Minolta 9xi focusing issues.

[sailor]

I've recently acquired a Minolta 9xi with 35-70mm f3.5-4.5. It's in reasonable condition and I didn't pay much for it but the AF seems really poor. I've been online and there are comments about poor AF performance. One review suggests you should not use it with any lenses which came out before the camera itself. Conversely some people don't seem to have any problems at all.

I've been trying the camera with the 35-70mm it came with and my 35-105mm (1st version) and the AF performance is erratic even in good light. In order to get it to focus at all I sometimes have to turn the camera at an angle to get it to lock on. This is the worst AF performance by far I've had with any camera. When it does focus, however, it is accurate.

I find it hard to believe that this is normal performance, so would appreciate any comments or suggestions from 9xi owners. Can any of the xi zooms be recommended? Would I be better going down the prime lens route? I have been thinking about buying a 50mm f1.7 and 24mm f2.8 for my other Minolta camera anyway.

 

[Addy101]

With my 800si I use all focuspoints, it is the only camera I use wide focus with. The 800si has the same AF module as the 9xi, so, I expect it behaves comparable.

None of the Xi zooms are recommendable, unless you want a powerzoom. In that case, the 28-105xi is optically the same as the other 28-105/3.5-4.5 lenses and quite okay. The only other more or less decent Xi lens is the 35-200 that has some cult following. The 50/1.7 (and 50/1.4) as well as the 24/2.8 are good lenses.

If you want more information on both body and lenses, you should visit dyxum.com.

 

[sailor]

Thanks for that reply. I didn't realise that the 800si had the same focusing module. I actually own an 800si and the AF performance is miles better than the 9xi. I've used it with both the lenses mentioned above with no problems at all. I'm beginning to wonder if the 9xi has some kind of fault. I paid very little for it so I can't complain. I really like the feel of the camera and the results have been good (when I could get it to focus) so I might be tempted to try for a better example - they don't make much money.

I've never been that impressed by the Minolta zooms, with the exception of the 35-105mm (1st version) and from what you say the xi zooms are no different so I think I will be on the lookout for some prime lenses at the right price. Once again many thanks for your response.

 

[p.giannakis]

My 9xi came with a second generation 28-80 f/4-5.6 and it really struggled to focus in dim light. In normal light it was kind of ok although it was noticeably slow. With the 28-100 that came with my Dynax 5 it was much faster. Eventually i bought the 50 f/1.7 and the AF speed in almost in par with the EOS 5.
Can you test this lens with another minolta body? My 28-80 was slow even on the Dynax 5.

Ps: opsss.... i just saw your post..

 

[Addy101]

What zooms did you try? The first generation lenses (like your 35-105, but also the 35-70/4, the 28-85/3.5-4.5 and 70-210/4) have great color, later zooms are less in that regard. Minolta had some good later zooms with the 24-85/3.5-4.5 and 24-105/3.5-4.5. Whatever, the primes are good anyway.

It is of course possible that there is something wrong with the camera. There is no function card active? The Customized Function Card could set the camera to continious focus and that could explain the symptoms you describe.

The 800si had newer algorithms of course, but in essence it is the same module I understand.

 

[sailor]

I had a 28-80mm f4-5.6 and a telephoto zoom (I can't remember which particular one) years ago, both of which were not very good. I still have the 24-85mm which is OK but I don't think it's as sharp as my 35-105mm. That's a lens I really love.

There is no card in the 9xi. I really think it's probably faulty. I won't be sending it back though because I paid very little for it and it can still be used, if not very quickly. I really like the feel of the 9xi. It's not as heavy as I thought it would be and it sits very comfortably in my hand. They can be picked up here in the UK quite cheaply so I'll be keeping my eyes open for one at the right price.