Film cameras
Minolta Dynax 303si User manual
User manual for Minolta Dynax 303si. 65 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
65 pagesEnglish3.9 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta Dynax 303si
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 65
- File size
- 3.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 3 · Read text
Thank you for purchasing a Minolta camera. This manual has been
designed to help you understand the operation of your Minolta
camera more quickly. After familiarizing yourself with the camera,
start with Basic Operation and learn to operatQ the camera in Full-
Auto mode. Move on to Subject Program selection when you are
comfortable with the camera and want to have more control. Here
you decide the type of image you want to photograph and leave the
exposure details to the camera.
The information in this manual is relevant for products introduced before
June, 1999. Contact the nearest authorized Minolta Service facility to obtain
compatibility information for products released after this date.
This mark certifies that this product meets the requirements of the EU
(European Union) concerning interference causing equipment regulations'
Europ6enne (European Conformity).C€ CE stands for Conformit6
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. lf this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equip-
ment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
. lncrease the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
. Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This Class B digital apparatus conplies with Canadian ICES-003. www.butkus.usView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
Read and understand all warnings and cautions before
using this product.
WARNING A
Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use.
. Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual.
. Do not installthe batteries with the polarity (+/-) reversed.
. Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures.
. Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble.
. Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, or ages.
. Tape over lithium battery contacts before disposal.
. Follow local regulations for battery disposal.
Keep batteries and other things that could be swallowed away
from young children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is
swallowed.
lmmediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if...
. the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior
. theis exposed.camera emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.
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.
Do not look directly at the sun through the viewfinder.
CAUTION A
Do not allow a camera lens to point directly at the sun. Fire may
occur if sunlight comes to focus on a flammable surface. Replace
the lens cap when the product is not being used.
1View original page 4Page 11 · Read text
Insert batteries.
This camera uses two CR2 lithium
batteries.
2. Attach lens.
. Align the red mounting dot on the lens
with the one on the camera. Genfly
insert the lens into the mount and turn
it clockwise until it clicks into the locked
position.
3. Turn on power.
. Slide the main switch to ON.
4. Load film.
. Align the film tip with the red mark, then
close the back cover.
www.butkus.usView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
lf using a zoom lens, rotate
the zooming ring to frame
your subiect as desired.
Center your subiect in the
focus frame, then Press the
shutter release button
partway down.
. The camera will focus and set exposure
automaticallY.
7 Take the Picture.
. GentlY press the shutter-release button
all the way down to take the picture.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION
This section provides the information necessary to operate your
camera in most photographic situations.
This section covers:
. Battery lnstallation
. Attaching and Removing the Lens . Loading the Film ri
. Camera Handling .i
. Fullv Automatic Camera Operation ..: . Special Focus Situations
. Basic Flash Operation ,i . Rewinding the Film
once you fully understand the instructions in this section, proceed to
subject Program selection and Additional Features to obtain more
enjoyment from your camera. :t
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10View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
Your camera uses two 3V CR2 lithium batteries 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 the batteries as
indicated by the + and -
marks.
Close the battery-chamber
door, then turn the battery-
chamber lock to CLOSE.
Setting the camera down with the
battery-chamber door open may
damage the camera.
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12View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
Checking Battery Power
Each time the main switch is set to ON, a battery symbol appears in
the data panel'indicating the power status of the batteries'
Full-battgy-symbol--
Power is sufficient for all camera
operations.
. V will only appear for five AUTOI seconds. ''P% --!
Blinking low-batterY sYmbol
Power is extremely low. All functions
are operational, but the batteries will
+ need to be rePlaced soon' Flash AUTO oF-"ffi recycling time maY be slow.
Blinking low-batterY sYmbol
appears alone and the shutter
\a locks.
for camera odToa\ Power is insufficient
operation. Replace the batteries.
No display
Power is too low for the camera to
operate. Replace the batteries or make
sure they have been inserted correctly.
13View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Attaching the Lens
1. Remove the body and rear
lens caps.
2. Align the red mounting dots
on the lens and camera body.
3. Gently insert the lens into the
mount, then turn it clockwise
until it clicks into the locked
position.
Do not insert the lens at an angle.
Do not press the lens release when
attaching the lens.
Caution
. Do not force the lens if it does not turn smoothly.
. Do not touch the inside of the camera, especially the lens contacts and
mirror.
www.butkus.us
14View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
Removing the Lens
Press the lens release and
turn the lens counter-
clockwise until it stops.
Gently remove the lens and
replace caps, or attach
another lens.View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
Check the film window before loading film. lf film is loaded, do not
open the back cover. Refer to Manual Rewind on page 29 tor
instructions on removing a partially exposed roll.
film. . Load film in the shade to reduce the chances of fogging the
problems may occur. . Do not use Polaroid lnstant 35mm film. Winding
lf DX-coded film is used, the camera automatically sets the correct ISO
(film speed).
It non DX-coded film is used, the camera will use the previous roll's ISO
setting.
. Do no1 use infrared film in this camera. The camera's frame counter
sensor will fog infrared film'
1. Slide the back'cover release
down to oPen the back cover.
Insert a film cartridge into the
film chamber.
shutter curtain
The shutter curtain's precision design
makes it extremelY sensitive to
it w*h You r
i,i,,?i.,X'3; ilffi ';"'fi:
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16 .7\MView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
3. Extend the leader between
the guide rails to the index
mark.
. lf the film.tip extends beyond the index
mark, push the excess film back into
the cartridge.
ffiffiffi
4. Close the back cover.
. The camera automatically advances the
film to the first frame. 1 will appear in
the frame counter.
. - E blinks in the frame counter and the
shutter locks when the film is loaded
incorrectly. Open the back cover and
repeatsteps2-4.
lf film is loaded with the power off
An o--j appear in the data panel for approx. five seconds to
indicate successful loading, then the camera shuts down.
. lf the film did not load, --E will blink in the data panel before the
camera shuts down. Reload the film.
17View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
Holding the Camera
Grip the camera firmly with your right hand, while supporting the
lens with your left. Keep your elbows at your side and your feet
shoulder-width apart to hold the camera steady. Keep the camera
strap around your neck or wrist in the event you accidentally drop
the camera.
. Do not touch the end of the lens barrel while taking a picture.
. Use a tripod when using slow shutter speeds or a telephoto lens.
Pressinq the Shutter-Release Button
Press the shutter-release button partway down to activate the
camera's autofocus and auto-exposure systems.
Wffiffi
picture.
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18View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
1. Slide the main switch to ON.
lf using a zoom lens, rotate
the lensnzooming ring to
frame the subiect as desired.
3. Center your subiect in the
focus frame then Press [ ],
the shutter-release button
partway down to activate
autofocus.
. O or (ot will appear in the
viewfinder when focus is confirmed.
. The built-in flash will pop-up and fire
when necessary.
4. Press the shutter-release
button all the waY down to
take the picture.
. In low-light conditions, the AF
illuminator (flash) willfire to determine
focus distance.
. Use focus hold (p22) it your subject is
outside the focus frame.
19View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
The following signals appear in the
viewfinder to indicate the focus status
when the shutter release button is
pressed partway down.
Focus is confirmed
Continuous autofocus - Focus is confirmed (OI
Focus cannot be confirmed - Shutter is locked'
Subject is too close or is one of the special focus lOi '7 - situations described on page 21.
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20View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
The camera may not be able to focus in situations like those
described below. When the focus signal blinks, use focus hold (p22)
or manual focus (p45).See page 20 for an explanation of the focus
signals.
lf the subject within the focus frame is
very bright, or low in contrast.
lf two subjects at different distances
overlap in the focus frame.
lf a subject composed of alternating
light and dark lines completely fills the
focus frame.
lf your subject is near a very bright
object or area.
21View original page 24Page 27 · Read text
Changing the flash mode
When the flash mode button is pressed, the flash mode changes in
the following sequence:
nuto
lasn ^,1
nuto with red-eye reduction oul,oo
fsn
Fillfllshl
V
rirrngn with red-eye reductionl o
Flash.cancelO
I
. The shutter will not release until the flash is charged.
you don't want the flash to fire. . Select flash cancel Q when . When you turn the main switch to ON, auto flash or auto flash with red-
eye reduction.will be set according to the setting used for the last picture
taken.
. Make sure your subject is within the flash range specified in the table on
page 23.
Auto Flash
In auto-flash, the built-in flash pops-up automatically when the shutter
release button is pressed partway down in low light situations. Once the
flash is up, it will fire when necessary.
Press the flash mode button
until appears in the data
panel.^,i,"
www.butkus.usView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
Light reflecting from your sublect's eyes may produce the effect
knownasred-eye.usetneouilt-inf|ash'sred.eye.reductionmodeto
proOr..morenaturallookingphotographsbyreducingthered-eye
effect.
Press the flash mode button
apPears in the data until t"'
panel.
. Warn your subiect that the flash will fire
a few ihort flash bursts just before the
picture is taken.
Fill Flash
use fill flash when taking pictures under fluorescent lighting or to
eliminate harsh shadowi. When set, the flash will fire every time a
pi.trr" is taken. The TTL automatic flash metering system will
ensure correct exposure.
Press the flash-mode button
until ? apPears in the data
panel.
25View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
Fill Flash with Red-Eye Reduction
Press the flash-mode button
until I oappears in the data
panel.
. Warn your subject that the flash will fire
a few short flash bursts just before the
picture is taken.
. Flash always fires with red-eye
reduction.
Flash Gancel
Use flash cancel when photographing twilight scenes or to capture
the ambiance of existing light, or when flash is not permitted.
Press the flash-mode button
until €t aPPears in the data
panel.
The shutter speed may be slow.
Use of a tripod is recommended. www.butkus.us
26View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
Lens shadowing occurs when the lens or lens hood blocks part of
the output from the built-in flash. Lens shadowing appears as semi-
circular shaded area at the bottom (horizontal) or side (vertical) of
your image.
built-in flash' . Remove the lens hood before using the
lenses at shorter focal . Lens shadowing may occur with the following
lengths.
AF Zoom 28-70mm tl2'8c
AF Zoom 17-35mm f/3'5G
AF Zoom 20-35mm t13.5'4'5
AF Zoom 28-135mm tl4'4.5
AF Zoom 28-85mm f/3'5-4.5
AF Zoom 35-80mm tl4-5.6ll
the following lenses: . The built-in flash can not be used with
AF 300mm f/2.8 (APO tele)
AF 600mm f/4 (APO tele)
Do not use the built-in flash with focal lengths shorter than 28mm'
The built-in flash cannot cover focal lengths wider than 28mm'
27View original page 30Page 31 · Read text
Automatic Rewind
After you have exposed the last frame, the camera will automatically
rewind the film. When the film is completely rewound, the motor will
stop and @ will blink in the data panel indicating it is safe to open
the back of the camera.
1. Wait until the film is
)o ?n . completelyfr will appear andrewound.@ will blink in the
data panel.
Slide the back-cover release
down to open the back cover.
Remove the film, then close
the back cover.
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28View original page 31From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.