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Minolta versus the world

by J Greely

User comments

  • Thom Hogan discusses his switch away from the Maxxum system in his Nikon N90 review.
  • Gary Walts is a pro who is unabashedly enthusiastic about using the Minolta system , with particular emphasis on wireless flash.

Things Minolta does better

ambient metering

The 14-segment matrix metering system used in most current bodies has consistently out-performed competing systems in tests. The gap has narrowed in the latest models, but even the highly-touted color matrix metering system of the Nikon F5 hasn't turned out to be a revolution in automated exposure. Focus distance is incorporated into the metering solution with all AF lenses.

affordable manual bodies

If you want a good, affordable, brand-new manual-focus SLR that allows you to use a wide range of affordable new and used lenses, there are really only two options: Minolta (X-700 & X-370) and Pentax (ZX-M). The Pentax has a more modern feature set, but the Minolta lenses and accessories seem to be in greater supply on the used market.

user interface

Most modern cameras are hard to use, and there are two competing lines of books that try to explain how to use them. It doesn't help that most of the manuals are poorly organized and awkwardly translated. It was a breath of fresh air when Minolta introduced the 600si, which packs a full set of advanced-amateur functions into an easy-to-use interface of clearly labeled buttons, dials, and switches. Most people familiar with any other 35mm SLR can figure out almost every function without ever opening the manual (which is fortunate, because Minolta's manuals are just as bad as everyone else's). The new model 9 camera uses that same design philosophy to pack in a full set of pro functions, competitive with the best the competition has to offer.

wireless TTL flash sync

Minolta was the first to integrate wireless TTL flash (at up to 1/60) into their line, long enough ago that you can buy compatible bodies and flashes quite cheaply on the used market. The brand-new wireless systems from Nikon and Canon all require buying expensive new flashes, bodies, and/or adapters. Minolta is still the only one that allows triggering the wireless system from a built-in flash, even from the low-end 300si.

viewfinder quality

This might be jumping the gun a bit, but it's rare to see so many reviewers agree on something, and that's that with the model 9, Minolta has the brightest, crispest viewfinder of any 35mm SLR, as well as true 100% coverage of the film area. They also have a replacement focusing screen available that provides additional dispersion for crisper manual focus with fast lenses (f2.8 or better). The lower-end bodies aren't necessarily number one, but most of them include excellent eye relief for use with glasses, and several have built-in adjustable diopter controls to allow use without glasses.

decent vertical grips

When I examined the Nikon F5, I was surprised at how uncomfortable and apparently useless the built-in vertical grip is. I've been spoiled by the ergonomic design of the Minolta accessory grips, which also include a duplicate set of controls that allows full control of the camera without rotating it back to a horizontal position. With the new model 9, the grip has been repositioned and reshaped for even better balance and comfort.

redesigned hot shoe

Depending on your viewpoint, this could be as much of a negative as a positive. The Minolta "iISO" hot shoe offers fast and painless flash lockup, at the cost of being nothing like everyone else's hot shoe. This means that third-party flash manufacturers have to make a completely different foot in order to support Minolta (and I've seen more than one bad implementation of it; some cheap flashes will lock up the camera body, and could lead to eventual damage). It also means that useful gadgets like hot-shoe-to-pc converters simply won't work on a Minolta. I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, especially when you factor in the wireless flash control features, where being able to quickly move the flash in and out of the shoe gives you a lot of creative options.

eye-start autofocus

Not to be confused with Canon's eye-control, this is simply a way that most of the bodies in Minolta's line-up activate the viewfinder displays and autofocus. Activating a combination of two sensors (one at the eyepiece, one in the handgrip) turns on the camera, something that ordinarily doesn't happen until you partially depress the shutter release. Not only is this useful for those of us with itchy trigger fingers, but it can often save time by effectively pre-focusing the lens for you. With slow, hunt-prone consumer zooms, it can also just waste battery power as the camera immediately starts searching for a subject, but particularly on the high-end bodies, it's a useful time-saver. It's also optional, and on the new model 9, the eye-control switch can be converted into a lock-all-settings switch, to prevent an accidental adjustment from ruining a carefully planned picture.

Things other brands do better

ultrasonic ring motors in lenses

Canon, and more recently Nikon, have moved their better lenses over to a system of fast and silent in-lens motors that replace the in-body "screwdriver blade" motor. There are serious theoretical advantages, but some tests suggest that the full potential of this technology has been held back by the limitations of the in-camera systems that do the driving. If they're not always faster, they're still quieter and less prone to overshooting the target, and they have two other real advantages: the all-electrical coupling allows the designers to easily provide "full-time manual", where the AF system can be overridden at any time with a twist of the focus ring should the sensors lock onto the wrong target or fail to lock on at all, and it also allows the construction of electrically-coupled teleconverters, which do not affect focusing performance the way a manual linkage will (that is, increased mechanical slop and friction, not reduced accuracy).

better-than-basic TTL/OTF flash metering

Until the debut of the new model 9, Minolta has had a very basic flash metering system. No array of flash sensors to deal with off-center subjects, no tie-in to the AF sensors to use distance calculations to adjust the exposure, no pre-flash to use the sophisticated ambient matrix meter as a guide, no rear-curtain sync. Despite this, flash exposures are pretty darn good, but with the 9 Minolta has addressed all of these issues at once (well, actually rear-curtain sync showed up on the 800si first, but it looks like the 9 might actually get decent marketing, so it's the place most people will see it first).

support pros

One of the most justifiable criticisms leveled against Minolta is that they don't have real support for professional photographers. The primary effect of this is that you can't go into a pro shop in a major city and rent Minolta gear, particularly expensive high-end lenses such as the 600mm/f4. For pros who have a well-defined niche, or for amateurs, this isn't particularly important (after all, renting a $7,000 lens usually requires having room for a $7,000 security deposit on your credit card), but it's symptomatic of Minolta's lack of interest in gaining a foothold in that market.

The Name Game

Minolta may make two or three variations on each of their amateur bodies, and sell them through chain stores under different model numbers. This complicates things for the potential customer, since a beginner has to rely on the frequently-clueless store clerk to explain why the 430si is a better deal than the 450si, and why all the mail-order shops only sell the 400si; the fact that this allows them all to safely offer a meaningless price-matching guarantee is icing on the cake. For more fun, Minolta in Europe and Japan use different naming schemes for models, or use the same model number for a different camera. The Maxxum XTsi in the US is the Dynax 505si in Europe, and the Alpha-Sweet in Japan, or it would be if Minolta USA hadn't chosen to eliminate wireless flash support from the XTsi for unguessable reasons.

eye-controlled AF

This is a feature that Canon makes a big fuss about, but to be honest I can't really think of a practical use for it, especially since it doesn't seem to work at all for many people. I'd rather have a brighter viewfinder with a higher-eyepoint design and an adjustable diopter control for people with impaired vision.

compatibility with old manual-focus lenses

Old manual-focus Minolta lenses cannot be used on AF bodies. This is sometimes used as an argument against buying into the Minolta line, although it doesn't make much sense. Except for some relatively exotic items (see below), there's really not much demand for it, and modern lenses are, if not always better, at least more consistent from sample to sample. Nikon is usually proclaimed as the company who "did it right", although the alphabet soup of subtle incompatibilities in the Nikkor lineup doesn't look like a shining example to me. Basically, unless you owned $10,000 worth of manual-focus Minolta lenses, you really have no reason to care about this.

more exotica in their lens lineups

Minolta doesn't make a tilt/shift lens, a 6mm fisheye, a 400mm/f2.8, an 800mm/f5.6, or a number of other rarely-encountered items. Personally, I'd have to say that unless you need one of these items every day, you're going to rent it, and the cost of renting a body to go with it is pretty trivial. If you do need it every day, then you're either a rich hobbyist or a working pro who makes enough from using it to cover the cost; most of us are neither.

impress people who see your camera

If you own a Leica or a nice big Nikon, you can expect positive reactions from people when they see your camera, including other photographers. Carrying around a Minolta is more likely to lead to casual contempt, even from a camera-store clerk who's selling you an expensive lens. I often wonder if these people start out a blind date by checking the labels on each other's underwear.

computer connectivity

The geek in me thinks it's really cool that you can plug an N90S or F5 into your computer and tinker with settings, download exposure data, and even control the camera remotely. The practical side of me (which, admittedly, often loses these arguments) can't really think of a good use for most of this. I don't even carry a Palm Pilot while I'm out taking pictures, much less a laptop, and detailed exposure data is usually more of a novelty than a need. Several Minolta cameras allow you to record exposure data and review it on the body, and the new model 9 has an optional back that will store up to 400 rolls of data on a 2MB SmartMedia card and imprint a roll ID on the leader and selected data between frames, but I can't convince myself that it's anything but a cool toy.

mirror lock-up

With the exception of the brand-new model 9, Minolta hasn't supported mirror lock-up in any form for quite a few years; even most of their manual-focus bodies didn't have it. On the 9, it's implemented as a custom setting for the self-timer; change the timer delay from the default ten seconds to two, and the mirror will lock up when you press the shutter, leaving time for any residual vibrations to die down. Is this good enough, or do you really need to be able to lock the mirror up and shoot without delay? I don't, but then, I'm not making a living at this; some people who are say yes.

make their 80-200mm/f2.8 focus down to five feet

This one confused some people in an earlier version of this article, so I'll try to be a little clearer. Most Minolta lenses that don't have a "macro" label stop at around 10% of life size, with the distance for zooms usually being based on the long end. The 80mm to 200mm range is terrific for photographing people, but six feet is an awkward distance in many situations. If you're outdoors with room to move, you won't notice, but indoors I find myself frequently hitting the minimum focus distance, and backing up means tripping over furniture or jabbing someone with an elbow.

Text and pictures Copyright © 1999 J Greely

The pictures are from various places around the Bay Area. In order, Uvas Canyon Park, The San Francisco Zoo, the under-construction Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus, and back to the Zoo.

Article created 1999

Readers' Comments


Add a comment



Scott Gant , August 02, 1998; 11:55 A.M.

Nice feature page.

One thing though, I noticed your comment that they Minolta doesn't sell enough pro lenses to make the price competitive with Nikon. Well, Canon certainly sells enough pro lenses, yet they're not competitive with Nikon either. I mean, look at Canon's 70-200 f/2.8 L lens compared to Nikon's 80- 200 f/2.8. The Canon is almost twice a much!

It's also been my experience that the Minolta Pro lenses are better optically than both Canon and Nikon. I know a statement like that won't win me many friends here at photo.net, but hey, I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.

The thing that Minolta has to get a grip on is their user interface with their high-end bodies. It can sometimes be a nightmare with the little doors and little buttons on the 800si. They also should offer at least a mirror pre-fire on a high-end camera...but I'm not holding my breath.

William Lowe , September 11, 1998; 01:43 A.M.

Actually, the only Minolta with more than one AF sensor that doesn't allow you to pick an individual sensor is the 600si. The 800/700/XT/HTsi and 9xi all allow you to pick any one of their AF sensors. The 300/400/500si only have one AF sensor, so there's nothing else to select.

Dr. A.R. Chowdhury , September 15, 1998; 06:40 A.M.

Minolta's have always been individualistic cameras so I hope they wll not wilt under pressure and make a cross foccusing 900si a la Nikon and Canon. Beleive me cross sensors are inefficient.

Dirk-J. Scharff , November 05, 1998; 03:34 A.M.

A bad thing:

They sell MF-Lenses in US you cann not buy in Germany (The 24 mm) so if you have a X-700 you have to buy used lenes or lenses made by Tamron or you have to import them from USA (expensive)

Kind regards DJ

S Leighton , January 05, 1999; 09:13 P.M.

I have the 800si - personally I don't find that the interface is difficult to use. I guess it's a matter of getting used to it. I suppose it's the same with most things. The only real thing I am disappointed with in the system, is the lack of mirror lock-up.

Scott Gant , January 13, 1999; 12:59 P.M.

I guess I can stop holding my breath for a Minolta pro camera with mirror pre-fire.

Welcome the Maxxum 9!!!! I haven't held one yet, but it is simply beautiful looking (in my eyes at least).

And talk about features, this baby's got 'em. The ones that stick out for me personally are the mirror pre-fire, 100% viewfinder, vertical grip with seperate set of controls, bright clear viewfinder (this is only reported so far, I haven't seen it first hand yet), and a no non-sense interface that looks like it doesn't get in the way of the user.

Viva la Minolta!

Alexander Karasev , February 05, 1999; 04:25 P.M.

Minolta vs. Canon: AF issue

I believe, an important advantage of Minolta AF system vs. Canon is its ability to autofocus at max. apertures as small as f/8. Such an ability is handy when a 2X teleconverter is desired to be used with consumer telephoto lenses.

In Canon's lineup, only the recently introduced EOS 3 is claimed to AF at f/8, and even at that, its peripheral AF sensors cannot be used, and the performance is a big "if".

By contrast, medium-high end Minolta bodies have been able to AF at f/8 for years. In practical terms, my Minolta 700si will consistently AF even indoors with Minolta 70-210 mm f/4 and a Tamron 2X TC until the focal length reaches approx. 350 mm. Main lens's aperture being faster than f/4 (even by a small bit such as with variable aperture zooms), as well as less challenging lighting conditions, improve AF speed and the focal length range where AF performs reliably.

While one might argue that teleconverters do not help with picture quality and consumer zooms do not have excessive sharpness to begin with, IMO using a TC is better than cropping and scaling (when one not only looses more resolution due to higher required magnification, but also magnifies film grain), not to mention that a shot taken with the setup that you can afford, even though you have to rely on a TC, is better than an unexposed frame of film.

Just my $0.02 :-)

Alex Karasev
http://members.aol.com/karasev <= photos, tips, digital imaging info, free web graphics

Howard Fitzgerald , February 25, 1999; 03:05 A.M.

As far as I know, the reason that Minolta does not offer 'mirror-lockup' on their Maxxum cameras is due to advanced mechanical improvements that virtually eliminate any shake that would be caused by mirror movements. They may be several steps farther ahead than their competition in this area. I don't have test results to prove this data, but have heard it from multiple sources. As far as I know both the 9xi and the new Maxxum 9 are professional grade cameras. This is also subjective to what some people require to be on a 'pro' camera. Try the old 9000 if you want an older pro AF camera built like a tank.

Henry Richardson , February 26, 1999; 06:37 P.M.

In the list of features of Minolta AF cameras at the top of this page it is mentioned that Minolta uses a special, more secure flash mounting system that allows easier and faster installation or removal of the flash. I just wanted to comment that this is a very nice feature and, in my opinion, should not be faulted because the owner of the Minolta camera must use either a Minolta flash or a third-party flash that has this mount. The reason I say this is because I wonder how many owners of a Nikon SB-28, for example, would really want to mount it on a Minolta camera or how many owners of a Minolta 5400HS would want to mount it on a Nikon camera?

These days the flashes have become so integrated with the cameras that it seems highly unlikely and therefore, no disadvantage at all, if the flash shoe is different. I bet few Canon and Nikon body owners go out and buy a flash from the other company to use with their camera even though the flash shoe is the same -- the flash shoe is about the only thing that is the same.

M H Snyder , March 01, 1999; 09:44 A.M.

I have been learning on a Minolta X-370 (old) with a 50MM Tamron lens. I like it a lot. I went to look at newer cameras, and I couldn't find any MF bodies that I liked as much, for weight, and placement of controls. I found an XG-A body, very reasonable, and I'm happy with that. Mainly what I wanted to stress was that the older Minolta bodies are still very quality, and that you can get good lenses for them.

Timothy Breihan , March 08, 1999; 09:04 A.M.

Ive been the user of a Minolta manual-focus system for several years now, and am somewhat dismayed that no mention of the older MF bodies and lenses are made on this page. Having used other systems on various occasions (usually a Canon EOS Elan II or AE2), I never feel limited when switching back to my Minoltas. Is that to discount the merits of Canon? No, but the simple fact remains; I am eighteen and dont have $1500 to spend on a zoom lens. The Minolta body I have is obsolete, but it is constructed life a rock, made out of metal! (Gee, Canon, imagine that! Metal!) The Nikon FEs, FAs, and F2s reviewed elsewhere on this site are also obsolete, but touted as a "nice alternative" to modern systems. I dont understand why Minolta is so maligned. It is a durable product with excellent lenses. I will eventually "upgrade," no doubt, but not because I am dissatisfied with the images I am able to obtain on my system

Peter Bury , April 20, 1999; 03:42 A.M.

Well, I must admit that about 3 years ago I switched from a lowly Minolta Alpha 303si Super (as it's called here in Japan) to the Canon system when the photography bug really bit, but there's one thing I miss from my Minolta - The 'P' button. One press, and the camera switches from whatever settings you've input back to programme mode. I know it stands for 'Programme', but I often found 'Panic' to be a more appropriate name. If you need an emergency switch back to basic/clean settings, this takes care of it and there are a lot of situations where this is a real benefit.

If only the next Canon would incorporate this feature ...

Peter

Tim Wedge , May 17, 1999; 09:04 P.M.

Watch out!!! The vectis system is fragile or we got a lemon. We have gone through three lens. One was dropped. OK, understandable but the other two were there one day and gone the next. The mirror in the lens of the one, fell out in my hand as I was changing the lens. The other some how, got off the focus track and wouldn't focus anymore.

The APS film is great and very handy but slides are very costly. It may be worth it to stick with the straight 35mm basic format and forget the fancy Vectis system until they get everything worked out and the cost comes down. There must be a reason that it has taken five years to gain only ten percent of the market share when it was orginally thought to replace all the old systems in about three years time. It just may be that it is not as good as everyone thought at first, fragile, complex, and very costly. Be careful out there and good luck with the Vectis S-1 system.

John -- , May 28, 1999; 09:46 A.M.

I used to use the Canon ELAN IIe and was very disapointed with it, so I decieded to step back and buy the Minolta X-700. The camera body of the Minolta X-700 was much stronger and more reliable then the Canon Elan IIe, also I found that the AF in the Canon was very unreliable but lucky for me my eye is reliable. I also found the TTL metering system on the Minolta X-700 more accurate then the Canon Elan IIe. The Minolta X-700 is 10+ years older then the Canon Elan IIe and yet the Minolta was more reliable, at least with these two models. See results of the Minolta X-700 at http://www.nais.com/~j&j

Alexander Karasev , July 13, 1999; 08:24 P.M.

>more exotica in their lens lineups
>   Minolta doesn't make a tilt/shift lens

While Minolta themselves indeed don't currently make a tilt / shift lens, there seems to be one available that'll fit Minolta's AF bodies. See my (Alex Karasev) comment at the bottom of www.photo.net/photo/building-an-slr-system.html page.

Gary Rowan Higgins , August 06, 1999; 05:07 A.M.

Hang on. Why are we getting so carried away with the technology of cameras, be they Minolta, Canon, Nikon...the works? Oh, I think they are technically a tour de force, but they are also damned heavy, damned bulky, damned expensive and damned impractical for many occasions unless you're a wedding snapper, pararazzi or news-hound. Let's not be too hasty in embracing powerful technology that could well take much of our creativity away from us, not enhance it.

I use a Canon EOS 5 (it is fairly ordinary to me, it has its triumphs (handling, size) and failings (doesn't like getting wet, and it feels a little cheap!) and 24 f3.5L tilt/shift lens, which I use for landscape photography. I also use disposable cameras when I am in haste (the results are excellent). I have posted enquiries to various newsgroups seeking feedback on individual technique employed with this lens or Canon's other TS-E lenses (ie. 45mm, 90mm). Very little info is available for exchange on the explicit subject of TS-E lenses (I am unsure of the technique from owners of tilt/shift lenses put out by other manufacturers; perhaps the results can be extrapolated.

Please feel free to email me. I am in Australia and photograph mostly the wilderness areas of South West Tasmania.

Gary Rowan Higgins Campbells Creek, Victoria, Oz.

Bill Sorok , December 31, 1999; 04:10 A.M.

I am currently in the market for an Auto Focus Camera. I have been looking at the Nikon F5, F100, and last but certainly not least, the Minolta Maxxum 9.

The first thing that you notice when you walk into the vast majority of camera stores, is the fact that they rarely have this camera on display or a working demo either. But of course you will always find the F5 and the F100. When I asked the store clerk to see the Maxxum 9, he had to open up a new box, and then get two new batteries. When I finally did get around to testing out the camera, I was VERY impressed! This camera is obviously much more intuitive than either the F5 or the F100. After using it for only 15 minutes, I had all but figured out how to do just about everything on the camera! Try doing that with the big Nikon! This camera feels very solid in your hand, and a lot less weight than the F5 as well. I think if you were comparing the F5 to the Maxxum 9, it's a pretty close race, but the F100 to the Maxxum 9..let's just say the Minolta puts the F100 to shame! I feel Minolta have done an outstanding job of their first pro level AF camera! Anyone in the market should not count this one out as a possibility. It's also quite a bit cheaper than the F5 as well.

martin breguet , April 21, 2000; 10:10 A.M.

Hi guys, I've worked a lot with a X700, and like it a lot, whenever I have so much tourists in line that I need 2 cameras, I have a Nikon FE2, which is nice too, but the X700 feels better in your hands, now the problem with a discontinued system is that I don't want to buy anymore stuff because it'll never be upgraded... That's why I switched to Nikon...

John Henderson , July 20, 2000; 11:00 A.M.

I have resisted replacing my MF Minolta system including XG-M and X-570 bodies because after looking at new AF cameras, I came away saying, "The old cameras work fine. Why replace them?" Now I stand between being and advanced amateur and being semi-pro, and am more and more desiring higher sync speeds and higher shutter speeds (and maybe once in a long while autofocus would be nice).

I was in my local shop yesterday looking at the Maxxum 9. I'm weighing it against the Nikon F5 and F100. It might be a silly thing to some people, but one of the things that impressed me the most about the Minolta was it had KNOBS for most major functions. I understand that the Nikons use more buttons and require you to scroll through functions. I like turning a "M-A-S-P" knob to set manual, aperture-priority, shutter-priority or program. The exposure compensation is set on a knob. The flash ratio is set on another knob. I like knobs. I do not like video games and menus. Although I would still prefer an aperture lens ring, I can deal with the separate wheels to set aperture and shutter speed.

Like the other writer said, I, someone with no experience with modern cameras, could pick it up and in 15 minutes have figured out most of the functions. I don't know that I could have done that with the Nikons.

Scott Michaels , July 21, 2000; 05:18 P.M.

You wrote: "...No array of flash sensors to deal with off-center subjects, no tie-in to the AF sensors to use distance calculations to adjust the exposure, no pre-flash to use the sophisticated ambient matrix meter as a guide, no rear-curtain sync."

As noted in your comments, the 800si body does have rear-sync. However, what isn't noted is the pre-flash metering available with the 5400HS. Yes, Minolta has had the most sophisticated pre-flash metering on the market for some time now (ever since the 700si's introduction in 93!) The 5400HS flash in HS mode emits a brief pre-flash that is read by the 14-segment meter. Only then does it fire the exposure flash. Distance calculations are factored into the exposure as well. Lastly, a general comment regarding the 800si in particular. For all you “tiny buttons inside a little door” people, just what do you think the three memory storage areas are for? After I programmed mine, I looked in that door every blue moon and then only to talk to my invisible friend.

Wendy Wiencek , August 04, 2000; 04:36 P.M.

I've used a Maxxum 7000i for the past 7 or 8 years, and have pumped about 700 rolls through it with no problems. I love Minolta's reliability. I shoot in hostile environments, primarily hot summer days on carnivals and fairs around California. When I decided to move up to the Maxxum 9 and invest in it, I did my homework, researching also Canon & Nikon (at the urging of a fellow photographer friend). The primary reasons I've stuck with my decision to get the Maxxum 9 was the ergonomicness of all the features - you can play that camera like a musical instrument! Knobs are fabulous - hooray for "low tech" on a super high tech camera - everything is reachable quickly, easily, and I am in situations where I need that! I go from flash to no flash, P to M, A, or S constantly in my shooting environments. The 9 meets all my needs and then some! I've had this baby for about 1 week, shot 10 rolls so far, and am ecstatic with its performance and results. Despite its abundance of features, I was able to get aquainted with it and become proficient with it very quickly. The instuction manual is very easy to follow as well. I'm also happy with the fact that the camera is tough, made of steel, built like a tank, and fits good & feels good in the hand. My only tiniest complaint is that it is kinda heavy and my neck will get sore if I carry it hanging off my neck all day. I consider that a small price to pay for the whole package.

Peter E. B. Kaiser , December 05, 2000; 06:35 A.M.

Well, I would prefer a system that allows me to get a new (AF) body and keep my lenses. I've got a load of manual lenses, ranging from 17mm to 1600mm and I simply can't afford to switch to another system. So I'm stuck with my old XM (XK or X1 in different parts of the world), which I hardly regret. But there are occasions when I'd like the advantages of autofocus or the improved metering in modern bodies. However, in my manual-focus world, there are indeed shift and fisheye lenses and some more "exotic" stuff. I heard varying opinions about those manual-lenses-to-autofocus-body adapters, but I have no experience with these. Maybe somebody can tell us more about this. Anyway, very nice page which just should contain more information about the old minolta products.

David Bannister , January 01, 2001; 07:18 P.M.

I have been a user of top-level Minolta AF cameras since the 9000 first came out. At the time, I was interested in the new AF technology, but didn't like the way the 7000 seemed to want to take control of most of the photographic process. The 9000 really caught my interest, and I eventually owned two bodies. At the time I would say that I was an amateur or advanced amateur, working as a creative director in an advertising agency. I now consider myself a professional-level photographer for field, not studio work.

I acquired most of my lenses while using the 9000 body; a 20mm 2.8, 24mm 2.8, 28-135 4/4.5, 50mm 1.7, 100mm macro, 200 2.8. and 1.4 and 2x apo extenders. Later I acquired a 9xi, a 600 f4 and and a Maxxum 9, all of the new bodies shortly after they were released. I use flash infrequently, but have had numerous Minolta units up to the 5400; I do not claim to be expert on these. Most of my photography is on a heavy Gitzo tripod with an Arca-Swiss ball head, using a cable release in landscape format with Fuji Velvia exposed at ISO 40.

As I have progressed through my career and started using more of my own photography for client work, I began to think that if I knew early on that I was going to be a serious photographer, I would have likely chosen a Nikon or Canon system... in 35mm they are the companies that have best supported professionals and offer the widest range of pro lenses. On the other hand, having read a tremendous number of the best how-to photography books out there, I have come to a conclusion: You can take great pictures with any camera if you really know what you are looking at. ( I am also an illlustrator and painter). I have borrowed my daughter's Olympus Stylus for vacations, and brought home shots that people were amazed at. Going with Nikon or Canon, for a hard working professional makes sense... you need a system that offers a wide range of lenses, will stand up to full-time abuse, and if it doesn't you want professional help fast. I hire professional photographers regularly, and I know they need this for successful operation of their business. I don't. I am still very happy with both the 9xi and 9 bodies. I do put them through some fairly heavy-duty use on land and on the water (sailing).

The 9xi and the 9 are quite different cameras; in fact it would seem at first glance that they are almost technologically equal. They seem to represent a sea-change in Minolta's thinking about what the pro market wants, rather than a radical leap in technology. Pros may not embrace Minolta's philosophy to their market because they are not a predictable supplier, with good reason. For me, it works. The 9xi is almost a point-and-shoot camera I can pre-program and give to my wife for a day, while the 9 gives me a much more user- friendly interactive body for professional use, in a very rugged package that still takes all my lenses. Sometimes I still like the easy simplicity of the 9xi for casual shooting with the 28-135 as my only lens.

All-in-all, and after reading other photographers' frustration with Canon or Nikon, I'm happy with Minolta and still appreciate their leading-edge approach. I hope they transfer this to the digital world, which my next body will surely occupy. One final note: when I have had problems with equipment, Minolta has been excellent in their response.

Matthew Butkus , January 22, 2001; 11:26 A.M.

I've been shooting with the Maxxum 9 for eight months, and I must say that I have been very happy with the results. It's backwards-compatible with all of the Maxxum lenses (which, given the price of lenses, is a definite plus), and I'd hold it's image quality and functionality as meeting or exceeding all of the other cameras in the "pro" bracket. The tech specs for the camera are quite impressive (visit Minolta's site for the full run-down). I shot most (95%) of the images on my site with the Maxxum 9, and would encourage others looking to step up to professional equipment to ignore the "name camera" issue and invest in the 9.

Ramin Mohammadalikhani , May 19, 2001; 11:01 P.M.

Now, i own Minolta maxxum7 for about two months and a half, but it is as if i have owned it for years! I switched from Canon EOS, which i have used for 7 years (EOS 650, 100, elanII). I never felt comfortable with them, always wanted to use them just as a point&shoot. I can operate maxxum7 several times faster than my EOS cameras. This is the result of a logical and user-friendly design. And look what's more: Data saving capibility which was available on Minolta's bodies for years, is just recently showing up by other brands. Even before i bought EOS ElanII, i had wished a camera with this feature, but i was not aware that Minolta did have it on its bodies. The same story goes with wireless flash. And with a lot of dissatisfaction with elanII's metering, now i get superb results with maxxxum7, as its metering is dead on. The AF is better than any EOS, i have owned, and also better than my friend's EOS1nRS, as i once got a chance to compare their AF performance side by side. The only missing thing about Minolta is IS/VR lenses. I hope they will soon come up with it, as i have heard rumors about it. Ramin

Brian Greenberg , July 10, 2001; 11:43 P.M.

I use Minolta equipment currently, and have been happy with everything i've used. I have 2 HTsi bodies and love them, and have a 50mm 1.4, a Sigma 70-200 f2.8EX with 2x teleconverter, and several other lenses. I take pictures for my university's athletic department, and for what I do and the amount of money that I can spend on equipment, etc, I couldn't be happier. GO MINOLTA, keep up the good work on making good quality, affordable equipment.

thanks

B

andrew lum , September 04, 2001; 02:53 P.M.

SmartMedia card is definitely a benefit. You can transer the datas to your palm (sony for etc).

With 16mb, you can store about 900 rolls x 36 exposures.

You can store :

Shutter speed
Aperture
Lens focal length and maximum aperture
Exposure compensation and/or bracketing values
Exposure mode
Metering mode
AF mode
Focus area
AF priority / Release priority
Film-drive mode
Flash mode
Flash compensation and/or bracketing values (including flash ON/OFF) Flash-metering mode ISO
Count-up number (5-digit serial number by frame)
Fixed number (user-select 5-digit free number) Year, month, day (month, day, year / day, month, year) Hour, minute

Doug Nelson , November 19, 2001; 02:32 P.M.

Minolta made a serious rangefinder camera in the early to mid-eighties, the CLE. I just acquired one of these little gems. They can use Leica M-mount lenses, but the Minolta lenses for this are so sharp that maybe the Leicas just aren't jusifiable. Minolta should have marketed the thing better. It IS interesting that Leica and Minolta worked together on this project. I'd like to see Minolta revisit this market. Imagine a camera the size of a chintsy point n'shoot with state of the art optics. I'm not carrying around any more monster SLR's.

Joseph Bavitz , November 24, 2001; 03:09 A.M.

I couldn't help but comment on the Minolta's new flash shoe. I think the new design is a much stronger connection. The downside is that a conventional shoe won't work. But this isn't much of a downside since you can get an adapter from Minolta to convert from the new shoe to the old one. This is how I use my big Sunpak handle mount. I put the adapter on the camera, a pc adapter on that and put the Sunpak on my bracket. It has always worked. I also must say that I shoot fine art black & white, with Kodak Tech Pan and a custom developer and my Minolta 600SI has given me the sharpest images I have ever seen, beating Hasselblad, even my 4x5. I mean, the difference between the stuff I shoot on my 35mm Minolta rig is clearly sharper than the other formats. Weird, but true.

ken kisty , January 12, 2002; 09:24 P.M.

I would like to say that I use the Minolta XG7 bodies in every situtation. These have proven to be quick with metering as the aperture priority allows you to set at an f stop you need, then let the automatic mode do the rest. I can focus quickly, shoot, advance to another f stop and take one exposure after another. I hope if repairs are needed, parts will always be available.

Craig Hackett , January 24, 2002; 04:59 P.M.

I couldn't be more tired of people lauding Canon and especially Nikon over Minolta. Just because some aging tennis player doesn't shamelessly advertise for Minolta does not make it less of a camera. I have the MF x370n, Maxxum 450si, Maxxum 9xi, and the fabulous Maxxum 7 (Ergonomically and functionally outstanding), and not only have I never had a problem with any of these units, but when I dropped the X370 (broken light meter) they replaced it with an "In the box" X370n. I'm not a pro, or even close to it, but let me remind any of you Nikon fans that a good photographer with a lousy camera will out-shoot a hack with a pro camera. So let's not hang our hats on our equipment, try honing your skills.

Coralee Penner , February 10, 2002; 12:06 A.M.

I just wanted to say that in the battle of Minolta vs. the world, I am also on the side of Minolta. I have been using a 700si for over 7 years with much satisfaction and without a problem to speak of. I also believe that Minolta lenses are also some of the best optically. But as mentioned above, I too have faced strange looks by "professionals" that wouldn't touch a Minolta product with a ten foot pole. More for me and my Minolta friends is all that I can reply! I just can't wait to get my hands on a maxxum 7! thanks for listening...

Jerry Crum , March 18, 2002; 01:51 P.M.

Despite all the plaudits forMinolta in this thread, I have rather mixed feelings. I had a Maxxum 7000i some years ago. It was back to Minolta 3 times for problems with the flash and metering. I did think the lenses were pretty good. But the reliability eventually caused me to go back to a Nikon FE-2 manual focus system.

Now I find that manual focus with my aging eyes is becoming more difficult, and I am considering AF again. I have checked out every middle range model from the big four, and the new Maxxum 7 is far and away the best overall. They lack only the Canon's USM focus system, and the VR lens technology. Those I can live without. But once burned on the reliability issue, I am leery of the Maxxum. I have heard that the Maxxums had more than their share of problems, although all of the AF models seem to have a lot more problems than the MF models like my FE-2 or the Minolta X-700 have had.

Does anyone have any more authoritative information about reliability than just personal experience?

Hubert C.M. Janssen , March 18, 2002; 03:50 P.M.


St.Claude, Jura, France. Taken with Minolta X-700 and Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 1.2/58mm.

I started in photography in 1973, using rangefinder cameras. In 1975 I decided to buy my first SLR (a Zenit-E... still have it) and from then on my gear grew and changed. Finally, in 1990, I had a Chinon CE-3 Memotron, a Yashica TL Electro-X and a Ricoh Singlex TLS with lenses from 28 to 300mm (including a 2.8/200mm). At that time, the M42 screw mount was quite obsolete and I decided it was time to look for a bayonet mount system. After reading lots of books, reviews and magazines, I had to make a choice between Canon A-1, Nikon FA, Fujica AX-5, Leica R4, Contax 167 (I believe) and Minolta XD-7 (XD-11 in North America). The Canon (as I was told) often had problems with the shutter and was quite rare to find, for the Nikon I would have to spend more then I thought it was worth, the Fujica lacked back-up in accessories and lenses, the Leica's price was ridiculous and a Contax was as rare as hen's teeth, so I bought the first XD-7 I found! Best buy ever; I still have it and after buying, selling and swapping numerous Minolta bodies (including a 8000i that I didn't have long, because I disliked the card feature for every out of the normal setting) I now have two XD-7, two X-700 and one XM (and four SRTs, of which only 2 are more or less in working order; I still have plans to fix them, using the other two for parts), with lenses from 17 to 600mm, although not all Minolta made. I would like to have a manual Minolta body (or two or three of them) that would combine the features of the models I own now; but I am very satisfied with the quality of the Minolta bodies. I would be hard pressed to make a choice when allowed to only keep one of them... I really cannot understand the Nikon/Canon hype; in my opinion they get all the credits, just because every pro seems to be using these brands, just because they get all the credits, just because every pro... Get my point? I have often got strange looks because of the Minoltas dangling around me; I have often been taken not serious because I don't use Nikon or Canon bodies and lenses. But my photos are as good (or as bad) as anybody else's; the quality of the pictures does not depend on the brand of the camera and lens one uses, but on the quality of the gear. Minolta is as good as any other main brand; they only don't get the credits they should get.

Mark Smith , June 05, 2002; 09:13 A.M.

I am the biggest Minolta fan. I have many of there cameras in both Medium format and 35mm format.

I use the Maxxum 7 religiously. It is by far the best camera in the world 'pound for pound'. I agree with all of you on the "Risks" associated with owning a Minolta in Professional company. But it is THERE LOSS not yours!!!

One omission here is that the Maxxum 7 DOES have Mirror Lockup. It works that same way as the Maxxum 9 in the self timer mode ( 2 seconds)

Please check out a new Minolta forum that I started (June 4, 2002) at : http://forums.delphiforums.com/minolta/start

Thanks.

Bob Blencowe , July 22, 2002; 03:53 P.M.

There have been several comments about the Minolta AF cameras not being about to use non-AF lenses and thought that this would be of interest. It came straight off of the Minolta web-site and describes how to cut off the AF feature so that you can mount a non-AF T mount lens.

Camera Procedure

5000, 7000, 9000, 3000i, 5000i, 7000i, 8000i No preparation needed to use T-mount lenses.

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 for 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 (farthest 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 SELFTIMER and AV buttons and move power switch from LOCK to ON. (ON appears in LCD panel)

tony cao , January 07, 2003; 02:29 A.M.

I like Minolta better than Canon or Nikon, first of all, look at the price range, there is a big difference, and havnt you Nikon fans noticed that there are a LOTTA OLD MF Minolta cameras these days, and you guys say Minolta doesnt last as long ? the X series in my hand is 20 years old, now lets c how many 20 years old Nikon or Canon there are in this forum, i think few, but most X series are well over 10 years old, and i totally agree with the camera and photographer, some people take great photos with their p&s, and some people have those Nikon FM hanging on their neck and shooting craps, face it, a camera is just made out of metal, plastic, and glass, thats all! i think if u dont enlarge your prints to like 100x200, you wont notice a difference made by the lense but your own skill and the film, so stop blaming Minolta for this and that, and start ask yourself, do i make a living out of my camera that i have to spend a fortune on ONE?

Josh Mullenite , January 12, 2003; 03:22 P.M.

In the area of Exotic lenses you said minolta doesnt make a 6mm fisheye, which is true but they made a 7.5mm circular fisheye for several years, I can't seem to find one (as I do skate photography and that would be pretty useful) but that's why they're exotic isn't it?

Also, about the 80-200mm, if you are doing serious portraiture you should probably invest in a prime lens anyway so I dont see how it's that relevant, and if theses are just party pictures or wedding pictures you might consider a 70mm or even a simple 50mm instead.

They do make an adapter to mount old Minolta MF lenses to AF bodies, I don't believe Minolta makes it but it is available and at a reasonable price if I remember correctly.

I am an avid Minolta user, my only non-Minolta camera is a Polaroid Land Camera which I just got, but I will say they could do certain things better; but you have to keep in mind, Minolta is not primarily a camera company who dabbles in related things like Canon and Nikon but they are an IMAGING company, dealing in all sorts of imaging.

Eric Hutchins , July 23, 2004; 02:41 A.M.

Add me to the Minolta side of Minolta vs. the world! I`ve been shooting with X-700 and XD-11 bodies, with a variety of Minolta glass and love everything about them! The lenses are fantastic optically and the build-quality is bullet-proof.

I would love to go digital, and now Minolta is introducing the Dynax/Maxxum 7 Digital this fall. It will be compatible with all of the Minolta AF lenses, but I hope that Minolta will get back into the lens portion of their business with some fresh new lenses. USM like the Canons would be a great start, and I would like to see some AF versions of the specialty lenses in my MF system, like the 85mm Varisoft! Only time will tell if I can choose a Maxxum 7 digital over a Canon 10D! (I probably won`t choose either, since I`m waiting for dSLRs with full-frame 35mm sensors to become affordable, and I hope Minolta will design one of these too)

Go Minolta!

Ken Dennis , March 07, 2005; 12:17 A.M.

Why is everyone always so hung-up on this versus that, Minolta versus Nikon versus Canon, this is the same old game handed to us by the auto makers, well I guess this all did start back on the playground at pre school with "I bet my dad can beat up yours" I personally don't see a need for all this bickering, why you chose one over the other should be a personal thing, I/E does faster focusing mean much to someone who shoots mostly still life, does off camera wireless control of flash mean much to a wildlife photographer, does faster frames per second mean much to a portrait photographer, 5 fps versus 10 or 12 fps, I personally have owned and used Minolta, Nikon and Canon cameras, and have found a good use for them all, but of all, my personal favorite still remains my Minolta 9000, as a personal choice, to me it just fits my bulky hands and large fingers better and because I have been using it for 20+ years, it always feels like a part of me whenever I pick it up, but this again is MY personal choice, do I own other/newer cameras? yes, Minolta 7, Nikon F4, Canon EOS, right up to a Fuji S2, and after the dust settles, and all the reviews and fixes are made, I will most likely go out and buy a Minolta 7D, but when I go on treks or just shooting for fun, I find myself automatically reaching for my trusty old 9000, like an old friend that has never let me down, it just feels right, and I will say it again, this is my choice, besides, a camera is only as good as the photographer, once while shooting a friends wedding I had the bride and grooms previously done portrait displayed near the reception table, the caterer came up and mentioned to me that "my camera sure took great photographs", this put me in mind of something that I had read once, a situation similar to this had happened to another photographer, and I decided to handle it in a similar fashion, "and since I was feeling a little devilish anyway at the time", after the meal was served and consumed, I went up to the caterer and said, "that was really a great dinner, those pots of yours can sure cook"!

So don't buy into the hype, give more than a few a handling, and find the one "or more than one" that fits "you" and has the features that meet "your" needs and "your" style of shooting!

Good luck and just plain have fun!

P,S. i just wanted to add that I like the Minolta 9000 so much that recently I purchased 2 more body's that where like new, and I hope to keep right on using them well into the 21st century!

Ken.

Patrick Sullivan , February 07, 2006; 10:16 P.M.

No longer an option, eh? Mighty Minolta has fallen. Who will be next? I know, Sony will carry on the Maxxum mount, but will this be the fate of Pentax and Olympus? Imagine a world with Panasonic instead of Olympus, and Samsung instead of Pentax...

David W. Griffin , October 12, 2006; 03:46 P.M.

I couldn't help myself buying a 5D to play around with digital. The 6.1MP doesn't seem quite enough for my 8x10's and more importantly, I don't like the 1.5x focal length due to the APS sized sensor. I like my wide angles. I also like walking around with just a normal lens and maxxum 35mm(f1.4 or 2.8) lenses are as rare as hens teeth.

Oh well, it's certainly a sad time to see Minolta out of the camera business.


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