Specialists In Astrophotography

Ordinarily, if you want to purchase an easy-to-use, affordable compact zoom camera, you have to do so at a loss of creative versatility. Not so with Minolta’s Freedom Zoom Orion. Although the Orion is budget-friendly and very easy to use, it still provides an exceptionally wide range of creative functions such as interval mode, double exposure mode, BULB mode, landscape/night view mode, portrait mode, and even a diopter adjustment dial for eyesight compensation.

Features
 
Wide Selection of Creative Photographic Modes
Ordinarily, if a consumer wants to purchase an easy-to-use, affordable compact zoom camera, he or she has to do so at a loss of creative versatility. Not so with Minolta’s Freedom Zoom Orion. Although the Orion is budget-friendly and very easy to use, it still provides a wide range of creative functions such as interval mode, double exposure mode, BULB mode, landscape/night view mode, portrait mode, and even a diopter adjustment dial for eyesight compensation.

38-105mm Zoom Lens
The Freedom Zoom Orion’s powerful and versatile 38 - 105mm lens is crafted from high-quality optics. This 3X-class zoom ratio is ideal for a wide range of subjects including travel photos, portraits, close-ups, scenics, and groups.

Interval Mode
The Freedom Zoom Orion’s Interval mode takes pictures automatically over a chosen period of time (from every 10 seconds to every 60 minutes). Interval mode is ideal for observational photography of subjects such as a blooming flower.

BULB Mode
In BULB mode, the shutter remains open as long as the shutter-release button is pressed down. BULB mode is required for time exposures of subjects such as night scenes. To reduce hand-held camera shake when using BULB mode, a tripod is recommended.

Portrait Mode
In portrait mode, when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway down, the Freedom Zoom Orion automatically zooms the lens for an ideal magnification (1/40) for a pleasing portrait-type photograph (waist-up in the horizontal frame). Ideally, the subject should be anywhere from 5-1/4 feet to 14-1/8 feet from the camera.

Double Exposure Mode
For creative special effects, the Freedom Zoom Orion can be set to take two separate exposures on the same film frame. Once the first exposure has been taken, double exposure mode will remain set   until the second exposure is taken, even if the camera is turned off. Another photographic mode, such as the Self-timer or Portrait mode, can be added to the second exposure.

Landscape/Night View Mode
Landscape/Night View mode sets the autofocus system to infinity and cancels the flash, to ensure the best photographs of scenics, famous landmarks, or night scenes.

Continuous Drive Mode
For action-catching sequences, the Freedom Zoom Orion can be set to advance the film at one frame per second for as long as the shutter-release button is held down.

Diopter Adjustment
To compensate for the user’s eyesight requirements, a viewfinder diopter control adjusts the eyepiece from -1 to +3 diopters.

Precise Autofocusing
The Orion’s infrared autofocus system keeps the main subject sharp from as close as 3.28 feet to infinity. Simply place the autofocus zone on the main subject, press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the focus, then press the button all the way down to take the picture.

Focus Hold
This feature locks the focus so that the main subject can be positioned anywhere in the frame. Just place the autofocus zone on the main subject, press the shutter button partway down to lock the setting, recompose the picture as desired, then shoot.

Programmed Automatic Exposure
For accurate exposures under a wide range of lighting conditions, the Freedom Zoom Orion features center-weighted average metering along with a programmed exposure system which automatically selects the optimum shutter speed and lens aperture. Programmed autoexposure eliminates the need to make complicated calculations and settings, and makes the camera ready at a moment’s notice for many types of photographic situations.

Versatile Automatic Flash
The Freedom Zoom Orion eliminates flash worries by making the flash decisions automatically. Whenever additional light is required, the camera fires the built-in flash to properly expose the subject. Since there are no settings to make, the user is free to concentrate completely on taking pictures. Additionally, if the main subject is backlit, fill-flash can be activated for additional subject illumination. Plus, a flash-cancel mode is provided for circumstances where the use of flash is not permitted or desirable.

Red-Eye Reduction Lamp
To reduce the red-eye effect caused by the flash reflecting off the inside of the subject’s eyes, the red-eye reduction/self-timer lamp glows to close down the subject’s pupils before the flash is fired and the picture is taken.

Automatic Film Operation
Film operation is completely automatic with the Freedom Zoom Orion. Simply position the film cartridge and leader, then close the camera back. The Orion automatically sets the DX-coded film speed (ISO 50 - 3200), threads the film to the first frame, advances the film after each shot, then rewinds the film when the roll is finished. The power rewind function can be activated at any time.

Self-Timer
The convenient self-timer delays shutter-release for approximately 10 seconds after the shutter-release button has been pressed, allowing the user to set up the shot and appear in the photo. Countdown is indicated by a blinking lamp on the front of the camera. Self-timer operation is cancelable.

Stylish, Sophisticated Appearance
The Freedom Zoom Orion is as much fun to look at as it is to use. A smooth, symmetrical design and eye-catching silver metallic finish give the Orion a classy, refined appearance suitable for any occasion.

Tripod Socket
A tripod socket is located on the camera bottom, which makes it very easy to get the most from interval and self-timer operations. A tripod eliminates hand-held camera shake and allows the camera to be set up and positioned virtually anywhere.
 
Specifications
 
Type:
35mm lens-shutter camera
 
Lens:
38-105mm, f/4.6 - 11.8; 7 elements in 6 groups
 
Autofocusing:
Active infrared type; range: 3.28 feet to infinity
 
Focusing Steps:
23
 
Focus Lock:
Available with shutter-release button pressed partway down
 
Autoexposure:
Programmed AE with center-weighted average metering; CdS metering cell
 
Metering Range (ISO 100):
W: Ev7 - 15; T: Ev8.75 - 15
 
Shutter Speed Range:
1/3 - 1/250 sec.
 
Viewfinder:
Real-image zoom type; magnification:
0.38 - 1.0X
 
Field of View (for subject at 9.84 feet):
W/T: (V) 83% x (H) 83%
 
Diopter (for subject at 9.84 feet):
manual adjustment from -1 to +3 diopters
 
Eye Relief:
18.6mm from the eyepiece; 18.1mm from the eyepiece frame
 
Flash:
Built-in, fixed type with electronic flash-matic control
 
Guide Number (ISO 100):
26.24 feet
 
Flash Range (ISO 100):
W: 3.28 - 16.4 ft.; T: 3.28 - 6.56 ft.
 
Recycling Time:
Approx. 5 seconds
 
Flash Modes:
Autoflash (in low light), Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Flash cancel
 
Red-Eye reduction:
Via LED
 
ISO Range:
ISO 50 - 3200 (1Ev increments)
 
Film Transport:
Auto threading, auto advance to first frame, auto rewind; manual start of rewind possible
 
Self-Timer:
10 second delay of shutter release
 
Portrait Mode:
Lens zooms automatically to provide 1/40 magnification
 
Continuous Film Advance:
1 frame per second while holding the shutter-release button all the way down
 
Double Exposure Mode:
Available
 
Bulb Mode:
½ - 60 seconds
 
Landscape/Night View Mode:
Sets autofocus to infinity, cancels flash
 
Interval Mode:
Interval time: 10-60 seconds (selectable in 10-second increments), 2-10 minutes (selectable in 1-minute increments), 20-60 minutes (selectable in 10-minute increments); number of exposures: continues to operate until the film is used up
 
Data Imprinting (DATE model only):
Year, month, date/Month, date, year/Date, month, year/Date, hour, minute/No imprinting
 
Power:
One 3V lithium (CR123A); battery condition indicated in data panel in 2 stages
 
Battery Performance:
Approx. 20 rolls using 24-exposure film with flash on 50% of exposures
 
Dimensions:
4.8 x 2.6 x 1.7 in.; (DATE model): 4.8 x 2.6 x 1.8 in.
 
Weight (without battery):
8.4 oz.; (DATE model): 8.8 oz.
 
NOTE: Specifications subject to change without notice.