BASIC OPERATION FOCUS USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH SUBJECT PROGRAM MODES E INSTRUCTION MANUAL CREATIVE EXPOSURE MODES ADDITIONAL FEATURES APPENDIX
Thank you for purchasing the Minolta Vectis S-1. The Vectis S-1 is an ultra compact IX240 type system camera with many Advanced Photo System™ features such as variable printaspect-ratio and magnetic storage of date, title, and exposure information. The Vectis S-1 also incorporates the revolutionary TTL side viewfinder. The side viewfinder provides a high viewfinder magnification, high eyepoint, and large diopter range, in addition to giving the camera its distinctive profile.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE ......................................... 4 NAMES OF PARTS ........................................................... 11 QUICK OPERATION ......................................................... 16 BASIC OPERATION Attaching the Camera Strap ..................................... 19 Installing the Batteries .............................................. 20 Attaching and Removing the Lens ........................... 22 Diopter Adjustment ..............................
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE STANDARD SYMBOLS SAFETY CAUTIONS Various symbols are used throughout this instruction manual and on the product itself for the proper and safe use of this product and to prevent personal injury, injury to others, and property damage. An explanation of the symbols follows. Read and understand each caution thoroughly before reading the main text of this instruction manual. Read and understand all cautions and warnings thoroughly before using this product.
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE CAUTION Don't walk while looking through the lens or viewfinder. You may trip and fall causing injury. Do not fire the flash near the eyes of people or animals, especially infants and young children. Do not fire the flash if your subject is closer than the minimum flash distance stated in the manual. If the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is exposed, immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use.
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE Carefully observe the following warnings when using this product near young children, or persons who may have difficulty perceiving the potential danger associated with these products. WARNING Use Caution If caution is not used, the following accidents or others may occur: • Flash fired near the eye. • Strap wound around the neck. CAUTION YOUNG CHILDREN MAY SWALLOW SMALL OBJECTS Keep small accessories, or things that can be swallowed, away from young children.
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE NAMES OF PARTS OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND CONDITIONS For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in parenthesis. • This camera is designed for use from -10° to 50° C (14° to 122° F). • Never leave your camera where it may be subjected to extreme temperatures such as the glove compartment of a car.
NAMES OF PARTS Main switch Viewfinder* Filmchamber release (27) Title button (71) Print-quantity (65)/ FTPM (86) button Date button (67) Select button Control-panel door Data panel Format-selector switch Strap eyelets Self-timer (75)/ Drive-mode(76)/ Remote-control (77) button Red-eye-reduction button (45) Manualrewind button (33) Commandmode button Exposurecompensation (84)/ Aperture-select (62) button Flash-mode button (42) Command switch (47) Battery chamber Tripod socket Program-reset butto
NAMES OF PARTS Data Panel Subject-program indicators Portrait Mode (48) Landscape Mode (49) Close-up Mode (50) Sports Mode (51) Night Portrait Mode (52) Continuous-drive indicator (76) Flash-mode indicators (42) Remotecontrol indicator (77) Viewfinder Subject-program pointer Spot-metering mark (83) Frame counter Self-timer indicator (75) Cassette mark Shutter-speed/Film Speed/Print-quantity/ Aperture/Exposurecompensation/Date/ Time/Title display Print mark (65) Battery-condition indicator (21) ISO
QUICK OPERATION 1. Insert battery 5. Set Full Auto operation Using the eyepiece cap, open the battery-chamber cover. Insert the batteries into the chamber, then close and lock the battery-chamber cover. Press the program-reset button to set the camera to fullyautomatic operation. 2. Attach lens 6. Select print format Align the red mounting dot on the lens with the one on the camera. Gently insert the lens into the mount and turn it clockwise until it clicks into the locked position.
ATTACHING THE CAMERA STRAP 1. Undo the camera-strap buckle and loop the strap through the upper eyelet of the camera. BASIC OPERATION 18 2. Redo the camera-strap buckle. 3. Repeat for the lower eyelet.
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES Your camera uses two CR2 batteries to supply power for all camera operations. Please read all warnings in the Safety Cautions section of this manual as well as those supplied by the battery manufacturer. 1. Using the eyepiece cap, turn the battery-chamber cover counter-clockwise and open the batterychamber cover. •Turn the camera off before removing the old batteries. •Remove dirt and moisture from the camera and batteries before opening the batterychamber cover. 2.
ATTACHING AND REMOVING THE LENS Attaching the Lens Caution 80 56 1. Remove the camera body cap and rear lens cap as shown. AF/M 2. Align the red mounting dot on the lens with the red dot on the camera. 3. Gently insert the lens into the mount and turn it clockwise until it clicks into the locked position. •Do not insert the lens at an angle. •Do not press the lens release when attaching the lens. Removing the Lens 1. Press the lens release and turn the lens counterclockwise until it stops. 2.
DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT HANDLING THE CAMERA If you are near or far sighted, use this control to adjust the eyepiece for your eyesight. The diopter adjustment range is from -4.0 to +2.0 diopters. Holding the Camera Adjusting the Diopter 1. Center your subject in the focus frame. 2. Press the shutter-release button partway down to focus on the subject. 3. Turn the diopter-adjustment dial until your subject appears sharpest.
LOADING FILM Your camera uses IX240 type film designed for use in Advanced Photo System cameras. •Your camera has an automatic transport system which loads the film, sets the film speed, and advances the film after each exposure. •Once loaded, the Film Chamber Lock feature prevents the film chamber from being opened until the film is rewound into the cassette. •There is no need to worry about double exposure. The DEP (Double Exposure Prevention) feature prevents the camera from accepting exposed film.
LOADING FILM The film speed appears in the data panel, then the film is advanced to the first frame. When the loading sequence is complete, the frame counter will show the number of frames remaining on the roll. •If the shutter-release button is not pressed after loading, an unexposed ( ) or partially exposed ( ) roll can be removed by pressing the rewind button, then the film-chamber release. The VEI will be unchanged.
FULL-AUTO OPERATION Full Auto is the camera’s standard operating mode and is suited for use in almost any situation. When the programreset button is pressed, the camera is returned to fullyautomatic operation. See page 96. 1. Press the main switch to turn the camera on. 2. Press the program-reset button to set the camera to Full Auto. 4. Center your subject in the focus frame [ ] and press the shutter-release button partway down to activate autofocus. or will glow when the subject is in focus.
REWINDING THE FILM Automatic Rewind Manual Rewind The camera automatically rewinds the film into the cassette after the last exposure. Use manual rewind when you want to switch to a different type or speed of film before the current roll is finished. 1. Wait for the film to completely rewind into the cassette. •While rewinding, the frame counter will count down. •0 will appear in the frame counter and will blink when the film is rewound. 2. Press the film-chamber release to open the filmchamber door.
REWINDING THE FILM Mid Roll Change Your camera can reload partially exposed film originally loaded in a Minolta IX240 type cameras with the MRC feature. Minolta Advanced Photo System cameras with the MRC feature set the VEI for partially exposed rolls to . Minolta Advanced Photo System cameras without the MRC feature set the VEI for partially exposed rolls to , and the blank frames can not be exposed. FOCUS •Once the symbol is displayed on the VEI, blank frames can not be exposed.
FOCUS SIGNALS SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS When the camera is set to autofocus (AF) mode, pressing the shutter-release button partway down will activate the autofocus system and one of the signals below will appear at the base of the viewfinder. In autofocus mode, the shutter will not release until the focus is confirmed. In the situations like those described below, it may be difficult or impossible for the camera to focus accurately; you may need to use focus hold, direct-manual focus, or manual focus.
FOCUS HOLD DIRECT MANUAL FOCUS Use focus hold when you want to take a picture with your subject outside the focus frame [ ], or when autofocus is difficult to confirm. 1. Center your subject in the focus frame [ ] and press the shutter-release button partway down. Use DMF to adjust the focus manually without taking the camera out of autofocus mode. 1. Press the shutter-release button partway down to activate autofocus (camera must be in AF mode). 2.
MANUAL FOCUS When autofocus is not suitable and focus hold is not possible, focus the lens manually. The autofocus system will monitor focus and indicate when the subject in the focus frame [ ] is in focus. 1. Press the focus-mode button, will appear in the data panel and will appear in the viewfinder. USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH 2. Turn the focusing ring until your subject appears sharp and focused.
FLASH SIGNALS FLASH RANGE In P mode, the built-in flash will pop-up automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed partway down. Once up, the flash will fire when necessary. The range of the built-in flash depends on the speed of the film and the maximum aperture of the lens being used. Make sure your subject is within the working range of the flash specified in the table below. •The shutter will not release until the flash is charged.
MANUAL-FILL FLASH/FLASH CANCEL RED -EYE REDUCTION In the manual fill-flash mode, the flash fires every time a picture is taken. When the flash is canceled, the built-in flash will not fire. When photographing people or animals at night or other lowlight 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 and to produce more natural looking photographs, use the built-in flash’s red-eye-reduction mode.
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 LANDSCAPE 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, leaving you free to compose the picture and capture the perfect expression. Select Landscape mode for landscape, scenic, or travel photographs. Landscape photography generally requires a large depth-of-field to make sure everything is in focus.
CLOSE-UP MODE SPORTS MODE Use Close-up mode when photographing objects from short distances. Close-up photography requires accurate focusing; use focus hold, direct-manual focus, or manual focus to ensure sharp focus. The camera will select the best possible aperture and shutter speed for your subject. Use Sports mode when a faster shutter speed is needed to stop the action. In Sports mode, the camera sets the fastest possible shutter speed and continually adjusts the focus to track fast-moving subjects.
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 background. In this mode, the camera sets the largest possible aperture and a slower shutter speed to allow the background to appear in the photograph. Cancel the flash in Night Portrait mode to photograph night scenes.
CREATIVE EXPOSURE MODES Your camera has four different exposure modes: Aperturepriority, Shutter-priority, Manual, and Program. The exposure modes let you to tailor the degree of camera control needed to capture the desired image. For information on P mode, refer to Full Auto Operation.
A MODE - APERTURE PRIORITY •If 2000 or 30” blinks in the data panel, the required setting is beyond the camera’s shutter speed range. Turn the control dial until the blinking stops. In A mode, you select the aperture and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed required for proper exposure. Set the camera to A mode when you want to control the range of sharpness (depth-of-field) in an image. See Aperture Control on page 58. 1. Set the command switch to ASM.
S MODE - SHUTTER PRIORITY APERTURE CONTROL 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 subject blur. Large Aperture Small Aperture The size of the aperture (lens opening) determines the depthof-field in the final image as well as the intensity of the light falling on the film. Depth-of-field is the area in front of and behind the point where the lens is focused which will appear sharp.
S MODE - SHUTTER PRIORITY SHUTTER CONTROL •If the aperture display in the data panel blinks, the required setting is outside the aperture range of the lens. Turn the control dial until the blinking stops. •The number 60, or 125, displayed in the data panel stands for 1/60th or 1/125th of a second. S-Mode Flash When the built-in flash is up, or an attached accessory flash is on, the flash will fire each time a picture is taken.
M MODE - MANUAL EXPOSURE In M mode, you select both the shutter speed and the aperture. The meter index, in the viewfinder display, will tell you if your exposure is over, under, or the same as the metered exposure. 1. Set the command switch to ASM. 2. Press the commandmode button until M appears in the data panel. 3. Turn the control dial to select the shutter speed. 4. While pressing the exposure-compensation/ aperture-select button, turn the control dial to select the aperture.
PRINT- QUANTITY SELECT Print-quantity select lets you choose the number of prints you will receive from the lab before taking the picture. Setting the Print Quantity ADDITIONAL FEATURES Before taking the picture1. Open the control-panel door and press the print button to enter the desired number of prints. •The quantity will be displayed on the data panel. •Press the print button to increase the quantity by one. •The quantity can be set to a maximum of nine. After 9, the quantity restarts at 1.
PRINT-QUANTITY SELECT DATE/TIME IMPRINTING Setting the Print Quantity to Zero Your camera records date, time, and title information on the film’s magnetic data strip. The recorded information is read at the photo lab and imprinted on the back of your photographs. If someone walked into the picture at the last moment, or you don't need prints, you can set the print quantity to zero after taking the picture. •Zero the print quantity before taking the next picture.
DATE/TIME IMPRINTING 3. Turn the control dial to adjust the blinking item. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all items in the date and time display are correct. 5. Press the date button, or press the select button until the display stops blinking, to set the updated information. •After setting the date/time information, press the shutterrelease button partway down to return to the standard datapanel display. •This camera has a quartz clock and automatic calendar through the year 2029.
DATE/ TIME IMPRINTING TITLE IMPRINTING Imprinting the Date or Time Three titles from the title list can be preset for use while taking pictures. Any one of the preset titles can be selected before the picture is taken. When chosen, the selected title will be recorded on the film’s IX data strip. At certified Advanced Photo System photofinishers, the selected title will be printed on the back of the print. Before taking the picture1. Open the control-panel door. 2.
TITLE IMPRINTING 3. Press the select button, the first digit of the title code will blink. •Pressing the select button causes the next item to blink, starting at the right and moving to the left. •Press the shutter-release button partway down to return to the standard data-panel display. After setting the title information, will remain in the data panel. •Follow the sequence as stated above. If the wrong button is pressed, the new data will not be entered. 4.
SELF-TIMER TITLE IMPRINTING Filmstrip Title Imprinting You can choose a title for the entire roll of film. Both the filmstrip title and the frame title will be imprinted on the back of the photograph. •The filmstrip title will be imprinted on the back of every print. After the film has been rewound and is blinks in the data panel1. Open the control-panel door and press the title button to select the desired title. •Each press of the title button changes the title to the next selection. 2.
CONTINUOUS-DRIVE MODE REMOTE- CONTROL (optional) In this mode, the camera will release the shutter and advance film as long as the shutter-release button is held down. The IR Remote Control RC-3 is an optional accessory you can purchase to operate your camera from up to 6m (19.7 ft.) away. 1. Press the drive-mode button until appears in the data panel. 2. Press the shutter-release button down and hold.
REMOTE- CONTROL MODE •If the button (release button) is pressed, the lamp on the front of the camera will blink once before the picture is taken. •If the 2s button is pressed, the lamp on the front of the camera will blink for two seconds before the shutter releases. •To cancel, press the remote-control button again, or turn the camera off. • If the camera's remote-control receiver does not blink, the camera did not receive the signal.
BULB Bulb can only be used in M mode. When set, the shutter will remain open as long as you press the shutter-release button. To avoid blurry pictures, mount the camera on a tripod and use the optional IR Remote Control RC-3 to release the shutter. 5. Remove the eyepiece cup. Eyepiece Cup 6. Slide the eyepiece cap on. •The eyepiece cap prevents stray light from entering the eyepiece and affecting exposure. 1. Select M mode. Eyepiece Cap 7. Press and hold the shutter-release button to take the picture.
SPOT METERING 1. Focus on the subject. 14-segment honeycomb pattern Spot metering The standard metering mode for this camera uses a fourteen segment honeycomb pattern metering system to determine the correct exposure. When you want to set the exposure according to a very small part of the scene, spot metering lets you use a single metering segment to determine correct exposure.
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION Over Exposure Under Exposure 1. Press and hold the exposure-compensation button, then turn the control dial until the desired compensation value appears in the data panel. 2. Release the exposurecompensation button to enter the number. Metered Exposure • This function lets you compensate the exposure +/– 3 EV in 1/2 EV increments when the camera’s metering system may not be able to accurately determine exposure.
FTPM - FIXED TIME PRINTING MODE After the film has been rewound and blinks in the data panel- with FTPM without FTPM FTPM ensures that your film will be printed as it was exposed, without compensation by the printer. •FTPM can only be selected for the whole roll of film, not for a specific image on the roll. •Some labs may not be able to read the FTPM data. See your photofinisher for details. 1. Press the PRINT/FTPM button. 'on' will appear in the data panel.
SETTING THE FILM SPEED MANUALLY AF ILLUMINATOR The film speed can be set manually when you want to override the DX-coded film speed. Film speeds can be set manually from ISO 6 to ISO 6400 in 1/3 EV increments. If the camera detects that the scene is too dark to focus accurately, the flash will pop-up and fire a few short bursts before and after the lens focuses (AF Illuminator). This provides the light necessary for the camera to detect and focus on your subject.
WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH CONTROL Normal Flash Wireless/Remote Flash Wireless/Remote Ratio Flash 90 Wireless/Remote Off-Camera Flash Control is available with the Minolta accessory flashes: 5400HS, 5400xi, or 3500xi. Wireless/Remote flash lets you experiment with creative lighting techniques using off-camera accessory flashes without the usual tangle of accessory cords and connectors.
WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH CONTROL Taking Pictures In Wireless/Remote Flash Mode 1. Position your camera and 3500xi flash unit using the information on this page. If you are using a flash unit other than the 3500xi off camera, refer to the instruction manual for that flash to determine the aperture, camera to subject distance, and the flash to subject distance. 3500xi-Subject Distance Camera-Subject Distance 2. When the built-in flash is charged, will glow in the viewfinder.
WIRELESS/REMOTE OFF-CAMERA FLASH CONTROL SLOW-SHUTTER SYNC Canceling the Wireless /Remote Flash Slow-shutter sync balances the existing light and flash exposures to let you photograph portraits with scenic backgrounds at night or in other low-light situations. 1. Reattach the accessory flash to the camera. 2. Press the red-eyereduction/wireless-flash button. •WL will disappear from the data panel.
LAB SERVICES APPENDIX To receive the best possible prints, take your film to a photolab displaying the Certified Advanced Photo System Photofinishing Service logo. Photofinishers displaying this logo have been certified according to Advanced Photo System guidelines. •The following is a list of services required for certification. See your photolab for a full list of available services. PROGRAM-RESET BUTTON The program-reset button quickly returns the camera to fullyautomatic operation.
ACCESSORY INFORMATION This camera is designed to work specifically with lenses, flash units, and other accessories manufactured and distributed by Minolta. Using incompatible accessories with this camera may result in unsatisfactory performance or damage to the camera and accessories. Lenses All V-series lenses can be used with this camera. Flashes All Vectis, i, xi, and HS series flash units can be used with this camera. •X-Series flash units can not be used with this camera.
ACCESSORY INFORMATION CARE AND STORAGE Accessory Flash Notes Cleaning •To use an AF series flash unit, the Flash Shoe Adapter FS1100 must be attached to the camera. When the flash is on, the flash will fire each time the shutter is released. At no time will the flash’s AF illuminator activate. •The 5400HS, 5400xi, 3500xi, 5200i, 3200i,and 4000AF flashes zoom according to the focal length of the lens.
CARE AND STORAGE TECHNICAL DETAILS Questions and Service Camera Type: IX240 type system camera Lens Minolta V lens AF System: Type: TTL phase-detection system; Sensor: One CCD line sensor; Focus Modes: Autofocus/Manual focus; AF Mode Selection: Singleframe/Continuous drive; Sensitivity: EV 1-19 (ISO 200); AF Illuminator: Flash, Range: 1 - 5m (3.3 - 16 ft.
TECHNICAL DETAILS Film Speed Setting: Automatic: ISO 25 to ISO 6400; Manual: ISO 6 to ISO 6400 Splashproof: Equivalent to IPX2 (IEC standard) Power: Two 3-volt CR2 lithium batteries Performance: Performance is based on Minolta's standard test method using 25 exposure IX240 film, a V 22-80mm f/4-5.6 lens, and fresh batteries. The lens is focused from infinity to 2.0 m and back 2 times and the shutter-release button held partway down for ten seconds before the shutter is released.
CAMERA WARNINGS MODE DISPLAY P Shutter speed and aperture blink A CAUSE ACTION PAGE Light level is beyond the range of available shutter speeds and apertures. In bright light, attach a neutral density (ND) filter, use film with lower film speed, or reduce the overall brightness of your surroundings. In low-light, use flash or another light source to increase the brightness of your surroundings. Required shutter speed is beyond the range of the camera.
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Imprinting a title Program reset Select a subject program mode Portrait Mode Landscape Mode Close-up Mode Sports Mode Night Portrait Mode Imprinting the date/time Set manual fill-flash Setting the print quantity Set flash cancel Setting a filmstrip title Set red-eye reduction Manual rewind Preselecting a title 108 109
Minolta Co. Ltd. 3-13, 2-Chome, Azuchi-Machi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka 541-8556, Japan Minolta GmbH Kurt-Fischer-Strasse 50, D-22923 Ahrensburg, Germany Minolta France S.A. 365 Route de Saint-Germain, F-78420 Carrieres-Sur-Seine, France Minolta (UK) Limited 7 Tanners Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5BU, England Minolta Austria Ges. m.b.H. Amalienstrasse 59-61, A-1131 Wien, Austria Minolta Camera Benelux B.V. Zonnebaan 39, P.O.
