The Maxxum 9, from Minolta. Our finest photographic tool, designed to meet - and exceed - the demands of professionals. Featuring extraordinary toughness, for true reliability even in difficult situations. Superior speed & precision, for creating the shots you've envisioned in your mind's eye. And the flexibility to individualize its operations to best match your unique shooting style. An ergonomic design ensures that the Maxxum 9 rests comfortably in your hands.
Summary:Still like film? Have any Minolta lenses? Treat yourself to a Maxxum 9, you won't regret it. You won't get a better full frame experience for the dollar, used or new, than the Maxxum 9.
Comfortable, easy to use, intuitive, ergonomic, reliable, capable, the Maxxum 9 is genius design made practical. Built like no other film camera I've ever held, it's a hefty camera yet confidence inspiring. If a Sherman tank had a camera cousin, the Maxxum 9 would be it.
There isn't much to say but accolades for this camera, it has few if any weaknesses as a film platform and to this day still has features that other SLR's or DSLRS cannot rival (it's sync speed and worlds fastest 1/12,000th shutter speed for example).
This is a camera that will last generations in a family household, and if you believe celluloid is your choice for memories, I can't think of a more perfect camera to do the job. It's just as happy doing sports/action and outdoor photography as it is doing wedding events and family snapshots.
Some cameras have everything right, the Maxxum 9 is one of those. From the moment you pick one up, you'll understand, don't believe me or the words I've written. If you get a chance to hold one, and look through the beautiful viewfinder, maybe you'll agree.
Strengths:Build (Stainless STEEL, not magnesium)
Comfort
Ease of use
Intuitive
Ergonomic
Reliable
Capable
Fast
Metering
Frame rates
Forgiving
Long customizable function list
Weather Resistant
Great battery life
Built in wireless flash/trigger
AF in complete darkness up to 7 meters
Glow in the dark controls
All you need, and nothing you don't.
Weaknesses:Weight, perhaps
No longer in production
Limited AF points
Limited to camera shops for repair
Similar Products Used:Sony Alpha A900
Canon 5D MK II
Summary:Historically, this camera represents a transitional phase between the older, metal-bodied mechanical manual-focus cameras of the previous era and today's lighter-weight, more sophisticated all-electronic gear. It was state-of-the-art in its day (24 years ago), although in some ways time has passed it by.
If you are not bothered by its limitations, this camera is an outstanding value; for the price of a few rolls of film, you can get yourself a real professional machine. But if you want something more up-to-date and capable, you would probably be happier with a Dynax 9.
Strengths:-Extraordinarily inexpensive for its level of features. Camera and motor drive can often be had for $100 or less, comparable to the cost of a plastic toy digicam. And this is a professional camera!
-Built like a brick; with a little care the camera should stand up to many years of heavy use.
-Uses common AA batteries; no exotic or expensive "photo" cells.
-Controls, once you learn them, are nicely intuitive and fall readily to hand.
-Compatible with modern lenses and some other modern accessories.
-Has manual film advance and rewind capability, one of the few autofocus cameras ever to have this.
Weaknesses:-No mirror lock-up.
-No automatic exposure bracketing.
-No shutter speeds faster than 1/4000 sec.
-Loud--loud shutter, loud autofocus, and the motor drive is noisy, too. This is not a camera for stealth situations.
-Primitive, temperamental autofocus. Not the best choice for fast follow-focus work.
-Big and heavy, especially with the motor drive mounted.
-Parts and service hard to get if it breaks down.
-Usually comes with only a basic (blank) focusing screen. Manual-focus screen (type PM) very rare and hard to get.
Summary:Looks like I am the first person to review this camera since 2005. I shoot with a Sony Alpha 100 when I want to go digital and need convenience, but when I need to get high resolution prints I shoot film and scan with my scanner. Though many people are selling this camera on Ebay and other similar sites, this camera is nowhere near obsolete, for there are plenty of buyers gobbling them up. I bought 2.
Compared to my Sony Alpha 100, the Maxxum 9 has better weather sealing, a more rugged body, 1/12000th shutter speed vs 1/4000 for the Sony, 5.5 fps vs 3 fps, accurate auto focus and metering, professional capabilities easily accessed with intuitive controls (no tons of buttons), and a flash synch of 1/12000th vs 1/250th. Come to think of it, there aren't any digital cameras that can match its capabilities yet.
The body is made with steel, heavier than magnesium (which most pro cameras are made of today) but also stronger. The weight does not bother me at all.
I use Sony 50mm f1.4 and Carl Zeiss 135mm f 2.8, and though the Maxxum 9's AF is fast to begin with, with lens having large apertures such as these it is even faster. Autofocus speed was as good or better than my sister's Canon Digital Rebel XT - which is one of the fastest AF around. Metering is 14 segment honeycomb - though not as "advanced" as the 40 segment honeycomb in the Sony Alpha 100 or multiple segment metering in the Canon Digital Rebel XT, it tends to give more accurate readings - my guess is that 14 segments are enough and simplicity has it's advantages.
In addition to those features, it is the only professional body that uses infrared to assist focusing (great in dark situations) and has a pop up flash (Sometimes I need flash and may not have time to put the accessory flash on).
All in all, I highly recommend this camera - it makes great exposures, has all the features one will ever need in a camera, and now that Sony took over Minolta's camera business there is great product support for this camera again.
Strengths:Rugged and well built body
Accurate and fast autofocus
Accurate metering
Many lenses to choose from (many bargains to be had)
Simple and intuitive controls
High performance overall
Product supported by Sony now (a company big in cash like this one won't go away anytime soon)
Weaknesses:Camera circuitry needs to be updated to use untrasonic SSM lenses
Ultrasonic lenses not readily available
Similar Products Used:Canon A2E SLR, Canon Digital Rebel SLR, Sony Alpha SLR, Minolta X700 SLR
Customer Service:Spoke with Sony and they will honor any warranties and will provide repair services. Customer service was responsive and knowledgeable.
Summary:The best camera I've ever held or owned. I like it better than the Nikon F100, or even the F5. Fantastic ergonomics. Well thought out. Well built. Looks like the camera that a photgrapher would design/build. It's a professional camera that doesn't get the publicity or respect it deserves. If you have this kind of money to spend on a film SLR, and want to use it as a pro or advanced amateur you will not be disappointed by the camera or KM's lenses.
Strengths:Rugged. Well built. Responsive. Fast shutter speeds. Bright viewfinder. Great lens selection. (although not as complete as Nikon/Canon will be MORE than sufficient for 99% of users) Great "G" lenses available. It's HEAVY, especially with the VC-9 grip, but for many that will be a weakness. I like the feel and don't mind the weight.
Weaknesses:The company. Believe it or not, I will rate the camera a "5", and if I could I would rate the KM company "-5." They NEVER supported this camera and allowed the Maxxum 7 to come out with better technology than the 9, without progressively upgrading the 9. On this web site, the Maxxum 9 has higher ratings than superstars EOS 1V, EOS 3, F100, F5 and Contax RTS. Can you believe that? And the Maxxum 7 is as good! Yet both the Maxxum 7 and 9 are discontinued! Minolta's engineers are the cat's meow. The sales, marketing and management are as imcompetent as it comes. This camera, despite being one of the best, is now discontinued, as has it's little brother, the 7. I would think twice about sinking big money into a product that they've discontinued and have proven they can't market/sell. It's a crying shame. GREAT products, designed by apparently GREAT engineers, mishandled by POOR managers. It's a love/hate thing.
Similar Products Used:Minolta MF bodies and lenses.
Customer Service:Poor. I have had questions about the product---not for repairs---and they generally don't answer. Or, they direct you to their web site.
Summary:What a TANK! The first thing you'll notice when you pick up this thing is that it's built like an M-1 Abrams tank. The metal body is rugged and sturdy. The shape of the grip is perfect for my hands. The controls are very simple. One dial for exposure compensation and one for shooting modes. Very intuitive.
With the bright 100% viewfinder means your eyes never have to strain looking through it. By far the best 35mm film camera I've used. Perfect camera for a combat photographer.
Strengths:Rugged body.
Good seeling of the body against environmental elements
Fast autofocusing
Accurate metering
5.5 fps, 4.5 with continuous focusing
Bright 100% viewfinder
Mirror lock up
Wireless flash capability(most minoltas have this feature)
Weaknesses:3 auto focus points, the Maxxum 7's 9 point AF is perfect.
Shutter release button a little too sensitive in continuous shooting mode.
You need a manual to figure out the all custom mode settings.
Minolta lens selection not as comprehensive as Nikon or Canon.
Similar Products Used:Minolta Maxxum 7
Minolta Maxxum 800si
Canon Eos 1n
Canon Eos 3
Sample Images
More Products from Konica Minolta
Link to this page
5 of 5
3 of 5
Comments
