Review 5 of 122
Price Paid:
$359.00
from Tri State Camera (ma Summary:
I haven't run a roll of film through this, but I found a problem that was very annoying that is probably a design flaw. I haven't seen it in other reviews.
I selected the Maxxum 7 based on the consistant positive reviews. After handling the camera and reading the manual until it is dog-eared, I will probably eventully agree with the consensus in large part.
I bought the camera for travel photograpy in a trek to the Everest region of Nepal after I managed to break the lens mounts of several lenses on a Nikon 65. I wasn't quite satisfied with the N65 as the focus always seemed a little soft; whether because of the lenses or the camera, I don't know, but it was a good excuse to upgrade.
Along with the body, I bought the Minolta 24-105 D and 100-300 APO D lenses - the more expensive lenses consumer lenses - as well as the Minolta 50-1.7 lenses.
After playing with the camera for a day or two, I started examing the Manual / Automatic focus features of the camera and found that the focus seemed to lock up on the D lenses when it was put in manual mode. The lense would initially focus to the near range of the scale, but seemed to rachet as focus was moved to the distant range. I did not want to force the focus for fear of damaging the camera. The camera seemed to work correctly with the 50 mm. lens.
Sent the camera to Minolta for warrenty repair. When I got it back, the operation was only marginally improved. I read the manual again and found the "smooth focus" option. The point out that the focus of some lenses can be rough when used with a teleconverter, so there is a mechanism to completly disengage the focus drive. You have to depress the lens release and the AF button at the same time, then release the AF button before releasing the lens release. The body whirs and burps, then the lens focuses smoothly. Am very annoyed that this is happening when there is complete brand compatibility. Strengths:
What everyone else says. A large number of features. Don't know if I will use it, but am impressed with the display in the navigation window that shows how far the metering of each section is from the selected aperature.
Fill flash on when flash is up, none when it is down - I could never quite figure out how to make sure my Nikon was going to fire.
Able to reload partial rolls. Weaknesses:
See above Similar Products Used:
Minolta QTSI, Nicon N65 Customer Service:
Second part of rant. Called Minolta customer service. Service rep did not seem to be familiar with this camera. Got an RMA and camera was serviced under warrenty. No feedback on what was done to fix camera or indication that the problem might have been operator error with instructions on how to correct the problem.
A confermation notice regarding the warrenty repair indicated that it might be 3 to 4 weeks before the camera was returned. Since this might be after my flight left, I called to see if I could get the repair expidited. No way, but I could pay for overnight when they got it fixed. Could they call me when they got it fixed so that I could make the decision at that time? No. Look if I need to pay overnight shipping, it's too late anyway. The camera represents a significant portion of what it is going to cost to do the backpack traveller bit in Asia for three months and I might have to buy a new body. I'm aware that warrenties don't cover loses beyond the repair of the camera, but have a heart Minolta.
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