MINOLTA Weathermatic-a Owners Manual

							
For head-to-hips pictures of people (at 2m or 7 ft.), set the knob so the index is opposite

the dot.

The symbol focuses the lens for 1.2m (4 ft.), at which you can see from the top of the

head to about mid-chest in the finder.

At the symbol that looks a "*" open at the top, the camera is focused for close head-to-

shoulder 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. 
						

							
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-sub

ject 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.

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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 filmchamber

cover and remove the cartridge.

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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 lenscover 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.

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 drv with a clean soft cloth. NEVER

USE HEAT TO DRY THE CAMERA.

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..

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.

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.

Before closing the back cover carefully inspect and, if necessary, clean the O-ring. See

page 78.

In rain, mist or fog

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 con-

trast. 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.

In snow and cold weather

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.

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.

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.

TAKING PICTURES UNDERWATER

THE WEATHERMATIC-A'S WATERTIGHT SEAL IS DESIGNED TO BE USED AT

DEPTHS NO GREATER THAN 5M (15 FT.).

Focusing

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 onland

distance of 1.2m (4 ft.)

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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.

• 
As visibility in water is limited by the amount of light penetrating its surface, the

clarity of the water and the camerato-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.

• 
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

range for underwater subjects is 2m (7 ft.).

•
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. 
						

							
•
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.

• 
At depths greater than 5m (15 ft.), water pressure will push the shutter release in

making the camera inoperable. Flooding may also result.

ACCESSORIES

Sportsfinder (optional)

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.

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 throughly 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.



Removing the 0-ring

Insert the tip of a ball point pen or similar blunt object into the knotched 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. 
						

							
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.

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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

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

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90 TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE

Things to check if your camera does not operate properly

1. Film-advance lever won't operate

•
Has the film already been advanced?

•
Have all the pictures on the cartridge

been taken?

2. Shutter can not be released.

•
Has the film-advance lever been completely cocked?

3. Low-light warning lamp does not light

•
Is battery installed correctly?

•
Is the battery dead?

4. Monitor lamp does not pulsate

•
Is battery installed correctly?

•
Is battery dead?

•
Has Exposure/Function control been set at flash position? 5. Flash does not fire

•
Was shutter released before monitor lamp came on?

•
Is the battery dead?

6. Back cover cannot be closed

•
Are both back-cover release knobs in "OPEN" position?

•
Is the back cover's O-ring attached correctly?

•
Is the back cover positioned correctly?

•
Has the back-cover connector strap gotten between the cover and the body?

7. Back-cover release tabs cannot be

worked

•
Are the back-cover release knobs in the "CLOSE" position?

•
Is the back cover position properly?

•
Have the pins on the release tabs beer bent? 
						

							
8. Exposure/function and/or focus knobs

are difficult to move

•
Water between the knobs and the body has become frozen

• 
Dirt or sand has gotten between the knobs and body

•
Temperature is very low

9. Exposure and/or focus is not satisfactory

•
Is lens-cover glass soiled?

•
Was there water drops or condensa

tion on the lens-cover glass?

•
Was exposure/function knob set cor

rectly?

•
Was the focus knob at correct setting?

•
Was shutter released smoothly?

•
Did outside temperature change rapidly?

•
If flash was used, was it within the working range?

•
Was monitor lamp pulsating before flash was fired?

•
Was the focus knob set correctly

when the flash was used?

10. Photos are not clear or are bluish (when

taken underwater)

•
Camera-to-subject distance too far?

[0.9 - 1.5m (3 - 5 ft.) is recom

mended.]

•
Was water clear?

•
If flash was used, was the light

scattered by particles in the water?

•
Was focus setting compensated for?

(3/4 actual distance)

11 . Spots or bright spots on photos

•
Light from the flash reflected by

snow or particles in the water

•
Water drops or dust on the lens

cover glass

•
Bright source of light in the picture

frame

12. Subject is not positioned correctly in

photo

•
Was subject within the bright frame?

•
If the subject was close to the

camera, was it framed with the paral

lax correction marks?

•
If the Sportsfinder was used, was

• 
If operation is not as you think it should be, carefully restudy the applicable in-

structions or consult an authorized Minolta service representative.