Minolta Maxxum 3xi User manual

I                                    butkus.usI   READ ME FIRST!
I

I
       First of all, thank you for purchasing this Maxxum,/Dynax  3xi. Also, if this is
     your first Minolta camera, welcome to the Minolta family.

     This instruction manual has been designed to help you get the most enjoy-
    ment and use out of your new camera.  lt is not necessary for you to read the
     contents of this manual from cover-to-cover before you begin photographing.
      Instead, it is better that you read it in sections.

     Begin by learning a little about the manual itself by reading the TABLE OF
    CONTENTS on p.2. This will give you an idea of kinds of information included
       in the manual and the way in which it is organized. Next, pick up your camera
      and, using NAMES OF PARTS AND DISPLAYS, becomefamiliarizeyourself
     with the layout of its controls and indications. Continue to the next section,
    PREPARATIONS, and follow along with your own camera by attaching the
     neckstrap and a lens; inserting a battery, etc. When you are finished, read
    SIMPLE OPERATION-THE BAslcs thoroughly and you shoutd be readyto
     begin using your new camera in its most basic operating mode. when you
    want to take more creative control over the image-making process,
    OPERATIONS lN DETAIL will help you do so. Finally, APPENDIX contains
      information about the camera and general photography, as well as a o,uick
     Reference Guide, which may be helpful to you in the near  f uture. Refer to it as
     you need.

     You are probably anxious to begin, so good luck and we hope that this camera
      will help you to discover and enjoy the many pleasures of the world of photo-
      graphy.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION                                      \

The Minolta Maxxum/Dynax 3xi was designed to work specifically with
lenses, flash units, and other accessories manufactured and distributed by
Minolta. We therefore caution users of this camera that the attachment and/
or use of incompatible products with the 3xi may result in unsatisfactory
performance or damage to the camera or its accessories. To obtain optimum
performance throughout the life of your Maxxum,/Dynax  3xi, we recommend
that you use only those lenses, flashes and other accessories distributed by
Minolta specifically for use with this camera.

I





                 28  27  26    25    24

18. Film chamber                   23. Pressure plate*
19. Eyepiece sensor                 24. Battery cover
      lR sensor activates camera     25. Battery-cover release
    when it detects an object       26. Guide rails
      nearby                         27. Tripod socket
20. Viewfinder eyepiece*             28. Shutter*
21. Flash-control button             29. Rewind button
     Used to pop-up built-in flash,       Used to manually begin film
     manually fire fill flash, and        rewind
      cancel flash in P mode         30. DX contacts*
22. Frlm window
                                    * Do not touch

butkus.ust   (Names of parts and displaysl

I    Data Panel





          &r+4u3.,t)

       1. Selectable setting pointers
           Indicates which settings are under manual control
       2. Shutter-speed display
       3. Aperture display
      4. Banery-condition  indicator
           Displays level of battery charge
      5. Frame counter
      6. Film-transport signals
      7. Film cartridge mark
           Indicates film loaded, film rewound, film improperly loaded
      8. Exposure-mode indicators
           Indicates current exposure mode
      9. Flash-mode indicators
           Indicates current flash mode
       1 0. Self+imer indicator
      1 1. Manual-focus indicator

Viewfinder





 1. Focus signals
    (o) continuous AF mode: appears after Eye-start when subject is in
      focus and after shutter-rerease button is pressed partway down  if
       subject is moving
                                                              button is      pressed' Focuspartlocked:way appearsdown  if subjecta shortistimestationaryafter shutter-release    -     -- r a(blinking) Focus cannot be confirmed
2. Exposure signals
       In M mode:
                                               correct exposure     ^ overexposure; v underexposure;  I       In P and A mode when flash is canceled:
    ) ti-{Utinf<ing)Camera-shake  warning: current shutter speed may result in
       blurry pictures
       In all modes:
                  Correct exposure not possibte     i i jfurlnting)
   ;w_ (blinking) Flash charging
3. r{a9! s,Qnq,!s
  Z? ;/2, l;(blinking slowly) Flash charged
   >?.=/-.t t--(blinking rapidly) Flash output sufficient
4. Focus frame

butkus.us



        PREPARATIONS

I\F

     This section includes those things which you should do and understand before
     you use your camera. Read  it thoroughly before you go on to SIMPLE OPER-
" i  ATION or OPERATIONS lN DETAIL.
          I

PRELIMINARY

Neckstrap
                           a





A neckstrap is supplied with your camera. Attach  it as shown above.

Eyepiece and Accessory Shoe Cap





An eyepiece cap is attached to the    The camera also comes with an ac-
strap. Fasten it to the viewfinder     cessory shoe cap which protects the
eyepiece whenever you use the self-    accessory-shoe contact. When you
timer or make long exposures. To    are using a flash or other accessory,
attach the cap, snap it in place over     slide the accessory shoe cap into the
the eyepiece as shown above; pullto     eyepiece cap for safekeeping.
remove.

butkus.usLENS

 Attaching
                                               1. Turn the body cap and lens cap as
                                shown and remove them.





                                            2. Align the red bead on the lens
                                           barrel with the red dot on the cam-
                                        era's lens mount. Fit the lens into
                                   the mount and turn the lens clock-
                                 wise until it locks in place with a
                                                       click.




  Be careful...
 o Do not force the lens  if it does not turn smoothly.
 o Never touch anything inside the camera, especially the lens contacts and
  mirror.

                              "--" will appear in the aperture display of the data
    85fr              panel  if:
                    o No lens is attached to the camera
                  ra       . The lens is not attached properly                 LlTPAUTO                     o The M/MZ switch on an xi-Series lens is set to
                 MZ


10

Removing
                                           1. Press the lens release and hold it
                                            in while you turn the lens counter- |                                      clcckwise until  it stops. Lift the lens
                                       out of the mount.

                                         2. lmmediately attach the rear cap to
                                       the lens and the body cap or another
                                          lens to the camera. This will protect
                              the lens elements, lens contacts,
                                  and camera interior.


Care of Glass Surfaces
o Never touch any lens surfaces (including the eyepiece)with your fingers.  lf
a lens becomes dirty, first gently clean  it with a lens brush. Then,  if necessary,
moisten a sheet of lens tissue with one drop of lens-cleaning fluid and,
starting from the center of the lens, wipe the glass using a circular motion.
. Never lift the mirror or touch its surface. This may impair its alignment or
scratch its face. Dust on the mirror's surface will not affect meter readings or
picture quality. lf it is distracing, have the camera cleaned at an authorized
Minolta service facility.





                                                                                           11

butkus.usBATTERY

This camera uses a 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery to supply power to all of its
 operations. lf you are also using an xi-Series lens, the camera battery also
 supplies power to the zoom motor built into the lens.

 Inserting
                                            1. Move the main switch to LOCK
                                   and slide the battery cover release in
                                   the direction indicated to open the
                                      banery cover.




                                         2. Insert the battery according to the
                                   marks on the inside of the chamber
                                             cover.

                                         3. Snap the cover closed.





 CAUTION
 o Read and follow all warnings and instructions supplied by the battery
  manufacturer.
 o Do not attempt to disassemble, recharge, or short-circuit the battery. Do
  not subject it to high temperatures or fire. The battery may explode and
  cause severe burns.
 o Keep batteries away from small children.



12

Battery-condition Indicators
 Whenever you move the main switch from LOCK to ON, one of the following
 indicators will appear in the data panel.

        Indicator                          Meaning
                              1. Full-battery symbol appears for 4 sec. after you
                           turn camera on-power  is sufficient.   + P;   AUTO     u

                            2. Low-battery symbol appears for 4 sec. after you
                         turn camera on-power is sufficient, but getting
                                   a fresh baftery handy.     ,                  low. Keep   A UTO P=u

                            3. Low-battery symbol blinks while it appears with
                           other operatang indicators at any time during use
                                 can be operated, but power is extremely      =V      -camera  ou?oP            low. The battery will need to be changed soon.
                          4. Blinking low-battery symbol and bfltt   ap-    bflt r                          pears, or no display appears at all, and shutter
                      locks-power is insufficient for operation. Re-
                         place the battery or check that the battery is in-
                          serted correctly.
o Indicator 4 will appear even while the main switch is set to LoGK.





                                                                                                 1:

butkus.us(Batteryl

Battery Performance
The 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery should provide sufficient power for shooting
up to 60 rolls of 24-exposure film without flash. These figures are based on
Minolta's standard test method using a fresh battery at 68oF (20'C). Actual
performance  will depend on how you use the camera.  lf you install a new
banery that has been in prolonged storage, the camera's performance may
vary.


Cold-Weather Operation
Lithium batteries perform well in cold weather. However,  if you plan to shoot
many rolls of film outdoors at temperatures near or below 32"F (OoC), we
recommend that you carry the camera inside your coat to keep it warm while
you are not shooting. You may also want to carry a spare battery in your
pocket so that you can change the camera battery  if necessary. Do not discard
a cold battery. After it warms up, it will regain some of its charge.

FILM

Automatic Film Speed Setting
                                            lf you use DX-coded film between ISO 25 and
                          5OOO, the camera will automatically set the cor-         il?8fl,01"#.,,,                il         rect film speed. For flash photography, Minolta
                      recommends that you use film between ISO 25
              136:xe.       and 1OOO. lf you use non-DX-coded film, the
                        camera will automatically set ISO 1OO.

Loading Film
Before you load a roll of film, always check the data panel.  lf the film cartridge
is displayed, do not open the back cover. Check the film window and frame
counter to verify the type of film in the camera and the number of frames
remaining. (See p.18 for instructions on rewinding an unfinished roll of film.)

                                o Always load film in subdued light
                                           or shade.
                             o Before you load film for the first
                                       time, carefully remove and discard
                                     the protective plastic cover over the
                                             shutter.



                          - NEXT PAGE -





                                                                             15

(Filml                            butkus.us

                                                      1 . Open the back cover by sliding the
                                       back-cover release downward.





                                         2. Place the film cartridge into the
                                            film chamber and extend the leader
                                  between the guide rails until the tip
                                                         is just past the film-leader index.





                       RIGHT
 @                          WRONGffiO NEVER TOUCH THE                 SHUTTER CURTAIN                                 WITH YOUR FINGERS OR
WITH THE FILM TlP. lts precision design makes it extremely sensitive to
pressure.
o  lf the film leader is torn or crimped,  it may not wind properly.
o  lf the film tip extends beyond the mark, gently push the excess back into the
cartridge.

                          - NEXT PAGE -

16

3. Close the back cover and move
                                       the main switch to ON. The camera
                                             will automatically advance the film
                                                 to the first frame and 1 will appear in
                                       the film counter.


  P           Po--i  *?o         ii          ou?o

                o lf the film is loaded incorrectly, O will blink in the
                  frame counter and the shutter will remain locked.
                 Open the back cover and repeat steps 2 and 3.
        o=-tl


o lf you move the main switch to ON before you load film, do not touch the
grip sensor during the above procedures because ASZ may activate.
o lf you accidentally open the back cover before you rewind the film, quickly
shut the back. The counter will reset to 1. Some of the pictures you have
already taken will be ruined or will be discolored along the edges.

(Film)                             butkus.us

 Automatic Rewind

                r+>                                                                        - l-l
    ru?oP. 1E                             '-=Ll

 After you have exposed the last frame, the camera will automatically rewind
 the film. With a fresh battery,  it takes about 18 sec. to rewind a 36-exposure
 rolf, or 12 sec. for a 24-exposure  roll.

When the film has been completely rewound, the motor will stop and the film-
 cartridge mark in the data panel will blink to indicate that  it is safe to open the
 back cover.


 Manual Start of Rewind
                               To begin rewind at any time, gently
                                        press the film rewind button on the
                                      bottom of the camera body.
                              o  lf the motor stops before the film is
                                      completely rewound, insert a fresh
                                              battery.





18

SIMPLE OPERATION
        THE BASICS




This brief section is intended to help you get started using your new camera.
It explains the simplest method of operation-with programmed autoex-
posure, autofocus, and autoflash. Details on each of the camera's functions
begins on p.28 in the section entitled "Operation in Detail".

butkus.usHOLDING THE CAMERA





Hold the grip firmly in your right hand and use your left hand to support the
camera or lens. Keep your elbows securely against your sides when shooting
both horizontal and vertical pictures. Press the shutter-release button gently
 in a single, steady motion-never with a quick jab. Always keep the camera
strap around your neck or wound around one wrist.

o When you pick up the camera, make sure you touch the grip sensor.
Otherwise, Eye-Start will not function.
o Do not touch the focusing ring of an AF lens or the end of the lens barrel of
an xi-Series Autozoom lens or AF Power Zoom lens.





20

MAIN SWITCH/EYESTART





When you move the main switch to ON, the data panel and grip sensor ac-
tivate. When you then touch the grip sensor, the eyepiece sensor is acti-
vated. This sensor then immediately activates autofocus and autoexposure
when it detects an object near the viewfinder. lf you are using an xi-Series
Autozoom lens, auto stand-by zoom (ASZ) is also activated by Eye-Start and
the lens will zoom automatically. By the time you frame your subject, there-
fore, the camera has performed many of its set-up operations and is ready to
make an exposure. The eyepiece sensor also turns autofocus and auto-
exposure off 4 sec. after it no longer detects an object near the viewfinder.
o lf you do not touch the grip sensor or if you are wearing gloves, you must
activate autofocus and autoexposure by pressing the shutter-release button
partway down. ASZ will not function in this case.
.  lf you are wearing sunglasses which absorb infrared light, Eye-Start may
not function.





                                                                                    21

FOCUS SIGNALSrl

                        Signal                  Meaning (notes below)
                             (o)                      Continuous autofocusl
                     a                     Focus is lockedl
                  o i(blinking)                 Focus cannot be confirmed2                )

        1. After Eye-Start has activated the camera, the autofocus system will enter
      continuous AF mode and (o)will appear in the viewfinder when  it has focused
     on your subject. When you press the shutter-release button partway down, if
      your subject is stationary the camera will lock focus a short time later and o
       will appear in the viewfinder.  lf your subject is moving, the camera will
      remain in continuous AF mode.

       2. See p.31.
     o This camera has Predictive AF. When you take a picture in continuous
      mode, the camera will calculate where the main subject will be when the
       shutter curtain actually begins to make the exposure, and  it will set the lens to
       focus on this point before the mirror swings up. Extremely fast-moving sub-
        jects or subjects which are rapidly changing speed or direction, however, may
      exceed the capabilities of this system.





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