Minolta Maxxum 4/Dynax 3

[richard_francisco]

Does anyone here have this camera? I recently got offered a brand new one that's still in the box at a very, very good price. Would you still consider this camera? Is it easy to repair? I know it's not a mechanical camera as its guts are electronic so my big worry here is repairing it in the future.

[mtk]

<p>Hi Richard, Certainly nothing wrong with these cameras. Minolta lenses are plentiful and most are relatively inexpensive. Could be paired nicely with a Sony digital system. As far as repair I wouldn't worry in the least. Cost of repair would be prohibitive IMHO. I would simply purchase it, use it and if it dies, buy another. There are lots of Minolta bodies out there for cheap.<br>

Have Fun!</p>

[gregory_king1]

<p>Yep, all film cameras are now disposable cameras. They just can be reloaded with film and have more features. ;-)</p>

<p>A "very, very good price" for a Maxxum 4 would be less than $40, in any condition. Maxxum 5's go for $50.</p>

[Michael R Freeman]

<blockquote>

<p>"...my big worry here is repairing it in the future."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Consider the camera as "economically unrepairable" should it fail when making your decision to purchase or not. If you did decide to splash out and pay for a repair, your only source for service will be an independent repairer (Precision Camera in North America). Parts will likely be difficult to find, as there is now essentially zero manufacturers support for parts and service of Minolta cameras.</p>

<p>From http://ca.konicaminolta.com/:</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. ceased its Camera Business Operation as of 31 March, 2006, and since 1 April, 2006</em> <em>Sony Corporation has been providing customer service for Konica's, Minolta's, and Konica Minolta's cameras (excluding Film-in cameras) and camera-related products except for the binoculars.<br /><br />Please be informed upon the termination of the Agreement between Sony Corporation and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc., Konica Minolta ceased the entire customer services for Konica Minolta cameras and related products, as of 31 December, 2010. After 1 January, 2011, the Repair Service Providers will continue support for the repair service independently.</em></p>

</blockquote>

[andrewg_ny]

<p>The "electronics" themselves are probably relatively robust, but the mechanical bits like motors, gears and switchgear are probably a little less so. If the camera has to be opened it will cost more than replacing it, and acquiring parts may cost a decent portion of replacing it as well -- possibly buying a donor body.</p>

<p>Older, more mechanical cameras <em>can </em>be more repairable but the labor costs for doing so still don't always make economic sense. At least once these simpler, more robust cameras <em>are </em>fixed by a good repairman you can have greater expectation that the camera will go for another decade.</p>

<p>The truth is if you spend $50-100 on a body and lens and get a few years out of it you'll spend a lot more than that on film and processing.</p>

[Mike Gammill]

Go for it. Pair it with the compact Maxxum 50mm f1.7 and it will fit in a large jacket pocket.

[Mike Gammill]

<p>The Maxxum 3/4/5 share the same body, but the 5 has a metal lensmount rather than polycarbonate like the 3 and 4. Also, the 5 has a top shutter speed of 1/4000 sec. as compared to a (still fast) 1/2000 sec. for the 3 and 4. The 3 has no manual exposure mode like the 4 and 5. Compatibilty with the Sony Alpha is a plus, but the Alpha lenses that have built-in AF motors will not focus automatically on the older Maxxums, IIRC. Not sure if they will work manually. If you can find a 5 for a reasonable price you should go for it. In its day the 5 had enough features to make even a serious photographer happy. While it didn't have the build quality of a pro level SLR, it has many of the features (spot metering, selectable AF points, mulitiple wireless flash capabilty, high speed flash sync, etc.) </p>

[PaulCoen]

<p>The Maxxum 5 and Maxxum 7 cameras DID work with the K-M SSM lenses introduced not long before the Sony sale. They should work with any of the newer Sony full-frame lenses as well. The Maxxum 9 needs an upgrade that can only be done by a service center - the part is no longer available - to support SSM lenses.</p>