Related Manuals for Minolta Dynax 800si
Summary of Contents for Minolta Dynax 800si
- Page 1 BASIC OPERATION INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOCUS BASICS FLASH BASICS SUBJECT PROGRAM MODES EXPOSURE BASICS ADVANCED AUTOFOCUS ADVANCED EXPOSURE ADVANCED FLASH ADDITIONAL FEATURES APPENDIX...
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Page 2: For Proper And Safe Use
The 800si also offers full control over all camera systems. In addition, you can select any of the four local focus areas, take spot meter readings, lock exposure and focus separately or together, and use Memory to save and later recall three groups of your most often used camera settings. -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS For Proper and Safe Use...1 BASIC OPERATION Standard Accessories ...11 Installing the Batteries ...12 Battery Condition Indicators...13 Attaching and Removing the Lens...14 Focus Signals ...26 FOCUS BASICS Focus Lock ...27 FLASH BASICS Using the Built-in Flash...34 Flash Signals ...35 Subject Program Selection ...41 SUBJECT PROGRAM MODES... - Page 4 NAMES OF PARTS For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in parenthesis. BODY 1.Grip sensor (20) 12. PC terminal (97) 2. AF illuminator/Self-timer lamp 13. Strap eyelet (11) (32, 117) 14. Flash-compensation button (91) 3. Front control dial 15.
- Page 5 NAMES OF PARTS DATA PANEL 2 3 4 1. Subject Program Selection icons 11. Data-memory indicator 2. Battery-condition indicator 12. Frame counter 3. Film-speed mark 13. Film-transport signal 4. Flash-mode indicators 14. Film-cartridge mark 15. Exposure-bracketing indicator 5. Shutter-speed/Film- speed/Focus-area display 16.
- Page 6 QUICK OPERATION Insert the batteries. • The camera uses one 2CR5 cell. Attach a lens. • Align the red marks, then turn it gently clockwise until it clicks. Turn the camera on. • Set the main switch to ON. Load the film. •...
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Page 7: Basic Operation
BASIC OPERATION STANDARD ACCESSORIES NECKSTRAP Attach the neckstrap as shown. EYEPIECE CUP Attach the eyepiece cup as shown. EYEPIECE AND ACCESSORY SHOE CAPS An eyepiece cap is attached to the strap. Before using the self-timer or making long exposures, remove the the eyepiece cup and attach the cap to the viewfinder eyepiece to prevent stray light from entering... -
Page 8: Installing The Batteries
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES Your camera uses one 6-volt 2CR5 battery to supply power for all camera operations. Please read all warnings in the For Proper and Safe Use section of this manual, as well as warnings supplied by the battery manufacturer. Set the main switch to LOCK. -
Page 9: Attaching And Removing The Lens
Dust on the mirror will not affect meter readings or picture quality. If it is distracting, have the camera cleaned at an authorized Minolta Service Facility. • Remove dust, dirt, and moisture from the lens mount before attaching or removing the lens. - Page 10 LOADING FILM Remove and discard the protective cover in the film gate before loading film for the first time. Check the film window before loading film. If a film cartridge is loaded, do not open the back cover. See page 24 for instructions on rewinding a partially exposed roll of film.
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Page 11: Handling The Camera
Turn the dial in the – direction if you are nearsighted. If additional correction is needed, a Minolta Eyepiece Corrector can be attached to the camera's eyepiece. The diopter adjustment dial is easier to turn if the eyepiece cup is... - Page 12 EYE-START Grip sensor The eye-start system automatically activates the 800si’s main systems as soon as you bring the camera to your eye. When you set the main switch to ON, the data panel and grip sensor activate. Touching the grip sensor activates the infrared emitter detector located beneath the eyepiece.
- Page 13 SHOOTING IN FULL-AUTO MODE Turn the camera on. Press the program-reset button. • The camera will return to the default settings. Turn eye-start on. Raise the flash if flash is desired. Put the flash down if no flash is to be used. •...
- Page 14 REWINDING THE FILM After you have exposed the last frame, the camera will automatically rewind the film silently. When the film is completely rewound, the motor will stop and will blink in the data panel, indicating it is safe to open the back cover. Wait until rewind is complete.
- Page 15 FOCUS SIGNALS The following indicators appear in the viewfinder to report focus status. Continuous focusing - focus confirmed. Focus is confirmed and locked. Focusing in autofocus mode - shutter locked. Focus cannot be confirmed; shutter locked; the subject is too close or in one of the special focusing situations listed on page 30.
- Page 16 FOCUS LOCK LOCKING FOCUS WITH THE AF BUTTON Center your subject in the focus area Press and hold the AF button. • The camera will focus on the subject, then lock focus. When focus is locked, viewfinder. • A local focus area indicator appears in the viewfinder to show where the camera is focusing on the subject.
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Page 17: Special Focusing Situations
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS In situations like those described below, it may be difficult or impossible for the camera to focus accurately; you may need to use focus lock (p 27) or manual focus (p 31). If two subjects at different distances overlap within the focus frame. - Page 18 AF ILLUMINATOR In low light situations or when the contrast of your main subject is too low to be read by the AF sensors, the autofocus illuminator will activate automatically. The AF illuminator projects a pattern of lines onto your subject which the AF sensors detect and use to focus.
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Page 19: Flash Signals
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH The built-in flash provides coverage for lens focal lengths from 24mm to 80mm. The flash output is automatically controlled by the camera's TTL flash metering system. Grip both sides of the flash and gently lift it. The flash will fire every time when it is up. -
Page 20: Flash Range
FLASH RANGE The range of the built-in flash depends on the speed of the film and the selected aperture. Make sure your subject is within the working range of the flash, specified in the tables below. With ISO 100 Film Coverage of the Zoom Flash Aperture 24mm Focal Length... -
Page 21: Red-Eye Reduction
RED-EYE REDUCTION When photographing people or animals at night or other low-light situations, the effect called red-eye may occur due to the flash reflecting off the inside of the subject's eyes. To reduce this effect, use the built-in flash's red-eye reduction mode. When selected, the flash fires a series of small bursts before the main flash burst. - Page 22 SUBJECT PROGRAM MODES SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION Subject program selection lets you choose one of the five subject program modes listed below. These program modes customize the exposure settings for the type of picture you will be taking. Portrait Mode - for portrait photography Landscape Mode - for scenic and travel photography Close-up Mode - for close-up photography Sports Mode - for sports and action photography...
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Page 23: Portrait Mode
PORTRAIT MODE Use Portrait mode when photographing people. Portrait photography benefits from a shallow depth-of-field. A shallow depth-of- field separates the subject from the background. In portrait mode, the camera is set to achieve this effect. Press and hold the subject- program button. - Page 24 CLOSE-UP MODE Use Close-up mode when photographing objects from short distances. Close-up photography requires accurate focusing; use focus hold or manual focus to ensure sharp focus. The camera will select the best possible aperture and shutter speed for your subject. Press and hold the subject- program button.
- Page 25 NIGHT PORTRAIT MODE Use Night portrait mode for taking portraits with scenic backgrounds at night. Night portraits require a balanced exposure between the camera's flash and the ambient light. In this mode, the camera sets the largest possible aperture and a slower shutter speed to allow the ambient light in the background appear in the photograph.
- Page 26 EXPOSURE BASICS EXPOSURE MODES The 800si has four exposure modes. P - (PROGRAM) -Programmed Autoexposure Mode P mode (PROGRAM) is ideal when you want to give your full attention to the subject and give the camera control over exposure. A - Aperture Priority Mode In A mode, you select the aperture and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed required for proper exposure.
- Page 27 EXPOSURE MODES CHANGING THE EXPOSURE MODE Press and hold the exposure- mode button. Turn either control dial until the mark for the desired mode appears in the data panel. Release the exposure-mode button. SHUTTER SPEED In the data panel and viewfinder, fraction of a second shutter speeds are indicated by whole numbers (from 2 to 8000).
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Page 28: A: Aperture Priority Mode
P - PROGRAM EXPOSURE MODE - Turn the front dial until the desired shutter speed setting appears in the viewfinder and body data panels. P body data panel. • The shutter-speed will not change, even if lighting conditions change. The aperture value will be set automatically. - Page 29 A - APERTURE PRIORITY MODE A-MODE FLASH When the built in flash is up or an attached accessory flash is on, it will fire each time a picture is taken. The camera's TTL control ensures a proper exposure. • When the flash is ready, will appear in the viewfinder.
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Page 30: S: Shutter Priority Mode
S - SHUTTER PRIORITY MODE In S mode, you select the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the aperture required for proper exposure. This mode is useful when you want to control the motion in the photograph. While pressing the exposure- mode button, turn either control dial until S appears in the data panel. - Page 31 S - SHUTTER PRIORITY MODE SHUTTER CONTROL Fast Shutter Speed Because the shutter speed controls the duration of exposures, it also determines how moving subjects will appear in the final image. Use a slow shutter speed to blur the motion of your subject. Use a fast shutter speed to stop the motion of your subject.
- Page 32 MANUAL MODE METER INDEX In manual mode, the metering index will show you how the exposure you have set compares with the camera's meter reading. The 0 position on the index represents the camera's suggested exposure using the current metering method. The pointer indicates your settings in relation to the reading in EVs.
- Page 33 BULB When bulb is selected, the shutter will remain open as long as the shutter-release button is pressed. Use the bulb function to make long exposures. Mount the camera on a tripod. While in M mode, turn the front control dial to the left until "bulb"...
- Page 34 AUTOFOCUS MODES This camera has three autofocus modes that can be changed at any time. MEMORY: The Focus Mode setting can be stored in memory. See page 99 for information. AUTOMATIC AUTOFOCUS MODE When autofocus is activated by pressing the shutter-release button partway down, the camera will continue focusing while the subject is moving and lock focus when it is...
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Page 35: Focus Frame
AUTOFOCUS MODES CHANGING THE AUTOFOCUS MODE Press the AF-mode button in the control panel. Turn either control dial to set the AF mode to • Make sure the camera is in autofocus mode. If M. FOCUS appears in the data panel, press the focus-mode button to select autofocus. - Page 36 RELEASE PRIORITY The default setting of the 800si is autofocus-priority shutter release. When the camera is in autofocus, the shutter will not release if the subject is not in focus. You can set the camera to shutter-release priority so the shutter will release even if the subject is not sharply focused.
- Page 37 METERING Your camera takes meter readings of the light in the scene to determine the correct exposure. The 800si has three methods of taking meter readings. Use the method most appropriate for your subject. 14-SEGMENT HONEYCOMB-PATTERN METERING Fourteen-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering is the camera's standard metering mode and will be set whenever the program- reset button is pressed (p 120).
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Page 38: Selecting A Metering Method
METERING CENTER-WEIGHTED AVERAGE METERING In center-weighted average mode, the exposure is based on an average of the reading made by each of the honeycomb segments - with emphasis placed on the center of the image. Take care when photographing backlit, spotlit, or off-center subjects because the meter may include non-subject areas of your scene when calculating the exposure. -
Page 39: Ae Lock
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION This function enables you to bias the camera's exposure calculation up to 3 EVs over or under the normal metered setting. While pressing the exposure compensation button, turn either control dial. When the desired compensation value appears in the viewfinder and data panel, release the exposure compensation button. -
Page 40: Exposure Bracketing
With the 800si, you can choose a series of 3, 5, or 7 frames. The exposures can be made in 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0 EV increments. -
Page 41: Flash Bracketing
Flash bracketing lets you expose a series of frames with exposures below and above the normal metered exposure while using flash. With the 800si, you can choose a series of 3, 5, or 7 frames. Exposures can be made in 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0 EV increments. The exposure is controlled by the flash output. - Page 42 FLASH BRACKETING Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the series is complete. • The data panel and viewfinder will change to indicate the frame number in the bracketing series. • Flash bracketing is equivalent to fill-flash mode. • Do not turn off or remove the accessory flash before the series is complete.
- Page 43 MULTIPLE EXPOSURE Turn either dial to select the number of exposures. Press the shutter-release button partway down to enter the setting. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the first picture. • M2 will appear in the data panel. Repeat step 6 until all the exposures have been made.
- Page 44 METERING INDEX The table below summarizes the meaning of the metering index. MODE CAMERA STATUS Exposure compensation is set in any of the metering methods. Subject Program AE Lock is activated in any of the Modes metering methods. M Mode •...
- Page 45 • The shutter will not release in HSS mode while the depth-of-field preview button is pressed. • When the 800si is in A mode, manual fill flash is being used, and the scene background is very bright, HSS can be used with manual fill-flash (p 39) to obtain a correct exposure.
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Page 46: Rear-Flash Sync
SLOW-SHUTTER SYNC With Slow-shutter Sync Without Slow-shutter Sync In P and A modes, slow-shutter sync sets a slower shutter speed to increase the background or ambient lighting exposure in a flash picture. Flash output will automatically be decreased to maintain a correct exposure of your subject. -
Page 47: Flash Compensation
REAR-FLASH SYNC Turn either dial to display in the data panel. Press the shutter-release button partway down to enter the selection. Press the shutter release button all-the-way down to take the picture. • Select a shutter speed of 1/90 or slower. If a faster shutter speed is selected, will remain in the viewfinder, but a normal exposure will be made. - Page 48 WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH When used with Minolta 5400HS, 5400xi, or 3500xi flash units (all sold separately), the 800si offers the flexibility of remote/wireless off- camera flash control with TTL flash metering. Wireless/Remote flash lets you experiment with creative lighting Normal Flash...
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Page 49: Wireless/Remote Off-Camera
WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH TAKING PICTURES IN WIRELESS/REMOTE FLASH MODE The off-camera flash will provide 100% of the exposure. Position your camera and flash unit using the information on this page. • These instructions use the 3500xi as the example. For the 5400HS and 5400xi, please refer to the flash unit's instruction manual. - Page 50 PC connections. • Flash units with an extremely low trigger voltage may not work with the 800si. If your flash has a low trigger voltage, contact a Minolta Service Facility. • When used with the Vertical Control Grip VC-700 (sold separately) both the camera’s PC terminal and the VC-700’s PC terminal can be used...
- Page 51 MEMORY The memory function allows you to store a variety of camera settings as a group and recall them at anytime. The 800si is capable of storing three different sets of camera function settings. This feature is convenient when you will be repeating the same shooting conditions and want to use the same settings each time.
- Page 52 MEMORY STORING SETTINGS IN MEMORY Set the camera with all the function setting you want to save (see chart on the previous page). Assign the group a number by turning the memory-number lever to the desired number. Press the Enter button in the control panel.
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Page 53: Flash Control
CUSTOMIZED SETTINGS The customize option lets you reprogram certain camera functions Custom Function Control Release Priority* Film Rewind Start Film Tip DX Memory Flash Control in P-Mode Lens Focus Hold Button (if applicable) Eyepiece Sensor Activation Frame Counter AF Area Selection AE Lock Button Exposure Bracket Sequence Film Rewind Speed... - Page 54 CUSTOMIZED SETTINGS All customized settings were set to1 before your camera was shipped. CHANGING THE CUSTOMIZED SETTINGS While pressing the adjust button, press the ISO button. Turn the front dial to select the number of the Customized Function. • In the example: Customized Function #3 - Film Tip has been selected.
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Page 55: Data Memory
DATA MEMORY When data memory is selected, the following information about each photograph is stored at the time of exposure: • Aperture • Lens focal length • Exposure compensation • Shutter speed • Flash status (on/off) • Flash compensation (if used) •... - Page 56 DATA MEMORY SELECTING DATA MEMORY Press the data-memory button in the control panel. Turn either control dial until appears in the data panel. • The film area where the data is to be stored will appear in the bottom right corner. Press the shutter-release button partway down to enter the selection.
- Page 57 DATA MEMORY Turn the rear control dial one click to view more information about the frame. The display will change as follows: Shutter speed Aperture Exposure compensation ON/OFF Flash ON/OFF Flash compensation ON/OFF Frame number Bracketing ON/OFF Focal length Flash/Exposure compensation value* Exposure compensation Flash ON/OFF Flash compensation ON/OFF...
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Page 58: For Owners Of The Quartz Date Model
FOR OWNERS OF THE QUARTZ DATE MODEL The Quartz-data function enables you to record the date or time onto the lower-right portion of the photograph. The 800si has an automatic calendar through the year 2019. • In this section, when the ADJUST button is referred to, it is the ADJUST button for the Quartz Data function. -
Page 59: Depth-Of-Field Preview
DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW When the lens is focused on a subject, there is a range behind and in front of the subject that appears sharp. This range is called depth of field. To check how much of your scene will appear in focus, press the depth-of-field preview button. - Page 60 SETTING FILM SPEED MANUALLY DX Memory If you change the ISO of a DX-coded roll of film, the new speed is recorded and used for all following rolls with the same initial film speed. This is called DX Memory. Example: You manually change the film speed of a DX-coded roll of ISO 100 film to ISO 400.
- Page 61 FILM DRIVE MODES The 800si has two film-drive modes: Continuous Advance Single Frame Advance . In Single Frame Advance, the camera makes one exposure and advances the film one frame each time the shutter-release button is pressed. In Continuous Advance, the camera will release the shutter and advance the film (up to 3 frames per second) as long as the shutter-release button is held down.
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Page 62: Accessory Information
Flash Units • All Minolta i, si, and HS series flash units, as well as the Vectis SF-1 flash, are compatible with this camera. With these flash units, the flash always fires when the flash unit is on. (Unless Customized Function #6 is on setting 2;... -
Page 63: Troubleshooting
Others • The following accessories are not compatible with the 800si: Control Grip CG-1000 Data Receiver DR-1000 Creative Expansion Cards Vertical Control Grip VC-507 • Please contact a Minolta Service Facility before using the Close- up Defuser CD-1000. VERTICAL CONTROL GRIP VC-700... - Page 64 Are all the film areas full? If the information does not cover the problem you are experiencing or the condition continues, contact a Minolta Service Facility. Solution Install a new battery if the battery is dead. Press the Focus-mode button to select autofocus.
- Page 65 BEFORE IMPORTANT EVENTS • Check the camera's operation carefully or take test photographs. • Minolta is not responsible for damages incurred by equipment malfunction. OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND CONDITIONS • This camera is designed for use from –20° to 50°C (–4° to 122°F).
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Page 66: Technical Details
- Take care when using the camera at the beach or near water. Costly or irreparable damage to the camera may occur. - If the camera gets wet, immediately discontinue use and contact a Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual. TECHNICAL DETAILS Camera Type:... - Page 67 TECHNICAL DETAILS Shutter: Type: Electronically-controlled, vertical- traverse, focal-plane shutter. Speeds: Bulb, 30 sec. - 1/8000 sec. Maximum flash sync speed is 1/200 (synchronizes with all speeds in HSS mode). Built-in Flash: GN: 14 - 20 (ISO 100 in meters) Control: Manual up/down Coverage: 24 - 80mm angle of view Recycling Time: Approx.
- Page 68 NOTES NOTES...
- Page 69 Minolta Canada Inc. Head Office Vancouver Branch Minolta Hong Kong Limited Room 208, 2/F, Eastern Center, 1065 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, China Minolta Singapore (Pte) Ltd. 10, Teban Gardens Crescent, Singapore 608923 Shanghai Minolta Optical Products Co., Ltd.