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Jer wrote:

> Alan Browne wrote:
>
>
>> Seems to be the bain of digital cameras: Operating temperature: 0° - 40°C
>> (32° - 104°F)
>>
>
> Could be the bain of some shutterbugs, too.

I sometimes shoot down to -20°C. Others 'round here go quite a bit colder. The
other night I attended a presentation where the photog was often shooting below
-40°C with a Pentax 6x7. (Calling his photos stunning is understatement).

Cheers,
Alan


--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

Magnus W wrote:

>
> Well, I did write the info about how this is accomplished above too -- the
> 7 (and D7D) has a built-in D encoder. It is attached to the screwdriver AF
> coupler and is not decoupled even in MF mode (if you are not using the
> "smooth manual focus" mode, note, not STF mode). The D7D will search to
> infinity at startup (this is a first for a Minolta camera). This is
> quite obviously done to count the revolutions from close focus to infinity,
> so the camera can determine D info without D lenses. Theoretically it
> wouldn't have to search in this way when using "proper" D lenses.

Makes sense. Sorry I didn't see it the right way first go around. As we say in
Quebec: "Je comprends vite, mais il faut me l'expliquer long temps."

>
>
>>The note on page 19 is bizarre:
>>
>>"Each time the camera is turned on, it automatically
>>focuses the lens to the infinity position, even in manual
>>focus. This operation is necessary to ensure proper
>>exposures."
>
>
> This is exactly the reason. Not bizarre but quite clever.
>
>
>>This bothers me as I'm almost always in manual focus... will it
>>override that and do this function regardless? (rhetorical).
>
>
> Yes, but it will switch back to MF after doing its search, and the reason
> is that you won't get D info for the camera's functions if this is not
> done.

Okay. So you're saying if the focus mode selector (front of camera) is in the
MF position, the shaft won't be disengaged and the infinity search function will
proceed on startup?

What if I change lenses w/o turning off the camera power?
(The p. 19 note says: "Each time the camera is turned on...")

>
>
>>Another nit: no viewfinder shutter to block back light getting in. I
>>meter manually most of the time, so no big bother but another cost
>>saver by K-M.
>
>
> No 7 class camera has ever had this. In fact, only two AF Minoltas have had
> it; the 9000 and 9.

Granted, but they could have...
>
>
>>The "Smooth focus" described on 116 (51 of pdf 2) is, er, novel.
>>Strange too.
>
>
> Neither novel nor new. The 7 has it too. The reason is that internal
> systems are still attached to the focus shaft even when in MF mode. When
> using for example a 300/2.8 with tele converter in MF, you have to force
> 1) lens
> 2) TC
> 3) internal gearing (in the camera)
> Plus slack in all gearing. This leads to extraordinarily sloppy focusing
> and is a major pain on the 7. So they put in a mode where you can
> physically decouple the focusing shaft from the lens, as done in all pre-7
> Minoltas.

Makes sense, thanks. I guess I was confused by the manuals use of the word
"smooth". I use my 300 f/2.8 alone and with the 1.4 and 2.0 TC's ... but it
would never occur to me to use AF with them.

>
>
>>Seems to be the bain of digital cameras:
>>Operating temperature: 0° - 40°C (32° - 104°F)
>
>
> Probably just a safeguard. But I am a little scared about using the AS
> system in cold; seems like it could actually freeze quite easily.

Depends on the design and lubricants (if any). I'd be more worried about the
LCD display and possibly the sensor when coming from the cold. (Always have a
garbage bag in the camera bag!)

Cheers,
Alan

--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

Part of that is almost certainly the battery. If I remember correctly,
Lithium Ion see a sharp increase in resistance as the temperature drops.

On 10/18/2004 05:41, Magnus W wrote:
> Alan Browne <> wrote in

>>Seems to be the bain of digital cameras:
>>Operating temperature: 0° - 40°C (32° - 104°F)
>
>
> Probably just a safeguard. But I am a little scared about using the AS
> system in cold; seems like it could actually freeze quite easily.

Alan Browne <> wrote in
news:qEQcd.55468$:

>> Yes, but it will switch back to MF after doing its search, and the
>> reason is that you won't get D info for the camera's functions if
>> this is not done.
>
> Okay. So you're saying if the focus mode selector (front of camera)
> is in the MF position, the shaft won't be disengaged and the infinity
> search function will proceed on startup?

Yes, followed by the clutch decoupling the motor.

> What if I change lenses w/o turning off the camera power?
> (The p. 19 note says: "Each time the camera is turned on...")

It will do the same dance... just like current models.

Alan Browne wrote:

> Jer wrote:
>
>> Alan Browne wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Seems to be the bain of digital cameras: Operating temperature: 0° -
>>> 40°C
>>> (32° - 104°F)
>>>
>>
>> Could be the bain of some shutterbugs, too.
>
>
> I sometimes shoot down to -20°C. Others 'round here go quite a bit
> colder. The
> other night I attended a presentation where the photog was often
> shooting below -40°C with a Pentax 6x7. (Calling his photos stunning is
> understatement).
>
> Cheers,
> Alan
>
>

Stop it - you're killing me!! If I have to wear shoes it's getting
chilly. There's a very good reason why there's no images of snow around
here.

--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Magnus W wrote:

> Alan Browne <> wrote in
> news:W8wcd.34392$:
[....]

>
>>Another nit: no viewfinder shutter to block back light getting in. I
>>meter manually most of the time, so no big bother but another cost
>>saver by K-M.
>
>
> No 7 class camera has ever had this. In fact, only two AF Minoltas have had
> it; the 9000 and 9.

My 700si came with a little clip-on plastic thingy to replace my face,
and I promptly lost it. (uh, the plastic thingy, not my face)


[....]

>
>>Seems to be the bain of digital cameras:
>>Operating temperature: 0° - 40°C (32° - 104°F)
>
>
> Probably just a safeguard. But I am a little scared about using the AS
> system in cold; seems like it could actually freeze quite easily.

I can't think of a better reason for AF.


--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Magnus W wrote:

> Alan Browne <> wrote in
> news:qEQcd.55468$:
>
>
>>>Yes, but it will switch back to MF after doing its search, and the
>>>reason is that you won't get D info for the camera's functions if
>>>this is not done.
>>
>>Okay. So you're saying if the focus mode selector (front of camera)
>>is in the MF position, the shaft won't be disengaged and the infinity
>>search function will proceed on startup?
>
>
> Yes, followed by the clutch decoupling the motor.
>
>
>>What if I change lenses w/o turning off the camera power?
>>(The p. 19 note says: "Each time the camera is turned on...")
>
>
> It will do the same dance... just like current models.

Hmmm. Thanks for clarifying that. I'll check it out on the SO's Max 5.

Cheers,
Alan


--
-- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource:
-- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.--

Jer wrote:

> Magnus W wrote:

>> Probably just a safeguard. But I am a little scared about using the AS
>> system in cold; seems like it could actually freeze quite easily.
>
>
> I can't think of a better reason for AF.
>
>


I meant to say A/S, not AF (brainfart)

--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Jer <> wrote in news:cl1n7a$:

>>>Another nit: no viewfinder shutter to block back light getting in. I
>>>meter manually most of the time, so no big bother but another cost
>>>saver by K-M.
>>
>> No 7 class camera has ever had this. In fact, only two AF Minoltas
>> have had it; the 9000 and 9.
>
> My 700si came with a little clip-on plastic thingy to replace my face,
> and I promptly lost it. (uh, the plastic thingy, not my face)

The 7 Digital will also come with this, like every Minolta camera since...
what? The i series?

But it's not quite the same

Magnus W wrote:

> Jer <> wrote in news:cl1n7a$:
>
>
>>>>Another nit: no viewfinder shutter to block back light getting in. I
>>>>meter manually most of the time, so no big bother but another cost
>>>>saver by K-M.
>>>
>>>No 7 class camera has ever had this. In fact, only two AF Minoltas
>>>have had it; the 9000 and 9.
>>
>>My 700si came with a little clip-on plastic thingy to replace my face,
>>and I promptly lost it. (uh, the plastic thingy, not my face)
>
>
> The 7 Digital will also come with this, like every Minolta camera since...
> what? The i series?
>
> But it's not quite the same


Good, then I'll get a new one and I'll retire my duct tape.

--
jer email reply - I am not a 'ten'