Minolta Maxxum manual

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3 2 Thank you for purchasing a Minolta camera. A valuable tool for photographers, the Maxxum/Dynax 7 has been designed with precision in mind to help you capture your photo- graphic vision. As you use the Maxxum/Dynax 7, you will find that its performance and reliability compliment your own photographic expertise and raise your skills to a higher l[...]

5 4 T ABLE OF CONTENTS T able of Contents ..............................................................................4 Name of Parts ...................................................................................8 Quick Operation ..............................................................................14 BASIC OPERA TION Batteries .....[...]

7 6 T ABLE OF CONTENTS Memory Storing memory .................................................................135 Recalling settings in memory .............................................137 Data memory Storing the data .................................................................141 Film area and data number ..................................[...]

9 8 Camera Body AF illuminator (59)/Self- timer lamp (90) Battery-chamber release (17) V ertical-control-grip contacts (189)* Battery-chamber door T ripod socket * Do not touch NAMES OF P ARTS Accessory shoe (107) Eyepiece cup (15) Drive-mode lever (87) Exposure-mode dial lock- release button (24) Viewfinder* (12) Eyepiece sensor* (125) AE-lock but[...]

11 10 NAMES OF P ARTS Control Panel T op Data Panel Cartridge mark Film-transport signals Frame counter/ Aperture display Adjust button Enter button (135) Custom button (154) Date button (120) ISO button (86) Data-memory button (141) Shutter-speed display Navigation Display Release-priority indicator (158) Exposure-mode indicator (60) Flash-mode in[...]

13 12 NAMES OF P ARTS Viewfinder AEL indicator (81, 102) Focus signals (28) Flash-compensation indicator (103) Spot-metering area (75) Spot-focus area (55, 56) Flash indicator (31) High-speed-sync indicator(1 10) Wireless/Remote flash indicator (1 14) Shutter-speed display Exposure-mode indicator Aperture display Meter index Metering-mode indicator[...]

15 14 QUICK OPERA TION 5. Set the camera for automatic operation. • While pressing the exposure-mode dial lock-release button, set the exposure-mode dial to . 6. If using a zoom lens, rotate the zooming ring to frame your subject as desired. 7. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press the shutter-release button partway down. • Focus i[...]

17 16 Attach the strap as shown. Y our camera uses two 3V CR123A lithium batteries to supply power for all camera operations. 1. T urn the main switch off. Then slide the battery chamber release as shown, and open the door . 2. Insert the batteries as indicat- ed by the + and - marks. 3. Close the battery-chamber door . Installing the Batteries If [...]

19 18 BA TTERIES Battery Condition Indicators The battery condition indicator displays the power status of the bat- teries when the main switch is set to ON. Full-battery indicator Power is sufficient for all camera operations. Half-battery indicator Power is low , but all functions are operational. Keep a fresh battery handy . Low-battery indicato[...]

21 20 LOADING FILM Check the film window before loading film. If film is already loaded, refer to Manual Rewind on page 34 to remove a partially exposed roll. • Load film in the shade to reduce the chances of fogging the film. Remove and discard the protective cover on the film gate before loading film for the first time. 1. Slide the back-cover [...]

23 22 LOADING FILM • Once the film is loaded, the back cover will lock until film rewind- ing is complete, preventing accidental opening. • ISO is set automatically if DX-coded film is loaded. See page 86 for changing ISO manually . • Non-DX-coded film is automatically rewound at the end of the roll or after 36 exposures. • Non-DX-coded fil[...]

25 24 T AKING PICTURES IN FULL-AUT O 1. T urn the main switch to ON. 3. Raise the built-in flash. • If the flash is raised, it will automati- cally fire when needed. • For details on using the built-in flash, see page 31. 2. While pressing the exposure- mode dial lock-release button, set the exposure-mode dial to full-auto. Full-auto is shown i[...]

27 26 T AKING PICTURES IN FULL-AUT O Full-Auto Basic Settings When the exposure-mode dial is set to , the functions in the table below are reset to the full-auto mode, and locked in order not to be changed. Function Exposure mode Metering mode Flash mode Focus mode AF area Full-Auto Settings Program (P) 14-segment honeycomb-pattern Autoflash, if th[...]

29 28 FOCUSING Focus Signals The following signals appear in the viewfinder to indicate the focus status when the shutter-release button is pressed partway down. Focus is confirmed. Continuous autofocus – Focus is confirmed. Continuous autofocus – Lens focusing. Shutter is locked. (Blinks) Focus cannot be confirmed – Shutter is locked. Subjec[...]

31 30 FOCUSING USING THE BUIL T -IN FLASH The built-in flash provides coverage for focal lengths as wide as 24mm. 1. T urn the main switch to ON and set the exposure-mode dial to . 2. Raise the built-in flash. 3. Press the shutter-release button to take the picture. • When the exposure mode dial is set to , the built-in flash will fire only when [...]

33 32 Automatic Rewind The film is automatically rewound after the last frame is exposed. 1. Wait until the film is completely rewound. 2. When the film is completely rewound, open the back cover and remove the film. Flash Range The range of the built-in flash depends on the speed of the film and the selected aperture. Make sure your subject is wit[...]

35 34 REWINDING THE FILM Manual Rewind Use manual rewind to rewind the film before the roll is finished. Gently press the manual-rewind button. • Use a blunt object. A sharp object may cause damage. Custom Function Notes Custom 2, 3 and 12 refer to the rewinding of film. Custom 2 - Automatic (1) or manually initiated (2) rewind start. Custom 3 - [...]

37 36 Y our camera uses the navigation dis- play (a dot-matrix presentation in the large LCD panel on the back of the camera) to provide you with useful photographic information. • Only general information is included in this section. Please refer to each specific section for more detailed information. • Display will be slow in cold weather , b[...]

39 38 DISPLA Y SELECTION Detailed display Detailed display Exposure-history display Meter-index display Large icon display Large icon display Meter-index display Exposure- history display Display-selec- tion button Display-selection button Switch horizontal/ vertical Switch horizontal/ vertical Display selec- tion button Display-selec- tion button [...]

41 40 DISPLA Y SELECTION The meter index display shows the values of compensation and bracketing that you have selected. The lower part shows compen- sation/bracketing with flash. The upper part of the display is shown in both the viewfinder and the navigation display . Meter-Index Display Current exposure information The metering index display con[...]

43 42 DISPLA Y SELECTION When the exposure-mode dial is turned to P ,A, S, or M, the upper part of the display remains normal. But when , 1, 2, or 3 is selected, the upper part turns black. Example 1: Exposure-mode dial set to P . (Normal) Example 2: Exposure-mode dial set to , full- auto mode. T op part of display has turned black. Example 3: Expo[...]

45 44 Y our camera features complete focus control, utilizing a newly developed 9-point autofocus sys- tem with center dual cross-hair sensors to give great flexibility when composing photographs, and the ability to switch between AF and MF using the AF/MF con- trol button without changing hold- ing positions. Display Illumination Display Contrast [...]

47 46 FOCUS MODE Continuous Autofocus (C) Use continuous autofocus when shooting sporting events or when you know the subject will be in constant motion. • The camera continues to focus as long as the shutter-release button is pressed partway down. • Audio doesn’t sound and the local focus area LED doesn’t appear in the viewfinder in this m[...]

49 48 FOCUS MODE • appears in the viewfinder when the subject in the focus frame is in focus. • Even though manual focus has been selected, it is possible to utilize autofocus by pressing the AF/MF control button (p. 51). • When the focus ring doesn’t turn smoothly (for example when using a teleconverter) see page 52. • This camera uses d[...]

51 50 AF/MF CONTROL BUTT ON In MF mode (focus-mode switch set to MF), when the AF/MF con- trol button is pressed, the MF mode is switched to AF-S, auto- focus is activated, and then focus is locked. • When you release the AF/MF control button, the camera returns to MF mode, and now re-focusing is possible using the focusing ring. • When the AF/[...]

53 52 FOCUS AREA Wide focus area Local focus area The camera’s standard focus mode, wide focus area, covers the entire center area making it easier for the camera to focus on moving subjects. Nine sensors are located in the wide focus area, which are shown by the local focus area in the viewfinder . When you press the shutter-release button partw[...]

55 54 FOCUS AREA 2. Press the focus-area selec- tor to focus using the wide focus area. Press the spot- AF button to use the center spot-focus area. • Viewfinder shows which sensor is being used for focusing. • While pressing the spot-AF button or the focus-area selector , the focus is locked. 3. While pressing either the focus-area selector or[...]

57 56 FOCUS AREA • Viewfinder shows which sensor is being used for focusing. • While pressing the spot-AF button or the focus-area selector , the focus is locked. 3. While pressing either the focus-area selector or the spot- AF button, press the shutter-release button and take the picture. • After taking the picture, as long as the spot-AF bu[...]

59 58 FOCUS AREA In low-light/low subject contrast situa- tions, the AF illuminator automatically projects a pattern of lines onto the subject for the camera’s AF sensors to focus on. • Do not to obstruct the AF illuminator . • AF illuminator works for the center focus area only . • The range of the AF illuminator is 0.7 – 7.0 meters (2.3[...]

61 60 EXPOSURE Y our camera’s exposure-mode dial has 8 positions; Full-auto P , A, S, and M modes 1, 2, and 3 memory modes This section of the manual covers the P , A, S, and M modes. • For the full-auto mode, see pages 24-27. For memory modes, see page 132. Select P mode (Programmmed AE) when you want to give your full attention to your subjec[...]

63 62 P MODE A MODE In A mode (aperture priority), you select the aperture and the cam- era automatically sets the shutter speed required for proper exposure. Set the camera to A mode when you want to control the range of focus (depth-of-field) in an image. 1. While pressing the exposure- mode dial lock-release button, turn the exposure-mode dial t[...]

65 64 A MODE 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. Depth-of-field is the area in front of and behind the point where the lens is focused which will appear sharp. Large apertures (small f-numbers) limit the depth-of-field to a nar- row rang[...]

67 66 S MODE In S mode (shutter priority), you select the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the aperture for the proper exposure. Use S mode when you want to control the blur caused by subject movement. 1. While pressing the exposure- mode dial lock-release button, turn the exposure-mode dial to S. • S appears in the naviga- tion di[...]

69 68 S MODE M MODE Fast Shutter Speed Slow Shutter Speed Because the shutter speed controls the duration of exposures, it also determines how moving subjects will appear in the final image. Use a slow shutter speed to blur the motion of your subject. Use a fast shutter speed to stop the motion of your subject. In addition to stopping action, fast [...]

71 70 M-Mode Flash 1. Follow the steps on the previous page. 2. Raise the built-in flash, or turn the accessory flash on. • appears in the viewfinder when the flash is charged. • The shutter speeds of 1/200 or slower are selectable. However , shut- ter speeds greater than 1/200 can be achieved using high speed sync flash 5600HS(D), 3600HS(D), o[...]

73 72 M MODE Manual Shift Manual shift lets you shift to equivalent aperture/shutter speed com- binations without changing the exposure value (EV). 1. Select a desired shutter speed and aperture. 2. Press the AE-lock button and turn the front control dial until the desired aperture/shutter speed combination appears in the display . • While pressi[...]

75 74 SELECT ABLE METERING Fourteen-segment honeycomb-pattern metering uses information from the autofocus system to set the metering pattern according to the position of the main subject. The light metered by each applicable segment is then evaluated to determine the degree of spot-lighting or backlighting present in your scene. The local focus-ar[...]

77 76 Center-Weighted A verage Metering Center-weighted average mode bases the exposure on an average of the readings from each of the honeycomb segments - with emphasis placed on the center of the image. Care should be taken when photographing backlit, spotlighted, or off- center subjects, as non-subject areas may be included in the exposure calcu[...]

79 78 EXPOSURE COMPENSA TION Changing to 1/3 Increments 1. Set the exposure-compensation dial to the edge of the 1/2EV increment (ie; +/-3.0EV). 2. While pressing the exposure- compensation dial lock-release button, turn the exposure-com- pensation dial to the edge of the 1/3EV increment (ie; +/- 2.0EV). 1/3EV increment 1/2EV increment Example belo[...]

81 80 EXPOSURE COMPENSA TION AUT OMA TIC EXPOSURE LOCK (AEL) Press the AE-lock button to lock the exposure using the currently selected metering pattern without locking the focus. The exposure remains locked until the AE-lock button is released. 1. Select the desired metering pattern (pp. 74-76), and focus on subject. • appears in the viewfinder [...]

83 82 AUT OMA TIC EXPOSURE LOCK (AEL) • If you keep pressing the AE-lock button after taking the picture, the exposure remains locked. • Pressing the AE-lock button sets the flash to slow-shutter sync mode (p. 102). • If Custom 10-2 is selected, pressing the AE-lock button once activates automatic exposure lock. Pressing again cancels. Meter [...]

• If more than 3.0EV , only + or - will appear , instead of a value. • Press the display-selection button once again to cancel the bright- ness-distribution display while still pressing the AE-lock button. • If you release your finger from the AE-lock button, both brightness dis- tribution and locked exposure will be canceled. • Shutter spe[...]

87 86 SETTING THE ISO MANUALL Y Continuous drive, exposure bracketing, multiple exposures, and other options can be selected using the drive-mode lever . The standard drive-mode setting for this camera is single-frame (drive-mode lever set to ). The selectable modes are represented by; (Single-frame advance) (Continuous advance) Bracketing S (Singl[...]

89 88 CONTINUOUS This camera has both single-frame and continuous advance drive modes. Select single-frame advance to expose and advance the film one frame at a time. Switch to continuous drive to photograph dynamic action sequences at up to 4 frames per second in high speed mode (3.7 when AF-A or AF-C is selected) or 2 frames per second in low spe[...]

91 90 SELF-TIMER Use the self-timer to delay the shutter release for 2 or 10 seconds (approx.) after the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down. In addition to delaying release of the shutter , the 2 second delay pops the mirror up two seconds before the shutter opens to reduce blur caused by camera vibration. • Attach the eyepiece ca[...]

93 92 EXPOSURE BRACKETING Exposure bracketing automatically exposes a series of frames with exposures above and below the metered exposure value. Bracket your exposures when shooting slides and other films with a low tol- erance for exposure error . A larger bracketing increment is recom- mended when shooting negative film. • This camera can expo[...]

95 94 EXPOSURE BRACKETING When bracketing is selected, the meter index appears in the viewfinder . • If exposure compensation is also selected, the whole bracketing series will be shifted. • Meter index doesn’t appear in the viewfinder while adjusting the incre- ment and size of the bracketing. • Every time the picture is taken, the corresp[...]

97 96 MUL TIPLE EXPOSURE The meter in your camera determines exposure (EV) based on the assumption that only one exposure will be made on each frame. When making multiple exposures, the EV for each additional exposure may need to be reduced or over exposure can result. Compensate the exposures as follows: Number of Exposures Exposure Adjustment 1 2[...]

99 98 Red-eye reduction (p. 100) Normal flash Normal flash (p. 31) Normal flash REAR Rear flash sync (p. 101) Rear flash sync (p. 101) WL Wireless/remote flash (p.1 12)* Normal flash Built-in flash Program Flash This section of your manual covers the operation of accessory flashes as well as the built-in flash. The high accuracy of your camera’s [...]

101 100 RED-EYE REDUCTION REAR FLASH SYNC With rear flash sync Without rear flash sync Slow sync flash exposures can appear unnatural because the motion blur precedes the subject in the final image. Use rear flash sync to create more natural looking slow shutter speed flash expo- sures that leave a blur of motion behind the subject. 1. Raise the bu[...]

103 102 Slow-shutter sync Conventional flash In P and A-modes, slow-shutter sync sets a slower shutter speed to increase the background or ambient exposure in a flash picture. Flash output is automatically decreased to maintain correct subject exposure. 1. Raise the built-in flash or turn the accessory flash on. 2. While pressing the AE-lock but- t[...]

105 104 FLASH BRACKETING Flash bracketing lets you expose a series of frames with exposures below and above the normal metered exposure while using flash. Y ou can choose a series of 3, 5, or 7 frame flash exposure brackets in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1.0 EV increments. Exposures are bracketed by controlling the flash output. • A larger bracketing incre[...]

107 106 • The normal sequence (for a 5 frame bracket in 1/2 increments) is; Normal ➝ -0.5EV ➝ +0.5EV ➝ -1.0EV ➝ +1.0EV However by selecting Custom 1 1-2, the following sequence is possi- ble; (p 169.) -1.0EV ➝ -0.5EV ➝ Normal ➝ +0.5EV ➝ +1.0EV • The number above the bracket indicator in the display and also in the viewfinder , i[...]

109 108 Flash metering changes according to the flash unit and lens being used. 5600HS(D) 3600HS(D) ADI metering (HSS on, with pre-flash) Pre-flash metering (HSS on) Built-in flash ADI metering (without pre-flash) TTL metering 5400HS Pre-flash metering (HSS on) Pre-flash metering (HSS on) Other accessory flashes TTL metering TTL metering D lens Oth[...]

111 110 HIGH-SPEED SYNC The maximum sync speed for this camera is 1/200. However , with the 5600HS(D), 5400HS, and 3600HS(D) accessory flashes (sold separately) shutter speeds up to 1/8000 can be used. High-speed sync (HSS) allows faster shutter speeds when fill flash is used on moving subjects outdoors. HSS also lets you use large aperture/high sh[...]

113 112 Wireless/Remote Flash is available with the Minolta 5600HS(D), 5400HS, 3600HS(D), 5400xi, and 3500xi accessory flashes. Wireless/Remote flash lets you experience the creative control available with an accessory flash. In Wireless/Remote flash mode, the off-camera flash is triggered by a coded signal from the camera’s built- in flash when [...]

115 114 WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH 4. Press the shutter-release but- ton partway down. • Navigation display returns to the pre- vious display . • WL appears in the display . 5. Detach the accessory flash, then raise the built-in flash. Flash-Subject Distance Camera-Subject Distance The off-camera flash may not detect the control signals i[...]

117 116 WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH 7. Wait until both flash units are fully charged. • appears in the viewfinder when the built-in flash is charged. • When the off-camera flash is charged, its AF illuminator will blink. 8. Press the AE-lock button to test fire the accessory flash. • Caution; T est firing the flash will acti- vate slow-s[...]

119 118 PC TERMINAL Flash units which can not be connect- ed to the accessory shoe can be con- nected to the camera via the PC ter- minal. • Set the exposure mode dial to M. • Set the shutter speed to 1/200 or slow- er . • The flash unit may fire unexpectedly if it is on when the sync. cord is plugged into the PC terminal. • TTL flash meter[...]

121 120 DA TE/TIME IMPRINTING No printing Date printing T ime printing Setting the Date/Time The Quartz-data function lets you record the date or time onto the lower left-hand corner of the photograph. The automatic calendar is good through the year 2039. Approximate location of print area. 1. Open the control-panel door and press the DA TE button.[...]

123 122 DA TE/TIME IMPRINTING 6. After all items are set, press the shutter-release button partway down. The normal display returns. 4. T urn the rear control dial to change the value. 3.T urn the front control dial to selected the item you wish to change. When appears at the top right side, it is possible to use the focus-area selector instead of [...]

125 124 DA TE/TIME IMPRINTING Using Eye-Start 1. Slide the eye-start switch to ON. 2. T urn the main switch to ON. • The grip sensor is activated. 3. T ouching the grip sensor acti- vates the eyepiece sensor . • Autofocus and exposure systems shut down approx. five seconds after eye or grip sensor contact is broken. • Eye-start may not work p[...]

127 126 TIME EXPOSURES (BULB) ADDITIONAL FEA TURES • T o reduce camera blur , attach a remote cord (p. 191). 5. Cover the viewfinder with the eyepiece cap. • The eyepiece cap prevents light from entering through the viewfinder and affecting the metered exposure. 6. Press and hold the shutter- release button to take the pic- ture. • During the[...]

129 128 When focus point is near infinity When using a D lens, and the depth-of-field preview button is pressed, the following information is presented in the navigation dis- play . Shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation Will be shown if magnification is greater than 1:10 when using a D macro lens. If the D.O.F . is less than 0.01m , appear[...]

131 130 DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT • When audio ON is selected, a tone will be heard when; Focus is confirmed - 2 short beeps, except when the subject is moving, or when AF-C is set. Self-timer countdown - will beep slowly at first, then rapidly , and finally a solid tone just before the shutter releases. 1. Open the control-panel door and simultaneously[...]