Minolta X-370 User manual

X-370
MINOITA
OWNER'S MANUAL
~

Your Minolta X-370 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-370 auto-
matically sets
the precise shutter speed for correct exposure according to the in-camera meter 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
close-
up accessories such as bellows- not possible with shutter-priority AE systems.
Creative flexibility exists in
the X-370's match-LEO/full-metered manual mode: For correct
exposure at the metered value, simply adjust aperture and/or shutter speed to align blinking and
glowing LEOs
in the viewfinder. Or you can merely refer to these LEOs-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-
370 can be used with Minolta's wide range of accessories, such as wideangle, telephoto,
and zoom lenses, Motor Drive 1, Auto Winder G, Wireless Controller IR-1, 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 taking 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
Film·plane index . .. . . .. ...... . ... .. 30
Safe Load Signal/Frame counter .. .. ... . . 15
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY . . • . . .. . . ..... 31
VIEWFINDER .. ...... . . .... ... . . .. 16 ACCESSORIES.
.............. . ... .. 32
PRESHOOTING CHECK .... ... .. .. .... 17
TECHNICAL DETAILS ...... . ....... . 34
TAKING PICTURES IN AUTO MODE .. . . 18 CARE
AND STORAGE . . ........... . . 36
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

2
NAMES OF PARTS
Mounting index Minimum-aperture lock (Disengage for use on X-370)
Focusing grip
__________ ----:
Distance scale ---------_
Aperture ring ------- ___ ....
;---------- Depth-of-field scale
Main switch
---------_---.:
Back-cover release knob
Rewind crank --- +-
Film-speed ring -- --l.,-
Film-speed
window --~ ::::f ;""11-"""·:";" lIii. ~~ .~
Operating button
Film-speed ring release _____ --l
Hotshc~ ---------------~
Mode/shutter-speed window
AUTO: automatic mode
1 - 1000 : shutter speeds
B:
"bulb " (long) exposure
Frame counter
L- _____ Finger rest
L----- Film-advance lever

AE lock/self - timer switclh -----~
• AE lock for holding close-up or
adju s ted - viewing meter readings
. Self-
timer with triple -rate
blinking LED
Mode/shu tter-speed ----' ~;;.-III _ ••
selector
Self-timer LED
Front grip -----
Bayonet lens mount ____________ ---J
Me coupler
.-------------- Lens-mounting index
.------- -+- - Lens -release button
Shutter-release socket
------ Mirror
L----------- Diaphragm-controllever
3

Film-cartridge chambftlr -- ..:.... ..c:
~~ • ., L r- -------------- Take-up spool
Shutterculrtalln ---------
Pressu re plate
EV~,~ce -------------------------~
EVepiece frame ------- -.,.,....;:=- .... ...::. "'"
Memo holde'r --------
Winder cOI~talCt ------ _4
Batterv-chamber cover --:----'------ f?
Motor-drive guide socket
4 Motor-drive contacts _____ ---J
Back cover
----------- ISO (DIN-ASA) table
r--------- Rewind release
Winder/motor-drive guide socket
'------- Winder/motor-drive coupler
=------------------- 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 "
(p . 10).
4. Open back cover (p. 13).
2. Check battery power
(p . 11).
5. Load film properly and
close cover (p.
14).
3. Set film speed (p. 12).
6. Advance film to frame "1"
and check Safe Load Signal
(p. 15).

7. Set mode/shutter -speed se·
lector
to "AUTO" (p. 18l.
10. Release shutter (p . 21l.
8. Select lens aperture (p. 19l.
11. Slide main switch to "OFF ".
9. Adjust focus (p. 2Ol.
12. Rewind
and remove film
(p . 23l.
7

8
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENS
Body and lens caps
Remove
body and lens caps as
shown.
j
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 with its rear end down unless a rear lens cap is on,
or its control pins may be damaged.
•
Be careful not to touch anything inside the camera, especially the
mirror, when attaching or removing lenses.

BATTERIES AND POWER
Batteries
Use one of the following types of
batteries:
•
Two 1.55v silver-oxide (5R-44 :
Eveready 5-76,
EPX-76 , or equi v.)
• Two 1.5v alkaline -manganese
(LR44 : Eveready A-76 or equiv .)
• One
3v lithium (CR-1/3N)
1. Using a coin or similar object ,
unscrew the battery - chamber cover
counterclockwise and remove it .
alkaline -
manganese
silver-oxide
lithium
2. Wipe the terminals 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 mercury batteries (MR44 : Eveready EPX-675 or
equiv.), which are the same shape and size, because their voltage is
too low.
• To avoid battery leakage or bursting, 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, however, battery
drain occurs oniy when the operat-
ing button is touched, so you may
want to leave it on to avoid missing
unexpected shots .)
Operating button
Touching the operation button
(with the main switch on) activates
the camera's meter, viewfinder LED
display,
and exposu re-control sys-
tem . If proper contact is not
possible (e .g., when wearing gloves),
press the operating button slightly.
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 operating
button is touched or pressed.
• When
batteries are nearly ex-
hausted, the mode LED ("A"
or "Moo) in the viewfinder blinks to
warn that fresh batteries wi II soon
be needed .
• When
batteries are completely
exhausted (or not correctly in-
stalled l. no LE Ds 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
with 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·speed
number (incorporating
A5A and DIN numbers) which
indicates the film's sensitivity to
l ight . The first part of the ISO
number (equivalent to A5A 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.
Memo holder
An ISO (DIN'A5A) table is
located on
the camera back. It is
surrounded by a handy memo
holder wh e re you can insert th e
film bo x end as a remi nder of th e
film type in use.
Intermediate settings and DIN equivalents
ASA{ ............, ' 1,20
1
," 5,,40
1
~ ""I '- ''' '' 1'' .. "",'20
1
~ 500 l M. .. .,;,"'" """, ~ 25001
DIN { ~ I ~ 1 !';' i ~~' 1 ;:' 11 ~O!ff~!ii I !ii'
1617 2223 2!i 26 28 29 31 32 J4 35

LOADING FILM
Before opening the camera back,
make sure there
is no film inside
the camera
by checking the Safe
Load Signal (p.
15).
NOTE
• When loading film in a dark place
or with 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
unt il the camera back springs open .
2. Leaving
the knob pulled out ,
position a 35mm film cartridge in
the chamber with its project i ng
spool down. Then push the back-
cover release k
nob all the way in,
rotating it slightly if necessary.
•
Always handle and load film in subdued light - at least shaded
from direct light by your body .
• Do "" ''''h '"V P"" "'"'' ~ ~ O J JI
inside the camera shown in blue . ~
13

14
3. Pull out just enough film leader
to reach the take - up spool. Insert
the end of the 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
shouId be engaged with holes at the
bottom of the film .
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 film -
advance lever stops at
the end of a
full stroke during this procedure,
release the shutter and continue
(main switch must be on).
~~~ \t
~
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
fu rther movement at the end of the
film, which may be somewhat
before or 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
o Over-range LED
Blinks at 4Hz (4 times per second)
e Shutter-speed scale/LEOs
Glowing LED(s) indicate : (1) in " A" (auto)
mode, shutter speed set by camera (if two
LEDs glow, camera sets stepless speed
between the two). and (2) in "M " (manual)
mode, the metered speed
Blinking LED (at 4Hz) indicates user-set
shutter speed in manual mode
"60" LED blinks at 2Hz as flash-ready
signal
with X-series Minolta Auto Electro-
fla s hes
CD 1 - 4 sec.lunder-range LED
Glows if metered speed is between 1 and 4
sec .
Blinks (at 4Hz) if outside range
o B-setting indicator
o Focusing screen
Split-image spot , microprism band, and
Acute Matte field

PRESHOOTING CHECK
Check the following items to
make sure your camera is ready for
picture-taking :
Main
switch at "ON"? -------
Film speed
Batteries
OK? ---------------- ....
(Does mode LED glow-not blink-when
operating button is touched or pressed?)
Self-timer off?
r--- Minimum-aperture lock released?
(on
new-type MD lens only)
....----- t-ilm inside?
L-------- Mode/shutter speed set?
17

18
TAKING PICTURES IN AUTO MODE
CAMERA SETTINGS
Set mode/shutter -speed selector
to "AUTO" .
Set lens
at desired aperture . .
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 (i.e.,
f/2, f/l .7, or f/l.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 (i.e., f/16 or
f/22) until the LED stops blinking .
If it does not stop, use a neutral-
density (NO) filter, or reduce the
light level if possible.
•
Is an LED on i ndicating 1/30 sec.
or slower shutter speed? Using
slow shutter speeds may result in
blurred pictures due to camera
movement . To correct, turn th e
aper
ture ring toward the largest
aperture (i .e., f/l .7, f/ l.4, etc.,)
until the 1/60 sec . LED lights.
If 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 I ight when the
picture is taken (as when using
self-timer or a cable release), atta ch
the eyepiece cap (p. 22)