What Minolta was the top of the line?

[Rob Skeoch]

I realize that Minolta is no longer and that Sony Alpha cameras use the same lens mount since Sony bought Minolta.

I've switched to the Alpha cameras for my digital needs but would like a film camera with the same mount.

I'm switching from Canon and although I use this gear mostly for digital I do own a top of the line Canon Eos IV film camera.

Besides the full frame Alpha bodies I now have their Zeiss 135mm F1.8 and Zeiss Planar 85 F1.4 lens.

My question is what model was Minolta's top of the line/best ever/latest version of a high end film camera.

-rob

 

[Eric Rose]

IMHO this was the top of the line for Minolta.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/minoltaxk/index.htm

There were newer cameras that came out but this one is really sweet. As long as you don't want AF.

If AF is important then this one:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/maxxum7k/index.htm

I've used this camera I IMHO it's a pukie light thing.

 

[ellisson]

I use a Maxxum 9, one of the last high end film camera produced by Minolta. Excellent build, features and performance. The Maxxum 9 (and the cheaper Maxxum 7) will take the Sony Alpha lenses.

 

[jd callow]

I used the XE from the 70's and I feel it is on par with the Fe2 (and I prefer both to the bigger bulkier F3 or 4 nikons). I can't comment on the newer minoltas other than the DSLR's

 

[naaldvoerder]

The Dynax (Maxxum) 9 is a incredible camera. Build like a brick house and rasorsharp to use...

 

[David Brown]

I've switched to the Alpha cameras for my digital needs but would like a film camera with the same mount.

My question is what model was Minolta's top of the line/best ever/latest version of a high end film camera.

Minolta film cameras with the same mount are the Maxxum or Dynax models. The Maxxum 9 was the latest top of the line model. The Maxxum 7 runs close behind and is not very expensive on the used market.

As for "best ever", that always starts a discussion and will include manual focus cameras that are not the same mount.

(SHHH ... PM sent about the d*i*g*i* part ... )

 

[Ian Grant]

As for "best ever", that always starts a discussion and will include manual focus cameras that are not the same mount.

(SHHH ... PM sent about the d*i*g*i* part ... )

SR-1 or even an SRT-101 Even the Chinese copied it.

Ian

 

[David Brown]

SR-1 or even an SRT-101

I know, Ian! It's the x700. No, it's the XD11. No, it's the SRTs.

My solution is to own all of them.

 

[Vonder]

Recommending a Minolta MD-mount camera misses the OP's desire. I'm a longtime Minolta MD user and dallied with Maxxum early this century. I got a Maxxum 5 and 7. Fine cameras. But I could never afford a 9. Even nowadays they go for a lot ($400-500). So when I got back into the game, picking up the incredibly-low priced Sony Alpha 200, I also tried to get a decent film body too. Bought a 5000 and then a 5 body, both defective. I ended up buying a 800si (actually the Japanese version 807si) and am impressed with it. For less than $150 I got many of the features of the 9 and the camera was nearly new. I highly recommend it.

 

[frank]

If anyone is interested in an XK, let me know.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning;

Some others have suggested the Maxxum 9. I agree. I have one also. It is being used also for adaptor testing. At some point, it might be treated to a Sony/Carl Zeiss lens.

Also for "frank;" I am interested in an XK.

 

[Graham.b]

I still have and will allway's will, a 800 si, very quick and quiet. My wife has the 600 classic. I did have the 7000 and still regret getting rid of it.

Graham

 

[Ondrej1]

Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha 9, top line (9 class), can be upgraded for SSM lenses. Full list of Minolta/Sony A-mount cameras can be found here

 

[yurihuta]

Someone mentioned the XE. I think this is the same as a North America XE-7. This had the sweetest sounding shutter I have ever personally heard. I really enjoyed photographing with this body. Mine was all black and I kick myself from time to time for selling it.

 

[dynachrome]

Of the AF cameras the 9Xi was the top model until the Maxxum 9 came out. The XK was nominally the top non-AF camera. I say nominally because it sold poorly and was not upgraded past the AES finder. The XD-11 had both shutter priority and aperture priority automation and the X-700 had TTL flash metering. When I decided to get a 35mm SLR with a removable finder I bought a Canon F-1 instead. I still enjoy using my SRT cameras and I really like the X-700 with the 280PX for flash work. The Canon F-1 accessories are easier to find than those for the XK so I don't lnpw whether I will ever get an XK. I suppose the XK Motor was the ultimate manual focus Minolta SLR.

 

[unohuu]

Maxxum/Dynax 9 if you want the fastest shutter speed available on a film body. The Maxxum/Dynax 7 was actually the newer body already capable of the SSM lenses, but it was the "prosumer" model. Either a fine camera to use and own...and coupled with some of the spectacular Minolta glass, you can't go wrong. My wife still shoots film with an STsi and I keep thinking I should replace the Maxxum 7 body that I grew to love before the switch to the Nikon F100.

 

[FilmOnly]

I bought an XG-M not too long ago, and am liking it very much. I do not know if it, in objective terms, should be called "best," but it has all that I require (and prefer) in an SLR:

--metered manual operation
--a shutter speed range of 1-1/1000 (a couple of slower speeds and a 1/2000 setting would be ideal, but I would rarely use them)
--excellent viewfinder--in terms of both brightness and display features
--good handling characteristics
--solid build
--the availability of a winder and/or motor drive (it offers both)
--access to quality lenses

Considering the fact that I paid $50 for my near-mint (and hardly used) example, I cannot imagine a better overall choice. I have added a Motor Drive 1. I also bought a near-mint MD Rokkor-X 50/1.7 for a whopping $9.05, and have yet to pay more than $40 for an MC lens. Before I forget: I have used and owned a number of SLRs, and the XG-M's viewfinder is the best I have come across--big, bright, and very life-like.

 

[Karl K]

The Maxxum 9Ti was the top of the line. It was a titanium bodied version of the 9, with some upgraded firmware. Some folks consider this camera to be the finest 35mm AF SLR ever made. I think there were only about 1000 produced. I had two and foolishly sold them. The 7 was a scaled down version of the 9; many shooters prefer the 7. If you want to spend less, I would suggest the 600si as a full featured, albeit amateur-oriented body.

 

[Vsanzbajo]

In my opinion the Minolta 9xi is an incredible camera. It gets my vote. Any others think the same?
Thanks