Film cameras
Minolta X-300 User manual
User manual for Minolta X-300. 40 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
40 pagesEnglish2.9 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta X-300
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 40
- File size
- 2.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
Your Minolta X-3OOs,z37Otrtis an easy-to-use microcomputerized single-lens-reflex (SLR)
camera with quartz control of mechanical sequences and shutter speed, providing lasting accuracy
and years of enjoyment.
In its aperture-priority auto-exposure (AE) mode ("AUTO" on the camera), the X-3OOs,z37Orrrauto-
matically sets the precise shutter speed, according to the in-camera meter for correct exposure, at
the aperture you selected. An AE lock can be used to hold a meter reading and then readjust the
framing before releasingthe shutter. Auto control is maintained even when using mirror lenses and
close-up accessoriessuch as bellows-not possiblewith shutter-priorityAE systems.
Creative flexibility exists in the X-3oOs,z37Orulsmatch-LED,/full-metered manual mode: For
correct exposure at the metered value, simply adjust aperture and/or shutter speed to align blinking
and glowing LEDs in the viewfinder. Or you can also merely refer to these LEDs-or totally
disregardthem-when making your own settings.
Flash photography is also simple: just attach a Minolta X-series Auto Electroflash, adjust
aperture, and shoot. Flash-readysignpl is given in the viewfinder, and the shutter is automaticallyset
for proper sync. at 1/60 sec.
The X-3OOs,/37Orucan be used with Minolta's wide range of accessories, such as wideangle,
telephoto,and zoom lenses, Motor Drive 1, Auto Winder G, and much more.
Beforeusing lenses,flashes,or other accessoriesmade by companiesother than Minolta,
attachthem to the cameraand makesurethey function properlyby taking test photographs.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 5 · Read text
NAMESOF PARTS
Mounting indo< Minimum- re lock (Disengagefor use on X-3OOs,z37ON)
Focusinggrip
Distance scale
Depth-of-field soale Aperture ring
Safe Load Signal Main mritch Monitors correct film advance Back-cover release knob
Rewind crank
Film-speedring
Film-speedwindow Shutter-release bufton
Mode/shutter-speed window Frame countel F ilm-speedring release
AUTO: automaticmode
Sync. contact 1 - 1000: shutter speeds
2 Camera control contact B: "bulb" (long)exposure Film-advance lever
www.orphancameras.comView original page 5Page 8 · Read text
STRAP AND CASE
Attach the strap (provided) and case (optional) as shown. The strap includes a battery holder used for storing
fresh spare batte ries.
EyepiececapView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
SUMMARY OF OPERATION (Automaticmode)
1. Slide main switch to "ON" (p. 1O). 2. Check battery power (p 1 1). 3. Set film speed lp. 12l-.
4. Open back cover (p. 13). 5. Load film properly and 6. Advance film to frame "1"
closecover (p. 14). and check Safe Load Signal
www.orphancameras.com ( p . 1 5 ) .View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
7. Set mode/shutter-speed se- 8. Select lens aperturs (p. 19). 9. Adjust focus (p. 2O).
lector to "AUTO" (p. 18).
10. Releaseshutter lp. 211. 1 1 . Slide main switch to "OFF" (p 10). 12. Rewind and remove f ilm
(p. 23).View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES
ATTACHINGAND REMOVINGLENS
Body and lens caps
Remove body and lens caps as
shown.
To attach To remove
Align the red mounting index on While pressingthe lens-releasebut-
the lens barrel with the red index ton, turn the lens counterclockwise
on the camera's lens mount. Insert as far as it will go, then lift it out of
the lens bayonet into the mount, the mount.
then turn the lensclockwiseuntil it
locks into placewith a click.
o Never set a lens mount-side down unlessa rear lens cap is attached;
otherwise, its control pins may be damaged.
o Be careful not to touch anything inside the camera,especiallythe
mirror, when attaching or removing lenses.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
BATTERIESAND POWER
Batteries
Use one of the following types of
batteries:
o Two 1.55V silver-oxide (SR-zl4:
EvereadyS-76. EPX-76,or equiv.)
o Two 1.5V alkaline-manganese
(LR44: Eveready4-76 or equiv.)
o One 3V lithium (CR-1/3N)
1. Using a coin or similar object, 2. Wipe the terminals with a clean,
unscrew the battery cover counter- dry cloth. Hold the batteries by
clockwise and remove it. their edges and insert them plus (+)
side up into the sleeve on the
inside of the cover.
o Do not use 1.35V mercury batteries (MRzl4: EvereadyEpX-675 or
equiv.), which are the same shape and size, becausetheir voltage is
too low.
o To avoid battery leakage or bursting, do not mix batteries of
different types, brands; or ages.
o Keep batteriesaway from young children.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
3. Replace the cover and screw it Main switch Shutter-releasebutton
in clockwise as far as it will go. To operate the camera, slide the Pressing the shutter-releasebutton
main switch to "ON". (with the main switch on) activates
When you have f inished taking the camera's meter, viewfinder LED
pictures, move the main switch to display. and exposure-control sys-
"OFF" to prevent accidental expo- tem. The shutter is released when
sures and battery drain. (lt the the button is pressed all the way
switch is left on, however, battery down.
drain occurs only when the shutter- The viewfinder LED display will
release button is pressed, so you remain on lor 15 sec. after you
may want to leave it on to avoid remove your finger.
missing unexpected shots.)
www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
Cold-weather operation
Since batteries tend to lose power
as temperature drops, always use
fresh batteries when photographing
in cold weather and keep a spare set
with you, preferably in a warm
pocket close to your body. Battery
capacity will be restored when
temperature returns to normal .
For prolonged cold-weather use at
approx. O"C (32'F) or lower, it is
Battery check recommended to use silver-oxide
The camera automatically checks batteries; if a lithium battery is
battery power when the shutter- used below approx. 0"C (32"F), the
releasebutton is pressed. camera may not operate.
o When batteries are nearly ex-
hausted, the mode LED l" A"
or "M") in the viewfinderblinks to
warn that fresh batteries will soon
be needed.
o When batteries are completely
exhausted (or not correctly in-
stalled), no LEDs light and the
shutter locks.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
FILM AND FILM SPEED
The camera uses standard 35mm Setting f ilm speed Film window
cartridge film. Each film has an ISO While pressing the f ilm-speed The film window can be used to
film-speed number which indicates ring release,turn the film-speedring conf irm the type of film currently
the film's sensitivity to light. The until the desired number lines up loaded.
ISO number .is marked on the with the index and locks in place
camera'sfilm-speedring. when you remove your f inger from
For proper exposure, the cam- the release.
era's film-speed ring must be set to
the correct film speed.
Intermediate settings
rso
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
LOADING FILM
Before opening the camera back,
make sure there is no film inside
the camera by checking the film
w i n d o w $ . 1 2 1 .
N O T E
o When loading film in a dark place
or with the lens cap on, loading
will be easierif the mode selector is
not set at "AUTO".
1. Unfold the rewind crank and 2. Leaving the knob pulled out,
pull up on it to lift the back-cover position a 35mm film cartridge in
release knob. Pull up on the knob the chamber with its projecting
until the camera back springsopen. spool down. Then push the back-
cover release knob all the way in,
rotating it slightly if necessary.
o Always handle and load f ilm in subdued light or at least shaded
from direct light by your body.
o Do not touch any parts or areas
inside the camera shown in blue.
1 3View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
3. Pull out just enough film leader 4. With the film held against the 5. After making sure that the film
to reach the take-up spool. lnsert sprocket by your left hand, slowly is taut, close the camera back by
the end of the film into a slot on operate the film-advance lever until pressingit until it locks shut with a
the left side of the take-up spool, the film is wound firmly around the click. A red "S" should now appear
making sure that a hole in the film take-up spool, the sprocket teeth opposite the index in the f rame
is lined up with the tooth on the are engaged with holes on both cou nter.
take-up spool. The sprocket teeth edges of the film, and the slack in
should be engagedwith holes at the the film is taken up. lf the film-
bottom of the f ilm. advance lever stops at the end of a
full stroke during this procedure,
release the shutter and continue
(main switch must be at on).
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
6. Advance the f ilm and releasethe Film-advance lever Safe Load Signal/Frame counter
shutter until the index points to The lever has 30o of unengaged As you take pictures and advance
"1". A red bar should appearat the movement to allow swinging it out the film, the red bar in the Safe
Iar left in the Safe Load Signal from the camera body so the right Load Signal gradually moves to the
indicating that film is loaded and thumb will fit comfortably behind right and the rewind crank rotates
advancing properly. lf it does not it. As the lever is moved an addi- counterclockwise,indicating proper
appear or swings far to the right, tional 130o until it stops, the film film advance.
repeat steps 3 to 6. and frame counter advanceand the Never force the f ilm-advance
shutter is cocked for the next lever when it stops and resists
The camera is now ready for taki ng exposu re. further movement at the end of the
the first picture, provided film f ilm, which may be somewhat
speed is set. after the common film lengths
(12,20,24,36 exposures)shown in
red in the f rame counter. The frame
counter stops advancing after 36
exposures. 1 5View original page 18Page 21 · Read text
TAKING PICTURESIN AUTO MODE
CAMERA SETTINGS
ln aperture-priority auto mode, blurred pictures due to camera
all you need to do is set the desired movement. To correct, turn the
aperture-the camera will automati- aperture ring toward the largest
cally select the shutter speed aperture (i.e., tlZ, f11.7, t11.4,
needed for proper exPosure. etc.,) until the 1/60 sec. LED
Viewf inder display lights. lf this is not possible, use
Before releasingthe shutter, com- a t r i p o d ( p . 2 2 t o r f l a s h ( p . 3 1 ) .
pose your picture, focus, and check
the viewfinder for the following: NOTE
Set mode/shutter-speed selector . ls the under-rangeLED blinking? o In some situations you should use
to "AUTO". lf so, turn the aperture ring the AE lock (p. 24).
toward the largest aperture (i.e., o lf your head is not shielding the
f 12, f 11.7,or f 11.4,etc.) until the eyepiece from light when the
LED stops blinking, or increasethe picture is taken (as when using
light level if possible. self-timer), attach the eyepiece cap
. ls the over-rangeLED blinking? lf lp.22l.
so, turn the aperture ring toward
the smallest aperture (i.e., f/16 or
tl22luntil the LED stops blinking.
lf it does not stop, use a neutral-
density (ND) filter, or reduce the
Set lens at desiredaperture. light level if possible.
. ls an LED on indicating1/30 sec.
or slower shutter speed? Using
1 8 slow shutter speedsmay result in
www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
Selecting aperture Gu idelines f or typ ical p ictu re-taking situations
In auto mode, your camera will automatically set the
precise shutter speed for proper exposure at the set Heavy Hazy aperture. Even so, you have considerablecontrol over tso Sunny Sun Over- Indoors cast1 results and can adjust aperture and shutter speed over
sizableranges.I For good pictures where no particular effect is desired,
simply set the aperture as indicated in the table. These
settings will provide as much depth of field as possible * b while producing a shutter speed fast enough to stop the
motion of most subjects. 25 il8 i l 4 ft2 f 11.4
There may be times, however, when you want to 64 il8 tl4 f 12.8 t 1 1 . 4 obtain a particular effect, such as rendering a certain
range in sharp focus, emphasizing a subject against an 100 t 111 f/5.6 tlq t11.4
out-of-focus background, or selectinga specific shutter
speed. ln these cases, you must select the appropriate 160 tl't1 il8 f/5.6 tt2
aperture to give the desired depth of field (seep. 28l. or 200 f 111 il8 f/5.6 il2
the desiredshutter speed (p. 29).
400 il16 t 111 ft8 il2.8
1000 il22 rl16 t 111 il4
1 9
*-**-,*ffil&-,,- ,'rx*efJd&dsi6*.. -an@&kView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
FOCUSING
The camera's focusing screen has . Microprism band is used for lenses
a f ocusing aid consisting of a f rom medium wideangle th rough
split-image spot surrounded by a medium telephoto, especially
band of microprisms in the center with subjects not having vertical
of an Acute Matte field. I i nes.
To focus the cameravisually,look . Matte field is used for longer
through the viewfinder and turn the focal-length lensesor for macro or
lens'focusinggrip until : other work involvingconsiderable
' Upper and lower subject imagesin lensextension.
the spot are exactly aligned with
In focus no broken linesbetween them.
'Subject image in the microprism
band does not shimmer or appear
broken up.
At this point, the subject image
within the viewfinder's center
focusing aid appears clearest and
seems to blend with that on the
matte field surroundingit.
You will probably f ind that
focusing is easiestif :
' Split-image spot is used for
subjectshavingvertical lines.
Out of focus
www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
HOLDINGCAMERA AND RELEASINGSHUTTER
Holding the camera as shown lets you operate most controls while looking through the camera'seyepiece.
L E F T H A N D To obtain sharp, blur-f ree photos, back and forth for horizontal(a) and
Thumb: focusing grip, aperture hold the camera as still as possible vertical(b) pictures without removing
nng and press the shutter-releasebutton y o u r h a n d f r o m i t s c o n t r o l s . B y
lndex: focusinggrip gently to release the shutter. The c r a d l i n g t h e c a m e r a i n y o u r l e f t
Middle: aperturering camera should be steadied against hand, you can easily focus and set
your face or body. Always pressthe t h e a p e r t u r e , t h e n s h o o t . F i g . ( c )
R I G H T H A N D button with a slow, steady squeeze shows an alternative way to hold
Thumb: film-advancelever to releasethe shutter-never a quick the camera vertically.
lndex: mode/shutter-speed jab.
selectoror shutter- Some ways of holding the camera
releasebutton are shown here. lf you grasp the
M i d d l e : A E l o c k camera f irmly with your right hand
on its front grip, you can shift itView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
Self-timer LED blinks as follows:
First 8 sec.: twice per sec.
Next sec.: eight times per sec.
Last sec.: continuously
NOTE
o You may cancel the self-timer
after it has been started by pushing
the self-timer switch down or by
Mounting camera on tripod self-timer slidingthe main switch to "OFF".
For using the self-timer, or for The camera'selectronic self-timer o After taking the picture, switch
maximum sharpnesswhen making can be used to delay shutter release off the self-timer, or the next pic-
exposures too long to permit for 10 sec. ture will be taken after a 10-sec.
handholding of the camera (1/30 1. Mount the camera on a sturdy delay.
sec. or slower), mount the camera support (such as a tripod), compose Eyepiececap
on a tripod using the socket on the your picture, and focus. When using the camera in auto
camerabottom. 2. Set the mode/shutter-speed se- mode or at "8", if your head does
lector at any setting other than not shield the eyepiece from light
"8", and make sure that the film is (self-timer operation), slide the
advanced. eyepiece cap onto the eyepiece
3. Pull the self-timerswitch up. frame. This prevents unwanted light
4. To start the timer, press the from affecting exposure.
shutter-releasebutton. To keep it handy, the eyepiece
A visual signal will indicate how cap threads onto the camera strap
much time is left before the self- (p. 5)
timerwww.orphancameras.comreleases the shutter.View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
REWINDINGAND UNLOADINGFILM
1. Pressthe rewind releaseon the 2. Unfold the rewind crank and 3. When you are certain that the
camera bottom. turn it in the direction of the arrow exposedf ilm is completely rewound
until the red bar in the Safe Load into the cartridge, Pull uP on the
Signal moves out of the window to back-coverreleaseknob to open the
the left. Near the end, you will feel back, then remove the f ilm car-
tension of the film increase then tri dge.
completely disapPear, and the
crank will then turn f reelY.
o Never open the camera back when there is any red still visible
in the Safe Load Signal.
2 3View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
CREATIVECONTROL
AE LOCK
When to use
Your X-30Os/370rl's center-weight-
ed averagingmeter system is designed
so that light from all parts of the
viewfinder is measured, but influ-
ence from a large central area is
greatest. Thus, when the main
subject fills most of the frame's
center, the meter reading should
give satisfactory exposure. However,
when there is a great brightness
difference between the subject and
background where the main subject How to use 1. Shift the camera's position so
does not fill the center of the To obtain proper exposure in the subject fills most of the frame.
frame, the AE lock should be used high-contrast lighting situations For small subjects, you may need
(with camera in auto mode). where your subject is on the edge to move closer (or zoorn closer).
Use the AE lock in situations of the frame or occupies only a
where subjects appear dark against small portion in the center, use the
strong backlighting, such as win- AE lock as follows:
dows, or against a light background
of snow or sand; or where subjects
appear very light against a dark
background, as when standing in a
spotlight or shaft of sunlight.
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.