MINOLTA INSTRUCTION MANUAL
INTRODUCTION The Minolta DYNAX 7xi is one of the most innovative AF SLRs available For this reason, you are holding a large and rather intimidating owner's manual. However, not everything will pertain to you immediately, so read it in sections. First, look over the parts diagrams and familiarize yourself with the controls, their names, and their locations. This will be helpful later when they are introduced in the manual and you learn about their functions. Next, read Preparations, beginning on p.8.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Minolta DYNAX 7xi was designed to work specifically with lenses, flash units, and other accessories manufactured and distributed by Minolta. We therefore caution users of this camera that the attachment and/or use of i n c o m p a t i b l e p r o d u c t s w i t h the 7xi may result in unsatisfactory performance or damage to the camera or its accessories.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION NAMES OF PARTS Neckstrap ......
OPERATIONS IN DETAIL Main Switch and Eye-start Focusing Details Autofocus illuminator Local AF area selection Special focusing situations Manual focus Exposure Details Changing exposure mode Aperture priority Shutter priority Manual exposure Metering modes Exposure compensation AEIock Self-timer Bulb Flash System Flash modes P mode flash A, S, and M mode flash Slow-shutter sync flash Remote off-camera TTL flash Film drive Autozoom Auto stand-by zoom Image-size lock Wide-view mode 39 40 40 41 43 44 46 46 48
Names of Parts/Body 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 12 4 Grip sensor AF illuminator/self-timer light Wide-view mode button Strap eyelet Front control dial Shutter-release button Card on/off button Body data panel Accessory shoe Program-reset button Main switch Flash pop-up button 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
26. Pressure Plate* 27. Accessory-back contacts* 28. Card door 29. Remote-control terminal 30. Battery-cover release 31. Film-leader index 32. Sprocket 33. Tripod socket 34. DX contacts* 35. Self-timer/Drive mode button 36. Flash-mode button 37. Rewind button 38. ISO button 39. Card-adjust button 40.
Names of Parts/Body LCD 1. Exposure-mode indicators 2. Wide/Local focus indicator 3. Flash-mode indicators 4. Self-timer indicator 5. Drive-mode indicators 6. Frame counter 7. Film-transport signals 8. Film-cartridge mark 9. Aperture/Exposure Adjustment/Card setting displays 10. Card indicator 1 1 . Exposure-adjustment indicator 12. Metering-mode indicators 13. Shutter-speed/film-speed/card name displays/ local-AF-area indicators 14. Exposure-adjustment reminder 15. Selectable Setting Pointers 16.
Names of Parts/Viewfinder Screen 1. Image-size-lock indicator 2. Dial-function indicators 3. Wide-view indicator 4. Film-frame indicator 5. AF-area indicator 6. Local-AF-area indicator 7. Spot-metering area 8. Manual-focus indicator 9. Depth index 10. Action index 11. Panorama indicator 12. Image control index Names of Parts/Viewfinder Data Panel 1. Flash-on indicator 2. Flash-mode indicator 3. Camera-shake warning 4. Focus signals 5. Exposure-mode indicators 6. Shutter-speed/Film-speed display 7.
NECKSTRAP A neckstrap is supplied with your camera. Attach it as shown below.
EYEPIECE CAP An eyepiece cap is also included on the strap. It fits over the eyepiece to prevent stray light f r o m entering the camera and affecting the exposure during situations in w h i c h you are not looking t h r o u g h the viewfinder w h e n the shutter releases (ie, self-timer photographs or bulb exposures). An accessory shoe cap protects the contacts on the camera's accessory contacts f r o m dust and dirt.
To attach: 1. Remove body cap and rear lens cap as shown. 2. Align the red bead on the lens barrel with the red dot on the camera's lens mount. Gently insert the lens into the mount and turn the lens clockwise until it locks in place with a click.
To remove: 1. While pressing the lens release, turn the lens counterclockwise until it stops. Lift the lens out of the mount. 2. Immediately attach the rear cap to the lens and the body cap or another lens to the camera. This will protect the camera interior, lens contacts, and lens elements. - Be carefu! • Do not to force the lens onto the body if it does not turn smoothly. • Never touch anything inside the camera, especially the lens contacts and mirror.
The camera uses a 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery which supplies power for all camera operations. If you are using an xi-Series lens, the camera battery also supplies power to the lens zoom motor. Installation 1. With the main switch in the LOCK position, slide the battery cover release in the direction indicated to open the battery cover. 2. Insert the battery according to the marks on the inside of the chamber cover. 3. Snap the cover closed.
Battery-condition Indicators At various times during operation, one of the following indicators will appear in the body data panel. Display Indication Meaning 1. Full-battery s y m b o l appears for 4 sec. after you turn camera on. Power is sufficient. 2. Low-battery s y m b o l appears for 4 seconds after you turn camera on. Power is sufficient, but getting low. Keep a fresh battery handy. 3. Low-battery s y m b o l blinks while it appears w i t h other operating indicators at any time during use.
Battery Performance The 6-volt 2CR5 l i t h i u m battery s h o u l d provide sufficient power for shooting approximately 50 rolls of 24-exposure film w i t h o u t flash. These figures are based on Minolta's standard test m e t h o d using a fresh battery at 68°F (20°C). Actual battery performance will depend on how you use the camera. If you install a new battery that has been in prolonged storage, battery performance may vary.
Loading Film Before you load f i l m , always check the body data panel. If the film cartridge is displayed, do not open the back cover. Check the film w i n d o w and frame counter to verify the type of film in the camera and the number of frames remaining. (See p. 20 for instructions on rewinding a partially exposed roll of film.) • Before you load f i l m for the first t i m e , remove and discard the protective plastic cover over the shutter. • Always load film in subdued or shaded light.
1. Open the back cover by sliding the back-cover release downward. 2. Place the film cartridge into the film chamber as shown above and extend the leader between the guide rails until the tip is just past the film-leader index. Make sure the holes in the film's lower edge are engaged by the sprocket teeth. RIGHT WRONG RIGHT WRONG • Make sure the film leader is shaped correctly, otherwise the film may not wind properly.
3. Close the back cover and move the main switch to ON. The camera will automatically advance the film to the first frame and 1 will appear in the film counter. • If the film is loaded incorrectly, 0 will blink in the frame counter and the shutter will remain locked. Open the back cover and repeat steps 2 and 3. • If you turn the main switch to ON before you load film, to not touch the grip sensor during the above procedures.
Automatic Film Speed Setting If you use DX-coded film between ISO 25 and 5000, the camera will automatically set the correct film speed. The film speed setting will be displayed in the body data panel for 4 sec. after you load the film. Manual Film Speed Setting If you are using a non-DX-coded film or if you wish to override the automatic setting, you must manually set the film speed. The camera will initially set non-DX-coded film to the ISO of the previous roll; initially this value is set to 100. 1.
3. Turn either control dial until the desired film speed setting appears in the body data panel. • Each click of the dials will change the film speed setting by 1/3-stop between ISO 6 and 6400. 4. Press the ISO button again to enter your selection and return to operating mode, or wait 4 sec. and the setting will be entered automatically. • To check the film speed setting at any time during operation, press the ISO button.
Automatic Rewind After you have exposed the lastframe, the camera will automatically rewind the film. With a fresh battery, it takes about 9 sec. to rewind a 36-exposure roll, or 6 sec. for a 24-exposure roll. When the film has been completely rewound, the motor will stop and the film-cartridge symbol in the body data panel will blink to indicate that it is safe to open the camera back. Manual Rewind To begin rewind at any time, open the card door and press the rewind button.
SIMPLE OPERATION - T H E BASICS This brief section explains the simplest way to use your new camera—with programmed autoexposure, autofocus, autoflash, and single-frame advance. Details on each of the camera's functions begins on page 38 in the section entitled "Operation in Detail".
Hold the grip firmly in your right hand and use your left hand to support the camera or lens. Keep your elbows securely against your sides when shooting both horizontal and vertically pictures. Press the shutter-release button gently in a single, steady motion —never with a quick jab. Always keep the camera strap around your neck or wound around one wrist. • When you pick up the camera, make sure you touch the grip sensor. Otherwise, Eye-Start will not function.
1. Slide the main switch to ON and press the program-reset button to set full-automatic operation. • Pressing the program-reset button sets the camera to programmed autoexposure m o d e , honeycomb-pattern m e t e r i n g , autofocus, single-frame film advance, + / - 0 . 0 exposure compensation, wide autofocus area, and auto switchover flash. Many of these default positions can be changed with the Customized Function Card-xi.
2. Hold the camera as described on p.22. 3. Look through the eyepiece, place your subject somewhere within the autofocus area, and press the shutter-release button down to take the picture. 4. After the exposure has been made, the camera will automatically advance the film to the next frame and increase the film counter by one. • The focus signal will light in the viewfinder data panel when your subject is in focus. See p.27 for a list of focus signals.
When your subject or scene is too dark to allow a clear hand-held photograph, the camera-shake warning will blink in the viewfinder data panel. The built-in flash will pop-up automatically, if it is required, when you press the shutter-release button partway down and will fire when you take the picture. You should also consider using a tripod. • More information on flash operation in all exposure modes can be found beginning on p.62.
Autofocus (AF) The autofocus system uses expert programming and fuzzy logic to determine which of the AF sensors is detecting your main subject. The camera's ultra-wide AF area has four sensors —two vertical and two horizontal. When you hold the camera horizontally, all four sensors are active; when you hold the camera vertically, the top horizontal sensor shuts off and the AF area changes to its vertical mode.
Focus Signals When the camera is activated, either by Eyestart or by pressing the shutter-release button partway down, the AF system immediately begins evaluating the scene to determine the location of your subject within the frame. One of the following focus signals will be displayed in the viewfinder data panel: Continuous AF mode/focus is confirmed Focus is locked [blinking] Focus cannot be confirmed. • No indicator will be displayed while the lens is focusing.
If, as a result of the composition or framing you have chosen, your subject falls outside the main AF area, use focus lock to lock focus on it, then recompose the scene as desired. 1. Place your subject in the center of the AF area and press the shutter button partway down. 2. Hold the shutter button in this position, recompose the picture, and press the shutter button all the way down to take the picture.
P mode is designed to be the camera's primary exposure mode and is ideally suited for almost all situations. Expert Program Selection analyzes the scene, taking into account subject size, motion, and magnification as well as lens focal length, and sets both the shutter speed and aperture accordingly.
• If the aperture and shutter speed displays blink in the viewfinder and body data panels, then the required exposure settings are beyond the coupling range of the camera and lens. blink in the viewfinder data panel, the • If the metering indicators • lighting is beyond the range of available aperture and shutter speeds. In bright light, attach a neutral density filter.
PA/PS: CREATIVE PROGRAM CONTROL As already mentioned, Expert Program Selection will determine the best combination of shutter speed and aperture for almost any scene or situation. If, however, you would like to use a different shutter speed or aperture, the dual-dial control system makes it quick and easy for you to make the desired changes.
PA In both P mode and PA, the depth index at the bottom of the viewfinder screen will show roughly how in-focus the background will appear in your final print. If the indicator is all the way to the right, everything from your main subject to infinity will be in focus. If the indicator is to the left, only your subject will be sharp.
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• To return to P m o d e , press the program re-set b u t t o n ; to return to P m o d e and keep any changes you have made to the camera's operation, press the flash pop-up button. • The flash will not fire manually or automatically while y o u are in PA. • To turn the depth index off, press and hold the p r o g r a m re-set button d o w n and move the main switch back to ON. Repeat to turn the index on again. • Most lenses will not use all the positions on the index.
Ps In P m o d e , if you m o v e the front control dial, the depth index will be replaced by the action index. It shows the a p p r o x i m a t e a m o u n t of action-stopping ability the current shutter speed setting will provide for the subject which the camera currently detects.
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• To turn off the action index, press and hold the program re-set button down and move the main switch back to ON. Repeat to turn the index on again. • If you move the rear dial, the camera will enter PA. See previous section for more information. • For more information on subject motion and shutter speed, see p.87. • The action index should only be used with moving subjects. It will not provide relevant information about stationary subjects. The camera-shake warning will be more helpful in this case.
OPERATIONS IN DETAIL 38
MAIN SWITCH/EYESTART When you move the main switch to ON, the body data panel and the grip sensor activate. When you then touch the grip sensor, the eyepiece sensor is activated. This sensor then immediately activates autofocus, autoexposure, and, if you are using an xi-Series Autozoom lens, auto stand-by zoom when it detects an object near the viewfinder. By the time you frame your subject, therefore, the camera has performed many of its set-up operations and is ready to make an exposure.
FOCUSING DETAILS Autofocus Illuminator In low-light or when subject contrast is too low to be read by the autofocus sensors, the AF illuminator will activate. It projects a pattern of lines onto your subject which the AF sensors can then detect. • Be careful not to obstruct the AF illuminator while you are holding the camera. • The AF illuminator will not work if the focal length of the lens you are using is 300mm or longer (excluding AF Zoom 100-300/4.5-5.6 and AF Zoom 75-300/4.5-5.
Local AF Area Selection If you want to use a specific AF sensor, you can manually override the selection sequence and use only one of the four sensors. 1. Press the dial function selector twice; will appear in the viewfinder.
2. Turn the front control dial until the AF sensor you want appears in the viewfinder or the body data panel. 3. Press the shutter-release button partway down to enter the area you have chosen and return to normal operating mode, or wait 4 sec. and your choice will be entered automatically. • Autofocus does not function while you are selecting a local AF area.
Special Focusing Situations The camera's autofocus system will produce sharp pictures in nearly any situation. In the cases described below, however, it may be difficult or impossible for the camera to autofocus properly —manual focusing may be necessary.
Manual Focus To manually focus the lens: 1. Slide the focus mode switch down to set the camera to manual focus mode. • "M. FOCUS" will appear in the lower left corner of the viewfinder. 2. If you are using an AF lens, turn the focusing ring until the subject appears sharp. With an xi-Series lens, pull and turn the zoom ring. For more information, refer to the lens manual. • When your subject comes into focus, the green in-focus signal will light.
3. To return to autofocus mode, slide the focus mode switch down. • Pressing the program re-set button will also return the camera to autofocus mode, but this will also change all of the programmable functions to their default settings.
EXPOSURE DETAILS The camera has four exposure m o d e s : p r o g r a m m e d autoexposure (P), aperture-priority autoexposure (A), shutter-priority autoexposure (S), and manual exposure (M). Changing Exposure Mode 1. Press the dial function selector button once; viewfinder.
2. Turn the front control dial until the exposure mode you want appears in the body or the viewfinder data panel. • The modes will cycle in the sequence shown above. • In M mode, M does not appear in the viewfinder data panel. 3. Press the shutter-release button partway down to enter the mode you have chosen and return to normal operating mode; or wait 4 sec. for it to be entered automatically.
Aperture Priority (A) In aperture priority (A) mode, you set the aperture you want and, if the shutter speed is available, the camera will automatically maintain the correct exposure. 1. Refer to p.46 (Changing Exposure Mode) and select A. • The depth index will appear in the lower part of the viewfinder screen and the indicator will show the approximate depth that the current aperture will provide. 2. To set the aperture, turn the rear control dial to the left or right.
• Available apertures and are limited to those within the range indicated on the lens you are using. • The shutter speed display will blink if the required speed is beyond the range of the camera. If "8000" blinks, set a smaller aperture; if "30" blinks, set a larger aperture. • If the metering indicators blink in the viewfinder data panel, the lighting is beyond the range of available apertures and shutter speeds.
Shutter Priority (S) This exposure mode lets you select a shutter speed and, if the lens you are using allows, the camera will automatically set the correct aperture to ensure a proper exposure. 1. Refer to p.46 (Changing Exposure Mode) and select S. • The action index will appear in the lower part of the viewfinder screen and the indicator will show the approximate amount of action-stopping the current shutter will provide. 2. To set the shutter speed, turn the front control dial.
• If the aperture display blinks, the aperture required for a correct exposure at the shutter speed you have selected is not available. If the lens' minimum aperture blinks, set a faster shutter speed; if the maximum aperture blinks, set a slower shutter speed • If the metering indicators blink in the viewfinder data panel, the light level is beyond the coupling range of the camera and lens. In bright light, attach a neutral density filter; in low light, use a faster lens or faster film.
Manual Exposure (M) Manual mode should be used whenever you want full creative control over the exposure settings. In this mode, you select the shutter speed and aperture and the camera will tell you whether your settings will provide an over-, under-, or correctly-exposed picture. 1. Refer to p.46 (Changing Exposure Mode) and select M. 2. To set the shutter speed, turn the front control dial to the right for faster shutter speeds or to the left for slower.
Exposure is set correctly. Over exposure Under exposure The light level is beyond the meter's range. In manual mode, the above displays in the viewfinder data panel will relate information regarding your settings.
METERING MODES The camera's standard metering mode is AF-lntegrated, 14-Segment, Honeycomb-Pattern Metering, which will provide the correct exposure in almost all situations. Spot metering can also be manually selected, in which case, the center segment in the honeycomb pattern is used exclusively to measure the subject's brightness.
To use spot metering: 1. Press the dial function selector twice; will appear in the viewfinder. 2. Turn the rear dial one click-stop in either direction to select spot metering. 3. Press the shutter release button partway down to enter your selection and return to normal operating mode or wait 4 sec. for it to be entered automatically. 4. Center the spot metering circle in the viewfinder over the area that you want to meter. 5.
This function enables you to bias the camera's exposure calculation up to + / - 4 stops. To set: 1. Press the dial function selector button once; viewfinder. will appear in the 2. Turn the rear control dial until the compensation figure you want appears in the viewfinder and body data panels. 3. Press the shutter release button partway down to enter the exposure factor and return to normal operating mode or wait 4 sec. for your selection to be entered automatically.
• After you enter the compensation factor, the number will disappear, but " + " or " - " will remain as a reminder that an adjustment has been made. To check the amount of compensation at any time, press the dial function selector once. The compensation figure will again appear in the viewfinder and body data panels. To cancel the compensation, set 0.0 adjustment and return to normal operating mode.
AE LOCK To lock the exposure system independently of the autofocus system, position your subject in the viewfinder and press the AE lock button; AEL will appear in the viewfinder data panel. Hold the button in as you recompose and take the picture. • If you release the AE lock button before you take the picture, the exposure system will re-evaluate the scene and continue functioning as normal.
SELF-TIMER The electronic self-timer will delay release of the shutter about 10 sec. after you press the shutter-release button. To set: 1. Open the card door and press the self-timer/drive-mode button once. The self-timer indicator will appear in the body data panel. 2. Compose your scene and attach the eyepiece cap. 3. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to start the timer. • The AF illuminator will blink twice per second until the shutter releases.
BULB: LONG EXPOSURES To make bulb exposures: 1. Mount the camera on a tripod. 2. Refer to p.46 and set the exposure mode to manual (M). 3. Turn the front control dial to the right until bulb appears in the body data panel. Turn the rear dial to set the aperture. 4. Compose your scene and focus the lens. • If the scene is too dark, autofocus may not function. Slide the focus mode switch d o w n and focus the lens manually.
5. Attach the eyepiece cap. 6. To take the picture, press the shutter-release button and hold it d o w n for the duration of the exposure. The shutter will remain open until you release it. • To prevent camera shake, attach Remote Cord RC-1000 S/L. Open the card door, remove the remote-control terminal cover, and insert the remote cord's plug into the terminal. The shutter will remain open as long as you hold the remote control button d o w n .
FLASH SYSTEM FLASH MODES : Autoflash : Autoflash with pre-flash : Flash cancel (in P mode) : Remote off-camera TTL flash (blinking alternately) The built-in flash operates in four different modes: single-burst, single-burst with pre-flash, flash cancel, and as a remote trigger for an off-camera flash. Autoflash is the camera's standard mode. In pre-flash mode, the flash will fire a small burst before the exposure in order to reduce red-eye in portraits.
To set the flash mode: 1. Open the card door and press the flash m o d e button. 2. Turn the front or rear dial. The flash mode indicators will appear in the body data panel in the sequence s h o w n above. 3. Press the flash mode button again to enter the mode you have selected. • Flash cancel in P mode can be selected only w h e n the flash is d o w n .
PROGRAM MODE FLASH OPERATION The camera uses an advanced flash control system to provide correct flash exposures in P mode whenever it is required. The camera's TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering system controls the flash output to ensure a proper exposure. Viewfinder Signals and Flash Control As soon as the camera detects that flash will be required, the flash-on i n d i c a t o r a p p e a r s in the viewfinder data panel. The flash-ready indicator will light when the flash is fully charged.
A, S, AND M MODE FLASH In A, S, or M mode if the flash is down it will not fire; if the flash is up, it will fire each time you press the shutter-release button. To raise the flash, press the flash pop-up button; it will not pop-up automatically in any of these exposure modes. Single-burst, single-burst with pre-flash, flash cancel, and remote off-camera control can all be selected in any of these exposure modes, as well. In S mode, the shutter speed and aperture will be set automatically by the camera.
EXPOSURE MODE P MODE FLASH POP-UP BURST Auto Auto A MODE S MODE Manual w i t h pop-up button M MODE Scan & OCR, Marinko Orlovac on: http://orlovac.
FLASH MODE AVAILABLE SHUTTER SPEED A U T O ; A u t o flash A U T O ; A u t o w i t h pre-flash OFF 1/200 to 30sec. (set automatically) ; flash cancel ; remote off camera flash ; single-burst 1/200 sec. ; single w i t h pre-flash 1/200 to 30sec. (set automatically) ; remote off camera flash 1/200 to 30sec.
SLOW-SHUTTER SYNC FLASH The slow-sync shutter option will set a slower shutter speed to increase the background or ambient lighting exposure in a flash picture. Flash output will be decreased automatically to maintain a correct exposure of your subject. 1. Frame your subject and press and hold the shutter-release button partway down. 2. Press and hold the AE lock button.
3. Continue to hold the AE lock button and press the shutter-release button down completely. • If the background is bright or a large aperture is set, the shutter speed may not be reduced. • The flash-ready indicator in the viewfinder data panel will blink rapidly if the flash output was sufficient to provide a correct exposure. • If, after you press the AE lock button, the shutter speed becomes too slow to allow sharp, hand-held pictures, use a tripod.
REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH CONTROL When used with specified xi flash units, this camera offers you the flexibility of remote off-camera flash control with TTL flash metering. The flash unit has more than one control channel so that if you are working near someone who is using a similar set-up, you will not interfere with each other. The flash must be mounted on the camera when you change the control channel. 1. Attach the flash to the camera and turn it on.
• The camera should be 1m to 5m (16 in. to 13 ft.) from the subject. • The off-camera flash may not detect the control signals if it is placed behind the subject. FLASH RANGE (m) 1.4 2.0 2.8 4.0 5.6 8.0 11.0 ISO 100 ISO 100 2.0-5.0 1.4-5.0 1.0-5.0 0.7-4.5 0.5-3.2 0.4-2.3 0.4-1.6 4.0-5.0 2.8-5.0 2.0-5.0 1.4-5.0 1.0-5.0 0.7-4.5 0.5-3.
4. Wait until both the off-camera flash and built-in flash are charged. • In remote mode, the off-camera flash's AF illuminator and flash-ready signal will blink when the flash is charged. The flash-ready signal in the viewfinder will blink when the built-in flash is charged. 5. Press the AE lock button to test-fire the off-camera flash and wait again until both flashes are fully charged. 6. Take the picture.
Remote slow-shutter sync In remote slow-shutter sync mode, the camera sets a slow shutter speed and reduce the flash exposure to maintain a correct exposure. Operation is the same as it is with the built-in or an attached flash (explained on p.68). • When you press the AE lock button, the off-camera flash will fire a test burst. Wait for the flash to recharge and take the picture. Do not release the AE lock button until after you have taken the picture.
FILM DRIVE The camera has three film-drive modes. In single-frame advance mode, the camera makes one exposure and advances the film one frame each time you press the shutter-release button. In high-speed continuous mode (H), the film is advanced at approximately 4 frames per second for long as you hold the shutter-release button d o w n ; low-speed continuous mode (L) will provide up to 2 frames per second.
Sequence : Single frame : Self-timer : Hi-speed continuous : Low-speed continuous 3. To return to single-frame advance, press the self-timer/drive-mode button until it appears in the data panel. • Pressing the program re-set button will return the camera to single-frame advance and return all of the camera's programmable functions to their default settings.
AUTOZOOM SYSTEM With an xi-Series A u t o z o o m lens, the camera's automatic control also extends to zooming the lens. This speeds operation of the camera and lens and allows you to concentrate more fully on the c o m p o s i t i o n of your photographs. The following features are available only when you are using an xi-Series Autozoom lens. Auto Stand-by Zoom (ASZ) When Eye-Start first activates the camera, the lens immediately sets a focal length.
• ASZ's operation is a one-shot function; it will not set a new focal length every time you point the camera at a new subject unless you first take the camera away from your eye. If you use power zoom to change ASZ's setting, ASZ will not function again until you remove the camera from your eye and wait 30 sec. To turn off ASZ: 1. Set the main switch to LOCK. 2. Press and hold the lens-function button on the lens barrel while you move the main switch to ON. • To turn ASZ on again, repeat the above steps.
Image-Size Lock When you press and hold the lens-function button on an xi-Series lens, Image-size lock will automatically adjust the lens' focal length to maintain the size of the main subject's image in the viewfinder. Image-size lock is limited by the focal length range of the lens you are using. If either end of the lens focal length range is reached while image-size lock is operating, the lens will stop zooming, but IMAGE LOCK will continue to be displayed in the viewfinder.
• Image-Size Lock m a y not be able to accurately track high-speed subjects. If your subject is moving too fast, the image size may not remain constant but IMAGE LOCK w i l l continue to be displayed in the viewfinder screen. • If you w a n t to use continuous film advance, use low-speed mode.
Wide-View Mode This feature enables you to see the area immediately outside of the film frame up until the moment that you press the shutter-release button. 1. Press the wide-view-mode button. The camera will automatically set a shorter focal length to give you a wider field of view. Both WIDE and the film-frame indicators will appear in the viewfinder.
2. Compose your picture inside the film-frame indicators. 3. Press the shutter-release button partway d o w n . The lens will zoom to fill the viewfinder w i t h the part of the image that appears inside the film-frame indicators. 4. Press the shutter-release button d o w n completely to take the picture.
• The focal length range of any lens will be reduced slightly when you use wide-view mode. Although the lens will zoom to its shortest focal length while wide-view is activated, the view inside the film-frame marks will never be wider than 1.5 times this shortest setting, and the lens will only zoom to 2/3 its longest focal length. For example, with a 28-105mm lens and the camera in wide-view mode, when the lens is set at 28mm, the view inside the film-frame indicators will be the same as a setting of 42mm.
• If y o u press the wide-view mode button with the lens set anywhere between the shortest focal length and 1.5 times the shortest focal length, the camera still enter wide-view mode. However, the image inside the film-frame marks will not be the same as that of your original focal length. Also, w h e n you press the shutter-release button partway d o w n , the lens will zoom forward to 1.5 times the shortest focal length, not to the position f r o m which you started.
If focal length and subject distance remain constant, as the size of the lens aperture decreases, depth of field increases. Aperture-priority (A) mode, manual (M) mode, and PA enable you to vary the size of the aperture in order to directly control a picture's depth of field. Different situations usually require different amounts of depth. For example, in a portrait situation, you may want to use a larger aperture in order to focus only on the main subject and separate the person from their background.
For any given f-number and subject distance, an increase in focal length will reduce the depth of field and a decrease in focal length will have the opposite effect. For example, if a 28-105mm zoom lens is set at 50mm, f/8 and the subject is 12 ft. away, changing the focal length to 90mm without altering the exposure settings or subject-to-camera distance will noticeably shorten the depth of field. Setting the lens to 28mm, however, extends the range which will appear in focus.
Shutter Speed and Moving Subjects Your choice of shutter speed is an important factor in determining how moving subjects will appear in the final image. Depending on the speed of your subject, slower shutter speeds such as 1/15 sec. will make moving subjects appear blurred and flowing in the picture, creating a greater feeling of motion. Fast shutter speeds, of course, are useful to freeze fast action.
Composition In both horizontal and vertical mode, the AF brackets should be regarded as reference area for positioning your subject within the frame. In horizontal mode, the brackets follow the "Rule of Thirds," a common rule in photographic composition which states that the important components of a picture should be placed near to the intersections of the lines which divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The horizontal-mode AF brackets lie on those intersection points.
If, for example, you are taking a portrait, try placing your subject near one of the four points, with the person facing towards the center of the picture. This will help to include some of the background in the picture and make a more interesting composition. In the case of a landscape, experiment with different compositions —place the important elements off-center and let the horizon run through one of the one-third dividing lines to give your picture more of a dynamic quality.
ACCESSORY INFORMATION If you already have o w n MINOLTA accessories, check their compatibility before using t h e m w i t h your 7xi. 1. LENS All Minolta AF lenses can be used with 7xi. Auto zoom function (ASZ, APZ Image-size lock and Wide-view mode) are possible only if the 7xi is usee w i t h an Xi-Series lens. Manual focusing lenses (MD or MC) cannot be attached the 7xi.
7, When you insert this card into 7xi, spot metering is automatically activated. Exposure readings are stored by pressing the AE lock button.
CARE AND STORAGE • Always keep your camera in its case w i t h the lens capped w h e n not ii use, or w i t h a body cap on w h e n a lens is not attached. • No part of the camera should be forced at any t i m e . • 72-exposure cartridge and polaroid instant 3 5 m m films cannot be used • Never subject your camera to shock, high heat, humidity, water, o harmful chemicals.
• This camera is not waterproof or dustproof or sand-proof. If you use this camera near water or at the beach, water-, dust-, or sand-damage may occur. Protect it f r o m moisture or splashes, especially saltwater spray, and be extremely careful to keep sand f r o m both the interior and exterior of the camera and its accessories. If it comes in contact w i t h water, w i p e it with a clean, dry cloth and bring it to an authorized Minolta Service facility.
TROUBLESHOOTING CAUSE PROBLEM SOLUTION No display in the data panel when the c a m e r a is s w i t c h e d on. Battery exhausted. Install a fresh battery Battery not installed correctly. R e m o v e the battery and install it correctly. -- appears in the data panel's aperture display. Lens not a t t a c h e d correctly. Attach the lens so that it locks in place w i t h a click. Contacts on c a m e r a and/or lens are dirty. Clean contacts w i t h a dry, clean cloth. AZ/MZ switch set to MZ.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION Type: 3 5 m m SLR w i t h expert control of autofocus (AF),autoexposure (AE), and auto zoom (AZ); auto f i l m transport; built-in motor drive; and built-in flash Lens Mount: Minolta A-type bayonet m o u n t ; accepts all Minolta AF lenses Eye-Start System: AF, AE and AZ automatically activated by combination of eyepiece sensors and grip sensors AF system: Minolta's through-the-lens (TTL) phase-ditection system w i t h four CCD sensors: activated by Eye-Start; Multi-dimensional Predict
TTL Flash Metering: Operates in all flash modes with dedicated flash unit, x-sync shutter speed automatically set when flash-on signal appears in viewfinder; in P, A, or S mode, pressing AE-lock button sets slower shutter speed (down to 30 sec.
Controls: Buttons for self-timer/drive mode, manual start of film rewind, flash mode, film speed, viewfinder mode, card on/off, AE lock, dial function selection, program re-set, card adjust, main switch Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed pentaprism showing 92% of vertical and 94% of horizontal field of view: magnification 0.
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MINOLTA Scan & OCR, Marinko Orlovac on: http://orlovac.eu/ Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 3-13,2-Chome, Azuchl-Machl, Chuo-Ku, Osaka 541, Japan Minolta GmbH Kurt-Fischer-Strasse 50, D-2070 Ahrensburg, Germany Minolta France S.A. 365-367 Route de Saint-Germain, 78420 Carrieres-Sur-Seine, France Minolta (UK) Limited 1-3 Tanners Drive, Blakelands North, Milton Keynes, MK14 5BU, England Minolta Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H. Amalienstrasse 59-61,1131 Wien, Austria Minolta Camera Benelux B.V.
