Maxxum lens suggestions needed.

KerrKid · Apr 22, 2023

Chan Tran is graciously selling me his Minolta Maxxum 9xi and I know nothing about lenses for that platform. All I have are the manual "SRT" lenses. I need an AF A-mount lens.

I'm looking at the Minolta Maxxum 50mm f1.4 or f1.7 (less $). But, maybe there is another direction to go with another focal length, zoom, brand, etc.

Can you guys/gals offer any suggestions?

Thanks!

xkaes · Apr 22, 2023

There are a TON of lenses to choose from -- but they need to have a Minolta MAXXUM/a-mount. Millions of them have been made since 1985 -- and they are still being made today. You will see them under a variety of labels -- Minolta, Konica/Minolta, Sony, Vivitar, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, Promaster, Cosina, and many others.

Your camera does NOT use lenses for Minolta older SRT lenses. It only uses lenses with a MAXXUM/a-mount.

neilt3 · Apr 22, 2023

There's a ton of Minolta A mount lenses about .
For recommendations you need to state what your requirements are , and your budget .
The Minolta 50mm lenses are fine to start with , but as far as other recommendations for other focal lengths go , you at least need to give us a clue what your doing with them .
Not much point getting a fisheye lens if your taking pictures of little birds in tree's , or a 600mm lens for macro work .
It's a good time to buy as A mount gear has plummeted in price .

Chan Tran · Apr 22, 2023

KerrKid! The camera worked when I last checked it may be 3 years ago. I couldn't check it before sending it to you because I don't have a battery. I suggest you get a battery first and see if it's OK before buying a lens.

KerrKid · Apr 22, 2023

Chan Tran said:
KerrKid! The camera worked when I last checked it may be 3 years ago. I couldn't check it before sending it to you because I don't have a battery. I suggest you get a battery first and see if it's OK before buying a lens.

Yes, that is the plan. I’m just trying to get an idea of what lenses to get so I can get an idea of what the cost will be.

The camera will be fine!

KerrKid · Apr 22, 2023

neilt3 said:
There's a ton of Minolta A mount lenses about .
For recommendations you need to state what your requirements are , and your budget .
The Minolta 50mm lenses are fine to start with , but as far as other recommendations for other focal lengths go , you at least need to give us a clue what your doing with them .
Not much point getting a fisheye lens if your taking pictures of little birds in tree's , or a 600mm lens for macro work .
It's a good time to buy as A mount gear has plummeted in price .

General walk about photography. No gallery-bait. Just stuff. Interested in primes between 28-135 and a small zoom like a 28-80.

KerrKid · Apr 23, 2023

A lens deal came up that I had to jump on.

Research this evening showed the Maxxum 28-85mm macro to be an excellent lens so I offered an eBay seller $15 for one and bought it.

So…Maxxum camera and Maxxum lens. Perfect.

neilt3 · Apr 23, 2023

KerrKid said:
A lens deal came up that I had to jump on.

Research this evening showed the Maxxum 28-85mm macro to be an excellent lens so I offered an eBay seller $15 for one and bought it.

So…Maxxum camera and Maxxum lens. Perfect.

You should be fine with that lens . If you find yourself needing wider the 24-85mm RS does a good job or the 24-105mm , either Minolta or Sony A mount .

xkaes · Apr 23, 2023

Get a 24-200mm or 28-300mm -- if you want just one DO-IT-ALL lens. These can be found for under $75.

And if you want TWO lenses that cover an even WIDER range, the options are endless.

Patrick Robert James · Apr 23, 2023

It is important to note that you can't use the later Sony lenses on the older Minolta cameras before the Maxxum 7.

I have 28/50/70-210 for my 9xi. The 70-210 is a nice lens and they are pretty cheap. Might as well get one. The 9xi is a great camera too. It is a little bit quirky so you'll have to read the manual. The release on it though is one of the best. Butter.

xkaes · Apr 23, 2023

Patrick Robert James said:
It is important to note that you can't use the later Sony lenses on the older Minolta cameras before the Maxxum 7.

This is an important point. The MAXXUM cameras and early Sony a-mount cameras (which use the same camera/lens mount) control focusing with a motor in the camera. The newest Sony a-mount lenses use a motor in the lens and are designed for the newest Sony a-mount cameras. So older MAXXUM lenses can only be used on newer Sony cameras with an daoter, and newer Sony lenses can't be used on older MAXXUM cameras.

(Sony also made e-mount cameras and lenses, which are completely different and cannot be used on Maxxum cameras.)

The good news is that there are MILLIONS of MAXXUM and SONY and other lenses that work perfectly well on MAXXUM cameras. The newer MAXXUM cameras and the newer lenses will have additional features -- such as ADI flash capability, but the newer lenses will work fine on the older cameras -- without providing these features.

Another consideration is the change to the electronic flash shoe that Minolta/Sony made. The original MAXXUM cameras used a standard HOT flash shoe, but Minolta modified this and created an iISO flash on their later MAXXUM cameras. Then Sony changed it to another, more advanced style. Each has more features, but need adapters in order to use one with the other.

Paul Howell · Apr 23, 2023

I have 20 or so A mount lens, most I got for just a few dollars, meaning under $20. The 28 to 85 is very good lens, sharp wide to stopped down, good coatings, light easy to carry. If you shoot in dim light then a 50 1.4 is a good choice. I have an early not Art Sigma 50 1.4 it is very sharp. I have 3 G lens, the 200 2.8 while not as versatile as a zoom it is light, sharp, and really fast. The 300 2.8 and 400 4. are my wildlife lens. A best buy is the 70 to 210 4.0 beer can lens. Not sure if it a Minolta design or a Leica design but it was shared by both. On the whole all of the Minolta, Konica Minolta A mounts I have are great lens. I'm sure you've downloaded the manual, if you bracketing or other advanced features that are incorporated in other top end models require the "card." You might want to keep an eye open for them on Ebay or KEH.

grain elevator · Apr 23, 2023

When I last came across these a few years ago, even slightly exotic lenses for A mount were comparatively affordable and that was the one thing that tempted me a bit to buy into that system. So I'd look for a 28 2.0 or even something <21mm and a 50 and/or 85 or some kit like that (easy to spend someone else's money...) I'm not a big fan of zooms but I do get the idea that many of these fairly modern zooms are very good and affordable as well.

KerrKid · Apr 23, 2023

Great info, guys! Thank you - especially for naming specific lenses that will work on the 9xi.

I have not downloaded a manual, yet. Butkus does not have one hotlinked, but I did some digging and he has a couple PDF files buried on his site that I have to contact him about.

I’m sure I’ll have many more questions after I get the camera.

neilt3 · Apr 23, 2023

KerrKid said:
Great info, guys! Thank you - especially for naming specific lenses that will work on the 9xi.

I have not downloaded a manual, yet. Butkus does not have one hotlinked, but I did some digging and he has a couple PDF files buried on his site that I have to contact him about.

I’m sure I’ll have many more questions after I get the camera.

If your struggling to find a copy , P.M me your email address and I'll send you both part 1 and part 2 of the user manual .
It won't allow me to attach them to this post as there bigger than the 2mb limit .

With the 9xi you might ( only might ) find it useful to track down the "Custom function Xi" card . It'll allow you to set up certain custom functions like leaving the film leader out if you develop your own film , along with some other useful functions ( that I've forgotten !)

Apart from things like the intervalometer or multi exposure card , the rest of them were gimmicks which serve no purpose if you know how to use a camera .

KerrKid · Apr 23, 2023

neilt3 said:
If your struggling to find a copy , P.M me your email address and I'll send you both part 1 and part 2 of the user manual .
It won't allow me to attach them to this post as there bigger than the 2mb limit .

With the 9xi you might ( only might ) find it useful to track down the "Custom function Xi" card . It'll allow you to set up certain custom functions like leaving the film leader out if you develop your own film , along with some other useful functions ( that I've forgotten !)

Apart from things like the intervalometer or multi exposure card , the rest of them were gimmicks which serve no purpose if you know how to use a camera .

I heard that the the Custom function card was the only one worth getting. Kind of hard to find, too. Thanks for mentioning it. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one.

Paul Howell · Apr 23, 2023

I have the bracketing card, have used only once. Most of the cards are sort of gimmicks, like travel, landscape and children's cards. Still I like the 9Xi, lighter than the 800si, much lighter than the 9. I dont have the battery grip, it is only a battery grip no vertical shutter release. With the standard battery and 28 to 100 8 pin lens d, it is fav for walk around. The AF is good, has the same metering and shutter as the 9. Only grip is no on board flash.

xkaes · Apr 23, 2023

If all else fails, and you want a MAXXUM camera that does everything -- no cards needed -- get a MAXXUM 5. They regularly sell on EBAY in perfect condition for $20 with TWO zoom lenses. No kidding.

neilt3 · Apr 23, 2023

xkaes said:
This is an important point. The MAXXUM cameras and early Sony a-mount cameras (which use the same camera/lens mount) control focusing with a motor in the camera.

All Minolta and Sony A mount cameras have a motor in the body to focus mechanically "screw" driven lenses , not just early Sony A mount cameras .

xkaes said:
The newest Sony a-mount lenses use a motor in the lens and are designed for the newest Sony a-mount cameras.

Not just Sony . Some of the later Minolta lenses have the SSM drive in them rather than using the AF drive in the camera body .
Sony just re-badged these lenses when they took over the cameras in 2006 . They later brought out a cheaper in lens AF drive , the SAM lenses .
These will also work on Minolta cameras that can focus SSM lenses , that's the Dynax/Maxxum 7 onwards and and Dynax/Maxxum 9's that have had the SSM/ADI upgrade .

I'm using the Sony CZ 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM and the 70-400mm SSM mk II on my modified Dynax 9 and Dynax 7 , they'll also work fine on my Dynax 4 , Dynax 5 and Maxxum 70 .

xkaes said:
So older MAXXUM lenses can only be used on newer Sony cameras with an adaoter, and newer Sony lenses can't be used on older MAXXUM cameras.

All Minolta A mount lenses can be used on all Sony A mount bodies without an adapter .
The only time an A mount lens , SLR or DSLR lens requires an adapter is if you want to use them on an E mount mirrorless digital body .
And yes , Sony SSM or SAM lenses can't be used with AF on cameras before the Dynax 7 from 2000 , although aperture and manual focus work fine , so can be used manually if required .

xkaes said:
(Sony also made e-mount cameras and lenses, which are completely different and cannot be used on Maxxum cameras.)

The good news is that there are MILLIONS of MAXXUM and SONY and other lenses that work perfectly well on MAXXUM cameras. The newer MAXXUM cameras and the newer lenses will have additional features -- such as ADI flash capability, but the newer lenses will work fine on the older cameras -- without providing these features.

Another consideration is the change to the electronic flash shoe that Minolta/Sony made. The original MAXXUM cameras used a standard HOT flash shoe, but Minolta modified this and created an iISO flash on their later MAXXUM cameras. Then Sony changed it to another, more advanced style. Each has more features, but need adapters in order to use one with the other.

The first flashes Sony ( HVL-F36AM and 56AM) sold were re-badged Minolta ones ( Minolta 3600HS/d and 5600HS/d )and work with all cameras , film or digital with the iISO hotshoe .
At some point later flashes dropped full support for film cameras and could only function correctly when HSS ( highspeed sync ) was used .
I'm not sure how current MI shoe flashes behave of film cameras , I've not got the flash adapter to go backwards .

neilt3 · Apr 23, 2023

KerrKid said:
I heard that the the Custom function card was the only one worth getting. Kind of hard to find, too. Thanks for mentioning it. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one.

Wait until you get your camera and instructions and check how it's already been set up .
There's always a chance a previous owner has already set it up in a way that suites you already .

Paul Howell said:
I have the bracketing card, have used only once. Most of the cards are sort of gimmicks, like travel, landscape and children's cards. Still I like the 9Xi, lighter than the 800si, much lighter than the 9. I dont have the battery grip, it is only a battery grip no vertical shutter release. With the standard battery and 28 to 100 8 pin lens d, it is fav for walk around. The AF is good, has the same metering and shutter as the 9. Only grip is no on board flash.

I've got the cards myself , but apart from using the CF cards to set up a new camera once only , I've not used it a second time in the same camera .
It's a shame it's not on an SD memory card it could be copied on , but SD cards didn't exist in the late 80's when the 7000i and 8000i came out .
Of the other cards I think I've only used the intervalometer card a few times , but I've since got a cable release with that function that can be used on most cameras with the correct cable attached .

Out of the Xi and Si range of cameras I prefer either the 700si or 600si , I'm not so keen on the ergonomics of the Xi cameras .
But it's the Dynax 7 that get's the most use , I've three of those !

xkaes · Apr 23, 2023

Thanks for the clarification in this Minolta/Sony camera/lens/flash plate of spaghetti. I'm still cautious when looking at cameras/lenses/flashes to make SURE that it is compatible with what I have. Half the time it isn't -- at least not completely.

aw614 · Apr 23, 2023

xkaes said:
If all else fails, and you want a MAXXUM camera that does everything -- no cards needed -- get a MAXXUM 5. They regularly sell on EBAY in perfect condition for $20 with TWO zoom lenses. No kidding.

The Maxxum 5 is a steal for what you get for the money, I wanted a 9xi or 7000 for their looks but ultimately just went and bought a Maxxum 5 on ebay for 35 bucks. Came with a kit zoom, and 3 rolls of film included. Feels like a ton of families bought Maxxum 5s let them sit in the closet for years as most seem to be in very good shape.

No complains there since I already had a few lenses I was using on digital like the 50mm 1.4, Beercan, and 35-105.

neilt3 · Apr 23, 2023

xkaes said:
Thanks for the clarification in this Minolta/Sony camera/lens/flash plate of spaghetti. I'm still cautious when looking at cameras/lenses/flashes to make SURE that it is compatible with what I have. Half the time it isn't -- at least not completely.

It doesn't help how Sony have changed things with their cameras , selling both the A mount and E mount gear as the "alpha" branding .
Anyone new to them could easily buy an A mount lens and wonder why it won't fit on their E mount body and visa versa .
Now their A mount lens adapters are another confusion , five different ones that work in different ways depending on which body their fixed to and older adapters are no longer compatible with newer bodies .

xkaes · Apr 23, 2023

aw614 said:
Feels like a ton of families bought Maxxum 5s let them sit in the closet for years as most seem to be in very good shape.

I've got two of them (with zoom lenses, etc) because they were given as wedding presents -- and never used -- and then completely unwanted.

xkaes · Apr 23, 2023

neilt3 said:
It doesn't help how Sony have changed things with their cameras , selling both the A mount and E mount gear as the "alpha" branding .

To make matters even worse, Minolta & Sony sold FULL-FRAME and APS-FRAME lenses in the a-mount, utterly confusing people.

Maxxum lens suggestions needed.

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