Flashes & lighting
Minolta Electronic Flash 280 PX User manual
User manual for Minolta Electronic Flash 280 PX. 32 pages in German, Spanish. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
32 pagesGerman, Spanish1.5 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta Electronic Flash 280 PX
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- German, Spanish
- Pages
- 32
- File size
- 1.5 MB
- Category
- Flashes & lighting
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
AUTOELECTROFLASH28OPX
OWNERS MANUAL
MINOLTA MODEBEDIENUNGSANLEITUNGD'EMPLOI
MANUALDEINSTRUCCIONESView original page 2Page 3 · Read text
MAIN FEATURES OF MINOLTA AUTOELECTROFLASH28OPX
o lnteracts with Minolta Direct Autoflash Meter- . "Lo" - enabling winder or motor-drive
ing SLR camerasfor simple, accurate through- sync at up to 2 frames per second (or up to
the-lens (TTL) off-film flash control: 3.5fps with optional power grip)
. Program TTL mode on X-700 with MD lens . Power level automatically switched to "Hi"
(cameraselectsaperture) in program TTL mode
. Any-aperture TTL mode on X-700, X-500, Flash mode controlled by camera's mode/
X-570 with almost all Minolta SLR lenses shutter-speedselector
and accessories(user selectsany aperture to Manual mode possible on any camera with hot
control f lash range and depth of f ield) shoe
. Simple adjustment of flash exposure by Gives flash-ready signal in viewfinder (and o9
using camera'scontrols flash) and automatically sets sync speed with
. Sufficient-exposure (FDC) signal in view- applicable Minolta cameras
finder and on flash Charge-monitoring and series-SCR (thyristor)
r Power-level selector with two settings: circuitry minimizing battery drain
. "Hi" - providing f lash range of 20m (65 ft.) Flash coverage for lenses down to 35mm focal
at f 11.4 in any-aperture TTL or manual , length (28mm with included wideangleadapter)
mode (guide number: 28 in meters at ASA/ Versatile, easy-to-use accessories for creative
ISO 100,46 in feet at ASA/1SO25) flash lighting (seep. 26)
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
Before using your Minolta Auto Electroflash NOTE
280PX for the first time, please read this manual The photographs, tables, and graphs for this
all the way through - or at least all the sections four-languageowner's manual have been arranged
covering your own photographic needs - so that on a separatesheet for easy viewing while reading
you will be able to operate it correctly and realjze the manual and, if desired, for use as a handy
its full potential right from the start. reference to be taken with you when actually
taking flash pictures. Designationssuch as ,,Block
A" in the text refer to the lettered blocks on the
sheet, and table and colored step numbers corre_
spond to numbered tables (such as T-1) and photo
sequencesin respectiveblocks.
CAUTION
Before using Auto Electroflash2gOpX on other
manufacturers'cameras, take a series of test
pictures to see whether the flash fires and synchro-
nizes properly with the camera.
WARNING: Do not fire the flash directly into
the eyes of people or animals at close range.View original page 4Page 7 · Read text
NOTE CAUTIONS
When your flash is new or has not been used for o When replacing batteries, be sure to change all
a long time, the capacitor may not be able to reach four batteries at one time. lf exhausted bat-
a full charge. To enable the capacitor to do so, teries are used with fresh ones, or if different
"f orm" it as follows: types of batteries are used together, there is a
possibility of battery leakageor bursting.
1. Insert fresh batteries and turn the power o Do not attempt to recharge carbon-zinc of
switch on. alkaline-manganesebatteries, as doing so could
2. After the monitor light comes on, fire the cause leakageor bursting. Nickel-cadmium bat-
flash three times using the open-flash/test teries should only be charged in their
button, allowing 20 to 30 seconds between designated chargers. /
flashes. o lf the flash unit is not to be used for two weeks
or more, batteriesshould be removed.
The capacitor will now be "formed," and the e lf batteries are inserted in reverse position, the
flash will be ready for shooting. flash will not operate.
o The terminal in the front of the attaching
bracket is for use only with Power Grip 2.
Connection with any other power source may
damagethe unit or create a fire hazard.
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Checking batteries Cold-weather operation
To check battery capacity, measure how long it Battery capacity tends to decrease as the
takes the monitor light to come on after the flash,s temperature goes down. Though alkaline_
power switch is turned on. The following table manganesebatteries are considerably better than
shows when to change or rechargethe batteries: carbon-zinc batteries in this respect, it is recom_
mended that alkaline-manganesebatteries be fresh
Carbon-Zinc if they are to be used in this unit in cold weather
Alkaline-ManganeseMore than 30 sec.-+change and that you carry fresh spares in a warm inside
Nickel-Cadmium More than 1O sec.+ recharge pocket for replacement if necessary.With nickel_
cadmium batteries, no particular care is necessary
NOTE Actual performance will depend on in cold weather.
type, brand, manufacturer,s lot, age Battery capacity is restored as soon as batteries ' of batteries, and ambient tempera_ are returned to moderate temperature.
' ture.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
ATTACHING AND REMOVING FLASH
(Block ClI
To attach the flash to the camera: To remove the flash' turn the clamp to the right
1. with the clamp turned fully to the right, slide as far as it will go; then hold the unit's lower part
the mounting foot straight forward fully into and slide it straight out of the hot shoe.
the hot shoe.
2. Turn clamp to left to secureunit'
To confirm whether the camera/f lash contacts
have connected properly, turn the camera's main
switch and the flash's power switch on' Then touch
or slightly depress the camera's operating button
. after the monitor light on the flash comes on, and
check whether the "60" LED in the viewfinder
blin ks.
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* The audible slow-shutter-speed warning, if1 0 Operation
The camera and flash are now ready for pro on, will stop beeping.
* lf the shutter is released before gram TTL operation using the X-700's off-film NOTES
metering system. All you need do before taking a the flash is fully charged, the
picture is: photograph will be taken in
1. Focus on a subiect within the P-mode range regularP mode without flash.
indicated in Table 1 and explained in the P- * When using the self-timer, check
mode range section below. to see that the f lash is f ully
NOTE To ensure sufficient exposure when charged before you press the
the subject is beyond the applicable operating button to start the
range, either reduce the flash'to timer.
subject distance or switch to any' 3 . Confirm that the subiect is still in focus, then
- aperture TTL or manual mode. releasethe shutter.
2. Check that the flash is fully charged: 4. lf exposure was sufficient, the "60" LED in
* The red monitor light on the flash's back the viewfinder will blink more rapidly for about
panel will come on. one second after exposure and the green FDC
* lf the viewfinder display is on, the "60" light on the flash's back panel will come on for
LED will start blinking. a few seconds.
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P-mode range In situations when you want to be certain 1 1
In program TTL mode, the X-700 auto- before taking the picture that the subiect will be
matically sets the shutter speed at 1/60 sec. and within range for the aperture set or when you want
the aperture between t 18 and the maximum to control the depth of field, it is recommended to
aperture of the lens. When the subject brightness use the flash in any-aperture TTL mode (see next
metered immediately before exposure is low, the section ).
camera's program selects a large aperture; when it For additiona! information on using Auto
is higher, the program selectsa smaller aperture. Electroflash 280PX for program TTL photography,
Table 1 in Block D gives the P-mode rangesfor see the "Exposure Adjustment" section on p.17,
various film speeds, both with or without the the "Wideangle Adapter" section on p.23, and the
wideangle adapter. The actual program TTL generalnotes on p.24.
range will, of course, vary with the aperture ASA/1SO 1000 range is approximately 3 times
selected by the program. When the subject bright- ASA/ISO 100 range.
ness is low and the program selectsa large aperture,
the range will be greater than that indicated in the
P-mode range table. When the subject brightnessis
higher and the program selectsa smaller aperture,
the range will be less than indicated in the table;
however, even in this case exposure will normally
be sufficient since the existing light will be added
to the exposure.View original page 12Page 14 · Read text
*
Operation A-3 Check the A-mode range indicators on the 1 3
The camera and flash are now ready for flash's back panel to see whether that distance
any-aperture TTL photography using the camera's is within range for the selected aperture and
Direct Autoflash Metering system. lf you desire power level. To do so, find the flash-to-sub-
to set the aperture first in order to control the ject distance in meters or feet on the distance
depth of field, continue reading immediately scales, then read directly down or up until
befow (steps A-1 , A-2, and A-3). lf you desire to you come to the indicator bar corresponding
first determine the distance then select a suitable to the aperture set. (For apertures not shown
aperture, skip over to the next subsection (steps on the scale, such as f 11.4, tl2, and f 122, use
B-1, B-2, and B-3). extrapolated bars or find the range from the
graph in Block l.)A. Determining aperture first lf the distance falls anywhere on the
A-1 Set the lens at the aperture you wish to use. indicator bar (use the beige portion tor "Hi"
A-2 Focus on your subject and find the flash-to- and the blue slashed portion tor "16"1,
subject distance, either by reading the dis- proceed to step 4 on p. 15.
tance from the scale on the lens or, when the lf the distance is not within the range,
flash is being used off camera, by estimating change the aperture, power level, or distance
the distance light will travel to the subject. to obtain a combination within range.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
1 4 B . Determining flash-to-subject distance first is not already at "Hi," set it at that position
and select a suitable aperture. B-1 Focus on your subject and find the flash-to-
subject distance, either by reading the dis- lf a distance, aperture, and power-level
tance from the scale on the lens or, when the combination within range has been obtained,
proceed to step 4 below. flash is being used off camera, by estimating
the distance light will travel to the subject.
B-2 Find that distance in meters or feet on the When you desire to have more control over
scales on the flash's back panel. Then read depth of field than is possible in P mode but Qo not want to be bothered with checking the A-mode directly down or up to see which aperture
bars are crossed (using the beige bars for "Hi" range indicators before taking each picture, simply
and the blue slashedportions for "Lo"). select an aperture that will give you sufficient-
depth of field and a sufficient range to cover the B€ Set the lens at any of the apertures whose
corresponding bars were crossed by the movement, if any, of your subject. Provided your
imaginary line drawn in the previous step. lf subject does not move out of the applicable range,
the line does not cross any bar (or extra- all you need do is focus and shoot.
polated bars for larger apertures, such as f 12 NOTE and f/1.4, not shown on the scale),reduce the An alternative method for determining the flash-to-subject distance or, if the power level A-mode range is given in Block I and explained
after step 6 below.
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1 6 Explanation of A-modo rlnoo graph (Bloc* ll 3. To find the maximum distance, keep reading to
The graph in Block I can be used to find the the right on the horizontal line until you reach
A-mode range for any combination of film speed, the sloping line marked "Hi l-1 MAX," then
aperture, and power level ("Lo" or "Hi"), both read down:2Om or approx. 65 ft.
with or without the wideangle adapter. The ex- Use a similar procedure to find the minimum and
ample explained below and shown in red on the maximum distances at other settings. lf your
graph illustrates how to find the minimum and subject is closer than 70cm, use the f lash off
maximum distance (for ASA/lSO 100) when the camera.
aperture is set at t11.4 and the power level is at
"Hi" without the adapter. (Directions are given For additional information on using Auto
with graph viewed so that aperture lines are on Electroflash 280PX for any-aperture TTL Photo--
left. ) graphy, see the next section ("Exposure Adjust-
'Wideangle Adapter" section on p'23, 1. Find the ASA/ISO at lower left, then read ment';), the
directly up until you reach the sloping line and the generalnotes on P'24'
corresponding to the aperture set (f/1.4). Now
read across to the right.
2. To find the minimum distance, read to the right
until you reach the sloping line marked ":
M lN," then read down: 70cm or approx. 2 ft- 4
i n .
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
EXPOSUREADJUSTMENT (Block F)
The exposure-adjustment control of the X-7OO +2 stops divide by 4. Then set the adjusted film 1 7
or film-speed ring of the X-500 or X-570 can be speed on the flash's back panel and determine
used to increase or decrease autoflash exposure in the flash-distance range as usual. (Be sure to
the same way as normal exposure adjustment reset film speed on flash as soon as exposure
without flash (see camera manual). However, use adjustment is no longer being used.)
of exposure adjustment causes a respective ln A mode, find the adjusted film speed from
decrease or increase in the autoflash ranges.Any of Table 3 in Block F, then use it to determinethe
the following ways can be used to determine the range from the graph in Block l.
adjusted range: ln A mode, use a flash-distance range indica-* In P mode, the range increases by about 40% tor above or below the one for the lens aperture
tor -2 stops ad justment and by about 20% for set. For example, if your lens is set at f/8 you
-1 stop adjustment. For +1 stop adjustment would use the f/5.6 indicator bar for -1 stop of
the decrease in range is about 15o/o,and for +2 exposure adjustment and the t/4 bar tor -2
stops adjustment, about 30%. (See Table 2 in stops of adjustment. For +1 stop exposure
B l o c k F . ) adjustment, you would use the f/11 indicator
* In A mode, find the adjusted film speed as bar, and the f/16 bar for +2 stops adjustment.
follows (see Table 3 in Block F): For -2 stops lf initial or adjusted film speed (or film speed
adjustment, multiply the film speed by 4, and equivalent when using X-7OO's+/- control) is
for -1 stop multiply by 2; for +1 stop beyond ASA/lSO 400, results of exposure
adjustment, divide the film speed by 2,and for adjustment may not be as expected.View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
1 8 NOTES
It With the X-500 or X-570, set the camera's
film speed 3 click-stops lourcr (e.g., 100 + 50)
f or + 1 stop, 3 click-stops higher (e.9., 100 +
200) for -1 stop, etc. The film speed should
remain within ASA/ISO 25 to 400.
:r When the flash is fully charged, the X-700's
+l- LED in the viewfinder will not blink even
if the exposure-adiustment control is set at
a position other than "O."
* Be sure to reset the exposure-adiustment con-
trol-to "O" or film-speed ring to normal as soon
as you no longer wish to adiust exposure.
Suggestionson when to use exposure adjustment
are given in the general notes on p. 24.
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20 4. Check that the flash is fully charged; NOTE
* The red monitor light on the flash's back The Flash Distance Checker does not operate in
panel will come on. M mode.
* lf the viewfinder display is on, the "60" For additional information on using Auto
LED will start blinking and the M mode Electroflash 280PX for manual flash photography,
indicator will go out. see the next section, the "Wideangle Adapter"
* The X-700's audible slow-shutter-speed sectionon p.23, and the generalnotes on p'24.
warning, if on, will stoP beePing.
* lf the shutter is released before DETERMINING APERTURE AND FLASH-TO' NOTES
the flash is fullY charged, the SUBJECT DISTANCE IN MANUAL FLASH
photograph will be taken without PHOTOGRAPHY
flash at the speed and aperture set The methods explained below can be used for
on the camera and lens. setting the aperture and flash-to-subject distance in
* When using the self-timer, check M mode. Step numbers correspond to pictures in
to see that the f lash is fu lly B l o c k G .
charged before You Press the
operating button to start the Using scales on back Panel of flash First make sure the proper film speed is set on timer.
5. Confirm that the subject is still in focus, then the panel, then follow either procedure A or B
releasethe shutter. below.
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22 lf the distance did not come near the end C-2 Divide the guide number by that distance to
of any bar (or extrapolated bars for larger obtain the proper f-number, according to the
apertures, such as t12 and t11.4, not shown on formula:
the scale), reduce the flash-to-subject distance guide number
or, if the power level is not already at "Hi," Aperture (f-number)= f lash-to+ubiect distance set it at that position and determine the
appropriate aperture. C-3 Set the lens at that aperture. lf the calculated
f-number does not correspond exactly with
any standard f-number on the aperture ring,
Using guide numbers set the ring at an intermediate position, ai
From Table 4 in Block G (or from Table 5 indicated in Table 7 in the lower right corner
when using the wideangle adapter), find the guide of Block G.
number corresponding to the film speed and power
level in use, then:
C-1 Focus on your subject and find the flash'to' NOTE
subiect distance, either by reading the dis' The formula can also be used to find the
tance from the scale on the lens or, when the appropriate flash-to-subject distance to use if you
flash is being used off camera, by estimating wish to select a certain aperture.
the distance light will travel to the subiect. For ASA/lSO 1000 print film, close lens down
2 stops from aperture indicated for ASA/ISO 250.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
WIDEANGLE ADAPTER (BtockH)
Auto Electrof lash 280PX provides suff icient at the bar immediately below the one 23
coverage for lenses of 35mm or greater focal for the aperture you selected, and (2)
length. To extend coverage down to 28mm lenses, in step B-2, disregard the lowest bar
snap the wideangle adapter into place over the which is crossedby the distance line.
flashtube's guard window. When removing the A mode Divide the ASA film speed by two,
adapter, pull off one side first. & then set that value in the film-speed
Since the adapter spreads the light output of M mode scale on the flash's back panel. Deter-
the flash over a wider angle, autoflash rangesand m ine the aperture, f lash-to*ubiect
manual-flash guide numbers and flash-to-subject distance, or flashdistance range as
distances will be reduced. Any of the following usual. (Be sure to reset the film+peed
methods can be used to determine the corrected scale as soon as the wideanglevalues: adapter is removed. Do not changeP mode * Find the applicable range from the film*peed setting on camera.)
P-mode range table in Block D. M mode * Calculate the aperture flash-to- orA mode * Determine the range from the A subject distance formula, from the
mode range graph in Block I by using using the guide number from Table 5
the sloping lines marked with an in Block G.
adapter symbol. Find the appropriate aperture for a
Use the A-mode range indicators on given flash-to*ubject distance in the
the flash's back panel in the usual usual manner, but then open up the
manner, except: (1) in step A-3, look lens one stop.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
GENERAL NOTESON FLASH OPERATION
(All modesl P-mode A-mode
o The table gives typical situations where expo- Situation TTL TTL
sure adjustment is recommended (especially against Subject set camera for up to +1 for color slide film due to its narrower lati- bright, reflective
tude). For manual mode, open the lens 1/2 to background stop adjustment "
1 stop for the second, third, and fourth situa-
Subject against tions, or if the room has a high ceiling. nonreflective dark,
o When taking pictures at close-up range (less (e.9., set camera for up to -1 background stop adjustment than 0.7m) with the flash mounted on the black curtain, or
camera's hot shoe, it will be difficult to obtain outdoors at night)
correct exposure since the subject may be handkerchief, if subject near limit of
outside the flash's angle of light emission. To tracing paper, etc. range:
avoid this problem, use the optional Off- placed over flash
Camera Shoe and Cable OC to position the f lash to soften light open lens
away from the camera. decrease 112 to 1 stop
r For "open flash" photography, remove the long recycle time, subject or decrease
flash f rom the camera and pressthe open-flash/ or flash f ired as distance subject soon as charged distance test button while the shutter is open at "8."
*lf subject is near limit of flash range,also decrease
subject distance if possible.
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OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Multi-f lash
Using several flash units gives you control over
26 The precise exposure control and ease of use modeling of your subject by illuminating it from made possible by Direct Autoflash Metering are more than one angle. Up to three 280PXs with
maintained even when using the 280PX with the Off-Camera Shoe (or other PX flash units) can be following accessoriesfor creative flash lighting. fired simultaneouslyby using the Triple Connecter,
Cable OC, and Cable EXs.
Off-camera flash Power sources
Placing the flash unit off camera and connect- Power Grip 2 operates on six AA-size batteries, ing it by Cable OC (plus one to five Cable EXs for or Ni-Cd Battery Pack NP-2 charged in Ni-Cll
greater distances if desired) and the Off-Camera ChargerOC-l. lt provides:
Shoe provides accurate and easy operation for: . up to 3.5fps firing with motor drive
. flash close-upand macrophotography . well-balancedhandling on right or left
. bounce flash - to give yoursubjectsofter,more . camera control from power grip (with Cable
natural lighting MD or AW)
. directionsl flash - to creatively controlshadows . bounce flash at wide range of angles
by lighting your subject from the desiredangle . auto charge control (with Multi-Function Back
. placing flash at angle to glass,mirror, or other and Cable FB) in flash time-lapsephotography
ref lective surfaces to avoid unwanted f lash . more flashes per charge or battery set
ref lections Ni-Cd Charger NC-2 recharges two or four
. avoiding "red eye" in peopleandanimal pictures Minolta Ni-Cd batteries in eight hours for use in
by placing flash away from lens axis the flash itself or power griP.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
JFTECHNICAL DETAILS
Type: Program/any-aperture/manual clip-on Minolta Program System electronic flash 27
unit with provisions for TTL off-film autoflash control by Minolta Direct Auto-
flash Metering with Minolta X-700, X-500, X-S70 cameras
Guide number: Adjustable at "Hi" or',Lo,, levels
Wideangle adapter Without with
Power level H i Lo H i Lo
Meters,ASA 100 28 7 20 5
Feet, ASA 25 46 1 33 8
Meters,DIN 18 20 5 1 4 3 . 5
Autoflash control: By Direct Autoflash Metering (TTL off-the-filmlsystem with X-700, X-500, X-S70
cameras
Flash duration: Approx. 1/50p00 to 111,000sec. in auto operation; approx. 1/1,OOOsec.at ,,Hi,,
and 1110,000at "Lo" in manual operationView original page 28Page 30 · Read text
Color temperature: Balanced for daylight-type color film
Flash coverage: For lenses down to 35mm focal length on full-frame 35mm cameras, down to
28mm with wideangle adapter
Angle of light emission
Wideangle adapter Applicable lenses
Vertical Horizontal
Without 4f 6oo Down to 35mm
With 530 70" Down to 28mm
Power sources: Four self-containedAA+ize (penlight) 1.5V sealedcarbon-zinc,alkaline-manganese,
or rechargeable1.2V nickel-cadmium batteries;optional Power Grip 2
Number of flashes/ H i Lo recycle time*:
SealedC-Zn cells 7019 1000/1
AM cells 20016 2000/0.5
Ni-Cd cells 100/3.5 600/0.3
* As determined by Minolta's standard testing method. Actual performance will
depend on type, brand, manufacturer's lot, age of batteries, and ambient
temperature.View original page 30Related documents and language editions
From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
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