OLTA AUTO

OWNER'S MANUAL

A oroduct of Minoltr r la r r rsh EM &lrsalsion a I

~t is a sophisticated Inatruman9 8 quality and convenlrnca ~ l t k I

- simplest foolproof oprri t lon 8 -

nake it ideal for all trr,#tnnln~ #t nakers who want I m p r @ l l l ~ a P & h With eft:

- -

w h o s e variety bf acea8morlma Dul4D It L many a?&! ions, including tlm#.lrpDa, 1 ~ ~ s y n c h r b ~

remote-control, and w l r r l r r l Illmlflk rnakfng i t a I valuable tool for advancad o l m r r l ~ n me well.

Before using your Mlnoltr A U ~ O $ S ~ * @ D6 t time, please read thla mrnu l l 111 t h l WRY thro at least far enough to OOver YOUr OWn Qlrnlng while loading batkr l ra and film, hrndllng r n ing yourself with your 08marD and it8 features. In this wry, you ODn f r k l begin to realize the full p ~ f l n t l l l Of right from the start.

................................. MAIN FEATURES 2

................................. NAMES OF PARTS 4 ... SPECIFICATIONS AND ACCESSORIES 6

PREPARATION How to install batteries ..................... 8 Battery check .................................... 11

...... Inserting and removing cartridges 12 Using various film types

Outdoor filming .............................. 14 Indoor filming ................................. 14

Viewfinder To adjust the eyepiece ..................... 16 Viewfinder information ..................... 17 Focusing by microprism .................. 18 Lens aperture scale. under- and

overexposure warning zones. and underexposure indicator lamp ...... 19

Footage indicator. safe-run and film-end signals ........................ 20

Pre-filming checklist ........................... 21 NORMAL FILMING

How to support the camera ............... 24 Filming button .................................... 25 Zooming ............................................. 26 Changing zooming speed ..................... 27

MORE ADVANCED FILMING Meter lock button .............................. 28

................................. Shutter speeds 29 .................. . X sync terminal for strobe 30 ............... Frame speeds and their uses 31

............... .. Single-frame photography i 32 .............................. Viewfinder shutter 34

................................. Film'plane index 34 HINTS FOR BETTER MOVIES

........... ..................... Length of scenes : 35 Panning .............................................. 35 Titles ................................................ 36

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .................................... Close-up lens 37

....................................... Release cord 39 ........................... Remote-control cord 39

1A (skylight) filter .............................. 40 Lens shade ....................................... 40 Oversize eyepiece hood ..................... 41

................................. Intervalometer-P 41 Intervalometer-S ................................. 42

............... Wireless remote-control unit 42 Tape recorder-control cord .................. 43

DEPTH-OF-FIELD CHART ..................... 44 ..................... MAINTENANCE AND CARE 52

~ u Y - k # ) i l l ~ ~ -

The Minolta Autopak-8 all the Super-8 sy*m c ct3ck the carkr- in&% poMm eta h@-t~ need to handle or t h r d film. 83Qi k&& film run straeglht thrau@, &&IsBtimg the Iat tim*, light-strwcR ffttm.and splicing d ~ l d double-8 film t u r m .

Film speed is automatically set by theoar- tridge, and a filter for outdoor filming is wto- matically pasiMmed when you use indsar color film. Nearly 5Q per cent la~gba film image area dves you sharper, brbghder pictures. -

A ekighly sensitive ~adaEj&~b18.&& @&I

Superb aarnere ~ o l f ~ t i e r n d P swlE& besme af accessorc~~s maw@ to shoot slow--tan, .Nrn@-&apai%, rmwte- or wireless-centralkd, and %ape rwordclr- synchronized motion pfctures.

VarUblm-ap..d powor room Ionr

At a touch 6f your timer, the high-perform- WiQkk~r Lens power morns 6 diameters

M w a n wideangle afid Wephoto at you e b i ~ g ~ Of tw s p W s OT manrralky.

T h m convmhnt rhutter wttln.1

'6wo Bandy frame speeds plus ainsb-frame setting onable $law-matbion for sports scenes, recordins wildlife ., as well as smodhirtg pans and

camera movement; time-lapse for animation and plant and weather studies, in addition to regular filming.

The electromagnetic shutter release and cordaccessories makeremote-controlfilmina - simple at any shutter setting.

Bright "inforrnatlon-center" viewfinder

Thanks toa special mirror and through-the- lens viewing, you see the subject at i t is, bright and without distortion, with positive microprism focusing in the center and with all essentialfilmingindicationsinview-with- out taking your eye from the finder. Eyepiece adjusts and locks to suit your vision.

Easy-to-hold battery-chamber handgrip conveniently folds flush against camera for carrying or storage.

NAMES OF PARTS I

Accessory bracket

Battery check button - Movie-light socket

Manual zoom lever

Frame speed dial/battery master switch

Focal length scale - Sync. terminal

Zoom speed selector

Distance scale

Meter lock button

Zoom Rokkor Lens

Scale illumination window ZI Filming button - Handgrip battery chamber

Filter-retracting screw

=-3 C l ri. d L . h - _ _ - . . -

Power zoom control

Focusing ring a Film chamber latch

Film data window

Film plane index 3 Tripod socket -

Finder shutter control - Eyepiece lock

Finder eyepiece

Battery-chamber cap \ - Battery-chamber lock -

Wrist strap

Camera type: 8mm movie camera using Super-& film cartridge Lens: Rokkor F1.8 room type, 14 elements in 12 groups, focal length con-

tinuously variable from 8.4 to 50mm (6x) for manual or power zoom EE system: Through the lens aperture measuring system incorporating high-

sensitivity CdS Celt, spwial bridge circuit with double-coil galvano- meter, powered by bettety-compartment dry cells

EE working range: Daylight filming : ASA 25-l~iO(DlN 15-23), artificial light: ASA 40 -250 (DIN 17-25); coupled to F45, virtually obviating need for ND filters; film speed set automatically when cartridge loaded

Drive system: Electric mi.cmmotor for filming; separate zoom power micromotor operating at approx. 1.6 or 4 seconds' full zooming time

Power source: 4 AA-size (penlight) 1 . 5 ~ dry batteries contained in battery-case located in handgrip

Shutter: Rotary type with speeds of 1/40 second at single frame and 18 frames per second, 1/72 sec. at 32 fps; X synchronization at single-frame

Viewfinder: Erect-image, single-lens-reflex type, with central micropriim foc&ing, locking eyepiece adjustment, extraneous light shutter; under- and overexposurewarning zones and F-stop, safe-run and film-end signals, batterylunderexposure indicator lamp all visible in viewfinder ;

Footage indicator: ~ength 'of exposed film registered in both meters and feet, automatic return

Others: Electromagnetic shutter release, built-in automatic-positioning No. 85 filter (for using Type A color fi lm in daylight), built-in X sync. ter- minal, accessory bracket, movie-light socket, tripod socket, folding handgrip

Accessories available: No. 1A filter, lens shade, close-up lens, oversize eyepiece hood, Inter- valometer-S, Intervalometer-P, release cord, remote-control cord, wireless remote-control unit, tape recorder-control cord

Size and weight: 70x 128x 196mm (2% x 5 x 7% in.), 1250g (44 or)

How to laatail

Film transport and shutter rotation, auto- matic exposure, power zoom, and shutter release are all powered by four AA-size 1 . 5 ~ dry batteries contained in the handgrip. To properly install these: 1. Remove cap on bottom of handgrip by 3. Carefully insert batteries into the other

turning lock from C t o 0 with a coin or part with positive (+) or negative (-) end similar object and grasping two edges to down according to the markings in the lift it off.

2. Take out the plastic battery case and its 2 parts by turningthe central1 the end of one part counter-' ,

i

the matching notches on the other, put tij me pi %b &we I** the ~ ~ ~ r y r the two plastic parts together again and . a&& on hanew fasten the case together with the screw and pw* cap M, and semzPa L trjr on the end. I@& %+a C -&Ean.

CAUTION: It is essential that the batteries be inserted as indicated in the battery case.

a Be sure to remove batteries when the camera is not to be used for more than a month. Do not try to force the battery case into the chamber upside down.

Dry batteries lose power gradually whether actually used or not. From time to time use the battery checker built into your Minolta Autopak-8 D6 to see if your batteries have grown too weak for good filming results. Checking is quick and easy:

Make sure the frame speed diallbattery master switch is not in the OFF position. Then, while looking into the viewfinder, push the battery check button all the way in. If batteries are in good condition, the red batterylunderexposure warning signal lamp outside the lower right of the frame will light up. I f this red signal does not light when the battery check button is depressed, your batteries are not serviceableand should be replaced with new ones.

CAUTION: .Be sure not t o press the filming button

or power zoom control while pushing bat- tery check button.

.There is no need t o push the battery check button repeatedly.

Do not keep the battery check button de- pressed for long, as this will w9aken batteries. Whenever the camera is left unused for a period of time, be sure toturn frame speed dial t o OFF.

am@ - . lnontlns and rmmorrlm awtrldgu 2. Slide the cartridge into the camera from the rear and angled slightly down toward camera front as shown, with the center

a hole down, the label up, and the opening To put In cartridge: with film visible toward the front. Then 1. Push film chamber latch toward front of push down gently on the rear edges of the

camera as indicated by arrow and open cartridge until it seats flat in the chamber f i lm chamber door. and you hear a click.

Putting in the cartridge automatically sets the camera for the proper f i lm speed.

a Loading Type A film automatically posi- tions a No. 85 filter t o allow outdoor film- ing if you are not using a movie light or

3. Close the film chamber door and push in filter-retracting screw. on i t near the latch until it locks shut with a Looking through the film data window, a snap. you can see whether and with what kind

I of fi lm the camera is loaded.

To take cartridge out: Open the side cover as mentioned before

and remove the cartridge by lifting it from the back and sliding it out toward the back at a slight angle.

Outdoor filming Regardless of the kind of film you load in

your camera, you are ready for daylight filming immediately.

If you load with Type A color film (balanced for use with a movie-light or photofloods of 3400°K color temperature), the film car- tridge automatically positions a built-in filter between lens and film to balance the daylight to suit your film.

Indoor filmlng When you unscrew the cap screw from the

movie-light socket and attach a movie light to your camera by screwing it into the socket, the daylight light-balancing filter positioned by a Type A color film cartridge will be removed from the path of light to the film to provide proper color balance for your indoor movies.

For indoor filming with any other kind of artificial light, screw the filter-retracting screw (similar but longer than the cap screw) supplied with your camera into the movie- light socket t o remove the filter from the light path and use filters or gels as necessary to balance the light t o the f i lm in use.

Use a properly balanced blue lamp for fill- in lighting in daylight or indoor filming with outdoor film.

No provision for color balance is necessary when you are filming in artificial light with black-and-white film.

" w 3 g z 1

a , . 3 0 ,=To: - 0 - ' 42 4 %

a , * * * 3 %m84g22:

Y r c -.mVm%--QO ;z;gw;z% " 0 a, a.z,.:E % m y 5': 3 0 0

g o le::B m % 3 ; i . g -. rc a- 3 : w ' % m * *:+%

3 ZTg-. e m 3 : 3 g " w " .. 2. 5 g 3 G ... = 4 3 -. - a r c - =!: g.pg.8-

Film safe-run signal 1

Viewflnder information &ortun F-number & underand oversxposure

Besides providing an accurate, parallax- marntng zone free view of your subject, the viewfinder of your Autopak-8 D6 is a rather complete infor- mation center that gives you all necessary filming control information continuously as you film. In it you can see the microprism focusing center spot, aperture F-number scale with red under- and overexposure zones, battery/underexposure indicator lamp, and safe-run and film-end signals positioned as shown. Each of these is explained below, some in this section, others later in connection with other mechanisms and the functions they relate to.

I I

) Filmand signal

Battery/underexposure

Focusing by rnicroprlsrn To focus a subject, zoom the lens toward . ). ,,=

the 50mrn telephoto focal length until the viewfinder image is relatively large.

Then while looking intotheviewfinder, turn the focusing r ing clockwise or counterclock- wise until the image in the central micro- prism circle becomes clear. When the image reaches its clearest point, focusing for the subject is complete.

The standard focal length for general 8 m m filming is about 13mm. Depth of field

E at this focal length and below is so great that there is less need to focus subjects precisely at usual distances and apertures; approximate focus by visual estimation is usually satisfactory. At focal lengths from about 20mm through 50mm, however, accurate focusing is essential.

b

Lens aperture scale, under- and overea- morslllumination (such as from a movie light posure warnlng zones, and underexpssvre or &her source) or a slower shutter speed (as indicator lamp by decreasing the frame speed if practical).

Black figures on a white background in a It is unlikeJy that you will ever encobnter rectangular window above the main view- lighting conditions that will indicate an aper- finder frame continuously register the F- ture smaller than F45 (i.e., the dot to the stop number at which the EE system is set- right of 39, but if such should ever become t ing the aperture for filming. Specifio thecase under very bright conditions, such reference figures and dots between them on as sun on sand or snow, with high-speed this scale indicate F-numbers of (2), 2.8, 4, films, and the index indicates a point within (5.61, 8, ( l l ) , 16, (22), 32, and (45). the red overexposure zone to the right of the

Below the maximum aperture position of F45 dot, increase the shutter speed if ac- F1.8 (slightly to the left of the dot indicat- ceptable by increasing the frame speed to ing F2), there is a red underexposure warn- the extent necessary to register a lens open- ing zone that comes into view from the left ing of F45 or larger. as light volume approaches an inadequate level. When filming under relatively low light conditions, keep watch for this warning 4 .8 16 correct exposure

zone. When the red zone reaches the small index halfway across the top of the window, the red underexposure indtcatar lamp will

0 2.8 Underexposure

light up to warn you whewever the fllming button is depressed halfway. When this hap- pens, there 5s not enough light, and your

m movles will be underexposed unless you use

, i~ r P - 1 -

P y T':,M-* < -'->T *.F /,-;y, >:<, n ; . $ - L - . , - r 8 ,

, . T d?

I--. - - - -, 1; , "r, Footye Indicator, -.run and tllmand though you can reinsert and continue to ex-

c*' $tipals pose partially used cartridges (losing some frames of light-struck film unless you do so

Each super-8 film cartridge contains 50 and keep the film in total darkness) the feet (15.24 meters) of film. footage indicator will start again and advance

The footage indicator on the side of the from zero and thus will not accurately reg- camera registers the length of exposed film. ister the actual length of exposed film. I t is marked in 5-foot graduations from 0 to The film-end signal will appear when the F (i.e., "FinishW=50 ft.) and every 2 meters film is exhausted, however. from 0 to 14 meters.

Regular bobbing up and down of the safe- run signal at the upper right of the view- finder frame when the filming button is depressed confirms that film transport is proceeding.normally.

Just before the F registers on the foot. age indicator, the black, pointer-shaped film- end signal will swing up into view from the left pert of the frame to warn you that the film in your cartridge has all been exposed. This film-end signal will remain vlsible in the viewfinder until the next cartridge is properly Inserted into,the film chamber.

The footage indicator automatically resets to zero when a cartridge is removed. Thus, ,--A -Y 7 L'.J *.

For better movies without false starts, run through the following checklist each time you get your camera out for some normal filming: (

1. Set the frame speed dial at other than OFF ~os i t ion and use the battery checker 2. Check to be sure you have enough film

~ k e I your batter are good. sma g or load a new cartridge.

3. Turn the camera to a bright direction and move your hand back and forth in front of the lens to confirm that the F-number scale Is working.Jf it does not move with adeauate light, make sure the meter lock buttbn is pushid in to itsunlocked position. (If the viewfinder appears completely 4. If you wish, depress the filming button black, remove the lens cap andlor open briefly t o see that the shutter is releasing the viewfinder shutter.) properly.

NORMAL FlLMlNQ

Mow to support tka ramaca

Slnce an unsteady camera ganerally pro- duces unsatisfectory movies, be sure tosup port your camera positively and properly.

For best results, use of a soad tripad in- tended for use with a movie camera is re- commended wherwer @ r w f i e a b l ~ ~

To twnat#al.d the camera, slip either wrist throwgh 6 k w t s t strap loop and @rasp the handgrip with tho same hand. Place the ather hand on top d the camera to steady it. The power room control can probably be operated better if the left hand Is the one placed on top.

. *. By grasping the knurled round grips on

either sideof the filming button with thumb To actuate the electromagnetic shutter snd fwdntptr, the regular f i ~m in~~sw i t ch

release {toceted inside the camera) to start oWsfiIfy Zs easily detached from the filming at either speed or to m;rke each cen3W1. Electrical connections of the release

cord, Int@rmlmtsr-P or -S, wlrpless remote. c o W d unft, ior tape rec~rder-control card

hanglng zoomlng apeed

Your camera has 2 zooming speeds, fast and slow. To set the fast speed of approx. 1.6 seconds' full zooming time from one ex- treme to the other, push in on the F end of

I Y the zoom speed selector until it clicks. For the slow approx. 4-second full zooming time, push the S end of the zoorn speed selector.

Choose a zoom speed suitable to your subject and effect you desire to create. I If you use the zoorn too much, the pro-

jected movies will be difficult to view. When planning a zoom sequence, be sure t o focus at the telephoto extreme before beginning to f i lm it. When zooming manually during filming, use a tripod to prevent camera movement. Screw the manual zoom lever into which- ever of the 2 sockets provided is more con- venient for your operation of the camera.

0 Any camera movement is magnified in telephoto pictures and further exaggerated when they are projected. You should

ami

L

pay special attention tocamera movement In filming at extended focal lengths.

CAUTION: Do not depress power zoom con$rol to zoom toward same direction after lens has reached wideangle or telephoto extreme. as this will exhaust batteries.

I ZOOM SPEED

(length af @JCPVSWT@ d your Autap&-% 06 cdrnwa is l~'40 w m ~ d & 18fps an4 skngle frame and 1/72 sm.s# at

The strobe terminal provided on your Autopak-8 D6 enables you t o use electronic flash (strobe) lighting for individual single- frame exposures and for time-lapse filming intervals sufficient t o allow proper recycling between exposures.

Since automatic EE aperture setting is nc, suitable for making strobe exposures, the proper aperture is generally determined by dividing a guide number for the flash and film in use by the flash-to-subject distance. To set the camera aperture for strobe ex- posures: 1. With the meter lock button ~ u s h e d in. look

through the viewfinder and point the d m e r a toward dark or light subjects until the proper F-stop indication registers opposite the index of the lens aperture qqale.

2. then lo& the aperture at the desired F- stop value by pulling out the meter lock button until it snaps.

Frame s p w d r and thelr usos Ir our Minolta Autopak-8 D6 will film at

32frames per seeand and also single Suggrnsted uses follaw for each sf

This is the standard frame speed for ent Super-t) movies. Use it for all general ming for rrslural M e & wit4 minimum

llcker and greatest Pllm economy.

Filming at &his higher speed and project-

blllawinq seeL1 ahfidrsn c W $ a kfl, @lrmta rustllryb in the wind, ruantrqs, and m

The single-frame provision on your camera enables you to expose just one frame at a time for animating titles, cartoons, etc., time-lapse photography, and trick and spe- cial.effects. SF shutter speed is the same as that for 18fps, that is, 1/40 sec. General instructions for SF use are: 1. Attach the camera to tripod or similar 2. Remove the filming-button switch assem-

firm support and set the frame speed dial bly and insert the 4-hole release-cord to SF connection in its place.

4. AWr making sure focus and exposure we eqrr.er:t, release the shutter. . 7

e E%~~g#34r.gmr? pbotagraphy can be done using the Ftfming button in the normel pasitton plugged into its socket on the

3. Insert the 4-prong plug on the other end camera, burt use of the release cord is of the release mrd Into the 4-hole jack af strongly recommended t q prevent camera the filming-button swltch assembly. movement.

Vkwflndmr ahuttar Film plmo Indmx

Since your head and/or the oversize eye- piece hood shields the viewfinder during normal filming, there is little problem of strong stray light entering it. In such special types of filming as remote-control and time- lapse work, however, there may be nothing over the eyepiece t o do this. The viewfinder shutter is used to prevent such light from affecting exposure. It should be closed whenever you are not using the viewfinder during filming. The small circle with a line running

To close this shutter, simply switch the through it (4) on the left side of your Auto- control t o CLOSE until nothing can be seen in pak-8 D6 is the film plane index. Use this the viewfinder. To open it, turn the control t o calculate film-plane-to-subject distance back to OPEN. for close-up photography, etc.

INTS FOR BETTER MOVIES

- -

,- OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

one-up lens finder microprism as with general filming. The term filming distance means the actu-

This lens allows filming titles and other al distance between thefilmplane(indicated close-up subjects at filming distances be- by the camera-side O mark) and the subject. tween about 40.6 to 50.8cm (16 to 20 in.). The following table indicates what this Zooming is also possible when the close-up distance will be when using the close-up lens is used. lens focused at various distances indicated

Focusing is done by means of the view- by the focusing scale.

This accessory allows you to release the lectro- electromagnetic shutter of camera frqrn a laceof distance. It is useful for cover filming of arnera wildlife and various scientific subjects. You Irning. can also use it when operating rnorethan one Inter- camera at a time or to get in the picture

Limmbd@ This filter absorbs ultraviolet rays very well

but has no filter factor. Use the 1A filter t o improve probable

I bluish rendition of subjects in shade illumi- This lens shade is effective not only for nated mainly by blue sky, on overcast days, preventing flare from strong direct light on or obscured by atmospheric haze. It can also the lens but also for protecting the lens and be used to protect the taking lens. front of the barrel from rain or snow.

ZbGdZ!"i z 3 3 ? 2 a a g m o o a x LO.- a - L LO L - + a ' ? = o o m e a) a + a 3 . g a) L 3 l n x ' ,=o.;zgE - -$ jEE= ' i5 : .c 0 g ep ,=s *+.+.+ 0 0 m 3 LO 6';'; E LO g 2 5 = 2"- .- e.;g k o

mmm bZ% C . 2 Q . f s g $ z ? z E a.- 3 a m 0 $ Z E % @ J $ $ , o c n % 3 " L LO a " h a - a~ gzb;: : = ? 2 , & ~ b b $ > . ~ = u g g p g z

- ~ - ..,: .-. ' , , . - ;-> - , ;, 8 L - F;,*.-i -, 8 - - n 8 , - , . - . A. , ' I ' -7

-

'his cord is used to connect the camera with a tape recorder for synchronizing film- ing with sound recording. The tape recorder operates while the filming button is depress- ed.

48 Depth-of-Field Chart (in feet) F=29mm

50 Depth-of-Field Chart (in feet) F=50mm

. .

Your camera should be examined and cleaned from time to time in normal use. When it has been exposed t o dust, dirt, or corrosive conditions (such as salt spray), it should be cleaned as soon as practicable after such exposure. It should be kept and stored under proper conditions. If you take care of your camera, it will serve you well for many years.

Gently whisk dust, salt particles, or other loose, dry matter off the lens and barrel with a balr-bellows lens brush, then wipe gently with a soft silicon-treated cloth.

If the lens is still not clean, swab it with a gentle circular motion from the center out- wgrd with a soft, clean cloth or special photo- graphic lens tissue.

For stubborn stains, place only one drop of lens-cleaning fluid on lens tissue or absorb- ent cottan and swab lens gently. Do NOT drop lens-cleaning fluid directly on lens surface.

Store your camera in its case when not in. use. Frame speed dial should of course be turned to OFF.

When the camera is t o be unused for more than a month, be sure to remove the bat- teries from the handgrip chamber.

Do not store your camera where the temperature or humidity are high or near salts or corrosive chemicals.

When storing your camera for an extended period, it is best to place the case contain- ing it into an airtight container (such as a heavy or double plastic bag) along with a small bag of a drying agent (such as silica gel).

1 2 ,: I