MINOLTA Weathermatic-a Owners Manual

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...

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.

4 CONTENTS

NAMES OF PARTS 
8

SUMMARY OF OPERATION 
12

PREPARATION AND BASICS 
16

Opening and closing

the back cover 

16

Installing the battery 
25

Checking the battery 
28

Loading and advancing film 
30

Viewfinder 
36

Focusing 
38

TAKING PICTURES (WITH
EXISTING

LIGHT) 

45

FLASH PICTURES 
50...

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 

57
57
58
59
59
60
60
61
75
75
78
82
90

100

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

8 NAMES OF PARTS 

12 SUMMARY OF OPERATION

1. Make sure camera is completely clean and dry.

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.

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...

there.

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 WEATHER-...

from the back-cover connector strap or remove it completely for cleaning by

disengaging the strap from the pin on the back cover.

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...

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.

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...

3. Close the film-chamber cover and push in on it until it clicks shut.

2. Insert the film cartridge into the camera.
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.

• 
The shutter release cannot be depressed unless the film advance has been operated

until it...

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...

Set the knob so that the index is opposite the mountain symbol for scenic pictures at

distances of about 5.3m (17-1/2 ft.) or more from the camera at the cloud symbol; 3.5m

(11 ft.) or more at the sun symbol.

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....