Can a User Manual Be Wrong?

[FilmOnly]

The user manual for my Minolta XE-7 explains that, when using an Auto Rokkor lens, the lens should be kept in the stopped-down mode when the shutter is released. I have tested my Auto Rokkor 100/3.5, and the diaphragm clearly stops down automatically at the time of exposure. I tested it at slower speeds, 1/8 and 1/4, so that I would be able to identify the action of the diaphragm. I also used a smaller aperture, f/11, I believe. I would think the authors and/or technicians would have tested this. Perhaps my lens is a later "Auto" version that, with the XE-7, does not require stopping down at the time of exposure?

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes they can be wrong, they are talking about the pre Auto Rokkor lenses.

A classic is a 1940 Kodak catalogue explaining how a shutter they sold works, they describe how the width of the shutter slit between two curtains is altered to change shutter speed, in fact the particular shutter has a single s fixed width curtain and only the tension is altered.

Catalogues, Manuals etc were often written by junior back room staff who didn't have a full knowledge of the products.

Ian

 

[benjiboy]

Since the manual was probably translated from the original Japanese by a technical translator who isn't a photographer I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was wrong.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Human error doth occur from time to time.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

You just have to experimite!

Jeff

 

[Markster]

Human error doth occur from time to time.

To err is human. To really eff things up requires a computer