Minolta Dynax / Maxxum 700si

Author: Simon Spiers, normal Amateur PHOTO GALLERYDate: Sun, Feb 27, '05 at 17:13 CET
ProGreat features
DOF button (great for the 50mmf1.4 lens)
ContraNoisy
Still suffers mirror vibrations but less than previous 7000i
Looks and feels a bit plasticy.
ThoughtsI only used thos camera for a few years untill i went digital. Metering is spot on every time and the controls are well positioned.
There is also a memory switch on the top left of the body that alows the user to store there favourite settings. The lock switch that you need to rotate to store you settings broke it's return spring last year, so i wave to push it back by hand.
Built in flash is a bit feeble but ok for fill in ect.
AF is next to usless with a telephoto and a moving object. I tryed to photograph some motorcycles moving towards my but the 700si just hunts back and forth without locking.Later Minolta's i have used seem a million times better than this camera.
My opinion -
If its cheap but it.
But if you can find a few more coins ,buy a later model.
 
Author: Madhu Sameer, normal AmateurDate: Mon, Sep 1, '03 at 07:46 CEST
ProI have used this camera and 5400 HS flash for 7 years now, and am in love with it. Wouldn't replace it with anything.
ContraOTOH, I guess at such cutting edge of the SLR technology, it matters little what camera you have. What matters more how good you are at taking pictures. A better camera would probably make a remarkable difference if one is a beginner?
ThoughtsI lost the original manual for both, the camera and the flash. I've been looking to replace it, but was confused as most places, including the Minolta website don't carry dynax 700si but do mention Maxxum 700 Si. Are they the same?
 
Author: [email protected]Date: not recorded
ProVery nice good spot metering
ContraDon't know yet
ThoughtsI just got this camera with a 28-105 lens in perfect shape. Can anyone tell me what price it is worth at present & what the 404 si is worth If anyone want to buy the 700 si what are they ready to pay Thank you at [email protected]
 
Author: Arnie Date: not recorded
ProNice flexible, all around camera.
ContraIn a moment of absentmindedness, mine was stolen from my camera bag!
ThoughtsIf David from Ireland who posted a comment on Nov. 20, 2001, is still interested in selling his Minolta 700si, please get in touch with me. I am eager to find a new, or relatively new 770si and am willing to pay competitive price.
 
Author: lifephoto.itDate: not recorded
ProSolid, confortable in your hand, flash
Contralittle door (on the right side uf the camera) to use second functions.
ThoughtsVery good camera
 
Author: DavidDate: not recorded
ProSolid, robust and takes fine pictures.
Contra??
ThoughtsI have a Minolta 700SI for sale with 28 - 80 lens. It was an unused present. It is in perfect working order. Any idea how much I can sell this for in Ireland. I have moved on to a Canon EOS and find it great.
 
Author: the2nddayDate: not recorded
Prouseful spot butten, vertical grip vc 700 is not only useful grip, but also battery pack.
Very good camera with lots of features.
Contra!!!!
Thoughtsenjoy your photo life with 700si
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
ProHigh speed shutter and more, more ....
ContraThe LCD body data panel is without own lightning option, the standard kit is without glass for focusing (much suitable in Manual fucus mode), the metering index in the viewfinder is dark always, on the dark subject also. There isn't the indication of program mode selected (P, A, S, M)in the viewfinder....
Thoughtsfor who cames from semimechanical camera, will be just a period to understand all the functions, their use, in combined mode also. will the same with other cameras.
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
Pro-
Contra-
ThoughtsI've used the 700si for serveral years now and here are my opinions about it:
- Despite of the plastic used on the camera it fits nice into my hands,especially with the vertical grip vc 700.
- Metering is dead-on. Only times that the slides were bad, were caused by my own foults(pushing the limits too far).
- since this was my first AF camera it worked well for me.

Recently I've started to switch to Canon, due to the following reasons: AF is far more superiour; some EOS camera's are much more quiet than the 700si,which is very loud(both AF and filmadvance); and finally also important is the better lensrange that Canon has for it's EOS-system.

There's one more thing a want to add. Be carefull with this camera if you use it in rainy conditions. The camera is far from waterproof! (once my releasebutton went dead cause of use in rainy weather. could only expose with releasebutton on VC-700)
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
Pro-
Contra-
ThoughtsI have owned the Minolta 700si. I bought it quite in a hurry for my first big vacation overseas. The main reason I bought this camera was price/features. In that regard Minolta has to offer a lot. Unfortunately, altough I bought quite some equipment I never *really* liked taking pictures. After I came back about 1/2 years later I started looking into other cameras. This time I did have *much* more time to really figure out what I wanted. I realized that Nikon and Canon are the really big and serious brands(besides MF cameras, of course). While Nikon has really great cameras the cameras from Canon are much more intuative and they lay much better in my hand. But what convienced me the most is Canon's lenses. They are very fast, great contrast, high resolution, offer features not found in any other lenses (i.e. IS), and are compatible to any body. Also while I do not use my cameras in the most extreme situations the built quality gives me a lot of convidence, i.e. in humid climate, slight rain, etc. As with any camera there are a few things that would be nice to have. In case of Canon it is a data (not date) back incl. QCD and connection to a PC, high-speed flash as offered with the latest bodies, and a custom setting that can be recalled a la Minolta. Despite these minor drawbacks which every camera has for my purpose Canon is THE best brand.
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
Pro-
Contra-
ThoughtsAlthough Dynax 700si isn't a strong,metal built camera(made by plastic),but it just OK for me.I think I won't have any chance to go to the world's highest mountain or world's largest desert,so the construction is just suitable for me. Unfortunately,it has been discontinued and replaced by Dynax 800si which little bit more highly specified than his brother.However you can get it in the used market. Finally,if you are serious about photography and for the sake of reliability and durability,do go for high-end cameras like Canon EOS 1N,Nikon F5, Dynax 9,or the latest Canon EOS 1V.But if you just want to take good quality photos,high-performance automation and be creative,then Minolta Dynax 700si is a better camera to grip on. Daniel Khoo,Malaysia.
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
Pro-
Contra-
ThoughtsI've been a Minolta user for a past 4 years.I've owned 3 of their cameras:Dynax 300si,Dynax 500si and Dynax 700si.For me,Dynax 300si was an excellent beginers camera that gave good images(only got Program and Picture mode selection).Second Minolta camera came in one year later,a gift from my sister.Dynax 500si has been a very useful tool since then.Year ago I began to search for a new 35mm SLR which could upgrade my skills.After my analysis and financial capability,finally I bought the 2nd hand Dynax 700si. I like it's eye-start autofocus(p/s don't confuse with the Canon's 45 points AF eye-control,this is simply a way to activate 2 sensors that will turn on the camera and effectively pre-focusing the lens for you,it's a useful time-saver),x-sync up to 1/8000 sec with Program Flash 5400HS(remarkable for daylight portrait),remote off-camera TTL flash control(wireless,it doesn't need flash controller!),high quality viewfinder(very bright),redesigned hot shoe(you can quickly move the flash in and out of the shoe),multi-function grip(affortable and worthwhile),creative expansion card(e.g intervalometer card,fantasy card,multi spot memory card,portrait card...and it costs
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
Pro-
Contra-
ThoughtsI had a 7xi that worked very well, but I could not get used to the little buttons to get to some of the functions, so I bought this 700si. Since then,I have been enjoying the camera tremendously. Ergonomics are great with the 'spot' instead of 'AEL' button. Flash and ambient exposures are nearly always perfect in program. Only mistakes are mine. The grip is a good accessory. Functionality is flawless. I've been debating for months now on whether to upgrade to a Dynax 9 or not, but I cannot seem to justify it based on camera performance. The 700si does everything at 1/3 the price! Only major complaint is the plastic and the overall build. The little red AF aid plastic piece came off once - I had to superglue it back. The plastic cover of the LCD also came off once. A few scratches on the grip because it is also in plastic.
 
Author: unknown (legacy entry)Date: not recorded
Pro-
Contra-
ThoughtsVery good camera with lots of features. In comparison to the 800 Si very practical spotmetering button. Plastic cover but solidly built. Enjoy it very much.