Dynax 404Si
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
E
QUICK
OPERATION
GETTING
STARTED
FULL-AUTO
OPERATION
SUBJECT
PROGRAM
SELECTION
CREATIVE
EXPOSURE
MODES
ADDITIONAL
FEATURES
APPENDIX
1
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
This manual has been designed to help you understand the
operation of your Minolta camera more quickly. After familiarizing
yourself with the camera, start with Level I and learn to operate the
camera in Full-Auto mode.
Move on to Level II and the Subject Program modes when you are
comfortable with the camera and want to have more control. Here
you decide the type of image you want to photograph and leave the
exposure details to the camera.
When you are ready for full control, move on to Level III and the ASM
exposure modes.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Changes or modifications not approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This Class B digital apparatus conplies with Canadian ICES-003.
The information in this manual is relevant for products introduced
before March, 1999. Contact the nearest authorized Minolta Service
facility to obtain compatibility information for products released after
this date.
WARNING
Batteries may become hot or explode due to improper use.
• Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual.
• Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/-) reversed.
• 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.
• Tape over lithium battery contacts before disposal.
Follow local regulations for battery disposal.
Use caution, accidents may occur when using this product near
young children.
Keep batteries and other things that could be swallowed away from
young children. Contact a doctor immediately if an object is
swallowed.
Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if…
• the camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the
interior is exposed.
• the camera emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.
Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage
circuit inside the camera is touched. Take your camera to a Minolta
Service Facility when repairs are required.
Do not look directly at the sun through the viewfinder.
Read and understand all warnings and cautions before
using this product.
Do not allow a camera lens to point directly at the sun. Fire may
occur if sunlight comes to focus on a flammable surface. Replace
the lens cap when the product is not being used.
CAUTION
FOCUS
Manual Focus....................51 AF Illuminator ....................52
EXPOSURE
8 Segment Metering..........53 Spot Metering....................54
Exposure Compensation ..55 Setting the ISO Manually ..56
Bracketing..........................57 Multiple Exposure..............58
FLASH
Slow Sync..........................61 Wireless/Remote Flash ....62
FOR OWNERS OF THE DATE MODEL
Exposing the Date/Time....67 Setting the Date/Time........68
Replacing the Battery........69 Changing camera functions 70
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Strap ....................................................................................11
Batteries ..............................................................................12
Lens ....................................................................................14
Loading Film ........................................................................16
Handling the Camera ..........................................................18
Portrait Mode ......................................................................30
Landscape Mode ................................................................31
Close-up Mode ....................................................................32
Sports Mode ........................................................................33
Night Portrait Mode ..............................................................34
Photographing Night Scenes ..............................................35
Self-timer..............................................................................36
Continuous Advance............................................................37
Taking Pictures in Full-Auto ................................................20
Focus Signals ......................................................................21
Special Focus Situations......................................................22
Focus Hold ..........................................................................23
Using the Built-in Flash
Flash signals....................................................................25
Flash range......................................................................25
Fill flash ..........................................................................26
Flash cancel ....................................................................26
Red-eye reduction ..........................................................27
Rewinding the Film ..............................................................28
NAMES OF PARTS ..............................................................4
QUICK OPERATION ............................................................8
A-MODE – Aperture Priority ................................................39
A-mode flash ..................................................................40
Aperture control ..............................................................41
S-MODE – Shutter Priority ..................................................42
S-mode flash ..................................................................43
Shutter control ................................................................44
M-MODE – Manual..............................................................45
Metering in manual mode................................................46
M-mode flash ..................................................................47
TAKING TIME EXPOSURES (buLb) ..................................48
SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION
FULLY-AUTOMATIC OPERATION
CREATIVE EXPOSURE MODES
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Program Reset Button ......71 Accessories ......................72
Exposure Warnings ..........75 Trouble Shooting ..............76
Care and Storage..............78 Specifications ....................80
APPENDIX
GETTING STARTED
LEVEL ILEVEL II
LEVEL III
5
NAMES OF PARTS
4
NAMES OF PARTS
For information on specific parts, refer to the page numbers shown in
parenthesis.
Data Panel
Self-timer/Drive-mode
button (36, 37)
Subject-program
button (30-35)
Program-reset button (71)
Shutter-release
button
Control dial
Self-timer lamp (36)
Battery-chamber
lock
Tripod socket
Battery-chamber
door (12)
Built-in flash (24-27)
Accessory shoe
Flash-mode button
Exposure-compensation
button (45, 55)
Function button
Function dial
Lens release (15)
Lens mount
Mirror*
Lens contacts*
Back-cover release
Focus-mode button (51)
Viewfinder*
Film window
Main switch
Spot /AE lock button (54)
Manual-rewind
button (28)
Strap eyelet (11)
* Do not touch
Body
Remote-control
terminal (49)
7
NAMES OF PARTS
6
NAMES OF PARTS
Data Panel Viewfinder
Focus frame
Focus signals
Shutter speed display
Exposure-compensation indicator
Aperture/Exposure-compensation display
Spot/AE lock indicator
Flash signal
Spot-metering
area
Multiple-exposure indicator
Red-eye reduction indicator
Flash-mode indicators
Wireless flash indicator
Battery-condition indicator
Self-timer indicator
Exposure-mode indicators
Subject-program indicators
Shutter-speed/ISO display
Subject-program pointer
Aperture/Exposurecompensation display
Exposure-compensation
indicator
Manual-focus indicator
Frame counter/Multiple-exposure
display
Film transport signal
Cartridge mark
Drive mode indicator
9
QUICK OPERATION
8
QUICK OPERATION
1. Insert batteries.
• This camera uses two CR2 lithium
batteries.
2. Attach lens.
• 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.
3. Turn on power.
• Slide the main switch to ON.
4. Load film.
• Align the film tip with the red mark, then
close the back cover.
5. Set Full-Auto operation.
• Press the program-reset button to set the
camera to fully-automatic operation.
6. If using a zoom lens, rotate
the zooming ring to frame
your subject as desired.
7. Center your subject in the
focus frame, then press the
shutter release button
partway down.
• The camera will focus and set exposure
automatically.
8. Take the picture.
• Gently press the shutter-release button
all the way down to take the picture.
10
LEVEL I
This section provides the information necessary to operate your
camera in most photographic situations.
This section covers:
• Battery Installation
• Attaching and Removing the Lens
• Loading the Film
• Camera Handling
• Fully Automatic Camera Operation
• Special Focus Situations
• Basic Flash Operation
• Rewinding the Film
Once you fully understand the instructions in this section, proceed to
Level II, Level III, and Additional Features to obtain more enjoyment
from your camera.
GETTING STARTED
Attaching the Strap
13
BATTERIES
12
BATTERIES
1. Using a coin or similar
object, turn the batterychamber lock to OPEN, then
open the battery-chamber
door.
2. Insert the batteries as
indicated by the + and –
marks.
3. Close the battery-chamber
door, then turn the batterychamber lock to CLOSE.
• Setting the camera down with the batterychamber door open may damage the
camera.
Your camera uses two 3V CR2 lithium batteries to supply power for
all camera operations.
Installing the Batteries
Each time the main switch is set to ON, a battery symbol appears in
the data panel indicating the power status of the batteries.
Checking Battery Power
Full-battery symbol
Power is sufficient for all camera
operations.
• will only appear for five seconds.
Blinking low-battery symbol
Power is extremely low. All functions
are operational, but the batteries will
need to be replaced soon. Flash
recycling time may be slow.
Blinking low-battery symbol
appears alone and the shutter
locks.
Power is insufficient for camera
operation. Replace the batteries.
No display
Power is too low for the camera to
operate. Replace the batteries or make
sure they have been inserted correctly.
15
LENS
14
LENS
1. Remove the body and rear
lens caps.
2. Align the red mounting dots
on the lens and camera body.
3. Gently insert the lens into the
mount, then 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.
Attaching the Lens
1. Press the lens release and
turn the lens counterclockwise until it stops.
2. Gently remove the lens and
replace caps, or attach
another lens.
Removing the Lens
Caution
• Do not force the lens if it does not turn smoothly.
• Do not touch the inside of the camera, especially the lens
contacts and mirror.
17
LOADING FILM
16
LOADING FILM
1. Slide the back-cover release
down to open the back cover.
2. Insert a film cartridge into the
film chamber.
Check the film window before loading film. If film is loaded, do not
open the back cover. Refer to Manual Rewind on page 28 for
instructions on removing 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.
• If DX-coded film is used, the camera automatically sets the correct ISO (film
speed).
• If non DX-coded film is used, the camera will use the previous roll’s ISO
setting. Refer to page 56 to set the film speed manually.
• Do not use infrared film in this camera. The camera’s frame counter sensor will
fog infrared film.
3. Extend the leader between the
guide rails to the index mark.
• If the film tip extends beyond the index
mark, push the excess film back into the
cartridge.
• blinks in the frame counter and the
shutter locks when the film is loaded
incorrectly. Open the back cover and
repeat steps 2 – 4.
If film is loaded with the power off…
The film’s ISO and appear in the data panel for approx.
five seconds to indicate successful loading, then the camera
shuts down.
• If the film did not load, will blink in the data panel before the camera
shuts down. Reload the film.
The shutter curtain’s precision design
makes it extremely sensitive to
pressure. Never touch it with your
fingers or the film tip.
4. Close the back cover.
• The camera automatically advances the
film to the first frame. 1 will appear in the
frame counter.
• The ISO is displayed in the data panel for
5 seconds after loading.
Gently press the shutter-release button all the way
down to take the picture.
Press the shutter-release button partway
down to activate the camera’s autofocus and
auto-exposure systems.
18
HANDLING THE CAMERA
Holding the Camera
Grip the camera firmly with your
right hand, while supporting the
lens with your left. Keep your
elbows at your side and your feet
shoulder-width apart to hold the
camera steady. Keep the camera
strap around your neck or wrist in
the event you accidentally drop
the camera.
• Do not touch the end of the lens
barrel while taking a picture.
• Use a tripod when using slow
shutter speeds or a telephoto lens.
Pressing the Shutter-Release Button
FULLY-AUTOMATIC
OPERATION
Full-Auto is the camera’s standard operating mode and is
suited for use in almost any situation. When selected, the
camera sets the focus and exposure automatically and fires
the built-in flash when necessary. Use Full-Auto when you
are just starting out or when you are shooting under
conditions that would require you to constantly adjust the
focus and/or exposure.
Focus is confirmed
Continuous autofocus – Focus is confirmed
Continuous autofocus – Lens focusing
Shutter is locked
Focus cannot be confirmed – Shutter is locked.
Subject is too close or is one of the special focus
situations described on page 22.
21
TAKING PICTURES IN FULL-AUTO
20
TAKING PICTURES IN FULL-AUTO
1. Slide the main switch to ON.
2. Press the program-reset
button to set the camera to
Full-Auto.
• The camera will return to its default
settings (p71).
3. If using a zoom lens, rotate
the lens’ zooming ring to
frame the subject as desired.
4. Center your subject in the
focus frame [ ], then press
the shutter-release button
partway down to activate
autofocus.
• or will appear in the viewfinder
when focus is confirmed.
• The built-in flash will pop-up and fire when
necessary.
5. Press the shutter-release
button all the way down to
take the picture.
• In low-light conditions, the AF illuminator
(flash) will fire to determine focus distance.
• Use focus hold (p23) if your subject is
outside the focus frame.
Focus Signals
The following signals appear in
the viewfinder to indicate the focus
status when the shutter release
button is pressed partway down.
23
FOCUS HOLD
22
SPECIAL FOCUS SITUATIONS
If the subject within the focus frame is
very bright, or low in contrast.
If two subjects at different distances
overlap in the focus frame.
If a subject composed of alternating light
and dark lines completely fills the focus
frame.
If your subject is near a very bright
object or area.
The camera may not be able to focus in situations like those
described below. When the focus signal blinks, use focus hold (p23)
or manual focus (p51). See page 21 for an explanation of the focus
signals.
1. Center your subject in the
focus frame, then press the
shutter-release button
partway down.
• appears in the viewfinder when the
focus is confirmed.
• Focus hold also locks the exposure
settings.
2. Continue to hold the shutterrelease button partway down
while you compose your
picture.
3. Press the shutter-release
button the rest of the way
down to take the picture.
• Remove your finger from the shutterrelease button to cancel focus hold.
Use focus hold when your subject is
outside the focus frame or when
autofocus is difficult to confirm.
Focus hold cannot be used for moving subjects.
Lens shadowing occurs when the lens or lens hood blocks part of the
output from the built-in flash. Lens shadowing appears as semicircular shaded area at the bottom (horizontal) or side (vertical) of
your image.
• Remove the lens hood before using the built-in flash.
• Lens shadowing may occur with the following lenses at shorter focal lengths.
AF Zoom 28-70mm f/2.8G
AF Zoom 17-35mm f/3.5G
AF Zoom 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5
AF Zoom 28-135mm f/4-4.5
AF Zoom 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5
AF Zoom 35-80mm f/4-5.6
• The built-in flash can not be used with the following lenses:
AF 300mm f/2.8 (APO tele)
AF 600mm f/4 (APO tele)
Lens Shadowing
25
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
24
USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH
In Full-Auto mode (P), the built-in flash pops-up automatically when
the shutter release button is pressed partway down in lowlight
situation. Once the flash is up, it will fire when necessary.
• The shutter will not release until the flash is charged.
• Select flash cancel ( ) when you don’t want the flash to fire.
• Pressing the program-reset button (P) resets the flash to autoflash mode.
Do not use the built-in flash with focal lengths shorter
than 28mm. The built-in flash cannot cover focal
lengths wider than 28mm.
Flash Signals
Flash is charged.
Previous exposure was correct.
Flash Range
Aperture ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400
f/2.8
1.0 ~ 4.3m
(3.3 ~ 14.1 ft.)
1.0 ~ 6.1m
(3.3 ~ 20.0 ft.)
1.0 ~ 8.6m
(3.3 ~ 28.2 ft.)
f/3.5
1.0 ~ 3.4m
(3.3 ~ 11.2 ft.)
1.0 ~ 4.8m
(3.3 ~ 15.7 ft.)
1.0 ~ 6.8m
(3.3 ~ 22.3 ft.)
f/4.0
1.0 ~ 3.0m
(3.3 ~ 9.8 ft.)
1.0 ~ 4.2m
(3.3 ~ 13.8 ft.)
1.0 ~ 6.0m
(3.3 ~ 19.7 ft.)
f/5.6
1.0 ~ 2.1m
(3.3 ~ 6.9 ft.)
1.0 ~ 3.0m
(3.3 ~ 9.8 ft.)
1.0 ~ 4.3m
(3.3 ~ 14.1 ft.)
The range of the built-in flash depends on the speed of the film and
the selected aperture. Make sure your subject is within the flash
range specified in the table below.
Make sure you are at least 1m (3.3 ft.) from your subject
when using the built-in flash.
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