Minolta Maxxum sticker shock (in reverse!)

David Lyga · Dec 18, 2012

I was looking at the KEH website yesterday and was flabbergasted to find working Maxxum bodies offered at (starting at) $6. There were many $15 and below. For a retailer to sell at this price they truly have to be worthless.

But why? And temporary? Answers and insight please. The Maxxum line was not exactly the worst and least successful camera of all times. Hardly. What is going on here?

Or am I just plain nuts to 'notice' this? - David Lyga

ArtO · Dec 18, 2012

I never followed these series of Minoltas, so I don't know much about them. I remember a few weeks ago KEH had a notice on their website that they would not purchase used Minolta equipment. Maybe it's just oversupply vs demand.

dxqcanada · Dec 18, 2012

There are a number of Maxxum camera's that were cheap/easy models ... like the 3something (lowest end), then the 5something (next up the line).

The 7,8, and 9somethings were targeted at serious photographers (though some of the xi series weren't so hot) ... so I can see some of them being higher in price ... though even the great Maxxum 7 can be found for under $150.00

Alan W · Dec 18, 2012

You can buy an ex. condition nikon n80 for about $30,I love these cameras.It's happening with every camera line-an AE-1 costs more than a lot of the consumer grade eos products.Looks like anyone buying film cameras wants a "classic" type.Look at the prices of the spotmatics,they're frequently on KEH for $75 and up.

PentaxBronica · Dec 18, 2012

That seems to go for pretty much all consumer-grade SLRs now. People either want the top end AF bodies or the manual focus mechanical beasts. I know I could get hold of a Pentax SF-series body for under £10, for example. A K2, LX or MZ-S would be a lot more.

It may be that the dealer got the bodies as part of a collection and expects to make their profit from the lenses.

BradS · Dec 18, 2012

I sold pretty much all of my 35mm gear a while ago. I ended up not selling the Maxxum 7 kit because, at the time, they were selling for next to nothing on eBay and it just wasn't even worth the effort. It is a very respectable performers with respect to image quality any way. I like the fact that it uses ordinary AAA batteries too.

Alan Gales · Dec 18, 2012

Maybe that's so the "hipsters" can afford them?

There's nothing like riding around Wicker Park on a bicycle with no paint left on it and shooting your budget 35mm camera that you don't have a clue how to use.

rjhelms · Dec 18, 2012

Alan Gales said:
Maybe that's so the "hipsters" can afford them?

If anything, I think it's the opposite: a Minolta Maxxum doesn't scream "vintage" the same way older SLRs do, so if reason for toting a film camera is to look cool, they're absolutely useless. Oh well, their loss, my 7000i serves me very well.

What I found far stranger was that, when I was looking for a Maxxum 50mm f/1.7, there were many Maxxums with that lens going for cheaper than just the lens on its own.

Alan Gales · Dec 18, 2012

You may be right. I have a stepson who is a hipster. I gave him a Contax 167MT but he prefers his girlfriend's Olympus OM1.

Nothing against an OM1. It's a fine camera but it does look more vintage.

Spicy · Dec 19, 2012

The mechanical cameras have little question about their reliability and future fixability. Arguably the most capable of the 35mm cameras (ones that came out JUUUSSSTTT before digital) aren't the smartest buys, because people have gotten wise with all the familiarity with digital rot. When things become cost-prohibitive, manufacturers no longer produce replacements parts, and it's not worth it/unfeasible to do a low-count run of old circuitboards for things like obscure or amateur/semi pro cameras. Nikon FEs have a great user reputation, but people realize that once the circuitboards go (not talking about a simple re-soldering or that sort of low-level problem), they're effectively a paperweight. Nikon FMs of the same vintage are more expensive because they'll likely be able to be fixed by a skilled repairman.

Not that they aren't reliable or great buys, as they're dirt cheap. I'm just saying that in the long term, people have less faith in the early electronic cameras, and even up through the last ones, save for a few super-high-end ones like the F5/F6, which seem to be holding their value a bit better.

Similar thing with cars... Ones that are so old and basic they can be fixed with a wrench and some screwdrivers are a safe bet. Ones from the 70s and 80s that are plastic-fantastic and the first implementations of new tech like fuel-injection and other advancements are neither incredibly reliable nor easily/cost-effectively fixable when things go wrong with them.

polyglot · Dec 19, 2012

All the lenses have been taken up by Sony shooters so there's a huge excess of Maxxum bodies.

hoffy · Dec 19, 2012

It kinda sucks when you have a cupboard of them (I have 6 Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha bodies in my cupboard), but its a boon if you want to use quality Minolta/Sony/Ziess lenses on film.

That being said, the last of the great Minolta bodies, the 9, still commands reasonable money (around $300 to $400, depending on what phase the moon is in).

tokam · Dec 19, 2012

About 2 years ago I was gifted a brace of Minolta AF film gear including 2 Dynax 7 bodies and a Maxxum 800si. These are the Japanese market versions, along with the 5600HS flash and 8 lenses - mainly Cosina, Tamron and Tokina. Even received a Kenko 500mm Cat lens.

Ashamed to say that I haven't used them yet as I'm mainly a Canon FD user. The user manuals for this lot are about 200 pages in all. Makes my Canon T90 look quite basic and this is perhaps why I haven't put film, through them yet. I doubt that I will use them unless I have a need for the functionality they provide that I cannot get out of the FD gear I have. Perhaps the wireless TTL flash or I may want to play with the 500mm CAT. The Tokina 100-400 zoom may be slightly tempting as my FD lenses max out at 300mm.

One thing that annoys me with the Dynax 7 bodies is the 'sticky' rubber syndrome they have both developed. What were the manufacturers thinking about when they formulated that rubbish. As I have nothing to lose I may attempt to strip it off and replace it although I'll probably have to make my own templates.

If I ever go to the dark side I could go Sony and have plenty of lenses to play with but it doesn't tempt me at the moment. A Canon A720 PS camera does the 'record keeping' type shots quite adequately.

pen s · Dec 19, 2012

Pick up one of these Maxxum's. Handle it, feel it in your hands.

Now pick up and fondle a SRT series camera.

There is your answer.

Mark Crabtree · Dec 19, 2012

polyglot said:
All the lenses have been taken up by Sony shooters so there's a huge excess of Maxxum bodies.

That is true, except nearly all of these were sold with zooms that aren't very popular with digi shooters. I think they just sold so darned many of these, and there are so few buyers, that the are like zucchinis in August; you can hardly give them away. I happened into Maxxum from the Sony side when I got curious about how some of the lenses would do on film.

Somebody gave me a 7000 body. I really hated the looks and operation of all this generation of cameras and didn't touch the thing for quite some time. Now it has kind of grown on me. I guess having to screw around some with modern cameras has made me a little (only a little) more tolerant of button and menu controls.

Recently the same person gave me a Maxxum 5 body. I almost refused it, even free. It is a flimsy, non-intuitive thing (unless you like full auto everything), with a crappy finder. But I've found out it is amazingly capable camera in its own way, and is now my favorite bicycle carry camera. It is so light it feels like the plastic packaging for for something.

Some of the zooms are good too. Like the 35-70 f4 that you can get for under $50, The only trouble comes from how few fast primes (except 50/1.7) were sold, making them disproportionately expensive.

And, of course, the retro thing is a factor. I have a Nikon 6006 which I think is really a better camera than an FM, if you want autowind. I tried to sell it here and couldn't get $25 out of it. Ditto the F80 I can't sell at any price; not a camera to substitute for an FM, but a spectacularly nice camera of it's kind.

benjiboy · Dec 19, 2012

It just goes to prove that most people know the price of everything, and the value of nothing.

E. von Hoegh · Dec 19, 2012

desertratt said:
I think you're onto something. I have been buying too many old film cameras rececntly and I am astounded how cheap Minoltas are -- some old, some newer. I have a couple of bodies that are not so hot and some that are as sweet a film camera as you would ever want.
I bought a Nikon F70 body the other day, in nice condition, for $20. I remember buying one of these new in the 1990s and paying over $500. Ouch. But Minoltas are even cheaper.
I wonder if Minolta just don't get no respect these days, or what?

I've been looking at cheap Minoltas too. As I remember the Rokkor lenses were excellent.
The only reason I don't get one is that I have a good Nikon outfit and can't justify another system...
But surely, just one old SRT can't hurt...

David Lyga · Dec 19, 2012

Yes, the ergonomics of traditional SLRs are, indeed, better. And, yes, people know the price of everything but not the value. The Maxxum zooms are great. But...

Minolta used to be one of the very most sought after names back in the 60s and 70s. - David Lyga

hoffy · Dec 19, 2012

desertratt said:
I think you're onto something. I have been buying too many old film cameras rececntly and I am astounded how cheap Minoltas are -- some old, some newer. I have a couple of bodies that are not so hot and some that are as sweet a film camera as you would ever want.
I bought a Nikon F70 body the other day, in nice condition, for $20. I remember buying one of these new in the 1990s and paying over $500. Ouch. But Minoltas are even cheaper.
I wonder if Minolta just don't get no respect these days, or what?

When I bought my first Auto Focus SLR back in the early 90's, I really wanted to buy a Minolta 700si - but I simply couldn't afford it. In the end, I bought a 303si Super (Japanese variant - basically a 500si Super). From memory, the 700si body was around a grand back then.

About 5 years ago, an aquantance (not even a friend) found out I was into film camera's and new that I had Minolta's. He GAVE me his in excellent condition 700si (+ a 5xi to boot), with battery grip and a handful of those silly cards you could put in them.

I don't think its just Minolta though. Look for any consumer level Canon or Pentax from the late 80's through to the late 90's - its the same deal. There are still some good value Minolta's available (like the last model 7 and 9).

Diapositivo · Dec 20, 2012

Maybe some buyers don't know that late Minolta cameras have the same bayonet mount of Sony cameras. In fact, Sony just bought the Minolta business. Sony cameras ARE Minolta cameras. Minolta never died, just changed hands. Some people ignore this and probably ignore that they can use modern Sony and Zeiss lenses on certain Minolta cameras. This can make Minolta cameras less looked after.

Some other people might have read somewhere that Minolta cameras require manual focus lenses, ignoring the existence of the two bayonet mounts.

Minolta is the only line of cameras which has undergone a bayonet change and a brand change and that can be confusing for people who haven't been paying attention during the last 30 years.

fmajor · Dec 20, 2012

oops....

KrankyKraut · Dec 25, 2012

Mark Crabtree said:
Somebody gave me a 7000 body. I really hated the looks and operation of all this generation of cameras and didn't touch the thing for quite some time. Now it has kind of grown on me. I guess having to screw around some with modern cameras has made me a little (only a little) more tolerant of button and menu controls.

I agree on the ugliness of the 7000. However, IT IS an iconic camera in the history of cameras, being the first totally integrated AF 35mm SLR. In that sense, it's a collectable, similar to the Canon AE-1, which is also rather lacking in the looks/feel department, but the most successful SLR of all time as measured by units sold.

rwreich · Dec 25, 2012

A friend gave me a Maxxum camera with a lens, but I am greatly invested in Nikon so I don't even pull out the Minolta.

If someone wants it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

Mark Crabtree · Dec 26, 2012

rwreich said:
A friend gave me a Maxxum camera with a lens, but I am greatly invested in Nikon so I don't even pull out the Minolta.

If someone wants it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

I'd be interested depending on model. If it isn't something I can use; I'll pass for somebody who needs it. I'll send a PM.

Mark

Mark Crabtree · Dec 26, 2012

rwreich said:
A friend gave me a Maxxum camera with a lens, but I am greatly invested in Nikon so I don't even pull out the Minolta.

If someone wants it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

His Maxxum is a 500si w/35-80. I already have almost the same outfit so will let somebody who has more use for it get this one.

They really are amazing and fun cameras. My Maxxum 5 with 50/1.7 has become my main bicycle camera.

Minolta Maxxum sticker shock (in reverse!)

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency