How can I use a telescope or other non-automatic lens with my Minolta Maxxum or Sony Alpha 100?

Minolta added a protection feature on the Maxxum Series-xi and Series-si cameras which does not allow shutter release without an electronically attached lens. An electronically attached lens is a Maxxum or Minolta AF or other manufacturer lens with electronic contacts. If you planning to use your Maxxum camera with a lens which does not have electronic connection to the camera, microscope or telescope adapter, you must switch off this function. Follow the steps below to switch off the safety feature. Note: There is no way to switch off the safety feature with Maxxum 2xi, 3xi and SPxi cameras. Therefore, they cannot be use with other than a Maxxum AF or similar lens.

The Sony Alpha 100, which is basically a continuation of the Minolta-designed Maxxum digital cameras, has the same features.

Camera Procedure

5000, 7000, 9000, 5000i, 7000i, 8000i No preparation needed to use T-mount lenses.

3000i, 2xi, 3xi, SPxi Use of T-mount lenses, microscopes, and telescopes is not possible.

5xi  Press and hold SPOT and FUNC. buttons and switch from LOCK to ON.

7xi/9xi  Press and hold AEL and FUNC. buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON.

300si Press and hold FLASH and DRIVE/SELFTIMER buttons and move power switch from
LOCK to ON. (Off appears in LCD panel)

400si Press and hold Drive Mode and AV buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON.

500si Press and hold Drive Mode and SPOT buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON.

600si Press and hold the LENS RELEASE button and FILM SPEED button and move the power switch from LOCK to ON. (OFF appears in LCD panel)

700si Press and hold SPOT and CARD buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON.

800si Press and hold SUBJECT PROGRAM and AEL buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON.(OFF appears in LCD panel)

XTsi/HTsi Press and hold the Selftimer-Drive Mode button and Spot/AE button while sliding the Main Switch to "ON." (OFF appears in LCD panel)

Vectis S-1 Press ON/OFF to turn camera ON. Open door that covers hidden buttons. Press the Drive Mode button (fathest on the left) and the MODE button together. "ON" will appear in the LCD panel. Press the "SEL" button (second from right in hidden buttons). "OFF" Will appear in the LCD panel.

RD-175 Press and hold DRIVE/SELFTIMER and AV buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON. (ON" appears in LCD pane)

Konica-Minolta Maxxum 7D, Sony Alpha 100

To disable shutter lockout on the new Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D or the Sony Alpha 100 DSLR (for T-mount photography, for example), do the following:

Turn on power on the camera (main switch);

Press the MENU button on the back of the camera (upper left)

Use the right-going control arrow button to the right of the LCD screen to scroll sideways to the little "gear" icon (second from the right in the user interface);

Push the "AF" button (in the center of the scroll control array on the back of the camera) to get a new sub-menu;

On the new sub-menu, scroll to the right to the "3+gear icon" sub-sub-menu;

Scroll downward to "shutter lock";

Scroll to the "ON/OFF" setting to the right;

Use the Up-Down scroll arrows to highlight "OFF";

Press "AF" to load your selection into the camera memory;

Press the main MENU button on the back of the camera to exit this custom setup mode and resume camera operations.