Dimage A2 issue with firmware (faulty autofocus w/ hi ISO or multispot)

[Daniel Munoz]

On Konika Minolta Dimage A2, I've remarkably found two broad groups of on-line prices: those around USD500, and those around USD800.

For the first group, the words "refurbished", "remanufactured" and the like appear quite often, while nothing is mentioned for the second group.

Also remarkably, the dpreview readers posting comments about Dimage A2 fall into two groups: those reporting "autofocus does not work in multispot/matrix mode, and/or with high ISO settings", and those saying it goes fine.

So believing there are two different A2s in the market, I asked Minolta's support office in Ireland about

• their opinion on this,
• how I can check the firmware version
• which should the right firmware version be
• if by date or any other info can I track a right A2, which I am interested in buying

Sadly, no answer came back... so I thought maybe someone in dpreview or its readers can throw some light (;-D) and put the thing into focus (;-DD)

Thanks!!!

 

[KEITH-C]

Provided that the re-furbished camera looks OK & comes with full accessories you would do better to get it.

It will have been thoroughly checked & any potential problems should have been sorted. Firmware can be upgraded if necessary & therefore is not an issue providing you carefully follow the instructions & have your camera on a ac supply rather than risk the batteries running down as you perform the upgrade.

Keith-C

 

[Daniel Munoz]

Thanks a lot Keith for the fast response!

Do you (or someone else) which the latest firmware for A2 should be? I checked the KM web page and the latest one claims to fix "support for 4G microdrives" only... so I wonder whether the autofocus item is closed by that firmware.

Did any dpreview fun experienced the autofocusing problem I described, and did the problem disappear after upgrading the A2 firmware?

Rgds, let the Light be with you (c) Master Yoda

 

[DickSnyder]

I am presently trying to decide whether to purchase an A2 or an A200. I became concerned with the talk about problems with autofocus. I found this website which had some helpful information on the problem:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/minolta-a2-location.shtml

I have not read about similiar AF problems with the A200 but that might just mean that I haven't look far enough.

 

[WmAx]

Has anyone ever experienced the AF problem with the refurbished cameras? I do not remember anyone having complaints about US distributed refurbished A2 units[though I seem to remember one European fellow that had a complaint], concerning functional faults. I purchased a re-conditioned A2 several months ago, and it looked new and it functions perfectly. I'm glad I did not waste the extra $$ on a 'new' unit.

-Chris

 

[DickSnyder]

Did you do any better than a 90 day warranty? All of the refurb units I have seen only have 90 days. If you did do better, can you say where you bought it?

 

[WmAx]

Did you do any better than a 90 day warranty? All of the refurb
units I have seen only have 90 days. If you did do better, can you
say where you bought it?

Mine came with a 6 month Minolta warranty, it was classified as 're-conditioned' as opposed to 're-furbished'. Difference seeming to be the length of warranty included(?). I purchased from the ebay seller onlign_inc. I just checked, and they still have units available if you are interested in that route:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZonlignQ5finc

-Chris

 

[gene thomson]

On EBay, -the seller "onlign" has refurbished A2s with a 6 month Minolta warranty. Todays price is close to $100 less than 4 months ago. Wish I had waited.
--
gt

 

[DickSnyder]

Cool - thanks for the tip. I hope to decide between the A2 and A200 in the next two days. This looks pretty good.

 

[DickSnyder]

Gene,

I am trying to decide between an A2 and A200. You clearly bought the A2. Did you consider the A200, and if so, why did you choose the A2?

****

 

[gene thomson]

I bought the A2 mainly because of the review on Luminous Landscape.

http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/konica-minolta-a2.shtml

It was a proven camera, had the features I really liked and, at the time, had a reasonable price. The rotating EVF, tilting LCD, and the automatic switching between the EVF and LCD are great features. The lens is no slouch either. However, you do have to learn how to use the camera properly to get the best out of it.
--
geeno

 

[caton]

I made the opposite choice than gene. Here are a few indications about why I made that choice.

• All bugs (at least all those in http://home.online.no/~vegardb/files/How_to_enjoy_your_A2.pdf ) and Quality Control issues with the A2 have been solved in the A200. Among other things, there is no false AF lock, no f7.1 bug, no mad exposure behaviour, and my A200 never misbehaved. Flash exposure is up to what I expect, comming from a film Dynax/maxxum 7.

-According to the Chasseur d'images tests, there is about a 2 stop advantage for the A200 vs the A2 in the digital noise department (high iso). It means that an A200 jpeg at 800iso looks like an A2 at 200 thanks to considerably improved image processing. With my A200 the Iso800 pics are indeed usable, even more so when using some little tricks..

BTW, the A200 also has an automated eye/LCD auto switching feature. If you close the LCD the camera switches automatically to EVF and vice versa.

The only real advantages I see in the A2 is the higher resolution EVF (but seemingly lower contrast) and the possible use of computer controlled capture. I haven't got any use for wireless flash (I used it very rarely with my film Maxxum/Dynax 7).

Have a Nice Day,

F.C.