Konica Minolta VECTIS 40 User Manual

Thank you for purchasing the Minolta Vectis 40. The Vectis 40 is a compact lens
shutter camera from Minolta’s new line of Advanced Photo System™ products.
Your camera features drop-in loading, date/time and title imprinting, a 30 to
120mm zoom lens, and a viewfinder with a field of view comparable to most
35mm SLRs. Your camera is also Splashproof and can be used outdoors without
worry, even in light rain and snow.

This manual has been designed to help you understand the operation of your
camera and its functions. Please familiarize yourself with the names of the
controls and their locations on the camera, then read this manual thoroughly.

Advanced Photo System™ is a trademark of the five system developing
companies, including Minolta.

Triple Format Selection

- Three print formats are available with this
camera: H Print , C Print, and P Print. The
viewfinder frame changes to match each
format selection.

Date and Title Imprinting

- Before taking the picture, you can
choose to have date information printed on
the front and/or one of three preselected
titles printed on the back of your prints.

MRC - Mid Roll Change

- You can rewind the film in the middle of
the roll, then reload it at a later time.
When the film is reloaded, the camera will
automatically advance the film to the first
unexposed frame.

Print Quantity Selection

- You can choose how many prints you will
receive from the lab before taking the
picture.

Advanced Photo System features included in this camera:

DEP - Double Exposure Prevention

- You don’t need to worry about
accidentally reexposing your film. Your
camera reads the indicators on the film
cassette to prevent reexposure of
previously exposed film.

PQI - Print Quality Improvement

- Your camera records information about
lighting conditions and exposure on the
film to assist the lab with color correction
and exposure adjustments, providing you
with the best possible results.

SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION

Close-up Mode........................................52

Portrait Mode...........................................54

Night Portrait Mode .................................56

Landscape/Night View Mode..................58

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Print Quantity Selection...........................60

Date Imprinting........................................63

Title Imprinting.........................................69

Self-timer..................................................78

Continuous-drive Mode...........................80

Remote Control.......................................81

APPENDIX

Lab Services............................................86

Caring For Your Camera ........................88

Technical Details.....................................90

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE...................4

NAMES OF PARTS.....................................14

GETTING STARTED

Attaching the Strap..................................19

Installing the Battery................................20

Checking the Battery Power...................21

Diopter Adjustment..................................22

BASIC OPERATION

Loading Film............................................24

Full Auto Operation .................................29

For Closer Subjects.................................33

Special Focusing Situations....................35

Focus Hold...............................................37

Rewinding the Film..................................39

Processing...............................................43

USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH

Flash Lamp..............................................45

Flash Range............................................45

Selecting the Flash Mode.......................46

Red-eye Reduction .................................47

Manual Fill-flash ......................................48

Flash Cancel............................................49

54

EXAMPLES

The outer triangle is for warning. The symbol inside illustrates what is being
warned against. The example at left means beware of electric shock.

The circle with a diagonal slash is for prohibition ("don’t do"). The symbol
inside illustrates what act is prohibited. The example at left means do not
disassemble.

FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE

Various symbols are used throughout this instruction manual, and 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.

STANDARD SYMBOLS

7

CAUTION

Do not walk while looking through the 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.
Do not disassemble. Take your camera to a Minolta Service Facility
when repairs are required.
Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit inside the camera is
touched.

SAFETY CAUTIONS

6

Read and understand all cautions and warnings thoroughly before using this product.

WARNING

Do not touch the flashtube during operation - it may become hot when the flash
fires.

Do not look directly at the sun through the viewfinder.

Do not subject the camera to direct sunlight. Fire may occur if the sunlight focuses
at one point.

98

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.

SAFETY CAUTIONS CONT.

BATTERIES MAY EXPLODE DUE TO IMPROPER USE.
Read and follow all warnings supplied with the batteries.

• Do not install batteries upside down (± reversed).

• Do not use batteries with visible damage.

• Do not subject batteries to fire or high temperatures.

• Do not attempt to recharge, short, or disassemble.

• Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, or ages.

BATTERY CAUTIONS

1110

SPLASHPROOF

THIS CAMERA IS SPLASHPROOF AND CAN BE USED IN LIGHT RAIN OR SNOW.

• Do not place the camera under running water or immerse.

Please Note:

1. When using the camera outdoors in heavy rain, keep the camera protected from the rain.

2. The interior of the camera is not moisture resistant.

-Dry the camera before opening the film or battery chambers.

-When inserting or removing film or batteries, keep your hands dry.

3. Do not load film or replace batteries in places where water, blowing sand, or dust can enter the
camera.

4. This camera is not sandproof, do not place the camera directly on the ground.

5. Remove moisture from the camera, especially salt water and spilled liquids containing sugar.

6. If the rubber seals appear cracked or damaged, contact the nearest Minolta Service Facility to have
them replaced.

7. Close the film and battery chamber covers tightly. Clean the rubber seals before closing covers.

8. The IR Remote Control RC-3 is not splashproof.

SAFETY CAUTIONS CONT.

CAUTION

YOUNG CHILDREN MAY SWALLOW SMALL OBJECTS
Keep small accessories, or things that could be swallowed, away from young
children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is swallowed.

BATTERY CAUTION

YOUNG CHILDREN MAY SWALLOW BATTERIES
Keep batteries away from young children.

1312

FILM CASSETTE WARNING

The film used in Advanced Photo System cameras stores some data magnetically. Do not
place the cassette on or near anything that creates a magnetic field, such as a television or
stereo speakers.

CAMERA ERROR

If all the indicators in the data panel blink, or the data panel is blank and the camera will not
function with fresh batteries, remove and reinsert the batteries. If normal operation does not
resume or the camera malfunctions repeatedly, contact an authorized Minolta Service
Facility.

OPERATING CONDITIONS

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 the

glove compartment of a car.

•At colder temperatures, the data panel response time will be slow; at higher temperatures,
the display will temporarily darken, but will restore when the temperature normalizes.

•Never subject the camera to extreme humidity.

•To prevent condensation from forming, place the camera in a sealed plastic bag when

bringing it from the cold exterior into a warm building. Allow it to come to room temperature
before removing it from the bag.

•When photographing in cold weather, we recommend that you keep the camera and spare
batteries inside your coat to keep them warm when you are not shooting. Cold batteries
will regain some of their charge when they warm up.

1514

NAMES OF PARTS - Camera Body

Self-timer/Remote-control indicator

(* Do not touch)

Shutter-release button

Remote-control receiver *

Lens *

Metering window *

Autofocus window *

Viewfinder window *

Format switch

Flash

Diopter-adjustment
dial

Flash-mode
button

Self-timer/
Remote-control
button

Subject-program-select button

Main switch Zoom leverViewfinder *

Strap eyelet

Battery cover

Manual-rewind button
Film-chamber release

Film chamber

17

Viewfinder

16

NAMES OF PARTS - Data Panel

20 21

1.Close-up mode indicator

2.Portrait mode indicator

3.Night Portrait mode indicator

4.Landscape/Night View mode indicator

5.Subject-program pointer

6.Film-speed mark

7.Focal-length mark

8.Title/Date/Time/Focal-length/Film­speed/Print quantity indicator

9.Frame counter

10. Film-transport signals

11. Battery-condition indicator

12. Film-cassette mark

13. Remote-control indicator

14. Self-timer indicator

15. Continuous-drive indicator

16. Flash-mode indicators

17. Date button

18. Adjust button

19. Select button

20. Title button

21. Print button

22. Title mark

23. Print mark

1.Close-framing guides

2.Focus lamp (green)

3.Flash lamp (orange)

4.Focus frame

19

18 17

22

23

12 3 4

1

2

5
6

7
8

9
10

16

1314

15

11
12

4

3

1918

ATTACHING THE STRAP

Attach the strap as shown.

GETTING STARTED

2120

CHECKING THE BATTERY POWER

Your camera is equipped with an automatic battery-power indicator. Each time the main
switch is turned on, a symbol will appear in the data panel to indicate the power status of the
batteries. It is recommended that you always carry spare batteries in your camera bag.

If no display appears, replace the batteries or check that they are inserted
correctly.

If the blinking low-battery symbol appears in the data panel with the other
indicators, you can still use the camera, but the batteries will need to be replaced
soon.

If the blinking low-battery symbol appears alone; the shutter will lock until the
batteries are replaced.

The full-battery symbol indicates that power is sufficient for all camera
operations.

• To save power, your camera will automatically shut off if it is not operated for more than three minutes.

INSTALLING THE BATTERY

Your camera uses two 3-volt 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 a coin, open the battery-chamber door as shown.

•Before removing the old battery, turn the camera off.

•Remove dirt and moisture from the camera and battery before

opening the battery chamber cover.

2. Insert the batteries into the chamber as indicated by the
+ and - marks.

3. Snap the battery-chamber door shut.

•If the battery-chamber cover is not closed correctly, moisture may
enter the camera.

•After installing a new battery,-- -- -- will blink in the display, reset the
date and time. See page 65.

23

BASIC OPERATION

DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT

22

Use the diopter adjustment to customize the viewfinder for your eyesight. The diopter
adjustment range is ±2.0 diopters.

• Do not adjust the viewfinder’s diopter when close-up mode is selected.

To adjust :

1.Point the camera at a brightly lit subject or a white
wall.

2.While looking through the viewfinder, turn the
diopter-adjustment dial until the focus frame appears
sharp.

25

Use IX240 type film from ISO 25 - 3200. Your camera will automatically set the proper
ISO for the film you are using.

1.Press the main switch to turn the camera on.

•The film can be loaded when the camera is on or off.

24

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 loading exposed film.

Visual Exposure Indicators (VEI)

•The current VEI has a white indicator behind it.

VEI

MEANING

● UNEXPOSED
◗ PARTIALLY EXPOSED

✖ EXPOSED

■ PROCESSED

•This camera can load film with the ● or ◗ VEI current.

•Only partially-exposed (VEI ◗) film rewound in a Minolta camera with Mid Roll

Change capability can be loaded in this camera.

27

4.Press the film-chamber door closed.

The cassette mark and the film’s ISO appear in the data
panel, then the film is advanced to the first frame. The frame
counter will show the number of frames remaining on the
roll.

•If film is loaded with the cameraoff, all indicators will disappear after
the number of frames remaining is displayed.

•After the film is loaded, pressing the film-chamber release button

will display the exposure number and the film’s ISO in the data
panel.

•If a partially-exposed roll of film (VEI ◗) is loaded into this camera,

the film will be advanced to the first unexposed frame.

LOADING FILM

26

3.Open the film-chamber door and insert the film into
the film chamber with the VEI on top as shown.

2.Turn the camera upside down and press the film­chamber release as shown. The film-chamber
door will open partway.

•The film-chamber door will only open if the chamber is empty or
the film in the chamber is completely rewound into the cassette.

•Before opening the film chamber, wipe any dirt or moisture off
of the camera.

29

FULL-AUTO OPERATION

1.Press the main switch to turn the camera on. Full­Auto and autoflash modes are set.

•The flash will fire automatically when necessary. See page 44, 45.

2.Select the print format. The viewfinder will change to
match your selection.

LOADING FILM

28

If the film-transport signals and 0 blink in the data panel,
press the film-chamber release and remove the film.

•If the film’s current VEI is ✖ or ■, insert a new roll of film.

•If a processed roll of film was loaded into this camera, the

VEI has been changed from ■ to ✖.

•If the film’s current VEI is ● or ◗, remove the film. Remove
and reinsert the batteries, then reload the film. If the film will
not load, contact the nearest authorized Minolta Service
Facility.