Minolta 600si

When I first got serious about photography, I got into Minolta cameras. For years, the 700si was my constant companion. I eventually got an 800si to replace the 700si. When the 600si came out, I wanted one but never got one. A few months ago, I got the idea to pick up a 700si from Shopgoodwill. Sadly it didn't work and I was left with a few lenses with nothing to use them on. A couple weeks ago I saw a 600si listed and won the bidding for somewhere around $20 including shipping. I am beginning to really like the camera/ That's great, but also creates problems. Now I want more lenses and have started looking for the vc-600 battery grip. I currently have an out of date roll of Ilford XP2 in it and will try to post pics when I get it developed.

What I like about the 600Si is that Minolta returned dials and fewer commands via menu, and dumped the crazy command cards, it's light and has a good meter. Although a 8 pin model it will just fine with 5 pin lens, there are many at a very reasonable cost. You can look for first generation 50mm, 28mm, and 100mm macro. In terms of zooms I like the 35 to 70 F4 and 70 to 200 F4. I have a 800si and Minolta 9, but the 600Si remains my A mount travel camera.

I think I have four working 600si cameras. I find it easier and more pleasant to use that most of the other Maxxum cameras I have. The 600si works well with the 5400hs flash. With slower zooms and when shooting indoors, I will focus manually but still use the flash in TTL mode.

I am looking into flashes. I had a couple 5400hs flashes with my 700si and 800si. I didn't have time to use it much this week, but have really liked using it.

I have 2-3 800si bodies; I think they are the most bang for the buck of any AF film camera. I have a Maxxum 9; I find it has very few features over and above the 800si that I actually use. And it's a lot heavier. I have a non-working 600si; I find it's "traditional" controls to be very intuitive to anyone who grew up with film SLRs of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, When I was looking for one a while back, I found the vc-600 to be a bit scarce. I don't find much of an advantage in those accessory grips except that they allow use of AA batteries.

What lenses are you looking for?

+1 with the 800, not a metal body like the Minolta 9, and more menu driven, still a bargain for a very formentalble camea. I paid around $40 for mine, the vertical grip cost me more.