Specialists In Astrophotography

The simplest and easiest to use Maxxum AF SLR, with fully automatic operation, subject program selection, and built-in flash.

The Maxxum 300si handles and operates just like a fully automatic point & shoot camera, yet it provides the high-quality end results and system flexibility that only an SLR camera can. Because it’s so easy to use, the Maxxum 300si offers something for everyone, and is perfect for beginners. And since it is part of the Maxxum AF System, the 300si enables you to expand your photographic capabilities with lenses, flash units, and accessories as your interest in photography grows.

Features
 
 
Maxxum 300si - the Advantages of an SLR (single-lens reflex) Camera

The Minolta Maxxum 300si offers some major advantages over even the most advanced point & shoot type camera. The first is versatility. The Maxxum 300si is part of the world-renowned Maxxum system of autofocus SLR cameras, lenses, and accessories. The 300si can accept any Maxxum or Minolta AF lens, ranging from ultra wide-angle 16mm fisheye to 600mm super telephoto, including zoom lenses, macro lenses, and even the new 100mm soft-focus portrait lens. This interchangeable lens versatility enables a quality, diversity, and style of photography that is not possible with any type of point & shoot camera. Additionally, the 300si can also accept Maxxum’s high-power accessory flash units, which provide the extensive and flexible flash coverage that’s also impossible with a lens-shutter camera.

Another 300si advantage is through-the-lens (TTL) viewing. You see just what the lens sees. There is no need to make approximate parallax adjustments when framing the image. What you see is what you get. And because you’re looking through the lens, you see the autofocusing as fast as it happens, so you know your subject will be sharp.

A third SLR advantage is higher performance. The Maxxum 300si has a much more sophisticated autofocus and autoexposure system than any lens-shutter camera, and this sophistication can easily be seen in the resulting photographs. Plus, because of the autoexposure system’s flexibility, the 300si can accept the widest choice of 35mm films imaginable (ISO 25 - 5000, print or slide film, color or black & white). There is a wealth of information available on the advantages of different film speeds and types.

The Maxxum 300si will allow you to expand your photographic capabilities with lenses, flashes and accessories as your interest in photography grows. It is a camera you’ll want to keep for years to come.

Complete Ease of Use
The Minolta Maxxum 300si is the simplest and easiest to use Maxxum AF SLR. It handles and operates just like a fully automatic point & shoot camera, but provides the high-quality end results and system flexibility that only an SLR camera can offer. The design is simple and straightforward, and all functions are controlled with a single-button operation rather than a combination of buttons or dials. Each time the main switch is turned on, the 300si is automatically set to fully automatic programmed operation, allowing the user to concentrate completely on the subject and scene.

Continuous Predictive Autofocusing
The Maxxum 300si features a wide focusing area with a large CCD sensor. This wide AF area makes it easy to maintain precise focus on the main subject even if the subject is off-center in the viewfinder. With moving objects, the 300si’s continuous autofocusing tracks subject movement, and predictive focus control adjusts the focus between each exposure to maintain image sharpness.

Focus Hold
If the photographer wants to take a picture with the main subject outside the focus frame, focus hold can be used to keep the subject sharp. To lock focus, place the subject in the center of the focus frame, then press and hold the shutter-release button partway down. Wait for the focus-lock signal to appear in the viewfinder, recompose the picture as desired, then press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture. (NOTE: focus will not lock if the subject is moving.)

8-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Exposure Metering
The Maxxum 300si automatically sets the proper exposure even in difficult lighting conditions. The AF-integrated, 8-segment honeycomb-pattern metering system measures light levels in seven symmetrical segments of the image frame, plus the background area. Because the exposure system is integrated with the autofocus system, the 300si is able to identify the main subject and bias the exposure accordingly.

Fully Automatic Program Mode
In fully automatic program mode, the Maxxum 300si analyzes subject movement, distance, and lens focal length, as well as subject and background brightness, then sets the optimum exposure automatically. There are no settings to make. Simply place the viewfinder focus frame on the main subject, press the shutter-release button partway down to activate autofocus, then press the shutter release button all the way down to take the picture. If the light is low, the built-in flash will fire automatically to provide the proper subject illumination.

Subject Program Selection
In addition to fully automatic program mode, the Maxxum 300si offers five specialized subject programs, each designated by a separate, easily-recognizable data panel icon that illustrates the type of subject or scene for which it is best suited. Subject program selection allows the user to fine-tune the camera’s automatic systems to capture a particular effect or unique image quality.

Portrait Mode is best suited for photographs of people. In this mode, the 300si favors larger lens apertures which soften the background so that the main subject stands out.

Landscape Mode should be used when photographing sweeping scenics or people positioned in front of famous landmarks or points of interest. This mode maximizes depth of field by favoring small apertures. The 300si continuously monitors and adjusts the shutter speed to prevent blurring caused by hand-held camera shake.

Close-Up Mode helps capture sharp photographs of small objects such as flowers, and is best when used with Minolta’s 50mm or 100mm AF Macro lenses. This mode selects the best possible aperture and shutter speed to capture the subject’s intricate details.

Sports Action Mode favors fast shutter speeds to clearly capture fast action. Continuous AF tracks moving subjects and predictive AF adjusts focus between exposures to maintain image sharpness.

Night Portrait Mode is ideal for photographing a person in front of an illuminated night scene, or at sunset. When used with flash, this mode synchronizes the flash with a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the subject with the background’s ambient light. Without flash, this mode can be used to capture long exposures of night scenes such as city skylines. Because night portrait mode uses a slow shutter speed, a tripod should be used to prevent camera shake.

Built-In Flash
The Maxxum 300si features a built-in, design-integrated flash (Guide number 39 ft. at ISO 100) which provides coverage for lenses as wide as 28mm. The flash has three modes: AUTO, OFF, and FILL-IN (manual fill-flash). In AUTO mode, the flash will fire whenever needed. For greater flash output and versatility, high-powered Maxxum flash units are available as optional accessories.

Red-Eye Reduction Mode
To reduce the red-eye effect caused by the flash reflecting off the inside of the subject’s eyes, this mode fires the built-in flash several times to close down the subject’s pupils before the exposure flash is fired and the picture is taken.

Wireless Off-Camera Flash Control
The Maxxum 300si can control off-camera Maxxum 5400HS, 5400xi, or 3500xi flash units without accessory cords or connectors, allowing greater flexibility in flash placement (up to 16-1/2 feet from the camera) and freedom from cable troubles or tangles. Flash control signals are sent from the camera’s built-in flash. In addition, a 2:1 ratio can be selected, where the off-camera unit provides 2/3 of the light while the built-in flash provides the remaining 1/3 of the light needed for proper subject exposure.

AF Illuminator
If the built-in flash is set to AUTO or FILL-IN and the camera detects that the scene is too dark to focus accurately, the flash will automatically fire a short stroboscopic burst to provide the light necessary for the camera to detect and focus on the subject. The AF illuminator ensures precise focusing even in total darkness.

Continuous Film Advance
This action-catching mode advances the film at up to 1 frame per second, as long as the shutter-release button is held all the way down. Autofocusing adjusts quickly and smoothly to maintain image sharpness between each exposure.

Self-Timer
The self-timer provides a 10-second shutter-release delay, allowing the user to set up the shot and appear in the photo. The built-in flash signals just before the picture is taken by firing three quick bursts.

Fully Automatic Film Operation
Film handling is quick and easy with the Maxxum 300si. All you do is insert the film cartridge and position the film leader. The camera sets the film speed (for DX-coded ISO 25-5000 films) then threads, advances, and rewinds the film automatically. Power rewind can be selected at any time.

Full Line of Lenses and Accessories
The Maxxum 300si is part of the world-renowned Minolta Maxxum System of Autofocus SLR Cameras, Lenses, and Accessories. The 300si can accept any Maxxum or Minolta AF lens, ranging from ultra wide-angle 16mm fisheye to 600mm super telephoto, including zoom lenses, macro lenses, and the 100mm soft-focus portrait lens. Other accessories, like the Maxxum HS and xi flash units and various camera/lens cases let you expand your 300si system as your interest in photography grows.
 
Specifications
 
Type:
Micro-processor controlled 35mm SLR with expert control of autofocus and autoexposure.
 
Lens Mount:
A-type bayonet. Accepts all Maxxum/Minolta AF lenses including AF Zoom xi and AF power Zoom (power zoom and power focus possible).
 
Autofocus System:
Through-the-lens (TTL) phase-detection type with one CCD line sensor; flash fires in low light as AF illuminator. AF Modes: Continuous AF/focus lock selected automatically according to subject movement; predictive focus control; manual focus with electronic focus confirmation.
 
AF Sensitivity:
EV -1 to 17 (at ISO 100).
 
Exposure System:
TTL, 8-segment honeycomb pattern SPC; direct TTL flash metering.
 
Modes:
Program AE (P mode), Subject Program modes for Portraits, Landscapes, Close-Ups, Sports, Night Portraits.
 
Subject Program Selection:
Five user-selectable programs tailored to specific subject or scene characteristics: Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports/Action, Night Portrait.
 
Exposure Range:
EV 1 - 20 (f/1.4).
 
Shutter:
Electronically-controlled, vertical traverse focal plane shutter. Range: 1/2000 - 30 sec.
 
Flash:
Built-in design-integrated type with guide number 39 (in feet); coverage for 28mm; recycling time 2 sec.; pre-flash for red-eye reduction and wireless remote flash control available; Modes: ON/OFF/AUTO; auto mode fires flash in low-light or back-lit situations; Slow-sync in Night Portrait mode.
 
Flash Sync:
1/90 sec. or slower.
 
TTL Flash Metering:
Operates in all flash modes with built-in and dedicated flash unit; x-sync shutter speed automatically set when flash-on indicator appears in viewfinder. In Night Portrait mode, slow shutter speed automatically set to balance background exposure with flash.
 
Remote/Wireless Off-Camera Flash Control:
Built-in flash fires control code to trigger and stop specified accessory flashes; 2:1 flash ratio manually selectable; flash sync in remote/wireless mode: 1/45 sec.; flash sync in ratio control: 1/45 sec.; control range: 16-1/2 ft.
 
Viewfinder:
Roof mirror type with Acute-matte screen; Field-of-View: 90% of subject; Magnification: 0.75x (50mm lens focused at infinity); Correction: -1 diopter (fixed); Eyepiece cup: Soft rubber type.
 
Film Transport:
Automatic film transport, first frame setting, film advance (2 speeds) and film rewind; manual film rewind switch.
 
Continuous Drive:
1 frame per second; continuous AF; focus priority; focus checked and adjusted after each frame.
 
Film Speed:
ISO 25-5000, ISO 25-1000 (w/flash); DX-coded film set automatically, non DX-coded set to ISO 100.
 
Self-Timer:
10-second delay; flash fires three bursts before exposure.
 
Power:
One 2CR5 6V lithium battery. 4-stage power indicator appears when main switch is turned on.
Battery Performance:
Approximately 20 rolls (based on Minolta’s standard test method using 24-exposure rolls and flash on 50% of the exposures).
 
 Flash Use
 68o
 -4o
 
0%
 70 rolls
 25 rolls
 
50%
 25 rolls
 10 rolls
 
100%
 15 rolls
 5 rolls
 
Performance based on the following test conditions: 24-exposure roll film, AF 35-70mm f/3.5 - 4.5 lens, AF from infinity to minimum focus distance and back 3 times, shutter-release button held partway down for 10 seconds before each exposure.
 
Dimensions:
 5.9 x 4 x 2.7 inches.
Weight:
 13.3 oz.
 
NOTE: Specifications subject to change without notice.