Page 1 DETAILED OPERATION BASIC OPERATION 2/3/99 2:44 PM E INSTRUCTION MANUAL APPENDIX MAXXUM9E
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 2 FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE The ultimate tool for creative professionals and advanced amateurs alike, the Maxxum / Dynax 9 has been designed with precission in mind to help you capture your photographic vision. As you use the Maxxum / Dynax 9, you will find that its performance and reliability compliment your own photographic expertise and in raising your skills to a higher level.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ....................................2 Names of Parts .......................................4 GETTING STARTED Strap........................................................8 Diopter Adjustment .................................9 Batteries ................................................10 Lens.......................................................12 Handling the Camera ............................13 BASIC OPERATION Loading Film.......
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 4 NAMES OF PARTS For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in parenthesis.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 6 NAMES OF PARTS Control Panel Viewfinder Data-memory button (84-90) Spot-focus area (95) Local focus areas (31) Manual-rewind button (24) Meter index (42) ISO button (52) Adjust button Control-panel door Focus frame Spot-metering area (46) Frames remaining counter (last 9 frames only) AE-lock indicator (48) Data Panel ISO mark Data memory indicator (84-90) Release priority indicator (92) Aperture display Shutter speed display (Focus area/ISO) Shutter speed displ
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 8 Turn the diopter adjustment dial to compensate the eyepiece for near or far sighted vision problems. The adjustment range is from –3 to +1 diopters. GETTING STARTED Before attaching the lens… Look through the viewfinder at a well illuminated blank wall or clear blue sky. Turn the diopter-adjustment dial until the focus frame appears sharpest. Farsighted users – turn the dial clockwise. Nearsighted users – turn the dial counter-clockwise.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 10 Installing the Batteries Checking Battery Power Your camera uses two 3V CR123A lithium batteries to supply power for all camera operations. 1. Lift and turn the battery-chamber lock to OPEN, then open the batterychamber door. The battery condition indicator displays the power status of the batteries when the main switch is set to ON. Full-battery symbol Power is sufficient for all camera operations. Low-battery symbol 2.
2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 12 LENS HANDLING THE CAMERA Attaching the Lens Holding the Camera 1. Remove the body and rear lens caps. 2. Align the mounting indexes. 3. Insert the lens into the mount and turn it clockwise until it clicks into the locked position. • Do not press the lens release when mounting the lens. The lens will not couple properly. GETTING STARTED MAXXUM9E Grip the camera firmly with your right hand, while supporting the lens with your left.
2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 14 LOADING FILM Check the film window before loading film. If film is loaded, do not open the back cover. Refer to Manual Rewind on page 24 to remove a partially exposed roll. • Load film in the shade to reduce the chances of fogging the film. • Do not use Polaroid Instant 35mm film. Winding problems may occur. Before loading film for the first time… Remove and discard the film gate protector. BASIC OPERATION 1. Turn the back-cover release counterclockwise to open the back cover.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 16 2. Insert a film cartridge into the film chamber. 4. Close the back cover and turn the main switch to ON. • The camera automatically advances the film to the first frame. 1 will appear in the frame counter. • The correct ISO for DX-coded film is set automatically. Refer to page 93 to reload a partially exposed roll. The ISO is displayed in the data panel for 5 seconds after loading. 3. Extend the leader between the guide rails to the index mark.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 18 3. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press the shutter-release button partway down. 1. Turn the main switch to ON. • The local-focus area LED appears briefly indicating the focus area selected by the camera. 2. Set Full-Auto mode as shown. 4. When or appears in the viewfinder, press the shutterrelease button all the way down to take the picture. • The AF illuminator fires in low-light situations to assist the autofocus system (p.34). • Use focus hold (p.
2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 20 SPECIAL FOCUS SITUATIONS The camera may not be able to focus in situations like those described below. When the focus signal blinks, use focus hold (p.21) or manual focus (p.33). See page 19 for an explanation of the focus signals. If the subject within the focus frame is very bright, or low in contrast. FOCUS HOLD Use focus hold when your subject is outside the focus frame or when autofocus is difficult to confirm. BASIC OPERATION MAXXUM9E • Use AF Lock (p.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 22 USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH When up, the built-in flash fires every time the shutter is released to provide coverage for focal lengths as wide as 24mm. Flash output is automatically controlled by the camera’s TTL flash metering system. • . will appear in the viewfinder data panel. Slide the flash-mode switch to to reduce the redeye effect when using the built-in flash. • Red-eye reduction mode is only available with the built-in flash. 2.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:44 PM Page 24 REWINDING THE FILM Automatic Rewind The film is automatically rewound after the last frame is exposed (or 36 exposures). 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 of the camera. 1. Wait until the film is completely rewound. will appear and will blink in the data panel. 2. Open the back cover and remove the film. 3. Close the back cover.
2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 26 FOCUS - Predictive Focus Control Predictive Focus Control determines the subject’s speed, position, and acceleration changes from the focus sensor data, then sets the best focus at the predicted point of exposure. Predictive focus control is always active in the Automatic and Continuous autofocus modes.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 28 FOCUS — Autofocus Modes Selecting the Autofocus Mode 1. Set the focus mode switch to AF. 2. Turn the AF mode dial to the desired mode. Continuous Autofocus (C) Use Continuous Autofocus when shooting sporting events or when you know the subject will be in constant motion. Center your subject in the focus frame, then press the shutter-release button partway down to activate autofocus.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 30 FOCUS — Focus Area Wide Focus Area Local Focus Area The camera’s standard focus mode, wide focus area uses the camera’s three focus sensors to automatically focus on your subject. Wide focus area’s greater framing flexibility makes it easier for the camera to focus on moving subjects. • Select a local focus area for greater control over the focus location in the autofocus mode.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 32 FOCUS — AF Lock FOCUS — Manual Focus Press the AF button to lock focus on moving or stationary subjects using the current focus mode. The focus remains locked until the AF button is released. • Exposure is also locked if 14-segment metering (p.45) is selected. • Pressing the AF button also activates the AF illuminator. 1. Center your subject in the focus frame. Focus the lens manually when autofocus is not suitable and focus hold is not possible.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 34 FOCUS — AF Illuminator In low-light / low subject contrast situations, the AF illuminator automatically projects a pattern of lines onto the subject for the camera’s AF sensors to focus on. 34 Do not to obstruct the AF illuminator. Pressing the AF button (p.32) also activates the AF illuminator. The range of the AF Illuminator is 0.7 – 7.0 meters (2.3 – 23.0 ft.). The AF illuminator will not fire in continuous autofocus mode.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 36 EXPOSURE — P-Mode Select P-mode (Programmed Autoexposure) when you want to give your full attention to your subject and composition. The Program mode software analizes the subject’s size, motion, and magnification as well as the focal length of your lens, then sets the shutter speed and aperture according to the requirements of the scene. 1. Set the exposure-mode dial to P.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 38 EXPOSURE — S-Mode EXPOSURE — A-Mode A-mode flash When the built-in flash is up or an attached accessory flash is on, it will fire each time the shutter is released. The camera’s TTL automatic flash metering system will ensure proper exposure. In S-mode (Shutter Priority), the camera automatically sets the aperture for the selected shutter speed. Use S-mode when you want to control the blur caused by subject movement. 1. Turn the exposure-mode dial to S. 1.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 40 EXPOSURE — M-Mode EXPOSURE — S-Mode S-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. Flash exposure is controlled by the camera’s TTL automatic flash metering system. M-mode gives you full control of the exposure. The camera’s meter index displays how your settings compare to the exposure determined by the camera’s metering system.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 42 EXPOSURE — M-Mode Metering in Manual Mode The meter index displays the EV difference between your settings and the ‘correct’ exposure determined by the camera. The 0 position (null point) represents the recommended exposure using the currently selected metering pattern (pp.45-47). • The EV scale is marked in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments depending on the current setting of the exposure compensation dial (p.51).
2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 44 METERING — Selectable Metering 14 Segment Honeycomb Pattern Metering Fourteen-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering uses information from the autofocus system to set the metering pattern according to the position of the main subject. The light metered by each applicable segment is then evaluated to determine the degree of spot-lighting or backlighting present in your scene.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 46 METERING — Selectable Metering Spot Metering Center Weighted Average Metering Spot metering uses only the center honeycomb segment to meter the image. • The spot-metering area indicates the metering area. Selecting Spot Metering Center-weighted average mode bases the exposure on an average of the readings from each of the honeycomb segments - with emphasis placed on the center of the image.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 48 METERING — Automatic Exposure Lock (AEL) Press the AE-lock button to lock the exposure using the currently selected metering pattern without locking the focus. The exposure remains locked until the AE-lock button is released. 4. Recompose the scene as desired. • The meter index indicators display the EV difference between the locked exposure and the exposure for the subject area currently inside the spot metering area.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 50 METERING – Exposure Compensation Especially helpful when using the spot or center weighted metering patterns, exposure compensation lets you manually adjust the metered exposure +/– 3 EVs in 1/2 or +/– 2 EVs in 1/3 EV increments. Changing to 1/3 EV Increments 1. Set the exposure compensation dial to +/– 0 EV. 2. Pull the exposure-compensation dial up, then rotate it 180°.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 52 METERING — Setting the ISO Manually Set the ISO manually to override the DX-coded ISO or when using non-DX coded film. • Non-DX coded film is initially set to the previous roll’s ISO. Film must be loaded before the ISO can be changed. 1. Open the control panel door and press the ISO button. 2. Turn either control dial to set the desired ISO value. • The ISO can be changed manually from 6 to 6400 in 1/3 EV increments. 3.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 54 DRIVE – Advance Mode This camera has both single frame and continuous advance drive modes. Select single frame advance to expose and advance the film one frame at a time. Switch to continuous drive to photograph dynamic action sequences at up to 5.5 frames per second (4.5 frames per second in autofocus mode). 2. Turn either control dial to select or speed continuous drive. • AF Zoom xi and Power zoom lenses cannot be zoomed when continuous-advance mode is selected.
MAXXUM9E 2/3/99 2:45 PM Page 56 DRIVE – Self-Timer Use the self-timer to delay the shutter release for 2 or 10 seconds (approx.) after the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down. In addition to delaying release of the shutter, the 2 second delay pops the mirror up two seconds before the shutter opens to reduce blur caused by camera vibration. • The red-eye reduction flash mode is not effective when the 2 second self timer is selected. • Close the eyepiece shutter (p.
