When a reader presented this Minolta Maxxum 5 to the Jim Grey Home for Wayward Cameras, I had no idea how tiny it’d be. 

Indeed, upon its 2001 creation it was billed as the smallest and lightest autofocus SLR of all time. I prefer compact SLRs, so I was excited to present this diminutive Minolta.

 What is widespread about the Minolta Maxxum collection?

 The Minolta Maxxum series, released inside the Nineteen Eighties, changed into extremely good for introducing autofocus in SLR cameras, utilizing the A-mount for lenses. 

This innovation elevated photographers’ options and more advantageous taking pictures easily, influencing destiny camera designs.

History of Minolta Maxxum 5

This digicam has an arm’s period of specs, which is regular of late movie SLRs. I might not attempt to say all of them because the Maxxum five accomplishes everything you may think it would. 

It robotically loads, winds, and rewinds film. Aperture-priority, shutter-priority, guide, and programmed exposure modes are available. 

It functions as a shoe for Minolta’s distinct external flashes similarly to an integrated pop-up flash. From 1/4000 seconds to a full 30 seconds, its shutter capabilities.

The Maxxum 5 sports a 14-segment honeycomb-sample meter that highlights the selected recognition point and a seven-point autofocus mechanism. When you desire to manually focus, you can flip off autofocus by activating the front. Additionally, a button on the rear turns on spot metering., which uses simplest the middle metering segment.

The digicam reads the film cartridge’s DX code to set ISO from 25 to 5000. You can override that, but, and set ISO as little as 6 and as high as 6400.

 The digital camera even has an “eye start” characteristic — whilst your hand is on the grip, and also you carry your eye to the viewfinder, it starts off evolved metering and focusing right away. 

(I determined that function to be traumatic, so I grew to become it off.) 2 CR2 batteries energy this digicam, without which it is inert.

It says a lot about the 2001 state of the SLR artwork that the Maxxum five became considered a beginner’s SLR. The advanced newbie Maxxum 7 and the expert Maxxum 9 presented even extra capability.

The Maxxum 5 changed into a ton of digital cameras for its rate — $403 for just the body. I’m positive almost all of these got here with the 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Minolta AF Zoom kit zoom lens,

 but. Mine came to me with an almost honestly advanced 35-70mm f/4 Maxxum AF Zoom lens.

Functions of Minolta Maxxum 5

The characteristic dial rotates forever in both directions. You trade settings with the command wheel subsequent to the shutter release (see images underneath).

P/ASM selects application mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, and guide. Nice component about Minolta is that every one functions in all modes.

Rectangles are for multiple exposure (unlimited after reset) and auto bracketing in one, 2/3, half of, and 1/three forestall increments. 

Hint: most of the time auto bracketing works better in a single path, either beneath or over: set publicity reimbursement earlier than bracketing. For instance, to supply EV +1, 0, and +2 snapshots, set car bracketing to 1.0, then set exposure repayment to +1.Zero.O))) toggles beeping for awareness confirmation.

EyeStart toggles the pre-recognition feature when you grip and put the digital camera to your eye. I prefer to disable this except for sports images. The grip sensor can be circumvented with the aid of custom function whilst you wear gloves.

CUST accesses 14 custom capabilities. One I advise is eight = 3 to select application shift, which additionally transforms the five into a complicated camera, 

disabling car-popup flash and letting you manipulate lights. Program shift allows you to trade aperture and shutter speed in P mode.ISO affords movie pace override from 6 to 6400.

AF/ACS units autofocus mode: automatic, non-stop, or single-shot.Eyeball/WL selects red eye reduction and wi-fi flash, where 2:1 ratio is available by pressing the flash button.

What Was Done Well

It is exquisite what number of capabilities Minolta managed to p.C. Into this kind of small light-weight camera. 

Comparing by using specifications, the 5 competes with advanced-novice bodies from different carriers, specifically the Canon Elan 7 (EOS 33), Nikon N80 (F80), and Pentax 5N.

The Minolta consumer interface is obvious and predictable. One factor I like higher than on Canon fashions is that every one capabilities work in all modes. 

For instance, flash override and continuous recognition, among different matters, may be one at a time managed in Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Sports mode. On Canon bodies, the camera forces automation of those functions. 

If photographers agree with Program mode, why shouldn’t they additionally accept as true with Portrait and Landscape to reduce and maximize depth of area?

According to Minolta the 5 has the quickest autofocus in its elegance, although it is unclear what they mean with the aid of elegance, and whether or not fast designates time lag from close to to infinity,

 or ability to take the most snapshots of a transferring concern. Popular Photography tests indicate a 1/10 2d put off among button-press and shutter motion, “common of this elegance” they are saying. 

With 70-210/3.Five-4.5 lens set up, I can constantly zoom-frame a vehicle driving down a town street with perceptible hesitation for refocusing simply while the automobile passes, capturing 38 pix in 18.06 seconds for a mean fee of 2.1 frames/second.

Compared to Other Cameras

The following sections examine aggressive fashions.

Compared to the Maxxum/Dynax 4 (three)

The Minolta 5 shares body additives and user interfaces with the Minolta four, that’s equal to the Minolta three bought in positive markets (which include Asia). However the Minolta four offers best 3 unlighted autofocus points, 1/2000 and 1/90 fastest shutter and sync speeds, no DOF preview, no eye begin, 1.7 frames/2d, and plastic lens mount. For a savings of the most effective $40 and 15 grams, it rarely seems well worth it.

Compared to the Canon Elan 7 (EOS 33)

The Minolta 5 is not as quiet or as fast-winding as the Elan 7, but it gives maximum features besides rear-curtain flash, flash exposure repayment, and replicate lockup. 

The Minolta 5 has a great deal better low-light autofocus than the Elan 7, plus spot metering, lighter weight, and decreased cost. There are aspects of the Elan 7 that I do not like, 

most notably the AF-point selection keypad being disabled with the aid of default, the many features that stop running in special program modes (flash manipulation and multi-shot to name ), 

and automobile bracketing that doesn’t pause after 3 pictures.

Compared to the Nikon N80 (F80)

The Minolta five has integrated wireless flash controller, high-speed flash sync (HSS) with accessory flash, more autofocus factors, lighter weight, decrease cost, offers special software modes, and may pull off three instead of 2.5 frames in keeping with 2nd. But the Nikon 80 has wider viewfinder coverage, rear-curtain flash, flash publicity reimbursement, and a beneficial custom feature to impose a grid within the viewfinder. Low-light autofocus on the 2 bodies is in addition extremely good. I am a big fan of the Nikon eighty, but the Minolta outspecs it in a few ways.

Compared to the Pentax ZX-5n (MZ-5n)

The Pentax 5N has most effective 3 non-selectable autofocus points, the fastest shutter velocity is 1/2000 no longer 1/4000 2nd, flash sync pace is only 1/a hundred no longer 1/a hundred twenty five 2d, and its motor winds at handiest 1.8 frames in step with 2d. The Pentax additionally lacks multiple exposure, special software modes, custom functions, and high-pace sync functionality. On the plus aspect, the Pentax can do rear-curtain sync with accessory flash, and the viewfinder has diopter adjustment.

Compared to the Maxxum/Dynax 7

The Minolta 7 presents a handy photograph of 14-section metering at the lower back, displaying which segments are overexposed or underexposed, and by means of how much. It also gives a intensity-of-area readout with D lenses, and you can regulate aperture at the same time as DOF preview is activated. The 7 offers 1/8000 pinnacle shutter velocity, 1/2 hundred flash sync, records memory, and complete-time manual cognizance override for contact-ups. Rear-curtain flash and flash publicity compensation are supplied. You can customize auto bracketing order (as an instance dark to mild). The 7’s managed format is more old-fashioned (with knobs), which a few parents pick. However there may be no Panic button, and no pre-set software modes, despite the fact that customers can configure 3 custom modes including exposure approach and the whole lot else.

The Minolta 9 expert body has the extra benefits of sturdiness, MLU, speedy body charge, powerful AF motor, VC grip, PC flash connection, a hundred% viewfinder, and interchangeable focus displays.

FAQ’s

What form of camera is the Minolta Maxxum 5?

 The Minolta Maxxum 5 is a 35mm autofocus single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera.

What functions does the Maxxum 5 provide?

 It offers features like autofocus, multi-segment metering, and various exposure modes, along with software, aperture precedence, and shutter precedence.

What is the best shutter speed of the Minolta Maxxum 5?

The most shutter velocity is 1/4000 of a 2d.

Is the Minolta Maxxum five well suited with other Minolta lenses?

Yes, it’s miles like minded with Minolta AF lenses designed for the Maxxum line.

When turned into the Minolta Maxxum five launched?

The Minolta Maxxum five was launched in 2001.

Bottom Line

The Minolta Maxxum 5 sticks out as a flexible and person-pleasant 35mm SLR digicam, combining autofocus era with advanced functions. 

Its compatibility with a wide range of Minolta lenses makes it a treasured desire for each amateur and experienced photographer.

 This camera efficiently captures the essence of its era, blending innovation with accessibility.

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