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

BATTERIES AND POWER
Batteries
Use one
of the following types of
batteries:
• Two 1.
55V silver-oxide (SR-44:
Eveready 5-76,
EPX - 76 , or equiv.)
• Two 1.5V alkaline-manganese
(LR44: Eveready
A-76 or equiv.)
• One 3V lithium
(CR -l13N)
( \
1. Using a coin or si milar object ,
unscrew
the battery cover counte r·
clockwise and remove it .
alkaline -
manganese
si lver-oxide
lithium
2. Wipe the term inals with ,a clean,
dry cloth . Hold the batteries by
their edges and insert them plus (+ )
side up into the sleeve on the
inside of the cover.
• Do not use 1.
35V mercurybatteries (MR44: Eveready EPX - 675 or
equiv .), which are the same shape and size, because their voltage is
too low .
•
To avoid battery leakage or burst ing, do not mix batteries of
different types , brands; or ages .
• Keep batteries away
from young children.
9

10
3. Replace the cover and screw it
in clockwise as far as it will go.
Main switch
To operate the camera, slide the
main switch to " ON ".
When you have finished taking
pictures, move the main switch to
"OFF" to prevent accidental expo -
sures and
battery drain . (If the
switch is left on, howeve r, battery
drain occurs only when the shutter -
release
button is pressed, so you
may want to leave it on to avoid
missing unexpected shots.)
Shutter -release button
Pressing the shutter-release button
(with the main switch on) activates
the camera's meter, viewfinder LED
display, and exposure-control sys -
tem. The shutter
is released when
the button is pressed all the way
down.
The viewfinder
LED display will
remain on for 15
sec. after you
remove your finger.

Battery check
The camera automatically checks
battery power when the shutter-
release button is pressed_
• When batteries are nearly
ex -
hausted,
the mode LED ("A "
or
"M") in the viewfinder blinks to
warn that fresh batteries wi II soon
be needed.
• When batteries are
completely
exhausted (or not correctly in-
stalled), no LEOs light and the
shutter locks.
Cold-
weather operation
Since batteries tend to lose power
as temperature drops, always use
fresh batteries when
photographing
in cold weather and keep a spare set
wi th you , preferably in a warm
pocket close to your body . Battery
capacity will be restored when
temperature returns to normal.
For prolonged cold-weather use at
approx . O°C (32°F) or lower, it is
recommended to use silver-oxide
batteries;
if a lithium battery is
used below approx. 0°C (32° F l. the
camera may not operate .
11

12
FILM AND FILM SPEED
The camera uses standard 35mm
cartridge film. Each film has an ISO
film-sPlled number which indicates
the
film's sensitivity to light. The
ISO number is marked on the
camera's film-speed ring.
For proper exposure, the cam-
era's film-speed ring must be set to
the correct film speed.
Setting film speed
While pressing
the film-speed
ring release,
turn the film -speed ring
until the desired number lines up
with the index and locks in place
when
you remove your finger from
the release.
I
ntermed iate settings
'"
'" 60
Film window
The film window can be used to
confirm the type of film currently
loaded.
ISO{ ,,6 , YI i I 160
'r &&0 1250 2500
':r> ! ~ ~ I 1000 1 ~ I
illi ' , "I., - II" I I '"l, ••• in ..... ""
'e
e.

LOADING FILM
Before opening the camera back,
make sure there is no film inside
the camera
by checking the film
window (p. 12) .
NOTE
• When loading film in a dark place
or wi th the lens cap on, loading
will be easier if the mode selector is
not set at "AUTO" . 1.
Unfold the rewind crank and
pull up on it to lift the back-cover
release
knob. Pull up on the knob
until the camera back springs open .
2. Leaving
the knob pulled out,
position a 35mm film cartridge in
the chamber with its p ~ ojecting
spool down . Then push the back-
cover release
knob all the way in,
rotating it slightly if necessary.
•
Always handle and load fi lm in subdued light or at least shaded
from direct light by your body.
• Do "0' ,o.'h '"V""'""M' ~ l
inside the camera shown in blue . ~ _ .
13

14
3. Pull out just enough film leader
to reach the take-up spool. Insert
the en~ of th e film into a slot on
the left side of the take-up spool,
making sure that a hole in the film
is lined up with the tooth on the
take-up spool. The sprocket teeth
should be engaged with holes at the
bottom of the fi l m.
4. With the film held against the
sprocket by your left hand, slowly
operate the film :advance lever until
the film is wound firmly around the
take-up spool, the sprocket teeth
are engaged with holes on both
edges of the film, and the slack in
the film is taken up . If the fi lm -
advance lever stops at
the end of a
full stroke during this procedure ,
release
the shutter and continue
(main switch must be at on) .
5.
After making sure that the film
is taut, close the camera back by
pressing
it until it locks shut with a
click . A red "S" should now appear
opposite the index in the frame
counter.

6. Advance the film and release the
shutter until the index points to
"1" . A red bar should appear at the
far left in the Safe Load Signal
indicating that film is loaded and
advancing
properly . If it does not
appear or swings far to the right ,
repeat steps 3
to 6.
The camera is
now ready for taking
the first pictu re , provided fi 1m
speed is set.
Film·advance lever
The lever has 30
0
of unengaged
movement to allow swinging it out
from the camera body so the right
thumb will fit comfortably behind
it. As the lever is moved an addi-
tional 130
0
until it stops, the film
and frame counter advance and the
shutter is cocked for the next
exposure.
Safe Load
Signal/Frame counter
As you take pictures and advance
the film, the red bar in the Safe
Load Signal
gradually moves to the
right and the rewind crank rotates
counterclockwise, indicating proper
film advance. '
Never
force the film·advance
lever when it stops and resists
further movement at the end of the
film, which may be somewhat
after the common film lengths
(12,20 , 24 , 36 exposures) shown in
red in the frame counter. The frame
counter stops advancing after 36
exposures.
15

16
VIEWFINDER
o Mode indicators
M: Manual mode
A : Auto mode
CD Over-range LED
Blinks at 4Hz (4 times per second)
e Shutter-5peed scale/LEOs
• Glowing LED(s) indicate : (1) in "A" (auto)
mode , shutter speed set by camera (if two
LEOs glow , camera has set stepless speed
between the two). and (2) in "M" (manual)
mode, the metered speed
•
Blinking LED (at 4Hz) indicates user-5et
shutter speed in manual mode
• "SO" LED blinks at 3Hz as flash-ready
signal
with X-series Minolta Auto Electro-
flashes
(!)
1-4 sec .l under-range LED
Glows if metered speed is betllveen 1 and 4
sec .
Blinks (at 4Hz) if outside range
G B-setting indicator
o Focusing screen
Split-image spot, microprism band, and
Acute Matte field
e Aperture indicator

PRESHOOTING CHECK
Check the following items to
make sure your camera is ready for
picture-taking :
Main
switch at "ON"? ------ --- ...
Self-timer off?
t--- Minimum-aperture lock released?
j],.I.~w.L.LLi..lL&.l..u .......... ~:!tI' (on new-type MD lens only)
Batteries OK? ________________ ...J
'--------- Mode/shutter speed set?
(Does mode LED glow-not blink-when
shutter-release button is pressed?)
17

18
TAKING PICTURES IN AUTO MODE
CAMERA SETTINGS
Set mode/shutter-speed selector
to "AUTO ".
In aperture-priority auto mode,
all you need to do is set the desired
aperture-the camera will automati-
cally select the shutter speed
needed
for proper exposure.
Viewfinder display
Before releasing the shutter, com-
pose
your picture, focus, and check
the viewfinder for the following :
•
Is the under -range LED blinking?
If so , turn the aperture ring
toward the largest aperture (j. e. ,
f/2, f/1 .7, or f/1.4, etc.) until the
LED stops blinking, or increase the
light level if possible.
•
Is the over-range LED blinking? If
so, turn the aperture ring toward
the smallest aperture (j.e., f/16 or
f/22) until the LED stops blinking .
If it does not stop , use a neutral-
density (ND) filter, or reduce the
light level if possible.
•
Is an LED on indicating 1/30 sec .
or slower shutter speed? Using
slow shutter speeds may result in
blurred pictures due to camera
movement . To correct , turn the
aperture ring toward the largest
aperture (i.e., f/2, f/1.7, f/1.4,
etc., ) until the 1/60 sec . LED
lights. If this is not possible, use
a tripod (P. 22) or flash (P . 31 ).
NOTE
• In some situations you should use
the AE lock
(p . 24).
• If your head is not shielding the
eyepiece from light when the
picture is taken
(as when usi ng
self-timer), attach the eyepiece cap
(p .22).