INSTRUCTION MANUAL MINOLTA X-700 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. 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-movement, 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 systems. 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 include: 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 spool. A programmed autoflash, multi-function back, and quartz data back (see pages 53 to 55) complete the Minolta Program System; also available are a new wireless controller, a 1 motor drive and auto winder, and a broad range of other SLR system accessories. CONTENTS NAMES OF PARTS/MAIN FEATURES . .. 4 TAKING PICTURES WITH YOUR TAKING CARE OF YOUR X-700 8 X-700 23 Strap and case 9 Pre shooting check 23 PREPARING TO TAKE PICTURES 10 EXPOSURE CONTROL WITH THE X-700 ...... 24 MOUNTING AND CARE OF LENSES 10 Summary of modes 24 Body and lens caps 10 Mode/shutter-speed selector and Attaching and removing lenses 11 P/A-lock release 25 Care of glass surfaces 11 Minimum-aperture lock 25 BATTERIES AND POWER 12 Eyepiece cap 25 Batteries 12 PROGRAMMED AUTO-EXPOSURE Main switch 13 MODE (P mode) 26 Operating button 14 FUNDAMENTALS OF EXPOSURE 28 Automatic battery check and shutter lock .... 14 COUPLED RANGES AND PROGRAM Battery holder 15 GRAPH 30 Cold-weather operation 15 LENS AND MODE COMBINATIONS 31 FILM AND FILM SPEED 16 APERTURE-PRIORITY AUTO- LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM 17 EXPOSURE MODE (A mode) 32 Loading film 17 METERING WITH THE X-700 34 Film-advance lever 20 AE LOCK 34 Safe Load Signal/Frame counter 20 EXPOSURE-ADJUSTMENT CONTROL 35 REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM 21 WHEN TO USE AE LOCK AND EXPOSURE-ADJUSTMENT CONTROL ... 36 2 METERED/FULL-MANUAL EXPOSURE • CREATIVE CONTROL OF APERTURE MODE (M mode) 38 AND SHUTTER SPEED 48 Long exposures ("B" setting) 39 FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 50 FOCUSING 40 ACCESSORIES (Minolta Program Focusing aid 40 System) 53 Distance scale 41 TECHNICAL DETAILS 58 Film-plane index 41 STORAGE 61 Infrared index 41 • DEPTH OF FIELD 42 Preview button 43 43 Depth-of-field scale • BLUR FROM CAMERA/SUBJECT MOVEMENT 44 SUPPORTING THE CAMERA AND RELEASING THE SHUTTER 45 Slow-shutter-speed warning 4G Mounting camera on tripod 46 Self-timer 47 • : Supplemental information on fundamentals of Other ways of releasing shutter 47 photography given in boxes 3 NAMES OF PARTS/MAIN FEATURES Exposure-adjustment control Mode/shutter-speed selector 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 Safe Load Signal Monitors correct film advance switch Rewind crank Frame counter P/A-lock release Film-speed ring- Film-advance lever Flash/camera-control contacts Film-speed window Smooth 130" advance stroke For dedicated programmed auto- after 30' unengaged movement flash and X-series autoflashes Exposure-adjustment control Main-switch position indicator release Sync contact OFF, ON, ON (audible slow- 4 shutter-speed warning and self- timer beeps) AE lock/self-timer switch MD coupler Lens-mounting index • AE lock for holding close-up or adjusted-viewing meter readings • Electronic self-timer with MC coupler Lens-release button triple-rate blinking LED and optional audible beeps Mirror Specially coated to make viewfinder 11 % brighter Front grip Integral front and back grips giving camera surer hold Strap eyelet Shutter-release socket Diaphragm-control lever Sync terminal Preview button Easy-to-use spring-loaded button for previewing Bayonet lens mount depth of field New integrally lubricated stainless- Not visible: steel mount offers greater durabili­ • Silicon photocell atop penta­ • Second silicon photocell in ty and smoother lens changing; prism for full-aperture metering mirror compartment for Direct accepts virtually all Minolta SLR for viewfinder LED display, and Autoflash Metering with PX- for "final check" stop-down series Auto Electroflashes interchangeable lenses and acces­ 5 sories metering Mode indicators Focusing grip M: Metered manual Distance scale A: Aperture-priority AE Depth-of-field scale P: Programmed AE Aperture ring/scale (blinks if lens not set Mounting index at minimum aperture Minimum-aperture lock or non-MD lens in use Prevents accidental movement of aperture ring in P mode Diaphragm-control pin Over-range LED Shutter-speed scale/LEDs • LED indicates stepless speed Under range LED set by camera in P and A modes Exposure-adjustment LED • LED indicates stepped speed Aperture setting recommended in M mode Focusing screen • "60" LED blinks at 2Hz as Split-image spot, microprism flash-ready indicator with band, and Acute Matte field; PX- and X-series Auto Electro- exchangeable with eight other flashes screens at authorized Minolta • "60" LED blinks at 8Hz as service facilities flash-distance checker (FDC) with PX-series Auto Electro- 6 flashes 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 Eyepiece frame/eyepiece Memo holder ISO (DIN-ASA) table Back grip Battery-chamber cover Tripod socket Accessory connections: Rewind release Contact terminals for camera control by Multi-Function Back and data-imprint control with Multi-Function Back or Quartz Data Back 1 Motor-drive guide socket Motor-drive contacts Winder contact Winder/motordrive coupler Winder/motordrive guide socket 7 TAKING CARE OF YOUR X-700 Your Minolta X-700 is a high-precision instrument • External camera and lens barrel — but not glass — designed to give many years of trouble-free picture surfaces should be wiped with a soft, silicone-treated taking if used and cared for properly. The precautions cloth now and then, especially after using the camera you should follow for keeping the camera in good near salt water. operating condition are given below and at various • It is recommended to have your camera cleaned places throughout the text. once per year at an authorized Minolta service facility. • Always keep your camera in its case with the lens Lens-care instructions are given on pages 10 and 11. capped when not in use, or with a body cap on when a If you will not be using your camera for an extended lens is not attached. period, see the storage instructions at the back of the • No part of the X-700 should be forced at any time. manual. If operation is not as you think it should be, carefully If you have questions concerning operation of your restudy the applicable instructions or consult an camera or about photography, feel free to contact authorized Minolta service facility. your local Minolta agent or distributor by writing one • Never subject your camera to shock, high heat of the offices listed inside the back cover. and/or humidity, water, or harmful chemicals. Be particularly careful not to leave it in the glove CAUTION compartment or other places in motor vehicles where • Before using lenses, flashes, or other accessories it may be subject to high temperatures. made by companies other than Minolta, attach them • Never lubricate any part of the body or lens. to the camera to make sure they function properly • Never touch the shutter curtains or the front inside and take test photographs if necessary. part of the body with fingers or other objects or blow against them, as doing so might damage the alignment and movement of either the curtains or mirror.