Minolta X-370 User manual

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lF
Your Minolta
X-370
isaneasy-to-usemicrocomputerized
single-lens-reflex
(SLR)
camera
with
quartz
control
of mechanical sequences
and
shutter
speed,
providing
lasting
accuracy
and
years
of
enJoyment.
ln its aperture-priority auto-exposure
(AE)mode ("AUTO" on thecamera),
the X:370
auto-
maticallysets
the precise shutterspeed
for correctexposure
according
to the in-camera
meter
at
theaperture
you selected.An AE lockcanbeused
to holdameterreading
andthenreadjust
the
framing
before
releasing
theshutter.Autocontrolismaintained
even
when
usingmirrorlenses
and
close-up
accessoriessuchasbellows-not
possible
withshutter-priority
AEsystems.
Creative
flexibility exists
in the X-370'smatch-LED/full-metered
manual
mode:
Forcorrect
exposure
at the metered
value,
simplyadjust
aperture
and/or
shutterspeed
to align blinking
and
glowing'
LEDs in the viewfinder.
Or you canmerely
refer
to these
LEDs-or totally disregard
them-whenmaking
your
own
settings.
Flash
photography
is alsosimple:
just attacha Minolta X-series
Auto Electroflash,
adjust
aperture,and
shoot.
Flash-ready
signal
is
given
inthe viewfinder,
andtheshutterisautomatically
set
for proper
sync
at1/60sec.
TheX-370 can
be
used
with Minolta'swiderange
of accessories,suchaswideangle,
telephoto,
and
zoom
lenses,
MotorDrive1,AutoWinderG,Wireless
ControllerlR-1,
and
much
more.
Beforeusinglenses,flashes,
or otheraccessoriesmade
by companies
otherthan
Minolta,
attachthemto thecameraandmakesure
they
function
properly
bytakingtest
photographs.
Je@-"
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CONTENTS
NAMES
OF PARTS . . .
STRAP
AND
CASE
SUMMARY
OF OPERATION
(auto
model.
PREPARING
TOTAKEPICTURES
. . . . .
ATTACHING
ANDREMOVING
LENS
BATTERIES
ANDPOWER
Battery check
Cold-weather operation . .
FILM AND FILM SPEED
LOADING FILM
Safe Load Signal/Frame counter
VIEWFINDER
PRESHOOTINGCHECK...
TAKING
PICTURES
IN AUTOMODE
CAMERA
SETTINGS
FOCUSING
HOLDING CAMERA AND RELEASING
SHUTTER
Mounting camera
on tripod
Self-timer
Eyepiece
cap
REWINDINGAND UNLOADING FILM
CREATIVE
CONTROL.....
AE LOCK
MANUAL EXPOSURE
MODE
Long
exposure
at "B" setting
DEPTH
OF FIELD
SHUTTER
SPEED
OTHERFOCUSING
METHODS
Distance
scale
Infraredindex
Film-plane
index
FLASH
PHOTOGRAPHY
ACCESSOR
tES.
TECHNICAL
DETAILS. . . . .
CARE AND STORAGE
..2
..5
. .6
..8
..8
. .9
.11
. 11
.12
.13
.
15
.16
.17
. 18
.18
.20
...24
...24
...26
...27
...28
...29
...30
...30
...30
...30
...31
...32
...34
...36
.21
.22
.22
.22
.23
, ,1,r*i!*rii;i:;iMl,..[,* *- .i; dBg**..-"-.:i;l
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NAMES OF PARTS
Focusing
griP
Distancescale
Aperture ring
Main sruitch
Back-cover release knob
Rewind c
rank
Film-speed
ring
Film-speed
window
Film-speed
ring release
Mou
nting index Minimum-aperture
lock (Disengage
f
or useonX-370)
Depth-of-field scale
Safe Load Signal
Monitors correct film advance
,tju
Operating bu
tton
Mode/shu
tter-speed window
AUTO: automatic
mode
1 - 1000:shutter
sPeeds
B: "bulb" (long)
exPosure
Framecounter
Finger rest
Hot shoe Film-advance
lever
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AE lock/self-timer switch
' AE lock for holding close-up or
adjusted-viewing meter readings
. Self-timer with triple-rate
blinking
LED
Mode/shutter-speed
selector K"&TE
Self-timer
LED
Front grip
IN LT& Lens-mounting index
Lens-release
button
Shutter-release
socket
Mirror
MC coupler
Bayonet lensmount iaphragm-control lever
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F
ilm-cartridgecham
ber Take-upspool
Pressure
plate
Back cover
ISO(DlN'ASAI table
Rewind release
der/motor-d rive gu
ide socket
W
inder/motor-drivecouP
ler
Eyepiece
Eyepiece
frame
Memo holde
Winder contact
Battery-c
Motor-dr
Motor-dr Tripod socket
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STRAP
AND CASE
Attach the strap (provided)and case
(optional)asshown.The strap
includesa batteryholderused
for storing
freshsparebatteries.
Battery holder
Shoulder
pad
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SUMMARY OPERATION
(Automatic
mode)
2. Check
battery power
(p.
11).
5. Load film properly and
closecover
(p.
1 ). 6. Advance film to frame "1"
and check Safe Load Siqnal
(p.
1
5).
3. Set
film speeO
(p.12l-.
4. Open back
cover
(p.
13).
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8. Select
lens
aperture
(p.
19).7. Set mode/shutter-speed
se-
lector
to "AUTO" (p.
18). 9. Adjust focus (p.20).
**iii.n,..'i..i
''i.ii,....1...ui
_,..',,.,
t il,..'1
12.
Rewind and remove f
i
lm
(p.
23
).
11.
Sf
idemain
switchto "OFF".
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PREPARING
TO TAKE PICTURES
ATTACHING
ANDREMOVINGLENS
Body and lens caps
Remove body and lens caps as .,,
shown. ;xxn
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
locksinto 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
themount.
o Never set a lens with its rear end down unless a rear lens cap is on,
or its control pins may be damaged.
o Be careful not to touch anything inside the camera, especially the
mirror, when attaching or removing lenses.
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BATTERIESAND POWER
Batteries
Useone of the f
ollowing types of
batteries:
o Two 1
.55v silver-oxide (SR-44:
Eveready5-76,
EPX-76,
or equiv.)
o Two 1
.5v alkaline-manganese
(
LR44
: Evere
ady 4-76 or equ
iv.
)
o One
3v
lithium
(CR-1/3N
)
,;---rr".,"",ffi..
1. Using a coin or similar
obiect,
unscrew the battery-chambercover
cou
nterclockwise
and remove
it.
2. Wipethe terminals
with aclean,
dry cloth. Hold the batteries bY
their edges
and insertthem plus (+)
side up into the sleeve on the
insideof the cover.
o Do not use1.35v
mercury batteries
(MR44: Eveready
EPX-675or
equiv.),which arethe same
shapeand size,because
their voltageis
too low.
o To avoid battery leakage
or bursting, do not mix batteries
of
different types,brands,
or ages.
o Keep
batteries
away
from young
children.
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3. Replace The cover and
in clockwise as
far as it will Main switch To operate the camera, slide the
main switch to "ON ".
When you have finished taking
pictures, move the main switch to
"OFF" to prevent accidental expo-
sures and battery drain. (lf the
switch is left on, however, battery
drain occurs only when the operat-
ing button is touched, so you may
want to leave it on to avoid missing
unexpected shots.)
Touching the operataon
button
(with the main switch on) activates
thecamera's
meter,
viewfinder
LED
display, and exposure-control
sys-
tem. lf proper contact is not
possible
(e.g.,
when wearing
glov,es),
press
the operating
button slightly.
The shutter is releasedwhen the
button is
pressed
allthe way down.
The viewfinder
LED display
will
remain on for 15 sec. after you
remove
your f
inger.
screw rt
go. Operatingbutton
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Battery check
The cameraautomaticallychecks
battery power when the operating
button is
touchedor pressed.
o When batteries are nearly ex-
hausted, the mode LE
D l" A"
or "M") in theviewfinder
blinks
to
warn that fresh batteries
will soon
beneeded.
o When batteries are completely
exhausted (or not correctly in-
stalled),
no LEDs light and the
shutter
locks.
C
old-weathe
r operation
Sincebatteries
tend to lose
power
as temperature drops, always use
fresh batteries
when photographing
in cold weatherand keep
aspare set
with you, preferably in a warm
pocket closeto your body. Battery
capacity wi
ll be restored when
temperature
returns
to normal.
For prolonged
cold-weather
use
at
approx.O"C (32"F) or lower,
it is
recommended to use silver-ox
ide
batteries; if a lithium battery is
used
belowapprox.
O"C 132"
F),the
camera
may not operate.
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FILM AND FILM SPEED
The camera
uses
standard
3Smm
cartridge
film. Each
film has
an ISO
film-speed number (incorporating
ASA and D
I
N numbers
) wh
ich
indicates
the film's sensitivityto
light. The first part of the ISO
number
(equivalent
to ASA number)
is marked on the camera'sfilm-
speedring.
For proper exposure, the cam-
era'sfilm-speed
ring must be setto
thecorrect
film speed.
Setting film speed
Wh
ile pressing the film-speed
ring release,
turn the film-speed ring
until the desired number lines up
with the index and locks in place
when you remove your finger from
the release.
An ISO (Otw.ASA) table is
located on the camera back. lt is
surrounded by a handy memo
holder where you can insert the
film box end as a reminder of the
film type in use.
Intermediate
settingsand DlN equ
ivalents
n 40 80 16{) 320
nse{
Memo holder
320
-12 | I
DIN-I rr
l3 14
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LOADING
F
ILM
Before opening the camera back,
make sure there is no film inside
the camera by checking the Safe
Load Signal (p. 15).
1. Unfold the rewind crank and
pull up on it to lift the back-cover
release
knob. Pull up on the knob
until thecamera
back
springs
open.
2. Leaving the knob pulled out,
position a 35mm f
ilm cartridgein
the chamber with its projecting
spool down. Then push t
he bac k-
cover release
knob all the way in,
rotatang
it slightlyif necessary.
N
OTE
o When loading film in a dark place
or with the lens cap or, loading
will be easierif the mode selector is
not set at "AUTO".
o Alwayshandle
and load
f
ilm in
f
rom direct
light
by your body.
o Do not touchany parts
or areas
inside
thecamerashown
in blue.
subdued light-at least shaded
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3. Pull out just enoughfilm leader
to reach the take-up spool. Insert
the end of the film into a slot on
the left side of the take-up spool,
making
sure
that a holein the film
is lined up with the tooth on the
take-up spool. The sprocket teeth
shouldbe engaged
with holes
at the
bottom of the f
ilm.
4. With the film held againstthe
sprocket by your left hand,
slowly
operatethe film-advance
lever
until
the
film is
woundfirmly around
the
take-up spool, the sprocket teeth
are engaged with holes on both
edges
of the film, and the slack in
the film is taken up. lf the film-
advance leverstops at the end of a
full stroke during this procedure,
release
the shutter and continue
(main
switch
must
be
on).
5. After making sure
that the film
is taut, close the camera back by
pressing
it until it locks
shut
with a
click. A red "S" should
now appear
opposite the index in the f
rame
counter.
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6. Advancethe f
ilm andrelease
the
shutter until the index points to
"1". A red
barshould
appear
atthe
f
ar left in the Saf
e Load Signal
indicating
that film is loaded
and
advancing
properly. lf it does not
appearor swings far to the right,
repeat
steps
3 to 6.
The camera
is now readyfor taking
the first picture, provided film
speed
is
set.
Film-advance
lever
The lever has 30" of unengaged
movement to allow swingingit out
from the camera
body so the right
thumb will fit comfortably behind
it. As the lever is moved an addi-
tional 130" until it stops,the film
and frame counter advance
andthe
shutter is cocked f
or the next
exposu
re.
SafeLoad SignaUFramecounter
As you take pictures
andadvance
the film, the red bar in the Safe
Load Signal
gradually
moves
to the
right and the rewind crank rotates
counterclockwise,
indicating
proper
film advance.
Never force the f
ilm-advance
lever when it stops and resists
further movement at the end of the
film, which may be somewhat
before or after the common film
fengths .12,20, 24, 36 exposures)
shown in red in the frame counter.
The frame counter stops
advancing
after36 exposures. 15
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VIEWFIN
DER
@ Shutter-speed
scale/LEDs
. GlowingLED(s)
indicate:
(1) in
"A" (auto)
mode, shutter speedset by camera
(if two
LEDs glow, camera sets stepless speed
between
the two). and (2) in "M" (manual)
mode,
the meteredspeed
. Blinking LED (at 4Hz) indicatesuser-set
shutterspeed
in manual mode
. "60" LED blinks at 2Hz as flash-ready
signalwith X-seriesMinolta Auto Electro-
flashes
G) 1 - 4 sec./under-rangeLED
. Glows if meteredsoeed
is between1 and 4
sec.
. Blinks
(at
4Hz)if
outside
range
O Mode indicators O B-setting
indicator
M: Manual mode
A: Auto mode O Focusing
screen
o over.ranse
LED nHT,X11";,:ij' microprism
band'
and
Blinks
at 4Hz (4 times
per
second)
o
o
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PRESHOOTING
CHECK
Check the following items to
makesure
your camera
is
ready
for
picture-taking:
Film speedset?
Batteries
OK?
(Does
modeLED glow-not blink-when
operating
button is touched or pressed?)
M
in
imum-apertu
re lock released?
(on
new-typeMD lens
only)
Film
inside?
Mode/shutter
speed
set?
Self-timer off ?
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