Odd Minolta Maxxum Dynax 5 problem with viewfinder

xkaes · Jul 2, 2023

I know that the Minolta Maxxum 5 (AKA, Dynax 5, α-Sweet II) is a unique critter. It has its own eye-cup, the EC-1200, and its own battery pack, the BP-200, among other features.

What I'm trying to figure out is if the focusing screen can be removed. It appears that it probably can, as it looks like it is held in place by a couple of small tabs.

I'm not looking to replace the screen, but the viewfinder has a bright orange appearance -- even without a lens on the camera. The outer eyepiece looks clean, as does the mirror and the bottom of the focusing screen. I'm thinking that there might be a stain of some sort -- hopefully removable -- on the inside of the screen or on the pentaprism.

How it got there, I have no idea. I bought it at a thrift store for $10 with a GREAT Tamron 28-200mm lens -- which works fine. So if I can't repair it, I'm still "in the black", but I'd like to know if anyone has experience removing Maxxum focusing screens.

Chan Tran · Jul 2, 2023

xkaes said:
I know that the Minolta Maxxum 5 (AKA, Dynax 5, α-Sweet II) is a unique critter. It has its own eye-cup, the EC-1200, and its own battery pack, the BP-200, among other features.

What I'm trying to figure out is if the focusing screen can be removed. It appears that it probably can, as it looks like it is held in place by a couple of small tabs.

I'm not looking to replace the screen, but the viewfinder has a bright orange appearance -- even without a lens on the camera. The outer eyepiece looks clean, as does the mirror and the bottom of the focusing screen. I'm thinking that there might be a stain of some sort -- hopefully removable -- on the inside of the screen or on the pentaprism.

How it got there, I have no idea. I bought it at a thrift store for $10 with a GREAT Tamron 28-200mm lens -- which works fine. So if I can't repair it, I'm still "in the black", but I'd like to know if anyone has experience removing Maxxum focusing screens.

I am not sure but may be the Maxxum 5 has a penta mirror instead of pentaprism and the silver has come off the mirror.

xkaes · Jul 2, 2023

You are correct, but I'd still like to get in there -- if I can -- and see if it is correctable.

The question is, "Can I get in there, or am I wasting my time?"

BobD · Jul 2, 2023

I have a Maxxum 70 which I believe is based on the 5 -- a sort of later version of it or so I am told. Mine has a light stain in the viewfinder too. I suspect the focusing screens are very similar between the 2 models. The screen is easy to remove on the 70. Just push inward on it and it unhooks and drops down. But, beware. The screen is actually 3 layered parts that must be kept in their original order and orientation. There is an aluminum frame that holds the parts and is very fragile and easily bent. That is how it is on the 70, anyway.

However, I have not tried to clean up the stain on mine. My experience is with another parts camera.

From comments I have seen online, the penta-mirrors on these cameras seem to be prone to discoloration issues.

xkaes · Jul 2, 2023

Thanks, that's very helpful. I really have nothing to lose by trying. The camera really can't be used as it is now -- even though everything seems to work fine. The Tamron lens that came with it is worth much more than what I paid for it.

Paul Howell · Jul 2, 2023

Not sure if the same problem, but my old Sigma SA7 and 9 died of what I call the orange death. Over time the viewers in both cameras tuned yellowish then orange has gotten worse with age. I was told by Sigma that it is caused by the glue that used to make the pentaprism, others have said that it can clean off, although none have managed to clean it. I have Minolta 5, no issues whatso ever.

neilt3 · Jul 4, 2023

xkaes said:
I know that the Minolta Maxxum 5 (AKA, Dynax 5, α-Sweet II) is a unique critter. It has its own eye-cup, the EC-1200, and its own battery pack, the BP-200, among other features.

What I'm trying to figure out is if the focusing screen can be removed. It appears that it probably can, as it looks like it is held in place by a couple of small tabs.

I'm not looking to replace the screen, but the viewfinder has a bright orange appearance -- even without a lens on the camera. The outer eyepiece looks clean, as does the mirror and the bottom of the focusing screen. I'm thinking that there might be a stain of some sort -- hopefully removable -- on the inside of the screen or on the pentaprism.

How it got there, I have no idea. I bought it at a thrift store for $10 with a GREAT Tamron 28-200mm lens -- which works fine. So if I can't repair it, I'm still "in the black", but I'd like to know if anyone has experience removing Maxxum focusing screens.

There's a known , common fault with this last series of camera .
The discoloration is usually blue though , it is on one of my 5's .
See this thread and it's links .
https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=70198&PID=796650&title=blue-fringing-in-vf#796650

BobD · Jul 4, 2023

The discoloration in my Maxxum 70 is faint and does not prevent it from being used.

Oddly, it is in the shape of a fingerprint. I suspect it is the print of the worker who assembled it.

The camera is still a little gem, though. Only manufactured for 2 years so there aren't many out there. I understand the Maxxum 3/4/5 models are the smallest AF SLRs ever made. The 70 is only slightly larger with many useful features. It's also the only one of these last Maxxum models made in all black finish, I believe.

xkaes · Jul 4, 2023

BobD said:
I understand the Maxxum 3/4/5 models are the smallest AF SLRs ever made. The 70 is only slightly larger with many useful features. It's also the only one of these last Maxxum models made in all black finish, I believe.

You're correct. They are amazingly small and especially light. The 3 is the most automatic, and the 5 has the most features. The manual for the 5 is 128 pages long. The Maxxum 5 (US) was also sold as the Dynax 5 in Europe and the Alpha Sweet II in Japan. The Alpha Sweet II was available in black -- not hard to find, but ten times as expensive. You can get a Maxxum 5 for $10-20. The Sweet II in black? $100-200.

The Maxxum 5/Dynax 5/Alpha Sweet II had its own battery pack (BP-200) which used four AA batteries instead of the two CR2 batteries. I use it because it adds some heft to the camera, and it also makes it a little larger and easier to grip -- THAT'S how small and light it is.

Today I bought another Maxxum 5 -- $9 with a lens. In perfect condition. I don't need it, but it's basically free.

BobD · Jul 4, 2023

Until recently I tended to shun camera automation, preferring mostly mechanical cameras. The most automated camera I owned was a Nikon N2020.

But, my aging eyes finally got the better of me and I figured I better try something more "modern". There are lots of P&S cameras out there that people pay hundreds of dollars for and they don't even have interchangeable lenses or much user control options. That's when I started looking at Minolta's later Maxxum models. They're selling for so little and I figured the Maxxum prime lenses were probably quite good as well. And, these little Maxxums are not much bigger than a P&S camera.

I got myself a thrift store Maxxum 70 and I have to admit it is a sweet little thing. It will even rewind the film leaving the leader out which I prefer and do many other things I haven't even learned yet. I've also started a collection of Maxxum primes and so far have the 20, 24 and 50/1.7. Those 3 lenses only cost me about $150 in total. All are 1st-generation lenses which, I'm told, are more ruggedly built than the later Sony versions.

Why would anyone want to spend hundreds on a fixed lens P&S when you can have a setup like this for the same or less money?

aw614 · Jul 4, 2023

My old thrift store findHTSI+ had the viewfinder issue where it had blue discolorization, it didn't affect photos, but it did have an ERR issue after taking a shot. Never figured it out and it didn't seem to affect photos being taken as the film still advanced, but I ended up selling it with a 28-100 lens that came with the Maxxum 5 I later picked up to a guy who wanted it for the lens to work on his a-mount digital body.

Now I mostly just use the 50mm 1.4, 135mm or one of the two zoom lenses 35-105 and 70-210 on my Maxxum 5.

I've been tempted to get a 25-50 F4 though.

lantau · Jul 5, 2023

My Dynax 5 has the same stain. It is my backup camera in case the plastic aperture gear in my Dynax 7 eventually breaks. I have two lenses with build in focus drives, and only the 5 and the 7 can use these. And a converted 9.

xkaes · Jul 5, 2023

aw614 said:
I've been tempted to get a 25-50 F4 though.

That Minolta 24-50mm f4 is a great lens, for sure, but I decided on the Vivitar (Tokina, I think) 24-48mm f3.8 instead. And there are a lot of others to choose from -- from 24-40mm to 24-70mm. Have a look a:

http://www.subclub.org/minman/lenstable.htm

Paul Howell · Jul 5, 2023

Most of the lens listed are for the older MD manual focus lens which are not compatiable with the A or Auto Focus mount. In AF Minolta, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina, there are a few bottom feeder Vivitar made in China that were rebranded Vivitar after someone bought the name when Pound and Best went out of business. And by the way there are not any adaptors that work. I do have a M42 to Minolta A mount adaptor with pins that allow for limited functions. Your 5 will work with all A lens including newer SSM or micro motor lens. Here is a link to KEH offering of bodies and lens in A mount.

Used Sony & Minolta A Camera Gear - Buy & Sell Online at KEH Camera

Buy and sell used Sony A and Minolta A camera gear at KEH Camera. Save up to 40% off retail price and get a 180-day warranty! Financing options available.

www.keh.com

xkaes · Jul 5, 2023

You're right. That list is for manual focusing Minolta cameras, but many were sold as auto-focusing lenses as well. Most of Minolta's Rokkor lenses were converted to Maxxum lenses with no change to the optical design -- and other lens makers did the same.

And all of these manual focusing lenses can be used on a-mount cameras with adapters -- with certain limitations of course, #1 being NO auto-focusing.

Paul Howell · Jul 5, 2023

The film to flange distance are not the same, the few adaptors for MD to A have a glass balance lens to focus at infinity which makes the lens a teleconverter. Most of the adaptors I see are MD to E mount, micro 3/4 and other mirrorless mounts. I do have a M42 to A mount adaptor, it has a pin set up that enables the electronics on the camera to work in A and manual exposure mode. Canon had the same issue, the FD mount has a closer film to flange distance the EOS (EF) mount, but they did make an adaptor matched for the longer L glass FD lens. The 24 to 50 is a great lens, for a walk around an inexpensive is the 28 to 100 D. not as fast at 100 its 5.6, but light weight and is 8 pin, able to use all the camera flash functions. Not as wide, the first generation 36 to 70 F4, really sharp, the deign came to Minolta from Leica.

Odd Minolta Maxxum Dynax 5 problem with viewfinder

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