2 comments about Minolta Maxxum 5 Date 35mm SLR Camera (Body only).

1. This camera is really marvelous, pretty light to lug around and superb performance. The following features are the ones which makes it a great buy for the price
   - Eye Start (I love it, this feature is not there in Maxxum 4)
   - 9 point autofocus, focus lock
   - fully automatic mode, shutter-priority/aperture-priority and fully manual modes
   - red-eye reduction, in-built pop-up flash
   - convenient pre-set program modes (portrait,landscape,close-up,sports and night portrait)
   - upto 9 multiple exposures

   the film loading mechanism is smooth and easy, though it could have done with a warning message (rather than a blinking '0') when film is not loaded properly.

   Has focus indicator, locks shutter when still focussing (can happen when using zoom telephoto lenses), has exposure range warnings, shutter speed warnings (if the recommended aperture or shutter speed is outside the range of your lens), the eye-sensor could have been better, but this drawback can be overcome with the exposure preview button, all in all I'm very satisfied with this camera.

   Note: don't compare it with professional grade cameras like Nikon F 100... this camera does not have a color database like the pro-grades, so your exposure might be off by 1-2 stops when shooting extremely bright/dark subjects due to 'mid-tone'ing.




2. I have one of these that I use on occasion. I shoot with a Digital SLR, but I do have to tell you that this camera really surprised me. The clarity of the pictures is astounding! I got mine with the 28-100mm zoom lens and I love it. I use it to take film shots of landscapes and portraits and compare them to the digital shots I get from my Nikon D-70.

5 comments about Konica Minolta Maxxum 70 35mm SLR Camera with 28-100mm Lens.

1. I purchased this package as I'm an avid fan of Minolta Cameras... and have to say I'm disappointed with the lenses. Either during wide-angle or 100% zoom, the corners of each photo have the lens in them.
   
   I'm in the process of contacting Minolta about the issue because I love the camera but can't take the chance of losing good photos with the lenses.



2. First, I would like to comment on previous reviews:
   
   As for the lens shadows: REMOVE THE SUN SHADE from the lens. If you leave the sun shade on during flash/zoom photography, you will get the "shade/shadow effect" you talked about. It's not the lens, it's the shade. This information is included in the manual (always READ THE MANUAL before posting negative reviews!)
   
   To the user disappointed in the manual focus: USE THE FOCUSING INDICATOR. Even in manual focus, the camera will still check for focus. When the small green dot inside the view finder goes solid, you are in focus. Again, this information is in the manual. READ THE MANUAL before posting negative reviews!
   
   Overall, the camera is an excellent value. It is packed with features that were exclusive to cameras costing hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars more just a few short years ago. Prices are dropping due to the change in market focus (everyone wants to go digital.) Where else can you get a feature packed camera like this one for under $300?
   
   For the beginner, a good film camera like this one is a great place to start. Learn the basics and KNOW the camera before making snap judgements. If you take the time to learn the camera and how to take pictures, you will NOT be disappointed by this hardware.



3. The camera has been fantastic! It works marvelously, and the zoom lenses are amazing.
   [...]



4. This camera is light, easy to use yet feature rich. I compared it to digital (still to expensive for comparable resolution to 35mm film) and other SLR cameras. The auto focus is fast and reliable, although in low light it strobes its built in flash to assist with focusing. The built in flash is fairly powerful and convenient because it is always available. The complex metering system has handled difficult lighting situations well.
   
   The focus may also be done manually, with focus assist. The f stop and/or shutter speed can be set manually. In addition to the default fully automatic setting there are 5 built in subject programs designed for portraits, close ups, sports, etc. There is a depth of field preview which I have not found on similar priced cameras.
   
   Overall I am quite happy with this camera. I was also happy to find that it works with my old Minolta compatible Vivitar 100-300 telephoto lens, and my old Minolta dedicated 3200i flash. For the money I highly recommend you consider this 35mm camera.



5. I have owned a body from the Sony Alpha series of digital cameras for many years, and have collected some wonderful Zeiss lenses to use with my A100 and A350. Over the last few months, I have done many comparisons between my digital photos and the film photos that I take with a Mamiya RZ67 and Rolleiflex...there is no comparison in the quality of image: the film photographs are better in most every way. I have been shooting less and less digital in the last few weeks, and got the idea that I should either sell my Zeiss glass or find a way to use it with film. Enter the Maxxum series of bodies! The Maxxum 70 handles my Alpha lenses very well, although it is a very light body to have connected to a 2 pound Zeiss. Functionality is somewhat limited: there is no mirror-up lock and no facility for a wired remote (I understand that a wireless exists, I have yet to find one). The light meter is great - my first roll was well-exposed without any thought to tweaking the default meter settings. I have only used the manual focus so far; when I switched on the AF, the camera seemed to take good control of the lens. I am very happy with my purchase of this used film body. I will probably look at the more fully featured 7 or 9 to get the mirror lock.

5 comments about Minolta Freedom Zoom 160 Date 35mm Camera Kit w/bag.

1. I bought this camera for my trip to South Africa. I got some amazing shots. Very crisp and clear with brilliant colors. It's very quiet which is good but also pretty bad. It's hard to hear the thing wind so if you press the button and then move the camera, your pictures could easily be messed up because you didn't wait long enough- some of mine did unfortunately. So other than this set back, my photos came out excellent.



2. I purchased this camera after extensively reading the online reviews here and elsewhere. Everyone seemed to love this camera. It did take "decent" photos, however, it was poorly constructed, the "automatic scene recognition system" freaked out my wife who could not tell what the camera was doing. She ended up ignoring the flashing red lights in the view finder. They were quite distracting.

   The camera does not remember its settings after being turned off and then on again.

   The built-in flash turned black after only a few months of use.

   Finally, we took it on a hike, my wife had it in her hand, and lost her balance. Barely tapped it (with her hand reciving most of the blow) on the ground. Now it won't turn off and the lens shutter won't close.

   It is a basically a pile of trash now, and not worth the $188 that we paid for it.

   I'll think twice before believing on-line reviews and/or before buying another Minolta.




3. A fantastic camera at an unbelievable price. I've taken pictures throughtout Europe, Australia and New zealand in all kinds of weather and light conditions with always the same excellent results. A great camera to take take on a hurry up and keep moving tour. It takes wonderful landscapes, animal and people pictures. Even does well from a moving boat or car. The auto focus is incredible. Just point and shoot, the camera will lock on focus. We're now off to South America.



4. I love this camera for ease of use, and crisp, clear pictures. My biggest problem though are red eyes. I use the red eye reduction most of the time and eyes are always red. Maybe someone has a suggestion to fix this problem?



5. Bearing in mind that I really just wanted a basic point-and-shoot camera, I have to say that I didn't think this camera delivered all that it was supposed to. I ran some test rolls of 400 (manufacturer-recommended speed) and wasn't happy with the results--blurry backgrounds when I wasn't using focus lock on the foreground, and washed-out colors (which might be the film, but might be the camera). Also, I wish I had listened a little more to the reviewer who mentioned how the moving red focus boxes in the viewfinder "freaked" his wife out. I was also bothered by the moving focus boxes, couldn't figure out what they were telling me, and just wanted to take a good picture. The final blow: My mom's 20-year-old Canon Sure Shot takes great pictures, better than this Minolta and she really just picks up the camera and presses the button--not even worrying about the occasional use of fill-in flash.
   
   If you're looking for a slight upgrade from your regular point and shoot, this camera may be for you (shoot some test rolls, and maybe look at one in a store somewhere first before ordering from Amazon), but it wasn't the best fit for me. I'm giving it 2 stars because some of the problems I have might be due to user error.

5 comments about Minolta Maxxum 7 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I recently upgraded from Dynax 5 to Dynax 7 (Or what you folks over sea call it - Maxxum:), and I really found all the features I missed in my Dynax 5. It's auto focus is very responsive and fast, metering really performs well in most situations, controls are intuitive and easy to use, big LCD provides a lot of things to tweak with, exposure memory for 7 rolls is really useful too.
   I do not use Minolta lenses however, Sigma EX series are the ones to use if you want quality for affordable price.
   Ah, and my favourite Sigma lens is the 24-70/2.8 EX DG, it really is awesome, and has 'D' mount for Minolta too :)
   Theres only one thing about Maxxum 7 I do not enjoy...the weight...it really should have been heavier!



2. The best autofocus period. Out performs nikon & canon. Can focus in near darkness. It really performs better than expected. I like the information lcd on the back. I like it better than the F100. Judging from what I have experienced it should be very dependable.



3. This is an excellent contemporary high-tech camera. I tend to shoot in aperature controlled mode, and it is very easy to change aperatures, to bracket exposures so you get three to seven shots in rapid fire with slightly different settings, and to see differing depths of field. Depending on the lens, it can also be relatively easy to modify the auto focus (so, for example, you move the center of the focus in front of or behind your subject to get the right part of the scene in focus), but note that some lenses will clutch and not be able to be hand-manipulated, leading to a need to switch to manual focus with those lenses in some cases.

   What really sells this camera, though, is the wireless flash. Do not underestimate how much this can improve your flash pictures. It is very easy to use -- I literally have shown my 3 year old, who was very curious, how to do, and got some good shots of him in the process. If you buy this camera, you should buy at least one of the Minolta "D" flashes.

   As you take bracketed shots in continuous focus mode, the camera does a good job of remaining in focus. For those of us with glasses, there is a diopter adjustment in the viewfinder that adjusts the viewfinder to our own current prescription. On manual focus, this has a real impact on my photos, where my focus was previously a bit soft much of the time.

   I end up with a couple of minor complaints -- the selector button that lets you choose which sensor to use in focusing is placed right where my nose can hit it, and I've had to learn to take care not to accidentally change the setting with my nose. Also, I'd like to see the new anti-shake technology that is being incorporated in Minolta's new digital 7 incorporated into the 7. I suspect it is just time until this happens.

   All in all, an extraordinary camera.




4. This is by far the best camera I have ever owned in my life, be it point and shoot, film or digital. I'm in the Marine Corps and took this camera with me in Iraq and countless other places and it went through some of the most extreme weather imaginable and kept on working. The camera is not labeled as splash-proof, but it should be -- I accidentally dropped this camera in a puddle of water and pulled it out and it was still working. I never had it fail on me one time. The LCD display on the back is huge and amazingly informative. The backlight on the LCD is very handy as well. The autofocus is also amazingly fast and accurate. It's a professional quality camera with beginner level accessibility.



5. I got this camera new before Minolta bugged out of the camera business. Minolta was always a trends setter and the other big 2 scrambled to catch up. Minolta was terrible in the marketing department because all I remember was Canon commercials, I never saw a Minolta one = too bad. The Maxxum 7 is a super camera and out-of-this-world with the vertical control grip. It's plastic structure belies it's capabilities and it's what the Maxxum 9 (armored/combat camera) should have been. I'm still learning what this thing can do! So many intuitive switches make it like a semi-automatic camera for the enthusiast . One cannot go wrong if they get this camera if they have access to the old 1980s Maxxum lenses from a pawn shop and/or the new-in-the-box Sony ones also. Just baby the camera as Sony is hard to deal with when it comes to Maxxum repair work, along with other things they make new. When I was at a bridal show awhile back, someone thought it was a digital camera as it has a LCD screen on the back of the film door! ::Funny!:: I also have a 7D w/ the hard to find vertical control grip in my stewardship and the Maxxum 7 compliments it quite well and
   Jesus has been good to me in this regard:Thanx Lord!
   You can't go wrong with this film camera!
   AWESOME! AWESOME!! AWESOME!!!
   Get some black and white film and have fun...
   
   

3 comments about Konica Minolta Maxxum 50 Date 28-100 35mm SLR Camera.

1. INTRO: I have had the Minolta Maxxum 50 for about a year now, and it has been completely trustworthy. All of the buttons, switches, knobs, etc. seem to be durable, and the camera as a whole seems very durable. I've used this camera for both color and black and white film, and both develop perfectly. The exposure on this camera almost always is right, only on a few pictures has it been over or under-exposed (I think a filter would have fixed those). Recently, I bought a 70-300mm, 4-5.6 lens for it and it has handled that well. Picture quality is still good with a non-Minolta brand. Altogether, the Maxxum 50 is a very good camera for the money, I bought it for 200 dollars in 2005, and is still worth the money today.
   
   BIG UPS
   -Usually good picture quality
   -Very Durable
   
   UPS
   -Comfortable to hold
   -Easy to work and learn
   -Automatic mode works well
   
   DOWNS
   -Flash on the camera is fairly mediocre
   -Pictures are sometimes dull on cloudy days (Still need a filter)
   
   BIG DOWNS
   Don't think there are any
   
   CONCLUSION: If you are ready to spend money on film and development, this camera is great for a beginner, or semi-pro. Even a child could learn the simple features of the camera, yet it can be manually adjusted. This is a good buy for $230 dollars or less.



2. I bought this camera for my father for christmas and he LOVES it. I personally have a Minolta Maxxum 5 SLR and LOVE it, that's why I bought this one. takes GREAT pics once you get used to the auto focus.



3. I recently lost the 35mm Minolta camera I had since the 80's and was saddened by it because it took such great pictures. The Maxxum, however, opened my eyes to another world. It is easy to use, you have all kinds of combinations of settings to select from, which are easy to configure, and the quality is outstanding! I like the "meaty" sound of the shutter. I do believe I will win photo contests with this camera! Love the film auto load! This camera pretty much tells you what to do and what will work and not work. It has warning lights and an automatic flash when in full auto mode. I love it!

2 comments about Konica Minolta AF Zoom Lens 28-100mm f/3.5-5.6 for Maxxum Series SLR Cameras.

1. This lens works well with my daughter's Maxxum4 SLR camera. It's hard to find Minolta lenses now, so we were pleased to find this one!



2. Great quality. Worked on our Minolta Maxxum. The lens cap from the old one did not fit it though. Go film, boo digital!

5 comments about Minolta Maxxum 4 Date SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-80mm AF Silver Zoom Lens.

1. I have bought a Minolta Maxxum 4 about an year back. It's a good camera. But unfortunately I have misplaced the product handbook of the same. I tried to search for the same in the website. Other than your site hardly I could find any other. But the manual is only 18 pages instead of 150 odd pages. Can you please help me?



2. Although I have never owned an SLR camera before this one, I have found it incredibly easy to use and to capture beautiful pictures. After looking at many other models and planning to purchase one myself, I was surprised to recieve this camera for Christmas. Though I am only a beginner and have only used the camera for a short time, I am already beginning to learn the basics of expert photography and am even starting to take advantage of the creative genius my camera allows me to possess, while still producing an expert, clear, crisp photograph. The instruction manual is clear and precise, the design fully functional and ergonomic, and the LCD panel a helpful addition to an already excellent model. I recommend this camera to any beginner looking for an inexpensive, high quality SLR camera.



3. I love this camera! I have barely taken any bad pictures. I only wish that the auto focus worked better, although I prefer manual focus anyway.



4. We bought this camera for amateur photos from our wedding in 2002. It is a solid piece with simple, easy to understand controls. Some of the shots from this camera looked better than the professional ones. We also took this camera to Paris for our honeymoon. Our photos were absolutely beautiful in both indoor and outdoor settings. I highly recommend this camera.



5. I must say, I really do like this camera. However, for a photographer that may want to explore the fine art of photography, this system may make it a little hard to do that. I don't particularly like the digital aperture and shutter speed adjusting. I would rather spin the lens, but I guess that's just me wanting to keep it simple. I also don't like the fact that you don't really have a very nice set of options if you are shopping for a new lens.
   
   The automatic focus really isn't that great. Manual focus is just so much better anyways!
   I have taken many many rolls of film and have used this for black and white prints in the darkroom, and I have really been very impressed with the quality of prints. I can even blow up some of these prints to 11 x 14, which is often unheard of for 35mm film, but they honestly do come out quite nice.
   
   I recently purchased a medium format camera, but I am definitely keeping this camera. It's lightweight, easy to use (with the exception of balancing the light meter), and a great camera.
   
   But this if you are looking for an affordable, nice SLR camera!

No comments about Minolta Freedom 140EX Camera with Panorama/Date.

5 comments about Konica Minolta Zoom 130c Date 35mm Camera.

1. I have this MINOLTA I got it right before MINOLTA was bought out buy SONY in spring of 05.I love it because it takes just as good of pictures as my moms almost $600 CANON DSLR. And I bought the RC-3 wireless remote, case and, tripod for it online.I totally love taking pictures with it. This model is really sturdy but, if it does break there is 1 or 2 year warranty.It is real easy to use you just point and shoot and its features are real nice like the date,multi autofocus,red eye reducer,and different settings are a brezze to work.



2. I have this MINOLTA I got it right before MINOLTA was bought out buy SONY in spring of 05.I enjoy using it because it takes just as good of pictures as my moms almost $600 CANON DSLR. And I bought the RC-3 wireless remote, case and, tripod for it online.I totally go crazy taking pictures with it and use lots of film. This model is really sturdy but, if it does break there is 1 or 2 year warranty.It is real easy to use you just point and shoot and its features are real nice like the date,multi autofocus,red eye reducer,and different settings are a brezze to work.



3. I have this MINOLTA I got it right before MINOLTA was bought out buy SONY in spring of 05.I love it because it takes just as good of pictures as my moms almost $600 CANON DSLR. And I bought the RC-3 wireless remote, case and, tripod for it online.I totally love taking pictures with it. This model is really sturdy but, if it does break there is 1 or 2 year warranty.It is real easy to use you just point and shoot and its features are real nice like the date,multi autofocus,red eye reducer,and different settings are a brezze to work.



4. We bought this camera new about 4 years ago and have had no problems with it , it comes right on when I touch the button , the zoom works fine the pictures are excellent quality every time , truly a nice quality camera , and we are tough on are cameras , they get dropped banged around , different extremes in weather , and it takes it no problem . And its easy to use .



5. I gave this camera to my wife for Christmas. She is so pleased and happy with the clarity of the pictures and the ease of use.
   
   Mike M.I gave this camera to my wife for Christmas. She is so pleased and happy with the clarity of the pictures and the ease of use.
   
   Mike M.

5 comments about Minolta Maxxum QTsi 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 35-80mm Lens.

1. I used this camera for my photography classes in high school and college. I was afraid that this camera wasn't as good as the one priced more. I love this camera. It goes everywhere with me. The pictures are amazing, and you can buy tons of lenses for this camera. I will tell you, out of all the camera's that I own, and have used, this is my favorite.



2. I purchased this camera back in 1999, after I gave birth to my son. This camera is AMAZING! In looking at the digital camera I own and this one, I'm going back to 35MM. I don't have the money to afford a digital camera that could take pictures the way this camera will. It's been a perfect camera with no issues since 1999, other than I need to get some batteries and some Kodak film! Over the years, I have upgraded the lens, to have the ability to take closer pictures. I'll come back here and upload some of the pictures I've taken over the years! This is the perfect camera for someone just starting out in the 35MM world, and your looking for EXCELLENT pictures!



3. I just got finished writing a review on one of my digital cameras.
   I have gone thru several digital cameras in the past few years. I had a $400 Nikon camera which decided to break on me 1 month after the 1 yr warranty. I had a Sony Cybershot (forgot which one) which lasted at least 2 yrs. But the new ones are not even close to the quality of the old ones. A Canon Powershot A530 - which got great reviews... but has a CONSTANT battery low blinking.. That only lasted 5 months. Lastly, a DXG (Kyocera) CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP $50 dig camera. STAY AWAY!
   
   Bottom line. After owning those digital cameras while owning this Minolta. I will never go back to a digital camera again. This truly is the best camera I have ever had. You won't find a better camera that takes such great pictures. Especially the up close shots! Hands down, WORTH buying one. Even used. I got my USED one on ebay about 4-5 yrs ago. and it still works great - never a problem!



4. I have had my Maxxum QTsi for 9 years now and have been extremely pleased with its performance. I have a Sony digital point and shoot camera, and have NEVER been able to capture anywhere near the quality of photo that I can get with this camera. In fact, I only use the digital when I need something really compact. I find that framing the subject with this camera is really easy (your picture comes out exactly as viewed), and I have thoroughly enjoyed it as my first SLR. I have beautiful sunset and beach shots that are clear and colorful, even without a UV filter. The camera has never given me a day of trouble. My first 28-80mm lens that was packaged with the camera eventually jammed and would not focus after 5 years, but I purchased a Tamron 28-200mm lens 3+ years ago with no further issues. I highly recommend this camera...even a novice like myself can take from the box and start shooting great pictures.



5. This was the first "real" camera I ever bought. I have recently moved on to a Sony digital SLR, but I still love this camera. It's super basic, you can't adjust your shutter or aperture, but it does the job for you. Perfect for a person just learning how to shoot. Takes flawless pictures. I can use all my lenses on both cameras. I'm so happy that Minolta was bought out by a great camera company!