MINOLTA XG·9 .
Your light, compact XG-9 is a top-quality single-lens reflex camera whose electronic system will control exposure for you automatically, freeing you for more enjoyment and greater creativity. You can also override the meter's automatic setting or set the camera for full manual operation. The aperture selected and LED auto-set speed are clearly displayed in the XG-9's total information viewfinder and its advanced acute matte screen makes viewing brighter and focus"ing easier and more accurate.
2 CONTENTS MAIN FEATURES ...... . .. .. .. ... ... 4 NAMES OF PARTS .... . ... . . . ... . . .. . 6 SUMMARY OF OPERATION (Automatic) ... .. . . . ....... . ... . . . . 8 ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENSES 10 BATTERIES AND POWER .. .. . .. . .. .. Installing batteries . . . .. .. . ..... . .... Testing batteries .. . ... .. ..... . .. .. . Main switch . . .. .. . . ...... . ........ Touch switch/operating button ........ Cold-weather operat ion . .. .... ...... .
3 HOLDING THE CAMERA ... . . . .... .. FOCUSING . .. ... .. . . ... .. . .. . .. . .. Depth of field .. .. . ..... .. . ... .. ... Depth-of-field scale . . ... . ... .. . .. . .. Infrared index ...... .... . . .... .... . 34 35 36 36 37 XG-9 SYSTEM ACCESSORIES . .. ... ... Auto Winder G .. . .. . .. . .... . . . .... Auto Electroflash 200X and 132X ... .. Remote Cord Sand L . . . . .... . . . .. .. Data Back G .... ..... .. ... . .. . .... 45 45 46 47 48 RELEASING THE SHUTTER . . . .. . . . ..
4 MAIN FEATURES Fail-safe electronic exposure system Incorporating many of the features developed for Minolta's top electronic cameras, the XG -9 covers a wide range of photographic conditions_ Its electronic shutter which automatically locks to prevent overexposure and electromagnetic shutter release with unique touch switch metering add to the handling ease of the camera. The XG-9's system features : • Full automatic exposure by stepless shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 1 sec. plus full manual settings.
• • Balanced winder operation. Easy-to-use depth -of-field preview button . Quick attach auto winder The XG's accessory auto winder attaches qu ickly, without access caps to remove or store freeing the user from advancing film in single: frame or continuous operation up to two frames per second. Its strong efficient core less micromotor winds as many as 150 or more cartridges per set or charge of batteries. At the end of each cartridge the motor automatically shuts off.
6 NAMES OF PARTS Film -advance lever Touch switch/operating button Frame-counter window Safe Load Signal Hot shoe __- -. Shutter-speed/functiol selector Rewind crank Main switch Auto-setting release Strap lug Back cover release knc Lens-release button Film-speed window Self-timer/battery-check indicator Me coupler lug Ape rture scale Depth-of-field scale Aperture ring Distance scale Shutter release socket X sync.
7 _ _- - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - Finder eyepiece - - - -- Shutter curtain Sprocket Take-up spool Tripod socket ' - - -- - Winder terminal L.. _ __ _ _ _ Battery chamber cover Guide-pin socket _ _ _ __ _ _ _..
8 SUMMARY OF OPERATION (Automatic) The steps pictured on this page outline use of your XG-9 on automatic mode. They give a general idea of how very easy it is to get 1. Check batteries 7. Set selector dial (p.24) perfectly exposed pictures with this camera and are keyed to corresponding sections of the manual for ready reference. This brief guide (see p. 12) to "A" 8. Set lens aperture (P. 24) 9. Adjust focus (p.
9 may also be useful for good results after you have not used the camera for some time. It is not, however, a substitute for the detailed 4. Load film properly; close cover (P. 14) 5. Advance instructions in the rest of this manual, which should be thoroughly studied for best results. film to "1" (P. 17) 11. Turn power "OFF" (p. 13) 6. Set film speed (p. 18) 12. Rewind and (p.
10 ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENSES To Remove To Attach 1. Remove the body cap from the camera lens mount and the rear cap from the lens bayonet, each by turning the cap counterclockwise. 2. Align the red mounting index on the lens barrel with the ·red index above the camera lens mount; insert the lens bayonet into the mount; and turn the lens clockwise until it locks into place with a click .
11 BATTERIES AND POWER Two 1.5·volt silver-oxide batteries, Eveready S·76 or equivalent, supply the power for the meter, electronic exposure control , elec· tromagnetic release, electronic shutter settings, and LED indication . CAUTION • The shutter will not release when the operating button is pushed if : battery power is too low; the operating switch is at " OF F ," exposure conditions exceed the range of the automatic exposure system. • Do not use 1.
12 3. Replace the cover and screw it in clockwise as far as it will go. Testing batteries Move the main switch to align the index with "B.C." If the red battery-check indicator on the front of the camera lights, batteries are serviceable. When released, the main switch will automatically move to the "ON" position. Test batteries immediately after installing them. If the indicator does not light, make sure that they are fresh and have been inserted correctly.
13 Main switch To operate the camera, move the main switch to "ON ." This allows current to flow to the Touch switch/operating button. The main switch also serves as the self-timer and battery check switch. To prevent accidental exposures and need· less battery drain, always be sure to move the main switch to "OFF" when not using the camera.
LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM 14 NOTE Wipe off any dust or dirt that might accumulate on the touch switch with a clean dry cloth . This will insure good contact and proper operation. Cold-weather operation Batteries by natu re tend to decrease in capacity as the temperature goes down . Though the silver-oxide batteries used for the XG-9 are superior to most others in this respect, it also happens with them.
15 2. Leaving the knob pulled out, position a film cartridge in the chamber with the projecting-spool end toward the bottom of the camera. Then push the back-cover release knob all the way in, rotating it slightly to do so if necessary. 3. Insert the end of the film leader as shown into one of the slots in the take-up spool so that the tooth is engaged with a sprocket hold near the end of the leader. Make su re that the end of the leader does not project from another slot between tabs on the spool .
16 4. With the shutter speed function selector on manual setting, operate the film -advance lever slowly until the film has begun to wind firmly around the take-up spool and the sprocket teeth are engaged with holes on both edges of the film. If the advance lever stops at the end of a full stroke during th is procedure, release the shutter and continue. 5. Close the camera back and push in on it until it clicks loaded. 6 . A red " 5" should now appear opposite the index in the frame-counter window.
17 7. A red bar should also now appear at the extreme left in the Safe Load Signal window. This indicates that the film is loaded and winding properly on the take-up spool. If the Safe Load Signal does not appear or swings far to the right in the window, repeat steps 1 through 6 to assure that f ilm is properly engaged on the spool. As you continue to take pictures, the red signal will move gradually toward the right in the window, indicating that film is advancing properly.
18 FILM SPEED When the lever stops and resists further movement at the end of a film, never attempt to force it farther. (see p. 41 for instructions on rewinding and unloading film.) The counter automatically resets for film loading when the camera back is opened. Each f ilm on the market has an ASA or DIN exposure-index number to indicate its sensitivi· ty to light. For correct exposure, the meter must be set for the effective exposure index of the film in use.
19 the proper ASA indication appears centered in the film-speed window and locks in that position when the ring is released.
20 EXPOSURE-CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS The two camera exposure-control settings are lens opening (aperture) and shutter speed. The size of the aperture determines the amount of volume of light reaching the film from a given subject and lighting. The shutter speed determines the length of time this light acts upon the film. Apertures are expressed in f-numbers, which are larger for small openings and vice versa (e.g., f/15 represents a small opening, f/2 a large one).
21 METERING WITH THE XG -9 (Automatic mode only) The center weighted metering system in your XG-9 employs two CdS cells mounted behind the pentaprism so that light from all parts of the viewfield (picture area) is measured but influence from a broad central area is greatest. Thus the reading should yield satisfactory exposure without adjustment as long as the main subject area occupies a major part of the frame.
22 VIEWFINDER As you look through the viewfinder of your XG -9 , you can see : Split-image/m icroprism focusing spot f} Shutter speed scale @ Indicator LED's (show shutter speed being set on auto mode; LED at "60" also blinks as flashready signal with X-series Auto Electro-flashes) O LEO over- or under-range indicators (auto mode only) F-number of lens aperture set o o . For operation details, see the fol lowing section on exposure control and focusing .
24 AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL Automatic operation 1. Turn the shutter-speed/function selector to align "A" with the index, at which point it is locked to prevent accidental movement. 2. Set the lens opening by turning the aperture ring on the lens barrel.
25 3. It is then only necessary to confirm focus (see p. 35), compose your picture, and release the shutter (p. 38). 4. The XG's accurate range of shutter opera· tion on automatic mode is 1/1000 to 1 sec., as indicated by the shutter speed scale. When the over-range indicator Iights, the shutter will lock to prevent overexposure. Lighting of the under-range LED indicates use of a shutter speed longer than one second.
26 WAYS OF USING AUTO MODE On AUTO mode, your XG-9 will set the precise shutter speed for proper exposure for you automatically. Even so, you have considerable control over results and can adjust, aperture and shutter speed over considerable ranges to suit the conditions and yourself. General use For usual good personal pictures with a minimum of care where no particular effect is desired, simply set the aperture as indicated in the table. These guide settings will provide as much depth of field (see p.
27 Creative apertu re control There may be t imes when it will be most important to set the lens aperture to obta in a particular effect, such as rendering a certain range in sharp focus or emphasizing a subject against an out-of-focus background. In this case, set the desired aperture, and let the camera select the shutter speed. Small f-numbers yield a shallow field of sharp focus, as in Example A below, while large f-numbers give greater depth of field, as in Example B.
28 Creative shutter control A t other times, the subject or effect you want may make the shutter speed more impor· tanto In this case, turn the aperture ring until the lighted LED indicates the required speed on the finder scale; exposure will automatically be correct. High shutter speeds such as 1/500 to 1/1000 sec. can "freeze" fast action, as in Example C below. Such slow speeds as 1/2 to 1 sec. can be used to emphasize subject flow or motion , as in Example D.
AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT To deliberately give more or less exposure while in automatic mode, set the shutterspeed/function dial as follows: Depress the Auto-setting release and move the shutter-speed/function selector so that the "A" is on the side having plus (+) numbers to produce more exposure or on the side having minus (-) numbers to produce less exposure. The numbers indicate the amount of adjustment in stops or EV steps (i.e.
30 WHEN AND HOW MUCH TO ADJUST EXPOSURE 1. In situations where there is a great contrast difference between the subject and backgrou nd and the most important area is considerably darker than the area surrounding it, set the "A" on the Shutter-speed/function Selector at from +1/2 to +2.
31 picture are subjects in a spotlight or shaft of sunlight, or against a very dark background , as Examples C and D, unless the background occupies only a small area in the image frame . 3. As above , when copying documents printed on white stock or other subjects that are predominantly light in color, an adjustment to +1/2 or more may be called for . Similarly , you will probably want to make an adjustment from -1 to -2 for predominantly dark copy meter or that on a dark background . 4.
32 MANUAL EXPOSURE CONTROL In situations where the contrast difference between the subject area and the background exceeds the available range of automatic exposure compensation, or when a desired photographic effect requires a fixed speed, you will want to use the XG 's manual shutter speed. 1. While depressing the Auto-setting release if from the "A" setting, turn the shutterspeed/function selector to al ign a stepped speed with the index.
33 "S" setting Turning the shutter-speed/function selector to align "S" with the index (while depressing the Auto-setting release if from "A" setting) sets the camera for making "bulb" exposures . That is, the shutter will 'open when the operating button is depressed and remain open until it IS released.
34 HOLDING THE CAMERA Holding the camera securely when exposures are made is as important as focusing . Even slight movement at the instant of exposure can result in "blurred" photographs, especially when operating with slow shutter speeds. A recommendable way that permits ready operation of important controls is shown here. To hold the camera horizontally, cradle the bottom if it in the palm of the left hand with the thumb and index or middle finger on the focusing grip of the lens .
FOCUSING The focusing screen of your XG-9 features a split-image spot surrounded by a band of microprisms in the center of an acute matte field. To focus the camera visually with usual lenses, look through the viewfinder with lens at full aperture and turn the focusing collar on the lens until the upper and lower subject images in the spot are exactly al igned with no broken lines between them and/or the subject image in the band does not shimmer or appear broken up.
36 Depth of field The distance behind and in front of the focused distance with in wh ich the image appears acceptably sharp is called the depth of field. It extends a greater distance behind the focused distance than in front and is determined by three factors : the aperture size, the distance at which the lens is focused, and the focal length of the lens in use. Depth of field ~~~l!14~~ 0 4~~!!!1~~ 0 r- Dista~ce de mise au POint o -+I increases as the lens is stopped down (e.g.
Depth-of-field scale The near and far limits of acceptable sharpness can be determined from the depth-of-field scale on the lens barrel. With the lens focused at a given point, the image will be in satisfactory focus from the nearer value to the farther value on the distance scale indicated by the depth-offield scale marks for the aperture to be used. For example, if a 50mm lens is focused at 5m (about 16 ft.
38 RELEASING THE SHUTTER The way the camera is supported (see p. 34) when exposures are made and how the shutter is released are as important as focusing for bestphotographic results, and to avoid blurred pictures due to camera movement during exposure these factors become more critical the slower the shutter speed. You may wish to use the figure "60" on the shutter-speed scale as the reference point to gauge the chance of camera movement.
39 For maximum sharpness when making exposures too long to permit hand-holding the camera, mount it on a tripod using the built-in socket on the bottom and trip the shutter with a Minolta electronic Remote Cord or a standard cable release screwed into the threaded socket provided on the side of the lens mount. If the eyepiece is not being shielded by the photographer's head when the shutter is released in this way, the eyepiece cap should be used (see p. 25).
40 SELF-TIMER The electronic self-timer built into your XG-9 can be used to delay release of the shutter for about 10 seconds after actuation. indicator will blink faster to signal the end of the delay. You may cancel the self-timer by moving the main switch to " OFF" . To operate it: 1, Advance the film. 2. With the shutter-speed/function selector at a setting other than "8," move the main switch to align the index with SELFTIMER . 3 . Depress the operating button.
REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM 1. Push the rewind button . 41 2. Unfold the rewind crank and tlirn it in the direction indicated by the arrow on it until the red Safe Load Signal bar moves out of the window to the left. You will then feel tension on the film increase and disappear, and the crank will turn freely.
42 FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 3 . When you are certain that the film is completely rewound, pull out the backcover release knob to open the back and remove the cartridge .
43 Synchronization Your XG-9 has shutter contacts for X flash synchronization as follows: Synchronized speed range in seconds Type of flash On manual mode (step speeds) Electronic flash ("strobe") 1 through 1/60, B Class M or MF flashbulbs 1 through 1/15, B Class FP flashbulbs 1 through 1/15, B NOTE As indicated by the table, 1/60 is the maximum shutter speed for proper X synchronization. Slower speeds can also be used under certain conditions if desired for particular effects.
· 44 USING OTHER THAN MD OR Me LENSES Metering and exposure with Auto Rokkor lenses having built in preview buttons, R F lens (reflex-mirror type), and Manual-Preset lenses are by the stop-down method as follows : Auto Rokkor lenses 1. After focusing, depress the preview button to stop down the aperture. 2. With the shutter-speed/function selector set at "A," select an aperture as explained on pp. 24 through 25.
45 XG-9 SYSTEM ACCESSORIES Auto winder G The Auto Winder G is an automatic film winder that helps the photographer focus his full attention on the creative aspects of photography by removing the interruption of having to wind the film after each picture . Attaching is quick and easy with no access caps to remove or store. Just a light touch of the shutter release is all that is required to take either successive or single frames with the winder automatically advancing the film after each one .
46 Auto Electroflash 200X and 132X Both the Auto Electroflash 200X and 132X are new generation automatic-type flash units that have been specially designed for use with the XG-9 camera system. After either Electroflash is attached, all you need to do is select any automatic setting or manual shutter speed, set the proper lens aperture , and turn the flash on.
47 The Auto Electroflash 132X features twO auto setting as well as manual and a tiltable flash head for bounce flash. Its special flash distance check lamp lights to indicate when flash brightness is sufficient for correct exposure. The series-SCR circuit in the Auto Electroflash 200X ensures fast recycle time (min. 0 .5 sec.) and enables the unit, powered by N i-Cd batteries to make up to two continuous-sequence flash exposu res each second with the Auto Winder G .
48 Data Back G This convenient accessory imprints the date or other useful data on the film as the exposure is made to help identify or classify your pictures. It attaches in place of your XG -9 ' s removable regular back cover and synchronizes with the shutter by means of a cord wh ich is inserted into the camera's sync . terminal. Three large dials set numbered day, month and year indications which appear in reverse order on the bottom right corner of the picture .
STANDARD LENS SPECIFICATIONS Lens : 45mm 1/2 MD Construct ion : 6 elem ents in 5 groups Angle of view: 51 0 Min . focusing dis t.: 6 elements in 5 groups 50mm 1/ 1.4 MD 50mm 1/ 1.2 MD 7 elements in 6 groups 7 element s in 6 group s 47 0 Minolta Achromat ic Single 0.6m (2 It .) Diaphragm : Aperture scale : 50mm 1/ 1.7 MD Mod ifi ed Gauss-type standard lens Type : Coating : 49 0.45m (1.4B ft .) Fully automati c. meter-coupled 2, 2.B, 4 , 5.6, B, 11, 16 1.7, 2.B, 4, 5.6, B, 11 , 16 1.
50 SPECIFICATIONS Type : Lens mount : Auto-exposure control: Shutter : Metering: Film-speed range : Auto-exposure adjustment : Mirror: Viewfinder : Compact 35mm single-lens reflex with automatic and full manual exposure control 0 Minolta SLR bayonet, 54 rotating angle; coupling for full-aperturemetering and automatic diaphragm control with Minolta MD and MC lenses (Standard lenses MD 50mm f/l .2, f/l.4, f/l .7 or 45mm f/2 ; see p.
Flash sync .: Film advance: Power: Self-timer: Other: Size and weight : Accessories : Visible in finder : step less speeds indicated by 10 light-emitting diodes;. LED over-lunder-range indicators; LED at "60" position also blinks as flash-ready signal with Auto Electroflash 200X and 132X; f-number set for automatic and manual modes PC terminal and hot shoe for X sync. (disconnected when unit no installed) : Electronic flash synchronizes at 1/60 sec.
52 CARE AND STORAGE • • • • • • As with all high -precision instruments, no part of your XG -9 should ever to forced at any time. If operation is not as you think it should be, carefully restudy the applicable instructions or consult an authorized Minolta service representative : Always keep your camera in its case with the lens capped when not in use. Never subject your camera to shock, high heat and/or humidity, water, or harmful chemicals or gases. Never lubricate any part of the body or lens.
• • If the camera is not to be used for more than two weeks, the batteries should be removed . If the camera is to be stored for a long period of time, body and lens should be returned to their original packing and kept in a cool, dry place away from dust or chemicals, preferably in an airtight container with a drying agent such as silica gel. SpecifiJ;ation's subject to change without notice. Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.
·Minolta © XG9908E-Cl -N40 MINOlTA MASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY 1979 Minolta Camera Co., ltd .
