User manual KONICA MINOLTA DYNAX 500SI SUPER

[. . . ] The High-Speed Autofocus, Predictive Focus Control functions, and top shutter speed of 1/8000 second mean the 800si responds quickly, accurately, and flexibly to virtually any motion, composition, or lighting condition in the moment of a shutter release. The 800si also offers full control over all camera systems. In addition, you can select any of the four local focus areas, take spot meter readings, lock exposure and focus separately or together, and use Memory to save and later recall three groups of your most often used camera settings. This manual has been designed to help you understand the operation of your camera and its functions. [. . . ] Use the bulb function to make long exposures. Mount the camera on a tripod. While in M mode, turn the front control dial to the left until "bulb" appears in the viewfinder and the data panel. Turn the rear control dial to select the aperture. Compose the scene and focus the lens. · If the scene is too dark for autofocus to operate, press the focusmode button and focus the lens manually. · Attach the eyepiece cap (p 11). ADVANCED AUTOFOCUS Press and hold the shutter-release button to take the picture. · The shutter will remain open as long as the button is pressed. To reduce or prevent blurring of the photograph, attach either the Remote Cord RC-1000S or RC-1000L (both sold separately). Remove the remote control terminal cover. Then, insert the remote cord's plug into the terminal. · The shutter will remain open as long as you hold the remote control button down. 62 63 AUTOFOCUS MODES This camera has three autofocus modes that can be changed at any time. MEMORY: The Focus Mode setting can be stored in memory. See page 99 for information. SINGLE-SHOT AUTOFOCUS When the shutter-release button is pressed partway down, the camera focuses until sharp focus is confirmed and then focus is locked. Focus will remain locked while the shutter-release button is pressed partway down or until after the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down. Use Single-shot Autofocus when photographing non-moving subjects or subjects that are outside the focus area. The 800si has three methods of taking meter readings. Use the method most appropriate for your subject. 14-SEGMENT HONEYCOMB-PATTERN METERING Fourteen-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering is the camera's standard metering mode and will be set whenever the programreset button is pressed (p 120). This mode uses information from the autofocus system to set the metering pattern according to the position of the main subject in the frame. The camera evaluates each of the honeycomb segments separately to determine the degree of spot-lighting or backlighting present in your scene. ADVANCED EXPOSURE Continued on next page. 70 71 METERING CENTER-WEIGHTED AVERAGE METERING In center-weighted average mode, the exposure is based on an average of the reading made by each of the honeycomb segments - with emphasis placed on the center of the image. Take care when photographing backlit, spotlit, or off-center subjects because the meter may include non-subject areas of your scene when calculating the exposure. SELECTING A METERING METHOD Press the metering-mode button in the control panel. Turn either control dial until the icon of the desired method appears in the data panel. Press the shutter-release button partway down to enter the setting. SPOT METERING Spot metering uses only the center segment of the honeycomb pattern. The spot-metering circle appears in the viewfinder to indicate the metering area. MEMORY: The Metering Mode setting can be stored in memory. See page 99 for information. 72 73 EXPOSURE COMPENSATION This function enables you to bias the camera's exposure calculation up to 3 EVs over or under the normal metered setting. AE LOCK Use this function to lock the automatic exposure settings without locking the autofocus. While pressing the exposure compensation button, turn either control dial. Center the subject of which the meter-reading will be made. When the desired compensation value appears in the viewfinder and data panel, release the exposure compensation button. · The compensation value will disappear from the body data panel, but will remain in the data panel. · Press the exposure-compensation button at any time to make the exposure factor appear in the data panel. · In P, A, and S modes and each subject program mode, the metering index will appear in the viewfinder when the autofocus is activated by Eye-start or pressing the shutter-release button partway down. Cancel exposure compensation using the above procedure to set the compensation value to 0. 0. Press and hold the AE Lock button. · AEL appears in the viewfinder and the data panel. [. . . ] AF Sensitivity Range: EV -1 to19 (ISO 100) AF Illuminator: Built-in LED with range of 0. 7 - 7m. Automatically activated in low-light, low-contrast situations AF Control: Single-shot, continuous, automatic AF-mode selection. Exposure: Modes: P, PA, PS, A, S, M, and 5 Subject Program modes (Portrait, Landscape, Closeup, Sports, Night portrait/scene) Type: TTL metering; direct TTL metering for flash. Metering Cell: 14-segment honeycomb pattern SPC for ambient light and flashmetering SPC for flash. [. . . ]