Minolta XG-9 User manual

MINOLTA XG·9 .
OWNER'S MANUAL
@

Your light, compact XG-9 is a top-quality single-lens reflex camera whose
electronic system will
control exposure for you automatically, freeing you for more
enjoyment and greater creativity. You can also override the meter's automatic setting
or set the camera for full manual operation. The aperture selected and LED auto-set
speed are clearly displayed
in the XG-9's total information viewfinder and its advanced
acute matte screen makes viewing brighter and focus"
ing easier and more accurate.
Electromagnetic
shutter release and unique "touch switch" metering head a host of
other features. Attaching the accessory Auto Winder G enables single-frame/continu-
ous
motor film advance up to 2 frames/sec. Minolta's special Auto Electroflash 132X
and 200X electronically switch
the XG-9's shutter over for strobe exposures when
charged and signal flash-ready
in finder; the 200X also enables continuous-sequence
flash with
the winder. Besides MD lenses, your XG-9 uses virtually all interchangeable
Minolta lenses
to date and all applicable Minolta SLR system accessories.
Before using
your camera for the first time, study this manual carefully all the way
through -
or at least all the sections needed to cover your own photographic needs. As
you read, attach a lens to the camera body (see p. 10), load batteries, and handle your
XG-9 and acquaint yourself with its parts and features. Then load it with film and
proceed
to actual picture taking. In this way, you can take good photos and begin to
realize the broad potential of your XG-9 right form the start . Be sure to keep this
manual for reference later
as necessary.

2 CONTENTS
MAIN FEATURES ...... . .. .. .. ... ... 4 EXPOSURE CONTROL
NAMES OF PARTS .... . ... ... ... . . .. . 6
FUNDAMENTALS ... . .. .. . . .. . .. . . 20
SUMMARY OF OPERATION
METERING WITH THE XG-9 .... . ..... 21
(Automatic) ... .. ... ....... . ... . . . . 8 VIEWFINDER ..... .. . .. .. .. . . . . ... . 22
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENSES 10 AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL . .. 24
BATTERIES AND POWER .. .. . .. . .... 11
Installing batteries . . . .. .. . ..... . .... 11
Automatic operat ion ... .. .. . .. . . . .. .. 24
Eyepiece cap
.......... .. .. . . ... ... 25
Testing batteries
.. . ... .. ..... . .. .. . 12
WAYS OF USING AUTO MODE .. ... .. . 26
Main switch . .
.. .. . . ...... . ........ 13 General
use ............... . .. . . . . . 26
Touch switch/ope rating button ........ 13 Creati
ve aperture con trol .. . ... . .... . 27
Cold-weather operation .
.. .... ...... . 14 Creati
ve shutter control .. .. . ........ 28
LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM ... . 14
AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE
Film advance lever and frame counter .. . 17
ADJUSTMENT . . . ... ... ........... 29
FILM SPEED ....... . .. ... ..... .. .. . 18 WHEN
AND HOW MUCH TO ADJUST
Setting filmspeed . ... .... ... . ... .. . 18 EXPOSURE
... . . .... ... .. ........ 30
ASA/DIN conversion scale .. .. .. . ... . 19
MANUAL EXPOSURE CONTROL ...... 32
Memo holder ... ........ . . . . . . . . . . . 19 " S" setting . .
.. .. . . ..... .... ...... 33

3
HOLDING THE CAMERA ... ... .... .. 34 XG-9 SYSTEM ACCESSORIES . .. ...... 45
FOCUSING . .. ... .. . . ... .. . .. . .. . .. 35
Auto Winder G .. . .. . .. . .... . . . .... 45
Depth of field .. .. . ..... .. . ... .. ... 36
Auto Electroflash 200X and 132X ... .. 46
Depth-of-field scale . . ... . ... .. . .. . .. 36
Remote Cord Sand L . . . . .... . . . .. .. 47
Infrared index ...... .... . . .... .... . 37
Data Back G .... ..... .. ... . .. . .... 48
RELEASING THE SHUTTER . . . .. ... .. 38
STANDARD-LENS SPECIFICATIONS . .. 49
SELF- TIMER .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . .. ..... . 40
CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS ..... .. . .. 50
REWINDING AND UNLOADING
CARE AND STORAGE ..... . ... .. . .. . 52
FILM ... .. ..... ... .. . . . .... . . . . . 41
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ........... . . 43
Synchronization ..... . . . ... . ..... .. 43
Connec ti ng flash units .. . ... . ....... . 43
USING OTHER THAN MD OR
MC LENSES
... .. . . .. ... .. . . . . . . .. 44
Au to Ro k kor le ns es . .. ... . .... ... .. 44
RF (mi rror - typ e) and Manual-Pr ese t
le ns es . . .. .. .. . ... . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 44

4
MAIN FEATURES
Fail-safe electronic exposure system
Incorporating
many of the features devel-
oped for Minolta's top electronic cameras, the
XG -9 covers a wide range of photographic
conditions _ Its electronic shutter which auto -
matically locks
to prevent overexposure and
electromagnetic shutter release with unique
touch switch metering add to the handling ease
of the camera.
The XG-9's system features:
• Full
automatic exposure by stepless shutter
speeds from 1/1000 to 1 sec. plus full
manual settings.
• Electromagnetic
shutter release.
• Unique
"Touch switch" metering.
•
Two tiny silver- oxide batteries as power
source.
• Electromagnetic
shutter release that locks to
prevent overexposure when light over
meter's range or battery power low.
Solid-
state information viewfinder
• Special focusing screen has split-image and
microprism focusing aids, plus scientifically
developed new
type of matte field that is up
to 50% brighter than conventional matte
screens.
•
Aperture set for automatic and manual
modes visible in the finder.
• LED's indicate
automatic shutter speed
selection
and over -lunder-range warning.
• LED
and "60" positi on blinks as flash-ready
signal when
either Auto Electroflash 200X
or 132X is attached and charged.
Easy handling
controls
Lightweight and compact, the XG -9 is hu-
man engineered
to fit the user's hands for
smooth operation :
•
Smooth short stroke film advance.
• Large easy
to adjust shutter -speed dial.
•
"Soft-touch" electromagnetic shutter re-
lease.
• Minolta
bayonet lens mount with large
release
button .

• Balanced winder operation.
• Easy- to - use depth - of - field preview button .
Quick attach auto winder
The XG's accessory auto winder attaches
qui
ckly, without access caps to remove or store
freeing
the user from advancing film in single:
frame
or continuous operation up to two
frames per second. Its strong efficient core less
micromotor winds as many as 150 or more
cartridges per set or charge of batteries. At the
end of each cartridge the motor automatically
shuts off.
Special camera-control flash units
When' attached to the XG -9 and ready to
fire, both the Auto Electroflash 200X and
132X start a flash-ready signal blinking in the
viewfinder and automatically set the shutter for
X- synchronization (1/60 sec.) when the shutter
is released. The Auto Electroflash 132X fea-
tures
two auto settings as well as manual and a
tiltable flash head for bounce flash. Its special
flash distance check lamp
lights to indicate
when flash brightness is sufficient for correct
exposure. The 200X model provides auto flash
at
either of two apertures and either full - power
manual operation or when powered by Ni -Cd
batteries,
up to two cont inuous-sequence flash
exposures each second
with the Auto Winder G.
User
oriented features
•
Up to two stops' continuous adjustment
over or under the normal electron ic setting.
• X-
type flash synchronization through the
hot shoe or PC terminal.
• Electronic self- timer with blinking indicator
li ght .
• Eyepiece cap
for unmanned or similar oper-
ation .
• Exclusive Safe
Load Signal monitors film
alignment and advance.
•
Handy memo holder and ASA/DIN conver -
sion scale
on back .
• Release
terminal for tripod shots with elec-
tronic or standard release cord .
•
Shutter not operative when operation
switch off .
•
Virtually all existing Minolta interchange-
able lenses and applicable system accessori
es
can be used in either automatic or manual
operation .
5

6 NAMES OF PARTS
Film -advance lever
Touch switch/operating button
Frame-counter window
Safe Load Signal
Auto-setting release
Strap lug
Film-speed
window
Self-timer/battery-check indicator
Me coupler lug
Ape r ture scale
Depth - of - field scale
Aperture ring
Distance scale
Hot shoe
__ -- . Shutter-speed/funct iol
selector
Rewind crank
Main switch
Back cover release knc
Lens-release
button
Shutter release socket
X sync.
terminal
(on the opposite side:
not shown)
Stop-down button
Focusing grip

__ ------------ -- -- Finder eyepiece
Tripod socket
'--- -- Winder terminal
L.. __ ____ Battery chamber cover
Guide-pin socket _
___ _ ___ ..J
---- -Shutter curtain
Sprocket
Take-up spool
7

8 SUMMARY OF OPERATION (Automatic)
The steps pictured on this page outline use
of your XG-9 on automatic mode. They give a
general idea
of how very easy it is to get
1. Check batteries (see p. 12)
perfectly exposed pictures with this camera and
are keyed
to corresponding sections of the
manual
for ready reference. This brief guide
7. Set selector dial to "A"
(p.24)
8. Set lens aperture (P. 24)
9. Adjust focus (p. 35)

may also be useful for good results after you
have not used the camera for some time. It is
not, however, a substitute for the detailed
instructions in the rest of this manual, which
should be thoroughly studied for best results.
4. Load film properly; close
cover
(P . 14)
5. Advance film to "1" (P. 17)
6. Set film speed (p. 18)
11. Turn power "OFF" (p. 13) 12. Rewind and remove film
(p.41)
9

10
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENSES
To Attach
1. Remove the body cap from the camera lens
mount and the rear cap from the lens
bayonet, each by turning the cap counter-
clockwise.
2.
Align the red mounting index on the lens
barrel
with the ·red index above the camera
lens
mount; insert the lens bayonet into the
mount; and turn the lens clockwise until it
locks into place with a click .
To R emo ve
While pushing the lens-release button, turn
the lens counterclockwise as far as it will go;
then I itt the lens bayonet out of the mount.
CAUTION
If it becomes necessary to set the lens down
without a rear lens cap attached, be sure to set
the lens only on its front end (except for
fisheye lenses) as damage to the diaphragm
control pin could result from rear lens contact
with a hard surface.

BATTERIES AND POWER
Two 1.5·volt silver-oxide batteries, Eveready
S·
76 or equivalent, supply the power for the
meter, electronic exposure control , elec·
tromagnetic release, electronic
shutter settings,
and LED indication.
CAUTION
• The
shutter will not release when the
operating button is pushed if : battery power
is too low; the operating switch is at
"OFF ," exposure conditions exceed the
range of the automatic exposure system.
• Do
not use 1. 3v mercury batteries, Eveready
EPX·675
or equivalent, which have a similar
shape.
NOTE
•
If the camera is not be used for more than
two weeks, it is advisable to remove the
batter ies.
• Fresh spare
batter ies may be stor ed in the
battery holder provided with the camera
strap.
Installing batteries
1. Using a coin
or similar object , turn the
battery - chamber cover counterclockwise
and remove it.
2.
After wiping terminals with a clean dry
cloth and handling only by the edges, insert
two of the specified batteries plus (+) side
out into the sleeve on the inside of the
cover. (If batteries are inserted improperly,
they will not make contact, and no curr e nt
will flow.)
11

12
3. Replace the cover and screw it in clockwise
as far as it will go.
Testing
batteries
Move the main switch to align the index
with
"B.C." If the red battery-check indicator
on
the front of the camera lights, batteries are
serviceable. When released,
the main switch will
automatically move to the "ON" position.
Test
batteries immediately after installing
them. If the indicator does not light, make sure
that they are fresh and have been inserted
correctly.
Batteries should be tested from time to time
thereafter, preferably before starting each new
roll
of film and particularly before starting
picture -taking sessions or trips. A set of batter -
ies will generally last for about one year in
proper normal use.

Main switch
To operate the camera, move the main
switch to "ON ." This allows current to flow to
the Touch switch/operating button . The main
switch also serves as the self-timer and battery
check switch.
To prevent accidental exposures and need·
less battery drain, always be sure to move the
main switch to "OFF" when not using the
camera .
Touch switch/operating button
Finger contact with the Touch switch/-
operating button activates the camera's elec -
tronic circuit and when the shutter-speed/-
function selector is set at "A" (automatic) ,
powers the electronic exposure control and
LED circuits. If proper contact with the touch
switch is not possible (i.e., while wearing gloves
or when fingers are dry), slight pressure on the
button will also activate the camera.
13

14
NOTE
Wipe off any dust or dirt that might
accumulate on the touch switch with a clean
dry cloth . This will insure good contact and
proper operation.
Cold- weather operation
Batteries by natu re tend to decrease in
capacity as the temperature goes down . Though
the silver- oxide batteries used for the XG-9 are
superior to most others in this respect, it also
happens with them.
If old batteries are used at temperature
below O°C (32°F), the camera's electronic
operation may not be satisfactory. You should
thus replace older batteries with fresh ones
before using your XG-9 in cold weather and
carry spare fresh batteries with you during such
use.
Battery capacity will be restores to its
normal level when
the batteries are warmed to
their recommended operating temperature
range.
LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM
After you have not used your camera for
some time,
check the Safe Load Signal and
frame counter to be,sure that there is no film in
the camera. If the camera is unloaded proceed
as follows:
1. Pull
out on the back cover release knob
until the camera back springs open.

2. Leaving the knob pulled out, position a film
cartridge
in the chamber with the project -
ing-spool end
toward the bottom of the
camera. Then push the back -cover release
knob all the way in, rotating it slightly to do
so if necessary.
3. Insert
the end of the film leader as shown
into one of the slots in the take-up spool so
that the tooth is engaged with a sprocket
hold near the end of the leader. Make su re
that the end of the leader does not project
from another slot between tabs on the
spool.
15

16
4. With the shutter speed function selector on
manual
sett ing, operate the film-advance
lever slowly until
the film has begun to wind
firmly
around the take -up spool and the
sprocket teeth are engaged with holes on
both edges of the film. If the advance lever
stops at the end of a full stroke during this
procedure, release the shutter and continue.
5. Close the camera back and push in on it
until it clicks loaded.
6. A red "
5" should now appear opposite the
index
in the frame-counter window. Ad·
vance
fi 1m and release the shutter unt il the
i
ndex po i nts to "1 " on the frame-counter
dial.

7. A red bar should also now appear at the
extreme
left in the Safe Load Signal win-
dow. This indicates that the film is loaded
and
winding properly on the take-up spool.
If the Safe Load Signal does not appear or
swings far to the right in the window, repeat
steps 1
through 6 to assure that fi lm is
properly engaged on the spool. As you
continue to take pictures, the red signal will
move gradually toward the right in the
window, indicating that film is advancing
properly.
CAUTION
Film should be handled and loading done in
subdued
light - at least shaded from direct
sunlight by the body .
Film -advance lever and frame counter
The film -advance lever is designed wi th 30
0
unengaged movement before the beginning of
its engaged stroke to allow swinging it out from
the body so that the right thumb will fit
comfortably behind it. Continuing to move the
lever
until it stops, an angle of 130
0, advances
film and frame counter and cocks the shutter
for the next exposure.
17

18
When the lever stops and resists further
movement at the end of a film, never attempt
to force it farther . (see p. 41 for instructions on
rewinding and unloading film.)
The counter automatically resets for film
loading when the camera back is opened.
FILM SPEED
Each fi lm on the market has an ASA or DIN
exposure-index number to indicate its sensitivi·
ty to light . For correct exposure, the meter
must be set for the effective exposure index of
the film in use .
Setting film speed
To do this, lift up on the knurled ring of the
shutter-speed/function selector and turn it until