Minolta Maxxum 7 Great Features and Great Performance An elegant blend of high performance and easy operation, the Maxxum 7 is one of the more interesting cameras to come along. At the heart of the Maxxum 7 is the versatile Navigation Display, a large dot-matrix LCD panel on the camera back that can display all kinds of useful stuff besides the usual LCD information. One screen is a metering index display, which shows the exposure-compensation and bracketing values you've selected, or how far from the meter's recommendation your set exposure is in manual mode. The brightness distribution screen shows the scene's brightness distribution as seen by the 14-segment honeycomb meter. You can store (then recall and view on the navigation display) shooting data for 7 36-exposure rolls of film. And the navigation display automatically rotates 90° for easy reading when you're shooting vertical-format images. Featuring extremely fast and accurate autofocusing, with Minolta's Omni-Dimensional Predictive AF (which can track subjects moving in any direction, even if they change direction or speed), the Maxxum 7 provides single-shot and continuous AF, plus auto-switchover AF and manual focusing. Nine AF points provide a wide AF area for easy tracking of moving subjects, and you can select any of the nine AF points yourself when desired. Dial controls make it easy to set everything, and 35 Custom Functions let you tailor the camera to your needs. Eye-Start automatically activates AF and metering systems when you bring the camera to your eye. Specifications CAMERA: Minolta Maxxum 7 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Minolta A bayonet FOCUSING: TTL phase-detection AF, predictive AF, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec to 1/8000 plus B METERING: 14-segment honeycomb, center-weighted, spot EXP. MODES: Shiftable program AE, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, metered manual, 3 memory modes FLASH: Dedicated TTL hot-shoe; built-in TTL autoflash, wireless TTL remote flash with certain Minolta flash units FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance (single-frame and 4-fps continuous) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Two 3V CR123A lithium batteries DIMENSIONS: 5.6x3.8x2.6 in. WEIGHT: 20.3 oz. STREET PRICE: $590 Minolta Maxxum 5 This Compact AF 35mm SLR Offers a Lot The top model in Minolta's trumverate of tiny AF 35mm SLRs, the Maxxum 5 is a fine performer with lots of features, including Minolta's near-foolproof 14-segment honeycomb metering plus spot metering, 3-fps film advance, wide-area AF plus seven user-selectable focusing areas, automatic exposure bracketing, depth-of-field preview, multiple-exposure capability, a host of exposure modes, built-in TTL flash, wireless TTL off-camera flash capability with dedicated Maxxum flash units, a top shutter speed of 1/4000 and 14 Custom Functions. And it's really easy to use. Eye-Start automatically activates the camera's focus and exposue system when you bring it up to your eye for quicker shooting, and can be switched on and off as desired. A P button just forward of the LCD panel returns the camera to fully auto mode—handy for point-and-shooters who want to experiment with different camera settings without fear of "getting lost" in the camera's many features. A quartz-date model is available. Like all Maxxum cameras, the compact Maxxum 5 will accept the full line of Maxxum AF lenses, from 16mm full-frame fisheye and 20mm superwide-angle to 600mm supertelephoto. A matching AF Zoom 28–80mm f/3.5–5.6(D) zoom was introduced with the camera and is a fitting companion, as it is billed as the world's smallest AF zoom lens. The tiny Maxxum 5 feels great even in normal-size hands, and performs very well. Specifications CAMERA: Minolta Maxxum 5 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Minolta A bayonet FOCUSING: Auto selection of single-shot and continuous predictive AF; manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec to 1/4000 plus B METERING: 14-segment honeycomb, spot EXPOSURE MODES: Program AE, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, 5 subject programs, metered manual FLASH: Dedicated TTL hot-shoe; built-in TTL autozoom flash; wireless off-camera TTL flash, normal max. sync speed 1/125 FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance (single-frame and 3-fps continuous) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Two 3V 2CR5 DIMENSIONS: 5.0x3.4x2.4 in. WEIGHT: 11.8 oz. STREET PRICE: $200 Minolta Maxxum 4 This Tiny AF 35mm SLR Packs a Wallop It's amazing what a talented design team can fit into a truly teeny package. In the Maxxum 4, Minolta has managed to produce a super-compact AF 35mm SLR (it's 0.7-ounce lighter than the Maxxum 5), yet incorporate the excellent 14-segment honeycomb metering found in the high-end Maxxum models, Minolta's equally amazing multi-dimensional predictive AF (which works even on subjects that change speed or direction), a 1.7-fps motor drive, a full range of auto and manual features, 12 Custom Functions and a lot more. And all for a street price under $200! So what's the difference between the Maxxum 4 and the Maxxum 5? The 5 has more AF points (seven, vs. three for the 4), a faster top shutter speed (1/4000, vs. 1/2000) and maximum flash-sync speed (1/125, vs. 1/100), a faster motor drive (3 fps, vs. 1.7 fps), two more Custom Functions, a depth-of-field preview, Eye-Start (which automatically activates the focusing and metering systems when you bring the camera up to your eye), a metal lens mount, and allows you to select any of the AF areas manually. The Custom Functions allow you to do such things as choose to have rewind begin automatically at the end of a roll or require manual initiation, have the film tip wound into the cassette or left out after rewind, activate DX memory (in which the camera remembers a manual change in the DX-set film speed), activate or disable the AF illuminator (handy when its firing would be distracting), change the program mode to PS or PA mode, in which you can shift the shutter speed or aperture. Specifications CAMERA: Minolta Maxxum 4 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Minolta A bayonet FOCUSING: TTL phase-detection single-shot and continuous multi-dimensional predictive AF, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec to 1/2000 plus B METERING: 14-segment honeycomb, plus spot EXP. MODES: Program AE, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, metered manual FLASH: Dedicated TTL hot-shoe; built-in TTL autoflash FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance (single-frame and 1.7-fps continuous) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Two 3V CR2 lithium batteries DIMENSIONS: 5.0x3.4x2.4 in. WEIGHT: 11.1 oz. STREET PRICE: $175 Minolta Maxxum 3 The Economy Maxxum This newest member of the Maxxum family is also the simplest and least expensive—as well as the smallest (well, tied with the Maxxum 4 and Maxxum 5) and lightest member of the clan. Features include Minolta's excellent 14-segment honeycomb metering (with ADI—Advanced Distance Integration—which takes into consideration subject-distance data from the AF system for even more-accurate exposures), a wide AF area, courtesy of three AF sensors (a central cross-type and peripheral line types) plus spot AF, a built-in (via the flash unit) AF illuminator for low-light autofocusing (the system will autofocus in light as dim as EV –1, as dim as any current AF system in a 35mm SLR can handle), multi-dimensional predictive AF for action subjects, built-in TTL autoflash (with ADI), wireless remote flash capability (with optional Minolta xi flash units), 1.7-fps continuous film advance and more. Exposure is programmed automatic (no manual exposure mode). There are also five subject programs: portrait, landscape, close-up, sports action, and night portrait. These automatically set the camera for shooting those sorts of subjects. Like all Maxxum cameras, the new Maxxum 3 will accept the full line of Maxxum lenses, which currently range from 16mm full-frame fisheye and 20mm superwide-angle to 600mm supertelephoto. This is Minolta's simplest entry-level model, aimed at point-and-shooters who want the versatility of interchangeable lenses. Specifications CAMERA: Minolta Maxxum 3 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Minolta A bayonet FOCUSING: TTL phase-detection single-shot and continuous multi-dimensional predictive AF, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec to 1/2000 METERING: 14-segment honeycomb EXP. MODES: Program AE, plus 5 subject programs (portrait, landscape, close-up, sports action, night portrait) FLASH: Dedicated TTL hot-shoe; built-in ADI TTL autoflash (ISO 100 GN 39, in feet) FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance (single-frame and 1.7-fps continuous) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Two 3V CR2 lithium batteries DIMENSIONS: 5.0x3.4x2.4 in. WEIGHT: 10.9 oz. STREET PRICE: $150 Nikon F5 Incredible Technology in a Rugged Pro Body A most technologically advanced AF SLR, Nikon's flagship pro model is a ruggedly built camera with a tremendous range of pro features. It offers true pro performance and features—things like built-in 8-fps film advance and an AF system that can keep up with it, a 3D Matrix metering system that even takes color into consideration, a self-diagnostic shutter that automatically compensates for variances caused by temperature, five AF sensors that cover 44% of the horizontal width of the image area and 30% of the height, and more. Focus Tracking with Lock-On automatically activates when the camera senses subject motion, focusing the lens even as it calculates the subject's direction and speed and keeping focus locked on the subject even if something momentarily comes between camera and subject. Flexible center-weighted metering allows you to select the size of the central metering area, or you can select any of five spot-metering areas. Smaller than the F4, the F5 features a solid aluminum-alloy die-cast body and a titanium viewfinder housing. Everything is well-sealed against moisture and dust. There are built-in Custom Settings that allow you to tailor the camera to your shooting style and needs. There's an optional versatile MF-28 Multi-Control Back (which provides data imprinting, intervalometer, freeze-focus, long exposures, 11-frame autobracketing and more) plus Photo Manager, which allows you to connect the camera to a Macintosh or Windows computer and download shooting data, input titles and comments frame by frame, change camera settings and a lot more. Specifications CAMERA: Nikon F5 TYPE: Pro AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Nikon F bayonet FOCUSING: Single-shot and continuous predictive AF, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec. to 1/8000, B METERING: 3D Matrix, variable center-weighted average and 3.5% spot EXPOSURE MODES: Shiftable program AE, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, metered manual FLASH: Dedicated TTL hot-shoe plus PC terminal for studio flash FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance (single-frame and 1-, 3- or 8-fps continuous) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Eight 1.5V AA batteries or optional Ni-MH Battery Unit MN-30 DIMENSIONS: 6.2x5.9x3.1 in. WEIGHT: 42.7 oz. STREET PRICE: $2000 Nikon F100 Great Value in a Pro AF SLR Solidly built for rugged pro use, the F100 puts a lot of the flagship F5's capabilities into a lighter-weight and much lower-priced body—great news for serious shooters. Five-area Dynamic AF, which works equally well with all AF-Nikkor lenses, lets you select the initial focusing area, then keeps focusing on the subject even if it moves to another AF area. Focus Tracking with Overlap Servo and Lock-On keeps moving subjects sharp, even if they move erratically or change speed, or if something momentarily comes between camera and subject. The AF system simultaneously detects focus and drives the lens, for speedy performance. Ten-segment 3D Matrix metering analyzes the entire scene, taking into consideration subject-location, brightness and contrast data and using a database of 30,000 actual scenes to determine the best possible exposure. Center-weighted and spot metering are also provided. Other features include all-mode depth-of-field preview, multi-exposure capability, 22 Custom Settings, three advance modes (single-frame, 4.5-fps continuous and 3-fps silent continuous), front body and top and bottom covers of rugged magnesium alloy for strength and precise alignment, and more. Add the SB-28 Speedlight and you get superb 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, flash bracketing, rear sync, high-speed sync to 1/4000, TTL multi-flash and more. The optional Photo Secretary II lets you link the F100 to a Windows-compatible PC to download shooting data and more. Specifications CAMERA: Nikon F100 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Nikon F bayonet FOCUSING: Single-shot and continuous predictive AF, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec. to 1/8000, B METERING: 10-segment Matrix, center-weighted average, 1% spot EXPOSURE MODES: Shiftable program AE, shutter-and aperture-priority AE, metered manual FLASH: TTL flash via hot-shoe; 5-segment TTL sensor; high-speed (to 1/4000) sync with Nikon SB-28 and SB-26 flash units; PC terminal for studio flash FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance (single-frame and 3- and 4.5-fps continuous) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Four 1.5V AA cells DIMENSIONS: 6.1x4.5x2.6 in. WEIGHT: 27.7 oz. STREET PRICE: $1000 Nikon N80 Nikon's Ideal Step-up Model It replaced the popular N70 as Nikon's mid-line AF SLR, and the N80 is a better camera, easier to learn and use, with better performance. Key features include excellent AF and metering systems, 18 Custom Settings, on-demand viewfinder grid lines, a depth-of-field preview button, 2.5-fps continuous shooting with Focus Tracking, the ability to use the full line of 38 AF-Nikkor lenses (plus many manual-focus ones), and a surprisingly low price. The N80 provides everything from fully automatic operation to complete manual control, with no hassle. Gone are the N70's Vari-Programs (those were of little interest to serious photographers, and few point-and-shooters took the trouble to try them) and colorful but complex LCD panel. The N80 is a straightforward camera that we were able to figure out without referring to the instruction manual (that was not the case with the N70). This is a well-thought-out camera, with excellent performance: The N80's autofocusing and metering systems have much in common with those in the pro-model F100, and are noticeably better than the very good systems in the N70. Five-area Dynamic AF makes it easy to shoot moving subjects, as the camera automatically switches from one AF sensor to another as the subject moves through the frame. Lock-On keeps focus on the subject if something should momentarily come between camera and subject. Specifications CAMERA: Nikon N80 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Nikon F bayonet FOCUSING: TTL phase-detection single-shot and continuous predictive AF with Lock-On, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec. to 1/4000, B METERING: TTL 10-segment 3D Matrix, 75% center-weighted, and 1% spot EXPOSURE MODES: Shiftable program AE, shutter-and aperture-priority AE, metered manual FLASH: TTL 5-segment 3D Multi-Sensor flash via hot-shoe; built-in TTL Speedlight with red-eye reduction; maximum sync speed 1/125 FILM TRANSPORT: Auto threading, advance (2.5 fps) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Two CR123A or DL123A lithium batteries DIMENSIONS: 5.6x3.9x2.8 in. WEIGHT: 18.2 oz. STREET PRICE: $425 Nikon N75 New Model for the Entry-Level Photo-Enthusiast This latest addition to Nikon's AF 35mm SLR line is aimed at the "entry-level photo enthusiast," and provides lots of features and performance for a low price. It offers simple, easy, intuitive "one-handed" operation (although we'd still recommend using two hands for sharpest results!), 25-segment 3D Matrix metering that utilizes an onboard database of over 30,000 images (plus center-partial metering in manual mode, and spot metering), five full-coverage AF sensors, a three-mode focus-area selection toggle switch, Nikon's exclusive Dynamic AF (with closest-subject priority or user-selected starting point), 12 Custom Settings, a built-in Speedlight with five-segment TTL Multi-Sensor and Monitor Pre-Flash for optimum exposures and subject/background balance, a full range of exposure modes (Auto-Multi Program, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, plus metered manual and five Vari-Programs that automatically set the camera for shooting portraits, landscapes, close-ups, sports action and night portraits), viewfinder and LCD-panel indicators that show battery and film status, multiple-exposure capability, automatic exposure bracketing, built-in viewfinder eyepiece correction, depth-of-field preview button, and lots more. And the new N75 will accept more than 40 superb Nikon lenses, including AF-D, AF-G, AF-S, VR and AI P Nikkors—from 14mm superwide-angle to 600mm supertelephoto. Specifications CAMERA: Nikon N75 TYPE: AF 35mm SLR LENS MOUNT: Nikon F bayonet FOCUSING: 5-point and spot single-shot and continuous predictive AF, manual focus SHUTTER SPEEDS: 30 sec. to 1/2000, T METERING: TTL 3D/25-segment Matrix, central-partial in manual, spot metering EXPOSURE MODES: Shiftable program AE, shutter-and aperture-priority AE, five Vari-Programs, metered manual FLASH: TTL flash via hot-shoe; built-in TTL Speedlight with red-eye reduction; maximum sync speed 1/90 FILM TRANSPORT: Auto threading, advance (1.5 fps) and rewind POWER SOURCE: Two 3V CR2 lithium batteries DIMENSIONS: 5.2x3.6x2.6 in. WEIGHT: 13.4 oz. STREET PRICE: $275