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Maxxum/Dynax/A9xi

Started Dec 31, 2019 | Questions
joelbolden Regular Member • Posts: 195
Maxxum/Dynax/A9xi
1

I just ordered a what is described near mint one.  For me it's sort of a culmination of my Minolta stable...going backwards in time; a 7xi, XD-11(winder), X-370(winder), Hi-matic 11, SRT201.  I use all of them.  I've read the reviews I can find on the 9xi, and looked at a couple of utube videos. The main criticism, outside of the cards, is that Minolta took a totally different approach in functionality and it requires a certain learning curve.  Does anyone out there have one, and is this impression correct?  I've no problem learning how to do it differently...…..

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paul_kew Senior Member • Posts: 1,857
Get a book
1

Hi, to give you a clue , have a quick read of http://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.com/2011/08/minolta-dynax-9xi.html

you'll understand why you need to get a book on it . Hove in the UK had one by Harry Hennings , expensive on ebay.com , there's one at mrCad in the UK for £5 but I don't know if they will post to the USA.

Then make a crib sheet to keep with the camera for the button pressing/dial twirling sequences needed for lesser used changes. Or any changes. People complain about current menus but at least they have built in instructions.

You can keep it in P all the time & use either front or rear dials to basically change it into A or S modes (they aren't but I've never worked out what the difference is, you control either aperture or shutter speed and the camera decides the other value).

IF not I may have time to go through it & type out the sequences (if I can find my copy).

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OP joelbolden Regular Member • Posts: 195
Re: Get a book
2

Great blog, Paul. I'll be reading it again and again.  I already use a 7xi and both the Pz-1 and Pz-1p, so I've some experience with this generation of camera.  I'm not sure if this camera comes with the expansion cards.  It had one owner, a professional photographer, who hadn't used it in a while.  If not, then I have every intention of obtaining at least the custom card.  There is a very good video on Utube about setup that I'll use.  Since I already have a good selection of both xi and AF lens for the 7xi, I should be fine in that respect.  I'll be posting photos.

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60yearsphotographyandcounting Forum Member • Posts: 54
Re: Maxxum/Dynax/A9xi
1

Hi Joel,

I bought this camera new when it was introduced and I still have it (along with many lenses)

It is the most simple and intuitive camera I have ever had (I have some 68 years of photography and have/ have had too many camera to count them).

Read for example this review:

https://photographic-central.blogspot.com/2011/03/minolta-maxxum-9.html

The author concludes

No other SLR I've used comes close to it's unique and simple utilitarianism. The Maxxum 9 is equipped with most of what you'll need but it seems almost too simple to use and operate...

Have fun with your Maxum 9!

neilt3
neilt3 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,008
Re: Maxxum/Dynax/A9xi
1

60yearsphotographyandcounting wrote:

Hi Joel,

I bought this camera new when it was introduced and I still have it (along with many lenses)

It is the most simple and intuitive camera I have ever had (I have some 68 years of photography and have/ have had too many camera to count them).

Read for example this review:

https://photographic-central.blogspot.com/2011/03/minolta-maxxum-9.html

The author concludes

No other SLR I've used comes close to it's unique and simple utilitarianism. The Maxxum 9 is equipped with most of what you'll need but it seems almost too simple to use and operate...

Have fun with your Maxum 9!

The Maxxum 9 and the Maxxum 9xi asked about are two very different cameras , and not the same camera that you are linking too .

The Maxxum 9 is a very nice camera to use , very easy to alter settings for shooting and flash etc on the go .

Either a dial or a switch , job done .

The Maxxum 9xi being discussed here on the other hand is a bit of a pain to use .

All this "press and hold this , while pressing or turning that ..." Not that user friendly .

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havanna60 Senior Member • Posts: 1,640
Summary of your experience with 7xi or 9xi requested

I am looking for a camera like these, and I'd appreciate if you shared your film photography experience in 2020 with 7xi/9xi.

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MikeInOr
MikeInOr Senior Member • Posts: 1,630
Re: Summary of your experience with 7xi or 9xi requested

havanna60 wrote:

I am looking for a camera like these, and I'd appreciate if you shared your film photography experience in 2020 with 7xi/9xi.

I have one of each. Neither are my go to film cameras. I have other Maxxums that I prefer including the 7, 9, 800si and 7000 (15 years of shooting with a 7000 is hard to ignore). As such I have only put 1 roll of film through the 9xi which was a couple years ago when I acquired it. My memory is that it is a very good solid camera giving great results. The metering and AF systems are an improvement over the 7000. I do not have any cards and never tried any of the advanced features of the 9xi.

If you are looking for a solid performing film camera the 9xi will definitely get the job done. It is definitely a big improvement over any of the sub 7 series Maxxums in my opinion. One of the xi primary weaknesses in my opinion is the interface is considerably different than my other Maxxums and as such it isn't the best at being an occasional shooter when you are also shooting other Maxxums if you want to use some of the advanced features. However if you want to use it as a very good SLR and ignore all the advanced features it is very easy to pick up, load a roll of film and get excellent results in program, shutter priority, aperture priority or manual exposure modes. The advanced functions are really for tuning the program mode for specific instances which are really best taken care of by the photographer by using the aperture priority or shutter speed priority mode in which the 9xi is right at home.  If you are considering a 9xi as your primary film camera I am sure you will master the interface to unlock the advanced features.

How are you planning on using the xi?

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