Vectis -  200 Ultra-compact 2x zoom camera

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Ebay 2004/11/27 1.95USD (box), *2005/04/23  0.99GBP (+4GBP) , *2005/06/28 5.50GBP (70th Anniversary edition, +5GBP), 2005/07/04 5.99GBP (+4GBP)

VECTIS 200, Advanced Photo System lens-shutter camera featuring a wide-angle 25mm - 50mm (approx. 31 - 63mm in the 35mm format) lens with 2X zoom range, and a very compact, light weight, stylish body. Its image quality combined with simple, carefree, and fun-to-use Advanced Photo System features makes the VECTIS 200 an attractive LS camera to users.

Of course, the VECTIS 200 guarantees quality pictures with the extensive 200-step focusing and Minolta's original 4-element, 4-group zoom lens with aspheric surfaces. The camera's versatile flash offers Autoflash with red-eye reduction, Night Portrait, and Landscape modes in addition to regular Auto flash, Manual fill-flash, and Flash cancel modes.

The capsule body with a metallic silver finish on the front give the camera a friendly and sophisticated appearance. Minolta's technology accumulated in the 35mm format and Advanced Photo System arenas has contributed to make the VECTIS 200 a cost-efficient, quality camera.

Introduction

A capsule-type Advanced Photo System compact camera with a wide angle 2x zoom and select title imprinting. 

The stylish, ultra-compact, and lightweight Vectis 200 combines a versatile 2x zoom lens (approx. 31-63mm in the conventional 35mm format) along with simple, fully automatic operation and the mistake-proof ease of the Advanced Photo System. For carefree, take-anywhere convenience, the Vectis 200 features a protective capsule-type design which covers the lens and viewfinder optics when the camera is not in use. Weighs only 6 ounces without battery.

Features

Compact, Capsule-Type Design
Minolta’s Vectis 200 offers Advanced Photo System technology along with a 2x power zoom lens in a sleek, capsule-type design which makes it easy to carry in a coat pocket, purse, or fanny pack. When the camera is not in use, the lens retracts and is fully contained in a striking, capsule-type shell.

25 - 50mm (2x) AF Zoom Lens
The autofocusing 25 - 50mm f/4.8 - 9.1 power zoom lens (equivalent to 31 - 63mm in the 35mm format) is ideal for everything from sweeping scenic landscapes, to groups, to close portraits. This high-quality optical glass lens is precision-crafted with 4 elements in 4 groups, including two aspheric surfaces.

Precise Autofocusing with Focus Lock
The Vectis 200 features an active infrared autofocusing system with approximately 200 focusing steps, which keeps the main subject sharp in a wide variety of shooting situations. The focus can be locked by pressing the shutter-release button partway down, allowing the photographer to creatively position the subject anywhere in the viewfinder frame.

Programmed Autoexposure
For accurate exposures under a wide range of lighting conditions, the Vectis 200 features a center-weighted metering system, and an automatic exposure program which uses shutter speeds from 5.5 seconds to 1/500 sec. Film speeds from ISO 25 - 3200 may be used.

Drop-In Film Loading
With Minolta’s Vectis 200, film loading is completely mistake free. Simply open the film chamber door on the bottom of the camera and drop in the film cassette. There are no guides to find or film leaders to stretch. Just pop it in, close the door, and the film will automatically forward itself and advance to the next frame after each shot. At the end of the roll, the film rewinds automatically, but the power rewind function can be activated at any time.

Film Chamber Lock
This important security feature mechanically locks the film chamber release while there is usable film in the camera, thereby eliminating the chance of accidentally opening the film chamber and exposing the film.

Selectable Print Aspect Ratios
For greater creativity in picture compositions, the Vectis 200 allows the user to select C (Classic 2:3), H (High Definition TV 9:16), and P (Panorama 1:3) print formats. The viewfinder masks the image frame appropriately. A single roll of film can contain mixed formats, and formats may be switched anytime with an order of reprints.

IX Print Quality Improvement
The Vectis 200 magnetically records the selected print format, film orientation, flash fire, date & time, scene brightness value, artificial illumination, and magnification onto the edge of the film for automatic communication to the photofinisher.

Select Title/Date & Time Imprinting
This feature is ideal for labeling and cataloging photographs or keeping photo records of important events such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc. Up to 100 titles may be selected, in 12 different languages. Data imprinting is available in year, month, date/hour, minute/no imprinting formats. Data imprinting is available for the front or the back of the photograph, depending on the photofinisher’s equipment.

Built-In Flash
The built-in flash features autoflash, autoflash with red-eye reduction, manual fill-flash, flash cancel, landscape/night view, and night portrait (slow shutter sync) modes.

Night Portrait (Slow Shutter Sync) Mode
This mode synchronizes the flash with a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the subject with the background ambient light, in portraits taken in front of an illuminated night scene or at sunset.

Landscape/Night View Mode
This mode cancels the flash and sets the autofocus system to infinity, to ensure the sharpest photos of distant subjects, scenery, or illuminated night scenes.

Self-Timer
The convenient self-timer delays shutter release for ten seconds and allows the user to set up the shot then appear in the photo.

Auto Power OFF
This battery-saving feature automatically turns the camera off if it is not used for approximately 8 minutes.

LCD Data Panel
The large, easy to read LCD data panel displays battery condition, flash modes, landscape mode, title/date/time indicator, self-timer operation, film loaded, ISO, red-eye reduction indicator, and frame counter.

Specifications

Type:
Advanced Photo System (IX 240) lens-shutter camera.

Lens:
25 - 50mm f/4.8 - 9.1 power zoom lens (approx. 31 - 63mm in the 35mm format); 4 elements in 4 groups, including aspheric surfaces.

Autofocus:
Active infrared type; focus lock possible when shutter-release button is pressed partway down.

Focusing Steps:
Approx. 200.

Focusing Range:
P: Wide: 1.6 ft. - infinity; Tele: 3.2 ft. - infinity.

Exposure:
Programmed AE.

Metering:
Center-weighted type; SPC metering cell.

Metering Range (at ISO 200):
Wide: EV4 - 16.2; Tele: EV4 - 17.

Shutter Speed Range:
5.5 - 1/500 sec.

Film Speed Range:
Automatic setting for ISO 25 - 3200 in 1/3EV-stop increments.

Film Transport:
Drop-in loading, automatic threading, auto advance, auto rewind; mid-roll rewind possible; backward counter.

Double Exposure Prevention (DEP):
Optical.

Film Chamber Lock:
Yes

Information Exchange (IX):
Magnetic.

Self-Timer:
Approx. 10 second delay of shutter-release.

Flash:
Built-in, fixed.

Flash Modes:
Autoflash in low light, autoflash with red-eye reduction, manual fill-flash, flash cancel, landscape/night view, night portrait (with red-eye reduction) modes selectable.

Guide Number (in feet at ISO 200):
41

Flash Range (in feet at ISO 200):
Wide: 1.6 ft. - 16.4 ft.; Tele: 1.6 ft. - 8.8 ft.

Recycling Time:
Approx. 5 seconds.

Red-Eye Reduction:
Via lamp

Viewfinder:
Real-image zoom type.

Eye Relief:
21mm from eyepiece lens, 20mm from eyepiece frame.

Field of View (for subject at 9.8 ft.):
H format: 85%.

Magnification:
0.32x - 0.59x.

Diopter (subject at 9.8 ft.):
-1 diopter.

Print Aspect Ratio (C/H/P) Selection:
External selection via switch, by using IX data.

Date/Time Imprinting:
Front & back imprinting available, using magnetic IX: Year, month, date (mth., dt., yr./dt., mth., yr.)/Hour, minute/No imprinting. (Yr., mth., dt., and hour, min. imprinted on back side).

Select Title Backprinting:
User-select title (frame title) in 12 languages each (following system standards), by magnetic IX. Up to 100 titles selectable.

Power:
One 3V lithium (CR2).

Auto Power OFF:
After approx. 8 minutes of non use.

Battery Condition:
3-stage indicator.

Battery Performance:
Approx. 12 rolls (based on Minolta’s standard test method using 25-exposure film with flash on 50% of exposures).

Dimensions:
4 x 2.5 x 1.5 in.

Weight (without battery):
6.0 ounces.

 

Last Updated on 31st January 2005