Film cameras
Konica - Minolta Maxxum 500si User manual
User manual for Konica - Minolta Maxxum 500si. 87 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Konica - Minolta Maxxum 500si
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 87
- File size
- 8.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
www.butkus.usFOR PRO_PER AND SAFS USE
STANDARD SYMBOLS
various symbols are used throughout this instruction manual and on the
product itself for your proper and safe use of this product, and to prevent
personal injury, injury to others, or property damage. An explanation of the
symbols follows. Read and understand each caution thoroughly before
reading the main text of this instruction manual.
EXAMPLES
The outer triangle is for warning, and the symbor inside illustrates
what the reader is being warned about. The example at left means
beware of electric shock.
The circle with a diagonal slash denotes prohibition ("don't do"), and
the symbol inside illustrates what act is prohibited. The example at
left means do not disassemble.View original page 4Page 6 · Read text
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cAUloN A
Do not fire the flash near the eyes of people or animals, especially
babies and young children. Maintain a distance of one meter (three
feet) or greater.
' lf the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the
interior is exposed, immediately remove the batteries and
discontinue use.
'Do not disassemble. contact a Minolta/'tq serviceuer vrvs IFacilityaurrrtt
when repairs are required. rS\
Electric shock may occur if a high-vortage circuit inside \S/
this camera is touched.
Ret8"'ano follow allwarnings supplied with the batteries.
Batteries may explode due to improper use.
. Do not install batteries upside down (+/- reversed).
. Do not use batteries with visible damage.A
'Do not subject the batteries to fire, high temperatures, or attempt
to recharge, shoft, or disassemble.A
3View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Carefully obserue the following warnings when using this product near young
children or persons with learning difficulties.
WARNING A
Use caution when using this product near young children or
persons with learning difficulties. Always keep out of reach when
not in use. lf caution is not used, the following accidents, and
others, may occur:
. Flash fired near the eye.
. Fingers caught in a running motor.
. Strap wound around the neck.
cAUroN A
Young children may swallow small objects.
Always keep small accessories, or things that could be swallowed,
away from young children.
Contact a doctor immediately if an object is swallowed.
BATTERY CAUTION A
Young children may swallow batteries.
Always keep batteries away from young children.
\
4View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
www.butkus.us BATTERY CAUTIONS . When photographing in cold weather, we recommend that you 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. . The low-battery symbol may appear even with a fresh battery depending on the storage conditions. To restore camera power, repeat turning the camera on and off. ) OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND CONDITIONS . This camera is designed for use from -20'to 50'C(-4" to 122"F). . Never leave your camera where it may be subjected to extreme temperatures such as the glove compartment of a car. : . At colder temperatures, the data panel response time will be slow; at higher temperatures, the display will temporarily darken but will restore when the temperatu re normalizes. . Never subject your camera to extreme humidity. . To prevent condensation from forming, place the camera in a sealed plastic bag when bringing it from the cold exterior to a warm building. Allow it to come to room temperature before removing it from the bag. ... HANDLING CARE . This camera is not waterproof, dust-proof, or sand-proof; take care when using at the beach or near water - costly or irreparable damage to the camera may occur.View original page 8
Page 14 · Read text
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VIEWFINDER
Focus signals (45)
Shutter-speed / Film-
speed display (38, 66)
Exposu re-compensation
indicator (64)
Aperture / Exposure-
compensation display(36, g)
Flash signals (24,51\
Flash-ready indicator I
Rasn-on indicator Spot-metering area (65)ff
NOTE:
In this manual, glowing and blinking displays or indicatofti are identified as
follows:
Blinkins Glowins , )+?View original page 14Page 18 · Read text
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ATTACHING THE CAMERA STRAP
1. Undo the camera strap buckle and
loop the strap through the eyelet of
the camera.
2. Redo the camera strap buckle.
3. Repeat for the other side.View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
Your camera uses one 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery which supplies power for
allcamera operations. Please read allwamings in the Safety cautions section
of this manual as wellas those supplied by the battery manufacturer.
1. Open the battery chamber cover by
pushing the cover release in the
direction of the arrow.
2. Insert the battery into the chamber as
indicated by the + and - marks inside
the battery cover.
3. Close the cover until it clicks and
locks closed.
r6View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
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Your camera is equipped with a automatic battery power indicator. Each time
the main switch is turned ON a symbolwill appear in the data panelto
indicate the power status of the battery. lt is recommended that you always
carry a spare battery in your camera bag.
Full-battery symbol -- power is sufficient for all
camera operations.
Low-battery symbol -- power is sufficient for all
camera operations, but is getting low.
Keep new battery handy.
Blinking low-battery symbolappears - power is
extremely low but allfunctions are operational.
Battery will have to be replaced very soon.
Flash recycling time may be slow.
Blinking low-battery symbol appears by itself and
the shutter locks -- power is insufficient for camera
operation.
Replace the battery immediately.
No data appears in the data panel.
Replace the battery or check that it is insefted
correctly.View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
ATTACHING THE LENS
1. Remove the camera body cap and
rear lens cap as shown.
2. Align the red mounting index on the
lens with the one on the camera.
3. Gently insert the lens into the mount
and tum it clockwise until it clicks into
the locked position.
REMOVING THE LENS
1. Press the lens-release button and
hold it while tuming the lens counter-
clocl<wise until it stops.
2. Gently remove the lens from the
mount and replace caps or
immediately attach another lens.
Caution
. Do not force the lens if it does not tum smoothly.
. Do not touch the inside of the camera, especially the lens contacts and
mirror.
18View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
HANDLING THE CAMERAwww.butkus.us
HOLDING THE CAMERA
Hold the camera grip firmly with your right hand while supporting the camera
or lens with your left hand. Make sure that your fingers are not blocking any of
the camera's features; they should fit securely around the grip. To hold the
camera steady, always keep your elbows at your side and your feet shoulder-
width apad for supporl. Always keep the camera strap around your neck or
wrist in case you accidentally drop it.
PRESSING THE SHUTTER.RELEASE BUTTON
The shutter-release button has three oositions. To activate the camera's
autofocus and autoexposure systems press the shutter-release button part
way down. To take the picture, gently (never with a quick jab) press the
shutter-release button all the way down.
fTl kkView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
This camera is equipped with an automatic film transport system which
automatically loads the film, sets the film speed, and advances the film after
each exposure. Beforc you open the back sover, make sure that there is
not a roll of film already in the camera.
Use DX-coded negative or positive films, ISO
or ISO 25 - *tliiJ'F1,","il 25 - 5000 for regular photographs
1000 for flash photographs. The camera will
36exp. automatically set the proper film speed for the
film you are using.
film will be set to the previous film speed.. Non-DX-coded-'
. Do not use Polaroid instant film or infrared film with this camera.
. Always load and unload film in subdued light.
1. Slide the back-cover release down
and open the back cover.
2. Place the film cartridge in the
chamber making sure that it is seated
properly.View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
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3. Extend the film tip to the film leader
index making sure that it lies flat
between the film guide rails.
4. Close the back cover.
5. Slide the main switch ON. The film
willautomatically advance to the
first frame.
lf the film has been loaded correctly, 1 will appear inHE the frame counter.
lf the film has been loaded incorrectly, 0 will blink in
the frame counter. Open the back cover and repeat
the loading procedure.
NEVER TOUCH THE SHUTTER CURTAIN WITH ilil YOUR FINGERS OR FILM TIP.
Its precision design makes it extremely sensitive to
pressure.
21View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
TAKING PICTURES IN PROGRAM MODE
Program mode is the camera's standard operating mode and is suited for use
in viftually any situation. When you press the the program-reset button, all the
camera's functions are set to fully automatic operation.
1. Slide the main switch to ON.
2. Press the program reset button to set
the camera to fullv automatic mode.
3. Grip both sides of the built-in flash
and gently lift. lf the flash will fire with
the next shutter-release, Pi appears
in the viewfinder when you press the
shutter-release button partway down.
See page 24.
22View original page 25Page 27 · Read text
USING FLASH
When the built-in flash is up, it will automatically fire in low-light or back-lit
situations.
Ownen you press the shutter-release button
partway down, F appears in the viewfinder.'H . lf it doesn't appear, the flash will not fire.
appears. OWait until I :H appears, press the shutter-release @When f
button allthe way down to take the picture.
it doesn't blink, flash ouput was. 1 blinks rapidly afterthe picture is taken. lf
not sufftcient to provide a conect exposure. Make sure your subject is within
the flash range (See page 52).
LOOKING THROUGH THE VIEWFINDER
The following indicators will appear in the viewfinder when the shutter-release
button is pressed PartwaY down.
Focus signal (See page 45)
Shutter-speed display
Aperture display
Flash signals (See page 51)
24View original page 27Page 28 · Read text
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This camera willautomatically rewind the film afterthe last frame has been
exposed. 0 willappear in the frame counterwhen the film is completely
rewound.
REMOVING THE FILM
1. Wait forthe film to rewind completely.
0 will appear in the frame counter and
the cartridge indicator will blink.
2. Open the back cover and remove the
film as shown.
STARTING MANUAL REWIND
1. Slide the main switch to ON.
2. Gently press the rewind button.
3. Wait forthe film to rewind completely
and remove the film.
25EEView original page 28Page 30 · Read text
-l
i www.butkus.us SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION
Subject program selection allows you to choose five different subject program
modes: Pofirait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports and Night Podrait. These
program modes allow you to tell the camera what type of picture you will be
taking so that it may customize the exposure settings for that type of picture.
1. Set the command switch to Q
2. Press and hold the mode button, then
turn the control dial until the desired
indicator blinks in the data oanel.
. The mode is selected when you
release the mode button.
Portrait Mode Porlrait photography a
Landscape Mode Scenic and Travel photography A
{u Close-up Mode Macro photography
ef\ Sports Mode Sports and Action photography
Night Portrait Mode Night Porlrait and Night Scene photography $
27View original page 30Page 31 · Read text
-l poRTRAtrrF MoDE I
G$ Portrait mode is best suited for
photographing people. Podrait
# photography benefits from a shallow
*.:,:.. depth of field (the distance in front
and behind your subject which will
$ appear in focus) which isolates the
person from the background. In
nW' poftrait mode the camera will adjust
its settings to obtain this effect leaving you free to compose the picture and
capture the pedect expression.
1. Set the Command switch to s
2. Press and hold the mode button,
then turn the control dial until S
blinks in the data panel.
Lens Tips:
Use a mid-telephoto lens with a large aperture for best results.
Flash Tips:
Use flash when your subject is backlit or when there are strong shadows
across the face.
Additional Tips:
Lock focus on your subject's eyes and be ready to capture the perfect
expression.
28View original page 31Page 32 · Read text
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Landscape mode is suited for
photographing landscape, scenic or
travel photographs. l-andscape
photography generally requires a
large depth of field to make sure
that everything is in focus. In
Landscape mode the camera is I
automatically set to the smallest
aperture possible while maintaining a shutter speed fast enough to prevent
blur due to camera shake.
1. Set the Command switch to Ej::.
2. Press and hold the mode button,
then tum the controldial until lA)
blinks in the data panel.
Lens Tips:
Use wide-angle lenses to create a feeling of depth in your picture.
Flash Tips:
Flash is only needed when there is a person in your photograph who is
backlit or has strong shadows across the face.
AdditionalTips:
Use a tripod to get sharp pictures, especially at slower shutter-speeds.View original page 32Page 33 · Read text
Close-up mode is best suited for
photographing small subjects such
as flowers at close distances. Close.
up photography requires accurate
focusing, so it is recommended that
you use focus lock or manualfocus
to make sure the main part of your
subject is in sharp focus. In Glose-
up mode the camera willautomatically set the best possible aperture and
shutter speed for your subject.
1. Set the Command switch to E:J.
2. Press and hold the mode button,
then turn the controldial until 1O
blinks in the data panel.
Lens Tips:
Use one of Minolta's macro lenses or a macro-capabre zoom lens.
Flash Tips:
Do not use built-in flash when your subject is croser than 1m (3.3 ft.); lens
shadowing may occur. we recommend the use of Macro Flash 12ooAF
Set.
AdditionalTips:
Accurate focus is very impoftant, make sure that you focus on the main
part of your subject. Use a tripod to reduce camera shake.
30View original page 33Page 34 · Read text
M ,i--, sPo*rs M'DE www.butkus.us
Sporls mode is suited for
{\ photographing fast action events which require a fast shutter speed to
\, -h ffi stop the action. In Sports mode the dla
camera automatically sets the
.e ,/l fastest possible shutter speed and
'ft\"or!.! continuously adjusts the focus to I
track fast-moving subjects.
1. Set the Command switch to s .
2. Press and hold the mode button,
then turn the control dial until st.
blinks in the data panel.
Lens Tips:
Use large aperture telephoto lenses which allow the camera to select
faster shutter-speeds.
Flash Tips:
Using flash will only help if your subject is within the flash range (See
page 52). Powedul accessory flashes have longer ranges.
Additional Tips:
Use fast film (lSO 400 or higher) and keep the focus frame on your
subject.
31View original page 34From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.