newbie question

[Heather]

Hi
I am thinking of buying a Minolta A-5 rangefinder. I have only used 35mm SLR (X370 X700 ) . I have always been interested in rangefinders. I have been offered a A-5 with a 45mm lenses for $45.
Does anyone think it is a good starting point? I just want a good one to start off with . I don't get much time to shoot much , with 2 kids and a home business .
Any help would be nice. I was referred to this site by Minolta yahoo groups.
Thank you
Heather

 

[FrankS]

Hi Heather, and welcome! The Minolta A-5 is a fine camera with a very good lens and would be an excellent way to start. Make sure that it functions properly and that you can get your money refunded if there is a problem evident after the first roll of film is developed. Good luck!

 

[JoeFriday]

hi Heather.. welcome to RFF

I wasn't familiar with the A-5, so I looked it up.. it looks like a nice, capable camera.. and the Rokkor lenses are generally excellent

the one thing you'll need to keep in mind is that the A-5 does NOT have a built-in meter.. so you'll need to use a handheld.. which could set you back as much as the camera itself

for that one reason, I'd probably recommend passing on the A-5 and looking for a Canonet or a Minolta Hi-Matic F, which do have a meter

not that I'm saying you absolutely should have a built-in meter.. my favorite cameras don't have that feature.. but due to that issue, I personally think the A-5 is overpriced compared to the other cameras I mentioned.. that's all assuming you don't already have a handheld meter and aren't familiar with how to use them.. if you do have one, please ignore my comments 🙂

 

[Heather]

hi I am one of those that keep hoping for a miracle for film . I like the wait for deleloping. Not sure if it actually turned out the way you wanted it to. Besides I am having fun teaching my son how to use my 370 (he is 5) .
Heather

 

[cbass]

Hi Heather, welcome to the forum!

First, allow me to compliment you on your choice of SLRs. I am also a Minolta user and the X370 and X700 are both fine cameras. 🙂

Second, as Brett pointed out above the A5 is the last Minolta RF without a built-in meter. If you are used to using the aperture-priority exposure feature in your SLRs then you may have to learn about setting the A5 to obtain the correct exposure. That said, you will likely find the A5 slower to use than your SLRs. It may also be larger and heavier than your X-series cameras.

The A5 is reputed to be a fairly reliable camera but $45 seems a bit on the high end of the price range for this unit; I have seen these sold in good condition on eb@y in the low $30-range. However, if you know the seller and you know the camera is in good working order then $45 is reasonable, especially if a case or other accessories are included. Note that there are two versions of the A5. One version has a 45mm f/2.8 lens and a top shutter speed of 1/500 and the other version, said to be rarer, has a 45mm f/2.0 lens and a top shutter speed of 1/1000.

Though I have not used the A5 I have used and owned several versions of the well-known Hi-Matic series of rangefinders that followed the A-series. The leaf shutters in these Minolta cameras benefit from frequent exercise. Try to fire off a few frames a week even if there is no film in the camera.

Good luck with your purchase!