Film cameras
Minolta XG-7 User manual
User manual for Minolta XG-7. 57 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 XG-7
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 57
- File size
- 4.1 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
Your light, compact XG-7 is a top-quality single-lensreflex camerawhoseelectronic system will control exposure for you automatically, freeing you for more enjoyment and greater creativity. You can also override the.meter's automatic setting or set the camera for full manual operation. Electromagneticshutter releaseand unique "Touch switchl' metering, head a host of other features. Attaching the accessoryAuto Winder G enables single-frame/continuous motor film advance up to 2 frameslsec.Minolta's special Auto Electroflash 200X electronically switches the XG-7's shutter over for strobe exposures when charged and signals flash-ready in the finder; it also enables continuous-sequenceflash with the winder. Besidesnew MD lenses,your XG-7 uses virtually all interchangeable Rokkor-X and Celtic lenses made to date and all applicable Minolta SLR system accessories. 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 a lens to the camera body (see p. 10), load batteries, and handle your XG-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 XG-7 right from the start. Be sure to keep this manual for reference later as necessary. Minolta precision lenses and accessoriesare manufactured under high quality control standardsand are designedto the performance requirements of Minolta camera bodies. We recommend Minolta Rokkor-X and Celtic lenses and Minolta system accessoriesfor all types of photography.View original page 3
Page 5 · Read text
FOCUSING 35 XG-7 SYSTEM ACCESSORI ES 45
Depth of field 36 Auto Winder G 46
Depth of -f ield scale 36 Auto Electroflash200X 47
lnfraredindex . 3 7 Remote Cord S and L 48
tl SR EE LL FETAISMI EN RG T H E S H U T T E R 4038 STANDARC A M E R A SD.LENSP E C I F I SPECIC A T I OF NICATIONSS 4950
R E W I N D I N GA N D U N L O A D I N G CARE AND STORAGE 52
F I L M 4 1
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 43
Synchron ization 43
Connectingf lash units 43
USING OTHER THAN MD ANDt; MC LENSES 44
Auto Rokkor lenses 44
RF (mirror-type) and Manual-Preset
lenses 44View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
MAIN FEATURES
Fail+afe electronic €xposure system Solid-state information viewf inder
Incorporating many of the features devel- o Focusing can be done in three ways: By the
oped for Minolta's top electronic cameras,the split-image spot or microprism focusing aid
XG-7 covers a wide range of photographic or on the matte field.
conditions. lts electronic shutter which auto- . Automatic shutter speeds, indicated by
matically locks to prevent overexposure and LED's are visiblewhile you view.
electromagnetic shutter release with unique o LED at "60" position blinks as flash-ready
touch switch metering add to the handling ease signal when Auto Electroflash 20OX is
of the camera. attached and charged.
The XG-7's system features:
o Full automatic exposure by steplessshutter Easy handling controls
speeds from 1/1000 to 1 sec. plus f ull Lightweight and compact, the XG-7 is hu-
manual settings. man engineered to f it the user's hands for
o Electromagneticshutter release. smooth operation:
o Unique Touch switch metering. o Smooth short stroke f ilm advance.
o Shutter-releaselock prevents overexposure o Large easy to adjust shutter-speeddia,.
when light over meter's range or battery o "Soft-touch" electromagnetic shutter re-
power low. lease.
o Two tiny silver-oxide batteries as power o Curve formed body with cushioned body
. source. grip.
o Minolta bayonet lens mount with large
releasebutton.
o Balancedwi nder operation.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Ouick attach auto wind€r User oriented features
The XG's accessory auto winder attaches o Up to two stops' continuous adjustment
quickly, without accesscaps to remove or store, over or under the normal electronic setting.
freeing the user from advancingfilm in single- o X-type flash synchronization through the
frame or continuous operation up to two hot shoe or PC terminal.
frames per second. lts strong efficient coreless o Electronic selftimer with blinking indicator
micromotor winds as many as 150 or more light.
cartridges per set or charge of batteries. At the o Eyepiece cap for unmanned or similar oper-
end of each cartridge the motor automatically ation.
shuts off. o Exclusive Safe Load Signal monitors
alignment and advance.
Special camera-control flash o Handy memo holder and ASA/DlN conver-
When attached to the XG-7 and ready to sion scaleon back.
fire the Auto Electroflash 200X starts a flash- o Releaseterminal for tripod shots with elec-
ready signalblinking in the viewfinder and auto- tronic or standard releasecord.
matically sets the shutter for X synchronization o Shutter not operative when operation
(1/60 sec.).This four-setting unit provides auto- switch off.
flash at either of two apertures and either o Virtually all existing Minolta interchange-
full-power manual operation or when powered able lensesand applicablesystem accessories
by Ni-Cd batteries, up to two continuous- can be used in either automatic or manual
sequence flash exposures each second with the operation.
Auto Winder G.View original page 7Page 12 · Read text
may also be useful for good results after you instructions in the rest of this manual, which
have not used the camera for some time. lt is should be thoroughly studied for best results.
not, however, a substiture for the detailed
Load f ilm proPerlY;close 6 Set film speed(p. 18)
(p. 14)
"ousy
I t / ' r
lQ neteaseshutter (P. 38) | 'l Turn power 611 (p. 131 tZ andremoverirm ir:i'iiView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENSES
To Remove
To Attach While pushing the lens-releasebutton, turn
1. Remove the body cap f rom the camera lens the lens counterclockwise as far as it will go;
mount and the rear cap from the lens then lift the lensbayonet out of the mount.
bayonet, each by turning the cap counter-
clockwise. C A U T I O N
lf it becomes necessaryto set the lens down
2. Align the red mounting index on the lens without a rear lens cap attached, be sure to set
barrel with the red index above the camera the lens only on its f ront end (except f or
lens mount; insert the lens bayonet into the fisheye lenses) as damage to the diaphragm
mount; and turn the lens clockwise until it control pin could result from rear lens contact
locks into placewith a click. with a hard surface.
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BATTERIESAND POWER
Two 1.S-volt silver-oxidebatteries, Eveready Installingbatteries
5-76 or equivalent, supply the power for the 1. Using a coin or similar object, turn the
meter, electronic exposure control, elec- batterychamber cover counterclockwise
tromagnetic release,electronic shutter settings, and remove it.
and LED indication. 2. After wiping terminals with a clean dry
cloth and handling only by the edges,insert
C A U T I O N two of the specified batteries plus (+) side
o The shutter will not release when the out into the sleeve on the inside of the
operating button is pushed if : battery power cover. (lf batteries are inserted imprdperly,
is too low; the operating switch is at they will not make contact, and no current
"OFF," exposure conditions exceed the will flow.)
rangeof the automatic exposure system.
o Do not use 1 .3v mercury batteries, Eveready
EPX-675 or equivalent,which have a similar
shape.
N O T E
. lf the camera is not be used for more than
two weeks, it is advisable to remove the
batteries.
o Fresh spare batteries may be stored in
the battery holder provided with the camera
strap.View original page 14Page 16 · Read text
Main switch Touch switch/operating button To operate the camera, move the main F inger contact with the Touch switch/- switch to "ON." This al lows current to flow to operating button activates the camera's elec- the Touch switch/operating button. The main tronic shutter and when the shutter-speed/- switch also serves as the self-timer and battery function selector is set at "A" (automatic), check switch. powers the electronic exposure control and To prevent accidental exposures and need- LED circuits. lf proper contact with the touch less battery drain, always be sure to move the switch is not possible(i.e., while wearing gloves main switch to "OFF" when not using the or when fingers are dry), slight pressureqn the camera. button will also activate the camera.View original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
L O A D I N G A N D A D V A N C I N G F I L M
N O T E
Wipe off any dust or dirt that might
accumulate on the touch switch with a clean
dry cloth. This will insure good contact and After you have not used your camera for
proper operation. some time, check the safe Load signal and
frame counter to be sure that there is no film in
Cold-weatheroperation the camera. lf the camera is unloaded proceed
Batteries by nature tend to decrease in as follows:
capacity as the temperature goesdown. Though 1. Pull out on the back'cover release knob
the silveroxide batteries used for the XG-7 are unti I the camera back springsopen.
superior to most others in this respect, it also
happenswith them.
lf old batteries are used at temperaturebefow OoC 132"Fl , the camera's electronic t
operation may not be satisfactory. You should
thus replace older batteries with fresh ones
before using your XG-7 in cold weather and
carry spare fresh batterieswith you during such
use. Battery ,capacity will be restores to its
normal level when the batteries are warmed to
their recommended operating temperature
range.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
3. lnsert the end of the film leader as shown 2. Leavingthe knob pulled out, position a film into one of the slots in the take-up spool so cartridge in the chamber with the project- that the tooth is engagedwith a sprocket ing-spool end toward the bottom of the hold near the end of the leader. Make sure camera. Then push the back-cover release that the end of the leader does not project knob all the way in, rotating it slightly to do from another slot between tabs orl the so if necessary. spool.View original page 18
Page 19 · Read text
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 loaded.
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+ounter window. Ad-
film. lf the advancelever stops at the end of vance film and releasethe shutter until the
a full stroke during this procedure, release index points to "1" on the framecounter
the shutter and continue. Ld i a l .
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C A U T I O N
Film should be handledand loadingdone in
7. A red bar should also now appear at the subdued light - at least shaded from direct
extreme left in the Safe Load Signal win- sunlight by the bodY.
dow. This indicates that the film is loaded
and winding properly on the take-up spool. Film-advancelever and f rame counter
lf the Safe Load Signal does not appear or The film-advance lever is designed with 30"
swings far to the right in the window, repeat unengaged movement before the beginning of
steps 1 through 6 to assure that film is its engagedstroke to allow siwnging it out from
properly engaged on the spool. As you the body so that the right thumb will fit
continue to take pictures, the red signal will comfortably behind it. Continuing to mbve the
move gradually toward the right in the win' lever through its engaged angle of 130', ad-
dow, indicating that film is aJvancing prop- vances film and frame counter and cocks the
erly. shutter for the next exposure.View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
F I L M S P E E D
Each film on the market has an ASA or DIN
exposure-indexnumber to indicate its sensitivi-
When the lever stops and resists further ty to light. For correct exposure, the meter
movement at the end of a film, never attempt must be set for the effective exposure index of
to force it farther. (See p. 41 for instructions the film in use.
on rewindingand unloadingfilm.) Setting film speed
The counter automatically resets for film To do this, lift up on the knurled ring of the
loading when the camera back is opened. shutter-speed/functionselectorand turn it until
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the proper ASA indication appearscentered in Memo holder
the film-speed window and locks in that posi- Around the ASA/D lN conversiontable is a
tion when the ring is released.Marks between convenient frame that can be used to keep
numbered graduationsindicate ASA numbers as memos handy with the camera. lt is just the
follows: right size to hold the film-box end, which can
be insertedas a reminder of the film in use.
25 200
. 3 2 o 25O
o 4 O . 3 2 0
50 400
o 5 4 o 500
o 8 0 o 640
100 800
o 125 o 10OO
o 160 o 1250
1600
ASA/DlN conversion scale
A convenient scale for converting DIN to
ASA f ilm-speed ratings is located on the back
cover of the camera.View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
EXPOSURE.CONTROLFUNDAMENTALS
The two camera exposure-control settrngs the next higher speed (1l12Sl and half as long
are lens opening (aperture) and shutter speed. as the next lower one (1/30). The interval
The size of the aperture determines the amount between two standard f-numbers (say, f /4 and
o f v o l u m e o f l i g h t re a ch in g th e fi lm fro m a t15.6l or shutter speeds(say, 1/15 and 1/30) is
given subject and lighting. The shutter speed one "stop." Total exposure on the f ilm is I
d e t e r m i n e s t h e l e n g th o f time th is lig h t a cts determined by the combination of aperture and upon the film. Apertures are expressed in speed.Other things being equal,'usingthe next 4
f-numbers, which are larger for small openings smaller f-number (i.e., giving one stop more
and vice versa (e.g. , f 116 represents a small exposure) will balance using the next higher
opening, f 12 a large one). Shutter speeds are shutter speed (i.e., giving one stop less expo_
expressed in seconds or fractions thereof, which sure), and so on. A great range of combinations
are generally the reciprocals of the numbers (e.9.,f/5.6 at 113O,f 14 at 1160,fl2.B at 11125,
, shown on shutter-speed scales (e.g. 60 = 1/60 f 12 at 11250,etc.) wiil thus yietd the same total s e c . , a n d 2 = 1 1 2 s e c.). A t u su a l a p e rtu re s, e a ch exposure. The specific combination you choose I
f - n u m b e r s e t t i n g ( e .g ., f/8 ) le ts in twice a s mu ch under given lighting conditions will depend
f ig h t a s t h e n e x t n ume rica lly la rg e r o n e (il,1 1 1 upon the degree to which you want the greater
a n d h a l f a s m u c h a s th e n e xt sma lle r (f/5 .6 ). depth of field (see p. 36) of smaller apertures
S i m i l a r l y , e a c h s h u tte r sp e e d (e .g ., 1 /6 0 se c.) and the greater movement-blur preventing abili_
a l l o w s l i g h t t o s t r i ke th e film twice a s lo n g a s ty of faster speeds(p. 28).
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2 1
METERING WITH THE XG-7
(Automatic mode only)
The "centra\-zone weighted overall" meter- \^lith the same control from 112 to 2 stops, the
ing svstem in your XG-7 emp\oys two CdS ce\\s exact amount varying with the specitic bright-
mounted behind the pentaprism so that light nessdifferenceand the effect desired.(p.29).
from all parts of the viewfield (picture area) is As with most metering systems, strong
measured but influence from a broad central sourcesof directlight or othervery bright areas
area is greatest. Thus the yield reading should may influence the reading adversaly is allowed-ll satisfactory justment exposure without 1 ad as to dominate frame. the
long as the main subject area occupies a major Though your XG-7 finder is designed to
I part of the frame. minimize the effect on the meter of light
lf the subject area to be measured occupies a entering through the finder eyepiece under
relatively small part of the frame, move the usual cond itions, care must be exercised to
camera so that the main subject fills most of prevent this especiallyif you wear glasses.Useof
the frame. Note the shutter speedsetting in this a rubber eyecup is further recommended when
position and compensate for the ex posure the subject is in shade and the camera is in
difference with the shutter-speed/functionse- sunlight, when bright sidelight falls between eye
lector or use manual speeds to set the same and eyepice, or when stopdown metering is
value when making the exposure from the used, particularly at small apertures(see p. 44).
original position. Further, if the most impor- When viewing is unnecessary,the eyepiece cap
tant area is very much brighter or darker than (see p. 25) can be used to completely eliminate
the rest of the frame and does not fill most of this problem.)
it, exposure should be decreased or increasedView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
VIEWFINDER
As you look th rough the view-
f inder of your XG-7, you can see:
$ Split-image/microprism focusing
spot,
O Shutter speed scale,
@ Indicator LED's (Auto mode
only, show shutter speed being
selected by the automatic expo-
sure system; in manual and auto-
matic mode, LED at "60" is also
flash-readysignal)
@ le O over- or under-rangeindica-
tors (auto mode only)
For operation details, see the fol-
lowing section on exposure control
and focusing.
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AUTOMATIC EXPOSURECONTROL
2. Set the desired lens opening by turning the
aperture ring on the lens barrel. The shutter
Automatic operation speed as indicated by lighted LED at the
1. Turn the shutter-speed/functionselector to right of the frame will vary automatically to
align "A" with the index, at which point it yield proper exposure for the aperture and
is locked to prevent accidental movement. other settings with the lightlight beingbeing metered.metered.
4
www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
3. lt is then only necessaryto confirm focus Eyepiece cap
(see p. 35), compose your picture, and For remote or unmanned operation or when
releasethe shutter (p. 38). the camera is set on a support and used without
4. The XG's accurate range of shutter opera- viewing on automatic mode, be sure to attach
tion on automatic mode is 1/1000 to 1 sec., the eyepiece cap as shown. This will prevent
as indicated by the shutter speed scale. unwanted light from extering through the
When the over-range indicator lights, the eyepiece and affecting the meter reading and
shutter will lock to prevent overexposure. exposure when the eyepieceis not being shield-
Lighting of the under-range LED indicates ed by the photographer's head, as it normally
use of a shutter speed longer than one would be.
second. For either, the aperture or other The eyepiece cap has a slot that allows
conditions should be adjusted so that an threading it on the camera strap to avoid loss
LED lights within the scale'srange. and keep it handy for use.
NOTE
o When the over-rangeindicator lights, be sure
not to depress the operating button while
adjusting the aperture or other conditions.
This will cause the shutter to releaseat the
instant -IhE exposure is within metering
range arQ?Egri\"di tlanted pictu re.
o To continuously provide more or lessexpo-
sure on automatic mode, see p.29.View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
WAYS OF USING AUTO MODE
Guide to setting aperture
On AUTO mode, your XG-7 will set the H eavy
precise shutter speed for proper exposure for S u n n y Hazy Over- Indoors
you automatically. Even so, you have consider- S u n cast
able control over results and can adiust, aper-
ASA 25 il8 il4 il2 f 1 1 . 4ture and shutter speed over considerableranges
to suit the conditions and yourself. ASA 80 t 111 f 15.6 il4 f 1 1 . 4
ASA l OO t 111 t 15.6 il4 il1.4
ASA 2OO i l 1 1 ilB ils.6 il2
General use ASA 4OO t 116 i l 1 1 il8 il2.8
For usual good personal pictures with a (These are only guidelinesfor typical picture
minimum of care where no particular effect is taking situations. For additional information
desired, simply set the aperture as indicated in seepage 20.l
the table. These guide settings will provide as
much depth of field (see p.36) as possible N O T E
while producing a shutter speed fast enough to Use of a steady support (p.3a) or an elec-
stop any subject motion and guard againstblur tronic flash (p.a3) is recommended for use
from camera movement (seep. 38). with shutter speedsof 1/60 or slower.
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