The Minolta-16 MG-S was the flagship of Minolta's subminiature camera series, and the penultimate Minolta 16. In an attempt to compete with the new Kodak 110 film cartridge, it featured a bigger frame size than the earlier Minolta subminis (12×17 vs. 10×14 mm). A further advantage was the choice between manual CdS-meter supported match-needle aperture setting and fully automatic aperture control. A flash cube adapter served as flash device in the camera's standard outfit. Other flashes were available. Several close-up and color filters were also available for the MG-S.
Type: subminiatureviewfinder camera Manufacturer: Minolta Year of launch: 1970 Film: Minolta 16mm film with speeds 25 to 400 ASA Frame size: 12×17mm Lens: fixed-focus Rokkor 1:2.8/23mm with 4 elements in 3 groups, a sliding door with an additional close-up element can be shifted into the position in front of the lens Shutter: Speeds set manually between 1/30 and 1/500 sec.; X sync at all speeds Aperture: set manually between 1:2.8 and 1:16, or fully automatically, controlled by a CdS meter close to the lens (EV 8–17) Viewfinder: optical bright frame finder with parallax marks and control flags for low light and for close-up setting Size: 107.5×26.5×46mm Weight: 210g
Source:
The Dynax 300si is a 35mm SLR camera manufactured by Minolta and released in 1995. It is also known as the Maxxum 300si in the Americas. It was also sold in American Ritz Camera stores the as the Maxxum RZ300si.
A date version was also available called Dynax 300si QD while the Ritz Camera version is Maxxum RZ330si or 330si RZ as written on the body. A panorama variation called Maxxum 350si was also available. It was also known as Maxxum Panorama Elite. The Japanese version is called α-101si (Alpha 101si).
The user has a choice between fully automatic program mode "P" and five pre-set programs, including portrait, landscape, macro, sports and night-portrait. It has no manual program mode of any kind.
Year of launch: 1995
Manufacturer: Minolta
Type: Autofocus system single lens reflex camera
Lens mount: Minolta AF mount
Film type: 35mm film with speeds of 25 to 5000 ISO, with auto DX (25 to 1000 ISO for flash photography)
Metering: TTL, 8 segment silicon photo cell.
Metering range: 1 to 20 EV (50mm f1.4)
Focusing: CCD TTL phase detection autofocus with AF illuminator.
Programs: landscape, sports, macro, portrait and night portrait
Flash: Guide number 12
Shutter: Focal plane shutter with speeds from 30sec to 1/2000sec, 1 fps
19315669322_841f1a26b4_m_d.jpg
image by John Warwick (Image rights)
Film advance: fully automatic morotorized advance and rewind
Viewfinder: Pentamirror
Battery: 1x 2CR5 6V Lithium battery
Dimensions: 147 × 101 × 68mm
Weight: 380g
The Minolta Dynax 505si Super was a light autofocus SLR camera for 35mm film made by Minolta. It was the same camera body as the Minolta Maxxum XTsi for the American and the Minolta Alpha Sweet for the Japanese market. Its distinguishing features were the "cust" functions, 9 programs for different exposure preferences, and the eye start function (autofocus starts working when the viewfinder is moved towards the eye). Unloading and reloading a film was no problem with this camera. A special version of it was the Dynax 505si Super QD DATE panorama which was switchable to a second exposure format, a panorama format. The camera was made in Malaysia.
Type: autofocus SLR camera body
Year of release: 1998
Manufacturer: Minolta
ASA/ISO range: 25 to 5000 ASA DX-coded (6 to 6400 manually)
Film Format: 35mm
Modes: programmed modes for sports, landscape, portrait, macro and night, fully automatic mode, shutter preferred mode, aperture preferred mode
Exposure Metering: 14 field TTL measuring, spontaneously switchable to spot metering via central field
Focusing: 2 vertical AF-sensors and a central cross-sensor controlled by fuzzy logic system, switchable to manual focusing or single sensor usage. A focusing priority mode allows shutter release only after correct focusing
Shutter speed range: electronically controlled, 30 sec to 1/4000 sec
Viewfinder: pentaprism showing 90% of image
Lens Mount: Minolta A-Lenses bayonet
Flash: guide number 12, selectable as autofocus support light
Weight: 350 g without Lens + Film + Cr2-Batteries
Dimensions: 135 x 90 x 58,5 mm
The Dynax 303si is a autofocus 35mm SLR film camera manufactured by Minolta and introduced in 1999. It is also known as the α-360si (Alpha 360si) as well as the Maxxum QTsi.
The electronically controlled vertical travelling focal-plane shutter has speed of 30s to 1/2000 of a sec. with a flash sync of 1/90. The program exposure mode contains 5 separate modes including portrait, landscape, clo
se-up, sport and night portrait. The metering is TTL based on a silicon photo cell with a range of 4 to 20 EV (ISO 100, f/1.4). It can use DX encoded films with speeds of 25 to 5000 ISO. Non-DX films will use the previous films ISO setting. A electronic self-timer mode is available with a delay of 10 seconds.
The film transport is motorized with film advance settings of single or a continuous drive speed of up to 1fps. 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. Flash modes include auto, auto red eye, fill flash, fill flash red eye, and flash off. An AF illumiator is also on the flash, that enables more precise focusing in darker conditions. The camera is powered by two CR2 battery.
Shooting
Frame rate [fps]1
Frame rate with AF [fps]unknown
Shutter speed (still) [s]30 – 1/2000
Timer for Bulb exposuresno
Self-timer [s]10
Bracketing frames (stops)–
Multiple exposures–
Remote release socket–
Wireless remote release–
Release priorityno
Depth of field previewno
Aperture can be changed during depth of field previewno
Silent depth of field previewno
Film features
Leader outno
ISO overrideno
IR safeno
Power
Batteries2× CR2
Battery packBP-100 (4× AA)
Vertical grip–
External power supply–
Construction and accessories
Weather sealingno
Mount materialpolycarbonate
Weight [g]340
Standard accessoriesstrap, body cap, batteries
Data saver–
Date backQD model
he Dynax 404si is an entry level autofocus 35mm film SLR camera using the Minolta AF mount, manufactured by Minolta and release in 1999. In the Americas it was known as Maxxum STsi and in Japan it was called α Sweet S (Alpha Sweet S).
The electronic controlled shutter is vertical travelling with speeds from 20s to 1/2000 sec, plus bulb and a flash sync of 1/90 of a sec. The metering is a TTL based system using a 8 segment silicon photo cell. It has a sensitivity of 1 to 20 EV and in spot mode 4 to 20 EV (ISO 100, 50mm f/1,4. Metering is based on using DX encoded film, which can also be manually set from 6 to 6400 ISO in 1/3 inc. The exposure modes include, program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual exposure along with settings for portrait, landscape, close-up, sport, night. The film transport has a motorized drive with film automatically advancing after exposure. Drive modes includes single frame, continuous for up to 1 fps, self-timer and multiple exposure. The built-in flash has a GN of 12. The camera is powered by two CR2 batteries.
General
NameMinolta Dynax 404si , α-Sweet S (Japan), Maxxum STsi (USA)
Mount typeA-mount
Supported lensesclassic, xi
Release year1999
Statusdiscontinued
Auto-focus
AF sensors1 line
AF range [EV]−1 – 18
AF modesAF-A, AF-S, AF-C
AF assist lightno
Features
Eye-startno
Custom functions2
Other features–
Metering
Metering modes8 segments, spot
Metering range [EV] (with spot)1 – 20 (4 – 20)
Auto Exposure Lock buttonyes
Exposure modesP, A, S, M
Subject programsportrait, landscape, closeup, sport, night portrait
Exposure compensation [stops] (steps [stops])± 3 (1/2)
Flash
Flash shoe typeiISO
Accessory shoe capSC-1000
Flash modesnormal, red-eye reduction, slow sync
Flash meteringCW-TTL
Requires D flash unitno
Flash guide number [m]/ coverage [mm]12/28
X-Sync speed [s]1/90
High Speed Syncno
Wireless flashyes
Wireless x-sync speed [s]1/45
Wireless HSSno
Ratio flash controlyes
Flash exposure compensation [stops] (steps [stops])–
Studio flash socketno
Compatible with DR-1000no
Shooting
Frame rate [fps]1
Frame rate with AF [fps]unknown
Shutter speed (still) [s]30 – 1/2000, B
Timer for Bulb exposuresno
Self-timer [s]10
Bracketing frames (stops)3 (1/2)
Multiple exposuresunlimited
Remote release socketMinolta/Sony 3-pin
Wireless remote release–
Release priorityno
Depth of field previewno
Aperture can be changed during depth of field previewno
Silent depth of field previewno
Film features
Leader outno
ISO overrideyes
IR safeno
Power
Batteries2× CR2
Battery packBP-100 (4× AA)
Vertical grip–
External power supply–
Construction and accessories
Weather sealingno
Mount materialpolycarbonate
Weight [g]350
Standard accessoriesstrap, body cap, batteries
Data saver–
Date backQD model
Type: 35mm single-lens reflexes with match-needle/manual exposure control.
Lens mount: Minolta SLR bayonet, 54 degree rotating angle; coupling for full-aperture metering and automatic diaphragm control with "MC" lenses (stop-down metering used for other Rokkor lenses); button for depth-of-field preview and stop-down metering.
Light-metering: Full-aperture TTL type with overlapping readings taken by 2 CdS cells mounted on pentaprism and circuited to provide optimum exposure in both flat- and most contrast-lighted situations; stop-down metering also possible.
Film-speed range: ASA 6 to 6400 set by selector on shutter speed dial.
Power: One 1.35V mercury cell, Mallory PX-625 or equivalent, contained in camera base.
Exposure control: Turning shutter-speed dial and/or lens aperture ring to align follower with meter needle visible in finder yields proper exposure according to metering system indication at the film speed set. Alignment may be disregarded for exposure adjustment or full manual control. Metering and match-needle exposure range: EV 3 to EV 17 (e.g: 1/4 sec at f/1.4 to 1/1000 at f/11) at ASA 100 with f/1.4 lens.
Mirror: Oversize quick-return type (PO value: 138mm; finder image cutoff negligible even with 1600mm f/11 RF Rokkor extreme telephoto).
Finder: Eye-level pentaprism type showing 94% of 24x36mm film-frame area.
Magnification: 0.83X with 50mm lens focused at infinity.
Mat-Fresnel-field focusing screen with centered focusing aid;
3mm microprism spot in SR-T 100b and 101b, 2.5mm horizontal split-image spot surrounded by 1.5mm microprism band on SR-T 303b.
Meter needle and circle-tipped follower for match-needle exposure control, coupled metering-range limits, and battery-check indication all silhouetted within the viewfield;
shutter-speed scale and setting indicator visible below the frame in SR-T 101b and 303b;
lens aperture set on most Minolta lenses appears above the fame in SR-T 303b.
Flash sync.: X or FP delay: Through separate PC terminals on SR-T 100b; 101b adds an X-sync. hot shoe; through single PC terminal or hot shoe on 303b; X contact: Electronic flash synchronizes at 1/60 sec. and all slower settings including B; FP contact: FP flashbulbs synchronize at all settings through 1/1000 sec. Hot shoe contacts disconnected when a unit not inserted.
Film advance: Lever type, single- or multiple-stroke, 150 degree winding angle after 20 degree engaged movement to allow offsetting from body. Advancing-type exposure counter resets automatically when camera back is opened.
Self-timer: On SR-T 101b and 303b only; lever-type, approx 10 sec. maximum delay.
Other: 4-slot take-up spool; ASA/DIN conversion scale on back cover; conversion scale surrounded by memo holder on SR-T 101b and 303b.
Dimensions: 145 x 47.5 x 95mm (5-3/4 x 1-7/8 x 3-3/4 in.) without lens.
Weight: SR-T 100b: 690g (24-5/16 oz.),
Lens:50mm f/2 MC Rokkor
Type:Meter-coupled Gauss-type standard lens
Construction:6 elements in 5 groups
Angle of view:46 degrees
Coating:Minolta Achromatic
Min. focusing dist.:0.5m (1.75 ft)
Diaphragm:Fully automatic, meter-coupled
Aperture scale:2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 (full and half-click stops)
Filter thread diam.:55mm
Dimensions:65mm x 35.5mm long (2-9/16" x 1-3/8")
Weight:240g (9-7/16 oz.)
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.
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.
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.
The Minolta Riva AF 35 EX, or Freedom AF 10R in America, is a cheap autofocus compact camera released in 1993 as a follow-up to the Riva 35c. In comparison to the 35c, it has a wider angle 30 mm lens, and is smaller and lighter. It is a full-auto camera, meaning auto-loading, auto-advance, auto-rewind, auto-flash, auto-exposure and auto-focus. It has a built-in flash with an additional anti-red eye lamp and a self-timer. The lens is protected by a sliding cover. Like so many Minolta cameras of the same age, it only exposes films at ISO 100 or ISO 400. A dateback version was also available.
Lens: 30 mm f/4,5.
Focus: Active infrared autofocus from 1,1 m to infinity.
Exposure: EV 10,5–15 (at ISO 100).
Flash: Built-in, auto-activated, non-cancellable with optional anti-red eye mode. Range: 1,1–3,5 m. Flash ready LED signal.
Film speed: Crippled DX decoding; films below ISO 400 are exposed as ISO 100, those above as ISO 400. Non-DX films exposed as ISO 100.
Film transport: Automatic loading, advance and rewind.
Power: 2 x AA alkaline. CR2025 cell for date back.
Dimensions: 126 x 70,5 x 46,5 mm.
Weight: 195 g without batteries.
Máquina fotográfica gentilmente oferecida por Isabel Alber
Esta fotografia é do exemplar que possuo
Características
The Riva Zoom 70W (also known as the Freedom Zoom Explorer 70W) was a compact camera with a wide-angle zoom lens introduced by Minolta in 1995. Some models had a Switchable panorama mask. It was available in black or "champagne" silver. This camera was superseded by the very similar Minolta Riva Zoom 75w which had a slightly longer lens in the same-sized body.
MINOLTA EXPLORER FREEDOM ZOOM (RIVA ZOOM 70W) – GUEST REVIEW BY BENN MURHAAYA
Earlier this year, while I was visiting San Francisco, my photographer friend Arachide presented me with a bulky yet interesting looking compact camera – A Minolta Explorer Freedom Zoom. It was one of his lucky thrift store finds. Although skeptical of zoom compact camera, I gave it a go and entrusted one of my precious films to it, as my main shooter – Fuji DL Mini Super – did not provide me with such reach as this one. After I came back, I decided to pop some more film in and explore (see what I did there) the camera’s capabilities further. So let’s take a closer look.
My incarnation is all black one, marked as Minolta Explorer Freedom Zoom. That I believe is naming for United States while in Europe is known under Minolta Riva Zoom 70W. The 70 in the name refers the longest focal length. The body is quite bulky but handles alright. On the back there is on/off switch, panorama switch and a zoom button. When switched to panorama mode, the top and bottom of the viewfinder is covered with black bars so you won’t accidentally shoot in this mode without realizing it. The lens (28 mm f/3.5 – 70 mm f/8.9) will be covered in detail later but let me say that on paper, this is quite interesting if not amazing configuration for a compact camera. Interesting feature regarding the lens is that the electric eye for light metering is located on the lens barrel and it is not that hard to find and easily use clip on filters and the camera will meter through the filter – nice!
By default, the camera starts in all auto. It does not remember any of the settings – like we even hope, but the good thing is that once you’ve selected the mode, it will retain the mode until you change it or power off the camera. The flash off is third flash mode.
Just by quick glance, you know, the camera has active autofocus. Plus side is it will focus in the dark, minus side is it won’t focus on the image in the mirror or through the glass. But at least one of the modes is an infinity focus. Other modes are macro, slow synchro and the infinity focus. The camera also has a date function, however my model has a busted buttons so I cannot set the date. It runs on one CR123 battery.
On the paper, the 28 mm f/3.5 – 70 mm f/8.9 looks pretty interesting. There are not that many zoom compacts that start on 28 mm. On 35 there’s a few and 38 mm now there’s plenty (I dislike such cameras very much). The 3.5 is not that bad either. On the contrary it is pretty decent aperture for a compact. Fuji DL Mini Super has 28/3.5 lens, Fuji DL-500 has a 28/3.5 lens, Minolta TC-1 has a 28/3.5 lens … all of which are excellent cameras with sharp lenses. Can the Minolta Explorer hold up even though it is a zoom lens? Sadly, no. Not by any chance even though there should be two double aspherical elements in the lens. In terms of quality it does not even touch the the DLs.
The most obvious aberration is huge pincushion distortion. On 28 mm it is really evident and not only in the borders but quite in the middle as well. This does not clear on the long end, where slight barrel distortion is observable. I don’t recall shooting any pictures in between though.
In terms of sharpness, it is also no match to Fuji’s or TC-1. We have to be fair and cut the camera some slack because it is a zoom (2.5x). Some pictures are quite sharp, while others seem downright muddy. Even on the wide end, taken on a sunny day so the lens should be stopped down is no match to DL Super and even on same scenes scaled down to 720p the DL looks crisper.
Also, having my scanning process set up for films shot by OM-1 SLR and Fujis, the photos from the Explorer tended to have a slight greenish tint. Not a huge issue with print film and I don’t expect anybody to shoot slide (except for xpro) in this camera.
I must add that besides pictures being muddy, I did not have any focusing issues. In the three films shot so far, I don’t have any misfocused pictures. It may be thanks to the camera or partly by me, being more experienced. There are some materials that tend to throw these active AF cameras off like dark non-reflecting fabrics or shiny reflective surfaces (like latex).
In some rare cases, I was able to get a pictures with a shallow depth of field on the 28 mm. It’s natural as I was shooting 400 ISO film in low light conditions without flash and focusing quite near.
In terms of exposure, the camera is alright. Slightly overexposing maybe. But that is definitely better than otherwise. The limits for the exposure is 2 seconds on the short end and 8 seconds on the long. I wish Fuji DL Super Mini had that as it goes to only about ½ sec. 2 seconds is enough to take a solid night city scene from tripod. Good thinking there Minolta guys. The camera meters down to 2.6 EV to that something you don’t see every day cameras of this class.
Exposure with the flash is good as well and the camera again tends to overexpose. With good scanner this is not a problem.
The fact, that clip on filters can be used and the cell meters through the filter is so sweet that I just wish other cameras I use had a cell on the lens. A $1 bottom of the bin yellow filter will give your photos that extra punch.
Being a pretty bulky camera, it fits nicely to the hand but not that nicely into your shirt pocket. It is no Ricoh as you might see but unlike Ricoh, it packs a zoom lens and zoom finder.
Buttons on the top are easy to press and after a while you don’t even need to look on the LCD and set the camera modes by heart. When the camera is switched on, it makes a nice and satisfying noise as the cover opens and lens extends. This happens pretty quickly.
This camera has a “great” film economics. It will squeeze every frame it can get out the film. When loaded with Foma Fomapan it stopped and rewound the film after I successfully shot frame no. 39. Fomapans are bit longer than other films and I can squeeze 38 pictures in my OM-1 SLR or Fuji DL-500. This is a nice touch. I hate when the camera stops at 36 even though I know, there is room for one, two or even three more pictures. I am saving pennies here but hey, why not?
Interesting but in practice probably not very usable is a 1.2 fps continuous drive mode. Holding down the shutter will make the camera shoot a sequence of pictures but it is far from a rapid fire we might be used from today’s DSLRs.
Other quirk is, that the lens barrel has only 28, 50 and 70 marked on it. No 35 mm, not even a dot. But why shoot on 35 when you can shoot on 28, right?
I first used the Minolta Explorer Freedom Zoom, because being on the peninsula, I wanted to take a closer photo of the Alcatraz island while visiting San Francisco. I used it as a “long lens” camera during my vacation but it kept drawing my attention while being set aside in the drawer. However another two films I put through did not convinced me to use the camera again. Which is such a shame because I like the camera. Even though it is bulky, I like it, it feels sturdy, sleek. It’s black so there’s plus ten points to the cool factor right there. It’s great with filters and squeezes every frame it can out of the film. The lens is wide and long but also distorts massively and the pictures that a camera produces is the main factor a camera is judged upon. I am way passed my Lomography days but I will most probably give it to somebody who is not yet and who this camera will make happy.
Compact camera using 35mm film.
Lens: Minolta 28-70mm motorized zoom. Four elements in four groups. Max. aperture f/3.5-8.4.
Autofocus from 0.5m - infinity, with macro ability from 0.4-1m.
Auto-exposure with shutter speeds from 2-1/500s at 28mm and 8-1/350s at 70mm.
Film advance: Auto-loading, motorwind and rewind of DX-coded film (Automatic Film speeds: ISO 25-3200).
Integrated pop-up flash, with several modes. Maximum range at 28mm and 100 ISO is 6m.
Power: One 3V lithium CR123/DL123A.
Dimensions: 121×66.5×44mm
Weight: 240g
At the start of the millennium Minolta showed for the last time its pride about its autofocus system SLRs with the Alpha-mount. The pride of the company was perfectly represented by another superb camera model of that series, the Minolta Dynax 5. It is also know as Maxxum 5 in the Americas, α-Sweet II in Japan and α-5 in China. In the class of low-price amateur cameras it got best notes in tests and comparisons. It was a light fast camera which got all the features of the Minolta Dynax 600si, thus being a mighty tool for amateurs.
The electronically controlled vertically travelling focal-plane shutter has speeds of 30s to 1/4000 of a sec. plus a bulb mode. Flash sync is at 1/125 or slower. A self-timer mode is available with a delay of 10 seconds.
The exposure system is based in a TTL type system. This measuring element is a 14 segment honeycomb formatted silicon photo diode. It has a metering range of 1 to 20 EV, and in spot mode 4 to 20 EV (ISO 100, f/1.4). Exposure modes include PASM; Program mode, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Manual exposure. In Program mode there is also a PA and PS modes along with scene modes for portrait, landscape, close-up, sports and night portrait. A built-in auto pop-up flash is also in the top housing it has a GN of 12.
The automatic focusing system is based on a TTL type system with a range of -1 to 18 EV (ISO 100). Auto focus modes include single or continuous mode. An AF illuminator is activated for lower lighting conditions. A manual focus mode is also possible. When enabled the eye start feature uses sensors in the hand grip and viewfinder eyelet areas and allows the camera to automatically set exposure and focusing.
The camera is able to use DX encoded film with speeds from 25 to 5000 ISO, but can also be set manually and changed from 6 to 6400 ISO in 1/3 increments. Non-DX film will automatically use the previous film's ISO setting. The film transport is motorized and has two drive modes. Single or continuous advance for up to 3fps. Rewinding is automatic, but manual rewinding is also possible in mid-roll. The film back has a window to identify film emulsion type. The film counter is upwards counting on film advance and downward on rewind. The camera is powered by two CR2 battery.
I've never been a big believer in brand loyalty. In my time I've used cameras from Konica, Yashica, Pentax, Contax, Olympus, Fuji and Minolta. The only one which has never had so much as a hiccup and produces great exposures every time is my Minolta 600si. But when people ask me to recommend a good value SLR I always choose the Canon EOS 300, which I've never even used!
t's always been an easy recommendation. The EOS 300 does everything a more expensive camera would do but is cheap, small and light, and easy to use. You have access to the full range of Canon lenses, including Image Stabilisers and the like which aren't available for Minolta cameras. The old Minolta 404si and 505si were clearly no match for the Canon. Nikon and Pentax made equivalent models too, but there was no reason to recommend any of these over the excellent Canon.
But there's a new kid on the block, (first available in the UK only a few weeks ago) and now I have two stock recommendations. For people who want the beginnings of a camera system, and are likely to eventually buy some expensive lenses and other kit, I recommend the EOS 300. For people who just want the best camera for the money, I recommend the Dynax 5.
First impressions
It's small and silver. It's VERY small, in fact. And light. But it doesn't feel flimsy - it feels light and compact but sturdy. Nice to hold.
What doesn't it do?
With a camera like this, there's not much point explaining all the features and what it can do, suffice to say there's nothing missing. It has all the features of my 600si, including depth of field preview and there are some new ones like flash metering based on distance (when used with the special D series Minolta lenses). It even has a slightly faster motorwind than the 600si, at 3 frames per second. This is the main area where it beats the Canon EOS 300 which only winds the film at a weedy 1 frame per second.
Exposure
Minolta figured out how to do automatic exposure properly some time ago. I think ever since then the 14-segment honeycomb metering has been the same on all their cameras. It works very well indeed, and every shot on the roll of 36 slides I shot with the Dynax 5 was well exposed, despite the fact I was trying to fool it with difficult lighting situations. So even for slide film users, exposure compensation would only be needed in very unusual situations, and print film users can happily leave exposure to the camera and concentrate on composition instead!
Focusing
Most camera magazines seem to go to great lengths trying to discern the slight differences in focusing speed, accuracy etc between various autofocus cameras. I'm never terribly impressed and prefer to use manual focus. But the Dynax 5 definitely seemed faster to focus than my 600si. The Dynax 7, big brother to the 5, is supposed to be the fastest of all the autofocus cameras, but from my brief test of the 7 in Jessops I couldn't tell much difference between it and the 5 in terms of focussing speed.
Viewfinder
My Dynax 600si has a lovely bright, clear viewfinder. I was expecting the 5 to be a letdown in comparison, considering how small the camera is. I was pleasantly surprised - the viewfinder on the Dynax 5 is just as crisp and bright as on the 600si, with the same viewfinder information.
Whereas the 600si just used to focus on the centre of the frame, the 5, like the EOS300, has several focusing points. Unlike the EOS300, the 5 tells you which one it is focusing on - it lights up red in the viewfinder. This is neat, although I question the value of the various focus points, which seem to make autofocus even more of a hit-and-miss affair than it already is.
Custom features
This brings me to another neat feature of the Dynax 5 - everything can be customised. Don't like the bleep when the camera has focussed? Turn it off. Don't like the eye-start feature? Turn it off. Don't like the multiple focus points? You can set it always to focus on the centre. Just about every aspect of the camera can be customised, although you'll have to look in the manual to find out how to do it - there's no way you could guess what setting "Custom program 8 to setting 3" would do without the manual!
User friendliness
This camera is a bit like Windows 95 - there are always about 5 different ways of doing any particular thing. Whether you think this is user friendly or just added confusion is a matter of personal taste. The Dynax 5 certainly lacks the instant familiarity of the 600si and the Dynax 7 with their old-fashioned style dials. But at least it doesn't have a Gameboy welded onto the back of it like the Dynax 7 does! And there's a very handy "P" button which resets everything to default, but keeps your custom settings. It resets everything which might spoil your shot (like exposure compensation, or putting the camera into manual mode) but keeps your custom settings.
The bottom line
I enjoyed using the Dynax 5. It's smaller and lighter than the 600si but has an equally good viewfinder, equally good autoexposure, better autofocusing, faster motorwind and some new flash features. I don't regret buying my 600si about 5 years ago, and I'm sure anyone who buys a Dynax 5 today will feel the same way about it in 5 years time. It's getting harder to recommend the EOS300, but I'd still recommend it to anyone who wants to build a whole camera system and might want an image stabiliser lens, an underwater housing, a digital body, an APS body etc, all of which are available for the Canon system but not Minolta.
So to go back to my headline, how can I justify calling the Dynax 5 the "best SLR on the market?"
Well, look at the specifications below and see if there's anything that you want it to do which it doesn't do. I suspect not. Then bear in mind that it's about as small and light as 35mm SLRs get, look at the price, and see whether anything else beats it. It might not be "better" than a Nikon F5, but for most people it is, because unless you're a professional photographer you don't want to have to worry about something as expensive or as heavy as an F5.
Camera Type:35mm SLR with built-in flash, auto focus (AF), and autoexposure (AE)
Film Type:35mm film
Lens Mount:Minolta A mount (metal mount)
Eye-start Automation:AF and AE automatically activated/deactivated by combination of eyepiece and grip sensors.
Eye-start Automation can be disabled.
Focus system:
AF sensor system:Minolta's TTL phase-detection system with CCD line sensors (7-point AF system with a center cross-hair sensor)
Sensitivity range:Ev -1 - 18 (at ISO 100)
AF illuminator:Built-in flash automatically activated to aid focusing in low light and low-contrast situation.
Range: approx. 1 - 5m (with 50mm lens)
Autofocus areas:Wide focus area
Any local focus area can be selected from the 7-point sensors.
Predictive Focus Control:Multi-dimensional Predictive Focus Control for moving subjects
Focus modes:Autofocus, Manual focus
Manual focus:Visually monitoring the viewfinder focusing screen or the focus signals on the viewfinder data panel
Exposure system:
Metering:Ambient: 14-segment Honeycomb-Pattern, Spot
Flash metering: Direct TTL OTF (ADI or TTL multi-segment can be selected with a custom function.)
Metering cell:14-segment Honeycomb-Pattern SPC (silicone photocell), 4-segment flash-metering SPC
Metering range:14-segment Honeycomb-Pattern: Ev 1-20
Spot: Ev 4-20
(ISO 100, f/1.4 lens)
Exposure modes:Programmed AE (with PA/PS Creative Program Control), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Subject program selection:5 user-selectable programs tailored to specific subject or scene characteristics - Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports action, Night portrait
Shutter and aperture control:In 0.5 Ev increments
Exposure compensation: ±3 Ev in 0.5 Ev increments
Exposure bracketing:3 exposures in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 Ev increments
ISO setting:Automatic setting for DX-coded film
Manual setting
Non DX coded film is set to the previous ISO setting.
ISO range:Automatic setting: ISO 25 - 5000 in 1/3 Ev increments
Manual setting: ISO 6 - 6400 in 1/3 Ev increments
With flash: ISO 25 - 1000
AE lock:Exposure is automatically locked when focus is locked.
Exposure within the spot metering area is locked with the spot AE-lock button.
Shutter:
Type:Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Speed:1/4000 - 30 s, Bulb (up to approx. 7 h with fresh batteries)
Flash-sync speed:1/125 s or slower
With shutter speeds faster than 1/125s, camera automatically switches to high-speed sync (HSS)*.
* available with Program Flash 5400HS, 5600HS(D), and 3600HS(D)
Flash:
Type:Built-in
Guide number:12 (in meters at ISO 100)
Coverage:28mm
Flash modes:- In programmed AE and subject program selection modes: autoflash. Fill flash and flash cancel can be selected.
- In aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes: fill flash is manually selected.
- Red-eye reduction (using pre-flash)
- Wireless/remote off-camera flash (including ratio flash function)
Viewfinder:
Type:Eye-level fixed pentaprism
Focusing screen:Spherical acute matte
Field of view:90 x 90% of film frame (with 50mm lens focused at infinity)
Magnification:0.75X (with 50mm lens focused at infinity)
Eye-relief:16mm from the eyepiece, 13mm from the eyepiece frame
Diopter:-1 diopter
Eyepiece cup:Removable
Depth-of-field preview:Control placed on the front of the camera
Film transport:
Type:Automatic with built-in motor drive
Auto threading, Auto advance to first frame, Auto rewind, Manual start of rewind
Film advance:Single frame advance, Continuous advance
Continuous advance speed:3 fps (max.)
Rewind time:Approx. 8 s (with 24-exposure film)
Film Chamber Lock:Automatically locks the back cover when the film is loaded
Self-timer:Electronic with 10-second delay
Self-timer can be canceled.
Remote control*:IR Remote Control RC-3 (sold separately)
* IR remote control capable model only
Audio signal:Tone indicates focus lock, IR remote-control operation, and self-timer countdown.
Audio signal can be disabled.
Other functions:Remote-control terminal
14 custom functions
Multiple-exposure mode
Power:Two 3-volt CR2 lithium batteries
Battery-condition indication: 3-stage indicator appears when the camera is turned on.
Dimensions:127(W) x 87(H) x 60.5(D) mm
Weight:335g (without batteries)
Minoltas Xtreem GX-1 is a ruggedly-designed Advanced Photo System camera for those who enjoy high-action sports like rollerblading, mountain biking, snow boarding, and more. Rubber protectors on the camera body present an aggressive style, and splash proof construction lets you use the camera year-round, in any weather. In addition, a full selection of available action accessories lets you carry and use the GX-1 while participating in your favourite activities.
GENERAL
Depth 1.8 in
Camera Type Point & Shoot camera
Manufacturer Konica Minolta
CAMERA FLASH
Type built-in flash
Shooting Range 3.3 ft - 10 ft: ISO 200
CARRYING CASE
Type none
MISCELLANEOUS
Color blue
Color Category blue
Weatherproof Yes
Included Camera Accessories strap
LENS SYSTEM
Focal Length 27 mm
Lens Construction 3 groups / 3 elements
Lens Aperture f/6.4
Min Focal Length 27 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 34 m
Min Focus Distance 3.3 ft
Focus Adjustment focus free
Group Qty 3
Element Qty 3
VIEWFINDER
Field Coverage 85%
Type Real-image
CAMERA
Exposure Range 1/350 sec - 1/45 sec
Exposure Range Details EV 11-15 (ISO 200)
Type Point & Shoot camera
Camera Format APS
Min Exposure 1/350 sec
Max Exposure 1/45 sec
Exposure Modes automatic
Shutter Control electronic
Timer Functions self-timer
Self-Timer Delay 10 sec
Exposure Metering evaluative
Film Speed Range ISO 200
Film Advance automatic
BATTERY
Required Qty 1
Form Factor CR2
Technology lithium
HEADER
Brand Minolta
Product Line Minolta Vectis
Model GX-1
Localization English
Packaged Quantity 1
EXPOSURE RANGE
Light Metering Range EV 11-15
Sensitivity ISO 200
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Width 4.7 in
Height 3.1 in
Weight 7.76 oz
The Minolta Hi-Matic G was a quite compact viewfinder camera. Like the other Hi-Matics it had automatic exposure. And like other 1970s Hi-Matics it had the CdS window inside the filter ring and a hot shoe for the flash. With this camera Minolta overcame the "Electro Control" system which needed two batteries. Its CdS controlled exposure program set speed/aperture combinations from 1/30 sec./f2.8 to 1/650 sec / f14 . The focusing ring had four distance symbols. F-Stop and shutter speed were shown in the viewfinder.
Minolta’s Hi-matic series of compact cameras span more than 20 years of production and were usually rangefinders such as the well-regarded Hi-matic 7sII. However the series also gave rise to a few Point & Shoot (P&S) most notably the Hi-matic G launched in 1974.
Unlike some rival P&S like the Chinon 35 or Konica C35V that have clearly evolved from rangefinders, the Hi-Matic G was a completely new model with a different exposure system to its immediate rangefinder predecessor the Hi-Matic F. Some pundits have even queried if someone else had made it for minolta as it was so like many other P&S in the 70’s in classic chrome black styling. My one’s lens barrel had slight movement but this may have been a one of and it didn’t affect shots.
What ever’s the truth of its origins you do get a 4 element Minolta Rokkor lens which is sharp. This can be focused by using 4 zones on the top of the lens barrel like an Olympus Trip 35. However the camera is actually a smooth scale focus with distances printed beneath the barrel for more accurate shooting in low light. I quite like the option to switch but find in most cases with scale focus viewfinder your brain still tends to use the 0.8, 1.5, 3m and infinity model.
The rest is fairly typical for a 70’s Japanese compact rangefinder or P&S with the exception of a fairly wide f/14 smallest aperture. The lens barrel mounted CdS metering system automatically sets the camera exposure by a series of aperture shutter speed combos. These are displayed on a needle meter scale on the right hand side of the viewfinder. The shutter, aperture speeds are all industry standard and offer no surprises. There are no manual control other than turning from auto to a series of Guide Number(GN) settings for flash. There is no exposure lock if the meter thinks you are at risk over or under-exposing and there is no bulb setting (shame as it’s cable threaded).
The metering works well enough and was pretty typical for cameras for the era, Also typical it uses the now defunct 1.45v mercury px675 cell but a 1.4v zinc air 675za hearing aid battery (5 for a quid in Poundland) will suffice abet with more limited power time. The camera lacks a self timer. The viewfinder has usual frame and parallax markings but you’ll struggle to see you focus settings from it.
The main problem with the Hi-matic G is that it a pretty vanilla camera for the 70’s. It takes reasonable shots and it’s specs match its rival but that it. There are no standout features and no endearing/maddening quirks and there is the smallest f/14 aperture size. Does it offer more than the Olympus Trip 35 – no. In fact the Trip although on paper is more limited with just 2 shutter speeds works out better due to its marginally better optics and sensible weighting of its aperture to encourage good depth of field. Now many of my other P&S are equally clobbered by the Trip but they offer quirks or features that the minolta doesn’t. That said it really does nothing wrong per se.
They are widely available and with a bit of luck you can get for a tenner on eBay. Mines end up being sold there. Lightseals will need done but this is relatively easy to do and as ever watch out for battery corrosion. A lens cap is an indicator looked after. It was succeeded by the G2 which is an altogether more plasticky affair.
Type: viewfinder camera using zone focus symbols on the lens barrel.
Manufacturer: probably Minolta (some experts have doubts to say so because of comparable models of other brands)
Year of launch: 1974
Film: 35mm with speeds 25 to 400 ASA
Lens: Rokkor 1:2.8/38mm (4 elements)
Shutter: leaf shutter
Metering: CdS photo resistor
Dimensions: 116×71×53 mm
Weight: 375 g
