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Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D (Dynax 5D) review

Started Dec 16, 2005 | User reviews thread
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DaddyBit Contributing Member • Posts: 544
Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D (Dynax 5D) review

I've made a transition from film SLR (Pentax system).

Now my KM 5D is a month old. I've also got 28-75/2.8 lens
and Minolta 5600HS flash. Everything is working fine.

The quality of pictures is amazing.

With 5600HS' red lamp AF assist the camera is capable to focus in VERY dim light.

AntiShake gives me ability to shoot sharp pictures handheld
in low light. I couldn't even dream about this with my film Pentax!

During this month two of my pictures made with KM5D became
"Shot of the Day" on my city's local site. Colour rendition is very
good.

I shoot RAW and use RawShooter premium converter.
I've tested Adobe Camera Raw, Phase One C1, Bibble 4
and Minolta's software. The RawShooter is the best to me.
Very capable, quick and user friendly. Hope that developers will
make fine tuned profile for 5D.

Lens: Kit lens 18-17/4.5-5.6 is very good. My winning
pictures where made with it. Pity it is not fast enough
to me. That is why I bought fast and very sharp 28-75/2.8.

The ergonomics is very good. I can change camera settings
very quickly. Need some time to get accustomed with camera
but not much.

I like the size and wheight. Though the battery grip would
make it ideal to my hands.

AF sensitivity is very good, although speed could be better.

5600HS flash: very accurate and capable. The remote mode
gives me ability to place the flash elsewhere aside from camera
without any cords. Dedicated platform makes it possible to put
the flash on the flat surface or mount it on tripod or studio
stand. The rotating head is a must. High Speed Sync mode
works up to 1/4000 sec!

Problems:

My complaints are:

1. From the start the camera shows half of the charge
with fully charged battery. This couldn't be battery fault
as I bought another brand new battery from Minolta and
the result was the same. I don't know yet is it worth to fix it.

2. The 28-75/2.8 has a slight front focus at 75 mm and
a slight back focus at the short range. The middle range
is OK.

3. No PC sync. I had to bought PC sync adaptor PCT-100
(another 100$) to get ability to sync the camera with
studio strobes. (see KM 7D)

4. Mirror flap sound is too harsh to me. My Pentax SLR is
noticeably quieter. AFAIK the mirror sound is the old week
point of Minolta's cameras.

5. I wish the AF speed would faster. The autofocusing on moving
objects could be better. Though in most cases the AF is OK.

6. No possibility to attach battery grip (see KM 7D)

7. The kit lens should be faster (say, constant apperture of 4 at all
focal lengths), but it would affect the price.

8. Very hard to get a good Minolta lenses for a fear price in my country,
while Nikon and Canon are everywhere.

9. Bad Minolta's marketing in my country.

Dispite all these grips I love 5D very much. The ergonomics, antishake,
picture quality, remote flash mode, kit lens sharpness and large LCD easily
outweigh all aforementioned drawbacks (or features).

Highly recommended!

Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D (Dynax 5D)
6 megapixels • 2.5 screen • APS-C sensor
Announced: Jul 15, 2005
DaddyBit's score
4.3
Average community score
4.7
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