Minolta VECTIS WEATHERMATIC ZOOM User manual

EINSTRUCTION MANUAL
2208_E 24/10/97 10:29 AM Page 1

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.
1
Thank you for purchasing the Minolta Vectis
Weathermatic. The Vectis Weathermatic is a water
resistant Advanced Photo System™ camera designed to
take pictures anywhere you go. Its housing is sealed to
prevent entry of moisture and dust, so you can enjoy
taking pictures on the ski slope, at the beach, or even
underwater (approx. 10m (33 ft.)).
Your camera has been designed to be water resistant
when used as described in the manual. Careless
handling however, may allow water to enter the camera
causing permanent damage to internal parts. To obtain
the best performance from your camera, read the
instruction manual thoroughly.
• Advanced Photo System™ is a trademark of the five system
developing companies.
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 top of the cassette tell
you if the film is unexposed, partially
exposed, exposed, or processed.
New print formats...
Classic C print, wider H print,
and panorama P print formats
are available with Advanced
Photo System cameras.
OF THE ADVANCED PHOTO SYSTEMADVANTAGES…
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3
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Date Imprinting
Imprinting the Date or Time 41
Setting the Date and Time 42
Changing the Date/Time Format 44
Self-Timer 46
Caring for your Camera 48
Lab Services 50
Specifications 52
Taking Pictures 25
Taking Pictures Underwater 28
For Closer Subjects 29
Special Focus Situations 30
Focus Hold 32
Using the Built-in Flash
Red-eye Reduction 36
Manual Fill-Flash 37
Flash Cancel 37
Night Portrait 38
Rewinding the Film
Auto Rewind 39
Manual Rewind 40
For Proper and Safe Use 4
Using In/Around Water 6
Operating Conditions 12
Names of Parts 14
Attaching and Removing the Strap 17
Installing the Battery 18
Loading Film 21
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54
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
Read and understand all cautions and warnings before using this product.
Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use.
• Use only the battery specified in this instruction manual.
• Do not install the battery with the polarity (+/-) reversed.
• Do not subject the battery to fire or high temperatures.
• Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble.
Use caution, accidents may occur when using this product near young children.
Keep batteries and other things that could be swallowed away from young children. Contact a
doctor immediately if an object is swallowed.
Immediately remove the battery and discontinue use if…
• the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is exposed.
• the camera emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.
WARNING
Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit inside the camera is
touched. Take your camera to a Minolta Service Facility when repairs are required.
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•Do not surf with the camera.
76
USING IN/AROUND WATER USING IN/AROUND WATER
This camera is water resistant and can be used in the rain, snow, or underwater to a depth of
approx. 10 meters (33 ft.). However, careless handling may cause irreparable damage not
covered by the warranty.
• Do not take the camera to depths greater
than 10m (33 ft.).
Please observe the following cautions:
•Do not jump or dive into the water
while holding the camera.
•Do not hold the camera under running water.
• Do not throw the camera.
10m (33 ft.)
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98
USING IN/AROUND WATER USING IN/AROUND WATER
•The gaskets will be damaged if the camera
is not washed in fresh water after exposure
to salt water.
• Clean the camera by immersing it in a small
volume of fresh water.
• Do not use compressed air or a hair dryer to
dry the camera.
• Do not load film or replace the battery
in places where water, blowing sand,
or dust can enter the camera.
•Keep hands, film, and battery clean
and dry when inserting or removing
the film or battery.
•Clean and dry the camera before
opening the film and battery
chambers.
• The surface of the camera can be damaged if
sunscreen and tanning lotions are not
removed immediately.
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11
USING IN/AROUND WATER
10
USING IN/AROUND WATER
• Inspect the gaskets and joining surfaces every time
the film or battery chambers are opened. If the seals
are brittle, cracked, or discolored, the camera may
leak. Contact an authorized Minolta Service Facility to
have the gaskets replaced.
The interior of this camera is not water resistant.
•Make sure the covers close tightly.
• Clean the gaskets and joining surfaces
before closing covers.
• Remove foreign matter from the
gaskets with a clean, dry cloth.
Gasket
Joining Surface
Film Chamber Gasket
Battery Chamber Gasket
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1312
OPERATING CONDITIONS OPERATING CONDITIONS
• This camera is designed for use from -10 to 40 °C (14 to 104 °F).
• Never leave your camera where it may be subjected to extreme temperatures such as
inside the glove compartment of a car.
• At colder temperatures, the data panel response time will be slow. At higher temperatures,
the display may temporarily darken, but will restore when the temperature normalizes.
• To prevent condensation from forming inside the camera when bringing the camera from
an extremely cold area to a warm area, let the camera come to room temperature before
opening the film or battery chambers.
• When photographing in cold weather, keep the camera and spare batteries inside your coat
to keep them warm when you are not shooting. Cold batteries will regain some of their
charge when they warm up.
OPERATING CONDITIONS
The film used in Advanced Photo System cameras stores some data magnetically. Do not
place the film cassette on or near anything that creates a magnetic field, such as a television
or stereo speakers.
FILM CASSETTE WARNING
CAMERA ERROR
If the camera will not function with a fresh battery, remove the battery, wait a few minutes,
then reinsert it. If normal operation does not resume or the camera malfunctions repeatedly,
contact an authorized Minolta Service Facility.
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1514
NAMES OF PARTS NAMES OF PARTS
Control dial
Zoom lever
Shutter-release button
Red-eye reduction/
Self-timer lamp*
Meter window*
Strap port
Data panel
Flash*
Viewfinder window*
AF window*
Lens*
Body Film-chamber lock
Film-chamber door
Battery-chamber door
Accessory port
Format-selector switch
Tripod socket
Self-timer/
Adjust button
Date/Select button
Viewfinder*
Battery-chamber lock
* Do not touch
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Glowing
Blinking Slowly
Flash is charged.
1716
NAMES OF PARTS ATTACHING AND REMOVING THE STRAP
Attaching
Insert the strap tab into the strap port until it ‘clicks’.
• Tug on the strap to make sure it is secure.
Removing
Press the strap release and pull the tab out of the
strap port.
Date/Time display
Battery warning
Self-timer indicator
Cassette mark
Frame counter Ready lamp
Focus frame
Close-framing guides
Data Panel Viewfinder
Ready Lamp Signals
Subject too close. Shutter is locked.
Camera cannot determine focus distance.
Focus set to ∞(2-3m if flash is selected).
Blinking Rapidly
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19
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
18
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
Your camera uses one 3-volt CR2 lithium battery to supply power for all camera operations.
1. Using a coin or similar object, turn the battery-chamber
lock to OPEN, then open the battery-chamber door.
2. Insert a new battery into the chamber as indicated by
the + and – marks.
3. Close the battery-chamber door and turn the battery-
chamber lock to CLOSE.
• Reset the date and time after installing a new battery.
Important – Before opening the Battery Chamber
•Wipe all water, sand, and grit off of the camera.
• Do not open the battery chamber in places where water, blowing sand, or dust can enter the camera.
• Make sure the battery is clean and dry before inserting it into the camera.
• To prevent condensation from forming, let the camera come to room temperature before opening the
film or battery chambers when bringing the camera into a warmer environment.
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21
LOADING FILM
20
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
Battery Warning
Power is low, but sufficient for all camera operations.
Keep a new battery handy.
If there is no display, replace the battery or make sure it
is correctly installed.
Your camera will shut down if it is not operated for more than 8 minutes.
Press the shutter release button partway down to restore power.
Use IX240 (Advanced Photo System) film in this camera.
• Your camera’s transport system loads the film, sets the film speed, and advances the film after each
exposure.
• There is no need to worry about double exposure. DEP (Double Exposure Prevention) prevents the
camera from accepting exposed film.
• Do not open the film chamber unless appears or blinks in the data panel.
Visual Exposure Indicators (VEI)
- Unexposed
- Partially Exposed
- Exposed
- Processed
•The current VEI has a white indicator behind it.
• Your camera can only load unexposed film ( ).
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23
LOADING FILM
22
LOADING FILM
Important – Before opening the Film Chamber
•Wipe all water, sand, and grit off of the camera.
• Make sure the film cassette is clean and dry before loading it into the camera.
• Do not load film in places where water, blowing sand, or dust can enter the camera.
• To prevent condensation from forming, let the camera come to room temperature before opening the
film or battery chambers when bringing the camera into a warmer environment.
1. Turn the camera upside down. Lift the film-chamber
lock and turn it to OPEN.
• The film-chamber door will unlock.
2. Open the film-chamber door and insert a new cassette
into the film chamber.
• If the film-chamber door will not open, internal pressure needs to be
equalized. Open the battery chamber before opening the film chamber
to release the pressure.
3. Press the film-chamber door closed and turn the film-
chamber release to CLOSE.
• The camera will automatically advance the film to the first frame.
• and the number of exposures remaining on the roll will be
displayed in the data panel.
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TAKING PICTURES
24
LOADING FILM
If blinks in the data panel, open the film chamber and remove the cassette.
• Your camera can not load a film cassette if the current VEI is , , or .
• If a processed (VEI ) or partially exposed (VEI ) cassette was loaded into this camera, the VEI has
been changed to .
• If the current VEI is , reload the cassette. If the film will not load, contact the nearest authorized
Minolta Service Facility.
Film can be loaded with the power on or off. 1. Turn the control dial to .
• The flash is set to autoflash and will fire when necessary. See page 34.
2. Select the print format.
• The viewfinder changes to match your selection.
Hold the camera steady, making sure your
fingers do not cover the flash. When taking
a vertically framed picture, turn the camera
so the flash is on top.
Continued on following page
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TAKING PICTURES
26
TAKING PICTURES
3. Looking through the viewfinder, frame the subject as
desired.
Push the zoom lever to the right to zoom in.
Push the zoom lever to the left to zoom out.
4. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press
the shutter-release button partway down. 6. Turn the control dial to OFF when you are finished
taking pictures.
5. When the ready-lamp glows, press the shutter-
release button all-the-way down to take the picture.
Press the shutter with a slow steady squeeze, never
a quick jab.
• The ready lamp will not glow and the shutter can not be released
until the flash is charged.
• The ready lamp blinks slowly and focus is set to infinity (2-3m
depending on the focal length when flash is selected) when the
camera cannot determine the focus distance.
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This camera can be used to a depth of
approximately 10m (33 ft.). Picture sharpness
and flash range are affected by water clarity.
Non-flash exposures taken underwater tend
to appear bluish. For best results, use the
flash and take pictures within 2m (6.6 ft.)
of your subject.
After returning to the surface, clean
and dry the lens cover-glass before
taking additional pictures.
29
FOR CLOSER SUBJECTS
28
TAKING PICTURES UNDERWATER
This camera’s focus range is from 40cm to ∞(1.4 ft. - ∞), 53cm to ∞(1.75 ft. - ∞) underwater.
• The ready lamp blinks rapidly and the shutter locks when the subject is closer than 40cm.
• The ready lamp blinks slowly when the camera cannot determine the focus distance. Your subject may
be out of focus.
When your subject is closer than 1m (3.3 ft.), align the top of
your image with the close-framing guides, using focus hold if
necessary (see page 32).
Correct Not Correct
2m (6.6 ft.)
10m (33 ft.)
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31
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS
30
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS
Some subjects or scenes, such as those described below, are difficult for the autofocus
system to detect. To ensure proper focus in these situations, first lock focus on another object
at the same distance from you as your main subject, recompose, then press the shutter-
release button all the way down to take the picture.
When a very bright or low
contrast area fills the center
of the viewfinder.
The ready lamp will blink
slowly to warn you that
focus may not be accurate.
When your subject is near a
very bright object or area.
The ready lamp may glow,
but the focus may not be
accurate.
When two subjects overlap
in the focus frame.
The ready lamp will glow,
but the closer of the two
subjects will be in focus.
When a subject composed
of alternating light and dark
lines fills the center of the
viewfinder.
The ready lamp will blink
rapidly and the shutter will
lock.
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33
FOCUS HOLD
32
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.
2. Press and hold the shutter-release button
partway down until the 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.
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35
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASHUSING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
34
Autoflash mode is set when the control dial is turned to , the flash will fire automatically
in low-light situations.
Wait until the ready lamp glows, then take the picture.
• The flash takes approximately 5 seconds to charge.
Flash Range
The range of the built-in flash depends on the film speed and the focal length you are using.
To ensure proper exposure, make sure your subject is positioned within the flash range.
Focal Length ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400
WIDE 0.55~3.6m
(1.8~11.8 ft.) 0.55~5.1 m (1.8~16.7 ft.) 0.73~7.2m (2.4~23.6 ft.)
TELE 0.40~2.3m
(1.3~7.5 ft.) 0.40~3.2 m (1.3~10.5 ft.) 0.45~4.5m (1.5~14.8 ft.)
Ready Lamp
• The ready lamp blinks rapidly and the shutter locks when the subject is closer
than 40 cm.
• The ready lamp blinks slowly when the camera cannot determine the focus
distance. Your subject may be out of focus.
Note: The following flash ranges are for surface photography only.
Stay within 2m (6.6 ft.) of your subject when taking pictures underwater.
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37
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
36
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
Turn the control dial to .
• Warn your subject(s) that the red-eye-reduction lamp on the front of the
camera will illuminate before the picture is taken.
Red-Eye Reduction
When photographing people or animals at night or other low-light
situations, light reflecting off the inside of the subject’s eyes may
produce the effect called red-eye. Use red-eye-reduction to
reduce the red-eye effect. Turn the control dial to .
Manual Fill-Flash
The flash will fire when the shutter is released regardless of
lighting. Use manual fill-flash to illuminate a backlit subject or to
reduce harsh shadows on your subject’s face.
Turn the control dial to .
• The shutter speed may be slow when the flash is cancelled. Use of a
tripod is recommended.
Flash Cancel
Use flash cancel when photographing twilight scenes or to capture
the ambiance of existing light.
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