Minolta Maxxum 7000 Initial Impressions
Posted on: Mon, 04/21/2008 - 6:58am
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Minolta Maxxum 7000 Initial Impressions
Hello all ! :)
As of late, I am putting some film photography back into the mix. Gregory King was gracious enough to send Eric and I one of these venerable and reliable bodies, as a gift to which we are both very grateful.
My initial impression on these vastly popular bodies is that it is heavily influenced from the 1980's look, but built extremely well with a no nonsense and easy to use interface (and of course a very nice pentaprism viewfinder). While it lacks some features such as DOF preview, AEL toggle, spot metering.. etc... it is still very usable and well designed. My copy has a good top plate LCD (no bleeding) and is in fine condition.
While some of the buttons are puny in comparison to new age models, they all are located in ergonomically correct positions, typical of Minolta's excellent heritage, and once mapped mentally work wonderfully and reliably. The auto focus is, well, an auto focus, but generally seems very accurate albeit a bit slow in comparison to todays standards (but the first to even have AF back in 1985).
While "boxy", I find it extremely comfortable to hold with a surprisingly well balanced demeanor. The grip is plenty spacious and very comfortable as well, even if it doesn't look it. The 7000 is also smaller and lighter than expected and will be a nice travel companion in my Camel Bak pack while on MTB rides and Hiking.
I haven't used film in over a decade, when I used to shoot only film. At that time my jobs weren't "Art" photography, yet paying jobs like shooting graduations for Chappel Studios and the like. Those days weren't very fulfilling for me from an artistic perspective to say the least, and eventually I put down the film cameras (Olympus OM2, Canon AE1's.. etc) and took a break from photography. After that I picked up digital and never looked back.
Now that I have healed from my bad experiences in the past, I am looking forward to mixing up film photography again. Part of me is curious to use FF format, and prepare for the eventual Flagship coming along soon, as well as just getting used to the "inconvenience" of film.
There are still many advantages to shooting with film, of which I will not list. But I will say that it is a great way to brush up on your photography skills, and learn to take your time with your picture taking, once again. While digital will always be my mainstay, I look forward to the challenge of shooting film again with various Minolta Bodies and joining the Minolta film crowd here, at AMW.
More about this camera as I continue my re-acquaintance with film, and Minolta's SLR's.
When I get some digital scans done, I will post my results.
Cheers,
-Carl
__________________
-AlphaMountWorld Chef
"Currently cooking up something BIG in the kitchen"
Hi Carl
Nice post, I think you will really learn to like the old 7000. I have a 7000i which is quite similar, and whilst I don't use it that often, when I do it's very refreshing. It's kind of nice not being able to see what you have taken straight away, and also kind of frustrating (you can't tell if you've nailed it until you get the films back!).
I shall eagerly await you samples from it and also look forward to seeing how you get on with it- especially after using an A700 for a long time. What a difference 20 years makes :-)
Andrew
Yep I like it a lot already actually. First roll of film is in for developing now. I agree with you about the simplicity of film cameras, and this model in particular. Its a good test of your skills, and how well you are paying attention to metering, composition, and the like. Yep indeed on 20 years. 1985 doesn't seem that long ago either!
For me, I just like photography. Minolta is by far the most innovative brand on the market overall. I didn't get a chance to use the Minolta film cameras much in my youth, so I'm going to enjoy playing catchup and posting some shots and impressions on the bodies here. This is going to be a real treat for me.
Although digital is superior in many ways, there are still many pros to shooting with film that nay be forgotten.
Looking forward to the reunited love of film, this time from a creative and artistic aspect.
-Carl
-AlphaMountWorld Chef
"Currently cooking up something BIG in the kitchen"
Ah the golden oldie AF minolta...nice camera, I prefer the newer models myself, but worth picking one up.
Flim started me off in photography, digital got me into photography again, film will keep me interested in it!
I sleep with a roll of Ilford HP5 under my pillow, flm fanboy that I am ;-) I lent my dyanx 7 to a canon 400d user, he loved it. And said..I WANT ONE! Really, he was shocked at the big VF, uber body controls..and tech features that he didnt think would be on a film camera. If you look very closely, you can even see on the bottom.."made by jesus" lmao ;-)
Hi Barry
LOL @ "I sleep with a roll of Ilford HP5 under my pillow" and "If you look very closely, you can even see on the bottom.."made by jesus" lmao ;-)"
Andrew
Lol...
I am more upset Greg didn't send me free film cameras! What with me being the current minolta die hard film user and all ;-)
You can still buy these on ebay, as new..I wouldnt pay that much..but I guess its ok if you remember what they did cost at ist release..cannot remember myself. I think the star ebay buy is the dynax 5, neat little camera and well featured. Mind you some of the older models are pretty nice too..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Like-New-In-Box-Minolta-Dynax-AF-7000-Camera-Body_...
Carl,
Well, I'd have waited to get the film BACK before calling them "reliable", but that's just me being paranoid. ;-) I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Barry, the cost of shipping to UK is more than the camera is worth. Ironically, our babysitter just moved to England with her new hubby, and given your comments on the cost of gear over there, I gave her a 7000 and a 35-70 so that she wouldn't have to face down ebay.uk.
It was just serendipity that Carl bought my last spare 50mm 1.7, so I figured he could use some spiffs.
Glad to have helped, and good luck!
Greg