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.