Minolta Maxxum 5xi / Dynax 5xi User manual

www.butkus.us


           MINOLTN

MAXXUM"  DYNN-





      EINSTRUCTION MANUAL

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on owning a highly innovative Minolta autofocus SLR.

This instruction manual is designed to help you get the most enjoyment and
use out of your camera and is in sections for easy reading and quick
reference. First, look over the parts diagrams and familiarize yourself with
the controls, their names, and their locations. This will be helpful later when
they are introduced in the manual and you learn about their functions. Next,
read Preparations, attach the strap, insert the battery, etc.
After you are familiar with the controls and used to holding the camera, read
Simple Operation, then you should be ready to use the Sxi in the simplest
way possible. As you use the camera, you will begin to realize the power of
features such as:
o Expert Flash System
o Predictive Focus Control
o Expert Program Selection with fuzzy logic control
o Creative Program Control                                                                                                  x"

When you are ready for advanced control of the 5xi, Operations in Detail and
the Appendix will help you to increase your knowledge to master this unique
camera, and expand your control over the medium of photography.

 Throughout this instruction manual, certain parts and features will have
 two names, the first for Dynax and the second for Maxxum. Maxxum  is
 the name of Minolta SLR cameras in North America and Dynax in all
  countries except Japan.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION       www.butkus.us
     The Minolta Sxiwas 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 5xi may result in unsatisfactory
     performance or damage to the camera or its accessories. To obtain
     optimum pefformance throughoutthe  life of your 5xi, we recommend that
     you use only those lenses, flashes and other accessories distributed by
      Minolta specifically for use with this camera.
I   STATEMENT OF FCC COMPLIANCE
     This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. operation is subject
     to the following conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
      interference, and (2) tnls device must accept any interference received,
      including intederence that may cause undesired operation. Changes or
      modif ications 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 interference to radio communications.
     However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
      particular installation.  lf this equipment does cause harmful interference
     to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
    equipment 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.
     Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
     Connect the equipment into 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.
   STATEMENT OF DOC COMPLIANCE
     This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
    emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference
     Regulations of the canadian Department of communications.

NAMES OF PARTS AND DISPLAYS
Body    A                                      ^





* Do not touch
  1. Grip sensor                          9. Strap eyelet
  2. Shutter-setting confiol              10. Flash-control button
  3. Shutter-release button                   1 1 . Aperture-setting control
  4. Body data panel                    12. Lens release
  5. Flash                              13. Focus-mode switch
  6. Self-timer-indicator window        14. Mirror*
  7. Main switch                                    1 5. Lens contacts*
  8. Program-reset button

www.butkus.us





Film window                      22. Card door
Eyepiece sensor*                  23. Card-eject slide
Eyepiece cup                      24. Self-timer/Drive-mode button
Card-on/off button                25. Pre-flash button
Spot-metering button              26. Card-adjust button
Function button                   27. Remote-control terminal

(Name of parts and displays)





   28. Back-cover release                33. Film-leader index
   29. Film chamber                     34. Battery-cover release
   30. DX contacts*                       35. Tripod socket
   31. Shutter*                          36. Rewind button
  32. Pressure plate"

www.butkus.us

  Body Data Panel


            irYnflfl'Iil  F,=,rTi     ++
       AUTO     MPF
    @ffiT-ETJOE





  1. Flash-mode indicator                 8. Frame counter/Card-setting
  2. Selectable-setting pointers              display
  3. Shutter-speed/Card-name            9. Film-transport signals
     display                            10. Film-cartridge mark
  4. Exposure-adjustment indicator       1 1. Drive-mode indicator
  5. Apertu relExposu re-adj ustmentr        1 2. Exposure-mode indicator
     Card-setting display                          1 3. Manual-focus indicator
                                       Card indicator, 6. Self-timer indicator                 14. \ 7. Battery-condition indicator

(Name of parts and disPlays)
  Viewfinder Screen and Viewfinder Data Panel



                                         2
               1-Lt-                                                      -]I



                                ',1',1',1',J>l-tj.el'.eT     tp=     * soz KD               f



    1. Focus frame                          7. Shutter-speed display
    2. Spot-metering frame                 8. Exposure signals/Exposure-
    3. Flash-on indicator                     adjustment indicator
    4. Flash-ready indicator                 9. Apertu relExposu re-adj ustment
    5. Camera-shake warning                  display
    6. Focus signal                                       1 0. Spot-m etering/Slow-shutter-
                                             sync. indicator





10

www.butkus.us





      PREPARATIONS




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
OPERATION or OPERATIONS lN DETAIL.





                                                                                            11

pfig |M  RY

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





  Eyepiece and accessory shoe cap
                             An eyepiece cap is included on the
                                              strap. Remove the eyepiece cup and
                                                               fit the cap over the eyepiece. This
                                                    will prevent stray light from entering
                               the camera and affecting the
                                     exposure during situations such as
                                        self-timer photographs or bulb
                                 exposures in which you are not
                                    looking through the viewfinder
                                when the shutter releases.
                            The camera also comes with an
                                      accessory shoe cap which protects
                                         the accessory-shoe contacts. When
                            you are using a flash or other
                                        accessory, slide the accessory shoe
                            cap into the eyepiece cap for
                                           safekeeping.





12

eArrrnV                           www.butkus.us$,





    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. Slide the main switch to LOCK and slide the battery-cover release in the
     direction indicated to open the battery 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.

Battery-condition     i ndicators
When you slide the main switch from LOCK to ON, one of the following
indicators will appear in the data panel.

        Display                 lndication             Meaning

  +                          1. Full-battery symbol    Power is sufficient.
                        appears for 4 sec. AUTo P    1,         ELI             after you turn camera
                           on.

                            2. Low-battery         Power is sufficient, but
  ,                  symbol appears for 4    getting low. Keep a AUTo p                 sec. after you turn        fresh battery handy.
         ELI =      camera on.
                             3. Low-battery       Camera can   be
                     symbol blinks while it    operated, but power  is  + AUTO               ,,,f|\lll{---r      appears with other     extremely low. The    P          ELI            operating indicators      battery will need to be
                              at any time during use.   changed soon.

                             4. Low-battery         Power is insufficient for
     h   L           symbol and " h,rJt'tL"    operation. Replace
                 'r-lL               appears, or no display    battery or check that the
                       appears at all, and      battery is inserted
                            shutter locks.              correctly.
 o Indicator 4 will appear even while the main switch is set to LOCK'
 o  lf no display appears when the main switch is ON, double-check that the
 battery is inserted correctly before inserting a fresh one.

www.butkus.us

   Battery performance
   The 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery should provide sufficient power for shooting
   up to 55 rolls of 24-exposure film without flash, 20 rolls of 24-exposure with
   flash used 50"h of the time. These figures are based on Minolta's standard
   test method using a fresh battery at 20"C (68'F). Actual performance  will
   depend on how you use the camera.  lf you install a new battery 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 0"C (32"F), 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.





                                                                                 15
'l

LENS

 Attaching





  1. Remove the body cap and rear lens cap.
  2. Align the red bead on the lens barrelwith the red dot on the camera's lens
  mount. Fit the lens into the mount and turn the lens clockwise until  it locks
  in place with a click.


  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.



                                                                                                                         't                                              - -'t will appear in the aperture
                                           display of the data panel  if  :         inri ii             o No lens is attached to the camera +
 AUTO P           r,      o The lens is not attached properly                          o The AzlMzswitch on an xi-Series        hil-Fm EU                                            lens is set to MZ





16

rl                                      www.butkus.us
    Removing





     1. Press and hold the lens release while turning the lens counter-clockwise
      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.
    o 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 ciuality.  lf it is distracting, have the camera cleaned at
     an authorized Minolta service facility.

FILM

 Loading film
  Before you load a roll of film, always check the body data panel. lf the
  film-cartridge mark 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.20 for instructions on rewinding an
  unfinished roll of film.)
                       o Before you load film for the first
                                         time, carefully remove and discard
                                      the protective paper cover over the
                                                shutter.





                                                                   A,rrrF{er$Ea.r.                                           V        .re{ri,.iilrrhad6       o Always load film in subdued light
                                        or shade.





  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.





18

www.butkus.usN

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



                           o  lf the film is loaded incorrectly, 0
                                                    will blink in the frame counter and
                                              the shutter will remain locked. Open
                                       the back cover and repeat steps 2              e--[        and 3.
          ---__l RtcHT          /F5E6\              t!!!oul99!oilC              o  lf the film leader is torn or
                                          crimped,  it may not wind properly.
               WRONG

   o   lf the film tip extends beyond the mark, gently push the excess back into
     the cartridge.
   o  lf you slide the main switch to ON before you load film, do not touch the
     grip sensor during the above procedures because ASZ may activate.

     NEVER TOUCH THE SHUTTER.  lts precision design makes  it extremely
       sensitive to pressure.

(Filml

  Automatic film speed setting
                                                    lf you use DX-coded film between ISO 25 and
                        5000, the camera will automatically set the
                           correct film speed. For flash photography,
                              Minolta recommends that you use film between
                           ISO 25 and 1000.  lf you use non-DX-coded film,
                      ISO 100 will be automatically selected by the
                            camera.

  Automatic rewind
                           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  roll, or 12 sec. for a 24-exposure          o=il                                             roll.
     I         When the film has been completely rewound,
                            the motor will stop and the film-cartridge mark
                                                                                                                  is               .1,   rl    in the data panel will blink to indicate that it               -(o)-  Ll    safe to open the camera back.

  Manual start of rewind
                               To begin rewind at any time, use a
                                            ball point pen or similar object to
                                   press the rewind button on the
                                   bottom of the camera body.
                          o   lf the motor stops before the film
                                           is completely rewound, insert a
                                           fresh battery.



20

www.butkus.us





     SIMPLE OPERATION




This brief section is intended to help you get started using your new camera.
It explains the simplest method of operation-with programmed
autoexposure, autofocus, and auto-switchover flash, Details on each of the
camera's functions begins on p.31 in the section entitled "operation  in
Detail"

When you slide the main switch to ON, the data panel and grip sensor
   activate. When you then touch the grip sensor, the eyepiece sensor is
   activated. This sensor then immediately activates autofocus, autoexposure,
  and auto-switchover flash 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, therefore, the camera has performed many of its set-up
  operations and is ready to make an exposure. The eyepiece sensor also turns
  autofocus and autoexposure off when  it no longer detects an object near the
  vieMinder; the last exposure setting will remain in the body data panel for
  four seconds.
 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.
  o  lf you are wearing sunglasses which absorb infrared light, Eye-Start may
   not function.





22