Hello ! New member here .

caseman

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2025
Messages
2
Location
Ohio
Format
35mm
I am new to photography as a whole and even newer to 35mm film photography. My brother bought me a Minolta Maxxum 7000 35mm camera when I mentioned that I was thinking about getting something more than my phone camera . It seems like it works OK but the display in the viewfinder is dark . I don't know if changing the internal battery would help or not. I found a video that shows how to change that battery . I am located in north central Ohio . I hope to learn how to take better pictures and learn all I can .
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,664
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Welcome to Photrio.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,490
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Welcome to Photrio!
 
  • F4U
  • Deleted
  • Reason: off topic

gbroadbridge

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
606
Location
Sydney, Australia
Format
Medium Format

Welcome.

That particular camera is a 35mm SLR (Single Lens Reflex).

There is no digital display - the viewfinder image is simply light from the lens reflected through mirrors and stuff onto a screen then to your eye.

So in dim light the image will be dark.

If it is still dim in bright sunlight there could be an issue with the camera optics themselves.

Changing the battery will not make any difference to the viewfinder.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,664
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I had assumed that the OP was referring to the visibility of the exposure information in the camera viewfinder, not the actual viewing image. Perhaps @caseman can clarify?
 

F4U

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
638
Location
Florida
Format
8x10 Format
It is possible the instant return mirror is no longer coming all the way down. that would account for the darkness complaint.
{Moderator deletion of off topic material}
 
OP
OP

caseman

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2025
Messages
2
Location
Ohio
Format
35mm
mshchem said:
Welcome to the forum. I would definitely start with a fresh battery.
Click to expand...

I will do that. I saw a video on how to change the internal battery and it doesn't look that difficult .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…