Specialists In Astrophotography

Precise
Versatile
Expandable
 
No matter what your photographic experience may be, the Maxxum 400si makes taking pictures a profound pleasure. That’s because it’s equipped with Progressive, 3-level Operation: fully automatic mode for point & shoot simplicity, subject program selection for those hard-to-take shots, and complete creative control with aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes.

Features
  
SLR Advantages
The Maxxum 400si SLR camera offers major advantages over a conventional point and shoot camera. With the 400si, the user sees the image through the lens – the same image that the film sees – so there is no need for parallax adjustments when framing the picture. In addition, the user can choose from a large selection of top-quality Maxxum lenses, ranging from super-wide 16mm fisheye to 600mm super-telephoto, including macro (extreme close-up) and zoom types. Lenses can be removed, switched, and attached in seconds. Also, the 400si’s autofocus, autoexposure and metering systems are much more sophisticated than those of a point and shoot camera, and produce higher quality results. Finally, the user has the option to full creative control over how the final image will appear in the photograph.

Progressive 3-Level Operation
The Maxxum 400si provides all that is needed for a first-time user to become proficient in the art of SLR photography. With Progressive 3-Level Operation, beginners will find their picture-taking ability improving and their interest increasing, as they learn the fundamentals of SLR image making. The user can switch from one mode to another instantly, by using the camera’s convenient 3-way command switch.

Level 1 – Full Auto Mode with Expert Program Selection
Initially, beginners should start with Full Auto Mode and observe the 400si at work as they move from one subject to another.

Full-Auto mode gives the user the freedom to concentrate completely on their subject or scene by giving the camera full control over focus and exposure. In full-auto mode, Maxxum’s Expert Program Selection analyzes subject distance and movement, scene brightness, and lens focal length, then sets the best combination of shutter speed and aperture automatically.
 
 

Level 2 – User-Selectable Subject Program Modes
After they feel comfortable with the camera, users can select a specific Subject Program and move one step deeper into the realm of camera control, observing how different exposure settings affect the end result and how different effects are best suited to different subjects.

The Maxxum 400si offers five different subject program modes. Each mode is designated by a separate, easily recognizable icon in the data panel that illustrates the type of subject or scene for which it is best suited.

Portrait Mode is best suited for full-frame photographs of people. In this mode, the 400si favors larger apertures which will blur the background, making the main subject stand out.

Landscape Mode can be used to photograph sweeping vistas or friends and family in front of famous landmarks. This mode maximizes depth of field by favoring small apertures. The camera continuously monitors and adjusts the shutter speed to prevent blur caused by camera shake.

Close-Up Mode helps capture detailed macro photographs with ease. It is best when used with Minolta’s AF 50mm or 100mm Macro lenses. This mode selects the optimum aperture and shutter combination for maximum depth of field with extreme close-ups.

Sports Action Mode favors fast shutter speeds to capture fast action.  Continuous AF tracks moving subjects and predictive AF adjusts focus during the short interval between the instant the shutter-release button is pressed and the moment the shutter opens.

Night Portrait Mode, when used with flash, synchronizes the flash with a slow shutter speed to balance the flash exposure with the existing light. When used without flash, this mode can be used to capture long exposures of night scenes.

Level 3 – Creative Exposure Control
The final step would be for users to take full creative control of the Maxxum 400si by controlling the shutter speed or aperture or both to obtain the kind of image that they envision  in their minds.

For full creative control, the Maxxum 400si offers Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure modes. Once the photographer has learned how adjustments to aperture, shutter, and overall exposure will affect the final image, he or she can apply this knowledge to creating personalized photographs that reflect a personal vision or style.

All three modes use the camera’s AF-integrated 8-segment honeycomb-pattern metering system. In Aperture-Priority mode, the photographer can select apertures in ½-stop increments; and the camera’s exposure system will automatically select the correct shutter speed. Likewise, in Shutter Priority mode, the photographer can select shutter speeds in one-stop increments, and the 400si will automatically set the appropriate lens aperture. In Manual mode, the photographer can take full creative control over the image-making process, by selecting both the shutter speed and aperture, while referring to exposure indicators in the viewfinder.

Built-In Flash
The Maxxum 400si features a built-in flash with a guide number of 39 (in feet at ISO 100). The flash is raised and lowered by hand, and provides flash coverage to 28mm, with sync speeds of 1/90 sec. or slower. The built-in flash can be used in all four exposure modes, and features a selectable red-eye reduction pre-flash.

Wireless Off-Camera Flash Control
The 400si can control off-camera Maxxum 5400HS, 5400xi, or 3500xi flash units without accessory cords or connectors. 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 to correctly expose the subject.

Exposure Compensation Control
For creative exposure adjustments or exposure bracketing, the 400si’s exposure compensation control allows changes in half-stop increments for up to 3 stops over or under normal exposure.

Continuous Drive Mode
This action-catching mode lets the user shoot continuously 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.

Fully Automatic Film Operation
Film handling is quick and easy with the Maxxum 400si.  Just 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.

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.

Full Line of Maxxum Accessories
The Maxxum 400si accepts all Minolta or Maxxum AF lenses, including the xi-Series power zoom lenses. In addition, other accessories like Maxxum HS and xi-Series Flashes, the Close-Up Diffuser CD-1000, and various Maxxum camera/lens cases let you expand your SLR system as your interest in photography grows.

 Specifications
 
Type:
35mm SLR with built-in flash and expert control of autofocus (AF) and autoexposure (AE).
 
Lens Mount:
Minolta A-type bayonet mount. Accepts all Minolta AF lenses and xi-Series Autozoom lenses.
 
Autofocus System:
Minolta’s through-the-lens (TTL) phase-detection system with one CCD; activated by pressing the shutter-release button partway down; predictive focus control for moving subjects. Focus lock and manual focus available.
 
AF Sensitivity:
EV -1 to 18 (at ISO 100 in ambient light).
 
AF Illuminator:
Built-in flash fires automatically (when raised) in low light to aid focusing. Range: 3 - 16-1/2ft. (based on Minolta’s standard test methods).
 
Manual Focusing:
By monitoring focus signals in viewfinder data panel and/or visually on the Acute-Matte viewfinder screen.
 
Exposure Modes:
Program AE (P mode), Subject Program Selection (5 programs), Creative Exposure Control (A, S, and M modes)
 
Shutter:
Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse focal plane shutter. Range: 1/2000 – 30 sec., plus BULB.
 
P Mode:
Programmed control (Expert Program Selection) of aperture and shutter speed based on lens specifications and scene characteristics. Built-in flash fires automatically when raised, attached accessory flash when on.
 
Subject Program Selection:
Five user-selectable programs tailored to specific subject or scene characteristics: Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports-Action, Night Portrait.
 
Aperture Priority (A mode):
Any available aperture in 0.5EV increments selectable; shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 30 sec. set by autoexposure program.
 
Shutter Priority (S mode):
Any shutter speed from 1/2000 to 30 sec. selectable in 1 EV increments, aperture set by autoexposure program.
 
Manual Exposure (M mode):
Any shutter speed/aperture combination selectable, correct and over/under exposure indicated in viewfinder; BULB also selectable.
 
Exposure Compensation:
+/-3 EV in 0.5 increments manually selectable in any mode or Subject Program.
 
Exposure Lock:
Exposure locked automatically with focus.
 
Metering Type:
TTL 8-segment honeycomb-pattern silicon photocell (SPC); automatically activated by pressing the shutter-release button partway down. Second SPC for flash metering of built-in or attached dedicated flash unit.
 
Metering Range:
EV 1 – 20 (f/1.4 lens).
 
Built-In Flash:
Guide number 39 (in feet); flash coverage for 28mm; recycling time approx. 2 seconds (based on Minolta’s standard test methods); powered by camera’s battery; raised and lowered manually; pre-flash for red-eye reduction and wireless remote flash control available.
 
TTL Flash Metering:
Operates in all flash modes with built-in flash and dedicated flash unit; x-sync shutter speed automatically set when flash-on indicator appears in the viewfinder. In Night Portrait mode, slow shutter speed automatically set to balance background exposure with flash. Subject Program, P and S Modes: Aperture and shutter speeds set automatically; built-in and attached accessory flash fires automatically when necessary, except Night Portrait and S mode (fires whenever activated). A Mode: Any available aperture selectable; shutter speed automatically set to 1/90sec.; built-in and attached accessory flash will fire when activated. M Mode: Any shutter speed to 1/90 or slower and any available aperture usable; built-in and attached accessory flash will fire when activated. Remote/wireless off-camera flash control: Built-in flash fires control code to trigger and stop specified accessory flashes; 2:1 flash ratio in ratio control: 1/45 sec.; control range: 16 ½ ft.
 
Portrait/Landscape Mode Flash:
Flash up: autoflash in low light or back light; flash down: off.
 
Close-Up/Sports Mode Flash:
Flash up: autoflash in low light; flash down: off.
 
Flash Sync:
1/90 sec. or slower.
 
Film Handling:
Automatic advance to first frame, automatic advance between frames, automatic rewind, manual start of rewind.
 
Continuous Drive:
1 frame per second; continuous AF; focus priority; focus checked and adjusted after each frame.
 
Film Speed:
DX-coded film speed set automatically; non-DX-coded film exposed at ISO 100. Range: ISO 25-5000 (1/3-EV increments). Range with flash: ISO 25-1000.
 
Viewfinder:
Roof mirror type with built-in LCD panel.
 
Focusing Screen:
Acute-matte.
 
Field of View:
90% of film frame.
 
Magnification:
0.75X (with 50mm lens focused on infinity).
 
Correction:
-1 diopter (fixed).
 
Eyepiece Cup:
Soft-type.
 
Auto Zoom Features:
Auto compact (with xi-Series lenses).
 
Self-Timer:
10 second delay with LED indicator.
 
Power:
One 2CR5 6V lithium battery.
 
Battery Performance:
 
Flash Use    68o        -4o
0%              50 rolls   20 rolls
50%            20 rolls   10 rolls
100%          13 rolls    5 rolls

Based on the following test conditions: 24-exposure rolls (reduced by approx. 1/3 with 36-exposure rolls); AF Zoom 28-80mm f/4-5.6 lens; Autofocus from infinity to minimum focus distance and back 3 times; shutter-release button held part-way down for 10 sec. before shutter release.
 
Battery Indicator:
4-stage indicator shows remaining battery power when main switch moved from LOCK to ON.
 
Dimension:
5.8 x 3.6 x 2.6 in. (QD model 5.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.)
 
Weight:
13.4 oz. (QD model 13.6 oz.) without lens and battery.
 
NOTE: Specifications subject to change without notice.