Konica Minolta Maxxum 7/Dynax 7 35mm SLRs

Konica Minolta Maxxum 7/Dynax 7 35mm SLRs 

DESCRIPTION

The Dynax 7 offers a superb balance of state-of-the-art technology and excellent controllability as a photographic tool. This new SLR accomplishes the features that require conflicting technologies at times; first-rate autofocus vs. highly controllable manual focus, sophistication of user interface vs. familiarity of control style, and superior performance vs. compact design.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 122  
[Jan 11, 2004]
Galland
Intermediate

Strength:

Does everything I can think of and does it very well. Autofocus is lightning fast. Metering options are far more that enough. Controls are generally in great locations

Weakness:

Very few. Location for mf/af switch is a little inconvenient. Depending on the lens, the autofocus is not quite as sharp as I had hoped. Does not have panorama option. Accessories are pretty pricey, i.e. remote cable and adequate flash unit.

Love just about everything about the camera. This is my first experience beyond the point and shoot capability camera and although there is a learning curve involved, this is a fantastic unit to not only learn on but to hope I might make a little jingle with-wwho knows???

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 09, 2004]
Robbie Dillon
Intermediate

Strength:

everything you would expect and a ton of little extras like the indiglo lcd information panel

What a fantastic camera! i got a great deal on it previously owned. Some of the concerns that i've read from other posters have not been an issue for me. the plastic body is not your run of the mill plastic. it has a fantastic feel to it... very tactile. it has a nice weight to it... heavy enough to feel substantial but not so heavy to become cumbersome. i also haven't had any problems with sigma (50 macro and 21-35)or other non-minolta lenses (tamron 28-200 and tamron sp90). i'm looking forward to getting the vertical grip for it.

Similar Products Used:

canon a-1 canon ae-1 minolta htsi plus yashicamat g extensive list of antiques

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 07, 2004]
Tom Bigler
Intermediate

Strength:

1. User friendly 2. Rugged case 3. Navigation display 4. Built in flash 5. Custom settings-35 6. Dial controls 7. Depth of field

Weakness:

Noisy focusing and rewind

Minolta Maxium 7 is the best slr for the money. It may not be a professional camera but it has all of the features that a pro camera has. For the beginner it is easy to use and for the advaced camera person it has a lot of features that will keep you creating for a long time. I looked over the Nikon's, Canon's and Pentax's before deciding on the Max 7. The dial controls are the best and easiest to use. This is very helpful when I need to make a last second adjust-ment. I put Sigma lenses: 28-80mm zoom-macro, and 70-300mm zoom-macro. These lenses work well with the depth of field. Don't just take my word -- go to your camera store and put one in your hands. The camera sells itself. It did for me since I was leaning to purchase a Nikon N80 when I went to the camera store.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 31, 2003]
Desmond Lim
Intermediate

Strength:

Everything.. its has so much feature that I'm still discovering new one after using 3 years.

Weakness:

Not much complaint for the body. Just that there is no DSLR from Minolta, and that's a huge drawback. Hope to see one very soon.

Bought it with VC-7 at SGD1,400. Being using this camera for almost 3 years now. Don't think I need to repeat all points given by fellow reviewers before me. Just get hold of one yourselves at local shop, probably you will bring one home :).

Customer Service

Haven't need one yet so far.

Similar Products Used:

HTsi

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 13, 2003]
Canuck935
Intermediate

Strength:

This thing will not only do it all, but it will do it a manner that makes sense.

Weakness:

Um....???

This is an amazing camera. I can not believe how they packed so many features into this camera and still managed to make it so easy to use.

Customer Service

Never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum Xtsi, Canon Elan 7E

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 20, 2003]
Johnny Lai
Intermediate

Strength:

Too many.. A short list here: +Big LCD for displaying everything +Very nice, bright viewfinder +Very Accurate Exposure Program +Lightning quick AF Speed, +Good placement of 7 AF Sensors. +Very Accurate (sharp focus) dual cross AF sensor (x,+) center focus point +Ergonomics, 2 big knobs for important functions, and very nice grip +Nice Balance with heavy lens (with VC-7) +Flash is excellent with 5600HS and D Lens, no matter wireless or on board +7 rolls of exposure memory +Mirror Lock up, DOF Preview, 3 mem settings, easily done mid-roll change, goes on and on..

Weakness:

I dropped it once on hard surface and a small piece of plastic got chipped. Functionally not affected but my heart is broken..

Best all around film camera that Minolta ever produced. It has every function a photographer needed (and more). Exxxxcellent price/performance ratio. Excellent camera for Beginners to Professionals. Too bad that Minolta hasn't released a DSLR based on the Maxxum 7 yet.

Customer Service

Asked on how much to repair the chipped plastic and it is 'too expensice' to repair a small piece. Generally nice.

Similar Products Used:

Dynax 7000i Maxxum 5 Canon Elan 7 (friends)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 05, 2003]
OJ
Expert

Strength:

It give you the pro feel without the pro price.I use the brightness-distribution alot.The rear flash is great for motion short that look real. Too many strengths to list.

Weakness:

IT easy to list its weakness.None Yet since price came down.

I've used Minolta camera since i first started in photography back in 87. I started with the x700. About five years ago I decided to go AF. This camera is by all accounts the best camera that I.ve ever owned. This camera does everything except make eggs.It fit my hands perfectly.

Customer Service

Not Needed

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum HTsi, Minolta Maxxum 5 Minalta x370,Minolta x700

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 16, 2003]
Phyrr
Intermediate

Strength:

1.> ERGONOMICS - The feel of this camera in your hand WITHOUT the VC-7 Grip is amazing. I quickly learned the placing of many function switches and buttons by feel. This thing is a snap to change any functions at any time. This camera feels more like an extension of oneself rather than a tool. 2.>VERSATILITY - I am picky about "bells & whistles" and basic requirements when I purchase something. This camera has EVERY SINGLE FUNCTION you could ever need on a camera. It even has MORE functions that it's predecessor the Maxxum 9. I bought the 7 over the 9 not because of price, but functionality. It has more functions that the Nikon N80 and N90s. Depth of field preview, limitless multiple exposure, a toggle switch to go from auto focus to manual focus (just let go of the push tab to go back to auto), MIRROR LOCKUP, Rear & Slow Sync flash, Leave film leader out after rewind, 1 1/2" x 1" Backlit display (good for night shooting). Most functions are on a dial or switch which means they don't reset after using them just ONCE. 3.> LENSES - Minolta has more than enough available lenses. If you want more selection, choose a 3rd party like Sigma or Tamron (I use their products and they are excellent). Minolta not have as many "pro" lenses as Nikon and Canon but I have a question for those who gripe about this..."WHY AREN'T YOU USING MEDIUM FORMAT ALREADY???". If you ACTUALLY have the money to use the "professional" lenses offered, you are either insane or working for National Geographic. The slew of basic lenses are excellent and the selection is more than what you will need. 4.> BUILD QUALITY - Yes this IS made of plastic - Carbon fiber plastic. It's the SAME plastic that is used in the xm-72 carbine rifles that the ARMY USES. It doesn't scratch easily, it isn't going to ding easily. I have dropped my camera a few times but not on hard flooring. But again if you are a "PRO" who is sooooo concerned about banging up your camera, you shouldn't be in an industry where you can't even protect yer own equipment. That's just plain sloppy. Again, that doesn't apply if you are a safari wildlife photographer or with National Geographic. Now this ISN'T a camera for mega weather resistance - Fog is no problem but rain or a lot of dust, just go get an F5 already.

Weakness:

- 1.>This camera is infact a little bit light. People who complain about this issue are people who like veritcal grips. Buy the VC-7 vertical grip for this camera and you have solved the problem. But for those who trek with their camera around their neck or in the bag for a long time this is a very GOOD thing. It may have a cheapie feel to it first because of the plastic (again, useable in FIREARMS it's almost as strong as metal). 2.> Noise. This camera isn't the quietest when it comes to shooting. I've only had trouble with that personally on maybe TWO shoots where people were congregating and having a moment of silence. This is rarely a problem and will probably depend more on what you use your camera for. 3.> INFARED FILM - May NOT be used in this camera initially. This is due to the plastic window on the film back so you can see what kind of film you are using. Note you could fix this problem by affixing an element to the back but then you'll have to remember what kind of film you are using.

THE BEST 35MM CAMERA EVER! IF you are NOT working for National Geographic and want a 35mm camera then this is IT. I don't care what Nikon and Canon fanatics say, their products don't even come close to this one. I have been using this camera for almost 3 years now and it has never failed me in any situation. I'm guessing that I have shot at least 200 rolls of film through this thing. I have used the Nikon N80 which is supposedly the earlier equivelent of this camera. Anyone who tells you that has obviously not picked up this camera

Customer Service

After almost 3 years of use I have never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebels Nikon N80 & N90s Minolta 400si & 700si

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 05, 2003]
Hartanto
Intermediate

Strength:

Too many things to list but the following functions I found very helpful: - DMF (direct manual focus) AF/MF button - 2 sec Mirror Lock up - AF Speed - STF (Smooth Transition Focus) - Bright Viewfinder (got to see to believe it)

Weakness:

- A bit plasticky.... but much cheaper to the 9 and have almost all the functions on 9.

Great camera for all purposes... If you only buy one camera, this would be the choice.... I am impress by the functions the camera has and the metering. Wireless Flash is the best Minolta can offer... Ergonomically, I prefer 9 or 800si. 7 is abit too small, well I guess I need to buy the VC-7. Personally I found 800si, 7 and 9 are very similar..... 7 being the smallest... My main interests are Macro photography and People Shot. If you don't abuse the camera, then this is the camera that will serve you well. But 9 is better in built quality.

Customer Service

None needed.... email them twice, it is abit slow on reply the emails.

Similar Products Used:

Dynax 9 800si

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 22, 2003]
annapoal
Expert

Strength:

Is so satisfying to use and hold. Value Great pictures

Weakness:

No prolevel sealing but no prolevel price. No Minolta DSLR. Ultrasonic lens few, new and expensive.

If you want a camera with wonderful unique features, great ergonomics, fantastic viewfinder, then this camera is for you. If you require prolevel construction, moisture and dust sealing, then probably not. The ability to see how each of the 14 meter segments sees a scene compared to the overall value is great. You can adjust exposure settings without waiting to get film back. You have saved exposure settings for seven rolls of film. The camera can be operated from eye level. For fast action it has eye start, focuses and set esposure when you look through the eyepiece. Just used a Nikon F100 and did not fid it as nice to use. The camera even has instructions for the 35 custom functions and more in a half dozen languages. The best wireless flash system going. Great value. What is really amazing is that much of this is available in the maxxum 5 for a fraction of the cost. As for lens, many great used minolta lens at a good price. BUT no new dsrl yet! Get going Minolta.

Customer Service

Not needed so far on this product but great on another.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F100, Canon 7E, Minolta Maxxum xtsi and 5

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 122  

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