Minolta Maxxum 3000i User manual

www.orphancameras.com
                             trINSTRUCfloNMAIIUAL

MINOLT\


      3aiaig-L

www.orphancameras.com

  Your new Minolta Maxxum 3000i camerais by far the world's easiest-to-use
autofocus SLR camera ever. Minolta's "intelligent" automation assuresun-
paralleled accuracy and ease of operation. You can take sharply focused,
properly exposedpicturesone after another and rely on your Maxxum 3000i
to deliveroutstandingresultsfrom one roll of film to the next.
  Some of the Maxxum 3000i's most impressivefeaturesinclude:
o  Intelligentautofocusingthat respondsat very low light levelsand featuresa
  wide focus areafor faster, easierfocusing of moving subjects.
o  Intelligentexposurewhich usesdual-areameteringsystemthat is coupledto
  the autofocus system.
o  Intelligentflash to automaticallyactivatea dedicatedflash unit when flash is
  needed.
o Automaticfilm transportthat makesfilm handlingcompletelyreliable.
o World'smost compact,most lightweightAF-SLR.
  The world's largestselectionof autofocus system accessoriesis availablefor
your Maxxum 3000i camera.Ultra-compactMaxxum FlashD-316iand D-314i
are designedexclusivelyfor the Maxxum 3000i camera.The entire system of
Maxxum AF lensescan be used, including the compact AF 35-80mm and AF
80-200mm lenses.Data Back DB-3 permits imprinting of the date or time on
your pictures.
  We know you want to begin'using your new camera right away. Before
starting, pleaseread through this manual to learn how your Minolta Maxxum
3000i operates.

www.orphancameras.com
Data panel

A. Program exposure mode
B. High-speedprogram exposure mode
C. Frame counter
D. Film-transportsignals
E. F ilm-cartridgesym bot
F. Self-timerindicator
G. Battery condition indicator
                                                                                        www.orphancameras.com
             .SPC€D

www.orphancameras.com
IMPORTANTINFORMATION
  The Minolta Maxxum3000i camerais designedto offer innovativefunctions
and performancethrough the combinationof the camerabody,MaxxumAF
lenses,Minolta Maxxum Flash units, and other accessoriesdistributed by
Minolta. We thus caution usersthat the attachmentor use of incompatible
lenses,flashes,and accessoriesmay result in unsatisfactoryperformanceor
damageto the Minolta Maxxum 3000i camera.To obtain optimum perform-
ancethroughoutthe life of your Minolta Maxxum3000i camera,we recom-
mend that you use only lenses,flashes,and other accessoriesdistributedor
licensedby Minoltafor the Maxxum3000i camera.

www.orphancameras.com
PREPARATIONAND BASICS

Attaching the lens





To attach                                         2. Align red bead on lens barrel with red dot
1. Remove body cap and rear lens cap as  on camera,slensmount.
shown.                                          Insert lens bayonet into mount and turn
o When attachingor removinglenses,never  lens clockwiseuntil it locks in place with a
touch anything inside the camera,especially  click.
the lenscontactsor mirror.                                        lf  lens is not attached properly, frame
o To protect the lens contacts and elements,  counter shows ,,-,, when camera is switched
attach the lens capswheneverthe lens is not   on.
In use.

www.orphancameras.com



                                          Care of glasssurfaces
                                             o  Never touch lens elements or the camera's
                                           eyepiece with  your  fingers. lf  the lens be-
                                     comes dirty, clean it gently with a lens brush.
                                           Only   if  necessary, moisten a sheet of  lens
                                               tissue with one drop of lens-cleaningfluid.
                                          Then, starting at  the  center and  using a
                                                  circular motion, lightly wipe the surface of
                                              the lens.
                                             o  Never lift the mirror or touch its surface,as
                                                     this may impair its alignment. Dust speckson
To remove:                                               the mirror's surface will not affect exposure
1. While  pressing lens release, turn  lens   or picture quality.  lf they are annoying, the
counterclockwiseas far as it will go, then lift   camera can  be cleaned at an  authorized
lensout of mount.                   M i nolta servicefacility.
2. Attach another lens or the body cap to
prevent dust from entering the camera.

www.orphancameras.com

Attaching the neckstrapand eyepiececap





  A neckstrapis suppliedwith your Minolta     An eyepiece cap is also supplied and can be
Maxxum 3000i. Attach it to  the camera as   slipped onto the neckstrap to keep it handy
shown above.                                        for use.





  , .,t-r.-.    . ^. .*"      .. -+,m;*,     -.- .                                                                                                                                                                                        ',,.   - -tt.*"*'-;

www.orphancameras.com





  The eyepiece cap slides over the eyepiece    An accessoryshoe cap is supplied that slips
frame to prevent stray light from entering the    into  the accessory shoe to protect the con-
eyepiece and affecting exposure. lt should be   tacts from dust and grime (B). When using a
used whenever the eyepiece is not shielded by    flash unit, slip the accessoryshoe cap into the
your head, as when using the self-timer.        eyepiececap (C).
To attach the eyepiece cap, first remove the
eyepiece cup, then  slip the cap over the
frame (A).





                                                                                                               .j;;,€;,r,.

www.orphancameras.com

    Battery information





     The Minolta Maxxum 3000i usesa 6-volt   Loading the battery
   2CR5 lithium battery. This battery supplies  1. With main switch at LOCK position, slide
   powerfor all cameraoperations,includingfilm    battery-cover release in  direction shown to
   winding,autofocusing,and exposurecontrol.   open battery cover.
     Power for Maxxum FlashesD-316i and    2. Insert the 2CR5 lithium battery as shown
   D-314i is supplied by the camera'sbattery.   above, then snap battery cover closed.
    Refer to the flash's instruction manual for       .  Before inserting, wipe  battery terminals
   more information.                              with a dry cloth to ensure proper contact.





1 0
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ilt-l        v.                                    tl,                              ,:d!ii.                                                  -'--,*"-                              l     .*$!;*r.                    -;*

www.orphancameras.com


Checking the battery condition
   Each time you slide the main switch from LOCK to ON position, the camera automati-
cally checksthe battery's condition:

                               Full-battery symbol appears for  five seconds when power is
                               suff icient.@
                            Low-battery symbol appears for  five seconds: Power is suf-
                                  ficient but getting low-keep a fresh battery handy.@
                            Low-battery symbol blinks: Camera can be operated, but the
                               battery will need to be changed soon.@                          Only low-battery symbol blinks or no indications appear and
                              shutter cannot be released: Power  is too  low  for normal
                               operati on -change battery immediately.ENOTES
o Do not mishandlethe battery. Do not   o Read and follow all warningsand instruc-
attempt to disassemble,recharge,or short out   tions suppliedby the batterymanufacturer.
the battery, or subjectit to high temperatures   .  Keepbatteryaway from young children.
or  fire. The battery may explode or cause
burns.                                                                                                                                                                      1 1
                                               . - - , .  i L                                  r r .                                                                        i + - .     - . .                                                    r  i a :             . .                        ' - . J

www.orphancameras.com


     Cold-weatheroperation                       Battery Performance
        Lithium batteries provide excellent per-     The 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery should
     formance in cold weather. However,if you   provide sufficient power for shootingup to
     plan to shoot many rolls of film outdoorsat   40 rolls of 24-exposurefilm without flash,
     temperaturesat or below 32"C (0"F1, we   and up to 20 rolls of 24-exposurefilm using
    recommendthat you carry the camerainside   flash D-314ion 5oo/oolthe exposures.
     your coat to keep it warm when not taking     Thesefiguresare basedon Minolta'sstand-
     pictures.You may also wish to carry a spare   ard test method usinga freshbatteryat 20"C
     battery in a warm pocket, so that you can    (68"f). Actural battery performancewillde-
    change the battery, if  necessary.Do not   pend on how you useyour camera.
     discarda cold battery.After it warmsup, its
     capacitywill be restored.





. 1 2

www.orphancameras.com

Automatic setting of the f ilm speed           Loading film

        f#HJf'l*flftm*DX




  We recommend using ISO 32-3200 DX-    1. Set the main switch to ON position.
coded  f ilms since the camera sets the  f ilm    2. Check the frame counter. When the frame
speed automaticallyfor thesefilms. lf you use   counter shows "O",  it is safe to open the back
other types of film, beyond this ISO range or   cover.
not DX-coded, the film speed will be set at   o    lf the frame counter shows any number.
rso 100.                                  besides"O", film is loaded in the camera.
.  D X-coded  f i lms have "D X "  pri nted on   o You can also check the film window to see
their film cartridgesand f ilm boxes.                      if f ilm is loaded.
                                              o  Refer to page 22 for instructionsto rewind
                                              a partially exposedroll of  f ilm.





                                                                                          1 3

www.orphancameras.com





     3. Open the back cover by sliding the release   4. Place f i lm cartridge in to  f i lm chamberas
    downward.                             shown here.
    o Always load film  in subdued light or  at    5. Extend tip of  f ilm past orange mark.Make
     leastshadedfrom direct sunlight.              sure the holes in the lower edge of the f ilm
    o When you  load film  for  the  first time,   engagethe teeth on the sprocket.
    remove and discard the  protective plastic
    cover which is attached to the pressureplate.





1 4

www.orphancameras.com




                       WRONG
              (   xh
                            R I G H T



o   lf the  f i lm extends too far or does not lie   o Make sure tip  of the film  is shaped cor-
f lat, gently push the excess back into the    rectly. Otherwise, the  film may  not wind
cartridge.                                      properly.
                                             o Do not touch any parts or areas shown in
                                                        bl ue.





                                                                                          1 5

www.orphancameras.com

           P                    rf>  P              I                                                    flu                              I



     6. Close the back cover and ma ke sure  it    o   lf   f i lm  is not loaded correctlv , "  -ii  " in
    snaps shut. The camera will  automatically   data panel will blink and camera will beep
    wind the film  to ihe   first frame. When the    for  one second. The shutter cannot be re-                               'b_       fif m  is loaded correctly,                                               will appear   leasedand the camera will beep each time the                               _1"
      in the data panel.                              shutter-release button   is  pressed. Repeat
    o The film speed for DX-coded films is set   steps 3 through 6.
    automatically. You  are now ready to  start
    taking pictures.





1 6

www.orphancameras.com
OPERATINGTHE CAMERA
Holdingthe camera





  To obtain sharp, blur-free photos, hold the     Two recommended ways  of  holding the
camera as still as possibleand steady it against  camera are shown  here.  lf  you  grasp the
your face or body. Press the shutter-release  camera firmly  with  your  right hand on  its
button gently with a slow, steady squeeze-   handgrip, you can shift the camera back and
never a quick jab.                                  forth   for  horizontal  (a) and  vertical  (b)
                                                 pictures without  removing your hands from
                                              the  controls. When using autofocus, make
                                            sure you do not touch the lens'focusingring.





                                                                                          1 7

                                                    l .       - ,  . . r -     . '                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I     ,,-          I    i":^-:.SJ.l

www.orphancameras.com

Taking pictures
           a\





1. Slide the main switch to ON position.          3. Hold  the camera firmly  with  your  right
2. Set the focus-mode switch to AF position   hand on  its handgrip and support the lens
f or autof ocusin g.                                with your left hand.
o M position is used for manual focusing.





                                                                                          1 9

www.orphancameras.com





     4. While looking through the eyepiece,center   o   lf t h e u s e - f l a s h s i g n a( -l )     i n t h e v i e w f i n d e r
    the focus frame on your  subject and, after    blinks, a f lash should be used; the shutter can
   checking for  the green focus signal, gently   be releasedwithout  flash, but exposure may
    press the shutter-releasebutton  all the way    not be correct.
    down.                                        o  After  taking the  picture    f ilm  is auto-
    o The camera will focus automatically. The    matically advancedto the next frame and the
    green focus signal in the viewfinder will glow   frame counter increasesby one.
   when the subject is in focus. Also, the camera   o When taking pictures of a moving subject,
     will beep as the subject comes into focus.        press the shutter release button  all the way
    o   lf the red focus signal blinks, focus cannot   down without checking for the green focus
    be confirmed by the camera and the shutter    signal.
     will not release.Focus the lens manually.


20

www.orphancameras.com

Automatic film rewind


              Prt
             oLf



   After the last frame is exposed,the camera           lf the  f ilm cartridge is left in the camera
will automatically start rewinding the film.    after the  f ilm is rewound, the shutter cannot
With a fresh battery loaded in the camera,   be re leased and the camera wil I beep each
it normally takes just 12 secondsto rewind a   time the shutter-releasebutton is pressed.
24-exposure f ilm and 16 seconds for a 36-   o  To  stop  film  rewind before the  film  is
exposuref ilm.                               completely rewound, slide the main switch to
  When the film is completely rewound, the   LOCK. To restart automatic f ilm rewind, slide
rewind motor switches off automatically. The    the main switch to ON.
film-cartridge symbol in the data panel will
blink to indicatethat the film cartridgecan be
removed.




                                                                                          2 1

www.orphancameras.com


                                                 o   lf you accidentally open the camera'sback
                                                cover before the   f ilm  is rewound, close it
                                                 immediately. Pressthe rewind button to finish
                                               rewinding the film. Light falling on the film
                                                               will ruin many of the pictures,but your quick
                                                     action may savea few  .




    Manual start of film rewind
     You can manually start film rewind when
    you want to remove a roll of film before the
     last   f rame   is  exposed. Before  manually
     starting f ilm rewind, check that battery power
      is suff icient (see page 1 1 ). Then press the
    rewind button (on the bottom of the camera)
    with a ball-point pen or similar object to start
    the rewind motor.





22