Konica Minolta Maxxum 7/Dynax 7

I have this camera for more than 4 years. It is a complete camera. It is smaller than Nikon or Canon and my small hands could hold it much easier. The main reason I bought that camera was because I has Minolta Dynax 700Si for more than 10 years. It is a perfect camera for those people who do NOT want to follow the mass media or adverts about the other main competitors. I guess before you choose a camera, you should hold it in your hand in order to find it if you are comfortable with it.

It is better than my wife and perhaps better than a sex. Because it does not nag and does NOt get tired!

There is not many prime lenses for it as second hand.

I used fixed lense Canon.

I guess they are alright.

The best 35mm I have ever put my hands on. Feels even better with the VC-7 on it. All controls are easily accessible and right where you need them. Autofocus is fast and accurate and with the wonderful Minolta prime lenses the images produced are outstanding. I love this camera so much I just purchased a second body to replace my backup 7xi.

Ergonomics - all controls at easily at hand/MLU/Metering readout on back display

Would like to see "true" MLU vs the 2 second timer driven MLU

Yashica 35mm Minolta 7000i and 7xi Mamiya 645 1000s

Repaired my "new" camera soon after purchase when it kept locking up. The factory workorder noted previous repair made that was not to standard. Seems Penn Camera did not sell me a new Maxxum 7 but a repaired item. (First & last time I ever bought a camera not in a sealed box)

Amazing!!! Maxxum 7 with the vc7 grip is the ultimate shooting machine that I have encountred yet. The mid-rool reload function (and the ability to go directly to the unexposed frame when loading a partially used film), The smooth trans focus, one button AF/MF, and of course the data functions are amazing. On the other hand handling the camera and using it is a real pleasure. It took me only a few day to understand all the functions.

the ability to go directly to the unexposed frame when loading a partially used film one button AF/MF Data function Good handling Easy controls(with the vc-7) Relatively good body quality

Not experinced yet.

Nikon N80 Canon Elan 7ne Canon Eos 1

no need yet

After using the M7 for over a year I decided to write a review based on my experience with this great camera. The Maxx 7, in my opinion, is one of the best Japonese SLR's made today. I say Japonese because I also have used the Contax N1, which is a very nice camera indeed. I have always enjoyed cameras that have a straight forward control layout and the Maxx 7 does not dissapoint. With Canon & Nikon, it always seems that you have to "hold this while pushing or turning that" to select a function. Not so with the Minolta, very intuitive and simple to change fuctions. Actually, I think that the M7 may have too many options, ones I never have used in over the year that I owned it, but if you need them they are there. Has a program mode for the beginner to a dizzying array of manual controls for the pro or techno-head out there. If it lasts, it may be the last camera I buy. As a side note, I just handeled the Nikon F6 today at my local dealer and I was amazed at how similar the F6 is to the M7. Looks like nikon finally caught up to the M7. :-)

Bright clear viewfinder Best flash metering in the business Wireless TTL flash (W/ 5600, 3600) Great LCD display on the back Light and comfortable to hold Great ergonomics

Had to send the camera back to repair a film rewind problem. Great ever since...

Maxxum 7000 Contax N1 Nikon F2

Great, even though I bought my camera used, they repaired it free of charge.

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.

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.

See above

Minolta QTSI, Nicon N65

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.