Minolta Creative Expansion Cards are powerful accessories that can take your photography to new heights by expanding the capabilities of your Minolta camera. These innovative cards provide additional functions and features, allowing you to explore creative techniques and enhance your photographic vision.
The Creative Expansion Card system was introduced by Minolta in 1988 for use with 7000i series of 35mm film SLR cameras, and was used in several subsequent series of Minolta SLR camera. The Minolta 700si was the last camera to use the Creative Expansion Card system, and subsequent models incorporated some of the functions into the camera itself by means of the Program modes.
Each card extended the camera functionality and allowed to produce different effects. For example, the Portrait Card selected the largest possible aperture to limit depth of field while balancing shutter speed to avoid camera shake, while the Intervalometer Card allowed the camera to be used for time-lapse photography.
The were also cards called Data Memory Card and Data Memory Card 2 enabling the camera to store the settings used for taking an image.
From Maxxum 7000i Manual
One of the Maxxum 7000i’s most unique features is the system of Creatve Expansion Cards that provide new ways to enjoy photography. These cards fit into the card door on the right side of the camera. The “CARD” symbol appears in the data panel wherever a card is in use.
Special Application Cards
- Sports Action Card
- Closeup Card
- Depth Control Card
- Portrait Card
Feature Cards let you add additional features to the camera
- Exposure Bracketing Cards
- Highlights/Shadow Control Card
- Program Shift Card
- Fantasy Effect Card
- Data Memory Card
Creative Expansion Cards List
SPORTS ACTION
Product Number: 6926-100
UPC: 70583-0
Label: SPORTS (Sp)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i
The Sport Action Card controls the camera’s basic settings for taking pictures of fast-moving subjects. The autoexposure program is automatically shifted according to subject distance and lens focal length in use.
SPORTS ACTION 2
Product Number: 6926-150
UPC: 70684-4
Label: SPORTS-2 (Sp)
Compatibility: 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Sports Action Card 2 is ideal when shooting fast-moving subjects or unpredictable events. When this card is activated, the Dynax’s Expert Program Selection is automatically biased to favor fast shutter speeds. In addition, when a Zoom xi Lens is attached to the 9xi, five different APZ (Advanced Program Zoom) programs can be manually selected. All will continuously adjust the focal length so your picture remains well composed at all times.
PORTRAIT
Product Number: 6926-200
UPC: 70584-7
Label: PORTRAIT (P)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Portrait Card uses a special exposure program to maintain the best aperture and shutter speed for hand-held portraits. The card automatically maintains the largest aperture possible to limit depth of field and make your subject stand out from the background, balancing it against a shutter speed which will prevent blur from camera shake or subject movement. The Portrait Card is very effective when you use a large caliber telephoto lens.
CLOSE-UP
Product Number: 6926-300
UPC: 70585-4
Label: CLOSEUP (Cl)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Close-up Card controls the aperture setting to provide optimum depth of field for close-up and macro pictures. It causes the exposure system to automatically adjust the aperture according to the magnification of your subject. This card is very effective when macro lenses are used.
EXPOSURE BRACKETTING
Product Number: 6927-100
UPC: 70586-1
Label: BRACKET (B)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i
The Exposure Bracketting Card allows you to make a series of exposures with a selected exposure adjustment between exposures. Three, five or seven exposures can be programmed and an exposure change of 0.3, 0.5 or 1 stop can be selected.
EXPOSURE BRACKETTING 2
Product Number: 6927-150
UPC: 70688-2
Label: BRACKET-2 (B)
Compatibility: 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Exposure Bracketting 2 Card provides both ambient and flash exposure bracketing in a series of 3, 5, or 7 frames in any exposure mode. In ambient bracketing mode, the change between frames can be set to 0.3-, 0.5- or i-stops and the film will advance at up to 4.5 frames-per second. When the camera is set to M mode, you have the choice of bracketing either by changing the shutter speed or aperture. In all other modes, the bracketing will be done by changing the camera-controlled exposure setting(P mode) or settings (A or S modes). The change between frames in a flash bracketing series can be set to 0.5 or 1.0 stops. When the flash is in M mode, the camera will bracket by changing the lens aperture. In addition, the card can be used when a non-dedicated flash or studio strobe is connected to the camera’s PC terminal.
AUTOMATIC DEPTH CONTROL
Product Number: 6927-200
UPC: 70587-8
Label: DEPTH (De)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i
The Automatic Depth Control Card automatically intervenes to adjust the focus and aperture of the lens diaphragm in order to obtain the greatest depth of field available. By depth of field we mean the space that appears sharp placed before and behind the plane of focus where the main subject of the frame appears.
DATA MEMORY
Product Number: 6927-300
UPC: 70588-5
Label: DATA (Da)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i
The Data Memory Card lets you store a variety of exposure data for up to 40 exposures on a given roll of film. Esposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure adjustment, lens focal length, and maximum lens aperture data can be stored and then recalled when you want to check exposure settings.
DATA MEMORY 2
Product Number: 6927-350
UPC: 70694-3
Label: DATA-2 (Da)
Compatibility: 7xi 9xi 700si
The Data Memory 2 Card stores the following data for up to four rolls of 40 exposures; exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, lens focal length, maximum aperture of the lens, exposure compensation and film speed. You can recall data to the data panel when you want to check the settings used for previous exposures. And, after four rolls have been exposed, a warning light appears to remind you that information from the first roll will be erased automatically if another is exposed. All data on the card may also be erased manually.
HIGHLIGHT/SHADOW CONTROL
Product Number: 6927-400
UPC: 70589-2
Label: H/S (H/S)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i 7xi 9xi 700si
The Highlight/Shadow Control Card allows you to reproduce highlight and shadow tones more naturally. Used with the camera’s spot metering system, it automatically increased exposure 2.3 stops for highlights and decreases exposure 2.7 stops for shadows.
FANTASY EFFECT
Product Number: 6927-500
UPC: 70590-8
Label: FANTASY (F)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i
This Fantasy Effect Card automatically moves the focus point during the exposure so as to create a mixture of two different effects. One gives the scene a soft focus with softening of the details and outlines, the other is instead a zoom effect that serves to add impact and strength to the scene.
FANTASY 2
Product Number: 6927-550
UPC: 70692-9
Label: FANTASY-2 (F)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i 7xi 9xi 700si
The Fantasy 2 Card lets you create soft-focus or dream-like effects in your picture, without changing lenses or adding filters, by automatically changing the focus during exposure or between multi-exposures on a single frame. This card’s two modes let you keep your main subject in sharp focus while surrounding it with a slight ‘zooming’ effect or with a soft halo of light.
AUTOMATIC PROGRAM SHIFT
Product Number: 6927-600
UPC: 70591-5
Label: SHIFT (Sh)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i
The Automatic Program Shift Card allows you to automatically expose a series of 3 frames according to a preset schedule for each of the three. Exposure will always be kept correct and balanced, while shutter speeds and apertures will vary in the combination of fast times - large apertures and slow times - small apertures. Each level involves a variation of one stop from the previous one with changes occurring in opposite directions. The series of 3 consecutive shots starts from the fastest shutter speeds and wider apertures to proceed towards slower shutter speeds and smaller apertures.
AUTOMATIC PROGRAM SHIFT 2
Product Number: 6927-650
UPC: 70690-5
Label: SHIFT-2 (Sh)
Compatibility: 7xi 9xi 700si
The Automatic Program Shift 2 Card automatically exposes a three-frame series of shots at different shutter speed/aperture combinations without changing the overall exposure. The card can be used in any exposure mode and the amount of change is manually selectable at 1, 2, or 3 stops. This quickly and automatically provides the different effects obtained by shutter speed and/or aperture settings.
MULTI-SPOT MEMORY
Product Number: 6927-700
UPC: 70629-5
Label: MULT-SPOT (Ms)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i 7xi 9xi 700si
The Multi-Spot Memory Card allows you to store exposure values for up to eight spots areas within a scene, and then expose the scene based on the average of these multiple readings.
FLASH BRACKETTING
Product Number: 6927-800
UPC: 70631-8
Label: FLASH-BR (Fb)
Compatibility: 7000i 8000i
The Flash Bracket Card allows you to shoot a series of flash exposures with a preset exposure change in each frame. Three, five or seven exposures can be set, with changes in exposure of 0.5 or 1 EV steps.
CUSTOMIZED FUNCTION
Product Number: 6928-100
UPC: 70592-2
Label: CUSTOM (Cu)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i
This Customized Function Card allows you to program some camera functions according to the photographer’s personal needs. The following functions can be changed:
1. Methods of exposure. You can choose which exposure modes to keep active on the camera and which to exclude.
2. Active focus lock with Zoom AF 100-200mm f/4.5-5.6 and 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 lenses. Or you can opt for focusing on the central area or continuous Autofocus.
3. Variation of 1EV or ½ EV in manual M or time priority S mode.
4. Setting or muting the beep at slow shutter speeds.
5. Setting the frame counter of additive type or with display, on the indicator panel, of the missing frames.
6. The start of film rewinding can be set with manual or fully automatic start.
7. You can choose whether, after rewinding the film, to let the tab stay out of the magazine or not. All these settings are transferred to the camera’s memory circuits, so after changing the settings, the card can be removed and replaced by others.
1. Methods of exposure. You can choose which exposure modes to keep active on the camera and which to exclude.
2. Active focus lock with Zoom AF 100-200mm f/4.5-5.6 and 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 lenses. Or you can opt for focusing on the central area or continuous Autofocus.
3. Variation of 1EV or ½ EV in manual M or time priority S mode.
4. Setting or muting the beep at slow shutter speeds.
5. Setting the frame counter of additive type or with display, on the indicator panel, of the missing frames.
6. The start of film rewinding can be set with manual or fully automatic start.
7. You can choose whether, after rewinding the film, to let the tab stay out of the magazine or not. All these settings are transferred to the camera’s memory circuits, so after changing the settings, the card can be removed and replaced by others.
A/S MODE
Product Number: 6929-100
UPC: 70626-4
Label: A/S MODE (AS)
Compatibility: 5000i
The A/S Mode Card provides two aditional exposure modes: aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes. In aperture-priority (A) mode, you set the aperture and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed to provide correct exposure. In shutter-priority (S) mode, you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the aperture to provide correct exposure.
MULTIPLE EXPOSURE
Product Number: 6931-100
UPC: 70633-2
Label: MULT.EXP (Me)
Compatibility: 8000i 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Multiple Exposure Card allows you to make up to nine exposures on the same frame. Besides its standard mode, in which each exposure in the sequence is made at the ‘normal’ exposure value, the card offers ‘Fade-in’ and ‘Fade-out’ modes that produce a series of graded exposure changes from the normal value.
MULTIPLE EXPOSURE 2
Product Number: 6931-100
UPC: 70633-2
Label: MULT.EX-2 (Me)
Compatibility: 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
NOTE: This card doesn’t show on any Dealers Price list I have access to.
TRAVEL
Product Number: 6932-110
UPC: 70663-9
Label: TRAVEL (T)
Compatibility: 5000i 7000i 8000i 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Travel Card is especially useful for photographing a friend or family member in front of a landmark or other interesting location. The Travel Card automatically adjusts the depth of field to provide maximum sharpness for the scene you’re shooting. Because the Dynax 9xi can detect lateral motion, the card is also programmed to minimize subject blur when you take a picture on the move or from a moving vehicle. Normal or Wide lenses are effective especially when a Zoom xi lens is attached to the Dynax 9xi.
CHILD
Product Number: 6932-120
UPC: 70665-3
Label: CHILD (Ch)
Compatibility: 5xi 7xi 9xi 700si
The Child Card is at its best for capturing the spontaneous actions and candid expressions of children at play. Five different APZ programs are manually selectable to provide varying degrees of subject/environment balance. When a Zoom xi lens is attached to the Dynax 9xi, the APZ program is activated.
INTERVALOMETER
Product Number: 6932-310
UPC: 70667-7
Label: INTERVAL (I)
Compatibility: 7xi 9xi 700si
This Intervalometer Card lets you pre-program the camera to shoot a series of time-lapse images. The length of the intervals can be set from one second up to 24 hours, providing uninterrupted, automatic operation for scientific, industrial or nature applications.
PANNING
Product Number: 6932-320
UPC: 70669-1
Label: PAN (Pa)
Compatibility: 7xi 9xi 700si
When you insert the Panning Card into the camera, the camera automatically selects the slowest possible shutter speed, so the background appears to flow around a sharply focused main subject. In addition, the metering index is displayed in the camera’s viewfinder to help you create a desired photographic effect, as well as monitor your panning technique.
BACKGROUND PRIORITY
Product Number: 6932-330
UPC: 70671-4
Label: BACKGRND (Bg)
Compatibility: 7xi 9xi 700si
With the Background Priority Card, you can select the approximate depth of field you desire by turning the front dial to move the pointer on the metering index. The card’s program then maintains the chosen background sharpness by automatically controlling the lens aperture should the focal length or subject distance change.
CUSTOMIZED FUNCTION XI
Product Number: 6932-510
UPC: 70673-8
Label: CUSTOMxi (Cu)
Compatibility: 7xi 9xi 700si
The Customized Function Card xi lets you reprogram a wide range of camera functions to fit your personal style of photography, including: Standard setting when the Program Reset button is pressed; Exposure modes: P/A/S/M; Exposure Adjustment: - 4.0 to + 4.0; Metering mode: 14-segment Honeycomb Pattern Metering/Center Weighted Average Metering; AF Area: Multiple sensors/local sensor; Frame number: increasing or decreasing numbers; Film rewind: Automatic or manual start; Film leader: Rewound into cartridge or left out; Auto DX Memory: On or Off; Automatic Flash when required in P mode: On or Off; Lens function button or AF control button: (on Zoom xi Lens AF 70-210mm Zoom, AF 100-300mm Zoom, AF 200mm Apo, AF 300mm Apo, AF 600mm Apo, AF Reflex 500mm); Focus hold, center area AF, continuous AF; Automatic grip sensor activation: On or Off; Once you’ve changed the functions you want, just remove the card and the camera will operate according to your changes.
Accessories List
| Product Number | UPC | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6930-600 | 70593-9 | Minolta Card Case 1 | Card Case 1 for Minolta Creative Expansion Cards. Holds up to 3 cards |
| 6930-610 | 70614-1 | Minolta Card Case 2 | Card Case 2 for Minolta Creative Expansion Cards. Holds up to 10 cards |
