Film cameras
Minolta XK Motor User manual
User manual for Minolta XK Motor. 83 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
83 pagesEnglish3.3 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta XK Motor
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 83
- File size
- 3.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
Your Minolta XK Motor Drive is the world's first 35mm single-lens-reflex camera expressly produced for motorized operation with automatic/manual exposure and frame-rate control and interchangeable viewf inders. Based on the top-model XK camera, this new premier-quality, heavy-duty unit can be set to take up to 3.5 frames per second continuously as well as single frames with motor film advance. The quick-response AE-S Finder meters over an extended range for auto-exposure control arrd keeps necessary information visible while you view, including stepless LED/digital shutter-speed readout. Human engineering with motorized automatic, safety, and fail-safe features never before incorporated in such a camera enable a new high in easy handling and reliability. Besides its own full line of range-broadening accessories, the XK Motor Drive uses all finders and focusing screens for the XK, Minolta interchangeable SLR lenses, and applicable system accessories for utmost compatible versatility. 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, assemble the screen, finder, lens, body, battery pack, and holding strap as described on pages 10 through 15; load batteries; and handle the camera and acquaint yourself with its parts and features. Then load it with film and proceed to actual picture-taking. In this way, you can obtain good results and begin to realize the unusually great potential of your XK Motor Drive from the very beginning.View original page 4
Page 6 · Read text
FOCUSING TECHNICAL INFORMATION .... 69 Byvariousmeans ...47 CARE AND STORAGE ..... 74 Depth-of-fieldpreview '...48 76 lnfraredindex . ...'.48 TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLIST ... .. MOTORIZED OPERATION ...... 49 Frame-rateselector ..49 Single-frame operation . ... . 49 Continuousoperation ..... ..... 50 SHUTTER-PRIORITY FILM ADVANCE .. 51 MANUAL OPERATION ... . 52 REWINDING FILM ... 53 UNLOADING FILM ,. 54 FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ... 55 MULTIPLE EXPOSURES ... 58 INTE RCHANGEABLE FOCUSI NG SCREENS ..... 61 LENS-SCREEN COMBINATION CHART. . 62 Compensation-factorselector .... 64 USING OTHER THAN MD oR MC LENSES ...... 65 OPTIONAL MOTOR-DRIVE ACCESSORTES.. ...66View original page 6
Page 7 · Read text
NAMES OF PARTS
AE-S Finder
ShL tter-speed/f u nction selector
Exposu re-adju stment control
Long-exposu re selector
Aperture scale
Remote-control jack
Operating button
Button-lock ring
Meter-coupler pin
Motor battery-check indicator
Stop-down button
Motor battery-check button
Linkage-gear cover
(for 250-Frame Film Backl
Standard Battery Pack
Holding grip
www.butkus.usView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Scale-i I lumination wi ndow Grip "senswitch" Display-range selector lever Back-cover release knob Manual-rewind crank Exposure-control battery checker Lens-release button Neck-strap eyelet Focusing grip Sync. terminal Sync. selector switch Motor-drive housing Exposu re-control battery chambe r Neck-strap eyeletView original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
Exposure counter
Serial number
Mechanical shutter release
Manual film-advance lever
AUTO-Iock release
Film-speed selector release
Co mpensation-factor window
Compensation-f actor control
Film-speed selector
Depth-of-field scale
Distance scale
Mount-lock release button
AccessorY mount
Flash contact
www.butkus.usView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
Finder/screen release Finder power switch Finder eyepiece Auto-rewind lever Eyepiece-shutter lever Shutter curtain Frame-rate selector Reset button Sprocket Tripod socket Mu ltiple-exposu re control Take-up spool Holding-strap lug Motor power-input socket Back cover Pressure plateView original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
MAIN FEATURES
Integral motor-drive body Shutter-priority auto frame-rate control
The exclusive one-piece motor-drive body The camera automatically adjusts the frame
enables reliability, efficiency, and ease of use rate set as required for proper operation accord-
superior to detachable motor units, plus utmost ing to the auto or manual shutter speed. Film
durability in extended heavy-duty use. lt incor- will not advance unless proper exposure has
pofates motorized, automatic, and fail-safe fea- been completed. Thus if the speed required in
tures for unparalleled motor operation includ- auto operation becomes too long to allow
ing: operation at the frame rate selected, the XK
o A tension sensor to halt f ilm advance at the Motor Drive automatically reduces the frame
higher end of a cartridge - no need to set frame rate to provide proper exposure. lf a
counter and no torn f ilm speed then becomes possible, the frame rate is
o Fingertip motorized rewind with auto automatically increased up to a maximum of
switch-off and auto resetting to advance the rate set, and so on.
mode when back is opened
o Automatic film-advance stop if exposure- Auto-control info-center f inder
control voltage falls too low or batteries are o The XK Motor Drive's new AE-S finder
not properly loaded features center-weighted metering by silicon '"photo cell whose instant response and extra
Continuous automatic/manual exposure control sensltivity maintain creative operation at
In automatic operation, stepless shutter low light levels.
speed is continuously adjusted electronically to o lts integrated circuits automatically set step-
provide proper exposure at whatever frame rate less shutter speeds for eight to 1/2000 sec.
the camera is set "S" (single frame), 1, 2,3, to provide proper exposure at the aperture -or "H" (3.5) frames per second without mirror set for the light being metered and other
lockup. In manual mode, correct speed for conditions.
proper exposure is indicated.www.butkus.usView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
o Speeds being set in auto mode or correct o Electronically controlled manual shutter
shutter speed for proper exposure on manu- speeds from 1 I2OOO to a full sixteen seconds
al are continuously indicated in the finder . "X" (1/100 sec. with X/FP sync.) and "8"
by stepless LED/digital readout, along with settings operable without battery power
other necessary information: Lens aperture o Convenient stop-down button and battery
set, auto mode indication or shutter speed check
set on manual mode, and over-/under-range o Easy-to-operate multipli-exposure control
indication. o Eyepiece shutter for unmanned.or similar
o A locking control allows setting the system operation to contanuously provide up to two stops Suj/eS,l5
more or less exposure than would be set Full motor-drive accessories for wide usefulness
automatically. o Seperate battery pack and battery grip
o 250-Frame Film Back and loader
Proved XK-model features o Connecting cords for actuating the built-in
Designed and built to the even more rigid electromagnetic relay switch using Minoltastandards required for motor operation, the XK intervalometers or wireless control units.
Motor Drive incorporates many of the same o Long and short remote-control cordsadvanced featurirs from Minolta's proven top-
model XK camera, including:
o Familiar Minolta SLR bayonet lens mount Full system lenses and accessories Besides its own, the XK Motor Drive of and oversize mirror
o Interchangeable focusing screens and finders course uses all Minolta and adapted Leitz lenses
o Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter and applicable Minolta SLR system accessories for maximum compatible versatility. with titanium curtains that travel horizon-
tally and permit electronic-flash sync. up to
1/100 sec.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
ASSEMB LI NG COTVIPOI\I ENTS
General thumb and foref inger and hold it so that the
1. Follow instructions exactly. bracket is on the upper side of the frame
2. Handle components with care. and toward the back of the camera over the
3. Never force parts. corresponding curved recess in the camera's
4. ,Do not touch lens or screen surfaces with screen receptacle.
the fingers and be careful not to scratch or 3. Keeping the finder release button pushed all
damage them. the way in, hold the screen at an angle,
insert the side toward the front or the end
Focusing screens toward the shutter release first, and let the
To install screen drop into place. Then release the
1. Remove the top cap f rom the camera body. button.
2. Grasp the small projecting bracket on one
side of the focusing-screen frame with To remove
Holding the finder/screen release button
pushed in as tar as it will go, use the small
bracket protruding toward back of camera to
lift the screen out back side or rewind-crank
side f irst.
NOTE
Care should be taken not to scratch the
surfaces or damage the microprisms or split-
field prisms of focusing screens.
www.butkus.usView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
Finders To install finder without the coupler properly posi- 1. Before attempting to install the AE-S Finder tioned will damage the finder. The above is or other coupling-type finder, make sure not applicable to the Plain, High-Magnifica- that the meter coupler is positioned at the tion, and Waist-Level Finders, which have red-dotted end of its slot. This is done by no meter coupler. using your finger to move the coupler a- gainst the spring tension until it catches at 2. Remove finder cap and carefully align the the end of its stroke opposite the rest finder properly (eyepiece toward back) with position (which has no red dot). A built-in the camera's finder receptacle and push the automatic stop in these f inders prevents finder into it straight and evenly until it them from seating properly unless this is seats and locks firmly in place with a muf- done; forcibly attempting to seat a coupled fled click.View original page 14
Page 15 · Read text
3. Turn the shutter-speed selector dial clock- To remove
wise or counterclockwise until it engages Grasp the finder and, while pushing the the with the coupling pin on the body shutter- finder release button all the way in, lift
speed knob and starts turning with click- finder straight out of its receptacle.
stops. (Should the dial continue to turn
freely without engaging, remove the finder, NOTE
by pushing the finder release button and 1f the shutter release is pushed while there is
lifting the f inder straight out of the recepta- no finder installed on the camera when it is on
cle, and turn the knob on the body a few automatic mode, the mirror will stay up, and
click stops in either direction. Then reinstall the shutter will remain open temporarily. Push-
ing the reset button near the frame-rate selector the finder - not forgetting to reset the coupler first, if applicable - and engage the close the shutter at once. Even if this is not dial with the pin.) done, the electronic circuitry will reset the
mirror and shutter automatically after about 30
sec. Toward not spoiling adjacent frames under
certain conditions, however, it is advisable to
reset the camera as quickly as possible.
www.butkus.usView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
13
Lenses
To attach
1. Remove the body cap from the camera lens
mount and the rear cap f rom the lens
bayonet, both by turning the cap counter-
clockwise.
2. Align the red mountin! index on the lens
barrel with the red dot on the camera To remove
lens-mount flange; insert the lens bayonet While pushing the lens-release button, turn
go; into the mount; and turn the lens clockwise the lens counterclockwise as far as it will
until it locks into place with a click. then lift the lens bayonet out of the mount.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Standard Battery Pack
To attach To remove
1. With the screw running through the middle 1. Loosen the indented screw head on the
of the battery pack aligned with the tripod bottom of the pack with a coin or similar
socket on the bottom of the motor-drive object in the slot provided if necessary, and
housing, insert the battery pack's three-hole turn the screw counterclockwise out of the
6onnecting terminal into the thre*prong camera's tripod socket.
socket at the bottom of the body holding 2. Pull the battery pack's connecting terminal
grip. straight out of the socket at the bottom of
2. Secure the pack in place by turning the the body handgrip.
indented screw head clockwise with the
thumb and forefinger as far as it will go, NOTE
tightening it by a coin or similar object in o For instructions on installing batteries in the
the slot provided if desired. Standard Battery Pack, see p.21.
o Instructions for other motor-drive power
sources are packed with individual accesso-
ries.
www.butkus.usView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
Holding Strap To attach Push the large end of the keyholeshaped To remove slot of the strap's attaching bracket on over the While pulling up on the free end of the head of the camera body's holding strap lug and retaining-spring tab of the' strap's attaching slide it toward the small end of the slot until it bracket as shown, slide it off the holding-strap snaps securely in place. lug.View original page 18
Page 19 · Read text
SUMMARY OF OPERATION (on "AUTO")
The steps pictured on this page outline idea of how easy it is to operate for perfectly
ordinary use of your XK Motor Drive on exposed pictures and are keyed to correspond-
automatic motorized mode. They give a basic ing sections of the manual for ready reference.
rq*{- :, "Rdj i"q4U,-
exposure and drive batter- Open back cover and load film Close cover nce film to
ies (pp.- 20,22l'.-E:r',:: properly (p. 26). "1" lp.29l.
-,
7 Grasp holding grip and unlock Set lens aperture (p. 0). Adjust focus (p. 47). ' operating button (pp. 33, 49). 8 www.butkus.usView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
This brief guide may also be useful as a quick substitute for the detailed instructions in the
refresher course after you have not used the rest of this manual, which should be thoroughly
camera for some time. lt is not, however, a studied and followed for best results.
4 Set film speed (p. 30). 5 andSet selectorturn finderdial powerto "AUTO"switch $ Set frame rate (p. 49).
on (pp. 40,341.
l1Auto-rewind film and remove 'l)Turn f inder off a ' ' cartridge (p. 53). '- operating buttonView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
BATTERIES AND POWER
Exposu re-control batteries
Two 1 .S-volt silver-oxide batteries, Eveready
976, UCAR 5-76, or equivalent supply the
power for controlling electronic shutter speeds
and for meter and automatic exposure control
when applicable.
IMPORTANT CAUTION
Should viewing become impossible because Do not use 1.3-volt mercury batteries,
the mirror of your XK Motor Drive remains up which are available in a similar shape.
after the shutter is released (and film does not
advance), it does NOT mean that the camera
needs repair. The automatic electronic features
of the model cause this to happen if you release
the shutter 1) when exposure-control current is
off {i.e., if grip Senswitch is not being held and
AE-S Finder power switch is off) on "AUTO"
mode, 2) when no finder is installed, or 3)
when battery voftage is insufficient at any
electronic shutter setting. To restore viewing
and usual function, simply turn the shutter-
speed/function selector to "X" or "8" (or push
the reset button) in case 1 or push the reset .inbutton case 2 or 3. For further details, see
p.41, 12, or 24, respectively. For any otherstoppage, see p. 76. www.butkus.usView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
2. After wiping terminals with a
clean dry cloth and handling
only by the edges, insert two of
To install the specified batteries plus (+)
1. Starting it with a coin or similar side out into the sleeve on the
object if necessary, turn the inside of the cover. (lf batteries 3. Replace the cover and screw it cover of the exposurecontrol are inserted improperly, they in clockwise as far as it will go,
battery chamber counterclock- will not make contact, and no tightening it with a coin or
wise and remove it. current will flow.) similar object if desired.View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
20
To test NOTE
Depress the battery checker lever toward Batteries do not have sufficient power for
the bottom of the camera. lf the red lamp proper operation when the check lamp does not
I ights, batteries are serviceable. come on even though finder display may light.
Test batteries immediately after installing
them. lf the lamp does not light, make sure that CAUTION
they have been inserted correctly. To avoid undue battery drain, do not keep
Batteries should be tested from time to time the battery-checker lever depressed for more
thereafter, particularly before starting pictur+ than a second or two.
taking sessions or trips. A set of batteries will
usually last for about one year.
www.butkus.usView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Motor-drive batteries
To install
The following installation instructions apply
to the standard battery pack only, which is
attached to the camera as indicated on p. 14.
For other motor-drive power sources, see in-
structions packed with individual accessories.
3. Align the white marks on cover
2. lnsert five penlight (AA) size 1.5 and chamber rim, and push
volt sealed carbon-zinc batteries straight in on the cover until it
1. Squeeze in on the grips on one with plus (+) and minus (-) snaps securely in place. (lf it
end of the standard battery ends positioned as indicated in- shaped so that it will not seat
pack and remove the chamber side the chamber; the center bat- properly if the white marks are
cover. try should be plus-end down. not aligned.)View original page 24Related 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.