Minolta XE-7 User manual

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  Your Minolta XE-7 is a top-quality single-lens ref lex camera whose
electronic system will control exposure for you automatically,  freeing
you for more enjoyment or greater creativity. You can also control
exposure manually, with or without reference to the meter indication.
In either case, your XE-7 offers full control of all camera exposure
variables, and all necessary information  is visible without taking your
eye from the finder. This eminently refined and well-thought-out
camera with its unique new electronic shutter lets you enjoy easy
handling, utmost smoothness and quietness, and considerate "fail-safe"
features throughout. Further, your XE-7 is an integral part of the
Minolta SLR system and uses all interchangeable lenses and applicable
system accessories.  lt is thus ready to grow with you and your needs for
utmost versatility even in advanced, professional, or specialized
scientific or technical use.
   Before using your camera for the first time, study this manual
carefully all the way through -  or at least all the sections needed to
cover your own photographic needs. As you read, attach the lens to the
camera body(see p.50), load batteries, and handle your XE-7 and
acquaint yourself with its parts and features. Then load it with film and
proceed to actual picture taking. In this way, you can take good photos
and begin to realize the broad potential of your XE-7 right from the
start. Be sure to keep this manual for reference later as necessary.

il
MAIN FEATURES
Ou+stanclinn electrnn ic exposttre sl/stem              High:perf ormance ner,\, shutter
    Incorporating the electronic auto-exposure      The XE-7's unique new "CLS" ("CoPal-
control system developed for Minolta's top XK    Leitz Shutter") is a metal-blade vertical-run
model, the XE-7 covers a wide range of photo'    type providing high precision and durability.  lt
graphic conditions with high accuracy and very     operates more quietly and smoothly and offers
low power consumption.  lt resists temperature     admirable compactness.
and humidity and maintains high performance       With basic design by Germany's Ernst Leitz
from general photography through highly spe-   GmbH, the CLS was developed through joint
cialized work. The XE-7's system features:        work with Japan's Copal Co., Ltd., who further
                                                                                                                    ideas.o Fully automatic exposure by stepless shut-    contributed experience and original
    ter speeds from 1/1000 to four full seconds,     Minolta supported and cooperated with both
    plus metered and full manual                   Copal and Leitz in this Project.
 o Monolithic-lC memory and control circuits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          i nf ormation -ecnter vierruf inder .  Minolta's exclusive contrast-compensator            (. o'nolete
    metering                         o Focusing can be done in three ways: By the
 o Better operation at high and low tempera-         split-image or microprism focusing aid or on
    tures                                             the mat  f ield.
 o Two tiny silver batteries as a power source      r  Shutter speed, aperture figure, exposure
                                                mode, coupled limits, and metering informa-
                                                          tion are all visible while you view'
                                o Metered-manual exposure control is possible
                                      by matching shutter-speed numbers in the
                                                                                                                          fi nder.

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'Minolta      SLR bayonet lens mount                       Oversize mirror; image cutoff negligible even
 o Virtually all existing Rokkor-X interchange-       with 160omm RF Rokkor-X lens
    able lenses can be used in either automatic       Exclusive Safe Load Signal monitors film
    or manual operation, the current line includ-       alignment and advance.
    ing some thirty models from 16mm fisheye       Shutter release locked when power switch
   through 1600mm extreme telephoto. At_        off
   taching is simple, quick, and sure, with      .  Mirror stays up, no exposure made if shutter
    full-aperture- metering for MC lenses, stop-        released when battery power insuff icient.
   down type for others.                                 . "X" (1/90 sec. with X/FP sync.) and "8" o The XE-7 also uses all appl icable system       (bulb) settings operate without battery
    accessories of the more than 1b0 currently       power.
   available.  , ,      /.                             r  Safety locks on "AUTO" setting, ASA dial,          15uJKaS, u)                   and exposure-adjustment control
Versatile, easy, "fail-safe" operation                 r Handy memo holder and ASA/DlN conver-o Unusually smooth, positive multiple expo-       sion scale on back
    sures without framecounter advance       o Unusually smooth short-stroke film advance . Up to two stops' continuous exposure ad-
   justment over or under the normal electron-
    ic setting
o X or FP flash synchronization through the
   hot shoe or single terminal with switch
o Self-timer with adjustable delay for auto or
   manual exposure control
o Eyepiece shutter for unmanned or similar
   operation

The steps picture on this page outl ine use of     perfectly exposed pictures with this camera and
           your XE-7 on automatic mode. They give a    are keyed to corresponding sections of the
            general idea of how very easy it is to get    manual for ready reference. This brief guide





Check batteries (see P. 12).              ove power switch to              Open back cover (p. 14).                                                lp. 121.





Set selector dial to "AUTO"            Set lens aperture (P.25).               Adjust focus (p.33).
 (p. 25).

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may also be usef ul as a quick refresher for good    the detailed instructions in the rest of this
results after you have not used the camera for    manual, which should be thoroughly  studied
some time. lt  is not, however, a substitute for     for best results.





   Load  f ilm properly; close cover        Advance film to "1"  (p. 16).    (p.15).





      l:          ril                  rm-
   Release shutter (p. 36).-                 Turn power off (p. 12).               Rewind and remove  f ilm (p. 38).
                    -

I

10                                           BATTERIES AND POWER

                                                  Two 1 .S-volt silver-oxide batteries, Eveready
                                                         5-76 or equivalent, supply the power for the
                                                                meter, electronic exposure control, and elec-
                                                                          tronic shutter settings,





              IMPORTANT:
                    Should viewing become impossible because
                 the mirror of your XE-7 remains up after the
                   shutter has been released, it does NOT mean
                  that the camera is out of order. This occurs
                 automatically to warn you when there  is
                        insuff icient battery power for proper operation
                at electronic shutter settings. To return the
                 mirror for viewing, simply turn the shutter-
                  speed/function selector to "X" or "8." For
                                              f urther deta ils, see P. 1 3.

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1.  Using a coin or similar object, turn the       out into the sleeve on the inside of the
   battery-chamber cover  counterclockwise         cover. (lf  batteries are inserted improperly,
   and remove it.                                  they will not make contact, and no current
2.  Af ter wiping terminals with a clean dry          will flow.)
   cloth and handling only by the edges, insert     3. Replace the cover and screw it in clockwise
                                                          as far as it will qo.
   two of the specified batteriesffiplus (+) side
   W
      ffi

Testing batteries
   Depress the battery-checker  lever toward
the bottom of the camera. lf the red lamp
 I ights, batteries are serviceable.                   Power switch
   Test batteries immediately after installing     To operate the camera, move the power
them. lf the lamp does not light, make sure that    switch to "ON." This will unlock the shutter-
they are fresh and have been inserted correctly.     release button and cause the meter needle in
    Batteries should be tested from time to time    the finder to move if there are sufficient light
thereafter, preferably before starting each new    and battery power.
roll of film and particularly before starting      When not operating the camera, always be
picture-taki ng sessions or trips. A set of bat-     sure to move the power switch to "OFF." This
teries will generally last for about one year in     will lock the shutter release against accidental
proper normal use.                               exposures and prevent needless battery drain.

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Qgl6J,rrraa+ho-    -areaian                                      Lov'. "olta-   -*ning                                          13
    Batteries by nature tend to decrease  in      Your XE-7 is equipped with a device to
capacity as the temperature goes down. Though    warn you and prevent wasted film if battery
the silver-oxide batteries used for the XEJ are    voltage becomes insufficient while the shutter-
superior to most others in this respect,  it also     speed/function selector is at an electronic set-
happens with them.                                ting (i.e., any one other than "X" or "B"l: lt
     lf old batteries are used at temperatures     the shutter is released when voltage is too low,
below OoC €,zoFl , the camera's electronic    no exposure will be ffiade r,n fhe  f ilm, and the
operation may not be satisfactory. You should     mirror will remain up to prevent viewing.
thus replace older batteries with fresh ones       Turning the shutter-speed/function  dial to
before using your XE-7 in cold weather and     either "X" or "B" (mechanical settings) will
carry spare fresh batteries with you during such     reset the mirror to its viewing position. The
use.                                         camera may then be operated at either of these
                                                 mechanical settings without replacing batteries
                                                    or at any electronic or mechanical setting after
                                                    inserting serviceable batteries. In either case,
                                           use the multiple-exposure lever (see p.45) to
                                                      rer.rck the shutter without wasting a frame of
                                                     film. (The mirror will also reset automatically
                                                      after film has been advanced in the usual way
                                            and the shutter released once.)

                                        NOTE:
                                                                          lf the camera is not to be used for more
                                            than two weeks, it is advisable to remove the
                                                           batteries.

2.  Leavi ng the knob pulled out, position a  f ilm
                                                   cartridge in the chamber with the project-
                                                    ing-spool end toward the bottom of the
                                             camera. Then push the back-cover release
Pull out on the back cover release knob        knob all the way in, rotating  it slightly to do
until the camera back springs open.                 so if necessary.





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4. Operate the film-advance lever slowly until       5. Close the camera back and push in on it
   the film has begun to wind firmly around           until  it clicks locked.
   the take-up spool and the sprocket teeth are       6. A red "S" should now appear opposite the
   engaged with holes on both edges of the        index in the frame-counter window. Ad-
    film. lf the pdvance lever stops at the end of        vance film and release the shutter until the
   a full stroke during this procedure, release        index points to "1" on the frame-counter
    the shutter and continue.                                    dial.

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 7. A red bar should also now appear at the left     vances film and frame counter and cocks the
    in the Safe Load Signal window. This indi-     shutter for the next exposure. (To cock the
    cates that the film is loaded and winding      shutter without advancing  f ilm, see p. 45.)
    properly on the take-up spool. lf the Safe      When the lever stops and resists further
   Load Signal does not appear or swings far to    movement at the end of a film, never attempt
   the right in, the window, repeat steps  1     to force it farther. (See p.38 for instructions
   through 6 to assure that  f ilm is properly en-    on rewinding and unloading film.)
   gaged on the spool. As you continue to take      The frame counter does not advance when
    pictures, the red signal will move gradually    two or more exposures are made on the same
   toward the right in the window, indicating    frame. The counter automatically resets for
    that  f ilm is advancing properly.                 film loading when the camera back is opened.

   Film should be handled and loading done in
subdued light -  at least shaded from directsunlight by the body.

   The film-advance lever is designed with 30o
unengaged movement before the beginning of
its engaged stroke to allow swinging  it out from
the body so that the right thumb will fit
comfortably behind it. Continuing to move the
lever through its engaged angle of 130o until  it
springs back to the unengaged position ad-

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                                                                                                                                               i9
u/\ I,Jl't0i\     .                                                          lVlen-ro hoicier
  When setting film speed, the index of the       Around the ASA/DlN conversion table is a
exposure-adjustment control (see p. 47) should     convenient frame that can be used to keep
generally be locked at its zero position.          memos handy with the camera. lt  is just the
                                                         right size to hold the film-box end, which can
/-1,S/\l il   I l\tr tt,t nversi.n: n $ca  I e                       be inserted as a reminder of the  f ilm in use.
  A convenient scale for converting DIN to
ASA film-speed ratings is located on the back
cover of the camera.

EXPOSURE.CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS20
            The two camera exposure-control  settings     speed. Other things being equal, using the next
             are lens opening (aperture) and shutter speed.    smaller f-number  (i.e., giving one stop more
           The size of the aperture determines the amount    exposure) will balance using the next higher
           or volume of light reaching the film frorn a    shutter speed (i.e., giving one stop less expo-
             given subject and lighting. The shutter speed     sure), and so on. A great range of combinations
             determines the length of time this light acts      (e.9., f/5.6 at 113O,  f l4 at 1160,  f 12.8 at 11125,
          upon the film. Apertures are expressed in             f 12 at 11250, etc.) will thus yield the same total
             f-numbers, which are larger for small openings     exposure. The specific combination you choose
          and vice versa G.9., fl16 represents a small    under given lighting conditions will depend
             opening,   f 12 a large one) . Shutter speeds are    upon the degree to which you want the greater
              expressed in seconds or fractions thereof, which    depth of field (see p. 34) of smaller apertures
            are generally the reciprocals of the numbers    and the greater movement-blur  preventing abili-
           shown on shutter-speed scales (e.9., 60 = 1/60    ty of faster speeds (p. 29).
                 sec., but 2s or a yellow 2 on this camera = 2 full
                seconds) . At usual apertures, each f-number
               setting (e.g., f/8) lets in twice as much light as
              the next numerically larger one  (f /1 1 ) and half
             as much as the next smaller (f/5.6). Similarly,
             each shutter speed (e.9., 1/60 sec.) allows light
            to strike the film twice as long as the next
              higher speed (11125l. and half as long as the
            next lower one (1/30). The interval between
           two standard f-numbers (say,  f l4 and f/5.6) or
             shutter speeds (say, 1/15 and 1/30) is one
             "stop." Total exposure on the film is deter-
          mined by the combination of aperture and

With "MC" (meter-coupled)  lenses, metering
                                                             is done at full aperture, with the stop-down
                                             button at  its inner position (see left) , for
                                                    greatest sensitivity and accuracy. The view-
   The stop-down button on the XE-7 has two     finder thus remains at maximum brightness for
positions: Inner for full-aperture metering and     utmost ease of composing and focusing, with
outer   f or stop-down metering (see right) or     the automatic diaphragm closing down only at
depth-of-field preview (see p. 35).                   the moment of exposure to the aperture preset
   Pushing the button once will set it at one of     on the aperture ring.
these positions; pushing  it again will set it at the       Stop-down metering is used for lenses other
other.                                              than the MC type (see P.51).
 At full aperture                                 Stopped down

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                                        used to  turn the apertu re ring. G rasp the
   Your camera should be held in a comfort-    camera body firmly with the right hand as
able position that will provide suff icient steadi-   shown so that the index finger rests on the
ness. A recommendable way that permits ready     shutter-release button. In  this position, the
operation of important controls is shown here.   thumb can conveniently operate the  film_
  To hold the camera horizontally, cradle the    advance lever.
bottom of it In the palm of the left hand with      The camera may be rotated to a vertical
the tlrumb and index or middle finger on the    position when held this way, the only differ-
focusing grip of the lens. The  th unnb. and    ence being that its rewind-crank end will rest in
middle or ring finger of the same hand can be     the palm of the left hand.

As you look through the view-
finder of your XE-7 , You can see:
     F-number of lens aperture set,
     Shutter setting ("A" for auto-
matic; "X" or "8," or sPeed num-
ber for manual mode),
     Split-image/microPrism focus-
ing spot,
     Shutterspeed scale,
     Indicator needle (shows sPeed
being set on automatic mode; indi-
cates correct exposure when aligned
with scale number corresponding to
speed manual ly set), and
     Meter coupling range limits.
   For operation details, see the
following sections on exposure con-
trol and focusing.

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                                                       q-j qq r:,A UTr*!IVIAT  H di E KPft.S
                                           2. Set the desired lens opening by turning the
                                                  aperture ring on the lens barrel. The f-
                                            number set will appear centered above the
1. Turn the shutter-speed/function selector to        frame in the finder, and the shutter speed as
   align "AUTO" with the index, at which         indicated by the needle at the right of the
   point it  is locked to prevent accidental        frame will vary automatically and steplessly
   movement. A red letter "A" will appear as       to yield proper exposure for the aperture
   the shutter-setting  indication at the right      and other settings with the light being
   above the  f inder frame.                          meterd.

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                                               27

  WAYS OF USING AUTO MODE
    On AUTO mode, your XE-7 will set the
    precise shutter speed for proper exposure for
   you automatically. Even so, you have consider-
    able control over results and can adjust aperture
   and shutter speed over considerable ranges to
    suit the conditions and yourself   .


   General use
     For usual good personal pictures with a
   minimum of care where no particular effect is
    desired, simply turn the aperture ring to set a
   medium aperture (say, about f/8) that will
   provide as much depth of field (see p.34) as
   possible while producing a shutter speed (say
   about 11125 sec.l fast enough to stop any
   motion necessary in the subject and guard
   against blur from camera movement (see p. 36).

camera select the shutter speed. Small f-num-
   There may be times when it will be most     bers yield a shallow field of sharp focus, as in
important to set the lens aperture to obtain a    Example A below, wh ile large f-numbers give
particular effect, such as rendering a certain      greater depth of field, ds in Example B. To        1
range in sharp focus or emphasizing a subject     determine actual depth of  f ield, use the depth-
against an out-of-focus background. In  this      of-field scale (see p. 34) or stop-down button   J
case, set the desired aperture, and let the      (p.221   .
A: Large lens opening                         B: Small lenslens openingopeninq

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