The Alpha 9 and other Maxxums

[ferider]

So I've had this great Minolta AF 50/1.4 lens since 25 years. It used to sit on a 7000i, that I used a lot until I broke it in half during a ski trip. Even though I replaced the body later, I barely used it again.

Anyways, this user alpha 9 showed up on ebay two weeks ago, and I couldn't resist ....

A little on the large side, but what a great camera.

This camera is barely talked about around here, and I wonder why. Magnificent viewfinder, quiet shutter, and I can configure it to behave exactly like my Hexar AF ...

If you use the Alpha 9 or another Maxxum, share some information and show some photos taken with these cameras, please.

Thanks,

Roland.

 

[Addy101]

"Or another Maxxum" - well, your camera isn't a Maxxum, it is an Alpha, the name Minolta used for the Japanese market, and it is called Dynax worldwide, only in North America Minolta AF cameras were called Maxxum. The Dynax 9 (a.k.a. Alpha 9, Maxxum 9) is a wonderful camera, better then the Dynax 7 or the Canon EOS 1v imho.

 

[Vics]

I just bought a 700si and I like it a lot. I had a lot of Maxxum glass from the '80s, and had bought a 7000 from KEH for $10, and I wanted a camera that would help me with my very shaky hands, so... $35 later I had the 700si. Very cool camera. I shot this last week of my granddaughters, 2 and 7 yrs old. 1.7/50 and Ektar by window light.
Sisters by Victor Ross, on Flickr

 

[clachnacuddin]

I've been a long time user of a 700si, and just won a 600si on Ebay for around £8 including postage, for that price I can't go wrong.... can I?

 

[Addy101]

No, you can't 😀
They were quite expensive a couple of years ago as a "poor man's 7", but they went down to normal prices or even cheap, like yours.

 

[MikeDimit]

I have bought Dynax 300Si, 500Si, 3xi, dynax 4 and lenses this year. All are light ( 3xi is not!) ergonomic and a joy to use. Use good batteries and enjoy the experience. Very in love with the system. You could see some photos on flickriver on pools. I could try to upload here but I don't have scanner of any kind.

 

[jmilkins]

Roland - it is a fantastic camera. I sold out of another more popular brand some 25 years ago too and started with an 8000i. My first ever 50 1.4 Minolta arrived today on a 7xi and I'm looking forward to using it. Minolta signature colour is a delicate and beautiful thing.

I still have the 8000i, as well as 9000 5xi, 7xi, 9xi, 2 alpha 9s and a 7..in film Minolta mount. These go with the 23 or so Minolta lenses...

The 9 is the pro pinnacle of the Minolta Afs and is a wonderful machine. I have a fondness for the 9xi because it backpacked with 12 kgs of camera gear and 90 rolls of slide film through South America for 5 months with me.

The 7 is perhaps the most advanced of all - a more compact but very well thought out camera that even has a histogram display of sorts and will use even the latest Sony SSM lenses.

Do you know the Dyxum website - a wealth of info there. Digital focussed but lots on the lenses and there is a film sub forum..http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/film-cameras_forum36.html

enjoy that great combination of a 50 1.4 and Alpha 9...

 

[jmilkins]

for more on Minolta Leica and Zeiss optical design philosophy, you might enjoy this view, whichI have posted elsewhere but is relevant here.

https://sites.google.com/site/seevve/historical-perspective-on-minolta-lens-design-philosophy

 

[jmilkins]

Lonesome George Galapagos Islands, 9xi 100-300 APO

[/url]Lonesome George 1996 by transalper, on Flickr[/IMG]

Tierra del Fuego 9xi 28-80xi

[/url]Tierra del Fuego by https://www.flickr.com/people/79[/IMG

 

[kanzlr]

I actually like the Dynax 5 a lot
SSM support, small, light, great usability and cheap at € 15,--

 

[shadowfox]

Roland, I got mine 2 years ago, along with the uncommon Maxxum AF 35/2. It's definitely one of the best film SLRs.
My other favorites are the AF 24-85mm and the 75-300mm (Big Beercan).