Threading the Camera—Final Preparation
Pull the eyepiece down to the shooting position.
If the camera is mounted on a PANAHEAD attach the eyepiece leveller link-arm to the underside of the extension eyepiece and unlock the friction lock at the eyepiece elbow.
On the PLATINUM PANAFLEX set the digital footage/meterage counter to zero by simultaneously pressing the buttons marked with up and down arrows. Alternatively, these buttons may be used individually to preset to counter to any particular starting point.
On the GII and earlier PANAFLEX cameras zero the footage counter by pressing simultaneously the micro switches at the top and the left hand side of the digital footage read-out. Press only the top micro switch to recall the footage shot since the last resetting.
On PANASTAR reversing magazines there is a Digital Frame Counter to enable the film to be rewound to a particular frame (±1 frame) for SFX work. This may be reset by pressing the button set directly above the digital frame display. Note: This frame counter is not bidirectional and must be reset each time when reverse running.
The footage remaining in a magazine may be checked manually by a sliding actuator on PLATINUM PANAFLEX and PANASTAR magazines and by a small lever on GII and earlier magazines.
It is good practice to check there is no slack film on either the supply or the take-up sides of the magazine by pressing in and turning the centre knobs on the back side of the magazines.
In humid and cold ambient conditions connect the power supply to the PANACLEAR heated viewfinder eyepiece.
Before shooting with a particular camera for the first time always double check the shutter setting, the fps rate and the behind-the-lens gelatin filter, if any.
1. Reposition eyepiece and reconnect the eyepiece leveller and PANACLEAR, 2. Reset PLATINUM PANAFLEX footage counter by simultaneously pressing the up and down buttons, 3. Reset the GII footage counter by simultaneously pressing the top and left-hand side buttons, 4. Resetting the footage counter on a PLATINUM PANAFLEX magazine, 5. Checking the footage remaining on a PANAFLEX or PANASTAR magazine, 6. Tightening the roll of film inside a magazine, 7. A reminder that the gelatin filter holder must be checked, 8. A reminder that the adjustable shutter quadrant must be checked.