Minolta COLOR METER II User manual

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        METERI    COLOR                 OWNER'SMANUAL
                  BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNGMINOLTA
                MODED'EMPLOI
                 MANUALDE INSTRUCCIONES

ENGLISH(pp.1 -121          www.orphancameras.com                         t
    The Minolta Color Meter II combines for the first time the latest LSI microprocessorcircuitry
 with an easy-to-read liquid-crystal display to produce a three-color meter that  is lightweighi,
  incredibly easy to use, and unequaled in accuracy and range.
    The Color Meter II employs three high-sensitivitysilicon photo cells to make simultaneous
 measurement of  both  the blue/red and green/red light ratios, and light_balancingand color_
 compensating indexes are immediately displayed in digital form  at the push of a button. All
 information  is inputted or displayed by simply pressing the proper keys, thereby eliminating
 complicated dial settingsand multiile needleor scalereadings.
    To  further simplify use, the meter has a three position preset film-type selector to allow
 instantly setting it for the most commonly used film types. There is also a variable setting that
 allows making precise adjustments for any other film  types, or  to  suit your own  individual
 preferencefor color balance.
    The detachable receptor head and ability to make continuous readings further enhance the
 Color Meter II's versatility.
    Pleaseread and study this manualthoroughly,so you will be able to realizethe fullpotential of your new meter.


 NOTE
    The Color Meter II  is designedspecifically for photographic use. For scientific and industrial
    colorimetry, the Minolta Chroma Meter is recommended.

  Throughoutthe text you will find a seriesof numbers.Eachof theserefersto a
pictureon the fold-outpagesat the front.

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BATTERY

 Installing the battery
 o.Your Color Meter II  is powered by a single 9-volt "transistor-type" battery, Eveready 216or equivalent
   The battery is installed as follows:
 1. Remove the battery-chambercover by pressingdown on  it and sliding it in the direction of the arrow @  .
2.  Insert the bottom  of the battery into the chamber first, making sure the terminals are positioned as
    illustrated inside the battery chamber @  .
3. Replacethe cover by carefully realigningand sliding it towards the meter body until it snapssecurelyinto
    place.

   After the battery has been installed, all display indications will appear. They will be replaced in a few
seconds,dependingupon the positionsof the film-type and variable/presetselectors,by one of fourdisplays.

                                        vARt.-- r-PRESEI                                vARl.-lTPRESET
                             tIITf,II                            tiltill
             -,J          8 r A r 0                   o     B r 4 r o                                                                       - j { [ l  o   K     IilEITI       17  o' K  rHln

                                     vARr.-] TPRESET
                              Lltiltl
              oK                                                                            v
            :i5[l o                          J h h o  K                   ffi

NOTE
     lf any figures other than those shown are displayed, remove the battery and wait at least ten seconds
   before reinstallingit.  lf you do not wait at least ten seconds,the  f iguresdisplayedwill be incorrect, and
  measurementscannot be made.



Power consumption
   The power consumption of the Color Meter II is so low in the non-measuringmode that a power switch is
not needed. Instead,the meter employs an automatic cancellingfeature that clearsthe display approximately
four minutes after a measurement has been taken, or any of the display keys have been released.Cancelling
of the display also clearsall data inputted to the meter, except the film-type setting. lf you wish to retain the
data or display for more than four minutes,pressingany of the display keys ("FlLM",  "K",  "L8",  or "CC")
will restart the four-minute cycle.
   The meter's low power consumption permits a fresh battery under normal conditions to yield more than
30,000 three-secondmeasurements,or continuous measurementfor 24 or more hours.
   When the battery's power level drops below minimum requirements,the display figures will be replaced
by three decimal points as shown @.  tt the battery is totally exhausted,thedisplaywindowwill beblank.


                                                                                          l r t

NOTE
o   lf the meter is not to be used for two weeks or longer, it is recommendableto remove the battery and
   store it in a cool, dry place.
o To avoid accidentally pressingthe measuring button and draining the battery, use the measuring-button
        l o c k ( B - 1 6 ) .

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OPERATION
     The basic function of the color Meter I[ is to provide data that will allow selection of proper filtration to
   color-correctthe light for a specific f ilm'
     The meter's sophisticated electronics permit this data to be obtained in a variety of ways, as well as
   performing other f unctions.
     The following steps show one method of operation, and are recommended until you become familiar with
   the meter. They follow a logicalprogression,employ all functions of the meter, and provide full information.
   Supplementary notes will explain which steps can be eliminated, or when their order can be changed
   accordingto your needs.

   Step 1. Setting film type
     To obtain the fi lter data neeldedto color-correct a film,  its type or the color temperature forwhich   it is
   balanced must first be set. The meter has three preset settings for the most commonly used film types ("B"
   for Type-B tungsten films balancedfor 32OOK,"A;'for Type-A tungstenfilms balancedfor 3400K, and "D"
   for daylight films balancedfor 5500K), as well as a variablesettingfor other film types.
     To input one of the preset film types, move the variable/presetselector (A-5) to the "PRESET" position
   and the film-type selector (A-11) to the letterdesignationof the film to be used l"B","A",   or "D").Then
   pressthe film-input/display("FlLM")  key C  to input your selection.The film's color temperatureand its
    letter designationwill now appearin the display window.                +.'
        vARl.--  r-PRESET                                          Lr      TIIilf,II                                                                                                                                            I          (trffi                                           )                                                                                FILM
     The variable setting allows you to input a film type that is not balancedfor one of the three preset color
   temperatures. For example, Minolta testing has found that Kodak's Ektachrome 64, 200, and 4OO ASA
   professionaldaylight films are balancedfor approx.5O00K, rather than the 55OOK of most other daylight
   films, such as Kodachromeor Fujichrome.

The range of the variable setting is from 2000 to 7500K, and a color-temperature figure is inputted byII          first moving the variable/presetselector (A-5) to the "VARl"  position and pressingthe film key O    . The
         letter "V"   will now appear in  the display window.  Hold the  film  key down and press either the
        variable-settingincrease (t) or decrease(J) key until the desired figure is displayed @. Releasethefilm key
        to input this setting.

                                      vARt.--rr PRESET                             r r I
                                                                       FILM   4          I                      IITilIE                                                                                                l \ y

     NOTE
            r  The preset or variable film-type setting will remain inputted to the meter until changedor the battery is
         removed.
       o While a film type is displayed,the meter cannot take a measurement.
       o Once the film-type setting has been inputted, it can be changedat any ti me before or after a measurement
         has been taken. Thus Step 1 can be done again after either Step 2 or 3  if you wish td use the meter to
          help compare or select film types for a readingalready taken.
       Step 2. Taking a measurement
           After the film type has been inputted, press the "K"  key @, which will clearthe f ilm-type displayand
       put the meter into its measuringmode.
         Hold the meter at the subject position with the white receptor facing directly towards the camera, making
       sure the same light falling on your subject^isalso striking the meter's light receptor (A-1 ). To take a reading,
       press and hold in the measuring button (U  until the display appearsand stabilizes.Releasethe button to
       input and hold the reading. The display will now show the color temperature for the red/blue ratio of the
         light being measured.
                   lf the figure displayed is very much different from the balance of the film inputted, you may wish to
      change to one balanced for a color temperature nearer the meter's readout, to eliminate filtration or keep it
              t o a m i n i m u m .

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NOTE
       lf you do not need to know the color temperature, you can put the meter into  its measuring mode by
   pressingeither the "LB"  or "CC" key insteadof the "K"  key. This would take you directly to Step 3.

Continuous m easurement
   The meter will measureand give readouts continuously, as long asthe measuringbutton is fully depressed
 Q.  ffris can be done by either holding the button in manually or by usingthe measuring-buttonlock
on the side of the meter. To use the lock, slide it towards the measuringbutton while the button is held in
@  . ffre lock can also be engagedwhile the button is not depressedto keep it from being pushedaccidentally.


N O T E
   The display mode cannot be changed while the measuring button  is held in and a measurement is being
   made.
Step 3. LB and CC indexes
    After inputting film type and/or taking a reading, press the "LB"  key @.  tfris will clear the previous
display, and the designation"LB"  will appear.A plus (+) or minus (-)  figure of up to three digits or a"O"
will also be displayed. Appearance of       indicatesthat no filtration is needed for the red/blue ratio of the
 light measured.lf a plus (+) or minus (-)  figure is displayed,consult the light-balancingfilter tableson the
back of the meter to obtain the proper LB filtration. Details about tables are as shown @  .
   Next press the "CC" key @  to change the display mode. The designation "CC"  will appear along with
either "O",   if no filtration  is needed, or a plus (+) or minus (-)  figure of up to two digits, if filtration is
necessaryfor the green/red ratio. Refer to the color-compensatingfilter tables @ on the back of the meter
when a figure is displayed with a plus (+) or minus (-) index to obtain the proper CC filtration. Details about
tables are given in the next section.

 N O T E
 o The LB and CC indexes can be displayed or recalledin any order.
 o Continuous measurementscan be taken in either the LB- or CC-display modes,as well as the K-display
   mode outlined in Step 2.

USE OF THE FILTER TABLES

  On the back of the meter, there are four filter tables that are used to convert the LB and CC indexesgiven
by the meter into standard Kodak filter designations @  .
   The two  top  tables are for  light-balancing (LB)  filters, and the two  bottom  tables are for  the
color-compensating(CC) filters. Positive index figures (for "warming"  filters) are listed in the two left-hand
tables;negativeones (for "cooling" filters) in the two on the right.
   To use the tables, look up the plus (+) or minus (-l  LB index in the appropriateone,then dothesame
with the CC index. The figuresin the middle column of each table are the Kodak designationsfor filters that
correspondto the f igures listed.
      lf the index given by the meter does not exactly match an index number on the table, pick the number
nearestto the index given by the meter. Two numbers on the table can also be added together to equal the
index given by the meter. For example,if the meter indicatesan LB index of -53, addinS-21 and -32  will
give you -53 which correspondsto an 82A and an 82B filter. Using these two filters together will give you
correct light balancing.The same proceduresare used to obtain color-compensatingfiltration.
   The number of filters used should be kept to a minimum, and it is not recommendableto use more than
three f ilters together.

EV Compensation
   The filter tables also give the amount of exposure increaseneeded for each filter used. The amount of
increaseis shown in the right-hand column of each table, and the total exposure correction is obtained by
adding the LB- and CC-filter factors together. For example, if an 81D filter with a EV factor oI +213 used for
light balancing,and a 20 magenta color-compensatingfilter with a factor of +113 are used together, a total of
one stops' additional exposure is needed l2l3 + 113 = 1l,.
      lf you are using a camera with through-the-lens (TTL) metering, exposure compensation will not be
necessary.

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NOTE
 .  When color-correctinga tungsten film for use in daylight, it is recommendedthat a UV (ultraviolet) filter
   be used in addition to the other filters. Tungsten film is not designedto be exposed to the amount of UV
    light presentin daylight.
 o The  f ilter tables are based on the use of Kodak filters, or filters using Kodak designations.The table @
   gives the designationsused by some other manufacturers for equivalent filters. The equivalencyof other
    filters to Kodak's is based upon their own manufacturer's specifications.lf the filters you use are not
    listed, refer to their manufacturer'sspecifications.



OVER. AND UNDER.RANGEWARNINGS

      lf either the color temperature or the il'luminancelevel of the light being measured exceedsthe meter's
range,the displaywill blink on and off as a warning.
   The meter's color-temperature range is from 1600 to 40,000K. Dependingon whether the color-tempera-
ture goes below or above this range,either the 1600 or 40,000K figure will appear and begin to blink. Even if
this happens,the LB and CC indexescan stillbe obtained.
   For practical purposes,there is no over-rangeilluminance level;only low-light levelswill affect the meter.
 l f  t h e  l i g h t l e v edl r o p s b e l o w a p p r o x1. 0 | x . ( E V 2 a t A S A 1 0 O ) , t h e m e t e r ' s d i s p l a y w ibl le g i n t o b l i n k o n a n d
off as a warning that the light level is too low to measure.

NOTE
 o  In  light levels below approx. 100  lx. the meter's display will take longer than normal to stabilize.
     ln this case,be sure to hold the measuringbutton in Q  until the display stabilizes.
 o To stop the display from bl inking, point the meter towards another light source and take another reading
    that is within the meter's range.

DETACHABLE RECEPTORHEAD

       The Color Meter II's receptor head (A-2) can be detached from the meter body for use with the optional
    accessoryAdapter Cord MA-1 .
       To detach the head, depressthe receptor-headreleasebutton (B-13) and pull the head straight out from
     the meter body as shown @.I

       The adapter cord can now be installed between the meter body and receptor head. All operations and
     functions of the meter will remain the same as when the head and body are directly attached,
       To replace the receptor head, align it with the meter body and press it all the way into the body until it
     clickssecurelyin place.

    N O T E
     o When the receptor head is separatedfrom the body, be careful not to damage or touch the connecting
        p i n s .
     o The receptor head can be installed in only one position; never force it into the meter body.
     o When using the MA-1 cord, be sure to keep it away from  electric motors or relays that could cause
        interferenceor noise.


   OPTIONAL ADAPTER CORD MA.l

I      The Minolta Adapter Cord MA-1 is used to allow taking measurementsin otherwise inaccessiblypositions.
    To use this accessory,connect the adaptor cord MA-1 between the receptor head and meter body  O.

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

                     Type:  3-color-measuringlight analyzer that  digitally indicates filtration for
                            co lor-photographic use by microprocessorand I iqu id-crystaI d isplay
                   Sensors: 3 silicon photo cells respectivelyfiltered to detect blue, green, and red
                                     light under integratingf lat opal diffuser; receptor head detachable
     E lectronic components : H ermeticaI ly sealed m icroprocessor ch ip; custom designedI iq u id-crystal
                                display; 1B gold-plated plug contacts connect receptor head with meter
                           body
                   Controls: Measuring button with  lock to prevent readings or make continuous
                             ones; selector slides and input/display, increase,and decreasekeys for
                               film-type settings;"LB:'  "CC," and "K" display keys
                     Display: LC type; 5 digits with plus/minus prefix and unit identificationsas
                               applicable; desired readout selectable by depressing appropriate key
                                before/after reading made; film type can be changed for new readout
                                   (s) without taking new reading; display blinks as over-under-range
                            Warning, cancels approx. 4 min. after last control released;film-type
                                input retained until changed
           Function readouts: 1)  Light-balancing (LB)  filter  indexes in mireds (micro-reciprocal
                          degrees= 1lK x 106 ) automatically calculatedfrom blue: red-reading
                                         rati o
                                  2) Color-compensating (CC)  filter  indexes in decamireOs (8ffi4)
                               automatically calculatedfrom green; red-readingratio
                                   .3) Color temperature in K  (Kelvins) automatically calculated from
                              green: blue: red-readingratio

lndependent *ranges: 1) LB indexes: -762  to +999 mireds (covering indications far beyond
                                  rangeof availablef ilters)
                                             2l CC indexes: -99  to +99 decamireds (coveringindications far beyond
                                 range of availablef ilters)
                                        3) Color temperatures: 1600 to 40,000K
                       Flepeatability: 1) LB indexes: t2 mireds
                                             2') CC indexes:+1 decamired
                                       3) Color temperature: r2  mireds (Kelvin figure varies with  color
                                   temperature; e.9., t20K at 3200K, t50K  at 5O00K, etc.)
    Minimum illumination required: 10 lx. (luces)(=EV 2 at ASA 100)
       OperabletemperatureFirm_typesettinss:range: -101)preset:to +50"C (14 to 12Z"Fl                                               ::i::                                          l=llB:-il:?l:l:?i,,3?BBI
                                                     "p"  (="photographic" daylight) : 5500K
                                        2) Variabte: 2000 to 7b00K
                  Power source: One 9v battery (eveready216 or equivalent)
                            Other:  Body housing and head of  reinforced molded ABS synthetic resin;
                                .-             automatic zero calibration; index/filter conversion table on back of
                                   body; tripod socket; strap eyelet
                     Dimensions: 17O x72 x 33mm 16-'l'1116x2-13/16 x 1-5l16 in.)
                          Weight: 230g (8-1 116oz.) without battery
                       Accessories: IncludedvaiIab'ewith:    unit: Neck strap, carrying case           il".                                      i?::;::3."..lJf;i.'llli;,1il il :*"'" Jl? oinn,r

         * Full LB and CC rangesavailableeven if K readingout of range
IIIt

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CARE AND STORAGE

 o Do not presson or damage the indication-displaywindow.
O Do not subject the meter to shocksor vibration.
 O  The meter should never be placed or left in the glove compartment or other placesin a motor vehicle, or
   eleswhere,where it may be subject to temperatures higher than 55"C, or lower than -20"C, as it may be
   permanently damaged. Particular care should be taken not to leave the meter in sunlight or near sources
    of heat such strong lights, etc. Do not store it in humid places,or near corrosivechemicals.
   The Color Meter II  is designed for use at temperatures between 50" and -10"C.   lf the unit becomes
   hotter or colder than this, operation will be more or lessunsatisfactory.
      lf the meter is left or placed in direct sunlight for any long period, the indicationdisplay window will turn
   black. In this case,use the Adapter Cord MA-1 and place the meter body away from the sunlight.
  When the meter is to be stored, place it in its original packaging,and put  it in an air-tight container with
   an appropriateamount of dehumidifyingagent,such as silicagel.
   Never attempt to disassembletheunit. Any repairs necessaryshould be undertaken only by an authorized
   Minolta servicefaci lity.
   The meter body may be wiped with a silicone-treatedcloth to clean it. Do not allow alcohol or chemicals
    of any other kind to touch its surface.
      lf the meter is not to be used for two or more weeks, it is advisableto remove the battery.



Specificationssubject to changewithout notice