Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>When Minolta unveiled its xi series, the 2xi sat quietly in the background while the 7xi (and later 9xi) captured the attention of advanced Maxxum enthusiasts with the 5xi appealing to those who needed a few less features. Finally, the 3xi was the model that competed with all-in-one bridge cameras as well as other brands' similar models. The 2xi came in at the lowest price of any xi series Maxxums. While it sacrificed the built in flash of the 3xi and eye start automation, it gained a desirable feature that was missing on the 3xi: spot metering. The was also an SPxi, which had the spot metering as well as eye start, but it came in a kit which included a 2000xi flash. When my family owned a camera shop the xi series was the last of the Maxxum line we stocked before we closed our doors for good. All of the Maxxums sold out except for the 2xi. My dad gave it to me after we closed.<br> The AF on the 2xi only has one sensor so at first glance it might remind the user of a Maxxum 7000. However, the sensor is wider (therefore less selective) but does seem to focus faster than the orignial 7000. Metering is accurate (both spot and segmented). IIRC, it meters 8 segments and weights the area where the AF sensor more heavily. I think the orginal 7000 maybe had six segments. When spot meter is selected the center segment is selected. Like the 3xi/5xi/SPxi, its shutter speeds range from 30" to 1/2000 second. Placement of an "i" series or later flash sets the shutter for /90 second and there is a flash exposure verification symbol in the viewfinder. All in all, a rather pleasant economical entry into the Maxxum system.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>The xi series were the last to use the large 6 volt lithium batteries. Later Maxxums used a pair of 3 volt lithiums or had an accessory grip that allowed AA alkalines.<br> For this series I used Kodak GA 100 with a Maxxum 50mm f2.8 macro.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>The 50mm macro is a great walking around lens, but working distance is so close that it's hard to approach insects. I tried to get closer to the cicada, but it flew away.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>Here's another close up.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>The rest of the images were made downtown. Some local youth were painting some storefronts so I included a couple of there efforts here as well.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>This one took some time. Front of local hardware store. I used spot metering to keep the darker areas from leading to overexposure of the highlight areas.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>These chairs have been in the sun for two many months so the color on one of them faded.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>A macro detail of some deterioration. Some of these businesses have an upstairs area that is used as apartments. </p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>Last one. This one is looking back toward the chairs.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvy Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 <p>I use the AF lenses from these on my Sony mount but had never been temped by the body! Felt a bit too modern and hideous to say the least, always preferring older cameras. I know that the body here is only providing the metering solution but one has to say that the results on film is wonderful.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 <p>Thanks, Starvy.<br> A further note: the 2xi was the first budget (okay, bottom feeder if you like) AF Maxxum that offered all four modes of exposure (program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual).<br> The price is right too on the used ones. An E+ 2xi is less than half the price of a 3xi in similar condition. Personally, I'd rather have the spot meter than the built in flash. I keep a 2000xi flash on my 2xi most of the time since it also offers a near-IR AF assist beam. I will probably post some more using a budget lens (since the 50mm Maxxum macro hardly fits that description.)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 <p>Nice camera and nice work with it!</p> <p>What am I to do? There are so many wonderful old cameras, manual and automatic, and so little time and money.</p> <p>I feel like that Munch expressionist painting, <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/archive/f/f4/20090829082327!The_Scream.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Scream.jpg&h=1052&w=813&sz=150&tbnid=p93zxVwuY_9qyM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=116&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmunch%2Bscream%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=munch+scream&hl=en&usg=__GRtiuSqtDmlCjS5PU3bRD_8aXjI=&sa=X&ei=V_LWTd7sGOzp0QG77fXIBw&ved=0CDsQ9QEwAg&biw=985&bih=613">The Scream</a>.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 <p>Interesting and informative, <strong>Mike</strong>, with nice images. It's not a camera I know, most of my Minoltas being considerably more ancient, but it's obviously a competent performer. I echo your sentiments, <strong>JDM</strong>, though Munch's painting always reminds me more of the expression on the face of someone near and dear to me when the courier van arrives...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 <p>Thanks, JDM and Rick. I think of "the Scream" when I can't decide which classic to use (or sometimes which modern film camera to use.)<br> Some Maxxum models only were distributed to camera dealers rather than discount/department stores. Also, not all dealers stocked them. The SPxi kit only went to dealers. I think that was also true of the 2xi. The 3xi mostly sold in kits (but was available as just a body) with the 35-80 f3.5-5.6 power zoom (not true xi). This lens was often dissed for not being very good, but often users of the 3xi kit or SPxi kit simply used program causing the lens to operate wide open much of the time if light was low or if flash was used. The 2xi, BTW, works well with the 50mm f1.7 and balances well. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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