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Thank you for purchasing the Minolta Vectis 300. The Vectis 300 is an easy to operate lens shutter camera from Minolta’s line of Advanced Photo System™ cameras. Your camera features drop-in loading, a 24 - 70mm zoom lens, and a wide focus frame. The sleek and compact design gives the Vectis 300 a sophisticated appearance suitable for any occasion.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE ...4 NAMES OF PARTS...6 QUICK OPERATION ...10 BASIC OPERATION Attaching The Strap...13 Installing The Battery...14 Checking The Battery Power ...15 Loading Film...16 Full-Auto Operation ...21 For Closer Subjects...24 Special Focusing Situations ...26 Focus Hold ...28 Rewinding the Film...30 Processing...32...
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product. WARNING Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use. • Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual. • Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/–) reversed. •...
NAMES OF PARTS Camera Body * - Do not touch Viewfinder window* AF window* Meter window* Remote-control receiver* Title button (48) Manual-rewind button (31) Strap eyelet Flash* (33) Self-timer/Remote- control lamp Format-selector Lens* switch (21) Viewfinder* Tripod socket Battery chamber Film chamber Film-chamber release (18) For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in parenthesis.
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NAMES OF PARTS - CONT’D Data Panel Title mark Title/Date-time/Film speed indicator Self-timer indicator (56) Flash mode indicators (36) Remote-control indicator (58) • Only the necessary indicators will appear in the data panel. Viewfinder Battery-condition indicator (15) Frame counter Film transport signals Film cassette mark Flash lamp (orange)
QUICK OPERATION 1. Insert the 2. Turn the camera battery (p. 14). on, then insert the film (p. 16). 3. Select the print 4. Frame the format (p. 21). subject as desired (p. 22). 5. Center your 6. Press the subject in the shutter-release focus frame...
ATTACHING THE STRAP Attach the strap as shown. BASIC OPERATION • A button key is included on the strap for Button key pressing the Date button and Manual- rewind button.
INSTALLING THE BATTERY Your camera uses one 3-volt CR-2 lithium battery to supply power for all camera operations. 1. Open the battery chamber as shown. 2. Insert the battery into the chamber as indicated by the + and – marks. 3.
LOADING FILM Your camera uses IX240 type film designed for use in Advanced Photo System cameras. • Your camera’s automatic transport system loads the film, sets the film speed, and advances the film after each exposure. • After loading, the film chamber cannot be opened until rewind has been initiated.
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LOADING FILM - CONT’D 2. Turn the camera upside down, then turn the film-chamber release in the direction indicated. The film-chamber door will open partway. 3. Open the film-chamber door and insert the cassette into the film chamber. 4. Press the film-chamber door closed until it clicks.
LOADING FILM - CONT’D If 0 and the film transport signals blink in the data panel, turn the film chamber release, open the chamber, then remove the film. - If the film’s current VEI is - If a partially exposed roll of film was loaded into this camera, the VEI has been changed from - If a processed roll of film was loaded into this camera, the VEI has been changed from...
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FULL-AUTO OPERATION - CONT’D 3. Looking through the viewfinder, frame the subject as desired. Press the W zoom button to zoom out. Press the T zoom button to zoom in. 4. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press the shutter-release button partway down.
FOR CLOSER SUBJECTS The green focus-lamp will blink rapidly and the shutter will lock when you are closer than the focus distance indicated below. Focal Length 24mm Print Format C or H Focus Distance 0.4m - 0.4m - (1.3 ft. - ) (1.3 ft.
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS Some scenes or subjects, like the examples below, are difficult for the autofocus system to lock on to. When the focus will not lock, focus hold (p. 28) on another object the same distance from you as your main subject, recompose, then press the shutter-release button all-the-way down to take the picture.
FOCUS HOLD Subjects outside the focus frame may not be in focus. Use focus hold to ensure accurate focusing. 1. Center your subject in the focus frame. 2. Press and hold the shutter-release button partway down until the green focus lamp glows. 3.
REWINDING THE FILM Your camera automatically rewinds the film into the cassette after the last exposure. 1. Wait for the film to completely rewind into the cassette. • The frame counter will count down during rewind. • 0 will appear in the frame counter and when the film is rewound.
PROCESSING For best results, take your film to a Certified Advanced Photo System photofinisher displaying this symbol (see p. 64). USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH When you turn the camera on, the built-in flash is set to autoflash or autoflash with red-eye reduction, whichever mode was used last. The flash will fire automatically when necessary.
FLASH LAMP With the shutter-release button pressed partway down: • If the orange flash lamp blinks rapidly, the flash is charging. Wait until it glows steadily, then take the picture. • If the orange flash lamp blinks slowly, your scene is too dark for a hand-held picture. Use the flash or place your camera on a tripod.
SELECTING THE FLASH MODE Besides autoflash mode , autoflash with red-eye reduction fill-flash , night portrait , or flash cancel Press the flash mode button until the desired indicator appears in the data panel. • Flash modes remain selected after the picture is taken.
MANUAL FILL-FLASH The flash will fire when the shutter is released regardless of lighting. Use manual fill flash to reduce harsh shadows on your subject’s face. Press the flash mode button until appears in the data panel. • The flash mode remains selected after you take the picture.
NIGHT PORTRAIT In night portrait mode, the camera balances the flash and existing light exposure so you can take beautiful pictures of people at sunset or at night. The flash is set to manual fill-flash with red-eye reduction. Press the flash mode button until appears in the data panel.
DATE IMPRINTING Your camera records date and time information on the film’s magnetic strip that certified photofinishers can imprint in the front and back of your photographs. • Some labs can not imprint date and/or time information on the front of your photographs.
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DATE IMPRINTING - Setting the Date and Time • This camera has a quartz clock and automatic calendar through the year 2029. 1. Turn the camera off, then press the date button with the button key to display the date. 2.
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DATE IMPRINTING - Changing the Format 1. Press the main switch to turn the camera off. 2. Press the date button to display the date. 3. Press and hold the select button until all items in the date display blink. 4.
TITLE IMPRINTING Three titles from the title list can be preset for use while taking pictures. Any one of the three preselected titles can be selected before the picture is taken. When selected, the title will be recorded on the film’s magnetic data strip.
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TITLE IMPRINTING - Preselecting Titles 4. Press the select button, the last digit of the title code number will blink. 5. Press the adjust button to change its value. • Press and hold the adjust button to change the value rapidly. 6.
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TITLE IMPRINTING - Preselecting Titles 8. Press the adjust button to change the language code. 9. When the title information is correct, press the title button. TITLE IMPRINTING - Frame Title With the camera on and before taking the picture: 1.
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TITLE IMPRINTING - Filmstrip Title An additional title for the entire roll of film can be selected. Both the filmstrip title and the frame title will be printed on the back of the print. After the film has been rewound and blinks in the data panel: 1.
SELF-TIMER The self-timer delays release of the shutter for approximately 10 seconds after you press the shutter release button. 1. Place the camera on a tripod, then press the self-timer button until appears in the data panel. 2. Center your subject in the focus frame.
REMOTE CONTROL (Sold Separately) The IR Remote Control RC-3 (not included) allows remote camera operation from up to 5m (16.4 ft.) away. • The remote control may not operate with backlit subjects or under fluorescent light. • To save power, the camera automatically shuts down if the remote control is not operated for more than eight minutes.
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REMOTE CONTROL - CONT’D FOCUS HOLD IN REMOTE CONTROL MODE 1. Set the camera to remote control mode. 2. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press the shutter-release button partway down until the green focus lamp glows. 3. Lift your finger from the shutter- release button, then recompose the picture.
REMOTE CONTROL - CONT’D CHANGING THE BATTERY The remote control uses a 3V lithium battery (CR2032). When pressing the remote-control buttons does not release the shutter, the battery must be replaced. (The supplied battery should be sufficient for approximately ten years of operation). 1.
LAB SERVICES To receive the best possible prints, take your film to a photolab displaying the Certified Advanced Photo System logo. Photofinishers displaying this logo have been certified according to Advanced Photo System guidelines. Certified photolabs will be able to provide the following five services. 1.
CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA CLEANING • Keep the AF and AE windows clean or the focus and/or exposure may not be accurate. • If the camera body is dirty, gently wipe it clean with a soft, clean, dry cloth. • To clean the lens surface, first brush away any dust or sand then, if necessary, moisten a lens tissue with lens cleaning fluid and gently wipe the lens in a circular motion, starting from the...
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CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA - CONT’D QUESTIONS AND SERVICE • If you have questions about your camera, contact your local camera dealer or write to the Minolta distributor in your area. • If the camera is damaged or the rewind motor does not operate, do not open the film chamber or forcefully remove the cassette.
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CARING FOR YOUR CAMERA - CONT’D OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND CONDITIONS • This camera is designed for use from -10 to 40 °C (14 to 104 °F). • Never leave your camera where it may be subjected to extreme temperatures such as in the glove compartment of a car.
TECHNICAL DETAILS Camera Type: IX240 Lens Shutter Camera Lens: 24-70mm f/5.7 - 9.8 lens (approx. equivalent to 30-87.5mm in 35mm format); 4 element/4 group construction Focusing Range: C/H: Wide 0.4m - Tele 0.4m - (1.3 ft. - ) P: Wide 0.4m - Tele 0.8m - (2.6 ft.
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This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
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