E INSTRUCTION MANUAL QUICK OPERATION GETTING STARTED FULL-AUTO OPERATION SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION CREATIVE EXPOSURE MODES ADDITIONAL FEATURES APPENDIX
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE This manual has been designed to help you understand the operation of your Minolta camera more quickly. After familiarizing yourself with the camera, start with Level I and learn to operate the camera in Full-Auto mode. Move on to Level II and the Subject Program modes when you are comfortable with the camera and want to have more control. Here you decide the type of image you want to photograph and leave the exposure details to the camera.
TABLE OF CONTENTS I L E V E L FULLY-AUTOMATIC OPERATION Taking Pictures in Full-Auto ................................................21 Focus Signals ......................................................................22 Special Focus Situations......................................................23 Focus Hold ..........................................................................24 Using the Built-in Flash Flash signals....................................................................
NAMES OF PARTS NAMES OF PARTS For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in parenthesis.
NAMES OF PARTS NAMES OF PARTS Data Panel Viewfinder Flash-mode indicators Red-eye reduction indicator Multiple-exposure indicator Exposure-bracketing indicator Exposure-mode indicators Manual-focus indicator Focus frame Shutter-speed/ISO display Aperture/Exposurecompensation display Exposure-compensation indicator Subject-program pointer Subject-program indicators Spot-metering area Spot-focus area Focus signals Focus-area indicator Shutter speed display Self-timer indicator Exposure-compensation i
QUICK OPERATION 1. Insert batteries. • This camera uses two CR2 lithium batteries. 2. Attach lens. • Align the red mounting dot on the lens with the one on the camera. Gently insert the lens into the mount and turn it clockwise until it clicks into the locked position. 3. Slide the main and eye-start switches to ON. QUICK OPERATION 5. Set Full-Auto operation. • Press the program-reset button to set the camera to fully-automatic operation. 6.
LEVEL I This section provides the information necessary to operate your camera in most photographic situations. This section covers: • Battery Installation • Attaching and Removing the Lens • Loading the Film • Camera Handling • Fully Automatic Camera Operation • Special Focus Situations • Basic Flash Operation • Rewinding the Film Once you fully understand the instructions in this section, proceed to Level II, Level III, and Additional Features to obtain more enjoyment from your camera.
BATTERIES BATTERIES Installing the Batteries Checking Battery Power Your camera uses two 3V CR2 lithium batteries to supply power for all camera operations. 1. Using a coin or similar object, turn the batterychamber lock to OPEN, then open the battery-chamber door. Each time the main switch is set to ON, a battery symbol appears in the data panel indicating the power status of the batteries. Full-battery symbol Power is sufficient for all camera operations. • will only appear for five seconds.
LENS LENS Attaching the Lens Removing the Lens 1. Remove the body and rear lens caps. 1. Press the lens release and turn the lens counterclockwise until it stops. 2. Gently remove the lens and replace caps, or attach another lens. 2. Align the red mounting dots on the lens and camera body. Caution 3. Gently insert the lens into the mount, then turn it clockwise until it clicks into the locked position. • Do not force the lens if it does not turn smoothly.
LOADING FILM LOADING FILM Check the film window before loading film. If film is loaded, do not open the back cover. Refer to Manual Rewind on page 29 for instructions on removing a partially exposed roll. 3. Extend the leader between the guide rails to the index mark. • If the film tip extends beyond the index mark, push the excess film back into the cartridge. • Load film in the shade to reduce the chances of fogging the film. • Do not use Polaroid Instant 35mm film. Winding problems may occur.
HANDLING THE CAMERA EYE-START Eye-start automatically activates the camera’s focus and exposure systems as you bring the camera to your eye. Sliding the main and eyestart switches to the ON position activates the grip sensor and data panel. Touching the grip sensor activates the eyepiece sensor located near the viewfinder. When an object is detected near the viewfinder, the camera’s systems are activated to set the focus and exposure as you frame your subject.
TAKING PICTURES IN FULL-AUTO 1. Slide the main and eye-start switches to ON. FULLY-AUTOMATIC OPERATION Full-Auto is the camera’s standard operating mode and is suited for use in almost any situation. When selected, the camera sets the focus and exposure automatically and fires the built-in flash when necessary. 2. Press the program-reset button to set the camera to Full-Auto. • The camera will return to its default settings (p83). 3.
TAKING PICTURES IN FULL-AUTO 5. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture. • In low-light conditions, the AF illuminator (p55) will fire to determine focus distance. • Use focus hold (p24) if your subject is outside the focus frame. SPECIAL FOCUS SITUATIONS The camera may not be able to focus in situations like those described below. When the focus lamp blinks, use focus hold (p24) or manual focus (p54). See page 22 for an explanation of the focus signals.
FOCUS HOLD USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH Use focus hold when your subject is outside the focus frame or when autofocus is difficult to confirm. Focus hold cannot be used for moving subjects. 1. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press the shutter-release button partway down. • appears in the viewfinder when the focus is confirmed. • Focus hold also locks the exposure settings. 2. Continue to hold the shutterrelease button partway down while you compose your picture. 3.
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH Flash Signals Fill Flash Eye-start ON – Flash will fire. disappears when the shutterrelease button is pressed partway down, then reappears when the flash is charged. Use fill flash when taking pictures under fluorescent lighting or to eliminate harsh shadows. When set, the flash will fire every time a picture is taken. The TTL automatic flash metering system will ensure correct exposure.
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH REWINDING THE FILM Red-Eye Reduction Automatic Rewind After you have exposed the last frame, the camera will automatically rewind the film. When the film is completely rewound, the motor will stop and will blink in the data panel indicating it is safe to open the back of the camera. Light reflecting from your subject’s eyes may produce the effect known as red-eye.
SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION Portrait Mode Portraits have the greatest impact when a shallow depth-of-field* is used to separate the subject from the background. In Portrait mode, the necessary settings are made automatically, leaving you free to capture the perfect expression. LEVEL II Now that you are comfortable with the operation of the camera, take more control of the creative process by telling the camera what kind of picture you want to take.
SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION Landscape Mode Close-Up Mode Landscape photography requires a large depth-of-field to make sure everything is in focus. In Landscape mode, the camera is set to obtain the greatest depthof-field possible, while maintaining a shutter speed fast enough to prevent blur due to camera shake. Set Close-Up mode when photographing small objects like flowers or jewelry.
SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION Sports Mode Night Portrait Mode Fast shutter speeds are needed to stop action. In Sports mode, the camera will set the fastest possible shutter speed and continually adjust the focus to track fastmoving subjects. Night portraits require the camera’s flash exposure to be balanced with the background exposure.
SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION SELF-TIMER The self-timer delays the release of the shutter for approximately 10 seconds after the shutter-release button is pressed. Photographing Night Scenes Cancel the flash in Night Portrait mode to photograph night scenes. The longer shutter speeds set in Night Portrait mode let you capture beautiful photographs of twilight scenes and night skylines. 1. Press the subject-program button until the subjectprogram pointer is under 1.
CONTINUOUS - ADVANCE MODE In this mode, the camera continues to release the shutter and advance the film as long as the shutter-release button is held down. • AF Zoom xi and Power zoom lenses cannot be zoomed when continuousadvance mode is selected. 1. Press the drive-mode button until appears in the data panel. 2. Press the shutter-release button down and hold. • When taking flash pictures, the shutter will release after the flash is charged.
A-MODE – APERTURE PRIORITY A-MODE – APERTURE PRIORITY In A-mode, you select the aperture and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed required for proper exposure. Set the camera to A-mode when you want to control the range of sharpness (depthof-field) in an image. Refer to Aperture Control on page 42. 1. Turn the function dial to A-Mode Flash When the built-in flash is up or an attached accessory flash is on, it will fire each time a picture is taken.
A-MODE – APERTURE PRIORITY S-MODE – SHUTTER PRIORITY In S-mode, you select the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the aperture required for proper exposure. Use S-mode when you want to control the blur caused by subject movement. Aperture Control 1. Turn the function dial to Large Aperture (small f-number) . Small Aperture (large f-number) The size of the aperture (lens opening) determines the depth-of-field in the final image as well as the intensity of the light falling on the film.
S-MODE – SHUTTER PRIORITY S-MODE – SHUTTER PRIORITY S-Mode Flash Shutter Control When the built-in flash is up or an attached accessory flash is on, it will fire each time a picture is taken. Flash exposure is controlled by the camera’s TTL automatic flash metering system. 1. Press the flash-mode button to pop-up the built-in flash. • will appear in the data panel. Fast Shutter Speed 2. Turn the control dial to select any shutter speed up to 1/125th of a second.
M-MODE – MANUAL M-MODE – MANUAL M-mode gives you full control of the exposure. The camera’s meter index displays how your settings compare to the exposure determined by the camera’s metering system. 1. Turn the function dial to Metering in Manual Mode . 2. Press the function button and turn the control dial until M appears in the data panel. 3. Turn the control dial to select the shutter speed. 4. Press the exposurecompensation button and turn the control dial to select the aperture.