Minolta Dynax 4 (2002-2004)

Minolta Dynax 4 (2002-2004)

#348

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

The Maxxum 4 is an autofocus 35mm SLR camera manufactured by Minolta in 2002. It is also known as the Dynax 4 or in tetraphobia countries as the Dynax 3. In Japan it is known as the α-Sweet II L (Alpha Sweet II L) and in China as the α-3 (Alpha 3).

The electronically controlled vertical travelling focal-plane shutter has speeds of 30s to 1/2000 of a sec. with a flash sync of 1/90. Exposure modes have PASM. The program exposure mode contains 5 separate modes including portrait, landscape, close-up, sport and night portrait. The metering is TTL based on a 14 segment honeycomb silicon photo cell with a range of 1 to 20 EV (ISO 100, f/1.4) and a spot metering range of 4 to 20 EV. It can use DX encoded films with speeds of 25 to 5000 ISO. Non-DX films can be set from 6 to 6400 ISO in 1/3 stops.

The film transport is motorized with film advance settings of single or a continuous drive speed of up to 1.7fps. Rewinding the film is automatic at the end of the roll, but a manual rewind is also possible before the end of the roll. The built-in flash has a GN of 12. An AF illuminator is also on the flash, that enables more precise focusing in darker conditions. Self-timer, exposure bracketing and multiple exposure is possible. The camera is powered by two CR2 batteries.

Source: camera-wiki.org

The Minolta Maxxum 4 (Dynax 4 in Europe and Dynax 3 in "in Asia Pacific countries") 35mm SLR camera was introduced in 2002. Konica Minolta has discontinued production of this model but maintains information on it in its website.

A Minolta Maxxum 4 on a tripod.
Capable of automatic focus, the Maxxum 4 has through-the-lens metering, a built-in pop-up flash and a hot shoe for flash. The shutter is an "electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type." It uses infrared sensors to focus, so for this reason the camera's manual advises against using it for infrared photography.

In addition to the essential modes P, A, S and M, the Maxxum 4 has all the usual quick-modes for the beginner: portrait, landscape, close-up, sports and night portrait. As with comparable film cameras of the period, the Maxxum 4 has multiple-frame drive mode, and self-timer; the maximum speed for continuous shooting is just short of two frames per second. Also, like other similar cameras, the Maxxum 4 has a built-in pop-up flash as well as a shoe for a dedicated flash with TTL flash control.

The camera has three autofocus sensors. The centre one is a cross-type sensor. To achieve focus outside the "Wide Focus Area" covered by these three sensors, the manual instructs the user to center the desired subject for focus, engage focus lock, then recompose the shot. This is standard procedure for autofocus systems of this type.

Any standard 35mm still-film (135 format) may be used with a few caveats: Polaroid 35mm instant film shouldn't be used because "winding problems may occur"; infrared film is not recommended because the frame counter shines infrared light at the sprockets (this is a very common feature with motorised film-advance cameras); the camera can't advance beyond the 40th frame in rolls of film with more than 40 frames.

Source: wikipedia.org

Specifications

Camera: Minolta Maxxum 4 35mm AF SLR.
Approx. street price: $165, body only; $230 with 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 AF D Zoom.
Focusing and viewing: Central AF cross sensor sensitive to both horizontal and vertical lines, with left and right outer single-line sensors sensitive to horizontal lines; wide focus area, spotfocus, or selected right and left local areas; autoswitching, continuous, single-shot AF, or manual focusing with visible and audible focus-OK signals; focus tracking, focus priority, or (by custom function) release priority. AF sensitivity range EV -1 to 18 at ISO 100. Range of AF aidlight in flash head, 3.3-16.4 feet. Noninterchangeable mirror-prism finder with fixed matte screen showing spotfocus area, spotmetering circle, local focus areas, and wide focus frame.
Shutter and exposure controls: Speeds from 30 to 1/2000 sec plus B. Shiftable or basic program, aperture- and shutter-priority autoexposure, portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, and night subject program modes; metered manual exposure mode. Data printing, provision for wireless remote release, ±3 EV exposure compensation in 0.5 increments, single or continuous three-frame exposure compensation in ±0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV increments, unlimited multiple exposures; self-timer with warning light and audible signal.
Metering and range: 14-segment honeycomb pattern cell provides evaluative readings from EV 4 to 20; spotmeter EV 4 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/1.4 lens.
Loading and winding: Autoloading, DX film speeds ISO 25-5000; manual ISO 6-6400; flash 25-1000. Single frame advance or continuous to 1.7 fps.
Flash sync: Four-segment cell provides evaluative metering including distance integration (ADI) with D lenses; flash-OK finder signal; auto or manual pop-up flash; X sync at 1/90 sec; provision for accessory wireless remote TTL flash, second-curtain flash; auto fill flash; redeye reduction option.
Other features: Powered by two CR2 lithium batteries.

Source: popphoto.com


Model

Serial Number 40323568

Lens serial number 40331409


Reference sites

camera-wiki.org

popphoto.com

wikipedia.org



Manual

Manual in english

Batteries

2 CR2 batteries

Film

Fujicolor C200/36

Pictures taken with this machine

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Videos