Film cameras
Minolta Weathermatic-A User manual
User manual for Minolta Weathermatic-A. 40 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
40 pagesEnglish6.2 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta Weathermatic-A
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 40
- File size
- 6.2 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
Your new Minolta Weathermatic-A is the ideal do-anything, go-anywhere
photographic traveling companion. lt is just as at home in a backpack on top of
a mountain or skiing down one as it is at the beach or around the pool.
Its rugged watertight construction and 110 format conveniences, such as
drop-in cartridge film loading, built-in electronic flash, and compact size makes
taking quality photos simple and easy in even the most adverse conditions.
Please read this manual carefully all the way through and follow the simple
instructions for the best results and longest service with your camera. Then keep
it for later reference as needed.View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
www.butkus.us IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS When using you r cam era, the specif ic cautionary notices in the owner's manual shou ld always be observed and complied with, as well as basic pre- cautions, including the following: 1 . Read and understand all instructions. 2. Close supervision is necessary when the camera is used by or near children. Do not leave the camera unattended while in use.View original page 4
Page 5 · Read text
3. Do not operate the camera if it has been dropped
' h as been exam i ned by an u nti I it or dam aged
authorized Minolta service facility.
4. To protect against electrical shock hazards, do not
immerse the camera in water or other liquids while
the camera's back cover is open. Also do not open
the back cover while in or under the water, or
while the camera is wet.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
www.butkus.us 5. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this cam era, but take it to an author- ized M inolta service facility when som e service or repair work is required. Incorrect reassem bly can cause electric shock when the camera is sub- sequently used. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONSView original page 6
Page 8 · Read text
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CONTENTS
NAMESOFPARTS ......6 On or n€ar th6 wator . . , 26 5
SUMMARY OF OPERATION . .. 8 Atthebeach ....27
PREPARATION AND BASICS . . .. ., 1O fnrain,mistorfog ,. ...24
Opening and closing ln snow and cold weather . . . . 29
thebackcover ...,.' 10 TAKING PICTURES UNDERWATER 30
Installingthebattery ...13 Focusing . . 30
Checking the battery ... 14 Tips for taking pictures underwater . . 31
Loading and advancing film , ., 15 ACCESSORTES ...31
Viewfinder ......18 Sportsfinder.... ..., 31
Focusing .. 19 MAINTENANCE OF O-RING .. 32
TAKING PICTURES (WITH EXISTING TECHNICAL DETAILS .. ...., 33
Lf GHT) .... .. 22 TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE .......35
FLASHPICTURES ...,24 CARE AND STORAGE. , . .37
UNLOADING THE FILM ..,.. 25
USING YOU R WEATHERMATIC-A
IN VARIOUS WEATHER CON-
DITIONS AND PICTU RE TAKING
SITUATIONS ..... 26View original page 8Page 11 · Read text
SUMMARY OF OPERATION
The steps pictured on this page outline use of your Weathermatic-A in normal "on-land"
conditions. They give a general idea of how very easy it is to get properly exposed pictures
with this camera and are keyed to corresponding sections of this manual for ready reference,
1, Make sure camera is completely clean
and drv. 3. After installing and checking battery
2. Lift back-cover release tabs, twist back- (p. 13), insert film cartridge (p. 15), and
cover release knobs and ooen back cover press back cover securely in to place and
12).
(p.10). t- lock it (p.r
fr[w$MView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
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This brief guide may also be useful as a quick refresher for good results afteryou have not
used your camera for some time. lt is not, however, a substitute for the detailed instructions
in the rest of this manual, which should be thoroughly studied for best results.
6, Look through eyepiece and compose sub-
ject in viewfinder (p. 18). Depress shut-
ter release slightly; if red lamp in finder
lights at it sun symbol. turn control to 4. Operate film advance lever repegtedly 6 cloud symbol. lf it lights at cloud
until first exposure locks in place and symbol, turn to El flash symbol and
the lever will not move (p. 16). take picture within flash range when
Check and/or clean lens cover glass and lamp begins to pulsate (p. 24). Always
set focus for your subject (p. 19). squeeze shutter release smoothly.
nt2 G --r \ _t G{ %View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
PREPARATION AND BASICS
10 Opening and closing the back cover
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR
PROPER USE OF THIS CAMERA
The back cover of your Weathermatic-A
is equipped with an O-ring that forms a
watertight seal when the cover is properly
fitted to the camera body. This enables the
camera to be used under conditions (such as
rain, snow, and in or underwater) where use Opening the back cover:
of conventional cameras is either not recom- 1. Hold the camera with the back cover
mended or impossible. facing you and lift the back-cover re- IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO lease tabs on both back-cover release ALWAYS BE SURE YOUR WEATHER- MATIC-A IS COMPLETELY CLEAN AND {Dtsut* DRY BEFORE OPENING THE BACK
COVER, ALSO THAT THE BACK
COVER'S O-RING IS CLEAN AND IN
GOOD CONDITION BEFORE THE BACK
COVER IS CLOSED. BY DOING THIS
YOU WILL OBTAIN THE FULL SERVICE
LIFE INTENDED FOR THIS SEAL.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
www.butkus.us knobs. Then turn the back-cover release NOTE knobs counterclockwise in the direction Be sure never to crease or twist the con- of the arrows until the back cover opens. nector strao. 2. Lift the back cover awav from the camera body. You can let the back cover ONCE THE BACK COVER IS OPEN hang from the back-cover connector THE CAMERA IS NO LONGER strap or remove it completely for clean- WATERTIGHT AND MAY BE DAM. ing by disengaging the strap from the pin AGED IF WATER OR SAND ENTERS on the back cover. THE CAMERA.View original page 14
Page 15 · Read text
Closing the back cover
1. Make sure that the inside lio of the
camera body and back cover's O-ring
are clean and wiped by a soft clean cloth 3. Turn the back-cover release knobs in the and that the back-cover release knobs are direction of the arrows all the way to at "OPEN". Then align the back cover "CLOSE" and push the back-cover re-
with the camera body. lease tab's locking pins into the holes in2. Press both ends of the back cover with the knobs. your thumbs as shown. Then. with the
palm of your hand, press down on the NOTE
center of the cover to assure a proper Be sure the back cover is attached to the
seal. connector strap before closing.
tofl r*i'
:tt pL'ikt't,lJ ; ,View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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Installing the battery
Your camera's built-in flash and expo-
sure warning system are powered by one
1.5v AA-(penlight) size alkaline-manganese 2, Insert a battery as specified with the plus
(Eveready E91 or equivalent), sealed carbon- end out as indicated inside the chamber,
zinc or nickel-cadmium batterv. then close and latch the cover.
To install this: NOTE
1. With the back cover open. lif t the The battery can be installed or replaced
batterv-chamber cover as shown. at any time without damage to loaded film.
CF.tl !3rView original page 16Page 17 · Read text
14 Checking the battery
The batterv should be checked immedi- sure a fresh battery is properly inserted or
ately after installing and from time to time replace an exhausted battery as soon as it is
thereafter, especially before starting on trips convenient. To save battery power, be sure
or taking especially important pictures. To to turn the exposureffunction control knob
do this, turn on the built-in flash by moving to either the sun or cloud symbol after
the exposure/function control knob to the checking the battery.
(flash) symbol. lf the finder/monitor lamp
lights and begins to pulsate in approximately
1 0 seconds, the battery is serviceable. lf these o For taking pictures without battery, see
signals do not light within 30 seconds make the note on page 23.View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
www.butkus.us Loading and advancing film 1. With the back cover open, lift the tab 2. lnsert the film cartridge into the camera near the finder eyepiece as shown to 3. Close the film-chamber cover and push ooen the film-chamber cover. in on it until it clicks shut.View original page 18
Page 19 · Read text
5. Use your right thumb to operate the film
advance lever repeatedlv until it locks
(about three full strokes). A series of 1's
Close and latch the camera's water-tighl should be visible in the f ilm data window
back cover as described on page 1 2. to indicate the first exposure.
K -::-:- X
,View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
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\\
When used in cold weather or if the
The shutter release cannot be depressed camera is not used for a long period of
unless the film advance has been opera- time, the winding lever may not return
ted until it locks. all the way when the film is advanced. lf
Film speed settings are automatically this happens, push the lever back to its
adjusted when a film cartridge is loaded. rest position with your thumb.
However use of high speed films under lf the film advance lever should stop
extremely bright conditions such as before winding is complete and there is
beach or snow scenes is not re- still unexposed film in the cartridge,
commended. push the lever with your thumb until it
Load and unload film in subdued light, moves all the way to its advance stop.
never in direct sunlight. This will free the mechanism and return
to operation.
lf a series of diagonal lines or the film's
black paper backing appears in the film-
data window while advancing the film,
do not wind any farther as the film
cartridge will be difficult to remove.View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
t8 Vieurfinder Looking into the eyepiece of your Weathermatic-A you will see a bright frame
with focus-symbol settings above it. What
you see inside this frame is the approximate o subject area at the three farther focus-knob
settings. Pictures at the two closer settings IA6 should be f ramed within the two short
parallax-correction marks near the right-
hand corners of the frame.
The red lamp at the right side of the
finder lights for low-light warning (see
p.23), and pulsates to irldicate recycling
when the camera is used in flash ooeration
9.24t.
FocusingA large focusing knob with focus
symbols simplifies setting focus with your
Weathermatic-A. For sharpest pictures, sim-
ply turn this knob so that the index is
opposite the symbol for your sublect.
A focus-symbol table is located on the
bottom of the camera for easv reference,View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
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I
I h'r'il:
Set the knob so that the index is opposite The symbol within the yellow dot marks the
the mountain symbol for scenic pictures at setting at which most "people-picture"
distances of about 5.3m ( 1l-112 ft.) or more snapshots are taken (about 3.5m or 11 ft.)I from the camera at the cloud symbol;3.5m and has a click stop to keep it in position.
(11 ft.) or more at the sun symbol. At this distance, the part of a standing adult
from about head to ankles can be seen in
the f inder bright f rame with the camera held
horizontally. Subiects from about 3 to 5m
(10 to 16 ft.) will be acceptably sharp at the
cloud symbol; from about 2 to 11m (7 to
36 ft.) at the sun symbol.View original page 22Page 25 · Read text
TAKING PICTURES (WITH EXISTING LIGHT)
glass clean and22 1. Make sure the lens-cover dry and f ilm is fully advanced.
2. Set focus for the proper camera-to-
subject distance.
3. Hold the camera horizontally or verti-
cally in a comfortable way so that it is 4. Compose your picture within the bright
steadied against your face and will not f rame.
move when you take a picture. Both 5. When not taking flash pictures, start
hands and the camera strap should be with the exposure/function control knob
kept behind the front edge of the camera set at the -.o; sun sYmbol.View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
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6. Depress the shutter release slightly. lf NOTE 23 the red lamp at the right in the finder o lt is important to always be sure the
does not come on, hold the camera camera's lens-cover glass is clean and dry
steady and continue to squeeze the before taking pictures. Water droplets on
release all the way down to make the it will cause picture blur and spots
exposure. lf the red lamp at the right in caused by water drying on the glass will
the f inder comes on, move the exposure/ reduce picture contrast. For information
function control knob to the o cloud about taking pictures in or near the
symbol. lf the lamp still comes on when water, see p. 26.
the shutter release is depressed slightly, o lf the battery is unserviceable or existing light is too low for proper completely lacking, the red lamp in the
exposure, and you should turn the con- finder will not come on and the built-in
trol knob counter-clockwise to the A flash will not charge. In this case, how-
flash symbol and proceed as explained ever you can take pictures by setting the
on the next page. exposure/function control knob to the
sun symbol for subjects in bright sun, or
to the cloud symbol for cloudy-bright
conditions.View original page 26Related documents and language editions
From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.