Minolta VECTIS 40 User manual

Thank you for purchasing the Minolta Vectis 40. The Vectis 40 is a compact lens
shutter camera from Minolta’s new line of Advanced Photo System™ products.
Your camera features drop-in loading, date/time and title imprinting, a 30 to
120mm zoom lens, and a viewfinder with a field of view comparable to most
35mm SLRs. Your camera is also Splashproof and can be used outdoors without
worry, even in light rain and snow.
This manual has been designed to help you understand the operation of your
camera and its functions. Please familiarize yourself with the names of the
controls and their locations on the camera, then read this manual thoroughly.
Advanced Photo System™ is a trademark of the five system developing
companies, including Minolta.
Triple Format Selection
- Three print formats are available with this
camera: H Print , C Print, and P Print. The
viewfinder frame changes to match each
format selection.
Date and Title Imprinting
- Before taking the picture, you can
choose to have date information printed on
the front and/or one of three preselected
titles printed on the back of your prints.
MRC - Mid Roll Change
- You can rewind the film in the middle of
the roll, then reload it at a later time.
When the film is reloaded, the camera will
automatically advance the film to the first
unexposed frame.
Print Quantity Selection
- You can choose how many prints you will
receive from the lab before taking the
picture.
Advanced Photo System features included in this camera:
DEP - Double Exposure Prevention
- You don’t need to worry about
accidentally reexposing your film. Your
camera reads the indicators on the film
cassette to prevent reexposure of
previously exposed film.
PQI - Print Quality Improvement
- Your camera records information about
lighting conditions and exposure on the
film to assist the lab with color correction
and exposure adjustments, providing you
with the best possible results.

SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION
Close-up Mode........................................52
Portrait Mode...........................................54
Night Portrait Mode .................................56
Landscape/Night View Mode..................58
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Print Quantity Selection...........................60
Date Imprinting........................................63
Title Imprinting.........................................69
Self-timer..................................................78
Continuous-drive Mode...........................80
Remote Control.......................................81
APPENDIX
Lab Services............................................86
Caring For Your Camera ........................88
Technical Details.....................................90
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE...................4
NAMES OF PARTS.....................................14
GETTING STARTED
Attaching the Strap..................................19
Installing the Battery................................20
Checking the Battery Power...................21
Diopter Adjustment..................................22
BASIC OPERATION
Loading Film............................................24
Full Auto Operation .................................29
For Closer Subjects.................................33
Special Focusing Situations....................35
Focus Hold...............................................37
Rewinding the Film..................................39
Processing...............................................43
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
Flash Lamp..............................................45
Flash Range............................................45
Selecting the Flash Mode.......................46
Red-eye Reduction .................................47
Manual Fill-flash ......................................48
Flash Cancel............................................49

54
EXAMPLES
The outer triangle is for warning. The symbol inside illustrates what is being
warned against. The example at left means beware of electric shock.
The circle with a diagonal slash is for prohibition ("don’t do"). The symbol
inside illustrates what act is prohibited. The example at left means do not
disassemble.
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
Various symbols are used throughout this instruction manual, and the product itself, for the
proper and safe use of this product and to prevent personal injury, injury to others, and
property damage. An explanation of the symbols follows. Read and understand each caution
thoroughly before reading the main text of this instruction manual.
STANDARD SYMBOLS

7
CAUTION
Do not walk while looking through the viewfinder, you may trip and fall causing
injury.
Do not fire the flash near the eyes of people or animals, especially infants and
young children. Do not fire the flash if your subject is closer than the minimum
flash distance stated in the manual.
If the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is
exposed, immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use.
Do not disassemble. Take your camera to a Minolta Service Facility
when repairs are required.
Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit inside the camera is
touched.
SAFETY CAUTIONS
6
Read and understand all cautions and warnings thoroughly before using this product.
WARNING
Do not touch the flashtube during operation - it may become hot when the flash
fires.
Do not look directly at the sun through the viewfinder.
Do not subject the camera to direct sunlight. Fire may occur if the sunlight focuses
at one point.

98
Carefully observe the following warnings when using this product near young children or
persons who may have difficulty perceiving the potential danger associated with these products.
WARNING
USE CAUTION
If caution is not used, the following accidents or others may occur:
• Flash fired near the eye.
• Strap wound around the neck.
SAFETY CAUTIONS CONT.
BATTERIES MAY EXPLODE DUE TO IMPROPER USE.
Read and follow all warnings supplied with the batteries.
• Do not install batteries upside down (± reversed).
• Do not use batteries with visible damage.
• Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures.
• Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble.
• Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, or ages.
BATTERY CAUTIONS

1110
SPLASHPROOF
THIS CAMERA IS SPLASHPROOF AND CAN BE USED IN LIGHT RAIN OR SNOW.
• Do not place the camera under running water or immerse.
Please Note:
1. When using the camera outdoors in heavy rain, keep the camera protected from the rain.
2. The interior of the camera is not moisture resistant.
-Dry the camera before opening the film or battery chambers.
-When inserting or removing film or batteries, keep your hands dry.
3. Do not load film or replace batteries in places where water, blowing sand, or dust can enter the
camera.
4. This camera is not sandproof, do not place the camera directly on the ground.
5. Remove moisture from the camera, especially salt water and spilled liquids containing sugar.
6. If the rubber seals appear cracked or damaged, contact the nearest Minolta Service Facility to have
them replaced.
7. Close the film and battery chamber covers tightly. Clean the rubber seals before closing covers.
8. The IR Remote Control RC-3 is not splashproof.
SAFETY CAUTIONS CONT.
CAUTION
YOUNG CHILDREN MAY SWALLOW SMALL OBJECTS
Keep small accessories, or things that could be swallowed, away from young
children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is swallowed.
BATTERY CAUTION
YOUNG CHILDREN MAY SWALLOW BATTERIES
Keep batteries away from young children.

1312
FILM CASSETTE WARNING
The film used in Advanced Photo System cameras stores some data magnetically. Do not
place the cassette on or near anything that creates a magnetic field, such as a television or
stereo speakers.
CAMERA ERROR
If all the indicators in the data panel blink, or the data panel is blank and the camera will not
function with fresh batteries, remove and reinsert the batteries. If normal operation does not
resume or the camera malfunctions repeatedly, contact an authorized Minolta Service
Facility.
OPERATING CONDITIONS
OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND CONDITIONS
•This camera is designed for use from -10° to 40° C (14° to 104° F).
•Never leave your camera where it may be subjected to extreme temperatures, such as the
glove compartment of a car.
•At colder temperatures, the data panel response time will be slow; at higher temperatures,
the display will temporarily darken, but will restore when the temperature normalizes.
•Never subject the camera to extreme humidity.
•To prevent condensation from forming, place the camera in a sealed plastic bag when
bringing it from the cold exterior into a warm building. Allow it to come to room temperature
before removing it from the bag.
•When photographing in cold weather, we recommend that you keep the camera and spare
batteries inside your coat to keep them warm when you are not shooting. Cold batteries
will regain some of their charge when they warm up.

1514
NAMES OF PARTS - Camera Body
Shutter-release button
Self-timer/Remote-control indicator Metering window *
Autofocus window *
Viewfinder window *
Remote-control receiver *
Lens *
Format switch
Flash
Main switch Zoom leverViewfinder *
Diopter-adjustment
dial
Flash-mode
button
Self-timer/
Remote-control
button Subject-program-select button
Strap eyelet
Battery cover
Manual-rewind button
Film-chamber release
Film chamber
(* Do not touch)

17
Viewfinder
16
NAMES OF PARTS - Data Panel
12 34
5
6
7
9
10
8
12
11
1314
15
16
22
18 17
20 21
19 23 1
43
2
1.Close-up mode indicator
2.Portrait mode indicator
3.Night Portrait mode indicator
4.Landscape/Night View mode indicator
5.Subject-program pointer
6.Film-speed mark
7.Focal-length mark
8.Title/Date/Time/Focal-length/Film-
speed/Print quantity indicator
9.Frame counter
10. Film-transport signals
11. Battery-condition indicator
12. Film-cassette mark
13. Remote-control indicator
14. Self-timer indicator
15. Continuous-drive indicator
16. Flash-mode indicators
17. Date button
18. Adjust button
19. Select button
20. Title button
21. Print button
22. Title mark
23. Print mark
1.Close-framing guides
2.Focus lamp (green)
3.Flash lamp (orange)
4.Focus frame

1918
ATTACHING THE STRAP
Attach the strap as shown.
GETTING STARTED

2120
CHECKING THE BATTERY POWER
Your camera is equipped with an automatic battery-power indicator. Each time the main
switch is turned on, a symbol will appear in the data panel to indicate the power status of the
batteries. It is recommended that you always carry spare batteries in your camera bag.
If no display appears, replace the batteries or check that they are inserted
correctly.
If the blinking low-battery symbol appears in the data panel with the other
indicators, you can still use the camera, but the batteries will need to be replaced
soon.
If the blinking low-battery symbol appears alone; the shutter will lock until the
batteries are replaced.
The full-battery symbol indicates that power is sufficient for all camera
operations.
•To save power, your camera will automatically shut off if it is not operated for more than three minutes.
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
Your camera uses two 3-volt CR2 batteries to supply power for
all camera operations. Please read all warnings in the Safety
Cautions section of this manual as well as those supplied by
the battery manufacturer.
1. Using a coin, open the battery-chamber door as shown.
•Before removing the old battery, turn the camera off.
•Remove dirt and moisture from the camera and battery before
opening the battery chamber cover.
2. Insert the batteries into the chamber as indicated by the
+ and - marks.
3. Snap the battery-chamber door shut.
•If the battery-chamber cover is not closed correctly, moisture may
enter the camera.
•After installing a new battery,-- -- -- will blink in the display, reset the
date and time. See page 65.

23
BASIC OPERATION
DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT
22
Use the diopter adjustment to customize the viewfinder for your eyesight. The diopter
adjustment range is ±2.0 diopters.
•Do not adjust the viewfinder’s diopter when close-up mode is selected.
To adjust :
1.Point the camera at a brightly lit subject or a white
wall.
2.While looking through the viewfinder, turn the
diopter-adjustment dial until the focus frame appears
sharp.

25
Use IX240 type film from ISO 25 - 3200. Your camera will automatically set the proper
ISO for the film you are using.
1.Press the main switch to turn the camera on.
•The film can be loaded when the camera is on or off.
24
LOADING FILM
Your camera uses IX240 type film designed for use in Advanced Photo System cameras.
•Your camera has an automatic transport system which loads the film, sets the film speed, and
advances the film after each exposure.
•Once loaded, the Film-Chamber Lock feature prevents the film chamber from being opened until
the film is rewound into the cassette.
•There is no need to worry about double exposure. The DEP (Double Exposure Prevention)
feature prevents the camera from loading exposed film.
Visual Exposure Indicators (VEI)
•The current VEI has a white indicator behind it.
VEI MEANING
●UNEXPOSED
◗PARTIALLY EXPOSED
✖EXPOSED
■PROCESSED
•This camera can load film with the ●or ◗VEI current.
•Only partially-exposed (VEI ◗) film rewound in a Minolta camera with Mid Roll
Change capability can be loaded in this camera.

27
4.Press the film-chamber door closed.
The cassette mark and the film’s ISO appear in the data
panel, then the film is advanced to the first frame. The frame
counter will show the number of frames remaining on the
roll.
•If film is loaded with the camera off, all indicators will disappear after
the number of frames remaining is displayed.
•After the film is loaded, pressing the film-chamber release button
will display the exposure number and the film’s ISO in the data
panel.
•If a partially-exposed roll of film (VEI ◗) is loaded into this camera,
the film will be advanced to the first unexposed frame.
LOADING FILM
26
3.Open the film-chamber door and insert the film into
the film chamber with the VEI on top as shown.
2.Turn the camera upside down and press the film-
chamber release as shown. The film-chamber
door will open partway.
•The film-chamber door will only open if the chamber is empty or
the film in the chamber is completely rewound into the cassette.
•Before opening the film chamber, wipe any dirt or moisture off
of the camera.

29
FULL-AUTO OPERATION
1.Press the main switch to turn the camera on. Full-
Auto and autoflash modes are set.
•The flash will fire automatically when necessary. See page 44, 45.
2.Select the print format. The viewfinder will change to
match your selection.
LOADING FILM
28
If the film-transport signals and 0 blink in the data panel,
press the film-chamber release and remove the film.
•If the film’s current VEI is ✖or ■, insert a new roll of film.
•If a processed roll of film was loaded into this camera, the
VEI has been changed from ■to ✖.
•If the film’s current VEI is ●or ◗, remove the film. Remove
and reinsert the batteries, then reload the film. If the film will
not load, contact the nearest authorized Minolta Service
Facility.

31
FULL-AUTO OPERATION
30
3.Looking through the viewfinder, frame the subject as
desired.
Press W on the zoom lever to zoom out.
Press T on the zoom lever to zoom in.
4.Center your subject in the focus frame then press the
shutter-release button partway down.
Hold the camera steady, making sure your fingers do not
cover the flash. If you are taking a vertically framed picture,
turn the camera so the flash is on top.

1.6m - ∞
120mm
32
FULL-AUTO OPERATION
5.When the green focus-lamp glows, press the shutter-
release button all-the-way down to take the picture.
•In low-light conditions, the AF Illuminator (flash) will fire to
determine focus distance.
•If the orange flash-lamp blinks quickly, the flash is not charged.
•Press the shutter with a slow steady squeeze, never a quick jab.
The frame counter in your camera displays the number of
frames remaining, not the number of frames taken.
33
FOR CLOSER SUBJECTS
The green focus-lamp will blink quickly and the shutter will lock when you are closer than the
focus distance indicated below.
Print Format C or H Formats P Format
Focal Length 30mm
Focus Distance 0.5m - ∞30mm 120mm 1.0m - ∞2.0m - ∞
•If you are too close, the green focus-lamp will blink slowly and the picture will not be in focus.

3534
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS
Some subjects or scenes, like those described below, are difficult for the autofocus system to
detect. To ensure proper focus in these situations, first lock focus on another object the same
distance from you as your main subject, then recompose and take the picture.
When a very bright
or low-contrast area
fills the center of the
viewfinder.
The green focus-lamp will blink slowly to
warn you that focus may not be accurate.
When your subject
is near a very bright
object or area. The green focus-lamp may glow, but
the focus may not be accurate.
FOR CLOSER SUBJECTS
When your subject is closer than 1.6m
(5.2 ft.) in C or H format, 5.0m (16.4 ft.) in
P format, compose your picture within the
close-framing guides using focus hold if
necessary. See page 37.
For close-up photography, see the
Close-up Mode section on page 53.

3736
FOCUS HOLD
If you want to take a picture with the main subject
outside of the focus frame, use focus hold to ensure
accurate focusing. Focus hold should also used in the
special situations described on the previous page.
1.Center your subject in the focus frame.
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS
When two subjects
overlap in the focus
frame. The green focus-lamp will glow and the
closer of the two subjects will be in focus.
When a subject
composed of
alternating light and
dark lines fills the
center of the
viewfinder.
The green focus-lamp will blink rapidly
and the shutter will lock.
(Continued on the following page)

3938
REWINDING THE FILM - AUTOMATIC
Your camera automatically rewinds the film into the cassette
after the last exposure.
1.Wait for the film to completely rewind into the cassette.
•The frame counter will count down during rewind.
•0will appear in the frame counter and will blink when the film is
rewound.
2.Turn the camera upside-down, then press the film-
chamber release to open the film-chamber
door.
•Before opening the film-chamber door, wipe any dirt or moisture off
of the camera.
FOCUS HOLD
2.Press and hold the shutter-release button
partway down until the green focus-lamp
glows.
3.Without lifting your finger, recompose the
picture and press the shutter-release button
all-the-way down to take the picture.
•Lift your finger from the shutter-release button to cancel
focus hold.
3.Open the film-chamber door and remove the film.
•The film’s VEI indicator will be ✖.