Minolta X-7A User manual

• .
t;. ' ,',
,.' x " A INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MINOLTA ' , - , . . [gJ
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Your Minolta X-7A 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 cameral. the X-7A 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-7A'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-7A can be used with Minolta's wide range of accessories, such
as wideangle, telephoto,
and zoom lenses, Motor Orive 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
STRAP AND CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SUMMARY OF OPERATION (auto mode). .. 6
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES . .. . ... 8
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENS ... .. .. 8
BATTERIES AND POWER . . . . ......... .9
Battery check ... '" . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 11
Cold-weather operation . . . . . . . . . . . .... 11
FILM AND FILM SPEED ... . . .. ....... 12
LOADING FILM ... . ... ... ... .. ....13
Safe Load Signal/Frame counter . . . .... . : 15
VIEWFINDER .... . ... . ........ ... . 16
PRESHOOTING CHECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
TAKING PICTURES IN AUTO MODE . ... 18
CAMERA SETTINGS .. ........ . .. . ... 18
FOCUSING ........... . ... . . . . . ... 20
HOLDING CAMERA AND RELEASING
SHUTTER
... . . ... ..... ... ..... . 21
Mount i ng camera on tripod . ...... ... .. 22
Se l f-timer . .. .. , .. . .... .. . ....... 22
Eyepiece cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22
REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM . . . . . 23
CREATIVE CONTROL . .. . .. . .... . ... 24
AE LOCK . .... . .......... . ..... . . 24
MANUAL EXPOSURE MODE .......... . 26
Long exposure
at " B" s et ti ng .... . .. .... 27
DEPTH OF FIELD .. . ...... . .. ..... . 28
SHUTTER SPEED . ...... . .. . .... _ .. . 29
OTHER FOCUSING METHODS .......... 30
Distance scale . . ... ..... ... . . . . .. . 30 .
Infrared
index ..... . ... _ ....... . . . 30
. Film -plane index .... ..... ..... .. .. . 30
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ......... . .... 31
ACCESSORIES. ........... .. .... . .. 32
TECHNICAL DETAilS .. . .. . .... . .... 34
CARE AND STORAGE . ...... .. .... . . 36

NAMES OF PARTS
Mounting index Minimum-
aperture lock (Disengage for use on X-7A)
Focusing
Distance .....,,".
__________________ --....:
Aperture
r-------------- Depth-of-field scale
Main
swlu;ln _____________________ ~
Rewind cra""' _____ -I-
Film-speed window ____ -I
OD .. r.'ti~,a bu tton
Film-speed ring release _____ .l
Hotshoe ___________________ ~
Mode/shutter-speed window Frame counter
AUTO: automatic mode
1 _ 1000: shutter speeds Finger rest
2 B:
"bulb" (long) exposure L------- Film-advance lever

AE lock/self-timer switch -----.,
, AE lock for holding close-up or
adjusted-viewing meter readings
, Self-
timer with triple-rate
blinking LED
selector
Self - timer LED
Front grip -----
Bayonet lens mount -------------..1
Lens-mounting index
Lens -release button
-Slmt :te,'-relle"se socket
------ Ililirror
...... ----------- Dia~lhragm-control lever
3

Film-cartridge cham
Shutter cul-tailn -----
Sprocket -------
Eyepiece ------------------,
Eyepiece frame ---------
Memo holdEtr ---------
Winder contact -------
Battery-chamber cover --- -"
Motor-drive guide socket ___ -oJ
Ft;: --~----------- Take-up spool
Pressu
re plate
.--------------- Back cover
----- ISO (DIN-ASA) table
--------- Rewind release
Winder/motor-drive guide
socket
---- Winder/motor-drive coupler
4 Motor-drive contacts ------
J 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"
(p. 10).
4. Open back cover (p. 13).
5. Load film properly and
close cover
(p.14l.
6. Advance fi 1m to frame "1"
and check Safe Load Signal
(p.15).

7. Set mode/shutter·speed se·
lector
to "AUTO·· (p. 18).
10. Release shutter (p. 21 ).
8. Select lens aperture (p. 19).
11. Slide main switch
to "OFF".
9. Adjust focus (p. 20).
12.Rewind and remove fi 1m
(p. 23).
7

8
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENS
Body and lens caps
Remove
body and lens caps as
shown.
J t
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.