Minolta Dynax 500si / Maxxum 400si
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| Pro | I have had the 500 for 8 years and have had no problems at all. Used on more auto programs at first but now using more manually. | ||
| Contra | Auto focus doesn't like all white or dark areas but find just need to find a 'line' for it to focus on or if really stuck swich to manual focus. | ||
| Thoughts | Solid camera with a lot going for it. Definately allows you to grow. | ||
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| Pro | When you're a beginner it's easy to use. Just point and shoot.
The selectable subject programs are very usable. More control is also possible when you're getting more advanced | ||
| Contra | Lifetime
Plastic lens-mount which eventually wears down Autofocus is hard in low light scenes | ||
| Thoughts | Good camera for the beginner in which you can "grow into" photography.
After about 5 years the camera's autofocus motor would not turn off anymore. Even when camera was turned off. Now bought a Dynax 60 to be able to further use my lenses. | ||
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| Pro | Great beginner camera, pictures are perfect with AF lens. | ||
| Contra | I owned the 400si for over 3 years. The camera works great when it was new. Now it won't even turn on. I took it to the camera repair shop they told me that it was a class B repair. It will cost about $108 for the labor not including parts. And it will cost me a nonrefundable $10 for shipping and handling to have it estimate. | ||
| Thoughts | Like it at first, I think it is an okay camera after the problem I've encoutered. I think it is not worth it to have it repair the price of a new camera is getting cheaper everyday. | ||
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| Pro | The camera works great, although you have to know when to take control for special shots. | ||
| Contra | I can't get the #@%! lenses off the button for release does not work. | ||
| Thoughts | I guess I will find anouther body for my telephoto 100-300 lens. | ||
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| Pro | This camera worked reliably for me for four years and I had no real gripes about it. | ||
| Contra | After 4 years the camera refuses to work, there is something wrong with the electronics as far as I can judge. I have wasted countless rolls of film now and am afraid to send it for repairs 'HELP' | ||
| Thoughts | Not a good long-term choice | ||
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| Pro | Good entry level A/F SLR at a good price. Has most of the desired features of higher priced A/F SLR cameras. | ||
| Contra | Doesn't have a provision for a remote shutter release. I consider this a very important feature that should've been built into the camera. | ||
| Thoughts | If you want a low priced SLR, and you don't need a remote shutter release. Buy this model. | ||
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| Pro | A good camera, but good for the beginner to the semi pro!... | ||
| Contra | ...When reaching the semi-pro level, the camera lacks of many good features like: DOF preview,spot meter, cable to begin with!...The camera feels like plastic!... | ||
| Thoughts | I use this camera with the lens that came with it (minolta 35-70mm), but I laso use My Vivitar Series lenses on it (The 28-300 and the 19-35 mm with no problem at all!... If you plan on getting to a semi-pro or pro level get another camera, and specifically Nikon or Canon!...Minolta is good, but the practice has shown that Nikon and Canon are better cameras!... | ||
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| Pro | - | ||
| Contra | - | ||
| Thoughts | After being out of 35mm photography many years, I had previously owned an X-700, I bought a used 400si a few weeks ago with a 35-70 f3.5 Minolta lens. What I don't like is that it will not always take a picture in low light with the built-in flash, despite the fact it sends out little flashes trying to focus. Sometimes the AF doesn't work well in other situations, like focusing at infinity in distant landscape shots. This camera lacks spot metering, which was added to the 500si. Some people have reported a problem with the apeture motor burning out, but this seems to be caused by using lenses not made by Minolta. I bought my 400si mostly on price, it was only $159us in perfect condition. If you have a choice between a 400si and 500si, get the 500si. I'm going to trade my 400si in before my 3 month warranty expires, I'm looking at the 800si or Pentax Z1P to replace it. | ||
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| Thoughts | I bought my Dynax 500si in July 1999 not realizing that this model has been out since 1994 and has since been discontinued. Is that a concern? Why are there so many models out there? So far I've been pleased with the camera. I'm a novice photographer but I've noticed that sometimes the camera refuses to focus while in AF and I have to go to manual focus to take my shot, and the end result is satisfactory. | ||
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| Thoughts | Getting sharp pictures is a real hit and miss affair with this camera, even when using a tripod. The autofocus is sluggish and inaccurate, I now have to use manual focus if I want a sharp picture, which somewhat defeats the object of having an AF camera. About half the pictures I take on AF are out of focus, even when using a Minolta f1.7 50mm lens on a tripod. The feel of the camera is very plastic - save up those pennies and buy an 800si, which is an excellent, sturdy camera. | ||
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| Thoughts | THE MINOLTA MAXXUM 400SI HAS ALL THE BASIC AND ADVANCED FEATURES THAT A PHOTOGRAPHER COULD NEED. THERE ARE MANY CAMERA'S OUT THERE THAT ARE IN THE "?" ZONE. THE 400SI IS NOT ONE OF THEM. THE FUNCTIONS ARE EASY TO USE AND OPERATE. THE CAMERA IS EXCELLENT. THE PICTURES ARE PERFECT. I HAVE HAD MY MINOLTA FOR OVER 3 YEARS, AND NO PROBLEMS TO REPORT. | ||