E INSTRUCTION MANUAL 9222-2782-11 SY-A306 ME-0306
BEFORE YOU BEGIN Thank you for purchasing this Minolta digital camera. Please take the time to read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all the features of your new camera. Check the packing list before using this product. If any items are missing, immediately contact your camera dealer.
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE NP-400 LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES This camera operates on a powerful lithium-ion battery. Misuse or abuse of the lithium-ion battery can cause damage or injury through fire, electric shock, or chemical leakage. Read and understand all warnings before using the battery. DANGER • Do not short, disassemble, damage, or modify the battery. • Do not expose the battery to fire or high temperatures over 60°C (140°F). • Do not expose the battery to water, or moisture.
GENERAL PRODUCT WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS Read and understand the following warnings and cautions for safe use of the digital camera and its accessories. WARNING • Only use the battery specified in this manual. • Only use the specified charger or AC adapter within the voltage range indicated on the unit. An inappropriate adapter or current may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. • Only use the charger power cord in the sales region for which it was designed.
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
CAUTION • Do not use or store these products in a hot or humid environment such as the glove compartment or trunk of a car. It may damage the camera, charger, and battery which may result in burns or injuries caused by heat, fire, explosion, or leaking battery fluid. • If the battery is leaking, discontinue use of the product. • The camera, charger, and battery temperature rises with extended periods of use. Care should be taken to avoid burns.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Names of parts ....................................................................................................................................14 Camera body ...........................................................................................................................14 Data panel ...............................................................................................................................17 Monitor display - recording mode ................................
Advanced recording .............................................................................................................................45 Display-information button - changing the display...................................................................45 Focus-mode switch..................................................................................................................46 Digital zoom ...................................................................................................
Recording menu ...................................................................................................................................80 Navigating the recording-mode menu .....................................................................................80 Image size and image quality..................................................................................................82 About RAW image quality........................................................................................
Advanced playback ............................................................................................................................115 Playing back voice memos ....................................................................................................115 Navigating the playback menu ..............................................................................................116 Frame-selection screen .......................................................................................
Data-transfer mode.............................................................................................................................146 System requirements.............................................................................................................146 Connecting the camera to a computer ..................................................................................147 Connecting to Windows 98 / 98 second edition ..................................................................
The following marks may be found on the product: This mark on your camera certifies that this camera meets the requirements of the EU (European Union) concerning interference causing equipment regulations. CE stands for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity). This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
NAMES OF PARTS CAMERA BODY * This camera is a sophisticated optical instrument. Care should be taken to keep these surfaces clean. Please read the care and storage instructions in the back of this manual (p. 162). Data panel (p. 17) Built-in flash (p. 36) Microphone Strap eyelet (p. 20) Focal-length index USB port/AV-out terminal (p. 128, 147) Zooming ring Front control dial Shutter-release button Card-slot door (p. 26) Lens* Focusing ring (p. 46) Self-timer lamp (p.
Manual exposure Shutter priority Aperture priority Program exposure Auto recording Memory recall (p. 73) Portrait subject program (p. 58) Sports action subject program (p. 58) Sunset subject program (p. 58) Night portrait subject program (p. 58) Exposure-mode dial (p. 56) (p. 55) (p. 54) (p. 51) (p. 52) Display information button (p. 45) Magnification button Rear control dial AE lock button (p. 50) Main switch and mode switch Exposure compensation button (p.
Function button Metering modes (p. 69) Custom function (p. 136) Memory set (p. 72) Drive modes (p. 61) White balance (p. 70) Camera sensitivity (p. 74) Function dial (p. 60) Accessory shoe Speaker Diopter-adjustment dial (p. 29) Flash sync terminal (p. 76) Digital-Effects Controller (p. 77) Focus-mode switch (p. 46) Custom white-balance button(p. 71) Macro release (p. 49) Battery-chamber (p. 23) Battery-chamber lock (p.
DATA PANEL Located on the top of the camera body, the data panel shows the status of the camera. All icons have been shown for clarity. The single-frame advance and continuous advance indicators are displayed in the same area of the data panel. Digital-effects indicator (p. 77) Exposure-compensation indicator (p. 59) Flash-compensation indicator (p. 59) Single-frame advance (p. 33) Continuous advance (p. 64) Bracketing (p. 62) Self-timer (p. 68) Image-quality display (p. 82) Image-size display (p.
MONITOR DISPLAY - RECORDING MODE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.Camera-sensitivity (ISO) display (p. 74) 11. White-balance indicator (p. 70) 12. Metering-mode indicator (p. 69) 13. Exposure-mode indicator (p. 50) 14. Anti-shake indicator (p. 37) 15. Shutter-speed display 16. Aperture display 17. Exposure-compensation display (p. 59) 18. Macro-mode indicator (p. 49) 19.Focus signal (p. 35) Microphone indicator 20.Data-imprinting indicator (p. 98) Flash-mode indicator (p. 61) 21.Frame counter (p.
MONITOR DISPLAY - QUICK VIEW & PLAYBACK MODE 1. Mode indicator 2. Time of capture 3. Date of capture 4. Voice-memo indicator (p. 115) 5. Lock indicator (p. 121) 6. Print indicator (p. 126) 7. Frame number/ total number of images 8. Scroll arrows (p. 43) 9. Battery-condition indicator (p. 24) 10.Image quality indicator (p. 82) 11. Image size display (p. 82) 12. Magnification display (p. 43) 13.Folder number - image file number 14.Folder name (p. 137) 15.Sensitivity setting (p. 74) 16.
GETTING UP AND RUNNING This section covers the preparation of the camera. This includes the changing of batteries and memory card as well as the use of external power supplies. ATTACHING THE CAMERA STRAP Attach the camera strap to the strap eyelets as shown. The tip of the strap should pass under the buckle (2). Always keep the camera strap around your neck in the event that you drop the camera.
ATTACHING THE LENS HOOD 1 The lens hood is used to control stray light from entering the lens and causing flare. When using the camera under bright light, the use of the lens hood is recommended. The lens hood should not be used with the built-in flash as it can cause a shadow. To mount the lens hood, align the rectangular dimple on the rim of the hood with the focal-length index on the top of the lens barrel (1).
CHARGING THE BATTERY Before the camera can be used, the lithium-ion battery must be charged. Before charging the battery, read the safety warnings on page 4 of this manual. Only recharge the battery with the supplied battery charger. The battery should be recharged before each shooting session. See page 164 for battery care and storage. Plug the power cord into the back of the charger unit (1). Plug the other end of the cord into a live household outlet.
INSTALLING AND CHANGING THE BATTERY This digital camera uses one NP-400 lithium-ion battery. Before using the battery, read the safety warnings on pages 4 of this manual. When replacing batteries, the camera should be off. Open the battery-chamber door by sliding the battery-chamber lock to the open position. Insert the battery with the battery contacts first. Insert the battery so that it slides past the battery latch in the chamber. Push the battery into the chamber until the latch clicks into place.
BATTERY CONDITION INDICATOR This camera is equipped with an automatic battery-condition indicator. When the camera is on, the indicator appears on the data panel and monitors. The monitor icon will change from white to red when battery power is low. If the data panel and monitors are blank, the battery may be exhausted. Full-battery indicator - the batteries are fully charged. This icon is displayed for five seconds on the monitors when the camera is turned on. The icon remains on the data panel.
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLIES (SOLD SEPARATELY) The AC Adapter allows the camera to be powered from an electrical household outlet. The AC Adapter is recommended when the camera is interfaced with a computer or during periods of heavy use. AC Adapter model AC-1L is for use in North America, Japan, and Taiwan, and AC-11 is for use in all other areas. The External High-power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100 is a portable power source and significantly extends the operating time of the camera.
INSERTING AND CHANGING A MEMORY CARD Always turn off the camera and confirm the access lamp is not lit before inserting or removing a memory card, otherwise the card may be damaged, and data lost. A memory card must be inserted for the camera to operate. If a card has not been inserted, a no-card warning will be displayed on the monitors. Type I and II CompactFlash cards and IBM Microdrives are compatible with this camera. For memory card care and handling, see page 163.
1 2 3 4 To eject a card, open the card-slot door (1), and press and release the card-eject lever to extend it (2). Press (3) the card-eject lever to eject the card (3). The card can now be pulled out. Take care when removing the card as it becomes hot with use. The card-eject lever should remain inside the camera body. If it extends, push it into the camera. Insert a new memory card and close the card-slot door (4). A memory card used in another camera may have to be formatted before being used.
TURNING ON THE CAMERA Press the main switch to turn on the camera. The access lamp glows briefly and an audio signal sounds to indicate the power is turned on. The audio signal can be turned off with the setup menu (p. 141). If the camera shuts down immediately after it is turned on, the battery power is low. See page 22 on how to charge the battery. Access lamp Press and hold the main switch to turn the camera off.
ADJUSTING THE VIEWFINDER AND MONITOR The electronic viewfinder can be tilted between 0° and 90°. Simply grip the finder between your fingers and move it to the position desired. The LCD monitor can be tilted between –20° and +90°. Grip the top of the monitor and pull to tilt it down. The bottom of the monitor can then be swung up. Always store the camera with finder and monitor against the body. DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT The EVF has a built-in diopter that can be adjusted between –5.0 to +2.0.
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME After initially inserting a memory card and battery, the camera’s clock and calendar must be set. When images are recorded, the image data is saved with the date and time of recording. Depending on the region, the menu language may also have to be set. To change the language, see the camera notes on the following page. 1 Turn on the camera. While holding down the function button (1), press the menu button (2) to open the setup menu.
Use the right controller key to highlight the 2nd tab at the top of the menu. Custom set Color mode File # memory Off Folder Name Std. form Select folder 100MLT16 New folder – Date/Time set – Use the down key to highlight the date/time-set menu option. Press the right key. “Enter” will appear on the right side of the menu. Press the central button to display the date/time setting screen. Use the left and right keys to select the item to be changed. Date/Time set 2003 . 10 .
BASIC RECORDING SETTING THE CAMERA TO RECORD IMAGES AUTOMATICALLY 2 Set the exposure dial to the program (P) position (1). Confirm the mode switch is in the recording position (2). 1 All camera operations are now fully automatic. The autofocus, exposure, and imaging systems will work together to make photography effortless. The Auto exposure mode acts like the program mode, except that the many of the recording functions are reset each time it is selected, see page 52 for more information.
BASIC RECORDING OPERATION 1 Use the zooming ring to frame the subject (2). The effect of the zoom is immediately displayed in the viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor. Place the subject within the focus frame. For off-center subjects, use the focus-lock function (p. 34). The subject must be within the focus range of the lens: 0.5m (1.6ft) - ∞. For subjects closer than 0.5m (1.6ft), use the macro function (p. 49).
FOCUS LOCK The focus-lock function is used when the subject is off-center and outside the focus frame. Focus lock may also be used when a special focusing situation prevents the camera from focusing on the subject. Place the subject within the focus frame. Press and hold the shutter-release button partway down. • The focus signals will indicate that the focus is locked. The shutter speed and aperture value will change from white to black indicating the exposure is locked.
FOCUS SIGNALS This digital camera has a quick, accurate autofocusing system. The focus signals in the lower right corner of the EVF and LCD monitor indicate the focus status. For more information on autofocus modes, see p. 46. White focus indicator - focus confirmed. Red focus indicator - the subject is too close or a special situation is preventing the AF system from focusing. The shutter can be released.
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH In low-light conditions or indoors, the flash is needed to illuminate the subject and reduce blurring through camera shake. The flash can also be used as a fill light in direct sunlight to soften harsh shadows. Always remove the lens hood when using the built-in flash; the hood may cast a shadow if mounted. To use the flash, simply pull up the unit by the tabs on each side.
ANTI-SHAKE SYSTEM The Anti-shake system minimizes the affect of camera shake, a slight blurring caused by subtle hand motion. Camera shake is more pronounced at the telephoto setting than at the wide-angle. Anti-shake is employed when the shutter speed falls below a certain limit depending on the focal length in use. The effectiveness of Anti-shake depends on the shutter speed in use and the degree of shaking. The system may not work with moving subjects or when the camera is panned.
MOVIE RECORDING Movie files are recorded at approximately 522KB per second. A 16MB Compactflash card can store about 19 seconds of digital video with audio. Actual time depends on the subject and the amount of free space on the memory card. For more on movie recording, see page 112. 1 Set the mode switch to the movie recording (1) position. Before recording, the data-panel and monitor frame counters will show the maximum time in seconds that can be recorded. Shooting digital video is simple.
DISPLAY MODE SWITCH Located on the back of the camera, the display-mode switch controls on which monitor is active. The three position switch allows the choice between automatic display and setting the display to the EVF or LCD monitor. / Auto display - the camera will automatically change between displaying the live image in the EVF or on the LCD monitor. The EVF’s eye sensors monitor if the EVF is being used and switches the display location accordingly.
BASIC PLAYBACK Images can be viewed in the Quick View or playback modes. This section covers the basic functions in both modes. The playback mode has additional menu functions, see page 116. To view images from the playback mode, turn the mode switch to the playback position. / To view images from the recording or movie recording modes, press the Quick View / delete button. SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK AND HISTOGRAM DISPLAY Image size (p. 82) Image quality (p.
VIEWING IMAGES AND HISTOGRAM When in the Quick view or playback mode, use the left/right keys of the controller to scroll through the images on the memory card. To view the histogram of a still image, press the up key. Press the down key to return to single-frame playback. To return to a recording mode from Quick View, press the menu button. DELETING SINGLE IMAGES The displayed image can be deleted. Once deleted, an image cannot be recovered.
CHANGING THE QUICK VIEW & PLAYBACK DISPLAY The display-information button controls the display format. Each time the button is pressed, the display cycles through to the next format: full display, image only, index playback. Image only Full display Index playback In index playback, the four-way keys of the controller will move the yellow border to the adjacent image.
ENLARGED PLAYBACK In single-frame playback, a still image can be enlarged for closer examination from 1.2X. The degree of maximum magnification depends on image size: 8X for 2560X1920, 6.4X for 2080X1560, 5X for 1600X1200, 2X for 640X480, and 4X for 1280X960 digital-zoom images. RAW and TIFF images cannot be enlarged. With the image to be enlarged displayed, press the magnification button (1). 1 Use the up/down keys of the controller to adjust the magnification.
VIEWING MOVIES Movies can be played back on the camera. Movie files are indicated by an indicator at the bottom of the display. Play Press the center of the controller to play back the file. Press the controller to pause the movie; pressing the controller again will resume the playback. Use the left/right keys of the controller to rewind or fast forward the movie clip. Pause Rwd Fwd Vol Use the up/down keys to adjust the volume of the audio track.
ADVANCED RECORDING This section contains detailed information on the camera’s recording functions and operation. Read the sections pertaining to your interest and need. DISPLAY-INFORMATION BUTTON - CHANGING THE DISPLAY The display-information button controls what information is displayed with the live image. Each time the button is pressed, the display cycles to the next format: standard display, real-time histogram, focus frame, and live image only.
FOCUS-MODE SWITCH Single-shot AF (Autofocus), continuous AF, and manual focus is set with the focus-mode switch. Slide the switch to select the appropriate focus mode. Single-shot AF - a general purpose autofocusing mode. Its operation is described in the basic recording section. Continuous AF - used for photographing moving subjects. The camera continuously tracks and focuses on the subject. Place the Focus area on the subject.
Manual focus - the MF indicator is displayed in the lower right corner of the monitors to indicate the focus mode. Use the focusing ring at the rear of the lens barrel to focus. Always use the monitor image to confirm focus. The approximate object distance from the CCD is displayed near the frame counter. The Flex Digital Magnifier (p. 105) can be used to enlarge the live image to judge sharpness.
FLEX FOCUS POINT The Flex Focus Point (FFP) is a powerful tool for off-center subjects. It can be moved to any point in the image area. The FFP cannot be used with the digital zoom or movie recording. 1 Press and hold the center button of the controller to activate the Flex Focus Point; the wide focus frames are replaced with a central cross. Use the controller’s four-way keys (1) to move the Flex Focus Point in the live image.
MACRO MODE The macro mode is used for close-up photographs of small objects. The built-in flash cannot be used with macro mode. The use of a tripod is recommended. Align one of the arrows on the zooming ring with the index next to the macro switch and slide the switch forward. The lens must be zoomed to the wide-angle or telephoto position for the macro switch to engage. The zooming ring is locked at the wide-angle position.
EXPOSURE LOCK The AE lock button locks the automatic exposure system. This function allows the exposure to be set by a gray card or reference target outside the scene. When using flash in the P or A exposure modes, slow-shutter sync is active (p. 87). The operation of the AE lock button can be customized in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 94). Press and hold the AE lock button to lock the exposure; the shutter speed and aperture monitor displays turns black. Releasing the button cancels the setting.
PROGRAM - P Program exposure is set with the exposure-mode dial (p. 50). The program AE uses luminance and focal-length information to calculate exposures. This allows the photographer to shoot without worrying about exposure settings. The shutter speed and aperture values of the exposure are displayed on the monitors and data panel.
AUTO RECORDING Auto recording is set with the exposure-mode dial. Auto recording is the same as the program exposure mode (p. 51), except that when the camera is on if the exposure mode dial is turned to or from the auto position, the auto exposure mode is reset. Turning the camera off will not reset the mode.
Instant playback Voice memo Color mode Sharpness Noise reduction Monitor amplification Monitor amplification - Manual exp. Magnification button DSP setup Subject tracking AF AE Lock Spot AE area Direct manual Focus (DMF) Off Off Natural color (sRGB) Normal On Auto Exposure priority Digital zoom DSP (Digital subject programs) On Off Center spot Off p. 100 p. 101 p. 102 p. 97 p. 103 p. 104 p. 104 p. 105 p. 106 p. 106 p. 94 p. 107 p.
APERTURE PRIORITY - A Aperture priority is set with the exposure-mode dial (p. 50). The photographer selects the aperture and the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure. When A mode is selected, the aperture display on the monitors turns blue. Turn either the front or rear control dial to change the aperture. Press the shutter-release button partway down to activate the exposure system; the corresponding shutter speed is displayed. The aperture values can be changed by 0.
SHUTTER PRIORITY - S Shutter priority is set with the exposure-mode dial (p. 50). The photographer selects the shutter speed and the camera sets the appropriate aperture to ensure correct exposure. When S mode is selected, the shutter speed display on the monitors turns blue. Turn either the front or rear control dial to change the shutter speed. Press the shutter-release button partway down to activate the exposure system; the corresponding aperture will be displayed.
MANUAL EXPOSURE - M Manual exposure mode allows individual selection of shutter speeds and apertures. This mode overrides the exposure system giving the photographer total control over the final exposure. Manual exposure is set with the exposure-mode dial (p. 50). The shutter speeds and aperture values can be changed in 1/3 stop increments. The shutter speed range in manual exposure mode is 30 to 1/16000 second including bulb (p. 57).
BULB EXPOSURES Bulb photographs can be taken in the manual-exposure mode (M). Exposures up to thirty seconds can be made by pressing and holding the shutter-release button. The use of a tripod and a remote cord is recommended for bulb exposures. The camera’s exposure system cannot be used to calculate bulb exposures. The use of a separate light meter is recommended. Use the front control dial to decrease the shutter-speed until “bulb” is displayed.
DIGITAL-SUBJECT-PROGRAMS Digital subject programs optimize the camera’s exposure, white-balance, and image-processing systems for specific conditions and subjects. Simply turn the exposure mode dial to select the appropriate subject program. Portrait - optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background. Most portraits look best at a telephoto setting; the longer focal length does not exaggerate facial features and the shallower depth of field softens the background.
EXPOSURE AND FLASH COMPENSATION The ambient light and flash exposure can be adjusted before the image is captured to make the final picture lighter or darker. Exposure can be adjusted by as much as ±2Ev in 1/3 increments (p. 111). The exposure and flash compensation will remain in effect until it has been reset. For more on exposure compensation, see page 110. Adjustments to exposure must be set before the image is captured.
USING THE FUNCTION DIAL The memory function, metering mode, drive mode, white balance, and camera sensitivity are controlled by the function dial. The custom position is for a designate menu function that can be set in section 2 of the setup menu. Only white balance can be set in the movie recording mode. 1 Turn the function dial to the mode to be changed (1). Press the function button in the center of the dial (2). Turn the front control dial to change the mode (3).
DRIVE MODES The drive modes control the rate and method images are captured. Indicators indicating the selected drive mode appear on the data panel and monitors. The drive mode is set with the function dial (p. 60). Single-frame advance - to take a single image each time the shutter-release button is pressed (p. 33). Bracketing - to take a series of images with differing exposure, contrast, saturation, and color (p. 62).
BRACKETING This drive mode makes a three image bracket of a scene. Bracketing is a method of taking a series of images of a static subject in which each image has a slight variation in exposure. Contrast, saturation, and filter brackets can also be made. Turn the function dial to the drive mode position (1). 1 3 Press the function button in the center of the dial (2). Turn the front control dial to select the bracketing drive mode (3).
1 Compose the picture as described in the basic recording section (p. 33). Press and hold the shutter-release button all the way down (1) to make the bracket series; three consecutive images will be captured. If single-frame advance bracketing is selected, the shutter-release button must be pressed for each exposure. If set to continuous AF (p. 46), the camera will continue to focus during a continuous bracket. Normal Under Over Number of frames in bracketing series Frame counter 0.
STANDARD AND HIGH SPEED CONTINUOUS ADVANCE Continuous-advance mode allows a series of images to be captured while holding down the shutterrelease button. Continuous advance acts like a motor drive on a film camera. The number of images that can be captured at one time depends on the image-quality setting; five with RAW images, and three with the other options.
1 Compose the picture as described in the basic recording section (p. 33). Press and hold the shutter-release button all the way down (1) to begin taking pictures. If the shutterrelease button is continuously held down after the series, a new series of images will be capture after a short delay. Camera Notes To change function dial or Digital Effects Controller settings quickly, simply press and hold the center dial or controller button (1) and select the setting with the front and rear control dials (2).
INTERVAL The interval mode makes a series of still or moving images over a period of time. Similar to timelapse photography, a series of images of a slow moving event can be taken: the blossoming of a flower, the construction of a building. The built-in flash can be used. Instant playback (p. 100) is disabled. The parameters of the interval series is set up in section 2 of the recording menu.
After mounting the camera on a tripod, compose the image so that the subject area falls within the focus frames; the camera sets the focus, exposure, and white balance, and charges the flash just before each exposure. Continuous AF can be used. Settings locked with the AE lock button are canceled after the first frame. To override the automatic systems, use manual focus (p. 46), manual exposure (p. 56), and preset or custom white balance (p. 70).
SELF-TIMER Used for self-portraits, the self-timer will delay the release of the shutter after the shutter button is pressed. A ten second and two second self-timer is available. 1 Turn the function dial to the drive mode position (1). Press the function button in the center of the dial (2). Turn the front control dial to select the self-timer drive mode (3). Use the rear control dial (4) to switch between a ten-second and two-second delay.
METERING MODES 1 Metering mode indicators are displayed on the monitors only. To lock the exposure while pressing the shutterrelease button partway down, the AE lock option in section 4 of the recording mode menu should be on. If the luminance levels of the scene are outside the metering range, the metering indicator turns red. 3 Turn the function dial to the metering mode position (1). Press the function button in the center of the dial (2).
WHITE BALANCE White balance is the camera’s ability to make different types of lighting appear natural. Any changes are immediately visible on the monitors. 1 Turn the function dial to the white-balance (WB) mode position (1). 3 2 4 Press the function button in the center of the dial (2). Turn the front control dial to select the white-balance mode (3). Use the rear control dial (4) to shift the color balance of the preset modes or to select the custom white-balance register.
CUSTOM WHITE-BALANCE CALIBRATION Custom-white-balance function allows the camera to be calibrated to a specific lighting condition. Three setting can be stored in the camera and used repeatedly. Custom white balance is especially useful with mixed-lighting conditions or when critical control over color is needed. Select a white object and fill the the center of the live image with it; the object does not need to be in focus.
MEMORY - STORING CAMERA SETTINGS Five sets of camera settings can be saved. This saves time under frequently repeating conditions by eliminating the need to set the camera. Except for functions like subject programs, data imprinting, voice memo, and instant playback, most recording-mode camera settings will be saved including the position of the Flex Focus Point, the display mode, and changes made with the function dial and digital effects control. Setting are displayed before being saved.
MEMORY RECALL Camera settings saved with the function dial are recalled with the exposure-mode dial. Simply turn the exposure mode dial to the memory recall (MR) position (1); the register-selection screen will open. 2 Memory recall 1 3 :select :enter On the register-selection screen use the control dials or left/right keys of the controller (2) to select the memory register in which the settings are stored; as the registers are selected the camera settings are displayed on the screen.
CAMERA SENSITIVITY - ISO Five settings can be selected for camera sensitivity: Auto, 100, 200, 400, and 800; the numerical values are based on an ISO equivalent. ISO is the standard used to indicate film sensitivity: the higher the number, the more sensitive the film. 3 1 2 3 Turn the function dial to the ISO position (1). Press the function button in the center of the dial (2). Turn the front or rear control dials to change the camera sensitivity (3).
FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY For correct flash exposures, the subject must be within the flash range. The flash range can be extended by changing the camera sensitivity. When the camera sensitivity is set to auto, the ISO is set between ISO 100 and 200. The flash range is measured from the CCD. Because of the optical system, the flash range is not the same at the lens’ wide-angle position as it is at the telephoto position. ISO setting Flash range (wide angle) Flash range (telephoto) AUTO 0.
USING THE FLASH SYNC TERMINAL The flash sync terminal allows a studio or location flash system to be connected to the camera with a standard PC cord. The terminal is compatible with both center positive (normal polarity) and center negative (positive polarity) flash units with a voltage of 400V or lower. Unscrew the terminal cover. Securely connect the flash’s PC cord to the flash sync terminal. Confirm the flash is off before connecting the cable to prevent it from firing.
DIGITAL EFFECTS CONTROL The Digital Effects Controller can adjust image contrast, color, and saturation. Changes are instantly visible on the monitors before the image is captured. Turn the Digital Effect switch (1) to the image characteristic to be adjusted. 3 Filter Color-saturation 3 1 2 Contrast Press the Digital Effects button (2) in the center of the switch; the setting screen is displayed. Turning the front or rear control dial (3) to make adjustments.
CONTRAST COMPENSATION The contrast of a scene can be adjusted within eleven levels (±5) with the Digital Effects Controller (p. 77). The contrast must be set before the image is captured. When changing the contrast setting, an indicator is displayed to show an increase (+) or decrease (–) in contrast. If contrast is set to any other value than zero, the indicator and value remains on the displays as a warning.
FILTER EXAMPLES Filter levels with color images +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 –1 –2 –3 –4 –5 ±0 Filter settings with black and white images. Minolta History On February 20th, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. On board his Friendship 7 spacecraft was a Minolta Hi-matic camera to record that historic event. The 4 hour, 55 minute, and 23 second flight orbited the Earth three times at an average speed of 28,000 kph (17,500 mph). Mr.
RECORDING MENU In recording mode, press the menu button to activate the menu. The menu button also closes the menu after making settings. The four-way key of the controller is used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller will enter a setting. NAVIGATING THE RECORDING MENU Activate the recording menu with the menu button. Tab 1 at the top of the menu will be highlighted.
To set image resolution (p. 82). Image size 2560x1920 Quality Fine Flash mode Fill-flash Flash control ADI flash AEL button AE hold Reset – To set file type and compression (p. 82). To set the flash mode of the built-in flash (p. 86). To set automatic or manual flash control (p. 92). To customize the operation of the AEL button (p. 94). To reset the recording mode functions (p. 95). To set the interval drive mode parameters (p. 66) Int. set Bracket set Data imprint Imprint to Inst.
IMAGE SIZE AND IMAGE QUALITY Image size and quality must be set before the picture is taken. Changes are displayed on the LCD monitor and data panel. Image size and quality are set in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 80). 2560 2080 1600 640 2560 X 1920 2080 X 1560 1600 X 1200 640 X 480 Changing image size affects the number of pixels in each image. The greater the image size, the larger the file size.
The number of images that can be stored on a memory card is determined by the size of the card and the file size of the images. One memory card can contain images with differing sizes and qualities. The actual file size is determined by the scene; some subjects can be compressed further than others. Approximate file sizes.
ABOUT RAW IMAGE QUALITY In the RAW image-quality mode, the image size is set at full and cannot be changed. The image size will not be displayed on the monitors. The digital zoom, enlarged playback, data imprinting, and print functions cannot be used. Unlike the other image-quality modes, RAW image data is unprocessed and requires image processing before it can be used. To view the RAW data, the DiMAGE Viewer software is required.
NOTES ON IMAGE SIZE AND RESOLUTION Image size changes the number of pixels in the image. When displayed at the same resolution, images appear to have the same amount of detail, but the dimensions of the image increases with the number of pixels; except for the 640 X 480 image, the other pictures are too large to be displayed on this page. When the images are enlarged to the same dimensions, the difference in the recorded image size affects the resolution of details.
FLASH MODES The flash mode can be changed in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 80). For the flash to fire, the built-in unit must be manually lifted. The flash will fire in the selected mode regardless of the amount of ambient light. When the flash is used, the camera sensitivity is automatically set between ISO 100 and 200. This setting can be changed using the function dial (p. 74). The auto-white-balance setting will give priority to the flash’s color temperature.
REAR FLASH SYNC Rear flash sync is used with long exposures to make trailing lights or blurring appear to follow rather than proceed the subject. The effect is not apparent if the shutter speed is too fast and stops the subject’s motion. When the shutter is released, a pre-flash will fire. This preflash does not exposure the subject, but is used in the calculation of the flash exposure. The flash will fire again just before the shutter closes.
WIRELESS / REMOTE FLASH On-camera flash Wireless/Remote flash allows the camera to control an offcamera Minolta 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D) flash unit without the need of a cable. Single or multiple flash units can be placed around the subject to create different lighting effects. The camera’s built-in flash fires to control the off-camera flash units rather than to illuminate the subject. See your local camera dealer about Minolta lighting accessories.
1 Press and hold the mounting-foot-release button (1) to disengage the safety catch to remove the flash unit from the camera. Position the camera and flash around the subject. See the following page for the camera-to-subject and flash-to-subject ranges. Make sure no objects come between the camera and flash unit. Raise the built-in flash on the camera. The wireless flash indicator (WL) will be displayed in the top left corner of the live image. The number next to it indicates the channel in use.
WIRELESS/REMOTE CAMERA AND FLASH RANGES Camera-to-subject distance Flash-to-subject distance The camera and flash must be within 5m or 16.4 ft of the subject. Minimum camera-to-subject distance Camera sensitivity setting Aperture ISO 100 ISO 200 / AUTO ISO 400 ƒ/2.8 1.4 m / 4.6 ft 2.0 m / 6.6 ft 2.8 m / 9.2 ƒ/4 1.0 m / 3.2 ft 1.4 m / 4.6 ft 2.0 m / 6.6 ƒ/5.6 0.7 m / 2.3 ft 1.0 m / 3.2 ft 1.4 m / 4.6 ƒ/8 0.5 m / 1.6 ft 0.7 m / 2.3 ft 1.0 m / 3.2 Minimum flash-to-subject distance 1.0 m / 3.2 ft 1.4 m / 4.
NOTES ON WIRELESS/REMOTE FLASH Wireless/Remote flash performs best under subdued light or interior lighting. Under bright light sources, the flash may not be able to detect the control signals from the camera’s built-in flash. The wireless/remote system has four channels so that multiple lighting systems can be used in the same area without affecting each other. Once the camera and flash are separated, the wireless channel can be changed.
FLASH CONTROL ADI, pre-flash TTL, and manual flash controls are available. Flash control is changed in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 80). ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) flash metering - combines distance information from the autofocusing system with information from a pre-flash exposure. Unlike conventional TTL flash metering, ADI is not influenced by the reflectance of the subject or background ensuring optimum flash exposures. Pre-flash TTL - calculates flash exposure with a pre-flash only.
The chart lists approximate guide numbers for manual flash calculations. The following equations are useful in determining the guide number, aperture (ƒn), or flash-to-subject distance required for exposure. Guide no. (for distance in meters / feet) Manual flash Camera sensitivity (ISO) 100 200 400 800 1/1 (Full) 8 / 26 11 / 36 16 / 52 22 / 72 Guide no. = distance ƒn. 1/2 5.6 / 18 4 / 13 8 / 26 5.6 / 18 11 / 36 8 / 26 16 / 52 11 / 36 Guide no. = ƒn. X distance 1/4 1/8 2.8 / 9.
AEL BUTTON When the AEL button is pressed and held, the exposure is locked. The exposure remains locked after an image has been captured until the AEL button has been released (hold setting) or pressed again (toggle setting). How the button operates can be changed in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 80). Menu option AE hold The default setting. Press and hold the AEL button to lock the exposure. The exposure remains locked until the AEL button is released.
RECORDING MODE RESET The recording mode functions can be reset in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 80). When selected, a confirmation screen will appear; choosing “Yes” resets the following functions and settings, “No” cancels the operation. Exposure compensation Flash compensation Drive mode Anti-shake White balance White-balance shift Metering mode Contrast compensation Color-saturation compensation Filter Focus area Flash mode Flash control Sharpness 0.0 0.
INTERVAL SETUP The parameters for the interval drive mode (p. 66) are set in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 80). Int. set Bracket set Select “Enter” in the interval-set option in section 2 of the recording menu. Press the center of the controller to open the setup screen. Enter Int. set Interval On the setup screen, use the up/down controller keys to highlight the parameter to be changed and then press the right controller key. Use the up/down keys to change the parameter.
SHARPNESS The sharpness of the image can be altered. This must be set before the image is recorded. Sharpness is set in section 3 of the recording menu (p. 80). If any setting other than normal is selected, the sharpness indicator is displayed on the monitors. Menu options Hard (+) Increases the sharpness of the image, accentuating details. Normal No filter applied. Soft (–) Softens the details of the image.
DATA IMPRINTING Data can be printed on a still image and saved to the file’s Exif data. The function must be activated before the image is taken. Once activated, data will continue to be imprinted until the function is reset; a yellow bar is displayed behind the frame counter on the monitors to indicate the function is active. Data imprinting is selected in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 80). Data imprinting cannot be used with TIFF or RAW images. Only one imprinting format can be used with each image.
ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD The electronic keyboard is used to enter text for imprinting data or for naming new folders. The keyboard automatically appears when text needs to be entered. To enter text, simply use the four-way keys of the controller to highlight the desired character and then press the central button of the controller to enter it. Highlight the case key and press the center of the controller to switch between upper case, lower case, and Japanese; the change is immediately displayed on the keyboard.
INSTANT PLAYBACK After an image is captured, it can be displayed on the monitors for two or ten seconds before being saved. When using the continuousadvance or continuous-advance bracketing drive mode, an index display is used. Instant-playback is activated and the length of the playback period is set in section 2 of the recording menu (P. 80). Int. set Bracket set Data imprint Imprint to Inst.playback Voice memo – Off Off Image + Exif 10 sec.
VOICE MEMO Voice memo allows up to fifteen seconds of audio to be recorded with a still image. The function is activated in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 80) and is used in unison with instant playback. When the function is active, the microphone indicator is displayed on the monitors. Voice memo must be set before taking a picture. It will remain in effect until reset. Int. set Bracket set Data imprint Imprint to Inst.playback Voice memo Recording audio. :stop – Off Off Image + Exif 10 sec.
COLOR MODE The color mode controls whether a still image is color or black and white. This must be set before the image is recorded. The color mode is set in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 80). The live image on the monitors will reflect the selected color mode. The color mode has no effect on image file size. See the color examples on page 103. Color mode Vivid (sRGB) Sharpness Nat. (sRGB) Noise reductn Adobe RGB Monitor amp. EmbedAdobeRGB Manual exp. Mag.
Natural Color and Adobe RGB reproduces the colors in the scene faithfully. Vivid Color - increases the saturation of the colors in the scene. Black & White - produces monochrome images. Solarization - produces a partial reversal of tones and colors in the image. ABOUT ADOBE RGB Adobe RGB has a larger color gamut than the more common sRGB. The size of the gamut limits the colors that can be reproduced; the larger the gamut, the more colors.
MONITOR AMPLIFICATION The monitor amplification options control the display of the live image. Monitor amplification has two settings: Auto - in low-light conditions when the camera-sensitivity gain has reached its limit, the automatic monitor-amplification function will intensify the monitor image. Although the live image turns black and white, this does not affect the color mode in use. Color mode Nat. (sRGB) Sharpness Normal Noise reductn On Monitor amp. Auto Manual exp. Mag. button Exp.
MAGNIFICATION BUTTON The function assigned to the magnification button can be changed between the digital zoom (p. 47) and the Flex Digital Magnifier in section 3 of the recording menu (p. 80). The Flex Digital Magnifier can only be used during manual focus. Button shortcuts can be used to switch between the digital zoom and Flex Digital Magnifier (p. 132). Color mode Nat. (sRGB) Sharpness Normal Noise reductn On Monitor amp. Auto Manual exp. Mag. button Exp.
DIGITAL SUBJECT PROGRAM (DSP) SETUP The memory registers used for camera settings can be assigned to the Digital Subject Program positions on the exposure-mode dial. This is set in section 4 of the recording menu (p. 80). Two options are available: DSP set DSP Tracking AF On AE lock On Spot AE area Center spot DSP - the Digital Subject Programs are active on the exposuremode dial.
SPOT AE AREA When using spot metering (p. 69) with the Flex Focus Point (p. 48), the position of the spot metering area can be specified at the center of the live image or linked to the Flex Focus Point; the spot moves after the position of the FFP is set. This is set in section 4 of the recording menu (p. 80). Center spot With Flex Focus Point DIRECT MANUAL FOCUS Direct manual focus allows manual adjustments to be made after the AF system has locked onto the subject.
A SHORT GUIDE TO PHOTOGRAPHY Photography can be a rewarding pursuit. It is a broad and disciplined field that can take years to master. But the pleasure in making photographs and the joy of capturing a magical moment cannot be compared. The guide is an introduction to some basic photographic principles. The lens aperture controls not only exposure, but also depth of field; the area between the closest object in focus and the furthest object in focus.
The shutter controls not only exposure, but also the ability to stop motion. Fast shutter speeds are used in sport photography to stop action. Slow shutter speeds can be used to show the flow of motion such as water cascading over a waterfall. The use of a tripod is recommended with slow shutter speeds. The change in aperture and shutter speed is not apparent in the live image. Unlike film cameras, test photographs can be taken and immediately viewed.
ABOUT EXPOSURE AND FLASH COMPENSATION Sometimes the camera’s exposure meter is deceived by certain conditions. Exposure compensation can be used in these situations. For example, a very bright scene, such as a snowy landscape or a white sandy beach, can appear too dark in the captured image. Before taking the picture, adjusting the exposure by +1 or +2 EV will result in an image with normal tonal values. Calculated camera exposure –1.0Ev –2.
WHAT IS AN EV? Ev stands for exposure value. A change of one Ev will adjust the exposure calculated by the camera by a factor of two. +2.0 Ev +1.0 Ev 0.0 Ev –1.0 Ev –2.0 Ev 4X as much light 2X as much light Calculated exposure 1/2 as much light 1/4 as much light LIGHT SOURCES AND COLOR The human eye adapts itself extremely well under different conditions. The paper of this manual you are reading looks white regardless of the type of lighting. Photographic systems are much less flexible.
MOVIE MENU In movie mode, press the menu button to activate the menu. The menu button also closes the menu after making settings. The four-way key of the controller is used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller will enter a setting. NAVIGATING THE MOVIE MENU Activate the recording menu with the menu button. Tab 1 at the top of the menu will be highlighted. Use the up/down key to scroll through the menu options. Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed.
MOVIE MODE The movie mode option selects the type of movie recorded. Three options are available on the movie menu: Standard movie - to record a color movie under normal lighting conditions. Night Movie - to record under low light levels. Night Movies are black and white. While Night Movies can be recorded under normal conditions, bright outdoor lighting may be beyond the exposure control range. Auto select - automatically switch between standard and Night Movie modes depending on the lighting conditions.
NOTES ON MOVIE RECORDING The list below indicates which functions can be set in the movie mode: Available recording functions Exposure compensation (p. 59) Anti-shake (p. 37) Contrast compensation (p. 77) Display information button (p. 45) Color-saturation compensation (p. 77) Manual focus (p. 46) Macro mode (p. 49) Filter (disabled with Night Movies)(p. 77) White balance (p. 70) To make custom white-balance calibrations can only be made in the recording mode.
ADVANCED PLAYBACK This section covers how to playback voice memos as well as the playback mode’s menu functions. The menu navigation section covers basic menu operation. It is followed by detailed descriptions of the menu settings. PLAYING BACK VOICE MEMOS Voice memos can be played back in Quick View and the playback mode. See page 101 on how to record voice memos. Voice memos are indicated by the voice-memo indicator displayed at the bottom of the monitor image.
NAVIGATING THE PLAYBACK MENU In playback mode, press the menu button to activate the menu. The menu button also closes the menu after making settings. The four-way key of the controller is used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller will enter a setting. Activate the playback menu with the menu button. Tab 1 at the top of the menu will be highlighted.
To delete images on the memory card (p. 119). Delete Format View folder – – To format the memory card (p. 120). 100MLT16 To select the folder to view in playback mode (p. 120). Copy – – Index format 9 frames Lock To protect images from deletion (p. 121). To copy images from one memory card to another (p. 122). To specify the index playback format (p. 121). To playback images automatically (p. 124) Slide show – To select the images for the Slide Show (p. 124).
FRAME-SELECTION SCREEN When a marked-frames setting is chosen on a menu, the frame selection screen will appear. This screen allows multiple files to be selected. The index format of the screen can be changed in section 1 of the playback menu (p. 121). The left/right keys of the controller move the yellow border to select the image. :move :sel. :enter The up key of the controller selects the frame; when selected, an indicator appears next to the thumbnail.
DELETE Deleting permanently erases the image. Once deleted, an image cannot be recovered. Care should be taken when using the delete function. Single, multiple, or all images in a folder can be deleted with the playback-mode menu. Before an image is deleted, a confirmation screen will appear; choosing “Yes” will execute the operation, “No” will cancel the operation. To delete images in other folders, the folder must first be selected with the view-folder option in section 1 of the playback menu (p.
FORMAT When a memory card is formatted, all data on the card is erased. The formatting function is used to erase all data on a memory card. Before formatting a card, copy the data to a computer or storage device. Locking files will not protect them from being deleted when the card is formatted. Always format the memory card using the camera; never use a computer to format a card. When the format option is selected and entered, a confirmation screen will appear.
LOCK Single, multiple, or all images in a folder can be locked. A locked image cannot be deleted by either the playback-mode menu functions or the QV/delete button. Important images should be locked. To lock images in other folders, the folder must first be selected with the view-folder option in section 1 of the playback menu (p. 116) or the select-folder option in section 2 of the setup menu (p. 137).
COPY Image files can be copied from one memory card to another. Up to 15MB of data can be transferred. Every time the copy function is used, a new folder is automatically created for the image(s). This frame - To copy the image currently displayed. Marked frames - To copy single or multiple images. When selected, the frame-selection screen (p. 118) will appear; highlight the images to be copied with the yellow border and then press the up key of the controller to mark it with the check indicator.
Wait until the copy-completed message is highlighted. A new screen will appear to indicate the name of the new folder containing the copied images; press the central button of the controller to return to the playback menu. Copied to 101MLTCP. OK If the images were copied to a new card, the no-images message will be displayed when viewed on the camera. Select the copy folder with the view-folder option in section 1 of the playback menu (p. 116).
SLIDE SHOW Slide show Section 2 of the playback menu controls the slide-show function. This function automatically displays all still images in a folder in order. Playback – All frames Duration 5 sec. Repeat No Number of images displayed / total number of images in the presentation. Press the central button of the controller to pause and restart the presentation. Use the left/right keys of the controller to advance to the next image or return to the previous one.
Menu options Slide show Settings Enter To start the slide-show presentation. Pressing the central button of the controller will pause the presentation. During the slide show, press the menu button or the down key of the controller to stop the presentation and return to the playback-mode menu. All frames To select all the images in the folder to be displayed in the slide-show presentation. Marked Frames To select specific images in the folder to be displayed in the slide-show presentation.
ABOUT DPOF This camera is supported by DPOF™ version 1.1. The DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) allows direct printing of still images from digital cameras. After the DPOF file is created, the memory card is simply taken to a photofinishing service or inserted into the memory -card slot of DPOF compatible printers. When a DPOF file is created, a misc. folder is automatically made on the memory card to store it (p. 152).
When the this-frame or all-frames setting is chosen, a screen will appear requesting the number of copies of each image; a maximum of nine copies can be ordered. Use the up/down keys of the controller to set the number of copies desired. If the all-frames setting was used to create a print order, any additional images saved afterwards in the folder will not be included in the order. DPOF files created with another cameras will be canceled.
VIEWING IMAGES ON A TELEVISION It is possible to view camera images on your television. The camera has a video-out terminal which can be used to connect the camera to a television using the supplied AV cable. The camera is compatible with the NTSC and PAL standards. The video-output setting can be checked and set in section 1 of the setup menu (p. 129). 1. Turn off the television and the camera. 2. Insert the single plug of the AV cable into the camera’s AVout terminal. 3.
SETUP MENU The setup menu controls camera operations. The menu navigation section covers basic menu operation. It is followed by detailed descriptions of the menu settings. Shortcut help – – Transfer mode Data storage LCDbrightness EVF auto swtch Auto EVF/LCD Video output NTSC Language English OPENING THE SETUP MENU 1 The setup menu can be opened two ways. To access the menu directly, hold down the function button (1) and press the menu button (2) to open the setup menu.
NAVIGATING THE SETUP MENU See page 129 on how to open the setup menu. The four-way key of the controller is used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller will enter a setting. Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight the appropriate menu tab; the menus will change as the tabs are highlighted. When the desired menu section is displayed, use the up/down key to scroll through the menu options. Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed.
To set monitor brightness (p. 132). Shortcut help – – Transfer mode Data storage EVF auto swtch Auto EVF/LCD Video output NTSC Language English LCDbrightness To display button shortcut information (p. 132). To specify camera operation with a computer (p. 134). To set the automatic display function (p. 135). To switch video output between NTSC and PAL (p. 135). To set the menu language (p. 135). To allocate a custom function to the function dial (p.
LCD BRIGHTNESS The brightness of the EVF and LCD monitor is set independently of each other. Select the display to adjust using section 1 of the setup menu; the corresponding monitor activates automatically and the brightness screen is displayed. LCDbrightness Monitor Shortcut help EVF Transfer mode EVF auto swtch Video output Language Set LCD brightness Brightness is controlled in eleven levels. Use the left/right controller keys to adjust the brightness, the monitor will adjust accordingly.
2 To display a grid or scale over the display formats, press and hold the function button (1) and press the display-information button (2) to cycle through the options: grid, scale, and off. For more on the displays modes, see page 45. 1 Scale Grid 2 When using manual focus, a shortcut allows switching between the digital zoom (p. 47) and the Flex Digital Magnifier (p. 105). The shortcut is different depending on which function is selected in the mag. button option in section 3 of the recording menu.
1 Hold down the function button (1) and press the menu button (2) to open the setup menu. LCDbrightness – Shortcut help – Transfer mode Data storage EVF auto swtch Auto EVF/LCD Video output NTSC Language English 2 Hold down the function button (1) and press the QV/delete button (2) to reset the camera. This shortcut only resets the recording mode or movie mode depending on the position of the mode switch.
EVF AUTO SWITCH This option controls the auto-display function in the recording and movie mode (p. 39). Two setting are available: Auto EVF/LCD - the EVF’s eye sensors switch between the EVF and LCD monitor automatically. EVF auto on - the LCD monitor is turned off and the eye and grip sensors activate the EVF when in use. This setting will help conserve battery power. The grip sensor can be disabled in section 4 of the setup menu. VIDEO OUTPUT Camera images can be displayed on a television (p. 128).
CUSTOM SETUP The one frequently used function can be allocated to the custom position on the function dial. The function is selected in section 2 of the setup menu (p. 130). The following recording functions are available: Image size (p. 82) Image quality (p. 82) Flash mode (p. 86) 1 Flash control (p. 92) Sharpness (p. 97) Color mode (p.
FOLDER NAME All recorded images are stored in folders on the memory card. Folder names come in two formats: standard and date. Standard folders have an eight character name. The initial folder is named 100MLT16. The first three digits are the folder’s serial number, which will increase by one each time a new folder is created. The next three letters refer to Minolta, and the last two numbers indicate the camera used; 16 indicates a DiMAGE A1.
NEW FOLDER This allows the creation of new folders. The folder-name option on in section 2 of the setup menu must be set to standard form in order to use the new-folder function. When selected, the electronic keyboard (p. 99) automatically appears so the folder name can be entered. Once the name is typed in and the enter button on the keyboard is highlighted and entered, the folder will be created and the name will be listed in the select-folder option.
RESET DEFAULT This option resets all camera modes: recording, movie, playback, and setup. To reset the recording or movie modes, see pages 95 and 113. When selected, a confirmation screen will appear; choosing “Yes” resets the following functions and settings, “No” cancels the operation.
Recording menu Image size 2560 X 1920 Image quality Fine Flash mode Fill-flash Flash control ADI AEL button AE hold Interval setup 1 min. interval, 2 frames, no delay Bracket setup 0.
Folder name Audio signals Focus signal Shutter FX Volume Auto power save Anti-shake Full-time AF Grip sensor Control dial setup Control dial setup (Manual exposure) Delete confirmation Standard 1 1 1 2 3 minutes Display + exposure On On Front: shutter speed, Rear: aperture Front: shutter speed, Rear: aperture “No” p. 137 p. 141 p. 142 p. 142 p. 142 p. 142 p. 143 p. 143 p. 143 p. 144 p. 145 p. 145 AUDIO SIGNALS Every time a button is pressed, an audio signal gives a positive confirmation of the operation.
SHUTTER FX A shutter sound effect gives positive audio confirmation when the shutter is released. The sound effects can be turned off in section 3 of the setup menu (p. 130). Two shutter effects are available. Signal 1 uses the shutter sound from the Dynax/Maxxum 9 SLR. Signal 2 uses a mechanical shutter sound taken from the legendary Minolta CLE. VOLUME The volume of the audio signals and sound effects can be increased or decreased in section 3 of the setup menu (p. 130).
ANTI-SHAKE When the Anti-shake system activates can be changed in section 4 of the setup menu. Two options are available: Display + Exp. - when the shutter-release button is pressed partway down, the anti-shake function will activate if on. The affect of the Anti-shake system can be seen in the live image. Anti-shake Display + Exp Full-time AF On Grip sensor On Ctrl dial set Manual exp. Delete conf. SS F/no. SS F/no.
CONTROL DIAL SETUP The control dial setup option in section 4 of the setup menu changes the front and rear control dial operation in the P, A, and S exposure modes. Exposure compensation (p. 59) can also be assigned to one of the control dials. Refer to the sections on the exposure modes for more information. Anti-shake SS Full-time AF SS Grip sensor F/no. Ctrl dial set F/no. Manual exp. Delete conf. P (Program exposure) Front dial Rear dial SS Ps shift F/no. SS Ps shift F/no.
CONTROL DIAL SETUP - MANUAL EXPOSURE The manual-exposure option in section 4 of the setup menu changes the front and rear control dial operation in the manual (M) exposure mode. Three options are available: SS F/no. F/no. SS Program manual Front dial Rear dial Shutter speed Aperture Aperture Shutter speed Programmed manual - both shutter speed and aperture are used to change the exposure following the camera’s program line.
DATA-TRANSFER MODE Read this section carefully before connecting the camera to a computer. Details on using and installing the DiMAGE Viewer software are found in the supplied software manual. The DiMAGE manuals do not cover the basic operation of computers or their operating systems; please refer to the manual supplied with your computer.
CONNECTING THE CAMERA TO A COMPUTER A fully charged battery should be used when the camera is connected to a computer. The AC adapter (sold separately) is recommended over the use of batteries. For users with Windows 98, read the section on how to install the necessary driver before connecting the camera to a computer. 1.Start up the computer. The computer must be on before connecting the camera. 2.Open the AV out / USB port cover. Attach the smaller plug of the USB cable to the camera.
CONNECTING TO WINDOWS 98 / 98 SECOND EDITION The driver needs only to be installed once. If the driver cannot be installed automatically, it can be installed manually with the operating system’s add-new-hardware wizard; see the instructions on the following page. During installation, if the operating system requests the Windows 98 CD-ROM, inset it into the CD-ROM drive and follow the accompanying instructions on the screen. No special driver software is required for other Windows operating systems.
MANUAL INSTALLATION To install the Windows 98 driver manually, follow the instructions in the connecting-the-camera-to-acomputer section on page 147. When the camera is plugged into the computer, the operating system will detect the new device and the add-newhardware-wizard window will open. Place the DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. Click “Next.” Choose the recommended search for a suitable driver. Click “Next.” Choose to specify the location of the driver.
The add new hardware wizard will confirm the location of the driver. One of three drivers may be located: MNLVENUM.inf, USBPDR.inf, or USBSTRG.inf. The letter designating the CD-ROM drive will vary between computers. Click “Next” to install the driver in the system. The last window will confirm the driver has been installed. Click “Finish” to close the add new hardware wizard. Restart the computer. When the my-computer window is opened, a new removable-disk icon will be displayed.
QUICKTIME SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS To install QuickTime, follow the instructions in the installer. Macintosh users can download the latest version of QuickTime free of charge from the Apple Computer web site at http://www.apple.com. IBM PC / AT compatible Pentium-based computer Windows 95, 98, 98SE, NT, Me, 2000 Professional, or XP. 32MB or more of RAM Sound Blaster or compatible sound card DirectX 3.
MEMORY CARD FOLDER ORGANIZATION Once the camera is connected to the computer, image and audio files can be accessed by double clicking on icons. Image folders are located in the DCIM folder. To copying images and audio recordings, simply drag and drop the file icon into a location in the computer. Drive Icon The misc. folder contains DPOF print files (p. 126). Dcim Files and folders on the memory card can be deleted using the computer.
Image and audio file names begin with “PICT” followed by a four-digit file number and a tif, mrw, jpg, jpe, mov, or thm extension. Voice-memo files have a wav extension and the file name corresponds to its image file. The thumbnail images (thm) are used in camera and DiMAGE Viewer operation. When a new folder is created, the first three digits in the folder name will be one greater than the largest folder number on the card.
DISCONNECTING THE CAMERA FROM THE COMPUTER Never disconnect the camera when the access lamp is lit - the data or memory card may permanently be damaged. WINDOWS 98 / 98 SECOND EDITION Confirm that the access lamp is not lit. Turn off the camera and then disconnect the USB cable. WINDOWS ME, 2000 PROFESSIONAL, AND XP To disconnect the camera, click once on the unplug-or-eject-hardware icon located on the task bar. A small window will open indicating the device to be stopped.
The hardware devices to be stopped will be displayed. Highlight the device by clicking on it then click “Stop.” A confirmation screen will appear to indicate the devices to be stopped. Clicking “OK” will stop the device. A third and final screen will appear to indicate the camera can be safely disconnected from the computer; click OK. Turn off the camera and then disconnect the USB cable.
CHANGING THE MEMORY CARD (DATA-TRANSFER MODE) Care should be taken when changing memory cards while the camera is attached to the computer. Data could be lost or damaged if the camera is not properly disconnected. Always confirm the access lamp is out before removing the memory card. WINDOWS 98 / 98 SECOND EDITION 1. Turn off the camera. 2. Change the memory card. 3. Turn on the camera to remake the USB connection. WINDOWS ME, 2000 PROFESSIONAL, AND XP 1.
REMOVING THE DRIVER SOFTWARE - WINDOWS 1. Insert a memory card in the camera and connect it to the computer with the USB cable. Other devices must not be connected to the computer during this procedure. 2. Right click on the My-computer icon. Select “properties” from the drop-down menu. Windows XP: from the start menu go to the control panel. Click on the performance and maintenance category. Click “System” to open the system properties window. 3.
TROUBLESHOOTING The section covers minor problems with basic camera operation. For major problems or damage to the camera or charger, or if a problem continues to reoccur frequently, contact a Minolta service facility listed on the back cover of this manual. Problem Symptom Cause Solution The battery are dead. Recharge batteries (p. 22). The AC adapter is not connected properly. Check that the adapter is connected to the camera and a live electrical outlet (p. 25).
Problem Symptom Focus signal is red. Pictures are not sharp. Pictures are taken indoors or in lowlight situations without flash. Cause Solution Subject is too close. Make sure the subject is within the autofocus range (0.5m - ∞ / 1.6 ft - ∞) or use the macro mode (p. 49). The camera is in macro mode. Cancel the macro mode setting (p. 49). A special situation is preventing the autofocus system from focusing (p.
Problem Symptom Cause Solution Shooting data is displayed, but live image is entirely black or white. Camera set to manual-exposure mode (M). Shutter speed and aperture combination is extremely under or overexposing the live image. Change the shutter speed or aperture value until an image appears on the monitor (p. 56). Live image turns black and white. Camera used under low-light conditions. With still images, automatic monitor amplification activates under low-light conditions (p. 34).
ABOUT THE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY CHARGER CORD The included AC cord is designed for the current of the sales region. Only use the cord in the region it was purchased.
CARE AND STORAGE Read this section in its entirety to get the best results from your camera. With proper care, your camera will provide years of service. CAMERA CARE • Do not subject the camera to shock or impact. • Turn off the camera when transporting. • This camera is neither waterproof nor splashproof. Inserting or removing batteries or the memory card, or operating the camera with wet hands may damage the camera. • When at the beach or near water, take care not to expose the camera to water or sand.
OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND CONDITIONS • This camera has been designed for use in temperatures from 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F). • Never leave the camera exposed to extreme high temperatures, such as in a car parked in the sun, or to extreme humidity. • When taking the camera from a cold to a warm environment, place it in a sealed plastic bag to prevent condensation from forming. Allow the camera to come to room temperature before removing it from the bag.
BATTERIES • Battery performance decreases with temperature. In cold environments, we recommend keeping spare batteries in a warm place, such as the inside of a coat. Batteries can recover their power when they warm up. • Do not store the battery when it is fully charged. • When storing the battery for extended periods, recharge it for five minutes every six months. The battery may not be able to be charged if completely exhausted.
BEFORE IMPORTANT EVENTS OR JOURNEYS • Check the camera’s operation; take test pictures and purchase spare batteries. • Minolta has no responsibility for any damage or loss incurred by equipment malfunction. QUESTIONS AND SERVICE • If you have questions about your camera or charger, contact your local camera dealer or write to the Minolta distributor in your area. • Before shipping your camera or charger for repair, please contact a Minolta Service Facility.
INDEX AC adapter, 25, 67, 147 Adobe RGB, 2, 102, 103, 152 Auto focus Continuous, 46 Flex Focus Point (FFP) 48, 49, 107 Full-time, 143 Single-shot, 46 Subject Tracking, 46, 106 Signals, 35, 46 Anti-shake, 37, 143 Auto power save, 24, 142, 151 Battery Care and storage, 4, 164 Changing, 23 Charging, 4, 5, 22 Condition, 24 Camera Body, 14 Strap, 20 Camera sensitivity (ISO), 56, 74, 75 Color mode, 2, 102, 103, 136 Color saturation compensation, 62, 77 Continuous advance Bracketing, 62 High speed, 64 Standard, 64
Flash Attaching, 75, 76, 88 Compatible flash units, 75, 93 Compensation, 59, 110 Metering, 92-93 Range, 36, 75 Signals, 36 Terminal, 76 Flash modes Fill-flash, 86 Manual, 92-93 Rear sync, 87 Red-eye reduction, 86 Remote, 88-91 Slow shutter sync.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Number of effective pixels: CCD: Camera sensitivity (ISO): Aspect ratio: Lens construction: Maximum aperture: Focal length: Focusing range (from the CCD): Filter diameter: Autofocusing system: Shutter: Built-in flash recycling time: Viewfinder LCD: Monitor LCD: Field of view: A/D conversion: Recording media: File formats: PRINT Image Matching II: Menu languages: AV output: 168 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 5.0 million 2/3-type progressive primary-color CCD with a total of 5.
Battery: One NP-400 lithium-ion battery Battery performance (recording): Approx. number of recorded images: 330 frames with a NP-400 lithium-ion battery, full-size images (2560 X 1920), standard image quality, EVF on, LCD monitor off, flash used with 50% of the frames, no instant playback, no voice memo. Battery performance (playback): Approx. continuous playback time: 300 min. with a NP-400 lithium-ion battery, LCD monitor on, EVF off.
BATTERY PACK BP-400 The Battery Pack BP-400 is a portable power source for the camera. This accessory uses two NP-400 lithium-ion batteries or six Ni-MH or alkaline batteries to power the camera. For more details on the Battery Pack BP-400 or other accessories listed in this manual, contact your local Minolta dealer.
We offer support for our digital products 24 hours per day on www.minoltasupport.com. Camera know-how, image composition, digital image editing: discover more about Minolta’s new internet world and visit www.minoltaphotoworld.com © 2003 Minolta Co., Ltd. under the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention.
