Canon Command Back
70/80/90
instruction manual

Posted 9-14-03

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Designed exclusively for the Canon T70, T80 and T90 respectively, the Canon Command Back 70, Command Back 80 and Command Back 90 are special data backs which open up an amazing variety of automatic operations. As their names indicate, the Command Backs are equipped with command functions to control the camera in various timer modes, as well functions which allow you to record certain types of data automatically on the film.

Features:

1. Data Recording Function:

1) Built-in automatic date recording mode programmed up through the year 2029.
· automatically compensates for long and short months and leap years.
· any of three sequences (Month/day/year, day/month/year, and year/month/day) may be selected.

2) Built-in automatic quartz digital clock mode with 24 hour display (Day/hour/minute is recorded.). 3) Automatic recording of an arbitrary 6-digit code of numbers and the letters A through F.
4) Automatic recording of a 4-digit frame counter number from Fc 00 01 up to Fc 99 99.

2. Timer Control Function

1) Self-timer mode
· the shutter is released once after a fixed period of time.

2) Interval timer mode
· the shutter is released at fix. ed intervals.

3) Long release timer mode
· the shutter is released and held open for a fixed period of time.

1), 2) and 3) can be set in 1-sec. units to any value from 1 sec. to 23 hrs., 59 mine., 59 sees.

4) Frame counter setting (number of exposures setting) mode 
· the number of exposures to be made can be set and operation stops automatically after the set number of exposures has been made.

4) can be set to any value in the range from 1 up to 99.

The Command Backs can be programmed by combining the modes of the timer control function and using them together with the data recording function.

1. Nomenclature - 

2. Basic Functions of Control Buttons

The basic functions of the Command Back's various control buttons are as follows:

1. Mode Selector--Selects the modes in either the data recording function or the timer control function.

2. Position Selector--Selects the digit to be set or reset when changing numbers in the various modes.

3. Number Set Button--Sets the desired numbers.

4. Film Speed Selector--Sets data exposure brightness according to the film speed in use (3 levels).

 ·Command Back 90

Exposure Level Adjust Button--Compensates the light intensity of data recording.

5. Data/Timer Selector--Switches between the data recording function and the timer control function.

6. Start/Stop/Clear Button--· Starts operation in the timer control function · Manually stops operation of the timer control function. · Clears values when the digit is flashing.



3. Function Displays -  

4. Attaching Command Back to the Camera

Be sure that there is no film in the camera before attaching the Command Back. Other wise, the film will be exposed when the regular camera back is opened.

1) Open the back cover of the camera and push the hinge release pin down to remove the back cover.

2) To attach the Command Back, insert its lower hinge into the lower socket first. Then depress the hinge release pin, align it with the upper socket and let go of the hinge release pin to lock it on.

Note:
Wipe the contacts of the camera and the Command Back with a clean, dry cloth to ensure proper contact. Otherwise the data may not be properly recorded.


5. Setting the Film Speed

· Command Back 70 and 80 To ensure correct data recording, the correct film speed must be set on these Command Backs. Set the film speed indicated by either "ISO" or "ASA" on your film box.

Be sure that :the correct film speed is also set on the camera body. 

1) Press and release the film speed selector. The film speed is displayed on the LCD panel in the rotating sequence:

2) Set at 25, 100, or 400 depending on the speed of your film. Use the following table for reference.
· ISO 25 - 64: Set at 25.
· IS0 80--160: Set at 100.
· IS0 200--400 and ISO 1000: Set at 400.

Notes:
· The film speed set on the Command Back will not be recorded.
· There is a possibility that the data may be slightly blurred when ISO 1000 film is used.
· The film speed settings are guidelines. To determine the perfect setting, take a few trial shots, changing the film speed setting for each shot.

· Command Back 90 

It is unnecessary to set the film speed on the Command Back 90, since the DX data of the film is automatically transmitted from the T90. The light intensity is varied automatically according to the film speed.

Notes:

· The film speed is not displayed on the LCD panel.

· To compensate the light intensity of data recording, press the exposure level adjust button. Every time this button is pressed, the data recording exposure becomes one step brighter up to three steps. On the LCD panel + 1, + 2 or + 3 is displayed.

When using ISO 80--ISO 160 film, you can compensate the exposure level only up to 2 steps, and when using ISO 25--ISO 64 film, you can compensate it only one step.

· Exposure compensation is necessary for data recording on the films below.

1 step brighter
Sakura Film SR Series ISO 100, 400 or 1600
Agfa Film ISO 100 or 400
Agfa Chrome ISO 1000 --
Agfa Chrome RS Professional ISO 100 or 1000 --

2 steps brighter
Sakura Film SR ISO 200 
Agfa Chrome RS Professional 200


6. Basic Operation for Making Mode Setting

1. Switching between the data recording function and timer control function Operation is switched between the data recording function and the timer control function each time the data/timer selector is pressed. You can confirm which function the camera is in by looking at the "" " mark on the LCD panel.

2. Mode Setting in Data Recording Function
The mode display of the data recording function changes each time the mode selector is pressed. These data are automatically recorded upon shutter release except when "OFF" is displayed.

Note: Be sure to set to "OFF" when you do not want to record anything on the film.

3. Mode Settings In Timer Control Function  The mode display of the timer control function changes each time the mode selector is pressed. The camera is controlled according to these settings.

7. Basic Operation Display Numbers

1. Each time the position selector is pressed, a 2-digit unit starts flashing.

2. After the 2-digits you wish to change start flashing, press the number set button until the desired number appears.

3. Press the position selector until all the digits stop flashing.

· Each depression of the number set button increments the flashing numeral by one. If the number set button is held down continuously in step 2, the number will advance rapidly.

· If the start/stop/clear button is pressed while the number is flashing, the number will be cleared in the following way.

Command Back 70 and 80
Year -> '83
Month and Day -> 1
Hour -> 0
Minute, Second, and other numerals -> 00

Command Back 90
Year -> '85
Month and Day -> 1
Hour -> 0
Minute, Second, and other numerals -> 00

8. Setting Each Mode of the Data Recording Function

1. The data are automatically recorded upon shutter release.

2. The data are recorded in the lower right hand corner of the picture.

3. If the data have been recorded correctly, a "" mark will appear in the upper right hand corner of the LCD panel and light up for about 1.5 - 2 sees. With the Command Back 90, the shutter speed and the aperture value displayed under the viewfinder of the T90 will change into LED bars.

4. When you do not want to record anything, be sure to set the display to "OFF."

5. It is impossible to record more than one mode at the same time. (For example: the date and time.)

6. It is impossible to record data if any part of the display is flashing.

7. If the background of the data recording area is bright, the data may not appear clearly on the picture. Be sure that a dark part of the subject lies within the data recording area.

8. When using color film, if the background of the data recording area is orange, the data may not appear clearly. This is because the data are printed in orange.

9. In continuous shooting with the Too, the frame advancing rate may be slowed by data recording.


(1) Setting the Date

Any of three formats (year/month/day, day/month/year, and month/day/year) may be selected in the date mode. The year/month/day display is initially set. If you want to change that order, follow these steps:

3. While pressing the number set button, press the mode selector. Each time the mode selector is pressed, the display rotates in the sequence: year/month/ day, day/month/year, and month/day/ . year.  Select one of those three displays.

EXAMPLE

When you want to change the date from January 3, 1985 to May 11, 1988. (Supposing that the display has already been changed to month/day/year.)
 

1. Select the data recording function by pressing the data/timer selector.
2. Select the date mode (month/day/year) by pressing and releasing the mode selector.
3. When the position selector is pressed,'85 (year) will start flashing.
4. Press the number set button while '85 is flashing until '88 appears.
5. Correct 1 (month) to 5 and then 3 (day) to 11 following the same procedures as in steps 3 and 4.
6. Press the position selector once more to stop the flashing.

(2) Setting the time
To set the precise time, for example, to 12:00 noon, 00 seconds, follow these steps:

1. Select the data recording function by pressing the data/timer selector.
2. Select the time mode by pressing and releasing the mode selector.
3. When the position selector is pressed once, the colon will start flashing.
4. Press the number set button once at the time of the tone given on the radio, telephone, or television. The internal clock will immediately start counting at 00 seconds.

EXAMPLE When you want to change the time from 10:30 to 17:45.
 

1. Select the data recording function by press ing the data/timer selector.
2. Select the time mode (day/hour/minute) by pressing and releasing the mode selector.
3. When the position selector is pressed once, the colon will start flashing. When it is pressed again, 30 (minute) will start flashing.
4. Press the number set button while 30 is flashing until 45 appears.
5. Correct 10 (hour) to 17 following the same procedures as in steps 3 and 4.
6. Press the position selector once again to stop the flashing.

(3) Setting the Arbitrary 6 digit Code.
You can set each 2-digit unit of the arbitrary 6-digit code from 00 to 99 plus the letters A through F. This mode can be used to order your pictures for easy filing.

Each 2-digit unit advances in the rotating sequence of 00 ->99 - (arbitrary number) A->b->c->d->E->F->blank .00.

If you want to set the number or the letter quickly, hold down the number set button continuously and the display will advance rapidly.

EXAMPLE
When you want to set "b 12 34".

1. Select the date recording function by pressing the data/timer selector.
2. Select the arbitrary 6-digit code mode (00 00 00) by pressing and releasing the mode selector.
3. When the position selector is pressed once, the "00" on the right will start flashing.
4. Press the number set button while the "00" is flashing until 34 appears.
5. Correct the 00 in the middle to 12 and then the 00 on the left to b following the same procedures as in steps 3 and 4.
6. Press the position selector once again to stop the flashing.