A photoconductive layer formed of a Bi.sub.12MO.sub.20 sintered body is manufactured without being fused with a setter. An oxide material in which a content of silicon oxide is 1 wt %, and more preferably, 0.3 wt % or less, is used as a setter which mounts a Bi.sub.12MO.sub.20 molded body (where M is at least one of Ge, Si and Ti) thereon.