Minolta X-700 Manual

 My INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Before using your camera
for the first time, study this
manual carefully all the way
through — or at least all the
sections covering your photo-
graphic needs. As you read,
attach a lens, load batteries,
turn the main switch on, and
handle your X-700 to 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 X-700. right. from. the...
start. o
To obtain many years of
service from your X-700, be
sure to read and follow the
precautions given on page 8
and elsewhere. Keep this
manual for. reference later as
necessary.
Your Minolta X-700, the state-of-the-art SLR camera at the center of the Minolta
Program System, offers you the focus-and-shoot simplicity of programmed auto-exposure
(AE) control: Both aperture and shutter speed are automatically set over a wide range by
the camera, with continuous viewfinder LED readout of speeds being set. The program is
designed to maintain fastest practicable speeds as light dims, then give audible beeps, if
desired, to guard against blur from subject/camera-rnovement, making the X-700 ideal if
you're starting out in photography or if you want full program automation for ease of use
or fast-breaking action. |
The X-700’s aperture-priority AE mode lets you control the depth of field but still
maintain AE control of stepless shutter speeds fine-tuned for proper exposure with light
metered up to the instant of exposure. This mode is excellent for AE photography with
the wide range of Minolta SLR system lenses and accessories available, including mirror
lenses and close-up bellows — not possible with shutter-priority AE systerns. For full
creative flexibility, aperture and shutter can be set independently in any combination in
the X-700’s metered /full-manual mode. |
Other handy features of your X-700 inciude: touch-switch metering that keeps the
LEDs on for 15 seconds after you first touch the operating button; AE lock for holding
adjusted-framing meter readings; +/— 2EV stops’ exposure adjustment with LED indicator
in. finder: self-timer with triple-rate visual/audible indications: flash-ready and Flash
Distance Checker (FDC) indications in finder; split-image microprism spot and Acute
Matte focusing screen; integral front and back grips for surer holding; Safe Load Signal;
and a new easy-load take-up spoal,
A programmed autoflash, multi-function back, and quartz data back (see pages 53to.
55) complete the Minolta Program System; also available are a new wireless controller, a
motor drive and auto winder, and à broad range of other SLR system accessories.
CONTENTS
NAMES OF PARTS/MAIN FEATURES .....4
TAKING CARE OF YOUR X-700.......... 8
Strap and case... eee woe. 2
PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES o 10
MOUNTING AND CARE OF LENSES ........ 10
Body and lens Caps... ........ooooooo oo... 19
Attaching and removing lenses......... 2... .11
Care Of glass surfaces ..,..,.,...,...,. nt
BATTERIES AND POWER.................. 12
_ Batteries ..,...,.............,...,..... 12
Main switch ....... ooo... o... ....... ..... 13
Operating DUttON ....... eo... oo... .o..... 14
Automatic battery check and shutter iock..... 14
Battery holder ...........ooooooommo nono» 15
- Cold-weather Operatl0M ,..,.... o... ..- an 5S
FILM AND FILM SPEED.............. ..... 16
LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM ......... 17
CC Loading TilM ...........<... o... ......<. 17
Film-advance lever ,....,.,,.,.,...,....,. 20
. Safe Load Signal/Frame counter .........:..20
REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM ....-.-- 21
TAKING PICTURES WITH YOUR
X-700 ....... cn AC
_ Pre-shooting check .................... +23
EXPOSURE CONTROL WITH THE X-700 e... 24
Summary of modes ..,.......,,.....,,.,.. 24
Mode/shutter-speed selector and.
P/Adock release .,..,,,,,,,,..,,..,,.,.,. 25
Minimurn-aperture JOCK .....oo.o.o naco coo». 25
| Evepiece cap ........,.,,,..,....,,, нина 25
PROGRAMMED AUTO-EXPOSURE
MODE {Р mode) .,.....,..,,....,.,.,,.. 26
CFUNDAMENTALS OF EXPOSURE ......... 28
COUPLED RANGES AND PROGRAM
GRAPH... ления неа 30
LENS AND MODE COMBINATIONS........ 31
APERTURE-PRIORITY AUTO-
EXPOSURE MODE (A mode} ........,...32
METERING WITH THE X-700 ........... . .34
AE LOCK ...... еее няня 34
~~ EXPOSURE-ADJUSTMENT CONTROL......35
COWHEN TO USE AE LOCK AND
© EXPOSURE-ADJUSTMENT CONTROL ....36
METERED/FULL-MANUAL EXPOSURE
MODE (M mode) ............. decane 38
Long exposures ar setting) . vers. 38
FOCUSING. ........... euere ernennen ao
Focusing aid ....,,...,.,.,......,., ...40
Distanos scale ,,,.,. ee ee ee AT
Film-plane index .....,.,.,,,,,.. net
Infrared index... 0.00 oo nenne nennen us 41
ODEPTH OF FIELD. ...... pence eee eee eens 42
Preview button. ....... sona ны + „3
Depth-of-field scale ,..,,.................43
OBLUR FROM CAMERA/SUBJECT
MOVEMENT .......,.,....... ernennen 44
SUPPORTING THE CAMERA AND
RELEASING THE SHUTTER.......,....,..45
Si ow-shutter-speed warning Же AG
Mounting camera on tripod ................46
Seif -timer ef fF we RF в ях ха х #& & AT
Üther ways of releasing shutter. narco кны 47
OCREATIVE CONTROL OF APERTURE
AND SHUTTER SPEED ............... .. 48
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY..............-.. , 50
ACCESSORIES (Minolta Program
System} ....... EE
TECHNICAL DETAILS ...................58
STORAGE ..............................61
(i: Supplemental information on fundamentals of
photography given in boxes
Rewind crank-
_ Film-speed ring——.
| Exposure-adjustment © control
Exposure-adjustment control rMode/shutter-speed selector cr Operating button
2 EV stops continuous adjust- | P: Programmed AE “Soft touch” electromagnetic
ment over or under normal ex- | A: Aperture-priority AE release; locks when battery
posure, with LED indicator in | | 1-1000: Stepped shutter speeds power too low
viewfinder. | for metered/full manual “Touch switch’ metering with
| B: Long (‘bulb’) exposures | 15-sec, hold of LED display
Back-cover release knob=
| |
Main
Switch
¿Safe Load Signal
| Monitors correct film advance
-Frame counter
-P/A-iock release -
|
Film-advance lever
Film-speed wind —] o “Flash /eamera-control contacts | Smooth 130° advance stroke
‚For dedicated programmed auto- o after 30° unengaged movement
Hash and X-series autoflashes
re UR
| La Main-switch position indicator
release .. an o ES —Syne contact. ан. | oo DEF, ON, ON y faudible slow-
snutter-speed warning and self-
timer beeps)
AE lock/self-timer switch - == — MD coupier
+ AE lock for holding close-up or |
adiusted-viewinag meter readings
« Electronic self-timer with FMC coupier
tripie-rate blinking LED and |
optional audible beeps |
Front grip:
integral front and back grips
giving camera surer hold
New integrally y lubricated stainless- Not visible
steel mount offers greater durabili- «Silicon photocël j atop penta-
ty and smoother lens changing: prism for full-aperture metering
accepts virtually all Minolta SLR... s,s far viewTinder LED display, and _
interchangeable lenses and acces- for "final check” stop-down
50185 = o | metering
~Lens-release button
= Mirror
Specially coated to make
view finder 11% brighter
Strap eyelet
:
f
Shutter-release socket
Diaphragm-control lever
" Easy-to-use spring-loaded
button for previewing:
depth of field
“Second silicon photocell im rn
mirror compartment for Direct
Avutofiash Metering with PX-
series Auto Electrofiashes >
© Mode indicators
| : Metered manual
: Aperture-pricrity AE
P: Programmed AE
iblinks if lens not set
at minimum aperture |
or non-MD jens in use) |
9 Over-range LED.
9 Shutter-speed scale/LEDs
> LED indicates stepless speed
set by camera in P and Á modes
+ LED indicates stepped speed -
recommended in M mode |
-"60" LED blinks at 2Hz as
flash-ready indicator with
PX- and X-series Auto Electro-.
flashes
* “60" LED blinks at SHz as
flash-distance checker (FDC)
flashes
_ ® Under-range LED
0 Exposure-adjustment LED |
. @ Aperture setting : nen
0 Focusing screen
- Split-image spot, microprism
"band, and Acute Matte field;
exchangeable with eight other
screens at authorized Minolta
service facilities
© Focusing grip
‚ ® Distance scale
GS Depth-of-field scale
© Aperture ring/scale
© Mounting index
@ Minimum-aperture lock
Prevents accidental movement of
aperture ring in P made
a © Diaphragm-control pin.
Lens shown: 50mm f/1.7 MD
' Back-cover release knob
© Film-cartridge chamber
@ Shutter curtain
Horizontal-traverse focal plane
type —
© Sprocket
© Take-up spool .
€ Pressure plate
& Memo holder |
@ iSO (DIN-ASA) table
© Back grip
@ Battery-chamber . cover
@ Tripod socket
@ Rewind release
@ Eyepiece frame/eyepiece
| Accessory connections:
Contact terminals for camera
control by Multi-Function
Back and data-im р
with Muiti- Function Back or
. Guartz Data Back 1 nn
Motor-drive guide socket
Él Motor-drive contacts
Winder contact.
Winder/motor-drive coupler
socket
rint control ^^
3 Winder/motor-drive guide.
Your Minolta X-700 is a high-precision instrument
designed to give many years of trouble-free picture
taking if used and cared for properly. The precautions
you should follow for keeping the camera in good
operating condition are given below and at various
places throughout the text.
» Always keep your camera in its case with the lens
capped when not in use, or with a body cap on when a
lens is not attached,
® No part of the X-700 should be forced at any time.
if operation is not as you think it should be, carefully
restudy the applicable instructions or consult an
authorized Minolta service facility.
e Never subject your camera to shock, high heat
and/or humidity, water, or harmful chemicals. Be
particularly careful not to leave it in the glove
compartment or other places in motor vehicles where |
_itmay be subject to high temperatures.
+ Never lubricate any part of the body or lens.
® Never touch the shutter curtains or the front inside
part of the body with fingers or other objects or blow
against them, as doing so might damage the alignment
e External camera and lens barrel — but not glass —
surfaces should be wiped with a soft, silicone-treated
cloth now and then, especially after using the camera
near salt water.
sit is recommended to have your camera cleaned
once per year at an authorized Minolta service facility.
Lens-care instructions are given on pages 10 and 11.
if you will not be using your camera for an extended
period, see the storage instructions at the back of the
manual.
if you have questions concerning Operation of your
camera or about photography, feel free to contact
your local Minolta agent or distributor by writing one
of the offices listed inside the back cover,
“CAUTION
@ Before using lenses, flashes, or other accessories
made by companies other than Minolta, attach them
to the camera to make sure they function properly
_and take test photographs if necessary.
Strap and case
The strap (provided with camera)
and case (sold separately) should be
attached as shown to keep your
camera handy for use and to pro-
tect it from being dropped or
bumped,
NOTE
@ The protective plastic film on the
camera's base can be removed
desired,
on er LÀ 7
: co Battery
holder
things you must do to prepare your
camera Tor taking pictures:
+ Attach lens (at right).
» insert batteries and turn main
switch on (pp. 12 and 12).
» Set film speed (p. 16).
- Load camera with film (pp. 17
to 20}.
You must always install batteries
properly and turn on the main
switch before loading film; the
order of other steps may vary.
instructions for rewinding and
unioacing film are also given in this
part. We recommend reading them
before starting to use your camera,
‚sahen you come to the end of the
so that you will be sure what to do
tim.
Body and lens caps
Remove body and lens caps as
shown above.
CAUTIONS
@ Always cap the rear end of the
lens and the lens mount of the
camera when the lens is not at-
tached, and the front of the lens.
when the camera is notin use.
poe
@ To prevent damage to the control
pins, never set a lens with its rear
end down unless a rear lens cap is
On.
@if it is necessary to set an un-
capped lens with its front end
down, do so on a smooth surface.
Fisheye lenses should always be
capped before being placed front
end down,
s Keep lenses, properly capped
front and rear, in their cases when
notin use. |
To attach lenses
After rernoving the body cap and
rear lens cap, align the red mount-
ing index on the lens barre! with
the red index on the camera’s lens
mount, insert the lens bayonet into
the socket, then turn the lens clock-
wise until it lacks into place with a
click.
To remove lenses
While pushing the lensrelease
button, turn the lens counterclock-
wise as far as it will go, then lift it
out of the mount.
* Be careful not to touch anything
inside the camera when attaching or
removing lenses.
Care of glass surfaces
e Never touch lens or eyepiece
surfaces with fingers or other ob-
fects. If necessary, remove loose
matter with a blower brush. Use
special photographic lens tissue or a
soft, clean cloth to rernove smudges
or fingerprints with a gentie circular
motion. Only if absolutely neces-
sary, the tissue may be moistened
very slightly with not more than
one drop of a satisfactory quick-
evaporating fluid cleaner specially
compounded for photographic
ienses, Such fluids must never be
Gropped directly on the glass sur-
face. ] ]
e Never Jift the mirror or touch its
surface, as doing so might damage
the alignment, Small smudges or
fingerprints on the mirror will not
affect the meter reading or image _
quality; if they are very annoying,
have the camera cleaned at an
authorized Minolta service facility.
+ Two
TTE
For operation of the X-700's
circuitry and shutter, use one of
the following types of batteries:
«Two 1.55v silver-oxide (SR44:
Eveready S-76, EPX-76, or equiv.)
1.5v alkaline-manganese
ÄLRAA: Eveready A-76 or equiv.)
: One 3v lithium {СВ- 1/3N}—See
note On p. 15.
CAUTIONS
se Never use 1.35y mercury batteries
{MR44:
equiv.}, which have a similar shape
Eveready EPX-675 or
and size,
» To avoid battery leakage or burst-
ing, do not mix batteries of different
types, brands, or ages.
* Used batteries shoul id not be dis-
- posed of in fire.
ze
4. Unscrew counterclockwise and
remove the battery-chamber cover |
on the camera bottom.
2. After wiping the terminais with a
glean, dry cloth, hold the batteries
by their edges and insert them plus
(+) side out into the sleeve’ on the —
inside of the cover,
from young children.
3. Replace the cover and screw it in
clockwise as far as it will go.
For the camera's circuitry and
shutter fo operate, the main switch
must be set at either “ON” or
“OND. The latter position should be
used when you want audible beeps
during self-timer operation or an
audible warning whenever the shut- .
ter speed set or recommended by
the camera is 1/20 sec. or slower.
(For the slow-shutter-speed warning
to function, the operating button
must be touched or
pressed.)
slightly
To prevent accidental exposures
switch to “OFF” when you are
and battery drain, move the main |
done taking pictures. (When the
switch is left on, however, battery
drain occurs only if the operating...
button is touched, so. you may.
want to leave it on to avoid missing
unexpected shots.)
Operating button
Touching the operating button in
the center of the mode/shutter-
speed selector activates the cam-
era's meter, viewfinder LED dis-
play, and exposure-contro! system,
if proper contact is not possible
(e.9., in cold weather, when fingers
are excessively dry, or when wearing
gloves), press the button slightly.
The shutter is released when the
operating button is pressed all the __
way down,
For easier operation of other
controls while viewing through the
finder, the circuits will remain on
for 15 sec, after you first touch the
button,
NOTE
® if the operating button becomes
dirty or greasy, turn off the main
switch and wipe the button with a
clean, dry cioth,.
Automatic battery check and shut-
ter lock.
df any LED in the viewfinder
lights up when the main switch is
on and the operating button is
touched or slightiy pressed, the
batteries are inserted correctly and
have sufficient power for operation
of the camera,
" When battery power decreases to
@ point almost insufficient for cam-
era operation, the LED display will
no longer light up, serving as a
warning to insert fresh batteries as
soon as possible, When battery
capacity is no longer sufficient, the
shutter will not operate,
Battery holder
Fresh spare batteries can be
stored in the battery holder thread-
ed on the camera strap (p.9). To
insert batteries, form a loop as
shown above then drop them in..
Slide the holder off the strap to
remove batteries.
NOTE
Caold-weather operation
Since batteries tend to lose pow-
er as they become colder, always
use fresh batteries and keep a spare
set with you when using your cam-
era in cold weather. For prolonged
cold-weather use (approx. O°C or
lower), silver-oxide batteries are re-
commended. Battery capacity will
be restored as temperatures rise.
NOTE |
@ if a lithium battery is used below
O’C, the camera may not operate.
# Never transfer the camera directly
from low to high temperatures as
condensation may form inside and.
prevent normal operation.
@ if the camera is notto be used for _
more than two weeks, it is advisable
to remove the batteries (especially
old ones). nn
The X-700 uses standard
cartridge film. If you are not al-
ready familiar with the many types
available, you may want to experi-
ment to find one or more that give
pleasing results for subjects you like
to photograph or for special situa-
tions.
The ISO film speed (incorporat-
ing ASA end DIN numbers) indi-
cates the film's sensitivity to light.
The first part of the ISO number
(equivalent to ASA number) is
marked on the X-700’s film-speed
_¥ing. Each time this number doubles
te.g., from 25 to 50, 50 to 100),
the required exposure is halved.
Such a change is called one “stop”.
Though selecting a high-speed
Film will allow you to take pictures
when there is less light, such films
in general
| image. Le ee
46
Setting film speed
Lift up on the film-speed ring
and turn it until the proper ASA
number appears centered in the
film-speed window and locks in
that position when the ring is re-
ieased. Marks between numbered
graduations indicate speeds shown
inthe table atright. |
may produce a grainier |
a
A ea
ASA D
25 @ 15
32 ® 16
40 @ 17
50 @ 18
64 + 19
89 э 20
100 9 21
125 « 22
160 =» 23
200 @ 24
CAUTION
te
: LO
®
e
$
+
+
9
*
+
*
* Film should be stored in a cool,
dry,
dark place before use and
exposed before the expiration date
printed on the box. —
A handy (SO (DIN-ASA) table,
with a surrounding memo holder .
for keeping the film-box end as a
reminder of the film type and
number of exposures, is located on
the camera back.
Before opening the camera back,
confirm that there is no film inside
that could be damaged by light if
the back is opened, by checking
that:
«No red is visible in the Safe Load
Signal [see p. 20).
‘Rewind crank can be freely
rotated clockwise many times
without pushing rewind button.
Since the frame counter advances
each time the shutter is cocked
even if no film is inside, the camera
may be empty even when the index
does not point to “5”.
Prior to
speed (see previous page) and turn
the main switch on {p. 13).
CAUTIONS
® Film should be handled and load-
ed in subdued light — at least
shaded from direct sunlight by your
body.
$ Do not touch any parts or areas
shown in blue below.
1, With the case off, pull up on the
_back-cover release knob until the
camera back springs open. Gently
blow away any dust or other parti-...
cles inside with a blower brush,
NOTE
e When loading film in a dark place
Or with the lens cap on, loading will
be easier М the mode se lector is not
set at ape or AT. . .. .
_2. Leaving the knob pulled out,
position a 35mm film cartridge as
shown with the projecting spool
down. Then push the knob all the
way in, rotating it slightly if neces-
sary.
NOTE
@ 47 the film-advance lever stops at
the end of a full stroke during the
- following steps, release the shutter
and continue imain switch must be
con)...
{as shown above),
. Pull out enough film leader to
just reach the take-up spool, then
insert the end into a slot an the left
making sure it
does not protrude from another
got. A hole in the film should be
lined up with the tooth on the
take-up spool, and the sprocket
teeth should be engaged with holes
at the bottom of the film
if you find it easier to hold the
film leader in your right hand,
insert the film as shown in the
diagram above, making sure the
take-up spool tooth is propery
engaged with a hole.
4. With the film held against the
sprocket by your jeft hand, slowly
operate the film-advance lever until
the film is wound firmly around the
take-up spool, the sprocket teeth
are engaged with holes on both
edges of the film, and the slack in
the film is taken up.
5. After making sure the film is
taut, close the camera back by
pushing in on it until it clicks shut.
A red “S" should now appear
opposite the index in the frame
counter.
CAUTION
@ Slack should be taken up by
advancing, not rewinding, the film,
if you réwind the slack into the
cartridge then later advance the
film to “1%, the first frame may
have already been exposed to light,
19
6 Advance | fil Im, o
release : shu tter,
and advance mm — until the index
Load Signal,
points to 1%, A red bar should
now appear at far left in the Safe
indicating film is load-
ed and advancing properly. (ff it
right,
does not appear or swings far to the
repeat steps 3 to 6.) The
camera is now ready for taking the
first picture, provided film speed is
get Lo ne
Film-advance fever
the
of the full
ринита
То allow swinging the film-
advance lever out from the camera
body so the right thumb will fit
comfortably behind it, the lever has
30° of unengaged movement. As
lever is moved an additional
130°, the film and frame counter
advance. When it stops at the end
160° stroke, the shutter
is cocked for the next exposure. —
Safe Load Signal/ Frame counter
As you continue taking pictures
and advancing film, the red bar in
the Safe Load Signal gradually
moves to the right and the rewind
crank rotates counterclockwise, in-
dicating proper film advance.
Never force the lever when it
_rasists further movement at the end
of the film, which may be some-
what before or after the common
film lengths (12, 20, 24, 36 expo-
sures) shown in red in the frame
counter. The frame counter stops
advancing after 36 exposures.
1. To rewind the fil
camera's case if on, then press the
rewind release on the camera bot-
tom.
m, remove the
2.Unfold the rewind crank and.
turn it in the direction of the arrow. |
the red bar in the Safe Load
Signal moves out of the window ta.
the left. Near the end you will feel
tension on the film increase then
anti
completely disappear, and
crank will then turn freely...
CAUTI ON
e Never open the camera back
when there is any red still
the Safe Load Signal.
visible in:
3. When you: are: certain. tt
exposed fim is completely ree
the
wound info the. ‘cartridge, pull up
on the back-cover release knob to
open the. back, ‘then: remove. the
ca rtridge. _
“CAUTION”
_ + Exposed film shoul а be | kept ina
- vool, dry, dark place and developed ^^
as soon ás possible.
S
ee
=
se
Hu
ee
Pages 23 to 51 explain how to | | | | On
use your camera to take pictures. Selftimer ?
The sections in boxes give addition-
al information on some of the
fundamentals of photography.
P-mode
“settings ?
Pre-shooting check
To make sure your camera is
ready for picture taking, it is a good
habit to check the items shown
here.
——-Fitm inside ?
< ;
advanced ?
Film speed ?—
Bu TA nn
Exposure-adjustment control >. — [DoesLED light |
button touched 23
or pressed ?)
24 Middle: AE lock or minimum-aper-
if you hold the camera as shown,
you can easily operate most con-
trols without rernoving it from your
eye,
LEFT HAND
Thumb: focusing grip, aperture
“> ring, or preview button O
index: focusing grip .
Middle: aperture ring
RIGHT HAND
Thumb: film-advance lever
Index: main switch, mode/shutter-
speed selector (and P/A-lock
release), or operating button
ture lock
L
Your X-700 can be used in any
of three exposure-control modes, as
summarized below and explained in
more detail in the following sec-
tions, = В
auto-exposure {АЕ}
The X-700’s P mode is ideal for
general picture taking when all you
want to do is compose, focus, and
shoot. With the camera set at “P”
and an MD lens at its minimum
aperture, the X-700’s program se-
jects the aperture and fastest practi-
cable shutter speed as light dims,
giving audible beeps (if desired) to
guard against blur from subject/
camera movement.
Aperture-priority AE mode
When you want to contro! the
depth of field by setting a certain
aperture, or for auto-exposure con-
trol with virtually any Minolta SLR
lens or accessory, use the X-700 in
A mode. The carnera will automati-
cally set the stepless shutter speed
to yield proper exposure for the
aperture you set.
Metered /full-manual mode
The X-700’s M mode can be used
when a special photographic effect
requires a fixed speed, or in situa-
tions where the brightness differ-
ence between the subject area and
the rest of the frame exceeds the
available range of exposure adiust-
ment in P or A mode or where the
AE lock cannot be readily used.
s/shutler-spesd selector and
P/A-iock release
The mode/shutter-speed selector
can be rotated continuously in el-
ther direction but locks st "P" and
“A? to prevent accidental move-
ment, Release the selector by press-
ing the P/A-lock release, then turn
it until it clicks or locks into place
at the desired position.
inimum-aperturs lock
in P mode, it is recommended to
lock the lens at its minimum aper-
ture to prevent accidental move-
ment. To do so, line up the green
f-number (f/16, f/22, or 1/22, de-
pending on iens) with the index,
then pull the slider toward the
camera. To release the lock for Á
mode or M mode, push the slider
away from the camera body.
NOTE
@ Only. new-type MO lenses have
the lock.
Eyepiece cap . |
if the shutter is released without
the eyepiece being shielded by your
head (such as in remote or self.
timer operation, etc.) when the
camera is used in P or A mode or at
“B" slide the eyepiece cap onto
the frame around the eyepiece to
prevent unwanted light from affect-
ing the meter reading and exposure.
The eyepiece cap can be thread-
ed on the camera strap to keep it
handy for use.
AD:
un |
_ PROGRAMMED AUTO-EXPOSURE MODE (P mode) =
Basic settings
Set and lock lens at minimum
aperture (green figure). |
26 USE ONLY MD LENSES
for hand-holding
dp. 46) ora flash (p. 60).
Taking pictures in P mode
After you have set the camera as
shown at left, it will automatically
_ set the shutter speed and aperture
for you. isee program graph on
2.30). All you need do before
releasing the shutter is compose,
- focus, and check the viewfinder as
follows:
+43 the over-range LED blinking? if
so, use a neutral-density (ND)
filter or reduce the light level if
possible,
“is an LED on in the danger zone
(usually 1/30
sec. or slower — see p. 44)? Or
does the slow-shutter-speed warn-
ing beep when the main switch is
t “ON and you touch the
„operating button? If so, use a
suitable camera-support method
| eyepiece from
ip. 251.
* 15 an LED on or blinking outside
the applicable range in the table
- on page 317 If so, exposure may
be incorrect.
NOTES
@ if the lens is not set at minimum
aperture, the “P“ will blink as a
warning. Although exposure will
still be correct unless an over- or
under-range LED blinks, the pro-
gram’s range will be limited so that
it cannot accommodate brighter
subjects.
® in some situations you may want
to use the AE-lock or exposure-
adjustment control (pp. 34 and 35).
e lf your head is not shielding the
light when the pic-
ture is taken, use the eyepiece cap
Viewfinder shows: .
O Green “Р” = Programmed AE
mode in use |
minimum aperture) o
Minimum aperture (green)
Stepless shutter speed set by
camera oe
{ff two LEDs light, speed is in
between.)
28
FUNDAMENTALS OF EXPOSURE
CAMERA COMPUTES
EXPOSURE VALUE (EV)
“<. >
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N
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CAMERA
METERS
SUBJECT
BRIGHTNESS
Pas
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57
+
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Dark SUBJECT BRIGHTNESS —-# Bright
im
tr cc
abe.
we
200000000900
More LQ agree [085 light
pa
FILM Lo N
SPEED N
(Set by Ce
user) o
hel
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SHUTTER seo 0 UIC A A
More light ==
^^^ ^^ АРЕВТОВЕ
When you take a picture, light from the subject
passes through the lens and open shutter, striking
the film to form an image. To obtain correct
exposure for the subject’s brightness and film being
used, the aperture (size of the diaphragm opening)
and shutter speed (length of time the shutter
curtain is kept open) must be controlled,
As indicated by the aperture diagrarm next to
each f-number in the figure, large f-numbers (ea.
/16 and 1/8) represent small spertures, and small
f-numbers leg., 1/2 and 1/14) represent large
apertures. Each standard f-number setting (eg.
f/8) lets in twice as much light as the next
numerically larger one (f/11) and half as much as
the next smaller one 11/5.6). This difference in
exposure between standard f-numbers is called one
“stop”, o
Shutter speeds are expressed in fractions of a
second (generally the reciprocals of numbers
shown on shutter-speed scales} and in seconds.
Each standard shutter speed (e.g., 1/60 sec.) allows
light to strike the film twice as long as the next
faster one (1/125) and half as long as the next
slower one (1/80). This difference between stand-
ard shutter speeds is also called one “stop”.
Total exposure on the film is determined by the
combination of aperture and speed. Using the next
smaller f-number (i.e., giving one stop more expo-
sure) will balance using the next faster shutter
speed {i.e., giving one stop less exposure), and so
on. A great range of combinations (e.9., 15.6 at
1/30, #/4 at 1/60, £/2.8 at 1/125, etc., all of which
fall on the same diagonal fine) will thus yield the
same total exposure.
The diagonal lines correspond to exposure values
{EV): all of the aperture/shutter-speed combina-
tions indicated by a given line will produce the
same exposure, At any specific film speed, the EV
increases by one each time the subject brightness
doubles, and thus the required exposure will
decrease by one stop. On the other hand, when the
EV is one unit lower (Le,, when the subject is only
half as bright), the exposure must be increased one
stop.
The film-speed-coupled metering system of the
camera measures the brightness of the subject and
computes the EV needed for proper exposure,
which is then used for setting the combination of |
aperture and shutter speed.
29
As shown in the graph at right,
the X-700's program is designed to
maintain the fastest practicable
shutter speed as light dims. The
graph gives you a general idea of
which aperture is being set Юга.
given LED-indicated shutter speed.
For example, if the "1257 LED
lights, the aperture will be approxi-
mately £/2.8 (for a 50mm f/1,4
liens, at ISO 100/21°).
The accurate working range of
shutter-speed and aperture com-
binations at ISO 100/21” with an
#/1.4 lens is EV 1 {f/1.4, 1 sec.) to
EV 18 (f/16, 1/1000 sec.). At ISO
25/15°, the range is EV —1 to 16;
at ISO 400/27° itis EV 3 to 18.
The maximum EV depends on
the minimum aperture of the lens:
for 7/16 it is EV 18; for #22, EV
49: for 132, EV 20.
O Program for 50mm f/1.7 lens set
at minimum aperture of 1/22 &
@ Program for 50mm 1/14 lens set
at minimum aperture of 1/16
9 Program when lens is set at f/5.6
rather than
iu
EX
>
dove
a
au
=
<
Programs
shown
tor
ISO 100/21° ,
minimum aperture
32
22
56
Je
iz ig te Ea : Sige te ha ES ..
“SHUTTER SPEED
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