Minolta Vectis 3000 APS Camera

Other products by Konica-Minolta

Product Details

Product Manual [842kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1.2 x 2.3 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004WEJX
• Item model number: 2222353
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,235 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

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  Electronics > Camera & Photo > Film Cameras > APS Cameras

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Unlike most other compact zoom cameras that use a single infrared beam for autofocusing, the Minolta Vectis 3000 has three precisely aligned LED beams and over 400 focusing steps to sense your subject, and measure the distance between it and the camera. This means that you get crisp, in-focus shots regardless of the lighting situation. Once you have your subject focused, the Vectis 3000 lets you lock the focus by holding the shutter-release button part of the way down, and then reposition your subject anywhere in the viewfinder frame.

The Vectis 3000 also features a newly developed 3x, 22-66mm zoom lens that gives you high image quality and continual focal length selection with just one button. The 22-66mm lens is versatile enough to be used for almost every kind of photography scene, from landscape to group shots to portraits, and even detailed close-ups.

With the easy-to-use APS film system, you no longer have to worry if you've loaded the film correctly. You can also change the film cartridge at any frame. This allows you the freedom to switch back and forth between color and black-and-white film, or to keep your subject matter on separate rolls. The stylish, lightweight Vectis 3000 has a sleek, slim aluminum body that protects the controls by retracting or extending as needed.

From the Manufacturer

The Advanced Photo System has revolutionized photography by making it easier than ever for virtually anyone to take beautiful photographs. And, Minolta’s Vectis 3000 gives you a wide selection of Advanced Photo System features in a slim, compact camera body that easily fits in a pocket or purse. This is one camera you have to see to believe. But just because it’s small doesn’t mean it won’t give you a large dose of picture-taking potential.

Ultra-compact and Slim 3X Zoom Camera
The Vectis 3000 houses a full 3X zoom lens, yet is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand or a shirt pocket. The slim and sleek aluminum body cover retracts to create an eye-catching lightweight capsule that protects the controls and high-quality optics. For taking pictures, the capsule extends to a comfortable size, and the flash pops up ready for use. You can easily bring the Vectis 3000 wherever you go, so you’ll always be ready to capture those special moments.

Easy Operation
The Vectis 3000 is as easy to use as it is fun to own. Fully automatic operation plus a wide array of Advanced Photo System features means that the Vectis 3000 can be used confidently by virtually anyone.

3X Aspheric Zoom Lens
The Vectis 3000 features a newly-developed 3X, 22 - 66mm (approx. 27.5 – 82.5mm in the 35mm format) zoom lens that provides continuous focal length selection with the touch of a button. The 3X zoom range is ideal for capturing a wide variety of subjects from landscapes and travel photos to groups, portraits, and even detailed close-ups. Minolta’s new optical formula of 5 lens elements in 5 groups uses two double-sided aspheric elements including a low-dispersion glass element with a high refractive index. All this technology translates into superb image quality at any focal length.

Triple-Beam Autofocusing with Focus Lock
Unlike conventional compact zoom cameras that use a single infrared beam for autofocusing, the Vectis 3000 uses three precisely aligned LED beams and approximately 408 focusing steps to detect the subject and measure subject distance. As a result, even off-center subjects are rendered beautifully crisp, regardless of contrast or lighting conditions. Also, the focus is locked by pressing the shutter-release button partway down, so you can creatively position your subject anywhere in the viewfinder frame.

Close-Up Photography
Now you can capture a world of subjects that usually goes unnoticed. The Vectis 3000’s sophisticated autofocusing system lets you shoot sharp, detailed close-ups from as near as 16 inches.

Dual-Area Exposure Metering
The Vectis 3000’s dual-area metering system measures light levels in both the subject area and the background. If the background is much brighter than the subject, the flash will fire (in autoflash modes) to provide additional subject illumination. The Vectis 3000 has no complicated exposure settings to figure out. The programmed exposure system automatically delivers accurate exposures shot after shot, under a wide range of lighting conditions.

Pop-Up Flash with Red-Eye Reduction
The built-in, pop-up flash lets you shoot flash photos with ease and confidence. For maximum versatility, a number of flash modes expand your picture-taking possibilities. Autoflash, autoflash with red-eye reduction, manual fill-flash, flash cancel, landscape/night view, and night portrait (slow shutter sync) modes will have you taking the kinds of photographs you’ll be proud to display.

Increased Lens-to-Flash Distance for Greater Red-Eye Reduction
For shooting, the Vectis 3000’s capsule-type body extends to reveal the lens and controls, and provide a comfortable grip. The built-in flash pops up to provide an increased lens-to-flash distance, which reduces the red-eye effect common in flash portraits. The pop-up design also prevents the flash from being accidentally covered by the user’s finger.

Automatic "Soft" Flash
To prevent a close subject from being overexposed and "washed out" by the flash, the Vectis 3000 automatically sets a lower flash intensity for close-ups.

Mid-Roll Film Change
Mid-roll film change lets you unload a partially used film cassette, exchange it for a different film cassette, and reload the original film cassette as often as desired. When the partially used film is reloaded, the Vectis 3000 detects the film’s exposure status and advances the film to the first unexposed frame, ready for shooting. With mid-roll film change, films can be grouped by events or subjects, or changed quickly when someone else wants to use the camera.

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 romantic night scenes such as city skylines.

Night Portrait Mode (Slow shutter sync)
This easy setting can produce stunning results. Use Night Portrait mode to photograph a person placed in front of an illuminated night scene or a dramatic sunset. It sets the flash to manual fill with optional red-eye reduction, and selects a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the person with the background ambient light. So you get an accurately exposed person in the foreground plus all the beauty and ambience captured in the background scene. NOTE: Because of the slow shutter speed, a tripod is recommended to prevent blurring caused by hand-held camera shake.

Film Chamber Lock
This unique Vectis feature prevents the film chamber door from being opened when there is usable film in the chamber, thereby protecting your loaded film from accidental exposure.

LCD Data Panel
The large, easy to read LCD data panel makes it easy to keep an eye on camera status. It displays title/date/time imprinting, ISO, flash mode, battery condition, remote control, frame number, self-timer, and film cassette loaded.

Optional Remote Control
The optional infrared remote control RC-3 gives you greater picture-taking convenience and versatility by allowing hands-free shutter release from as far away as 16 feet. The RC-3 provides either immediate shutter release when pressed, or a two-second delay before shutter release.

Self-Timer
The self-timer delays shutter release for approximately 10 seconds and allows you to set up the shot and appear in the photo. Self-timer operation is also useful when shooting night scenes with the camera mounted on a tripod -- since the camera would automatically set slow shutter speeds in this case, the self-timer eliminates camera shake caused by pressing the shutter-release button.

Auto Power OFF
To conserve battery power, the Vectis 3000 turns off automatically if not used for 8 minutes.

ADVANCED PHOTO SYSTEM FEATURES:
Drop-In Film Loading
Loading film into the Vectis 3000 is quick, easy, and mistake-free. Simply open the film chamber door, drop in the film cassette, and close the film chamber door. The camera automatically threads the film and advances it to subsequent frames after each shot. At the end of the roll the film rewinds automatically, but you can activate the rewind function anytime.

Three Print Formats
For greater creativity in picture compositions, the Vectis 3000 lets you choose from three different print formats: C (Classic), H (HDTV), or P (Panorama). Sliding the format switch changes the viewfinder image appropriately. A format can be selected before shooting, and even changed when ordering reprints. A single roll of film can contain mixed formats.

Double Exposure Prevention (DEP)
DEP optically detects if an exposed film cassette has been inserted into the camera, and prevents the film from being unintentionally exposed again.

Select Title and Date/Time Imprinting
This feature is ideal for cataloging photographs or keeping photo records of important events. Depending on your photofinisher’s equipment, any of up to 100 different titles can be imprinted, in 12 different languages. The date/time clock automatically adjusts for leap years.

IX Print Quality Improvement
One of the many advantages of the Advanced Photo System is the ability of the camera to "communicate" with the photofinishing equipment. The Vectis 3000 magnetically records frame title, date & time, print format, film orientation, flash fire, scene brightness value, artificial illumination, and magnification onto the edge of the filmstrip. With this information provided, the processor can produce better-looking prints.

Negatives Returned in the Film Cassette
The Advanced Photo System eliminates the need to handle and sort negatives. After developing, the negatives are returned to you in the original film cassette, for safe storage and easy retrieval.

Index Print
Along with the processed prints, a handy index print can be provided which shows thumbnail-sized images of all the photos on the roll, for quick reference. The index print, individual prints, and film cassette containing the negatives share the same identification number, to make ordering reprints or enlargements easy and trouble-free.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Infrared Remote Control RC-3

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A major improvement over last year's Vectis 2000!, November 25, 2000

By A Customer

Just when I thought the Vectis 2000 was the best APS on the market, here comes the Vectis 3000! Minolta addressed and solved the 2000's shortcomings in the newest model (i.e. 3x vs 2x zoom, mid-roll film change, a sturdier case and a lens when in the normal position is flush with the camera body eliminating the need to wait while the lens retracts into the body prior to closing the case.

Picture quality is excellent, although I strongly recommend a 200 speed film for panoramic use. Fuji Nexis 200 performs very well in the 24mm format when in panaormic mode.

The 3000 is quite pricy for an APS -- I paid $319 at a local retailer -- but worth every penny!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hang On To It!, April 17, 2001

By A Customer

I bought this camera for my wife on the strength of a review in Amazon. Now I won't let her use it; it is fantastic. The pictures are much more clear than I was expecting; they rival my 35mm SLR photos. It is a somewhat tender camera, so I would not recommend it for individuals who plan on using it in rough circumstances. I dropped it on a carpeted floor and it landed on the closed flash, jamming it and requiring repair. Initially I was a little disappointed in the flash re-cycle time, which seemed slow to me. However, on the whole it works well beyond my expectations and I am looking forward to finding my wife something else to use.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short on accessories, November 28, 2001

By	Roy L Hardin (Louisville Ky) - See all my reviews

i could not wait to get this camera, and was all i hoped for, except for one thing. did not come with the battery. it only comes with the strap. so if you plan on purchasing this camera make sure you buy a battery and some film, to go along with it. other than that is is great, small enough to fit in your pocket and takes great pictures