Build, intuitive handling, ergonomics, price as compared to Canon and Nikon.

None worth mentioning

As a photojournalist fast handling is very important. This camera handles very fast and is very comfortable to use. The meter is one of the best in the business. I feel that I made the right decision in going to autofocus after all these years. Anyone desiring a top of the line, pro camera that is easy to use and feels good in your hands should give the 9 a very close look.

Customer Service

Not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1n

great machinary at a whole package.
this is the example of clever engineering to make every good thing in the past a complete whole PACKAGE
build quality stand out in the crowd.
best view finder and metering.

AF is slow and confusing itself. I often miss the same shot I would make using Canon EOS w/USM lens. Minolta has very limited lenses product line and so far only 85/1.4 is competitive in the crowd (due to its unique out of focus blending effect and color balance for an excellent portrait lens)

a user friendly, first class build quality body with unmatchable view finder and accurate meter while it needs improvement in its AF system(old technology was used ) and the most import: give me minolta lenses can match Canon L series (e.g. how about a
50/1.0 prime or Canon's sharp 28-70/2.8 USM on this body?). in other words, this is a best PC without good application software support if you want to buy a computer.

Similar Products Used:

Canon D30, Canon EOS-1v, Minolta 7xi,
Canon T90, Nikon F100

The body composition material, and load time, focus rate, film advance.

The body in cold wheather; tends to try to stick to bare hands, gloves a must.

I used to have a professional business in Georgia where I took karate school portraits of students untill my equipment was stolen. I use this camera in the feild taking pictures of eagles and sheep, moose and wolves, whales and scenary what ever I am in the mood for that day, and have as yet benn left disapointed as top the quality of the shot taken. I did have a mishap in January when asked by out of state friends to take some pictures of the mountains with snow on them. While shooting some shots off of Potter Valley Road, I fell down a 25+ foot cliff, and if I had gone another 6ft I would have fell another 75 or so, the camera withstood the fall with only a scratch on the VC-9 grip.

Customer Service

Have only needed a couple of things, so far and have not had any trouble getting them yet.

Similar Products Used:

84 previous Minolta's ranging from Srt's to Maxxum 9000, 800si, 700si, and 9xi. Had some Canon Eos; no compare, my former Nikon F3 was okay but not the same performance.

Extremely good ergonomic design, 100% viewfinder image, weight & balance.

Bad popup flash design.

I was very impressed & satisfied, thought I had found the perfect camera - until I dropped it from 1 foot on to a carpet. Result: flash forced down into flash housing & main body seam across top split wide open. Note: Flash was closed at the time. Traded it in for a new Dynax 7.

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2, Minolta 5000, 800si, 7.

Extraordinary tough body with straightforward and simple to operate controls. There are no unnecessary features. It has an extremely bright viewfinder with 100% film frame. It's ergonomic design rests comfortably on my hands even with the Maxxum AF80-200 2.8 G lense or the 28-70 2.8 G lense. The 14 honeycomb metering and exposure system are extremely accurate. The 3CCD AF sensors are very fast and accurate especially it's central cross AF. Three sensors are enough and cover far wider than the red indicators. The eyestart automation makes it even faster autofocusing and exposure calculations. The built-in flash is extremely useful esp. for fill-in. The 4 segment flash metering is very accurate. The Maxxum 9 brings fun and joy into photography and gets the job done. This is highly recommended camera for professional or serious photographer.

None. I wish the left and right sensors are cross

This is the best Maxxum camera that I have or even among the 35mm camera in the market. Afterall, it won the Japanese Grand Prix Award.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

None

All perfect

Non

The best in 35 slr cammera off the world, the prof G. lens are very beautiful and the camerabody is very nice to use olso the V-9 grip.
the first camera what is complete.
A very very nice prof cammera.

Customer Service

the best in The Netherlands

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5 , F4, F100

Built like a rock, 100% viefinder, full function vertical grip, my wife loves it, and the list goes on.

The light from the built in flash can easily be blocked by large aperture lenses ( like those I own). Vertical grip controls are not possitioned ecxactly as when you hold the horizontaly. Camear's grip is a bit too slipery to be made of rubber. Must be vinyl or something. The AF aid light is non-defeatable.

As you can see i have been a faithful Minolta user for quite some time now. I have to admit that the Maxxum 9 has almost everything i have always wished a Minolta camera would have. My last Maxxum was the 9xi. I was in love with it. Until i got it stolen while stationed in San Diego, CA.
Since then Minolta have introduced a series of ameteur cameras such as the "si" series that simply did not turn my head. I was even tempted to look elswhere (Canons, Nikons). I'm very glad I waited however, because the M-9 has helped me take photography to a new level. I love how Minolta has inteliently use all this knobs and dials to get where you want to quick! They also added features only heard of in the competion. Such as mirror lock-up, rear flash sinc, 100% viefinder, view finder blind, and multiple power sorces (when using the v-9). In conclusion, the M-9 has all the features the average photographer would ever want. Although a bit pricy for the amateur it is a bargain when compare to the EOS-V and F-5.

Customer Service

In almost 10 years I have never use it. Although Minolta USA never replys to my e-mail requests.

Similar Products Used:

Maxxums 3xi, 5xi, 9xi minolta x-700

All Metal Design, simple but all features are useful, fast AF speed,

not really, only wish it had ADI flash system like Maxxum 7 and support D lens...but they are the latest tech. VERY strange DOF operation compared to 7.

I just bought this camera three weeks ago because I need a stronger camera than Maxxum 7. I was very happy with this Pro. Camera even though it is two years older than Maxxum 7. 9 is designed to use like horse, all metal covered and pretty heavy. But it is fast, quiet and reliable. Everything 9 has is very useful. The 3 AF sensor is good enough for me and I like a lot, and it operates better with 80-200mm G f2.8 lens. Minolta has defintely did a good job to design such a great camera.

Customer Service

none so far

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5

I'm not going to say this thing is 'built like a tank' - it's been said enough. This camera has rugged durability, but also an incredible ease of use and ergonomics.

I have to admit that there are an overwhelming amount of custamizeable functions and programmable features. Many more than you'll need, but they allow you to configure the camera to your own personal preference.

I'm no pro. Advanced amateur at best, but I would recommend this camera to any level of experience. The reason for this is the data archiving that the camera does - you can save data and retrieve it later for 7 rolls of film. I often review this data after I get the photos developed, and this is a great asset for learning what worked right, and what didn't. I really think that this camera is competitive with anything out there, and have no regrets about buying it. I had it for 2 weeks before it fell 2 feet to hard concrete, bounced under a railing, and fell another 20 feet to a hard gravel beach below. I picked it up, and kept on shooting. Camera store verified all was well with the camera; this sold me on the construction of this hunk of metal. Get one.

Customer Service

I've called Minolta twice. Put on hold for about 2 minutes. Customer service rep answered my questions promptly and courteously

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum 600si, Maxum 7000, Nikon 8008, Olympus OM-2, Canon AE-1, Nikon 6006

Well what can I say this camera is GREAT.

Lack of manual mirror lock up.

If you are a budding amateur or someone who is after a well built camera that will last. Go for it. Just do not forget about the 100% viewfinder like I did for my first couple of films Ooops!

Customer Service

No problems yet with the D9. Had problems with 700si had to be returned with in 48hrs of repair as faulty.

Similar Products Used:

9000, Dynax SPxi, 500si, 7xi, 700si