 Kathy L. Pollick |
An Old Minolta vs. a new camera My husband purchased a Minolta 5000 back in 1987. I didn't realize how long ago it was until I found the sales receipt. I never learned to use the manual features (I always shoot automatic programming) but want to start learning how to use all the many features. I love the camera & it hasn't been overused since purchasing it. Just taking pictures of the kids as they grew up is about it. I also want to get a lot more selections of lens & equipment for the camera. Would it be wise to purchase new accessories for a camera that old, or invest in a new one? I'm only using it for hobby purposes & learning, but I don't want to put a lot of money into accessories & have the camera die on me. Thanks for all your help
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Kerry L. Walker |
If you think a 1987 Minolta is old, my 1979 Olympus OM-2n must really be old. It has been used and abused. I have had to replace the flash and the hot shoe (which is removable) but it has never been to a repair shop. With a dearth of electronics (unlike more modern cameras), I expect it to last many more years before it finally gives up the ghost.
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Jon Close |
If you've misplaced the user manual, you can download it from the Konica-Minolta website. Lenses and accessories you buy for that old Maxxum will be usable if you upgrade to a current model film or digital Maxxum.
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Samuel Smith |
minolta,eh?with a lot of people going digital,used film equiptment is getting real cheap,espically camera bodies.i don't have 400 bucks in my 3 bodies and one was new and came with a lense.so even if yours takes a dive,it would be cheap to replace.i think the only thing mine don't have is mirror lockup. lenses for maxxum cameras are fairly cheap on e-bay.last week I purchased a 28mm f2.8 autofocus demo,minolta ,for under 70 bucks including shipping.not a mark on it.even has a distance scale and a year warranty. the xtsi I have I really like.eye start,turn it on and it starts focusing.remote release,bulb setting,panorama setting and omni directional focusing[tracks moving subjects],neat. sam
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John P. Sandstedt |
The Minolta Maxxum 5000 was the company's lower priced auto-everything camera [the mid-price and first of these cameras was the 7000; the Pro model was the 9000. If that's the camera oyu're using, you're rightin line with my Canon EOS 620 that I bought in 1987. It's working fine and, as Keery said, I also expect it to "go-on-clicking" for some time. Now that we're into the digital age, lots of folks are buying digital camera using their film cameras as trade-ins. Interestingly, one seeking to upgrade a digital camera may not be able to give the "old" one away as it won't have the current "features." So long as accessories are available [new or used] you're probably safe with the 5000, assuming the electronics are OK. These can be repaired by a responsible repair person/company. Be careful buying photo stuff anywhere you can't see it, try it, etc. Generally, this means going to a reliable camera shop [try Ridgewood Camera Exchange in Ridgewood, NJ.] Remember - digital ain't cheap! SLRs start slightly under $800 and rise to $8000. That's for the body ONLY. Then there's a good computer with a lot of hard drive and a lot of RAM, memory cards, lenses [that aren't cheap, either] and editing software that runs from about $50 to almost $1000. Then you'll need a photo printer that drinks ink and lots of paper. Sure, with the Maxxum you'll have processing costs. These are controllable. And, once you have a negative/print you can scan the images into your computer to edit them. Remember one other important thing. All cameras are exactly the same, some have extra features. BUT, a camera is merely a box that is black inside and holds the film and the lens [which could be nothing more than a pinhole. It's the photographer that takes the picture.
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Kathy L. Pollick |
John. Where do you get your film or digital film developed? Also, I currently have an HP Photosmart 1115 that I print on, but the only photos I print, are for my own use. If I have something I want printed, I take it to the local lab... i.e. a pharmacy or wal=mart. I was told if I have wedding pix, to not take them to a local lab, but to use the type labs that our local photographers use. My daughter is getting married the end of the month & I want to get nice pix so should I get my film developed from a photographers lab?? My scanner is too old & doesn't work with my newer computer so unless I get my photos put on discs when I have them developed, I can't put them on the computer. I have a lot of nice photos (old ones) that I would love to have put on my computer, but I don't have the negatives anymore, so I don't know any other way to get them on there.
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John P. Sandstedt |
I typically take my film to an Eckerd's or CVS pharmacy or to Walmart. I use the prints as proofs because, generally, I'm looking for better-than-average images and the negatives. It doesn't really matter what the prints are like, since almost everyone develops the prints by computerized machines today. I scan negatives/prints using my Canon scanner, I try for an output file at 600 dpi. I save as a TIFF file ALWAYS. Then, I massage [edit] and, finally, print on my Canon S-800 printer at 300 dpi. Assuming you can shoot good to great images [the first time - and I'm not trying to criticize in any way,] you might want to go to a pro lab for you wedding photos. This will be the most costly, but it could be the most effective way to get the best prints. In my case, I'd still go to CVS or Walmart because I'd not be interested in ALL the shots. You, however, as Mother-of-the-Bride would want them all. However, as MOTB - why should you be shooting at all. You're the second most important person at the ceremony/reception - and shouldn't have to be bothered. You should just be enjoying the second most important day of your life. And, yes, I'm an old fart.
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Scott Pedersen |
Go ahead and use it. if you buy anything for it kind of look at if they will fit a new/newer Minolta body. I use a Pentax ME super and MV. I intentionally bought AF lenses for them so when I do upgrade the bodies I can keep using the lenses, plus Ill be able to use my af features at that time. If I go to a digital body I will need to only replace my wide angle zoom for a DI rated one. As long as you don't switch brands your fine.
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Kathy L. Pollick |
Thanks for the advice. I was looking to someday purchase a digital camera, but was looking at the Cannon D70? I think that's the number. But I guess if I do that, my minolta lenses won't work. I haven't heard of a good minolta digital... I do like my minolta though. but then I've never tried another brand to compare. Also, John, the reason I was going to take pix at my daughter's wedding is because of the photographer the groom's family hired. She's a friend of the family & just starting out with her own business. She has only done a couple weddings, so she's taking the pix for practically nothing (to save us expenses) & to gain experience. I'm not crazy about her practicing on my daughter's wedding, but I didn't want to cause any problems with the in laws either. I was told she is simply going to take the pix then give them all to us & we could do with them as we please. I was really hoping she would edit them & take out flaws, & maybe do some fancy editing, but from what I heard, she doesn't do any of that. I can't imagine a photographer not knowing how or being able to do that. But anyway, I'm concerned about not having nice shots. I'm also IN the wedding (daughters matron of honor) so I won't be able to get any group shots myself - unless I set the camera up & have my son snap the pictures. that's why I wondered where you got your film developed. I really want some nice shots, even if I don't get many. I'd like to get some really special ones, I just don't know enough about lighting as stuff to do anything fancy.
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Kathy L. Pollick |
Also, so you're saying if I get the wedding pictures developed at Wal-mart, then I can take the negatives to a professional lab & have "better" prints made from them? I thought the pro lab would have to do everything from scratch.
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John P. Sandstedt |
If you're planning to have a pro lab make prints, take them the roll of film for developing. The cost to develop a roll of film is between $2-5.00. They might even be able to give you a contact print, thereby saving the cost of proofs. My recommendation above reflects the fact that I generally make 8X10s myself after editing, if needed.
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