Minolta Weathermatic - A user manual, instruction manual

If you find this manual useful, how about a donation of $3 to: M. Butkus, 29 Lake Ave., High Bridge, NJ 08829-1701
and send your e-mail address so I can thank you. Most other places would charge you $7.50 for a electronic copy
or $18.00 for a hard to read Xerox copy.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using your camera, the specific cautionary notices in the owner's manual should always be observed and complied with, as well as basic precautions, including the following:
1. Read and understand all instructions.
2. Close supervision is necessary when the camera is used by or near children. Do not leave the camera unattended while in use.
3. Do not operate the camera if it has been dropped or damaged - until it has been examined by an authorized Minolta service facility.

	4. To protect against electrical shock hazards, do not immerse the camera in water or other liquids while the camera's back cover is open. Also do not open the back cover while in or under the water, or while the camera is wet.
	5. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this camera, but take it to an authorized Minolta service facility when some service or repair work is required. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock when the camera is subsequently used.

	This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.


SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

²Your new Minolta Weathermatic-A is the ideal do-anything, go-anywhere photographic traveling companion. It is just as at home in a backpack on top of a mountain or skiing down one as it is at the beach or around the pool.
	Its rugged watertight construction and 110 format conveniences, such as drop-in cartridge film loading, built-in electronic flash, and compact size makes taking quality photos simple and easy in even the most adverse conditions.
	Please read this manual carefully all the way through and follow the simple instructions for the best results and longest service with your camera. Then keep it for later reference as needed. 4www.butkus.org

4 CONTENTS

NAMES OF PARTS

USING YOUR WEATHERMATIC-A

IN VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS AND PICTURE TAKING

SUMMARY OF OPERATION

PREPARATION AND BASICS

Opening and closing

the back cover

SITUATIONS

On or near the water

At the beach

In rain, mist or fog

In snow and cold weather

TAKING PICTURES UNDERWATER .

Focusing

Tips for taking pictures underwater...

ACCESSORIES

Sportsfinder

MAINTENANCE OF O-RING

TECHNICAL DETAILS

TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE

CARE AND STORAGE

100

Installing the battery

Checking the battery

Loading and advancing film

Viewfinder

Focusing

TAKING PICTURES (WITH EXISTING

LIGHT)

FLASH PICTURES

UNLOADING THE FILM

This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

5. Check and/or clean lens cover glass and set focus for your subject (p. 38).		6. Look through eyepiece and compose subject in viewfinder (p. 36). Depress shutter release slightly; if red lamp in finder lights at * sun symbol, turn control to (cloud image) cloud symbol. If it lights at cloud symbol, turn to r' flash symbol and take picture within flash range when lamp begins to pulsate (p. 50). Always squeeze shutter release smoothly.

		This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there. 4www.butkus.org

PREPARATION AND BASICS

Opening and closing the back cover IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE OF THIS CAMERA
The back cover of your Weathermatic-A is equipped with an O-ring that forms a watertight seal when the cover is properly fitted to the camera body. This enables the camera to be used under conditions (such as rain, snow, and in or underwater) where use of conventional cameras is either not recommended or impossible.
IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ALWAYS BE SURE YOUR WEATHERMATIC-A IS COMPLETELY CLEAN AND DRY BEFORE OPENING THE BACK COVER. ALSO THAT THE BACK COVER'S O-RING IS CLEAN AND IN GOOD CONDITION BEFORE THE BACK COVER IS CLOSED BY DOING THIS YOU WILL OBTAIN THE FULL SERVICE LIFE INTENDED FOR THIS SEAL.
This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

Opening the back cover
1. Hold the camera with the back cover facing you and lift the back-cover release tabs on both back-cover release knobs. Then turn both back-cover release knobs counterclockwise in the direction of the arrows until the back cover opens. This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

28 Checking the battery				The battery should be checked immediately after installing and from time to time thereafter, especially before starting on trips or taking especially important pictures. To do this, turn on the built-in flash by moving the exposure/function control knob to the flash symbol. If the finder/monitor lamp lights and begins to pulsate in approximately 10 seconds, the battery is serviceable. If these signals do not light within 30 seconds make sure a fresh battery is properly inserted or replace an exhausted battery as soon as it is convenient. To save battery power, be sure to turn the exposure/ function control knob to either the sun or cloud symbol after checking the battery. 4www.butkus.org


				This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

• The shutter release cannot be depressed unless the film advance has been operated until it locks.

Film speed settings are automatically adjusted when a film cartridge is loaded. However use of high speed films under extremely bright conditions such as beach or snow scenes is not recommended.

Load and unload film in subdued light, never in direct sunlight.

When used in cold weather or if the camera is not used for a long period of time, the winding lever may not return all the way when the film is advanced. If this happens, push the lever back to its rest position with your thumb.

If the film advance lever should stop before winding is complete and there is still unexposed film in the cartridge, push the lever with your thumb until it moves all the way to its advance stop. This will free the mechanism and return to operation.

If a series of diagonal lines or the film's black paper backing appears in the film data window while advancing the film, do not wind any farther as the film cartridge will be difficult to remove. 4www.butkus.org

	36 Viewfinder		Looking into the eyepiece of your Weathermatic-A you will see a bright frame with focus-symbol settings above it. What you see inside this frame is the approximate subject area at the three farther focus-knob settings. Pictures at the two closer settings should be framed within the two short parallax-correction marks near the righthand corners of the frame.


			The red lamp at the right side of the finder lights for low-light warning (see p.48), and pulsates to indicate recycling when the camera is used in flash operation (p. 50).
			This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

			The symbol within the yellow dot marks the setting at which most "people-picture" snapshots are taken (about 3.5m or 11 ft.) and has a click stop to keep it in position. At this distance, the part of a standing adult from about head to ankles can be seen in the finder bright frame with the camera held horizontally. Subjects from about 3 to 5m (10 to 16 ft.) will be acceptably sharp at the cloud symbol; from about 2 to 11 m (7 to 36 ft.) at the sun symbol. 4www.butkus.org

TAKING PICTURES (WITH EXISTING LIGHT)

1. Make sure the lens-cover glass clean and dry and film is fully advanced.
2. Set focus for the proper camera-to-subject distance.
3. Hold the camera horizontally or vertically in a comfortable way so that it is steadied against your face and will not move when you take a picture. Both hands and the camera strap should be kept behind the front edge of the camera.
4. Compose your picture within the bright frame.
5. When not taking flash pictures, start with the exposure/function control knob set at the -* sun symbol.
6. Depress the shutter release slightly. If the red lamp at the right in the finder does not come on, hold the camera steady and continue to squeeze the release all the way down to make the exposure. If the red lamp at the right in the finder comes on, move the exposure/ function control knob to the cloud symbol. If the lamp still comes on when the shutter release is depressed slightly, existing light is too low for proper exposure, and you should turn the control knob counter-clockwise to the (* * ) flash symbol and proceed as explained on page 48. 4www.butkus.org
This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

	NOTE It is important to always be sure the camera's lens-cover glass is clean and dry be fore taking pictures. Water droplets on it will cause picture blur and spots caused by water drying on the glass will reduce picture contrast. For information about taking pictures in or near the water, see p. 57.

If the battery is unserviceable or completely lacking, the red lamp in the finder will not come on and the built-in flash will not charge. In this case, however you can take pictures by setting the exposure/function control knob to the sun symbol for subjects in bright sun, or to the cloud symbol for cloudy-bright conditions.

Flash PICTURES

1. Turn the exposure/function control knob to the flash symbol. The built-in electronic flash will start charging if a serviceable battery is installed.
2. At the flash symbol, the red lamp at the right in the finder will come on when the shutter release is depressed slightly. When this and/or the flash monitor lamp on the back of the camera starts to pulsate, the camera is ready for flash pictures.

3. Making sure that your subject is within the flash range indicated on the bottom of the camera for the film type in use, set the focus knob for the distance from camera to subject.
4. Compose your picture in the viewfinder. 5. Hold the camera steady and squeeze the shutter release all the way down.

Flash range

Type of film

Distance (above water)

Color negative

ASA 100

0.8

- 4.Om (2.6

- 13 ft.)

ASA 400

0.8

- 6.3m (2.6

- 20 ft.)

Color reversal

ASA 64

0.8

- 2.7m (2.6

- 9 ft.)

Black and white

ASA 125

0.8

- 5.3m (2.6

- 17 ft.)

NOTE

Turn the exposure/function control knob to either the sun or cloud symbol to save battery power when not using the flash.

If a flash exposure is made when the finder/monitor lamp is not pulsating it will probably be underexposed.

UNLOADING THE FILM

IMPORTANT!
ALWAYS BE SURE THE CAMERA IS COMPLETELY CLEAN AND WIPED DRY BEFORE OPENING THE BACK COVER.

After taking the last picture on a cartridge, operate the film advance lever repeatedly until a series of diagonal lines or the film's black paper backing appears in the film data window (about two full strokes). Do not wind any farther as film will be difficult to remove. Then remove the back cover as indicated on p. 16, open the film chamber cover and remove the cartridge.
This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

USING YOUR WEATHERMATIC-A IN VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS AND PICTURE TAKING SITUATIONS

		or near the water

	Always be sure the camera's lens-cover glass is clean and dry before taking pictures. Water droplets left on the glass will cause picture blur and spots caused by water drying on its surface may reduce picture contrast. If this is not practicable, as when taking pictures near or on the surface of the ocean, lake or swimming pool, dip the camera into the water for an instant before taking the picture. This spreads the water evenly over the entire surface of the lens cover glass and provides an effective way to obtain good results.

	Always make sure the camera is clean and wiped dry before opening the back cover and that your hands, face, hair, etc. are dry before loading and unloading film.

NEVER OPEN THE BACK COVER IN PLACES WHERE WATER DROPLETS MAY FALL OR BE SPLASHED INTO THE CAMERA.			NEVER OPEN THE CAMERA'S BACK COVER TO CHANGE FILM, ETC, WHILE ON THE BEACH OR OTHER PLACES WHERE THERE IS BLOWING SAND, DUST, ETC.
After using the camera in or near chlorinated or salt water, rinse the outside of the camera (WITH THE BACK COVER ATTACHED AND SEALED) with fresh running water to remove any salts or residue. Then wipe it dry with a clean soft cloth. NEVER USE HEAT TO DRY THE CAMERA.
			Before opening the back cover to change the film or battery, carefully inspect the outside of the camera for sand that may have lodged in or around controls or near the cover's O-ring. If any sand or dirt is found, rinse the camera in fresh running water to remove it and then carefully wipe the camera dry with a clean, soft cloth. If sand or dirt should happen to fall into the camera while opening the back cover, be sure to whisk or blow it out of the camera before opening the film or battery chamber covers.

At the beach
Never put your camera on a hot surface such as sand, or keep it in a closed, dark-colored container or elsewhere in which it may be subject to relatively high temperatures..
			Before closing the back cover carefully inspect and, if necessary, clean the O-ring. See page 78.

In rain, mist or fog		In snow and cold weather
When using your Weathermatic-A where moisture in the form or rain, mist or fog is present, make sure the lens-cover glass is clean and dry as water droplets on it will cause image blur and spots caused by water drying its surface may reduce picture contrast. Most pictures should be made at the sun or cloud symbol positions. If the red lamp comes on at both of these symbols, existing light is too low for proper exposure and flash exposure may be taken by turning the exposure/function control knob to the flash symbol. However, if the amount of water droplets in the air between the camera and subject is great, it is best not to use the flash as the droplets may reflect the light causing bright, out-of-focus spots and uneven exposure.		Batteries by nature tend to decrease in capacity as the temperature goes down. Though considerably better than sealed carbon-zinc in this respect, Ni-Cd Batteries and alkaline batteries are no exception.
		If an old battery is used at temperatures below 0^°C (32^°F), the flash may not work and the warning light may not come on. Thus it is recommended that the battery be fresh if the camera is to be used in cold weather. (For taking pictures without a battery, see the note on p. 48).
		Though the mechanical operation should be satisfactory down to considerably lower temperatures, it is best to keep the camera in a warm inside pocket when not taking pictures and try to minimize the amount of time it is subject to cold temperatures. This also applies to carrying extra cartridges of film.

		TAKING PICTURES UNDERWATER

		THE WEATHERMATIC-A'S WATERTIGHT SEAL IS DESIGNED TO BE USED AT DEPTHS NO GREATER THAN 5M (15 FT.).

		Focusing
When entering a warm building from the cold, allow your Weathermatic-A to warm up to room temperature and wipe it completely dry before opening the back cover to change the film or battery.		The refractive index of water is greater than that of air. Thus, underwater subjects will appear to be closer and larger than they actually are. This also has the effect of increasing the focal length of the lens in your Weathermatic-A and narrowing its field of view. For all practical purposes, however, as the camera's lens and your eyes are affected equally by refraction, they will "see" alike and underwater focusing is the same as on land. If it is easier to preset the lens focus out of the water, set the focus knob to a point that represents a distance which is approximately 25% closer than the focus-symbol setting for "on-land" shooting. For example, for underwater photography set focus at the " 0 " symbol (0.9m or 3 ft.) instead of the mid-chest figure for an on land distance of 1.2m (4 ft.) range for underwater subjects is 2m (7 ft.).
Also, be sure the camera is wiped completely dry before going into cold outdoors as water droplets could freeze under camera controls and possibly damage the camera.

		This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

Tips for taking pictures underwater

Do not jump or dive into the water or swim while holding the camera or throw the camera into the water as impact with the water could damage the camera or break its water-tight seal and cause leakage.

Avoid taking flash pictures in cloudy waters as large particles suspended in the water will be photographed as bright spots, so-called "backscatter" and fine silt will reduce contrast.

As visibility in water is limited by the amount of light penetrating its surface, the clarity of the water and the camera to-subject distance, it is best to take underwater pictures as close to the surface and your subject as possible. This also improves the color and contrast of your subjects.

After using your Weathermatic-A underwater, especially that which contains chlorine or salt, rinse the camera in fresh water for a minute or two to wash off any salt, chemicals or debris that might be on the camera. Then wipe the camera completely dry with a soft clean cloth before opening the back cover.

For more life-like underwater pictures, set focus to " 0" symbol 0.9m (3 ft.) and use the flash. ASA 100 film is recommended for all underwater photography. The maximum effective flash

At depths greater than 5m (15 ft.), water pressure will push the shutter release in making the camera inoperable. Flooding may also result.

The Sportsfinder allows you, in those situations where it is not possible or practical to use your camera's viewfinder, to compose your subject or scene correctly.

It is ideally suited for the underwater use of your Minolta Weathermatic-A. 4www.butkus.org

To properly frame your subject in the Sportsfinder, your eye should be positioned approx. 80mm (3 in.) behind the center of the sportsfinder's grid. If the eye is correctly positioned, the hole in the center of the grid should appear perfectly round and you should not be able to see the slopping sides of the sportsfinder. The grid lines and frame should all appear as thin black lines.

Underwater, the area of the scene covered by the sportsfinder will correspond to that covered by the camera viewfindeer.

The sportsfinder will give approx. 85% coverage of the scene.

Use of the Sportsfinder above water is the same as underwater, but the coverage of the finder will be only 64% of what will actually appear on the film.

78 MAINTENANCE OF O-RING

	Your Weathermatic-A's ability to resist the elements and stay watertight depends on the condition of the back cover's 0-ring. With proper care, it should be serviceable for approximately one year. Be sure to inspect the 0-ring for cuts, tears, abrasion and fit each time the back cover is opened. If there is any sand or dirt on the inside of the back cover or 0-ring, remove the 0-ring as described below and wash both thoroughly in fresh running water. Then blot off excess moisture and allow them to air dry in subdued light, never in direct sunlight. If the 0-ring is worn or stretched so that the back cover will not seat properly, the 0-ring should be replaced.
		Installing the 0-ring
		Making sure to carefully align the corners of the 0-ring with those of the back cover's black 0-ring retainer, fit one of the short sides of the 0-ring over the black retainer and into the groove on one end of the back cover. Then carefully lay the 0-ring in the space between the clear outer cover and the black retainer. With your thumbs on the exposed corners of the 0-ring, roll the 0-ring over the black retainer and into the groove.
		This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

Removing the 0-ring
Insert the tip of a ball point pen or similar blunt object into the notched end of the black retainer and carefully lift the 0-ring out of the groove. Then being careful not to stretch the 0-ring, remove it from the back cover.

82 TECHNICAL DETAILS

	Type: All-weather, watertight pocket camera using No. 110 film cartridges, with built-in electronic flash
	Lens: Minolta 26mm f/3.5, 4 coated glass elements in 3 groups; Angle of view: 45^° (34^° under water)
	Focusing: 90cm (3 ft.) to infinity by continuous control knob with 5 distance symbols, 1 with click stop
	Shutter: Metal-blade, before-the-lens mechanical type, fixed 1/200 sec. speed
	Exposure control: By 3-position control with click-stop sun, cloud, and flash symbols for successive use when finder lamp lights
	Viewfinder: Oversize type with red lamp that comes on when shutter release is depressed slightly as low-light/use-flash warning and also pulsates when flash has recycled; bright frame with parallax-correction marks, focus setting visible above frame
	Power source: One 1.5v AA-size (penlight) alkaline-manganese (Eveready E91 or equivalent), or nickel-cadmium cell for light sensor, finder lamp, and flash operation
	Flash: At flash-symbol setting of exposure/function control knob, built-in flash turns on and aperture is automatically adjusted by focusing for correct exposure 4www.butkus.org

Flash range:

Type of film

Distance (above water)

Color negative

ASA 100

0.8

- 4.Om (2.6

- 13 ft.)

ASA 400

0.8

- 6.3m (2.6

- 20 ft.)

Color reversal

ASA 64

0.8

- 2.7m (2.6

- 9 ft.)

Black and white

ASA 125

0.8

- 5.3m (2.6

- 17 ft.)

Recycle time*: Approx. 10 sec. with fresh alkaline-manganese cell, approx. 6 sec. with rechargeable nickel-cadmium cell; indication by pulsation of monitor and finder lamp

Number of flashes*: Approx. 180 with fresh alkaline-manganese cell, approx. 90 with nickel-cadmium cell

* As determined by Minolta's standard testing method. Actual performance will depend on type, brand, manufacturer's lot, age of batteries, and ambient temperature.

Film advance: Thumb-actuated lever; 52^°

Sealing: By water-tight O-ring (maximum usable depth 5m) Dimensions: 53 x 72 x 190mm (2-1/16 x 2-13/16 x 7-1/2 in.) Weight: 345g (12-3/16 oz.) without cell

Other: High-visibility and buoyant ABS plastic housing; neon monitor lamp for flash, focus-symbol and flash-range tables on bottom Optional accessories: Sportsfinder, neckstrap, carrying case and sportscase with belt

Specifications subject to change without notice

This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

12 SUMMARY OF OPERATION		2. Lift back-cover release tabs, twist backcover release knobs and open back cover (p. 181.
		This manual created and owned by www.butkus.org/chinon and should only be located there.

	1. Make sure camera is completely clean and dry.

3. After installing and checking battery (p. 25), insert film cartridge (p. 30), and press back cover securely into place and lock it (P. 22).		4. Operate film advance lever repeatedly until first exposure locks in place and the lever will not move (p. 32).

Be sure never to crease or twist the connector strap.		ONCE THE BACK COVER IS OPEN THE CAMERA IS NO LONGER WATERTIGHT AND MAY BE DAMAGED IF WATER OR SAND ENTERS THE CAMERA.

Closing the back cover

1. Make sure that the inside lip of the camera body and back cover's O-ring are clean and wiped by a soft clean cloth and that the back-cover release knobs are at "OPEN". Then align the back cover with the camera body. 4www.butkus.org

Installing the battery
Be sure the back cover is attached to the connector strap before closing. Your camera's built-in flash and exposure warning system are powered by one 1.5v AA-(penlight) size alkaline-manganese (Eveready E91 or equivalent), sealed carbonzinc or nickel-cadmium battery.

To install this:
1. With the back cover open, lift the battery-chamber cover as shown.


		The battery can be installed or replaced at any time without damage to loaded film.

2. Insert a battery as specified with the plus end out as indicated inside the chamber, then close and latch the cover.

• For taking pictures without battery, see the note on page 48.		Loading and advancing film


		1. With the back cover open, lift the tab near the finder eyepiece as shown to open the film-chamber cover.

2. Insert the film cartridge into the camera.		3. Close the film-chamber cover and push in on it until it clicks shut.

4. Close and latch the camera's water-tight back cover as described on page 22.		5. Use your right thumb to operate the film advance lever repeatedly until it locks (about three full strokes). A series of 1's should be visible in the film data window to indicate the first exposure.

38 Focusing
A large focusing knob with focus symbols simplifies setting focus with your Weathermatic-A. For sharpest pictures, simply turn this knob so that the index is opposite the symbol for your subject. A focus-symbol table is located on the bottom of the camera for easy reference.

	At the symbol that looks a "*" open at the top, the camera is focused for close head-toshoulder portraits at 90cm (3 ft.).

Depth-of-field


Depth-of-field table on the right indicates the exact focusing range at each focus-symbol setting.