Film cameras
Minolta Super A User manual
User manual for Minolta Super A. 26 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta Super A
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 26
- File size
- 2.1 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
'A'Minolfo Super is YouR faithfutcompanion.
The very best results from your Super A will soon prove you that you were quite
wise in choosing the Minolta Super A from among a large variety of cameras.
Minolta camerasare beins exported from Japan in the biggest quantity and have
innumerable.fans'the world over. This bespeaksthe surpassingefficiencyand the
most reasonableprice of Minolta Cameras. The Minolta Super A, as well as the
many other Minolta Products, are produced under the most exacting standardsof
quality control and strict tests.
We believe that the Super A will surely meet your demandsin every respect.
Now, let us explain how to use YOUR Minolta Super A.
www.butkus.usView original page 3Page 6 · Read text
COlITEilTS
Handling the Camcra - P3a g e
Focusing and Composing 3
Film advanceand Shutter cocking - +
Shutter speed and Diaphragm
settlngs +
To Load Film 5
To Take Pictures - 7
To Remove the Film 8
For Flash Operation 9
Relative Diaphragm Openings to
Shutter Speeds - l0
Depth of Field 1l
Horv to Read off the Depth of Field - 13
Interchange of Lenses 15
Minolta's Interchangeable Lenses 16
M inolta's Accessories t 9
2View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
U Focuslng qnd Composing
Lo While sighting through the finder eyepiece( l7)
turn the lens barrel by means of the focusing
lever (l ) until the pink image in the center o[E the finder is exactly superimposedover the full tr image. The red dot in the center of the depth
of field scale (2) will then point to the num-t, ber of feet (meter) on the distance scale indi-
cating the subject-to-camera distance. o The " Bright Frame " in the finder is the
composing line for taking with 50mm stand-s ard lens. It remains clearly visible even of the frame, even though you may move lF
under poor light and the permanent position your eyes, will greatly diminish the pos-
ul othersibilitysubjectof yourmatterchoppingcomposedoff onheadsthe ex-or
treme edges of the finder. In focus
.= When using a 35mm wide angle lens, the
- thef ull picture,range oftherethe isfinderno fearwill ofbe" choppingtaken in
off heads " or not taking portion of the?
E thepictureproperif angleyou lookso thatthroughthe framethe findercomesat
to the correct position, 8s illustrated in g
T 3 above picture.
www.butkus.usView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Fllm Advonce qnd Shutter Gocking
Move the film advance lever (8) to your right until it
stops. This can be done in one long stroke or several
short ones. This moves the filp to the next exposure
and also cocks the shutter which can be released by press-
ing the shutter release button (14).
The winding of the lever also operates the lilm counter
(15) which registers the number of exposed film up to
36 exposures and automatically returns to the start posi-
tion when the camera back is opened.
Shutter Speed ond Diophrqgm Settings
The shutter speed can be selectedby turning the shutter
speed dial (6) so that the desired number clicks into
position oppositethe red dot. The markings are B, 1,
2, 5, l0 and up to 400. B meansBulb, and the shutter
will stay open at this setting as long as the shutter re-
leasebutton is depressed,I , 2, 5 .. . . 400 mean 1 sccond,
%, +'6.. . . lioo th secondrespectively.
N. B. When turning from 200 to 400 it is advisable
to do so before shutter is cocked.
The diaphragmsetting is done by turning the diaphragm
ring (9) until the desrredf stop number clicks into posi-
tion oppositethe dot.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
1.f r Pull out the back locking tab (21), open
the camera back.
t' Pull the rewind knob (5) out as far as
it will go and place a film cartridge in the
chamber (20). Note that the spool on
one end of the cartridge protrudes much
further than on the other end. This pro-
truding end must be pointing towards the
bottom plate of the camera.
f. Insert the end of the film into the groove
of the film winding spool (2+). It is
necessaryto insure that the film is caught
between the inner and outer flangesof the
film winding spool, as illustrated.
5 -
www.butkus.usView original page 9Page 11 · Read text
Set the shutter speed dial (6) and the diaphragm ring I
(9 ) as previously instructed, to the required number. |,| Move the film advance lever until it stops, and the Io number O appears opposite the red V in the film
L counter, indicating that the film is wound to the first
this time the warning signal turns to red 3 frame. At
t which shows you the film winding and the shutter cock-
ing are completed.
a: Looking through the finder (17) move the focusing lever Ig until the two images coincide indicating correct focus.
Keeping the camera as steady as you can, press the I
shutter release ( 14) firmly but smoothly to trip theo
J shutter.them in Tothe usesocketa selftimerof the shutteror a cablereleaserelease,button.screwIf
you press the shutter release too strongly, you rvill moveU
F the camera during the exPosure and not get the sharp
pictu re you had intended. When using shutter speeds
slower than \b:, sec., the camera should be placed on ao tripod or held firmly against some stable object to keep
l- it firont moving.
www.butkus.usView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
After all the film has been exposed it is necessaryto re-
rvind it into the film cartridge for removal from the camera.
This is quickly and easily accomplished. {o I Push in the rewind releasebutton (26) located on the
bottom plate of the camera. You will note that the
button remains in the " pushed in " position. Raise up the rewind crank (5) and wind it in the di- noI
rection indicated by the arrow. Continue to wind until
you feel the film leave the film winding spool, you will 3o recognize this by the sudden releaseof tension in the
rervinding. Then, wind two or three mbre turns in order to get all the film completely into the film cartridge. o
Note: Should the rewind releasebutton inadvertently -D
pop out while rewinding, move the film ad-
vance lever a little, then push the button in to
again and'continue as before.
It is now possible to open the back and remove the filmI
cartridge for processing. 5 After the film is removed the rewind releasebutton will pop out when the 6lm advance lever is moved. 3
8 -View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
aE- Your Minolta Super A is internally synchronized for use
with electronic flash or with flash bulbs at all shuttero
t l speeds. However, the proper settings must first be made.
#u For electronic flash use, set the synchro selector (11) so I
that the dot points to red " X ". bo
Note : On this setting, class F (gas filled) flash bulbs
can also be used at the shutter speedof l3o sec.eo or slower.
?
G
UI ll For class M (foil filled) flash bulbs, set the selector at
" M ". E yellow
The flash unit may be used by sliding it into the accessoryEre shoe or held by hand away from the camera.
k Attach the plug of the flash cord to the synchronizer con-
f,F nection in the center of the synchro selector.
$**
www.butkus.usView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
The Diaphragm Opening of a Lens controls the volume of Light that reaches the
film in a given period of exposure. The Dial Markings indicate this volume of
Light (see the diagram). Each Stop'opening indicated on the dial by the numbers
2 to 22 reduces the amount of light passing through the lens by )i, or conversely,
opening the iens from one mark to the next from the number 22 to 2 doubles the
amount of light. The shutter controls the amount of light by the length of time
it remains open i. e. I second, i! second, li, sec. etc. Now, suppose you have
determined by an exposure meter reading or other means that the correct exposure
for your film under certain light conditions is );o second at f 8, and you want to
use a faster shutter speed because your subject is in motion- A shutter speed of
lioo.second cuts the exposure in half, so you must open the lens one stop to f5.6
rvhich will allow twice as much light to pass through and the amount of exposure
will be the same as before.
Conversely, if you neecl to stop down the lens for greater depth of field (see ex-
planation of Depth of Field next ) and you select 16 as the correct stop opening you
have reduced the am ount of I ight io t'o. 'Ihen you must give the film an ex-
posure + ti,mes as long or )12 second, in this case vou select the nearest shutter
speed rvhich is )1a second.
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1 0View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
The depth of field of ^ lens is the
range of distance within which all
objects are in relatively sharp focus
when the lens is set for a given
distance. This range varies with
the diaphragm opening, being great-
est when the lens is stopped down
and least when it is open full (see
diagram). The range also varies
with the distance for which the lens
is set being least at close distances
'and greatest at farther distances up
to a point where it takes in every-
thing beyond an intermediate distance
to infinity, which is indicated by oo
on the distance scale.
1 1
www.butkus.usView original page 15Page 17 · Read text
How to Reod off rhe Deprh of Field
For Stcndord 5Omm Lenses
In this case,the depth of field can be directly read
off on the depth of field scale (2).
After focusing, the subject-to-carneradistanceis indi-
cated by the red dot on the depth of field scale, and
the subject at this distance, is in the sharpest focus.
The numbers on both sides of the red dot mean
f stops and the depth of'field i.e. near and far limits
of sharp focus is indicated oppositethem correspond-
ing with f stop chosen.
For E:rcmple :
Focused at 5 meters with f 5.6, the depth of field
is from about 4 to 8 meters ; or with f 1l in this
case, the depth of field extends from about 3 to 10 fil
meters.
Note : In case of. f. 4, f 8 or f 16, which are not
marked on the scale,remember that f 4 is positioned Subject to camera d istance
between f 2.8 and f 5.6, similarly f 8 is between
f 5.6and f 11, f 16between f 1l and f 22, thenrcad
the depth of field.
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For lnterchangeoble Lenres
The depth of field can be worked out by the
indicator on the back of the camera.
For 35mm Lcns:
The mark o" the dial indicatesthe focused A
distance and the numbers arranged in pairs on
both sides of the mark mean f stoPs.
If you have focused the lens at 7 feet which
has beenindicatedon the distancescale,turn the
distance ring on the indicator right or left until
"7" on it comesoppositethe markA, then the
depth of field correspondingwith the distance
(7 feet) and f. stop chosen can be read off on
the scale; for instancefocused7 feet with f 11,
Distance ring the depth of field is from about 4.5 to 15 feet.
For 85mm or I OOmm Lenr :
The method is the sameas in the caseof 35mm
lens. The scale for 85mm lens is on the right
and for 100mm lens on the left.
- l + -View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
Any of the interchangeablelens for the Minolta Super A
can be removed or attached in-the same manner as follows.
To Remove 5oo I Adjust the distance scale to infinity (o ).
I While pushing the button located in the focusing knob
(l), turn the ring on which " on " and "off" are en- Eo
J graved in the direction of " off " until it stops. The lens can now be removed.
fo Artochso I Adjust the distance scale to infinity (- ).
I Adjust the two red dots on the lens barrel till they coincide.
I Attach the lens carefully on the bayonet lens mount of
the camera, making sure red dots of lens barrel are op- oo posite the red dot of the depth of field scale. This allows
the projection on the lens barrel to fit into the receiver
on the body lens mount. Then pushing the button in
the focusing knob, turn the " on and off " ring in the
direction of " on " with slight pressureuntil it stops.Eus
I I To secure the lens firmly on to the mount, turn the " on
and off" ring slightly in the direction of "off" without pres-
sing the button this time, then the button will pop out to Lo the original position(probablyyou will hear a click). This rts
E allowsyou canthemovefocusingthe lever,lever toit provesbe moved;the inlensotherto bewords,secured.when
I
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Rr;'klr*r 35rnnl f 3.5 +element
Especially suitable for snapshots
or interior photography. This
is due to the wider angle of
view and the greater depth of
field in comparison rvith stan-
dard 5 Omm lenses.
Angle of view : 64"
Diaphragm openings: from f 3.5 to f 22
Nearest focusingdistance: 3.3 ft.
A special finder is not requiredas the finder of
the Super A is sufficient.
litc tt r.i,ur d Luor:5e 5
J ; . ; . i . r , : ; . ' - ' r ( l i l r r , i f 2
7 element
R ok [r rr i :,'J'r'ln) f ? .li
5 element
W idely usedfor all purposes.
Angle of view : 46o
Diaphragm openings: from f 2 (t 2..8) to f 22
Nearestfocusingdistance:. 3.3 ft.
T 7
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Rokkor Esmm f 2.8 5element
Excellent for close- up portraits or
distant scenes. Image taken is 1.7
times that of standard 50mm lens.
Angle of view : 29"
Diaphragm openings:
\ from f 2.8 to f 22
Nearest focusing distance:
5 ft.
Individual " Bright Frame
View-finder " with the parali
lax correctiondial is provided.
R.okkor lOOmm f 3.8 5 element
Most useful for taking long distant
subjects, sports shots or animal
life. Image taken is 2 times that
of standard 50mm lens.
Angle of view : 24"
Diaphragm openings:
from f 3.8 to f 22
Nearestfocusingdistance:
7 ft.
Individual " Bright Frame
View-finder" with the paral-
lax correctiondial is provided.
1 8View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
|a Minolro Meter
The Minolta Super A can take our ex-.9 clusive exposure meter, the Minolta
Meter which does away with any guess Lo work or calculationsand assurescorrect
exposure. The meter, coupled to the
shutter speed dial of the camera, only
requires the operator to adjust the 6no
I diaphragm scale of the camera as indi-
I cated by the meter.
(
The trvo separate windorvs on the meter show
the correct shutter speed and f stop number.
When the adjusting knob is turned, the various.ou
combinations of shutter speed and f stop number
appear; one of them can be chosen according to
whether moving subjectsare to be taken or greater:o
depth of field is required. E
.I
-
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The meter is usable under any lighting con-
ditions even poor light as the amplifier is
attachable to the meter f.or 4 times increase
of sensibility.
The meter can also be operated independent-
ly without attaching it to the camera.
Incident Light Attachments are provided
for the meter and the amplifier for mea-
suring light by the " incident light me-
thod " which enables an exact measure-
ment where the ordinary " reflected light
method" may be slightly inaccurate.
- 2 0 -View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
Mfnolto Junlor B.C. Flash
A small pocket-sized unit which operates on the B. C.
principle. A 22.5 V dry battery and a condenser (capa-
citor) can discharge more than 300 flashbulbs without
changing the battery. The folding shade consists of 13
fan-shapedblades. The body of the flash gun is plastic
and the folded reflector in its vinyl case fite any pocket
or Purse.
Mlnolta Lens Shode
A lens shade should be used to prevent unnecessaryand
stray light from entering the lens, which will causeglare
spots on the picture, and is especiallyessentialin syhchro-
flash work.
Mlnoltq Fllters
Filters are used to obtain nearly similar effects in the
prints as seen with the naked eye or to .secure other
special depiction aimed at. Minolta filters will enable
you to take better and more elaborate pictures than is
possible without them.
Furnlshed in UV, and Yellow, Orange, Red, and Green
origins for black and white fllms. Color filters both for
daylight type and artificial light type color films.
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.