lidy_pool Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I'm interested in getting into photography as a hobby or perhaps vocation. My dad has an old Minolta x-570 with what I think is a 28mm Vivitar lense. Should I use this or buy a different camera? (I'm willing to buy another one if that would be best.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bacsa Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 It's more than decent. Your dad knew something when he bought it. If it's in a good shape, i would consider buying some more lenses, like, something around 35 or 50mm, and, maybe a longer one...have fun with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammm Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Ah, I saw your other posting on Nikons and now I see this one -- you already have the camera I would recommend! Put your money into lenses, not a new camera. The 28mm Vivitar is probably a so-so lens (Vivitar has a couple winners, but most are pretty bad). And maybe into a bit of a check up for the camera if it has been around a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff_mcauliffe Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 The X-570 is an excellent camera, I have had one since 1984. However, parts are getting harder to find for some older cameras and Minolta will no longer service the X-570 (I know, I called them) but there are other shops that will (Essex Camera in NJ). Mine now needs service the light meter is off and/or the shutter is slowing down. On the other hand, there are probably a lot of parts interchangability with the 370 and the 700. Try it, what have you got to lose? As for lenses, a 28-85 mm zoom will cover most anyone's needs and you won't have to worry about carrying more than one lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian deichert Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 X-570's (and X-500's) are great. I have one of each, love using them, and wouldn't part with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lidy_pool Posted February 26, 2004 Author Share Posted February 26, 2004 Well, if the Minolta X-570 is good, then does anyone have any quality lense suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaburdette Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I own two Minolta cameras. One is the newer Minolta Maxxum 5 and the older X-570. I like both cameras but really love that old X-570. The only problem with these is that the light seals will deteriorate over time. The seal behind the mirror will jam your shutter. This happened to mine last month. It cost me $48 to have it serviced, cleaned and re-calibrated. I recommend having this done to your camera. Now days my Maxxum 5 just stays in the camera bag. As for lenses, I would recommend getting the Minolta MD 50mm/1.7 and the Minolta MD 135mm/3.5. Both are good lenses and can be picked up cheap on the used market. Combined with you 28mm lens you should have everything you need to get started. Good Luck and Enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_reese2 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Better than what? For true manual exposures, the X-570 exceeds the pseudo-manual modes of the X-700 and X-370 lineage. The latter two modes require you to take your eye away from the viewfinder when the camera is set to manual. As a student camera it made it to the top ten list in my book "Student Cameras." It has some parts which cannot be cannabilized from a X-700 or X370, which were far more popular sellers. Don't pay too much attention to folks saying "parts aren't available" for this or that camera. Unless it is a part which commonly fails, there are scores of carcass cameras available to repair technicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammm Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 Greg's recommendation on additional lenses is right on, and I'll second it. The 50mm is the most useful lens around, the 135 is a good medium telephoto lens that is on the long side of the portrait range (85 -135) and on the short side of the animal/bird range (don't try distant songbirds with it!), covering a bit of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_montemarano Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 An excellent zoom lens is the Minolta 70-210 f/4 lens. These are usually available second hand (no longer in production). Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I would echo the opinions of the other folks that replied. The X-570 is one of the very best cameras that Minolta made for the purpose of truly learning photography. It's capable of superb results, both when used in auto exposure mode, or when used in metered manual mode, which is the way you'll learn the most. I'd definitely get either a 45mm f2.0 or a 50mm f1.7 lens as my next lens, and then, either a telephoto in the 90-135mm range, or a decent zoom lens that spans from 70-210 or 80-200mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1664876655 Posted February 26, 2004 Share Posted February 26, 2004 I LOVE my MD TELE ROKKOR-X 135mm 2.8 and my MC Rokkor 58mm 1.4. Love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 Ditto to all those who said keep and use the X-570. The Vivitar as Sam said may not be great. Vivitar made a 28mm that was reputedly a gem but I can't remember the precise model no. However, you can build a set of used Minolta lenses without spending a lot. The MC 58mm f1.4 is a good partner for a 28. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_green1 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 FYI, the excellent Vivitar 28mm lenses were the 28mm f2.5 and the Series 1 28mm f1.9. These are older models that were built by Kiron. The more recent 28mm f2.8 Vivitar is decent, but nothing special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbs Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hey Liddy that thing'so old'n run down...why don't'cha just send it my way (I'll pay the freight) and I'll make shur it has a good home in which to retire....;)...J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lidy_pool Posted February 28, 2004 Author Share Posted February 28, 2004 Oh, as tempting as that is, I think I'll just have to pass. I would never unload such a piece of junk on anyone ;P . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbs Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 ...;)...J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taner Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 <p><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1906260&size=lg">A sample photo 28mm f/2.8 Vivitar (manual Minolta mount) f/4 - 1/30 sec.</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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