Kevin England
Forum Enthusiast
I tried out digital with a simple Fuji 2400zoom, as a back up to my 35mm Nikons (I shoot slides, and the family prefer prints). I got hooked on the immediacy of digital.
This takes wonderful photographs, 5 mpix will enlarge to A4 with no problems, night shots are superb, and the ability to check exposures on the evf really helps.
The size and weight enable me to carry a light tripod, and the very soft shutter release seems to allow some very slow handheld shots.
My only reservation is build quality, my first Nikon FM lasted almost 20 years, this clearly will not!! But I think my expectations are too high - on the build front.
Considering the range the zoom lens is exceptional. The autofocus is sometimes vague - and its hopeless for taking photos at air shows - manual focus solves that problem. I find the manual focus is essential unless the lens is stopped down - but after years of fully manual cameras I actually prefer this option.
Controls are very easy to use, and most common functions can be controlled without stepping through menus.
On balance a really nice camera, just handle it carefully, it is not going to handle abuse like a 1970s Nikon!!
Brought a 3600 flash to go with it - as long as camera is used in M or A mode the results with the 3600 are outstanding.
Problems:
The battery issue is well documented - I carry three sets, but still like the fallback option of buying ordinary batteries in an emergency.
First Dimage 7 evf failed after two months. Minolta UK failed to fix problem (and ion their second attempt they somehow disconnected the EV control!!) The friendly dealer exchanged the 7 for a 7i (I had to pay the difference in price.) Looking at the web site there are numerous concerns about Minolta service in various parts of Europe.
Flash is dreadful in P mode - have to use A in order to get any depth of field. Flash dfaults to full aperture in P mode - even with a 3600
This takes wonderful photographs, 5 mpix will enlarge to A4 with no problems, night shots are superb, and the ability to check exposures on the evf really helps.
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The size and weight enable me to carry a light tripod, and the very soft shutter release seems to allow some very slow handheld shots.
My only reservation is build quality, my first Nikon FM lasted almost 20 years, this clearly will not!! But I think my expectations are too high - on the build front.
Considering the range the zoom lens is exceptional. The autofocus is sometimes vague - and its hopeless for taking photos at air shows - manual focus solves that problem. I find the manual focus is essential unless the lens is stopped down - but after years of fully manual cameras I actually prefer this option.
Controls are very easy to use, and most common functions can be controlled without stepping through menus.
On balance a really nice camera, just handle it carefully, it is not going to handle abuse like a 1970s Nikon!!
Brought a 3600 flash to go with it - as long as camera is used in M or A mode the results with the 3600 are outstanding.
Problems:
The battery issue is well documented - I carry three sets, but still like the fallback option of buying ordinary batteries in an emergency.
First Dimage 7 evf failed after two months. Minolta UK failed to fix problem (and ion their second attempt they somehow disconnected the EV control!!) The friendly dealer exchanged the 7 for a 7i (I had to pay the difference in price.) Looking at the web site there are numerous concerns about Minolta service in various parts of Europe.
Flash is dreadful in P mode - have to use A in order to get any depth of field. Flash dfaults to full aperture in P mode - even with a 3600