Manual scanned and put online free of charge by Mike Butkus, whose library runs on donations. The link opens his model page, where you can download the PDF.
Getting started
Batteries Under the body, open the battery door by pulling it in the direction shown. Insert two AA alkaline batteries, one facing up, the other facing down, following the diagram. Close it: the catch should click.
Loading Pull the rewind crank up to open the back, insert the cartridge with its long spindle end facing down, and push the crank back in, turning it a little until it sits flat. Lay the film leader over the sprockets and slide it into a slot in the take-up spool, release the shutter and turn the advance wheel until it stops: the film should wind on. Close the back, then release the shutter and advance until the counter reads 1.
Sensitivity The manual covers films of about ISO 100 or 400 (ASA), in colour negative, slide or black and white. The weather selector is what takes this into account: set it using the symbols, according to the weather and your film.
Your first photo Remove the lens cap and set the weather selector. Frame horizontally or vertically, then press the shutter button. Keep the sun anywhere but behind the subject: against the light, the subject stays in shadow.
Rewinding After the last shot, press the rewind button under the camera, unfold the crank and turn it in the direction of the arrow, without going too fast. The resistance increases slightly when the film leader leaves the take-up spool, then drops to almost nothing one or two turns later: the film is back in. Lift the crank to open the back and take out the cartridge.
What it can do
A single shutter speed, 1/125 s. The weather selector sets the aperture: f/16, f/9.5 or f/5.6.
With ISO 100 film: f/16 in bright sun, f/9.5 in sunshine. In overcast weather, slide out the flash, even for a distant subject.
With ISO 400 film: f/16 in sunshine, f/9.5 in overcast weather, f/5.6 with the flash.
It has a cable release socket, a 43 mm thread for a filter and a tripod socket under the body.
The flash
Slide the flash head out of the body: it switches on and the aperture moves to f/5.6 by itself. Push it back in to switch it off and return to the weather selector.
Wait for the ready lamp to light up: at least 8 s, depending on the state of the batteries.
With the flash out, the position of the weather selector no longer matters. It also works outdoors, in dull weather.
Recommended range: about 0.9 to 2.4 m (3 to 8 feet) with ISO 100 film, 0.9 to 4.3 m (3 to 14 feet) with ISO 400.
Good to know
The manual recommends advancing the film just before each photo rather than after, especially before putting the camera away: otherwise the shutter springs stay under tension.
Don’t open the back before rewinding: light would fog the film.
Black, dark or dull photo: lens cap left on, light too low without flash, subject too far away with flash, flash not ready yet or wrong weather selector setting.
Pale, overexposed photo: wrong weather selector setting, or subject very close with flash on ISO 400 film.
A pink blotch on the image is a finger. A black one, the case or the wrist strap.
Care
Protect it from dust, rain, humidity and high heat.
Avoid touching the lens. To clean it, blow on it, then wipe it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth or lens tissue, not a glasses cloth.
No harsh or abrasive cleaners on the body.
Don’t take it apart, there is a risk of electric shock: leave it to a qualified repairer.
35SE specifications
Format
35 mm film, cartridges of 12, 20, 24 or 36 exposures
Lens
coated plastic triplet, 38 mm f/5.6, 43 mm filter thread
Shutter
1/125 s, cable release socket
Exposure
weather selector with symbols: f/16, f/9.5 or f/5.6 depending on the weather and the film
Sensitivity
films of about ISO 100 or 400 (ASA)
Flash
built in, sliding, guide number 35 (ISO 100, in feet), recharges in at least 8 s
€125.00Original price was: €125.00.€110.00Current price is: €110.00.
Secure payment
Pay by card, Klarna or Google Pay. Your bank details never pass through us.
Free delivery from €150 in mainland France
Elsewhere, the exact rate is shown before you pay.
Tracked parcels, padded by hand
Tracking number by email, oversized packaging: a camera body doesn’t travel like a book.
Tested second-hand
Mechanics, optics, electronics: every item goes through our testing method before it goes online.
A word about cookies
Those for the basket and payment are essential. The others wait for your consent: audience measurement, advertising, visit tracking for our emails. You can withdraw it whenever you like. Details here.
