Focus Assist Light on Minolta TC-1

Some of you may have seen my post on the RFF, but since I didn't get any responses there, I thought perhaps a change of venue might help:

I recently picked up 1 of these used off the 'Bay. On mine, the red focus assist light comes on even when the camera is in non-flash mode, which is contrary to a statement in the instruction manual. Is the camera malfunctioning or is the manual wrong?

I would think that the instruction manual is correct, if only because having the focus assist light blinking away would be rather distracting when trying to take available light candids, etc., but I would like to hear from others who may have personal experience w/the TC-1. I'm also taking into account that the instructions could be inaccurate or translated incorrectly.

Thanks in advance.

Mystery solved. The manual that came w/my camera is dated 1996. I found a manual on-line that is dated 2001 & on the relevant page (42) the more recent version omits the statement that "The AF Illuminator will not function if the flash is turned off."

Good morning, FurCafe;

Congratulations on getting the question of the focus assist light sorted out. Also congratulations on having a Minolta camera that is not common. The TC-1 is a bit unusual.

It is amazing what can be done with the proper documentation in hand. It really does help with operating the equipment. In other areas, having the owner's manual with you may be the only way that you can figure out the necessary key stroke sequence to get through all of the menus to reach the parameter you need to adjust. This afflicts not only cameras, but also cellular telephones, radios, televisions, small computers, microwave ovens, et cetera.

In this realm, I am also trying to set up equipment to more easily convert many of the older photographic equipment owner's manuals, user's guides, and similar publications that I have, into forms that can be conveniently stored and transmitted over the internet for other owners and users. One of the losses I experienced was that of the in-depth technical information for an early computer that I still have. I have not been able to replace it as it was information normally used only by the dealers. I want to prevent this kind of a similar loss with the information I have available on my cameras and accessories for other owners and users.