cassette until about 5 inches of film are exposed. Insert the end of the film in the slot of the film take-up spool as shown in figure 8. Do not try to remove this spool from the camera.

d. Turn the winding knob in the direction of the arrow until the film has made one complete turn on the film take-up spool (fig. 9).

e. Be sure the teeth of the lower sprocket engage the perforations of the film leader, and that the film is riding properly in its path (fig. 9).

f. Replace the back assembly of the camera and turn the lock button on the bottom of the camera to LOCK (fig. 6).

g. Turn the winding knob in the direction of the arrow until it locks. Then, to release the winding knob, push in the film release button and let it spring back. Continue to wind the leader through the camera in this manner until the winding knob locks for the fourth time. Enough film will now be wound on the film take-up spool to bring the film into position for the first exposure. Do not push in the film release button until after the exposure has been made.

h. Turn the exposure counter dial to the first line after 0, the position shown in figure 5. The camera is now ready for the first exposure.

i. After making each exposure, press the film release button, let it spring back, and then turn the winding knob until it locks. This brings unexposed film into position, advances the exposure counter dial, and cocks the shutter. It is impossible to make a double exposure with this camera.

7. EXPOSURE.

The amount of light passing through the lens is controlled by the shutter speed and the lens opening.

a. Shutter Speed. For shutter speeds below 1/100 second, extreme care should be taken to hold the camera steady during the exposure.

b. Lens Openings.

8. FOCUSING.

a. The camera lens is focused by turning the focusing collar (fig. 3) to the right or left until the figure representing the distance from the subject to the lens is at the focus indicator (fig. 3). The camera can also be focused to intermediate distances by estimating the proper proportion of the distance between marked settings on the scale.

b. For ordinary scenes, set the focusing collar at 25 feet; if the principal object is nearer or farther, change the focus accordingly.

c. When the subject is nearer than 10 feet, measure the exact distance.

9. DIRECT VIEW FINDER.

a. The finder (figs. 4 and 5) shows what will appear in the picture, but on a much reduced scale. To bring the finder into position, lift the front frame (fig. 10).

b. When viewing, hold the camera at a distance from the eye which makes the edges of the rear opening appear superimposed on the edges of the front opening. This will insure proper aiming of the camera.

10. MAKING EXPOSURE.

a. The camera can be operated out of the case or in the case with the cover section either open or removed. The method of holding the camera is the same in all three cases except that care must be taken to prevent the lens from being blocked by the cover section when it is left on. For horizontal pictures hold the camera as shown in figure 1(1). For vertical pictures hold the camera as shown in figure 1(2).

b. Hold the camera steady and slowly press the shutter release lever (fig. 11) to make the exposure.
NOTE: Be careful to press the shutter release lever and not the trigger guard (fig. 11).

c. Before the exposure is made, a red signal (fig. 11) shows in the slot in the trigger guard which covers the top of the shutter. This indicates that an unexposed section of film is in position and that the shutter is cocked. If the signal is not visible, turn the winding knob until it locks, and the signal will appear.

11. DELAYED ACTION RELEASE.

The delayed action mechanism (fig. 3) retards the opening of the shutter for about 10 seconds after the shutter release lever is pressed. This mechanism can be used for two purposes: to allow the photographer to appear in the picture, or to allow vibration to dampen out of the tripod or other support after the shutter release is pressed.
To use the delayed action setting lever, proceed as described below.

a. Place the camera on a tripod or some other firm support.

b. Set the lens opening and shutter speed, and focus the camera.

c. Press the delayed action setting lever downward as far as it will go, and then press the shutter release lever.

d. After about 10 seconds the shutter will open and make the exposure.

12. REMOVING FILM.

a. After the last exposure has been made (as indicated on the exposure counter dial), lift the winding knob (fig. 5) so that the film take-up spool is free to turn backward. Then rewind the film by turning the knob marked REWIND (fig. 5) in the direction of the arrow. Rewinding a film immediately after the last exposure will prevent any possibility of tearing the film off the spool inside the cassette.

b. When the exposure counter dial stops turning, stop winding immediately to avoid drawing the end of the film leader into the cassette. The end of the film leader must remain outside the cassette if the film is to be developed in Tank PH-322. Refer to TM 11-400.

c. Remove the back assembly as described in paragraph 6a and lift out the cassette of exposed film.