Film cameras
Leica Mini zoom User manual
User manual for Leica Mini zoom. 43 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Leica
- Model / document
- Leica Mini zoom
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 43
- File size
- 1.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 5 · Read text
We wish you much pleasure and many years
yourof successful photography with
LEICA@ mini zoom. The LEICA VARIO-
ELMAR 35 -70 mm zoom lens, thanks to
its high optical performance, produces
exceptional quality photographs and in-
creases your composition perspectives
with its variable focal lengths. The LEICA
mini zoom's numerous special features
enable you to master even diflicult photo-
graphic situations. Plus, you can take it
anywhere as a constant companion as its
extremely compact and lightweight. Like all
compact cameras, the LEICA mini zoom
is best suited for photography with color
negative (print) films. In order for you to
enjoy the full spectrum of possibilities the
LEICA mini zoom offers, we recommend
that you start by reading this instruction
booklet.
The most important information you
need has been condensed in the en-
closed short version of the instruction
manual. It is waterproof and small This instruction booklet was printed on paper bleached
enough for any pocket. without chlorine - an expensive process that preserves
the environment, especially natural water resources.
www.butkus.usView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
Brief Description o Long-time exposures
The LEICA mini zoom is a comPact and o Large, bright viewfi nder
versatile autofocus 35 mm rangefinder o Automatic film advance and rewind
camera designed for easy, yet quality o Continuous shutter release, about one
photography. Its special features include: every 1.5 s
o Automatic film speed setting (DX-coding)
o LEICA VARIO-ELMAR 35 - 70 mm lens o Quartz controlled data back depending
fl4.0 -1.6 (7 elements in 6 grouPs) on model chosen
hi o Infrared autofocus with focus memory
o Focus range from 60 cm (24in.) to infinity
o Center-weighted integral metering with
exposure memory
o Exposure override + 2 EV
O Built-in flash
o Automatic flash activation in low light
o Manual-on / -offflash
o Pre-flash option to reduce "red-eye"
effect
o Infinity focus lock
o Infinity focus lock with exposure over-
ride
i
IView original page 6Page 8 · Read text
- -. 21 @ Viewfinder eyepieceFlash range ......
. - -. 22 @ Green confirmation signalManual flash-off
Taking pictures with infinity focus lock @ Red confirmation signal
and manual flash-off ... .. - 23 @ Film window, showing loaded film
Taking pictures with infinity focus lock, @ Back cover release
exposure override and @ Battery compartment cover
4503manual flash-off 23 @ Tripod thread l/4" (A1/4 DIN
Taking pictures in "Bo (long-time @ LEICA mini zoom with Data Back:
exposures) and manual flash-off. 24 LCD-data display on Data Back
Self-timer 25 @ Switch for manual film rewind
Automatic film rewind 25 @ Camera back
Mid-roll film rewind . .. . 26
Panorama photograPhs. . . 26
Trouble-shooting guide 27
29Data back. .... .. - -.':Setting the data back ...... 30
Data back imprinting. ..... 32Helpful tips on camera care . .... 32
Leica Customer Service ... 33
Technical Data -. - -. 34View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
+EV {ffi N)
r,ffiHrt iff
LCD Data Panel Compatible 3 volt lithium batteries,
battery function symbol for example:
self-timer indicator DURACELL DLI23Affi:o: flash with KODAK K123LAtl: automatic pre-flash activated PANASONIC CR123A
CR123A, etc.+EV _ exposure override + 2 EV VARTA '
/.ottt the battery,fox - manualmanual flash-onflash-on with Pre-flash Inserting - zoom is Powered bY a 3 : manual flash-off The LEICA minitowoo: infinity focus lock (flash is volt lithium battery (e.g. CR123). To insert
open the battery compartmenttow switched offl the battery,oOEV : infinity focus lock and (19) cover by pushing in the direction of
tow exposure override + 2 EV the arrow. Insert the lithium battery with
(flash is switched ofO the minus pole facing forward as indicated
is in battery compartment; close the coverB: long-time exposures (flash
torc switched off) until it clicks shut.
frame counter www.butkus.usln_View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
a series of exposures in close succession,
the battery symbol dU may be appear.
Before further exposures, pause briefly for
the battery to recover.
Attention: Cold temperatures reduce
battery performance. In addition, the film
becomes stiffer, making film advance more
difficult. At low temperatures, carry your
LEICA mini zoom in an inside pocket and
use a fresh batterv.
Checking the battery
Switch the camera on (see p.7). The protec-
tive lens cover then automatically opens
and the lens (I2) moves to the "ready" posi-
tion. If the symbol {E appears together
with other display symbols, battery power is
sufficient. When the symbol {U appears,
0/othe battery still has approximately 30
capacity. Should no symbols appear or only
the low battery @ warning flashes, the
battery is flat and must be replaced imme-
diately. In this case, the shutter cannot be
released. If the lens does not move into
the "re ady" position when the "ON/OFF'
button is pressed, the battery may be low,
inserted incorrectly or missing. Also, afterView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
Changing the battery
When there is filrn in the camera, insefi a
new battery immediately after removing
the old one. If the camera is left more than
10 minutes without a battery, the frame
counter in the LCD data panel resets to "1"
when you insert a new battery, regardless
of the number of pictures taken.
Attention: Keep battery contacts clean. Donot dispose of used batteries by throwing ]+ffi"J
them into an open fire; do not recharge,
break open, disassemble or heat. Do not
dispose of used batteries in normal house-
hold garbage, as they contain toxic wastes To attach the neck or wrist carrying
(13)that are dangerous to the environment. straps
Return them to your local supplier or turn When taking pictures, the eveready case
them in for recycling. (available as an accessory, order no. 18 505)
remains connected to the carrying strap
when it is pulled through the loop found
inside the case.
www.butkus.usView original page 11Page 15 · Read text
Holding the camera
To-avoid camera shake, hold your LEICA
mini zoom as shown in the photographs.
Atro check that the lens, flash (10), auto-
focus sensors (3) and exposure meter
*i"oow (11) are not inadvertently covered
by your hand, the carrying strap., etc'
Fbi vertical format photographs, ensure
irtut the flash is always at the top as lighting
naturalfrom above produces a more
impression.
It is also advisable with vertical format pressphotography to use the thumb to ^trte shutter release to minimize camera
shake.
www.butkus.us
10View original page 15Page 18 · Read text
f: Red confirmation signal (16):
The red confirmation signal lights up
after a slight pressure on the shutter
release to indicate flash readiness. The
red confirmation signal flashes and the
shutter release is blocked when the
flash is not yet ready. Flash recycling
time with fresh batteries is about 5
seconds.
Taking pictures
For photographs with the main subject in
the center of the frame:
After selecting focal length, point the
camera so that the main subject or portions
thereof are within the autofocus frame area.
Now lightly press the shutter release button
to pressure point.
As soon as the green confirmation signal
appears in the viewfinder, fully press the
shutter release button to take the picture.
The camera then advances the film to the
next frame and the film counter increases
by one.
13View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
Focus and exposure mernory Holding the camera to the oYe, point it at the
For photographs where the main subject subject matter so that the most important portions to be in focus are inside the auto-matter is off-center:
If the subject that is to be sharply focused iocus frame. Now lightly press the shutter
lies outside the autofocus frame, the focus release button to pressure point. The greenmemory feature should be used. confirmation signal lights up to indicate that the focus point has been stored.
www.butkus.us
t4View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
Using the focus memory feature is also
useful with diflicult autofocus subjects
such as:
bright light sources, such as light bulbs
or floodlights.
very shiny surfaces and strong reflecti-
ons, such as water, mirrors, brightly
polished car surfaces, etc.
bright transparent objects such as flames,
fireworks and hair.
dark objects and low-reflective surfaces.
objects behind glass, such &s, windows
and showcases.
Keeping the shutter release button pressed In these types of situations, focus on an
down slighttry, compose your picture as you alternative object that is at the same
wish. When ready, press the shutter release distance and similarly lit. Storing the focus
fully down for the exposure. and exposure as described, you are now
Important: When the shutter release but- able to take your picture successfully.
ton is pressed slightly to pressure point, the
camera also stores the correct exposure Attention: By continually holding down
value. The focus and exposure memory is the shutter release, ?S many pictures as
cancelled as soon as you remove your finger you choose can be taken in a row. With
from'the shutter release button. this continuous shutter release mode, it is
possible to capture, e.9., action sequences.
15View original page 20Page 22 · Read text
The green confirmation signal flashes as a
warning of camera shake in insufficieni
light when the flash is switched off N"u.i_
picture. take the In {: thistheless,case,yousteadycan thestillcamera agiinst or on
a.stable object, or use a tripod.
The green confirmation signal also flashes
y4..".the subject is too close [under 60 cm
Qa in)l.In this case, the shutier release is ftr blocked until the distance is increased (see
also "Viewfinder display,, p.12).
The red confirmation signil tigtrts up with
a _ slight pressure of the shutter rblease Taking pictures in automatic program mode when the flash is recharged.
and automatic flash The red confirmation signal flashes rapidly
When switched on, the LEICA mini zoom and the shutter release is blocked as tong as
is set to the automaticprogram mode so that the flash is not ready (see also ..Viewfin?eiyou do not have to immediately choose a display" p. 13).
mode. In this mode, the flash ii automati_
cally activated in low light, when slower
shutter speeds are likely to lead to camera
shake, e.g., in dark interiors and in twi_
ljent..The da_ta.panel displays the battery
lunction symbol and the frame counter.
The green confirmation signal lights up
as soon as the focus and exposure are
measured and saved.View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
is greatly reduced as it contracts the eye
pupils of the people looking in the direction
of the camera.
(6, Press the mode selector button
"MODE') once. The data panel will display
a double flash symbol lt.
Importanf.' Ensure that the main subject
is within the flash range (see p. 21). @ttfn t
Taking pictures in automatic prograrn mode
with automatic flash and Pre-flash
With flash photography, an undesirable
"red-eye" effect is possible when the flash E:t
is reflected from the retina of the eye
directly to the camera. Therefore, the per-
son being photographed should not look
directly into the camera. In low light, this
effect is especially noticeable due to dilated
eye pupils. When, e.g., photographing in-
doors, it is recommended to add as much
normal room lighting as possible so that
the eye pupils are more contracted. By
using the pre-flash, released immediately
prior to the main flash, the "red-eye" effect
www.butkus.us
frr-View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
To activate exposure override, press the
mode selector button (6, "MODE") until
the camera data panel displays the symbol
+EV "+EV". {E
L3ff
{r
,
I
Taking pictures in automatic program mode
with automatic flash and exposure override
Exposure measurement is done from a
middle gray value which corresponds to the
brightness of an average photographic
scene. When the scene does not measure to
this value, an exposure override is neces-
sary. In extremely bright surrounding sce-
nes, e.g., with snow or at the beach, the
picture becomes underexposed due to the
high amount of light reflections. In order
to compensate, the picture must be over-
exposed by "+28Y" (EV : Exposure
Value).
l9View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
the camera will set a shutter speed accord-
i;;6 tht lighting situation up to the "B"
long exposure times (please also see page
22).
1i activate the flash manually, press the @ selector button (6, "MODE") until -iO. 7ON" is displayed in the data panel' The
fiash will 4owbe activated for every photo-
graptr regardless of lighting conditions' rH ,o*
Manual flash-on
Activating the flash manually is recom-
mended inhen taking photographs against
i-ht;il (backlighO-or for pictures with
."tr.-" contrast (e.g., when the subject is
in shade).
Witft nuth photographs outdoors at twi-
figfri oi at night, the background often
i"?t out dark Lecause the shutter speed- is
noitto*.r than 1/30 second with flash in the minimizeautomatic program mode to
camera shake.
For correct exposure of the surrounding
u* i" such photographic situations, se-lect
itr. piogtum mode;'manual flash-on"' Now,
www.butkus.usView original page 25Page 27 · Read text
q=
oFF L3F I
Manual flash-off With pressure on the shutter release, the
By intentionally switching the flash off, one letter "B" is displayed in the LCD data
can e.g., capture the special mood of twi- panel when the camera switches to
light, or photograph inside a museum where manually-controlled long exposure times.
flash photography is not allowed. Press the Here, the shutter remains open for as long
mode selector button (6, "MODE") until as the shutter release button is pressed all
"t OFF" is displayed'in the data panel the way down.
(see above). The flash will now remain off For photographs with long exposure times,
for the following photographs. the LEICA mini tripod is recommended as
Attention' The green confirmation signal a practical accessory which fits into any
flashes when the shutter speed falls below pocket. See LEICA mini tripod illustration
1/30 second which indicates risk of camera (order no. 14 320).
shake. In this case, steady the camera
against or on a stable object, or use a
tripod.
www.butkus.usView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
+EV ffi =-Eoo
I or, f,tr oolo* ffr
Taking pictures with infinity focus lock Taking pictures with inlinity focus lock, * exposure override and manual flash-off *and manual flash-off
Infinity focus lock enables one to photo- In order to photograph, o.9., o snow land-
foqqs_graph through windows of, e.g., buses or scape, it is advisable to use infinity
airplanes, thus avoiding focus error due to lock and to correct the exposure by +2EY
reflection off of the glass. However, this by activating the exposure override.
mode is also recommended when photo- To do this, press the mode selector buttongraphing landscapes with a busy _fore- (6, "MODE') until the sYmbols "*",
ground to ensure that the sharpest focus "{ OFF" and "+EV" are displayed at thepoint is set at the furthest distance. same time.
(6,Press the mode selector button 4@t'"MODE") until the sYmbols and
p_anel"{ OFF" are displayed in the data
(iee above). The lens is now set to infinity
Please also see page 22, automaticfor the following photographs and the * Note:
flash is switched off. switch-over to "B" (long-time exposure).
23View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
Press the mode selector button (6,
"MODE") until the symb ols "/ OFF" and
"8" are displayed in the data panel (see
panel @ theillus.).frameAftercounterpressingin thethe LCDshutterdatarelease,
shows the exposure time.
\ orrt I fH
Taking pictures in "B' (long-time
exposures) and manual flash-off
This function is especially suitable for night
photography. The shutter, now manually
controlled, remains open as long as the
shutter release is pressed down. Since no
light metering is done in this mode, it is
advisable to take several pictures at varying
long exposures times. The flash unit is
switched off. It is necessary to steady the
camera in some fashion, preferably on a
tripod.
www.butkus.us
24View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
After pressing the self-timer button, the
self-timer symbol in the data panel flashes
and the remaining seconds until the shutter
release is shown. To cancel the self-timer,
press the self-timer selector button once
more or switch the camera off.
Automatic film rewind
The camera autom atically rewinds the film
after the last exposure. The frame counter
counts in reverse. When the film has been
fully rewound into its cartridge, the motor (60" winder stops and a flashing symbol
Self-timer appears in the data panel. You can now
By pressing the self-timer selector button safely open the camera back and remove the
(7) below the data panel on the top of the cartridge.'
camera, the self-timer is activated, delaying Important: If the motor stops without the
the release of the shutter by approximately flashing cc\)' symbol appearing in the data
10 seconds. During the countdown, the red panel, the battery must be replaced. Do not
LED (9) on the front of the camera lights up open the camera back because light falling
as follows: on the partially rewound film will damage it.
7 seconds: constant After inserting a fresh battery, the manual
2 seconds: blinking film rewind (22) on the bottom of the
activated. l second: constant camera must be
The shutter release follows.
25View original page 30Page 31 · Read text
Mid-roll film rewind This panorama forrnat is well-suited for
You can activate the motor winder to landscape or group photographs. Insert the
rewind film partially exposed by pressing adapter on the film window of the LEICAthe rewind switch indicated by the symbol mini zoom as shown in the illustration.
;D found on the camera bottom next to The entire film will now be exposed in the
the tripod thread. Press it with a ballpoint panorama format.
pen or similar object. Important: Be careful to stay within the
panorama markings in the viewfinder (see
Panorama photograPhs p. I2).Also, there is velcro inside of the
The standard 35 mm film format of the eveready case to securely store the pano-
LEICA mini zoom is 24x36 mm and has rama adapter.
a lateral ratio of 2:3. With use of the
panorama adapter (available as accessory
brder 11o. 18 510), a film format of l2x 36
1:3.is produced with a lateral ratio of
www.butkus.us
26View original page 31Page 34 · Read text
l. LCD-data back display
2. Display for marking the film flashes for
approximately 2 s. after successful data
imprinting.
MODE SELECT SET 3. MODE Push button for setting the data display
and for switching off data imprinting. L[dfr/frl] Every time the button is pushed, the dis-
play changes in sequence (see diagram on
page 30). The month is marked with the Yll345 letter "M" (doesn't appear on film). The
dashes (-- -- --) visible in the display
Data back when the data imprint mode is set to off,
The LEICA mini zoom is available with or are not imprinted on the- film.
without data back. 4. SELECT
With the quartz controlled data back, the Push button for selecting the individual
date (day, month, year - in three different data to be set.
sequences), or the time (day, hour, minute)
can be imprinted onto the film at the 5. SET Push button for setting the individualmoment of exposure (see p. 31). The auto- data. By pressing briefly the value ismatic calender extends to the year 2019. ascending order.The date or time can be read in the lower changed by one in Holding the button down longer causesright corner of the photograph. The im- the values to change quickly.printing of the data is controlled by the
LEICA mini zoom's automatic film speed
setting (DX-coding). The data back is
powered by the camera battery.View original page 34Related documents and language editions
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Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.