My Minolta cameras breaking down: recommend replacement?

[trondsi]

My Minolta Delta-9 and 505si are both breaking down. I think I would like something "in between" in weight and functions. Definitely with inbuilt flash. Any recommendations?

 

[mgb74]

I not sure what the "Delta-9" is, but a 600si or 800si would be a nice upgrade from the 505.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Since you were happy with Minolta in the past, consider a newer and later model similar camera from Minolta again.

 

[Paul Howell]

The 800si has one of the most powerful on board flashes of the day. What is wrong with your, I assume to be Minolta 9 here in the U.S, or maybe the pervious top of the line 9xi? Speaking of XI, maybe the 7xi, it has a built in flash. Only issue with the XI line up was it designed without the option for a battery grip, so limited to lithium CR 5 battery and for advanced feature such as auto bracketing and multiple exposure needed a card with the program on it.

 

[trondsi]

I not sure what the "Delta-9" is, but a 600si or 800si would be a nice upgrade from the 505.

Sorry Alpha-9

 

[Chan Tran]

Sorry Alpha-9

I think the Alpha 9 is the best Minolta AF camera. So unless you are going for another brand the logical is to get another Alpha 9 (or Maxxum 9).

 

[trondsi]

The 800si has one of the most powerful on board flashes of the day. What is wrong with your, I assume to be Minolta 9 here in the U.S, or maybe the pervious top of the line 9xi? Speaking of XI, maybe the 7xi, it has a built in flash. Only issue with the XI line up was it designed without the option for a battery grip, so limited to lithium CR 5 battery and for advanced feature such as auto bracketing and multiple exposure needed a card with the program on it.

The 7xi looks interesting. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Paul Howell]

What is wrong with your 9? I have one, only issue for me is that in bright sunlight I cannot read the LED readouts in the viewfinder, which here in the desert is an issue. I work around by using shutter speed preference or program mode and let the camera figure it out. I have no issues with either the 800si or 9xi, or that matter the 9000.

 

[trondsi]

I think the Alpha 9 is the best Minolta AF camera. So unless you are going for another brand the logical is to get another Alpha 9 (or Maxxum 9).

It's a good model for sure, but the internal LED lights are now dead, and the camera is overexposing. I took it to a camera repair guy but he couldn't handle this model. Maybe I'll try elsewhere.

It sometimes felt a bit heavy for a 35mm camera though (just my preference, I know some people like even heavier models)

 

[Paul Howell]

Sounds like mine are on the way out, they are not as bright as when I got it, 10 or 11 years ago. I guess I need to start looking as well to see if anyone has replacement parts.

 

[Leolab]

The Minolta Alpha 7 is my favorite of the AF Minolta series, smaller than the 9, very ergonomic…

 

[mohmad khatab]

 

[Duceman]

I'd get another Maxxum 9... or a Maxxum 7.

 

[NB23]

9xi was my dream camera when I was a teenager. I wanted one soooo bad.

 

[Paul Howell]

In the last few months there have a number of Minolta 9 users complaining about dim viewfinder read out, mine included. If mine dies I don't think I will replace it.

 

[ic-racer]

Since you were happy with Minolta in the past, consider a newer and later model similar camera from Minolta again.

Agree.

 

[Paul Howell]

Well, maybe not, I have a large collection of Minolta A lens and have Sony A mount digital cameras, so for me keeping my Minolta gear going makes some sense. In past few months I've had buyers remorse. Unless OP has an investment in lens I would think about moving to Canon EOS. Almost every full frame EOS lens will work on any EOS film body. Same great range of cameras, entry level Rebels to very Pro level EOS 1, 1N and 1V with high speed battery grip. Midlevel Elan 3 and 7s seem to get favorable reviews. While Canon has stopped development of the EOS lens line they are making, selling and servicing lens.
Too bad about the 9s, I'm pretty sure this could an evolving issue with the LEDs in all of the 9s, other than a tad on the heavy side, a lot to like.

 

[trondsi]

As a side note; I have noticed that my 505si cannot properly use the lens 18-70 mm that came with the 9 (which I always found very nice and sharp). It fits, and works if I don't zoom too much. But if I do, both the autofocus and the meter mess up. Has anyone else noticed similar issues? Will the older 7xi run into problems with this lens?

 

[Paul Howell]

As a side note; I have noticed that my 505si cannot properly use the lens 18-70 mm that came with the 9 (which I always found very nice and sharp). It fits, and works if I don't zoom too much. But if I do, both the autofocus and the meter mess up. Has anyone else noticed similar issues? Will the older 7xi run into problems with this lens?

I don't have that lens, I do have around 15 Minolta A lens, 5 and 8 Pin, dont have any SSM, the micro motor lens, which will not work on any bodies older than the Minolta 7 and 5 along with 9s that were factory modified. My 7xi and 9xi work will all my lens and don't know why your lens will not work with your 505si. My 9000 and 7000 first generation AF bodies work with all of my 8 pin gear driven lens.
If you liked your 9 you might want to check out the 9xi, I had mine out for a walk this morning, heavy but not as heavy as the 9 with battery grip, had a few more features then the 7xi with a faster FPS motor, and the 1/12000 of a second top shutter speed of the 9.

 

[dynachrome]

There is a battery grip for the 9xi too. It's smaller than the one for the Maxxum 9.

 

[Paul Howell]

Never seen one, not listed in the manual, or find one at Ebay. Looking at the bottom of my 9xi don't see can pins to connect a the electronics from the grip to the body. I will keep looking, if available I would want it.

 

[neilt3]

As a side note; I have noticed that my 505si cannot properly use the lens 18-70 mm that came with the 9 (which I always found very nice and sharp). It fits, and works if I don't zoom too much. But if I do, both the autofocus and the meter mess up. Has anyone else noticed similar issues? Will the older 7xi run into problems with this lens?

The 18-70mm lens is designed for APS-C digital cameras , not full frame DSLR's or film camera's.
It doesn't have the coverage .
Working or not , below about 27mm it doesn't cover the film proper anyway .
You'ld be much better with one of the 28-XX zoom lens .
A budget wide angle lens would be the Konica minolta 17-35mm lens , that would do O.K .

Regards camera choice , i have all the A mount SLR camera's, the Dynax ( alpha) 7 is my favourite model .
I use it much more than my d9 .
Excellent AF , excellent ergonomics , spot on results .

 

[M-88]

Being a former Minolta user, I'd vouch for three models:

Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha 7 - a professional-grade camera, even newer than top of the line Maxxum 9. It's smaller, lighter and cheaper than 9 and sports a nice, large LCD on the rear, which is convenient sometimes.

800si (807si in some markets) - if you want a terrific built-in flash, this is a camera for you. Also pretty new, so its AF is quite reliable and camera is full of modern features.

600si (507si in some markets) - if you prefer old-style rotating selectors instead of modern dials, this one has them! At least for switching between shooting modes and for exposure/flash compensation.

-----------------------------------------------

My two biggest complains with Minoltas are:
1. The plastic/rubber/whateveritis on the hand grip disintegrates over time. In fact, I am yet to see a 600si without that damage. This is also true for 800si. Maxxum 7 seems to be free from this issue.
2. Proprietary flash shoe.

 

[radiant]

Dynax 7 is awesome. Small, sturdy and versatile. I have Dynax 5, 800si and 500si super. Dynax 5 viewfinder is a bit small. 800si is great, I bit bigger than 7 but very nice too.

If your camera gets that "gunk" on rubber/plastic parts, it can be cleaned completely with hand sanitizer gel + toothbrush. It is like a magic.

About proprietary flash shoe: on the other hand used Minolta flashes are dirt cheap..

 

[M-88]

If your camera gets that "gunk" on rubber/plastic parts, it can be cleaned completely with hand sanitizer gel + toothbrush. It is like a magic.

I was actually referring to the plastic/rubber developing cracks and breaking off over time, not the stickiness. Had to put black adhesive vinyl over the grip to prevent it from falling apart. In the end I just ditched the Alpha Mount altogether and switched to Nikon, but it's not very economical if OP is seriously invested in A-Mount lenses.