Minolta SR-T 101 Instructions

TAKING PICTURES

TTL with CLC: A new exposure measuring system

The Minolta SR-T 101 camera has a through­the-lens measuring system with CLC meter.
Minolta’s exclusive, revolutionary CLC (Con­trast Light Compensator) promises better photographic results with multiple split ex­posure measuring system.
Under normal photo-taking conditons this new system gives excellent results; under other conditions, such as in high-contrast scenes, the CLC feature prevents possible photo failures.

Setting the correct exposure

When aiming the camera at your subject through the viewfinder, you will see the indicator needle moving. Once the indicator needle has stopped moving, turn the shutter speed dial and/or the diaphragm ring to align the follow-up needle (circle-tipped needle) with the indicator needle.

The shutter speed is indicated in the viewfinder, when you set it on the shutter speed dial.

When the proper combination of aperture and shutter speed setting is made for correct exposure, the follow-up needle (which is coupl­ed to the aperture, shutter speed and ASA speed settings) will align with the indicator needle over a range of EV 3 through EV 17 at ASA 100. The EV range will vary with film speed.
It is a recommended procedure to set the shutter speed first (depending on the motion or lack of motion of your subject or the overall lighting) and to then adjust the aperture.
If the needle fails to move when the diaphragm ring is rotated, this singnals a need to adjust your shutter speed setting.
A shutter speed scale is visible in the viewfinder which permits you to make all exposure adjustments without removing the camera from your eye.

CAUTION:

• When setting the aperture first, be sure not to set the shutter speed between click stops.
• When the shutter speed is set slower than 1 /30th sec., be extremely careful of camera motion while releasing the shutter. It is recommended that a tripod be used at speeds of 1/30th sec. or slower. For “Bulb” setting, a cable release should also be used.
• When using high-speed film, a shutter speed of 1 /250th sec. is recommended for outdoor photography, and 1 /30th sec. for indoor use.
• When photographing a group of people or a building requiring great depth of field, close down the diaphragm as much as possible. See the “depth of field” on page 25 for details.
• All metering should be done in horizontal position.

Shutter speed and aperture settings

The shutter speed (actually the period of time during which the shutter remains open) works in conjunction with the lens opening (aperture) to determine the amount ot light striking the film. The higher the shutter speed, the more effectively it will momentarily “stop” the action of your subject.
To set shutter speed, simply rotate the shutter speed dial until the desired speed is aligned with the indicator on the camera body, or until it is centered between indicators on the shutter speed scale in the viewfinder.

The figures of B and 1 through 1000 on the shutter speed dial indicate bulb action and shutter speeds from 1 to 1 /1000th second. (At “B” the shutter will remain open indefinitely until pressure is removed from the release button.)
The aperture setting controls the light volume reaching the film in terms of area. In addition it determines the “depth of field.”

The index for the aperture setting is the diamond (♦) symbol in front of the diaphragm ring. The ring is engraved with figures from 1.4 through 16 for the MC Rokkor 58mm Fl.4 standard lens.
When the shutter speed remains constant, the light passing through the lens decreases 50% for every increase in the aperture F-number. (Ex­ample: When the diaphragm ring is turned from 2.8 to 4 the light volume decreases 50%.)

As the aperture figure decreases, the light passing through the lens increases. The relation between aperture (F-number) and light volume Is shown in the diagram.

NOTE:

• “Click” stops are provided for intermediate aperture settings between any two full F­stops. Intermediate shutter speeds cannot be set.
• The figure “B” on the shutter speed dial is used when an exposure duration of over 1 second is required. The shutter will remain open while the shutter release is depressed.
• The red figure of “60” on the shutter speed dial is to be used in conjunction with an electronic flash unit.
• The shutter speed at which the camera is set is shown on the shutter speed scale visible in the viewfinder.
• Since light striking the film is affected by a combination of aperture and shutter speed, exposure can be adjusted by changing either or both of these settings.

To focus, hold the camera to your eye and turn the lens-focusing ring clockwise or coun­ter-clockwise until a sharp image appears in the center spot of the viewfinder. Th is center spot, the microprism, consists of many diagonal lines which will aid in ultra-sharp and rapid focusing.