Maxxum system for beginner and beyond; aperture shutter magnet

[duane_gabel]

I'm just getting back into photography after a 25-year absence, and

am fortunate to have been given two different systems with which to

work. The first is a Maxxum 7000 from my Dad, with 35-70/f4 and 70-

210/f4 lenses. The second is a Canon AE-1 body from my brother-in-

law with a couple of FD prime lenses. For now, I am using manual

focus and exposure settings when I use the Minolta.

 

Eventually I'm going to want to expand/upgrade one of these systems.

If I stick with the Canon, I know there are plenty of used FD lenses

and bodies available, if needed. On the other hand, there are

features I'm really enjoying with the Maxxum, and while I'd like to

get some faster prime lenses, I believe I'll also be able to use the

older zooms if I decide or need to upgrade the body.

 

I don't have any general concerns about staying with Minolta (despite

the Canon/Nikon debate), but I do have a specific question -

regarding the aperture shutter magnet problem. Thankfully, mine is

OK now. Does anyone know if this is something that is evident early

on in the camera's life, or does it occur after time/use? I spoke

with a local dealer about this, and he said that it can still be a

problem even with new Minolta cameras - can this be true?

 

Thanks very much,

Duane

[thomas_munch]

The 7000 has a reputation for the aperture magnet failing; mine failed twice and I had it fixed both times. The biggest problem with this is that you probably won't know about the problem until you get back a roll of film (hopelessly underexposed since the aperture doesn't open!). I no longer use my 7000, but I still use Minolta AF equiment. Speaking of the 7000, the AF is quite slow, compared to any of the newer Minolta bodies (try a Minolta 7 for a real jaw-dropping comarison!).

 

 

I haven't heard anything about this particular problem with newer Maxxums, and in my opinion, your dealer would probably just like to sell you another brand.

 

 

The zooms you have actually enjoy a good reputation among Minolta users. I own a 70-210/4. You can use any Minolta AF lens with newer Maxxum-bodies, and Minolta makes some real nice primes, too! Good luck!

 

--tom

[mlynch]

Duane:

 

My experience was that the aperture magnet problem on my 7000 occurred after the camera took a pretty sharp bump. Until that point, I had about 7-8 years of use from the camera. I then bought a 450si, thinking all was lost. The 450si has never had a problem.

I sent the 7000 to Essex Camera Service in New Jersey and they revived it. The 7000 is a sweet camera, still my favorite to use.

 

I also own a Canon AE-1 and an FTBn. I think that I would expand on the Minolta, they have a digital SLR coming later this year that should use the AF lenses that you have. I use the Canon's for strictly daylight/outdoor work. The flash systems available for the 7000 are superior to what can work on most of A FD series cameras.

[miguel_rodriguez3]

Duane, I wouldn't worry about the magnet problem at all, just take a roll of film and develop it and make sure it is working now and start building your maxxum system. Should the problem appear, then it is not a big deal to get a newer maxxum bodies from ebay. I have an 8000i that I also got from my dad and I started completing the system and still my old camera is getting famous among my friends that even them want to start a dynax(maxxum) system due to its affordability when compared to the other brands (Nkn or Cnn). The lens you already have seem to be good to start but try to get a 50 f1.7, the sharpness of this lens compared to my previous zoom was really evident. Good luck and welcome back to photography. PS:I myself would like to get a good working 7000, since it was the first minolta AF.

[danny_spence]

I've never heard of any Maxxum cameras other than the 7000

having a problem with the aperture magnet failing, nor is there a

clear consensus of any events that lead up to the mechanism in

the 7000 failing. It would probably be safe to say that if your 7000

is working now, you need not worry.

 

I have not heard of the aperture magnet being a problem with

any other Minolta cameras and that goes contrary to my

experiences with the Minolta system.

 

I've been a long time Maxxum camera user since 1985 and I

have never had a camera or lens fail. In fact, I'm still using my

original 50mm f/1.4 and 35mm f/2 lenses that I got in 1985 on

one of Minolta's newer cameras, the Maxxum 7. I also have a old

manual focus X-700 that predates the Maxxum 7000 that I love to

take out from time to time that is still going strong.

[larry_anonymous]

I bought a 3xi for my sister-in-law and it had the aperture ring fail after 2 yrs or so. On my 5000i, 9000, 7xi and 7, I've never had a problem except that the DoF lever on the 9000 broke once.

 

- larry

[boulderjoe]

I bought a 7000 new the first year it came out. I just sold it on ebay. I used the hell out of it. An absolutely great camera. I mtn biked with it, rock climbed and mountaineered with it. Never had any problems. I bought a Maxxum 5 just because I wanted a change.

 

-Joe