Minolta Maxxum Dynax 3xi User manual

MINOLTA
MAXXUM
■ 3YNAX
IE INSTRUCTION MANUAL

READ ME FIRST!
First of all, thank you for purchasing this Maxxum/Dynax 3xi. Also, if this is
your first Minolta camera, welcome to the Minolta family.
This instruction manual has been designed to help you get the most enjoy¬
ment and use out of your new camera. It is not necessary for you to read the
contents of this manual from cover-to-cover before you begin photographing.
Instead, it is better that you read it in sections.
Begin by learning a little about the manual itself by reading the TABLE OF
CONTENTS on p.2. This will give you an idea of kinds of information included
in the manual and the way in which it is organized. Next, pick up your camera
and, using NAMES OF PARTS AND DISPLAYS, become familiarize yourself
with the layout of its controls and indications. Continue to the next section,
PREPARATIONS, and follow along with your own camera by attaching the
neckstrap and a lens, inserting a battery, etc. When you are finished, read
SIMPLE OPERATION—THE BASICS thoroughly and you should be ready to
begin using your new camera in its most basic operating mode. When you
want to take more creative control over the image-making process,
OPERATIONS IN DETAIL will help you do so. Finally, APPENDIX contains
information about the camera and general photography, as well as a Quick
Reference Guide, which may be helpful to you in the near future. Refer to it as
you need.
You are probably anxious to begin, so good luck and we hope that this camera
will help you to discover and enjoy the many pleasures of the world of photo¬
graphy.

WPORTANT INFORMATION
he Minolta Maxxum/Dynax 3xi was designed to work specifically with
snses, flash units, and other accessories manufactured and distributed by
Minolta. We therefore caution users of this camera that the attachment and/
r use of incompatible products with the 3xi may result in unsatisfactory
erformance or damage to the camera or its accessories. To obtain optimum
erformance throughout the life of your Maxxum/Dynax 3xi, we recommend
tat you use only those lenses, flashes and other accessories distributed by
linolta specifically for use with this camera.
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Names of Parts and Displays.Body .. 4
Data Panel... 6
Viewfinder. 7
PREPARATIONS ---—------
Preliminary —.— Neckstrap... 9
Eyepiece and Accessory Shoe Cap.9
Lens ...........—.Attaching. 10
Removing. 11
Care of glass surfaces. 11
Battery Inserting. 12
Battery-condition indicators. 13
Battery performance . 14
Cold-weather operation. 14
Film Automatic film-speed setting. 15
Loading film . 15
Automatic rewind. 18
Manual start of rewind. 18
OPERATIONS IN DETAIL-
Auto Stand-by Zoom (ASZ).29
Focusing Details AF illuminator .30
Special focusing situations.31
Manual focus. 32
Exposure Details - Exposure modes.33
Changing exposure modes.33
A: Aperture priority. 3 4
S: Shutter priority.36
M: Manual exposure... 38
Bulb: Long exposures.40
Flash Details - Manual fill-flash (P mode).42
Flash cancel (P mode).42
Flash in A, S, and M modes... 43
Flash range. 4 3
Wireless/remote off-camera flash control_44
2

SIMPLE OPERATION
Holding the Camera.. ..
Main Switch/Eye- Start
Taking Pictures.
Focus Signals.
Focus Lock.
Flash Basics-
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
SeH-Timer
- Flash signals
Pre-flash_

NAMES OF PARTS AND DISPLAYS
1. Grip sensor
Activates eyepiece sensor
2. Shutter-setting control
Used to control shutter speed
is S and M modes and select
exposure mode
3. Shutter-release button
4. Strap eyelet
5. Pre-flash button
Selects/cancels pre-flash
6. Data panel
7. Program re-set button
Re-sets camera to
programmed operation
8, Flash
9. Accessory shoe
10. Main switch
11. Self-timer button
12. Aperture-setting control
Selects aperture in A and M
modes
13. Back-cover release
14. Lens release
15. Focus-mode switch
Selects auto/manual focus
16. Mirror*
17. Lens contacts*
4

20
21
22
23
8. Film chamber
9. Eyepiece sensor
IR sensor activates camera
when it detects an object
nearby
!0. Viewfinder eyepiece*
1,1. Flash-control button
Used to pop-up built-in flash,
manually fire fill flash, and
cancel flash in P mode
!2. Film window
23. Pressure plate*
24. Battery cover
25. Battery-cover release
26. Guide rails
27. Tripod socket
28. Shutter*
29. Rewind button
Used to manually begin film
rewind
30. DX contacts*
• Do not touch
5

{ISliiiiKt.s of parts and displays!
Data Panel
2 3
1. Selectable setting pointers
Indicates which settings are under manual control
2. Shutter-speed display
3. Aperture display
4. Battery-condition indicator
Displays level of battery charge
5. Frame counter
6 . Film-transport signals
7. Film cartridge mark
Indicates film loaded, film rewound, film improperly loaded
8. Exposure-mode indicators
Indicates current exposure mode
9. Flash-mode indicators
Indicates current flash mode
10. Self-timer indicator
11. Manual-focus indicator
6

■ li-i U-(
tt'
i. Focus signals
(•) Continuous AF mode, appears after Eye-Start when subject is in
focus and after shutter-release button is pressed partway down if
subject is moving
• Focus locked: appears a short time after shutter-release button is
pressed part way down if subject is stationary
• ^(blinking) Focus cannot be confirmed
1. Exposure signals
In W mode:
A overexposure; ▼ underexpiosure; ▼ correct exposure
In P and A mode when flash is canceled:
■ ^ ▼ - iblinking) Camera-shake warning: current shutter speed may result in
blurry pictures
In all modes:
s, . ^
- ▼ ^blinking) Correct exposure not possible
7 ▼ - {blinking) Flash charging
5. Flash signals
^ % -/-h ^^(bltnking slowly) Flash charged
_ ^ ^ ^-(blinking rapidly) Flash output sufficient
I. Focus frame
7

r cami

PRELIMINARY
Necicstrap
above.
strap. Fasten it to the viewfinder
eyepiece whenever you use the self-
timer or make long exposures. To
attach the cap, snap it in place over
the eyepiece as shown above; pull to
cessory shoe cap which protects the
accessory-shoe contact. When you
are using a flash or other accessory,
slide the accessory shoe cap into the
eyepiece cap for safekeeping.
9

LENS
Attaching
1. Turn the body cap and (ens cap as
shown and remove them.
2. Align the red bead on the lens
barrel with the red dot on the cam¬
era's lens mount. Fit the lens into
the mount and turn the lens clock¬
wise until it locks in place with a
click.
Be careful...
• Do not force the lens if it does not turn smoothly.
• Never touch anything inside the camera, especially the lens contacts and
mirror.
" will appear in the aperture display of the data
panel if:
• No lens is attached to the camera
• The lens is not attached properly
• The AZ/MZ switch on an xi-Series lens is set to
MZ
10

Ren ii'if
1. Press the lens release and hold it
in while you turn the lens counter- ^
clockwise 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 lens elements, lens contacts,
and camera interior.
Care of Glass Surfaces
* Never touch any lens surfaces (including the eyepiece) with your fingers. If
8 lens becomes dirty, first gently clean it with a lens brush. Then, if necessary,
moisten a sheet of lens tissue with one drop of lens-cleaning fluid and,
starting from the center of the lens, wipe the glass using a circular motion.
• Never lift the mirror or touch its surface. This may impair its alignment or
scratch its face. Dust on the mirror's surface will not affect meter readings or
picture quality. If it is distracing, have the camera cleaned at an authorized
Minolta service facility.
11

BATTERY
This camera uses a 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery to supply power to all of its
operations. If you are also using an xi-Series lens, the camera battery also
supplies power to the zoom motor built into the lens.
Inserting
1. M ove the main switch to LOCK
and 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.
CAUTION
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions supplied by the battery
manufacturer.
• Do not attempt to disassemble, recharge, or short-circuit the battery. Do
not subject it to high temperatures or fire. The battery may explode and
cause severe burns.
• Keep batteries away from small children.
12

Battery-condition Indicators
Whenever you move the main switch from LOCK to ON. one of the following
indicators will appear in the data panel.
Indicator Meaning
^ p “
AUTO J
1. Full-battery symbol appears for 4 sec, after you
turn camera on—power is sufficient.
s
^ P nl
AUTO
2. Low-battery symbol appears for 4 sec. after you
turn camera on—power is sufficient, but getting
low. Keep a fresh battery handy.
AUTO
3, Low-battery symbol blinks while it appears with
other operating indicators at any time during use
—camera can be operated, but power is extremely
low. The battery will need to be changed soon.
bRtb
Scai;
4. Blinking low-battery symbol and b8tt ap-
; pears, or no display appears at all, and shutter
locks—power is insufficient for operation. Re¬
place the battery or check that the battery is in-
serted correctly.
» Indicator 4 will appear even while the main switch is set to LOCK.

(Battery)
Battery Performance
The 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery should provide sufficient power for shooting
up to 60 rolls of 24-exposure film without flash. These figures are based on
Minolta's standard test method using a fresh battery at 68°F (20°C). Actual
performance will depend on how you use the camera. If you install a new
battery that has been in prolonged storage, the camera's performance may
vary.
Cold-Weather Operation
Lithium batteries perform well in cold weather. However, if you plan to shoot
many roils of film outdoors at temperatures near or below 32°F {0°C), we
recommend that you carry the camera inside your coat to keep it warm while
you are not shooting. You may also want to carry a spare battery in your
pocket so that you can change the camera battery if necessary. Do not discard
a cold battery. After it warms up, it will regain some of its charge.
14

FILM
Automaii
35 mm him
lor Color Prims m\
i =ii-n Speed Setting
If you use DX-coded film between ISO 25 and
5CXD0, the camera will automatically set the cor¬
rect film speed. For flash photography, Minolta
recommends that you use film between ISO 25
and 1000, If you use non-DX-coded film, the
camera will automatically set ISO 100.
36 cxf'.
Loading Film
Before you load a roll of film, always check the data panel. If the film cartridge
is displayed, do not open the back cover. Check the film window and frame
counter to verify the type of film in the camera and the number of frames
remaining. (See p. 18 for instructions on rewinding an unfinished roll of film.)
• Always load film in subdued light
or shade,
• Before you load film for the first
time, carefully remove and discard
the protective plastic cover over the
shutter.
NEXT PAGE
15

(Film)
1. Open the back cover by sliding the
back-cover release downward.
2. Place the film cartridge into the
film chamber and extend the leader
between the guide rails until the tip
is just past the film-leader index.
WRONG
• NEVER TOUCH THE SHUTTER CURTAIN WITH YOUR FINGERS OR
WITH THE FILM TIP. Its precision design makes it extremely sensitive to
pressure.
• If the film leader is torn or crimped, it may not wind properly.
• If the film tip extends beyond the mark, gently push the excess back into the
cartridge.
^ NEXT PAGE
16

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 W
the film counter.
■
'
P
n
%
AUTO
u
.
AUTO
0-_j)
• 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 move the main switch to ON before you load film, do not touch the
grip sensor during the above procedures because ASZ may activate.
• If you accidentally open the back cover before you rewind the film, quickly
shut the back. The counter will reset to 1. Some of the pictures you have
already taken will be ruined or will be discolored along the edges.
17

(Film)
Aytomatic Rewind
* P
L
aJto 0 =Ly
After you have exposed the last frame, the camera will automatically rewind
the film. With a fresh battery, it takes about 18 sec. to rewind a 36-exposure
roll, or 12 sec, for a 24-exposure roll.
When the film has been completely rewound, the motor will stop and the film-
cartridge mark in the data panel will blink to indicate that it is safe to open the
back cover,
Manual Start of Rewind
To begin rewind at any time, gently
press the film rewind button on the
bottom of the camera body.
• If the motor stops before the film is
completely rewound, insert a fresh
battery.
18