Konica Minolta MAXXUM 9xi; Dynax 9xi 35mm SLRs

Konica Minolta MAXXUM 9xi; Dynax 9xi 35mm SLRs 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 26  
[Oct 17, 2006]
tarikh
Expert

Strength:

9xi shines by its solid construction, its nice touch, its nice grip, the bright viewfinder, and mostly one-hand-only ergonomics. You just have to use your thumb and index to change ANY settings. No other camera can do better than that.
The exposure system is faultless, the honeycomb metering is almost like the spot cause it`s so good. Using the spot metering gave my pics a dramatic effect, darkening the background.
As for the AF, I havent had any problems taking pictures of a fast horse race. The focusing was precise and didnt let the horses go out of focus.
Also what I like about 9xi is the absence of beginner modes and of an integrated flash. Forces you to be creative. Flash photography can be so dull sometimes, but when you know you got to use a tripod, you cant get more imaginative.

Weakness:

The weaknesses is not in the 9xi itself, but rather in the accessories. The big problem wit the accessories is that they arent available anymore. Although, the 9xi is quite complete, some cards can be useful but arent available. Same thing for the battery grip.

The 9xi is one legend in cameras. When you hold it in your hands, you might feel it`s heavy, but this is due to a solid, pro construction. You feel reassured when you have it in your hands because it has a nice grip and the buttons are well within reach.
I really believe Canon EOS 5D was inspired by the design of 9xi.
My dream would be to have a digital 9xi, that would be the great.
But coming back to 9xi, it can give you such a warm feeling that when you hold it to take pictures, you feel confident and your performance might actually be over the top. Although it`s talent that counts in photography, wit the 9xi, good pictures come in easily.
I`m Tarikh Jumeer , check out my page at

http://www.angelfire.com/film/color

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 15, 2004]
Ralph Nastari
Intermediate

Strength:

Very well built, and with many options to choose from.

Weakness:

None that I can support.

Have owned this camera for several months now, and have nothing to say but positive remarks about it. Recently during Halloween, took a picture of a neighbor in her costume at night using a Maxxum 24~85MM lens, with a 3500xi flash attached and the camera set on P. The resulting picture was great. This was a scene that I would have had a very difficult time achieving proper focus if using my manual camera. The focusing speed with the 9xi was instantaneous and right-on. High marks for this camera. The price I paid I consider to be a very good deal for a camera of this quality, considering that it sold for more than three times as much when first introduced. It was rated Excellent+ by KEH, and did show very little signs of usage. The addition of the BP 9xi grip definitely made the camera easier to control, especially when held vertically. Also, the BP 9xi grip uses AA batteries which are substantially cheaper than the 2CR5 battery required to power the camera without the grip. My camera included the QD 9 data back.

Customer Service

Never had to use for service. But this is not to say that I have never had to seek a CLA or minor repair from an independent source for any of my equipment. I don't believe that a camera is made that won't need a service or repair at some point.

Similar Products Used:

Various other Minolta manual cameras, all with great satisfaction.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 06, 2003]
Ralph Nastari
Intermediate

Strength:

As solidly built of a camera that anyone could ask for. Definitely professional quality.

Weakness:

None that I can support.

When I first handled this camera, There was no mistaking that Minolta designed and produced it for the professional user. The initial cost would verify that intent also, which was three times more than it can be purchased for currently. The camera has been a pleasure to use and its focusing speed, by my observation is instantaneous. I have no other autofocus cameras of this class to compare it with, therefore I can't say with any authority that it is quicker or slower than other makes in this function. However, I can say that it definately is like comparing a jackrabbit to a turtle when compared to my manual focusing, and it blows me away when it comes to focusing in dimly lit environments, such as birthday parties when lights are turned off for blowing candles out on the B'day cake. I doubt that another makers camera(s) with faster focusing speed(s), as alleged by others, would really be of any benefit for my purposes and my interests. All in all, a great camera that I'm hoping will provide me with many years of sataisfying use. Others have complained about the proprietary accessories (such as the expansion cards)that have apparently been an annoyance for their purposes. Well, I can't support or dispute their complaints, but one does not need to fool with them if he/she doesn't choose to do so. However, be prepared to do some studying if you want to use them. If not,just press the Program button and shoot away. The camera will take care of everything else. Be prepared to do some studying of the camera's manual anyway in order to get acquainted with the many features this camera has, and keep the manual handy for reference if, like myself, the user is not a person that will be using this camera on a regular basis. But don't fault the camera for forgetting how to access some specific function that one may need to refresh his/her memory about. I subsequently purchased the BP 9xi grip for this camera, also from KEH, and do highly recommend it. I don't have large hands, and this grip attached to the camera made a great improvement in being able to handle it when taking verticle exposures. Also, attaching this grip substitutes the 2CR5 lithium battery with four AA batteries, which are about one third the cost of the lithium battery.

Customer Service

Very good.

Similar Products Used:

Various Minolta manual cameras inclusive of the later models XD 11 and X700. Have been satisfied with the quality of all minolta products I have owned and used.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 16, 2002]
Wei Leng
Intermediate

Strength:

1)Good built and solid 2)EYES START autofocus which makes it fast 3)Fast winding speed

Weakness:

1)Black dust accumulated in the viewfinder. Although it doesn't affect photo quality but I wonder where it come from? Anybody? 2)Metering index (transparent LCD type)is very hard to see at night scene. 3)Focusing hunts when tracking moving subject.

I had been using this camera for 4 years.It has good built and feels very solid. I droped once with lens 24-85mm, flash 5400HS attached when the strap accidentally came loose. It hit the concrete floor and I believed it landed at the handgrip area (lucky didn't landed at lens). No sign of internal damage and it still working like normal.

Customer Service

Customer service in Malaysia won't do servicing for pro-camera but they will send to Singapore.

Similar Products Used:

1)Dynax 9 2)600si

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 13, 2002]
EIZO
Intermediate

Strength:

Fits nice in the hand. Well built. The camera response fast.

Weakness:

Appearance. Program cards. Couldn't the viewfinder show 100%, after all it was the top model, or would it get too expensive then?

I visited a camera shop to look at an used 24 mm Minolta AF. I have seen it advertised in a magazine. Unfortunately it was sold. I saw that they had a Minolta 9xi on the shelf. I've been thinking about switching camera to a model with better build quality so I asked if I could try it. I owned a Minolta Dynax 600si at the time (and still own it). Big different! I immediately felt that this camera was well build and constructed for tough work. The Dynax 9xi was absolutely great to hold an even if the auto focus isn't the fastest on the market, compared with today's models, the camera immediately reacts when you touch the release button (or any thing else). It's definitely faster than my three year younger 600si. The 9xi has a bright viewfinder (shows 93% of the picture) that shows lots of information. Cant say that about the 600si. The auto focus is reliable if you use all sensors. Fits nice to the hand and doesn't make too much noise. It's quite easy to use too. Perhaps it isn't the most beautiful camera to look at and I can't understand why you should put a small program card in it. It takes away a lot of the good wibes you are supposed to feel when you use, and own, this machine. I guess that's the reason it only stayed on the market a few years. Still It's a great camera to use. I think it's difficult to find find a better camera for a lower price. I paid a little less than 250 $ this year (2002). I would give it five stars if It wasn't for the appearance and the program cards which both annoys me a little.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Dynax 7000, 9000 and 600si Classic

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 24, 2002]
Mauro Raunich
Intermediate

Strength:

robustness and ergonomics. AF system hard to bit

Weakness:

a bit noisy

Loyal companion for the last 10 years. Taken it everywhere, got wet, dusty hot and cold and always performed. Metering is good but I often use manual override and the 9xi makes this process easy and fast.Excellent, fast AF in all light conditions.

Similar Products Used:

minolta 3xi

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 12, 2002]
benbouvrie
Intermediate

Strength:

Very,very solid.Good ergonomics; sits well in hands.High value for money.Still after many years , very up to date

Weakness:

use of cards

One of the best 35mm cameras ever made.Solid, weather sealed, fantastic metering, packed with features, easy to use, 1/12000 shutter speed, flash sync, easy to handle

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 08, 2002]
karl yik
Expert

Strength:

Good as a glorified point and click camera, also fairly good in aperture or shutter priority mode, dials and controls are located quite well for these purposes (and only these purposes). The body coating is quite hard and durable.

Weakness:

If you want to control the camera, rather than letting the camera control you, forget it! This and all of their other cameras are full of electronic gimmicks, in most cases they are so complicated that they have a high failure rate when used in the field.

Bought one of these second hand, seemed to be fine, but occasionally misfunctioned here and there, eg the power would suddenly switch off, or the flash wouldnt fire off when it should. In the end I got rid of the body plus 2 minolta lenses for next to nothing for a battered all Manual Contax RTS2 and I have not regreted it at all, especially after seeing the results of the Zeiss lenses. Plus it has not failed on me once unlike the 9Xi. The Depth of field button also flew off on the 9Xi. Overall after having used 3 different minoltas, I would never buy a minolta again.

Customer Service

Never bothered

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 5Xi Minolta 7Xi Contax RTS2 Contax RTS3

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
3
[Oct 17, 2001]
Rui Nunes
Expert

Strength:

Solid , reliable, completely satisfactory for the advanced amateur or professional. Some unique features are the Quick button wich gives instant acess to features wich normally would necessitate some manipulation of buttons or dials and the P button wich turns instantly the camera to full program.

Weakness:

Possibility to use cards, wich thankfully Minolta discontinued

One of the best 35mm cameras ever made.Solid, weather sealed, fantastic metering, packed with features, easy to use, 1/12000 shutter speed, flash sync, high eyepoint viewfinder with tricky indications, very ergonomically designed ( you can change every parameter while looking trough the viewfinder).

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Z-1

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 15, 2000]
B.W. Benton
Professional

Strength:

Ergonomics, speed, intelligent control layout, solid construction, dead-on metering

Weakness:

None I can think of

I've used the 9xi and system practically since it was introduced. It's been solid, swift and, most importantly, predictable. There will always be cameras coming out with that extra nice widget, but this one gets it just about perfect for me.

Customer Service

No service needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2/F3/F4s, Canon F-1/EOS 1 (original), Olympus OM-1/3/4, Pentax LX

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 26  

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