Owner`s manual
2.2. MINOLTA DYNAX/MAXXUM 600SI (507SI, 650SI) 6
Flash Auto Program: The Minolta 507si, 600si, and 650si camera selects a flash program when the
retractable flash head or an accessory flash unit is activated. However, in Program Exposure Mode with
sufficient available light, the camera will not use the flash unless you press and hold the Flash Control
Button during exposure.
Auto Focus Illuminator: The Minolta 507si, 600si and 650si camera Auto Focus Illuminator light fea-
ture of the built in flash or attached accessory flash will not function in C Continuous Auto Focus mode.
Auto Metering Features: The metering system of the Minolta 507si, 600si, and 650si camera starts with
a proven auto focus-integrated computer first introduced by Minolta with the xi series cameras. This com-
puter ensures that the light meter’s main emphasis is on the area in sharp focus. This optimizes exposure
for the primary subject.
The camera meter is calibrated for medium gray, which is equivalent to an 18 %, reflectance. This
value was arrived at with the assumption that ’average’ photographic subject scenes have a contrast range
of 1:32. This is a valid assumption for common outdoor scenes that include grass, dirt, rocks, trees, and
sky, for instance. The various reflectance values average to a median value with a density of 0.75, or 18%
reflectance.
The camera meter measures light reflected back from the subject through the lens, hence the term TTL
Through The Lens metering. This is also the design of all other modern SLR Single Lens Reflex cameras.
When the camera metering system determines the subject scene to be a landscape, metering emphasis
is on the lower section of the frame. In strong backlighting, such as when shooting toward a bright ocean,
the camera metering and exposure computer automatically compensate for a bright rendition of the scene.
However, with a small subject on bright sand or surf, such as a small boat on a large body of water, expect to
need to dial in a 1 EV Exposure Value compensation factor because the camera metering system interprets
such a scene as a landscape.
When you set the camera to the evaluative 14 Segment Honeycomb Pattern Metering Mode, the camera
computer sets its own Exposure Compensation in an attempt to render a bright scene or dark scene accu-
rately on film. For example, beyond a certain high brightness level, the camera system increases exposure
by one EV Exposure Value stop to render the subject as bright.
Use the Exposure Compensation feature to assist the camera’s Metering system to accurately match
your chosen photographic subject scene brightness dynamic range to your chosen film’s sensitivity dynamic
range:
A white surface reflects more light than a gray surface – approximately two stops more. + Plus EV
Exposure Value Compensation will increase the amount of light reaching the film to render a light photo-
graphic subject accurately.
A black surface reflects less light – approximately two stops less. Minus EV Exposure Value Com-
pensation will reduce the amount of light reaching the film, to render a dark photographic subject correctly.
If the range of brightnesses within your chosen photographic subject scene are within the or range
of the Viewfinder Data Panel scale, then they can be recorded accurately within most film’s reproducible
dynamic range. Any index reading of 3 or greater will probably be reproduced as white on film, and any
reading of 3 or beyond will probably be reproduced as black on film.
To toggle on/off the viewfinder LCD indicator for Exposure Compensation, hold the ISO Button and
the Depth Of Field Preview Button.
The center-weighted metering is not linked to the auto focus system, nor does it input exposure cor-
rections of its own. Primary emphasis is placed on the subject area within the brackets etched on the
viewfinder, with much less emphasis on surrounding areas, and none on the top section where sky might
be located.
Auto Focus Features: In the Minolta 507si, 600si, and 650si camera, program modes are aware of an
attached automatic lens focal length. A telephoto lens activates higher shutter speeds, and a wide-angle
lens activates smaller apertures. For example, the camera sets a small aperture for a landscape to achieve
an extensive range of apparent sharpness. If the AF Auto Focus system detects motion, it sets a high
shutter speed such as 1
500 second to stop action. For a portrait, a moderately wide aperture is set to