Does everything a beginner / casual photographer could want. As simple and quick to use as a compact but with much better results and much greater versatility.

Autofocus does not like extreme distance. It must have a clearly definable object to lock on to. It is quite slow and noisy.

The controls require a little intuition to use. I found it fine, but someone less inclined to push buttons and rotate dials just to see what they do might struggle.

This was my first "modern" SLR. Since I was about 12 I have always used an old, fully manual Pentax with fixed focal, screw fitting lenses. Talk about learning the hard way! Even the tiniest mistake was punished! I learned to produce very good pictures with it, but as a holiday camera it just was not quick enough and required an entire ruck sack of its own to transport around all the lenses etc.

Ahead of a long and busy holiday (6 weeks in Australia / New Zealand) I decided to buy something much quicker and Dynax 500si was the answer.

I have quickly run through several roles of film to test it out and I am extremely happy with the results. Not a single bad picture on any film.

I have used the camera in a variety of different settings (open country, in the city, shooting animals, moving vehicles and indoors at night of people). It has produced excellent results in all cases.

I would like a dept of field preview and some more advanced metering options, but as a holiday camera to bring back real pictures a big step above a compact then this is the beast! The only down side is the confusion experienced by the AF when pointing at non-tangible subjects!

Customer Service

I bought it second hand with no manual. I emailed Minolta, they answered quickly and the manual was with me within days.

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Friend had a similar body, not Minolta. Cannot remember the manufacturer. Not much difference.

reasonably light
Easy to use. Good for a beginner that wants a good SLR

A bit noisy
no outlet for a remote switch

Nice camera to use. Takes good photos. Took it to the UK, Perth, Tasmania and the photos came back fine. (pity about some of the labs I took the film too)

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

N/A

It is light and easy to use.

I have own this camera for about 3 years and I have shot less than 15 rolls of film. It is already been repaired once because of the aperature mechanism in camera. Now, it is broken again. This time, the camera would only fire intermediately. I finally got tired of it and brought a new XTSi. I would not recommend buying this camera because of the bad engineering.

I would not buy it again if I would to do it again. The electronic is not very well designed. If I get it repair again, the repair bill would probably totaled more than another new body. I have never had a camera that broke down so frequently despite the infrequent use. The camera does work well when it is working.

Customer Service

I would not know because the camera broke down after the service warrenty. I took it to an authorized dealer and it took them about 3 weeks to repair it.

Similar Products Used:

None

Lightweight, compact, nice handling. Very easy to use. The 400si is the first SLR I've owned. Before that, just point and shoots ranging from downright crap to quite decent. My photos really took flight when I moved up to the 400si. The metering is very accurate. This camera also has effective redeye reduction with the built-in flash. Wireless off-camera flash is a wonderful feature, it got me experimenting with lighting when I bought the 3500xi flash.

The camera has needed repair twice in the five years I've owned it. The problem was the same both times. Something failed in the mechanism that automatically changes the aperture. The first time, it was under warranty, but the second time it was not. In both cases, Minolta Canada fixed the problem within three weeks. However, I work in a camera store and have seen two other cameras (one 450si and one 300si, both based on the 400si) come in with the same problem. Maybe a design flaw?
The shutter, winding and focusing are all very noisy. Don't try to sneak up on wildlife with this camera! You'll get a shot of their running hindquarters at best. Focusing is accurate but pretty slow. The viewfinder is pretty dark, too.

A good value if you find one on sale. The newer HTSi Plus is a much better choice. Competitive models from Canon, Nikon and Pentax seem to focus faster.

Customer Service

Prompt, courteous. No complaints here.

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Maxxum 7000, 600si. Pentax MG, ME Super. Nikon F401S, Pronea 600i, Pronea S.

This is a nice camera for beginners.
I would suggest you spend a little more money and get the Minolta 800si or the Nikon N90s. Don't know about Canons.

AF, shutter/mirror, film advance/rewind, very very loud. Wakes my cat up every time I photograph him. Cheap plastic. No spot metering. Sometimes overexpose/underexpose the picture in high contrast places.

Good camera, but not great.

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None

well I actually i have a minolta slr 500 si. I have it for two years it allows me to go auto or mannual. many varities.

Well Iam glad you ask! I was on vacation and took 8 rolls of film. I had them dev. and it seems to have a PROBLEM WITH ADVANCING THE FILM NOW. Due to the prints were overlaying each other not all but most.I do weddings and other photography jobs. Iam glad that this did not happen then. the camers store tells me that this is a 4 week turnaround and cost me $145.00 no matter whats wrong.Now why is after only 2 years????????

all in all good.

Customer Service

not sure yet

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Flash 5400 minolta

Ease of use, results are excellent..metering and focusing very accurate

Sometimes, I need to switch to manual focus AFTER I autofocus the shot, as the shutter won't fire in autofocus mode, even if there is enough light and the camera has focused accurately

A decent camera with the one annoying habit indicated above.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Canon (many old bodies), most recently, the T70

THE 400SI PRODUCES SOLID
PICTURES BECAUSE OF ITS
SIMPLE YET MUCH NEEDED
FEATURES.

NO PROBLEMS AT ALL

MOUNTED ON THE 400SI IS A TOKINA 35-300MM SLD ZOOM
LENS. THIS IS THE BEST COMBO I HAVE SEEN. THE
BUILT IN FLASH THAT IT "DOES" HAVE IS OF COURSE
USEFUL. IT EVEN HAS SETTINGS FOR RED EYE REDUCTON. I USE BOTH THE 400SI AND TOKINA FOR WORK AND FOR GRAPHIC ART, PORTRAITS, AND LANDSCAPE
PHOTOGRAPHY. IT'S A GOOD CAMERA FOR BEGINNERS AND
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Similar Products Used:

None

Fairly easy to use, especially when in the fuly automatic mode.

Yes. Had to be repaired once. Under warranty, no cost but had to go without camera for a long time. Froze. Also it won't take pictures when lighting isn't PERFECT even if you have extra flash... frustrating!

Good camera - great pictures but think there is better.

Customer Service

Fair but lenghtly!

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I have owned two other Minolta cameras and LOVED THEM. They were both point and shot.

I like this camera because it is easy to use. It automatically focuses for quick shots and it has the capability to also be used manually. This camera allows you to become more selective of speeds as you progress in your ability to take great pictures. I also like the zoom capability.

When it is on automatic focus sometimes it will not take a picture if there is not enough light. This can be frustrating if you have the flash on and there appears to be enough light.

I would buy this camera again.

Customer Service

I have not had to use the customer service.

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I had another Minolta for many years before I bought this one.