Minolta X-300s User manual

MINOITA X-300s/X-3jONMAN~

Your Minolta X-300s /370N is an easy-to-use microcomputerized single-lens-reflex (SLR)
camera
with quartz control of mechanical sequences and shutter speed, providing lasting accuracy
and years of enjoyment.
In its aperture-priority auto-exposure (AE) mode ("
AUTO" on the camera), the X-300s/370N auto-
matica"y sets the precise shutter speed, according to the in-camera meter for correct exposure, at
the aperture you selected. An AE lock can be used to hold a meter reading and then readjust the
framing before releasing
the shutter. Auto control is maintained even when using mirror lenses and
clo
.se -upaccessories such as bellows-not possible with shutter-priority AE systems.
Creative
flexibility exists in the X-300s /370N'S match- LED / fu"-metered manual mode: For
correct exposure at the metered value, simply adjust aperture and/or shutter speed to align blinking
and glowing LEDs in the viewfinder. Or you can also merely refer to these
LEDs -or totally
disregard
them-when making your own settings.
Flash photography is also simple:
just attach a Minolta X-series Auto Electroflash, adjust
aperture, and shoot. Flash-ready signal is given in the viewfinder, and the shutter is automatically set
for proper sync. at 1/
60 sec.
The X-
300s /370N can be used with Minolta's wide range of accessories, such as wideangle,
telephoto, and zoom lenses,
Motor Drive 1, Auto Winder G, and much more.
Before using
lenses, flashes, or other accessories made by companies other than Minolta,
attach them
to the camera and make sure they function properly by tak i ng test photographs.

CONTENTS
NAMES OF PARTS . . . . . .. ..... ... .. .2 CREATIVE CONTROL .
.... .... . .. ... 24
STRAP AND CASE . .. .. . . . .. . . .. .....5
AE LOCK . .... .. .. . . .... .... ... .. 24
SUMMARY OF OPERATION (auto mode). . .6
MANUAL EXPOSURE MODE . . . ..... . . . 26
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES . .. . . . .8 Long exposure at "B" setting ... ... .. . . . 27
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENS .. . ... .8 DEPTH OF
FIELD . . .. . . .. ...... ... . 28
BATTERIES AND POWER . .. ... .. .... .. 9
SHUTTER SPEED . .... . .. .. .... . . .. . 29
Battery check ... . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . 11
OTHER FOCUSING METHODS . .. . ... . . . 30
Cold-weather operation . . .. . . . .. .. . . .. 11
Distance scale .. ... ... . . .. . ... ... .. 30
FILM AND FILM SPEED ... ... . . .. . . . . 12
Infrared index .. . . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. .. 30
LOADING FILM . ..... .... . .. . ..... 13 FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY . . ... . .... •. .. 31
Safe Load Signal/Frame counter .... ... .. 15 ACCESSORIES.. . .. .. . ... ... ..... .. 32
VIEWFINDER .... . .. . . . .. . .. .. . ... 16 TECHNICAL DETAILS .. . .
.... . .. . . .. 34
PRESHOOTING CHECK .... .. .. ..... .. 17 CARE
AND STORAGE . .. ... ...... ... 36
TAKING PICTURES IN AUTO MODE . .. . 18
CAMERA SETTINGS . .. .... . .. . . ... . . 18
FOCUSING ... . . . .. ... ... .. . .. .. . . 20
HOLDING CAMERA AND RELEASING
SHUTTER . .
.. .. .. ... ... . . .. .... 21
Mounting camera on tripod .. • . ... ..... 22
Self·timer ...... .. ... ... . . . . .. ... 22
Eyepiece cap . ... ...... .. .. .. . . ... 22
REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM .... . 23

NAMES OF PARTS
Mounting index
MI",rnum - ""'~rtlllr"lock (Disengage for use on X- 300s /370N)
Focusing grip
----------
Distan~ scale --------- -l'-ilU~ ~!'i~~- ......
Aperture
Main switch ---------- ....:!Iiiif"
Back-cover release knob
~ --------- Depth -of-field scale
fe Load Signal
Monitors correct film advance
,
Rewind crank --- .u..~". - ...N • .f t"1
Film-speed ring __ "","", ~~~~~~
Film-speed window -----' =- - ~ ~e~~~~~ e::~E ~ ~'~~iie :t ~:; f
Shutter -release button
Film-speed ring release -----
Sync . contact -------------~
2 Camera control contact __________ --.J
Mode/shutter-speed window
AUTO: automatic mode
"----- Frame counter
1 - 1000 : shut ter speeds
B:
"bulb " (long) exposure L------ Film-advancelever

AE lock/self-timer switch -----...,
• AE lock for holding close-up or
adjusted-viewing
meter readings
Me coupler
• Self-timer with th ree-rate b I~i n~k~- __ J. -=r::lll_", tt -;;;;; i;';~~~~~ ifiiiijrnib i -
ing LED
Mode/shutter-speed
- -;_ =='~:im ij g~~"l -l ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
selector
Lens-mounting index
\.J ;:::===~;=!:t- - Lens-release button
Strap eyel~t
Self-timer LED -- --I~ -+-+ +I+ +
\ \\I I- --- -t - t- Shutter -release socket
Front grip ---- + -~ .
~~== ~;;;;;;;;;;;;~~JJ U- ---- -!..--1 -----~ 'ivrirror
Bayonet lens mount -------------1
L- __________ Diaphragm-control lever
3

Accessory shoe
Film-cartridge
c :: a : m : be = r ~][~a~~~i~~t~~'~R~~er ;;;;;;;;;~~~~ n~ - Take-up spool
Shutter curtain ...,..-
-t"'f-fIoiH -- Pressure plate
SPr 9 cket ------------ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~::~~ii ~~;;;;;;= _____ j
Eyepiece __________________ --,
,------------------ Sack cover
Eyepiece frame
-------- ~ ~~~=~;j~~ t ~~i;~ ~-..
Film window -------- -I-_ +_
Winder contact ------- f~~i~~~~~fF~~~~~~~[ ==- ::::::=: Rewind release
Battery cover Winder/motor-drive guide socket
Motor-drive
gu ide socket ____ -I
Winder/motor-drive coupler
4 Motor-drive
COlnli'C15 _______ -'
L- ___________________________ Tripod socket

STRAP AND CASE
Attach the strap (provided) and case (optional) as shown. The strap includes a battery holder used for storing
fresh spare batte ries.
Battery holder
5

6
SUMMARY OF OPERATION (Automatic mode)
1. Slide main switch to "ON" (po10).
4. Open back cover (po 13) .
2. Check battery power (po 11) .
o
5. Load film properly and
close cover
(po 14).
3. Set film speed (po 12).
6. Advance film to frame "1"
and check Safe Load Signal
(p.15).

10. Release shutter (P. 21 ).
9.
Adjust focus (p. 20).
11 . Slide main switchto ··OFF· (p . 10). 12.Rewind and remove film
(p. 23).
7

8
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENS
Body and lens caps
Remove
body and lens caps as
shown .
To attach
Align the red mounting index on
the lens barrel with the red index
on the camera's lens mount . Insert
the lens bayonet into the mount,
then turn the lens clockwise until it
locks into place with a click .
To remove
While pressing
the lens-release but-
ton, turn the lens counterclockwise
as far as it will go, then lift it out of
the mount .
• Never set a lens
mount -side down unless a rear lens cap is attached;
otherwise, its control pins may be damaged.
•
Be careful not to touch anything inside the camera, especially the
mirror , when attaching or removing lenses. I