Minolta AF - Should I?

[nikkortorokkor]

I've noticed Minolta AF glass is near as under-valued these days as the old MC rokkor stuff currently filling my camera bag.

This raises an interesting question.

Sometime in the future I'll be bound to try DSLR and, of course, Sony still uses the A mount on its DSLRs

Do I make use of the stagnant film market and the fact that KM is no longer with us to pick up a bargain Minolta AF body & lenses, & if so, which ones?

Now I might add that as much as I'd leap at the chance of a Dynax/Maxxum 7 or 9, the few hundred dollars they go for is still out of my grasp.

But the 700si looks a nice wee camera, and they go 'cheap as chips' as we say downunder. 1 auction closes in 24 hours, and I have a feeling it won't make a hundred bucks.

So, should I?

I might add that the only AF SLR I own is the cheesy EOS 500 (the Rebel to you in the US). It is a better performer than I expected, and I don't mind all that plastic BUT I doo hate the AF hunt in low light (If I'm gonna have AF, I want it to be reliable) and most of all, the spensive bluddy battery that is always flat when I go to use the camera. because of this, the eos 500 gathers dust while I use fully manual cameras or my digi P&S.

[Deleted]

Minolta might be a good way to go while backing your digital bets. Hopefully Sony will stick with that mount. And if you haven't noticed, they just announced a 20 plus megapixel full frame sensor. It'll be awhile before normal people can afford that technology, but things are changing rapidly. Nikon, Canon and Pentax all put out DSLRs that can use their older lenses. Pentax may be the most versatile as even its cheapest DSLR can meter with all the old M42 lenses.

[minoltaman]

Nikkor to Rokkor, I have a Maxxum 430si and the lenses (and even my 5400xi flash) I'll eventually use on a Sony DSLR when film goes the way of the Dodo Bird (God forbid though, I think there'll always be film available), so I say go for that 700si!! These si series Maxxums are fantastic plastic cameras.

[nikkortorokkor]

Thanks guys.

I've stuck a bid on, but have promised myself I won't get auction fever.

That makes it OK, right?

I wonder if there is a chapter of gearheads anonymous around here.

[olroy2044]

Michael, when you find that chapter, let me know. I might have to move to New Zealand! LOL ;D Roy

[Just Plain Curt]

Stephenn makes some very good points. I'd say buy it unless it's too pricey. I paid $20 for my Maxxum 5000 at a Salvation Army thrift store and a neighbour gave me a malfunctioning Maxxum si version (don't recall which model but the lens is in beautiful shape, just the body is NFG) so I have 2 50mm's. My only other AF SLR's are a Pentax PZ-10 and a Canon EOS I bought for $5 at a yard sale. The owner said the camera was broken but I found only the lens was screwy so I use it with an M42 adapter.

[Randy]

I have a Maxxum 7000 and I love it...funny thing is that I got it so cheap that I had to buy it, thinking I would resell it. But I've used it several times and I like it.

[nikkortorokkor]

Thanks for the advice, stephenn and Curt.

I've been outbid, having climbed up 12 bucks from my original 'just this one bid' bid. I suspect you are both right on target, no need to get a dose of 'see-want-must-have' over these.

I see the only problem with segueing from Minolta film to Sony DSLR is that bodies older than the 7 (and the 9 if it has a board upgrade) won't AF with the new SSM lenses. Not a problem for me now, but...

[camerastoomany]

For what it's worth, Michael, be patient ( I wish I could practice what I preach!!!).

Early in 2007, on Ebay Australia, I bid on a 7000 with Minolta 50mm 1.7 and 35-105 3.5 lenses. It cost me $57.00. The description told of a little-used camera in top working condition. The accompanying photos supported the description cosmetically-speaking.

Like Randy, I found it a satisfying camera to use and the results were excellent. I will say the autofocus could not cope with my neighbour's radio-controlled model aircraft zapping around the sky at high speed! Using a Minolta Program 2800 AF flash unit (which was part of the $57 package), I tried several test shots, handheld, in the dark of night, of a clump of arum lilies. The results amazed me; very sharp.

Recently, I picked up a Dynax 9xi body on Ebay for $160.00. The two lenses perform beautifully with it and I would suggest few film camera/lens combinations of any breed could better the results. Too bad my skills as a photographer don't match the capabilities of the equipment.

So keep looking and don't be too hasty (why didn't I tell myself that when paying too much for a Mamiya C220 recently?). The bargains are out there.