Minolta AF

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The Minolta AF-mount.
The Minolta AF-mount.

The Minolta AF camera system was a revolutionary collection of photographic equipment from Minolta. It was marketed as Maxxum in North America and Alpha (or α) in Japan and the rest of Asia ,with a FFD 44.5mm.

In Europe early Minolta AF cameras were only identified by a 4 digit number followed by AF. The name Dynax was introduced later with the "i" cameras, the second generation of Minolta AF camera.

It was originally based around a selection of three 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) bodies, the 5000, 7000 and 9000. The system also included an extensive range of auto-focus lenses, flashes, a motor drive and other accessories. Compatible equipment was made by a number of third parties including Sigma.

In the following years, many different cameras and accessories were added to the range.

The last film-based AF SLRs produced by Minolta were the Maxxum 50 (AKA Dynax 30 and Dynax 40) and the Maxxum 70 (AKA Dynax 60 and Alpha 70), built in China. The Dynax/Maxxum/α branding was also used on three Minolta digital SLRs, prior to the acquisition by Sony (RD-3000, 7D, 5D).[1][2]

When Sony acquired Konica Minolta's camera technologies in 2006, they chose the "α" brand name (already in use by Minolta in Asia) for their new "Sony α" digital SLR system. The Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha lens mount (which was retained from the old cameras) is now officially known as the "α mount system".[3]

Contents

[edit] First generation

[edit] Bodies

[edit] 7000

Main article: Minolta Maxxum 7000

The Minolta 7000 was the first successful AF SLR using a motor integrated in the camera body. It was released in 1985 together with 11 lenses and 2 flashguns. The 7000 featured one AF-sensor, shutter speeds of 1/2000-30 seconds, flashsync speed of 1/100s, exposure compensation of +-4EV in 0.5 steps, center weighted lightmetering and two frames per second.

[edit] 9000

Main article: Minolta 9000

The 9000, a camera aimed at professionals, was released later the same year, and featured shutter speeds of 1/4000-30 seconds, center weighted and spot lightmetering, exposure compensation of +-4EV in 0.5 steps and a flashsync speed of 1/250s. Unlike the 7000, the 9000 had no internal motordrive, but with the addition of the MD-90 you would get 5 frames per second.

[edit] 5000

The 5000, Minolta's entry level camera, was released in 1986, it featured shutter speeds of 1/2000-30 seconds, center weighted lightmetering, exposure compensation of +1EV, flashsync speed of 1/100s and fully automatic programs.


[edit] Accessories

[edit] Motor drive MD90

While the 5000 and 7000 had autowinders built in, the 9000, aimed at the professional and semi-professional market came with the option of a two to five frame per second motordrive. This could be powered by either a rechargeable Ni-Cad power pack (NP-90) or a battery pack designed to hold twelve AA batteries (BP90).

[edit] Autowinder AW90

A late addition was the AW90 autowinder for the 9000, with a maximum speed of about 2.5 frames per second.


[edit] Second generation

[edit] Bodies

[edit] 7000i

Main article: Minolta 7000i

This camera had the usual Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE and metered manual exposure modes(standard on the 7000), TTL autoflash(like the 7000) and added a newer faster and more sensitive AF system, faster film advance, new flash hot-shoe that was incompatible with the older flash system. The 7000i supported the Maxxum lens system, and other accessories such as the remote cords. Perhaps more innovative than any other improvement was the expansion card system. While also used in other models in the i-series, some models in the xi-series, and some si-series cameras, the Minolta Creative Expansion Card System debuted on this model. The expansion card system provided a way to add features to the camera, such as multi-spot metering, or re-program the built-in AE modes to favor faster shutter speeds or smaller apertures, such as the sports action card. While most of the cards' functions and effects could be duplicated by a technically knowledgeable photographer using the camera without the expansion cards, the card system was handy for less technically skilled users who just wanted to photograph their child's soccer/football team for example, without needing to learn about exposure settings and the effect they might have on how a picture "looked". This camera directly was squarely aimed at the same market as the 7000.

[edit] 5000i

Main article: Minolta 5000i

Built-in flash with a zoom head, programmed AE and metered manual exposure out of the box, adding the A/S expansion card provided two additional AE modes, Shutter-priority and Aperture-priority. A fairly direct replacement for the earlier 5000.

[edit] 8000i

Essentially added a PC flash-sync terminal, ME capability, and faster shutter to the 7000i feature-set. This camera was not a direct replacement for the earlier 9000, and lacked some features such as depth-of-field preview, but offered some additional features that were not on the 7000i. This camera was available in white as well.

[edit] 3000i

An entry level camera, exposure mode was program AE only, with a High-speed program option, no Creative Expansion Card support. An even more basic Maxxum, this camera was basically for the point-and-shoot user that wanted a system slr camera with interchangeable lenses and more powerful flashes, but didn't want the features on, or didn't want to pay for, the 5000i, 7000i, 8000i cameras. Most pros and amateurs alike consider this model to be the most useful and rugged Maxxum (Japan made model only) ever made.It is also the most durable.A lot of pros carry one as an emergency spare.

[edit] Third generation

[edit] Bodies

[edit] 2xi

A popular model among novice photographers the 2xi features a program mode (p-mode), Shutter priority mode(s-mode), aperture priority mode(a-mode), and fully manual mode(m-mode). There is also a self timer feature, a manual/ auto focus switch for use with the series of auto focus lenses, hot shoe mount compatible with i and xi flashes, and a screw mount for attachment of a tripod.

The 2xi is an auto focus camera that features TTL(through the lens) auto exposure and a spot metering system for testing the exposure on manual mode. Uses the typical alpha mount and is an all around useful camera for those that are not professional nor aspire to be. There is no cable release socket and the body is made of plastic.

[edit] 3xi

[edit] 5xi

[edit] 7xi

[edit] 9xi

9xi
9xi

The Minolta 9xi was the flagship of the xi series cameras. For more information go to Minolta 9xi

[edit] Fourth generation

[edit] Bodies

[edit] 400si

[edit] 500si

[edit] 600si

[edit] 700si

[edit] 800si

[edit] Fifth Generation

[edit] 5

[edit] 7

The Alpha/Dynax/Maxxum 7 was the most advanced film body produced by Minolta. Amongst its features, it had a function which could emulate the 135mm STF lens.

[edit] 9

The Alpha/Dynax/Maxxum 9 was released in 1998, and was Minolta's last professional film body. It had a maximum shutter speed capability of 1/12000 second, and a maximum frame rate of 5.5 frames/second. It just preceded the release of the SSM lenses, and as a result an upgrade was available in order to support the SSM lenses.

[edit] Digital SLR Bodies

[edit] 5D

Main article: Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D

[edit] 7D

Main article: Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D

[edit] Sony A100 / A200 / A300 / A350 / A700

Main article: Sony a

[edit] Lenses & Tele-Converters

[edit] Designations

  • DT - "Digital Technology", lenses for APS-C size digital sensors
  • APO - Apochromatic lens element(s)
  • G - "G Series", professional lenses
  • SSM - "SuperSonic Motor", in-lens ultrasonic motor used on some long telephoto G Series lenses. Autofocus will work with all digital Konica-Minolta and Sony bodies and 7, 5, 4, 60/70 and 9(with service firmware upgrade) film bodies.
  • D - "Distance Integration", lens provides subject distance information for utilization in the Advanced Distance Integration (ADI) flash mode
  • xi - Motorized Zoom
  • STF - "Smooth Transition Focus", lens contains a special element which makes transitions between in and out of focus areas very smooth. This gives a Bokeh of the highest quality.

[edit] Revisions

The designations below are for the most part a product of the user community, and not necessarily used by Minolta.

  • Original - Self explanatory
  • RS - Restyled (aka "New"), aesthetic changes, and possible faster focus or addition of D feature.
  • HS - "High Speed", upgraded gearing for faster autofocus, revised like a new model. Some lenses was upgradeable in authorised service centers too.
  • II - Some lens underwent more than just cosmetic changes, and are referred to as second version.
  • Sony - Lens designs under the Sony label, some aesthetic changes including the focus and/or zoom grip. Most of these lenses are re-badged RS lenses, with the exception of the Carl Zeiss lenses which are of a new design. Some have a different coating formula which is optimized for digital sensors.

[edit] AF Zoom Lenses

  • AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 (D)
  • AF 17-35mm f/3.5 G
  • AF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5
  • AF 24-50mm f/4 (Original, RS)
  • AF 24-70mm f/2.8
  • Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA
  • AF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 (RS, II)
  • AF 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 (D, Sony)
  • AF 28-70mm f/2.8 G
  • AF 28-75mm f/2.8 (D)
  • AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 (RS, D)
  • AF 28-80mm f/4-5.6 (xi, RS)
  • AF 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, RS)
  • AF 28-100mm f/3.5-5.6 (D)
  • AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 (RS, II)
  • AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 xi
  • AF 28-135mm f/4-4.5
  • AF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, II)
  • AF 35-70mm f/4 (Original, RS, II)
  • AF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 (RS, xi, II)
  • AF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, RS)
  • AF 35-200mm f/4.5-5.6 xi
  • AF 80-200mm f/2.8 (Original, HS)
  • AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Apo G (D) SSM
  • AF 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5
  • AF 70-210mm f/4
  • AF 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 (RS, II)
  • AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (Original, RS, D, Sony)
  • AF 100-200mm f/4.5
  • AF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (RS, APO, APO D)
  • AF 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 APO

DT Zoom Lenses

[edit] Prime Lenses

Standard Primes

Wide-angle Primes

  • AF 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye (Original, Sony)
  • AF 20mm f/2.8 (Original, RS, Sony)
  • AF 24mm f/2.8 (Original, RS)
  • AF 28mm f/2 (Original, RS)
  • AF 28mm f/2.8 (Original, Sony)
  • AF 35mm f/2.0 (Original, RS)
  • AF 35mm f/1.4 (Original, G, Sony)

Telephoto Primes

Macro Primes

[edit] AF Tele Converters

  • AF 1.4X Tele Converter (APO, APO II, (D), Sony)
  • AF 2X Tele Converter (APO, APO II, (D), Sony)
  • AF 2x M/A Converter-S (For use of manual lenses shorter than 300mm on AF bodies)
  • AF 2x M/A Converter-L (For use of manual lenses longer than 300mm on AF bodies)

[edit] 3rd Party Lenses

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nakamura, Karen, News: Recent top-five camera sales in Japan, photoethnography.com. Article written 2005-02-14, retrieved 2006-12-14. (Note Maxxum/Alpha digital camera name in list).
  2. ^ Minolta Dynax 7D review, ephotozine. Article retrieved 2006-12-14. (Note Dynax digital camera name).
  3. ^ Sony (2006-04-20). "Sony decides α as new brand for digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-09-29.

[edit] External links