Help me pick a Maxxum

[jon.oman]

Where dose the 8000i fit in? I owned one for years and then passed it on to my daughter.

 

[David Hughes]

I think first and foremost I'm looking for something reliable, with no Achilles heel. I noticed that Minolta sent with some gimmicks somewhere in the 1990s with those add-in cards (for the 700si I believe?), so I'm looking to avoid those.

Hi,

Given the age of the cameras I don't think any one can promise anything about reliability. Although, as the 7000 was state of the art for a while, there may well be a lot of people like me with their original one still performing as it should. And, as I said, it takes 4 AA's or 4 AAA's, which is a good thing imo.

Plus the AF lenses were good, even in the zoom versions. There was a lovely 28-85mm AF lens and, with just one or two more you could cover a very wide range of focal lengths and macro. Without the dedicated macro it is/was a very good two lens outfit.

The card carrying 7000i was an attempt to simplify things for the man in the street. So for portraits he simply slipped in the portrait card and started shooting.

I doubt if anyone contributing to this forum would want one to use but there were others like the auto bracketing card and the program shift card that were/are useful. There was also a card (? 2 versions) that recorded the "EXIF" data as you went through the film, I've read about them but not managed to find one and use it but it would replace a lot of scribble in notebooks...

Plus the lenses were seriously good and the system catered for everyone one from the dedicated pro to his mother. (Over 30 AF lenses and some superb flashes.)

BTW, the 7000's vintage AF lenses had five contacts but later versions had 8 and were very similar to dSLR's in their handling. The lenses were smaller too but most I've bought examined seem to be in excellent condition.

One other point, 4 AA's or AAA's are cheap compared to the required 2CR5 batteries later models take.

The only snag I have found with all the range is that lens hoods (these days on ebay) are difficult to find and expensive when found. And the Sony digital link pushes up the prices of the lenses.

And if anyone has a cable release socket cover for the 500si Super, I'd be happy to take it off their hands.

Regards, David

 

[Addy101]

Hope you like your 600si! For just $30,- you can't go wrong.
The 8000i is a stepover model, between the 9000 and 9xi cameras, giving almost pro-features in a 7000i semi-pro body. It is not on my shortlist.

 

[CliveC]

The 600si arrived today and it seems like a decent body. It's a little slow, especially compared to my T90, but the build is solid enough and the controls are pretty easily accessed.

As for the sticky grip, I managed to wipe off most of it, but time will tell if the stickiness will return.

 

[CliveC]

Another addendum to my Maxxum saga:

Today I was in my local chain thrift store and discovered some Minolta gear in the glass case. Attached to a Maxxum 7000, with a Vivitar teleconverter, was a Minolta AF 85mm f/1.4! Total price, $40. 😀

Unfortunately, it seems like I missed out on a 24-85mm. There was also a 700si in the case, but without the ability to test it, I didn't bet on it.

Don't know if I'll keep it or use it to fund other camera gear. Still, made up for a rather crappy week at work!

 

[Addy101]

Told you the 600si is slow. 😎
But what an AMAZING deal!!!!!!! I paid more then 10 times that for my 85/1.4 :bang:

 

[CliveC]

Finally tracked down a Maxxum 7 locally. The grip on the back panel is a little sticky, but functionality is all there. Came with the VC7 battery grip too.

Nice camera, definitely a little overkill in the programability arena. Love the little hex grid display showing light values. It's the closest film SLR to the DSLRs I'm used to.

 

[jmilkins]

yep - the 7 is great. The hexagon histogram feature is useful. Compact without the grip, more ergonomic with it.

I've got 9 x2, 9000, 9xi, 7, 8000i, 5xi. and er... ..one or two lenses that now work with the Nexs and Sonys ;-)

I think the best everyday cam is the 7, but I love the 9 tanks!

have fun!