Minolta VECTIS 3000 User manual

1
Thank you for purchasing the Minolta Vectis 3000. The Vectis 3000 is an easy to
operate lens shutter camera from Minolta’s line of Advanced Photo System™ cameras.
Your camera features Mid-roll Change, Drop-in Loading, a 22 - 66mm zoom lens, and a
wide focus frame. The sleek and compact design gives the Vectis 3000 a sophisticated
appearance suitable for any occasion. This manual is designed to help you understand
the operation of your camera and its functions. Please familiarize yourself with the
names of the controls and their locations on the camera, then read this manual
thoroughly.
*Advanced Photo System™ is a trademark of the five system developing companies.
Advantages of the Advanced Photo System
New print formats…
Classic C print, wider H print, and
panorama P print formats are available
with Advanced Photo System cameras.
New processing…
In addition to returning your prints in the format you
selected, certified photofinishers will return your Advanced
Photo System film in its original cassette with an index
print. To order reprints, simply choose the images you
want from the index print. No more searching through
negatives to find the right frame.
Easier to load…
Advanced Photo System cameras use the new
IX240 type film. This new film features Drop-in
Loading to make loading your camera simple,
the first time, every time. Indicators on the
cassette tell you and your camera if the film is
unexposed, partially exposed, exposed, or
processed.
New feature...
Mid-Roll Change - Rewind your film in the middle of the roll and reload it later, without
fear of double exposures.

2
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE.....................................................................4
NAMES OF PARTS.........................................................................................6
QUICK OPERATION.....................................................................................10
BASIC OPERATION
Attaching the Strap..............................................................................13
Installing the Battery............................................................................14
Checking the Battery...........................................................................15
Loading Film........................................................................................17
Full-Auto Operation .............................................................................22
Focus Hold ..........................................................................................27
For Closer Subjects.............................................................................29
Special Focusing Situations ................................................................32
Rewinding the Film..............................................................................33
Processing...........................................................................................38
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
Selecting the Flash Mode....................................................................40
Flash Range........................................................................................41
Red-eye Reduction..............................................................................42
Fill Flash..............................................................................................43
Flash Cancel........................................................................................44
Night Portrait........................................................................................45
Landscape/Night View.........................................................................46
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Date Imprinting....................................................................................48
Title Imprinting.....................................................................................56
Self-timer .............................................................................................66
Remote Control (Sold Separately) ......................................................68
APPENDIX
Lab Services........................................................................................74
Caring For Your Camera .....................................................................76
Technical Details..................................................................................82
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3

CAUTION
4 5
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product.
WARNING
Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use.
• Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual.
• Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/–) reversed.
• Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures.
• Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble.
• Tape over lithium battery contacts to avoid short-circuit when disposing of
batteries, and follow local regulations for battery disposal.
Keep batteries or things that could be swallowed away from young
children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is swallowed. The lens retracts when the camera is turned off or Auto Power Off is
activated. Touching the lens barrel while it is retracting may cause injury.
Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if...
• the product is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is
exposed.
• the product emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.
Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit
inside the product is touched. Take your camera to a Minolta Service
Facility when repairs are required.

BATTERY
CAMERA BODY
6 7
NAMES OF PARTS
Flash-mode (40)/Select button Self-timer (66)/
Remote-control (68)/
Adjust button
Data panel (8) Shutter-release button
Title button (57)
Zoom
buttons (24)
Date button (48)
Format button (22)
*- Do not touch
Viewfinder window*
AF windows*
Meter window*
Remote-control receiver*
Self-timer/Remote-
control lamp*
Lens*
Tripod socket
Film-chamber release (19)
Film chamber
Manual-rewind button (35)
Strap
eyelet (13)
Battery chamber (14)
Lens cover Ready lamp (green) (9)
Viewfinder*
For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in parenthesis.
Flash* (39)
Battery-chamber lock (14)

DATA PANEL
8 9
NAMES OF PARTS
• Only the necessary indicators will appear in the data panel.
Flash-mode
indicators (40)
Self-timer indicator (66)
Remote-control
indicator (68)
Cassette mark Frame counter
Battery-condition
indicator (15)
Title marks
(56-65)
Title/Date/Time/ISO/Format display
With the shutter-release button pressed
partway down -
Glows: Camera is ready
Blinks quickly: Subject is too close
(shutter is locked)
Blinks slowly: Camera shake warning
Off: Flash is charging
(shutter is locked)
VIEWFINDER
Close-framing guide (30-31)
Focus frame
Ready lamp (green)

10 11
QUICK OPERATION
W
T
3.Select the print
format (p. 22). 4.Frame the subject as desired (p. 24). 5.Center your subject in the
focus frame
(p. 24).
6.Press the shutter-
release button all-
the-way down to
take the picture
(p. 25).
1.Insert the battery
(p. 14). 2.Open the lens cover to turn the
camera on, then
insert the film
(p. 18).

12 13
ATTACHING THE STRAP
Attach the strap as shown.
• Button keys are included on the strap. Use the
bigger key to turn the battery-chamber lock (p.
14), smaller key to push the manual-rewind
button (p. 35).
Button keys
BASIC OPERATION

14 15
INSTALLING THE BATTERY CHECKING THE BATTERY
Your camera uses one 3-volt CR-2 lithium battery
to supply power for all camera operations.
1.Turn the camera upside down, then open
the battery chamber as shown, using the
bigger button key on the strap.
2.Insert the battery into the chamber as
indicated by the + and – marks.
3.Close the battery chamber, then turn the
lock until it stops at CLOSE.
• After installing a new battery, reset the date and
time (p. 50).
Each time the lens cover is opened, a symbol will appear in the data panel
to indicate the power status of the battery.
Briefly appears. Power is sufficient for all camera
operations.
Power is sufficient, but the battery must be
replaced soon.
Replace the battery. The shutter will lock until the
battery is replaced.
Continued on following page.

Your camera uses IX240 type film designed for use in Advanced Photo
System cameras.
• Your camera’s automatic transport system loads the film, sets the film
speed, and advances the film after each exposure.
• Use film from ISO25-3200. Your camera will automatically set the proper
ISO.
• After loading, the film chamber cannot be opened until the film has been
rewound.
• There is no need to worry about double exposure. DEP, Double Exposure
Prevention, prevents the camera from accepting exposed film.
16 17
CHECKING THE BATTERY LOADING FILM
• If no display appears, replace the battery or check that it is inserted
correctly.
• Auto Power Off: The data panel will shut off and the lens will retract if the
camera is not operated for more than eight minutes. Press the shutter-
release button partway down, or press either zoom button to resume
operation.
• Do not obstruct the lens while it is retracting.
Continued on following page.

18 19
LOADING FILM
3.Insert the cassette into the film chamber
with the VEI on top.
• Do not use force when opening the film-chamber
door.
2.Turn the camera upside down, then press
the film-chamber release. The film-
chamber door will open partway.
• will appear and will blink in the data
panel.
Visual Exposure Indicators
• The current VEI has a white indicator behind it.
• This camera can load film with the or VEI current.
•Only partially-exposed (VEI ) film rewound in a
Minolta camera with Mid-roll Change can be loaded in
this camera.
1.Open the lens cover to turn the camera
on.
• The built-in flash pops up, the lens extends
slightly, then retracts to the original position. Continued on following page.
VEI MEANING
UNEXPOSED
PARTIALLY EXPOSED
EXPOSED
PROCESSED

20 21
LOADING FILM
If 0 blinks in the data panel, press the film-
chamber release, open the chamber, then
remove the film.
- If the film’s current VEI is , insert film with the
or VEI current.
- If a processed roll of film was loaded into this
camera, the VEI has been changed from to .
- If the film’s current VEI is or , remove the
film, remove and reinsert the battery, then reload
the film. If the film will not load, contact the
nearest authorized Minolta Service Facility.
• The data panel will display the cassette mark
and the film’s ISO, then the number of frames
remaining on the roll.
• If a partially-exposed roll of film (VEI ) is loaded
into this camera, the film will be advanced to the
first unexposed frame.
4.Press the film-chamber door closed until it clicks.
• After the film is loaded, pressing the film-
chamber release will display the film’s ISO in
the data panel. The display will disappear about
2 seconds after the finger is released.
The film chamber cannot be opened until the
film has been rewound.

22 23
FULL-AUTO OPERATION
Hold the camera steady, making sure your fingers do not cover the flash,
AF windows, or meter window. If you are taking a vertically framed
picture, turn the camera so the flash is on top.
• The viewfinder will change to match your
selection. The area shown by will be on
the final print.
1.Open the lens cover to turn the camera
on.
• The camera is set for fully-automatic operation
and the flash will fire automatically when
necessary.
• The print format is set to C, H, or P, whichever
was selected last.
2.Press the format button to select the print
format. Correct
Continued on following page.
Incorrect

24 25
FULL-AUTO OPERATION
5.When the green ready lamp glows, press
the shutter-release button all-the-way
down to take the picture.
• If the ready lamp does not glow, the flash is not
charged. Wait until it glows, then take the
picture.
• If the ready lamp blinks quickly and the shutter
is locked, your subject is too close (p. 29).
• Press the shutter-release button with a slow
steady squeeze - never a quick jab.
3.Looking through the viewfinder, frame the
subject as desired.
Press the W zoom button to zoom out.
Press the T zoom button to zoom in.
• Do not hold or obstruct the lens barrel.
4.Center your subject in the focus frame,
then press the shutter-release button
partway down.
• If the close-framing guide appears in the
viewfinder, move the camera slightly upward
without lifting your finger (pp. 30-31).
Continued on following page.
After use, close the lens cover to turn the camera off.
• If the lens is extended, follow the instruction on the next page to close the
lens cover.

2726
CLOSING THE LENS COVER
The lens is extended unless the zoom position is at the wide end. When
the lens is extended, close the lens cover following the instructions below.
Do not slide the lens cover with one movement.
1.Slide the lens cover slightly until it clicks
into place.
• The lens will retract.
2.When the lens has retracted completely,
shut the lens cover.
FULL-AUTO OPERATION FOCUS HOLD
Subjects outside the focus frame may not be
in focus. Use focus hold to ensure accurate
focusing.
1.Center your subject in the focus frame.
Continued on following page.

28 29
FOR CLOSER SUBJECTS
The green ready lamp will blink rapidly and the
shutter will lock when you are closer than the
minimum focus distance.
The minimum focus distance of this camera is 40cm (1.3 ft.) when the print
format is C or H.
• When the print format is P, the minimum focus distance changes with the
focal length; 47cm (1.5 ft.) at W (22mm), 1.1m (3.6 ft.) at T (66mm), and
middle distance for middle focal length position.
• If the subject is very close, the ready lamp may glow or blink slowly and the
shutter may be released, but the picture will not be in focus.
FOCUS HOLD
2.Press and hold the shutter-release
button partway down so the green
ready lamp glows.
3.Without lifting your finger, recompose
the picture and press the
shutter-release button all-the-
way down to take the picture.
• Lift your finger from the shutter-release
button to cancel focus hold.
Continued on following page.

30 31
FOR CLOSER SUBJECTS
1.Center your subject in the focus frame,
then press the shutter-release button
partway down.
• The close-framing guide will appear.
2.Without lifting your finger, move the
camera slightly upward.
CLOSE-FRAMING GUIDE (FOR C AND H FORMATS)
If your subject is farther than the minimum focus distance but close enough
to cause parallax, the actual image and the image seen through the
viewfinder do not match. In this case, the close-framing guide appears in
the viewfinder when you press the shutter-release button partway down.
Follow the instructions in the next page to take the picture.
Close-framing guide
Actual image area
Correct
Incorrect
Viewfinder print
3.Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the
picture.

Your camera automatically rewinds the film into the cassette after the last
exposure.
1.Wait for the film to completely rewind into
the cassette.
• If the lens is extended, it will retract before
rewind.
• The frame counter will count down during
rewind.
• 0 will appear in the frame counter and will
blink when rewind is complete.
32 33
REWINDING THE FILM
Continued on following page.
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS
Some scenes or subjects, like the examples below, are difficult for the
autofocus system to lock on to. In these shooting situations, focus hold
(p.27) on another object with the same brightness and the same distance
from you as your main subject, recompose, then press the shutter-release
button all-the-way down to take the picture.
• Bright light sources such as the sun or neon lights
• Highly reflective surfaces such as water, mirrors,
etc.
• Flame, fireworks, etc.
• Dark objects and surfaces with
low reflectance
• Objects behind glass, bars, or other such as
partitions

34 35
REWINDING THE FILM
1.Gently press the manual-rewind button
using the smaller button key on the strap.
2.Follow steps 1- 3 from automatic rewind.
• The film’s VEI indicator will be .
MANUAL REWIND
Use manual rewind to rewind the film before the roll is finished.
3.Open the film chamber and remove the
film.
• will appear and will blink in the data
panel.
• The film’s VEI indicator will be .
2.Turn the camera upside-down, then press
the film-chamber release to open the film
chamber.
Continued on following page.

3736
MID-ROLL CHANGE (MRC)
Your camera has the MRC feature, which allows film to be rewound in the
middle of a roll and reloaded at a later time. When reloaded, the camera
will advance the film to the first unexposed frame. Film can be rewound
and reloaded until the last frame is taken, when the camera automatically
rewinds the film and sets the VEI to .
• Cameras without the MRC feature set the VEI for partially-exposed rolls to
. Cassettes with the VEI current can not be reloaded.
Only partially-exposed film rewound in a Minolta camera with Mid-roll
Change capability can be reloaded into this camera. Film rewound in
another manufacturer’s MRC capable camera may not function properly.
REWINDING THE FILM
• The MRC feature may not work properly when loading a partially exposed
roll of film (VEI ) in the following situations; near a strong electromagnetic
field generator such as a speaker, PC monitor or mobile phone. Insert the
film at least 1m (3.3 ft.) away from these places.