The Minolta Maxxum

In the '80-'90, computer technology was advanced enough to allow the cameras to properly auto expose any photo, giving the photographer only the duty of proper focus the image and composing the scene.

my own Minolta Maxxum 5000 with the 50 f1.7

In this same age, the camera makers were fighting with the first attempts of autofocusing systems, but without any success from the reliability and speed point of view.

In 1985 has launched a groundbreaking and new camera system: the Minolta Maxxum series, starting with the Maxxum 7000, soon followed by the Maxxum 9000 and Maxxum 5000 (respectively the flagship and the entry-level camera).

Two elements were groundbreaking: the body design, much more inspired to the computer-era, with buttons instead of the more traditional dials, and the "A" mount, the new Minolta bayonet.

This article is not a technical review.

Much more expert photographers have talked about this camera series.

I'm here to tell you about my experience with my father's Maxxum 5000.

The handling is very comfortable in my hands, and even with the zoom lenses like the 70-200 f4 (better known as the beercan) is not front heavy. As all the reflex, you should trust your TTL meter (or buy an external one, or using the light meter app on your smartphone). It's a film camera, so, even if you have correctly exposed the photo, you must wait at least one day before your desired like on Instagram.

it's an '80s camera: the focus speed is not lightning but the camera nails the focus and, combined with the superb Minolta glasses, the photos are razor sharp (on the film).

The lack of luck of this manufacturer has put the A-mount lenses in the low price range on eBay, so you can build a nice "armoury" in your photographic bag.

Should I suggest to buy this camera?

If you can find a model in very good condition and you are a Sony user for sure... but even if you are only interested in shooting film, you should give a try to these cameras.

As always down below some photos taken with the Minolta Maxxum, hope you enjoy them.

See you in the next article!