Minolta: depth of field indicated on camera back, which camera type?

Melvin J Bramley · Thursday at 8:38 PM

What model Minolta 35mm had the depth of field shown on an lcd on the camera back?
How good was it?

Chan Tran · Thursday at 8:55 PM

It's the Maxxum 7 or Dynax 7. I had one but I never knew about the feature. Used very little before it broke. I gave it away.

Paul Howell · Thursday at 10:33 PM

I have one, I do use it, but prefer other Minolta A bodies. It came out after the Minolta 9 with advanced features. Here is a link.

Minolta A-mount system - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

rduraoc · 2025-10-17T03:06:58-0400

I had a Dynax 7 (bought new), used it extensively with no issues, and loved the camera. Most used features were just a button away, and not tucked away in a hidden menu. Also loved the Minolta primes, especially the 135mm f2.8, even though the work horse was the also great 50mm f1.7

neilt3 · 2025-10-17T08:53:06-0400

The Dynax 7 is my most used film camera , I have several .
IIRC the DOF preview button can be custom set for this feature when using "D" lenses , as they have the distance encoding chip in them also for ADI flash metering .
I don't think lenses earlier than 2000 allow this feature to work as non "D" type lenses don't have the distance encoding chip in them .
It's not a function I use , but could be handy for setting up manual focus for maximum DOF etc .
Other than that , just use the viewfinder as normal and conventional DOF preview .

wiltw · 2025-10-17T13:16:52-0400

I would not necessarily base camera selection upon this as a really useful feature because...
most DOF tables/lens markings are based upon rather poor standard of human visual acuity, rather than 20/20 vision which optometrists strive to achieve when correcting our vision
for example,

20/20 vision DOF with a 50mm FL set to f/4 aimed at subject 20' away: 4.2' deep zone
usual DOF chart (a.k.a. 'manufacturer standard') with 50mm FL set to f/4 aimed at subject 20' away: 13.7' deep zone
20/20 vision DOF with 50mm FL set to f/11 aimed at subject 20' away": 12.31' deep zone

and remember that DOF assumes you are evaluating an 8x10" print viewed from 10" away. Any other size/viewing distance has perceivable DOF which is different!

Paul Howell · 2025-10-17T16:43:57-0400

Not sure why I pick other bodies, 800si,, most often used, or the 9 in bad weather as it is weather sealed, otherwise just too heavy, or the 9XI which although odd is light and has the same shutter and metering as the 9. I guess I should get a battery grip my the 7 and take it out more often.

Minolta: depth of field indicated on camera back, which camera type?

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