james_frater

I have always really wondered how many professional photographers

out there use Minolta Gear.

 

From media events to sporting events, I have seen mainly Nikon,

Canon, and even Olympus camera's and lenses.

 

With Minolta always being one of the big three out there, I have yet

to see any modern day masters or Pro's using Minolta stuff.

 

So who here is a professional using Minolta, and what type of

photography do you do. And why are you not either with Nikon or

Canon ????

 

Just for once I would like to see a big event and see a minolta

camera. Especially the 7D with a good Minolta lense on it, making it

with the big boys.

5600 will work with both those camera's. I am thinking unless you get a really great deal on the 5600. may as well get the 3600 flash which is way cheaper and put the rest of the money into the lense.

If you buy three bodies, if one breaks would you just not use one of the other working bodies ???

 

Or do you mean buying a few broken bodies of the same camera ???

 

I am wondering why anyone would buy three working cameras, have the other two for parts.

Here is a question I am hoping someone will answer for me.

 

In recent threads about lenses it has reminded me of something.

 

I have two new Sigma lenses 20-40 2.8 EX DG with a 82mm diameter,

and a 28-70 2.8 EX DF which is 72mm.

 

I see the Minolta 28-70 2.8 has a diameter of only 62mm

 

What should one be looking for, because 20-40 is a massive lense

with glass at diameter 82mm and makes me look like one of those

Pro's (As I am only a serious amature at the moment)

 

Wider glass give better results ?????

 

What's people take, because my default Minolta D 28-100 is only

52mm. Compared to these massive Sigma lenses.

If you get the Sigma 28-70 this is not for digital mount and will have to use TTL like I do and I get great pics. the 24-70 is for digital mount and will work with ADI.

 

To correct my earlier post, I have non D 28-70 and the 20-40 2.8D Sigma lenses which I think is a terrific lesne.

 

The reason I bought these lense is because I can get them for nearly half the price of that for the equal Minolta lenses.

 

But in (some cases) the more expensive does not always mean better.

I have the 24-70 lense, the latest one suitible for digital mount and I find it a great lense. Sharp as a pin.

Nikon and many other makers change their lineup for pure marketing purposes. I see very little evolution in the newer models

 

Nikon D70 to D70s, etc, etc, etc. Add a megapixel here or there or improve Autofocus which I think more than likely could have been made with a firmware update.

 

Minolta I think leads the way in a few aspect still, Anti-shake for example. Still arte not going to get this on other brand without spending a few thousand on lenses that have in built in.

I think it would be foolish to miss getting the chance to get your hands on a 7D. I mean 5D is good, but the prices the 7D will go for will be low towards the end.

 

You have to remember this camera was released not so long ago in technology terms.

I am buying. Not only is Minolta gear coming down in price, so too are third party lense makers for Minolta, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina.

 

I just picked up a nice Simgma 24-70 F2.8 for Digital mount, that last month I would have paid $200 more for. So it works with ADI, everything.

 

Buy baby, BUY !!!!!

 

This is sort of like a dream for Minolta Users. Sony and KM say that the current lenses will work on the future Sony Digital SLR.

 

Best time while the stupid people panic thinking the death bell has rung, I do not understand why lenses should drop, because both have stated that these lenses will work on the future Sony DSLR.

 

Lets face it, I cannot see Sony making a camera worse than the 5D & 7D. I look forward to seeing what Sony does.

Good work, I did not realise that I gave the 7D link, and you are right the 7D firmware will not even register with the 5D.

From what I have heard on the grapevine from people at Sony for what it is worth. Sony SLR and even the Digicams could all be made from Minolta glass.

 

At worst Minolta Glass will be made for Digital SLR.

This proboably gives one of the best reviews for the 5D

 

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/maxxum5d.html

 

Any minolta Autofocus lenses will work on the 5D, and the Sigma Autofocus lenses made for minolta will also work.

 

I have a 7D, but have fully used the 5D, if you are upgrading from the 303si to Digital Minolta SLR, the 5D would be a perfect place to start.

Get the latest firmware from here

 

http://kmpi.konicaminolta.us/eprise/main/kmpi/content/cam/cam_product_pages/Maxxum_7D?mDetail=Software

 

But that said, you tried two cards and had problems after the camera hung.

 

My second question is that if you have used those cards to take pics and transfered images many times, then it cannot be the card. Cause the problem should have been there from the start.

 

Make sure you read how to update the firmware. Also adds and fixed the following issues

 

1. Added the remote storage function which can be used in combination with the DiMAGE Transfer software.

 

2. Speeded up its access to a memory card. This improvement shortens the writing speed to the memory card and USB data transfer speed. *Effect varies depending on the memory card.

 

3. Added enlarged display function in both the histogram display and the index display in playback mode.

 

4. Added luminance limit display function in the histogram display in instant playback.

 

5. Modified the "No memory card" warning indication.

 

6. Modified the following problems: - External flash fires with its full power in rare cases. - Camera freezes after self-timer recording in rare cases.

Does not sound like a problem with the card, since the issue occurs on two different cards.

 

I would maybe try re-installing the latest firmware again. I did read about this on another forum of the camera hanging then not able to read any cards. And a re-install of the firmware fixed it for another user.

 

No hard in giving it a try.

I live in Australia and bought some gear from a ebay seller in the US called cametaauctions. I had no issues with an ebay rating of 122602 I got full tracking of my items, no hassles what so ever.

Get the 7D, a while ago it was one of the more expensive Digital SLR cameras for the semi pro consumer. Now it has dropped in price and the camera and quality of it has not changed one bit.

 

I have tried most of the Digital SLR models out now (apart from the really high end pro models) and I love my 7D, funily enough those dials on the camera are perfect, a quick flick here and there to compensate is just what I love.

 

I personally think with the grip it is one of the best body builds on the market.

 

Just my opinion

Lets get things a bit strait, Nikon and Canon dominate the Digital SLR market, But the Digicam market. I believe Kodak sell the most Digicams, followed by Sony.

 

So I think in respect to consumer Digital cams, get the facts right before having it a battle between just Nikon and Canon.

Yep sorry, I was should have wrote non ADI if you have non D lenses, sorry was in a rush and did not proof it properly.

Okay scrap what I said. But check that the camera is set to ADI if you have a minolta D lense and also fill flash. Otherwise for non D lenses set to ADI with fill flash.

 

Otherwise you have an issue with on-camera flash. That said, if new return it and exchange for a new one. No one should have to fix a new camera, just get another new one in exchange.

Make sure that your camera is not set for wireless flash operation, that would account for the pre flash, which would normally fire first and would trigger the off camera flash.

 

Just tried it on mine and it does do that.

Last year when Sony & KM announced they were going to work together to make D-SLR's 7D, 5D you knew they were going hit the higher end of the market.

 

Now the question has to be what is considered High End.

 

The 7D & 5D and really not high end camera's, that can take on the Top Canon and Nikon, or even the Fuji S3 Pro.

 

And the A2 & A200 and considered high end (Digicams)

 

So apart from cheaper models that all Brands make, I except the see much more of the same. High end Digicams. And a Low and medium end D-SLR's, and a advance on the 7D which could be around the level and price range of the Canon EOS 5D or maybe higher.

 

I think Sony will want to make a statement that is seen around the world. They have the tools now to make a huge release, just like when Minolta Fans waited for their first D-SLR.

 

Expect it to be a big, flashy, event to portray it as the most advanced, best digital camera's in the world.

 

Anbd I think a price war maybe about to hit the market over the next year.

 

To aim for that market share so soon, you have to have a price war.

I think we are talking about lenses on Digicam's, not SLR lenses.

Found this posted today on www.steves-digicams.com

 

Sony Aims For Quarter Share of DSLR Market

 

Following Konica Minolta Holding Inc.'s announcement of withdrawal

from the arena of the imaging business and an agreement to transfer

Konica Minolta's assets related to R&D as well as manufacturing of

DSLRs to Sony Corp., an official of Sony said on Jan. 20 it would

aim for at least a quarter of share in the DSLR camera market in a

few years, reports PEN News Weekly.

Sony commands the second-largest share of the digicam market after

Canon, but its operations have been focused mainly on compact

models, missing lucrative DSLRs and interchangeable lenses to

warrant a push. Canon and Nikon dominate the DSLR market with a

combined market share of nearly 90 percent.

 

Through acquisition of the right to use the Konica Minolta's

Alpha/Maxxum mount system, access to manufacturing/designing

technology and R&D/manufacturing assets (though Konica Minolta

retains its patents), Sony plans a big push to high-end digicam

market including DSLRs, to chip away at Canon's dominant market

position, says PEN News Weekly.

 

Yutaka Nakagawa, president of Sony's digital imaging business group,

told reporters that the company "will target for at least 20-25

percent of the world digicam market, and even a higher share as far

as DSLRs are concerned, by making the most of its advantage," ie.,

its capability to make key devices such as CCDs, lenses and LCDs. He

continued: "Because there are only a few players in the DSLR market,

we would like to grab an even bigger market share. We wish to

nurture our DSLR segment to a business that accounts for more than

20 percent of our total revenue from digicam sales in the near

future."

 

Sony plans to roll out its first high-end DSLR model jointly

developed with Konica Minolta this summer. The company plans to

entrust manufacture of its DSLRs to Konica Minolta's Malaysian

company through capital participation. A certain number of designers

and engineers may be transferred from Konica Minolta to Sony, but

details are not disclosed, says PEN News Weekly. (Source: Photo

Marketing Association's Newsline International)

Actually what I said is true in a certain way.

 

If left out and not protected and exposed to sunlight, the glass especially if it has a coating will degrade.

 

With lenses, fungus, mould, etc can damage the glass.

 

Well protected glass should be fine, but then again, many serious shooters get a camera and lense and a couple of years later it looks totally banged up.

 

Filters can contain fine scratches, the older they are the more prone to damage.

 

In perfect conditions and a perfect world glass can live forever. But then again nothing is perfect forever.

KM is not a dying system, the name will vanish, but just about everything else will live on. I am pretty sure that Sony will produce an Digital SRL. That will certainly fit current KM lenses. And will be a beautiful SRL camera.

 

That said I do not see anything in my near future that will make me upgrade from the 7D.

 

And lets face it, you are a pro, then more than likely years ago you were brain washed into a Nikon or Canon outfit. So if a pro wants to change from Minolta, they usually will have the money to do this.

 

Some people who portray to be Konica Minolta lovers just appear to want to bag the brand and burn it to hell.

 

For those people will you please go away. I bought my 7D camera just before Christmas and love it. I bought two quality Sigma lenses for it that give me lovely sharp pics, added to my old lenses and my 5600HS flash. I still love it.

 

I have been promised by KM and Sony that if something goes wrong it will be fixed. So I will leave it at that.

 

For those who see doom and gloom, I pity you all, what a shame you will not enjoy your photography anymore, thinking you have a camera that is worthless.

 

For Shame on you people.

 

My KM gear will live forever.