Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

By Ibraar Hussain

Early 2017 was a disaster, needless to say one thing lead to another and I then eventually was camera-less. You can imagine how that feels? Penniless yes, but cameras-less? Anyway bad times always (for most) come to an end and later that year I had to start again. Having sold my Fuji TX 2 (Hasselblad Xpan II) my Contax G2 set, Contax Aria set along with my Rolleiflex 3.5F, Rolleiflex 6008i and Fuji XE2s plus all the lenses for relative peanuts I had to start from the bottom again.

My first SLR was a Minolta and I decided to go back to using a 35mm SLR and Minolta at that.

The Minolta Maxxum 7 is what I bought from Ffordes in Scotland. Body only.

I also bought the cheapest good standard lens for it which is the Minolta 50mm f2.8 Macro.

I decided that as I don’t ever recall shooting with the lens opened up more than f2.8 that this would be ideal. (This later changed as I began to meddle with faster M42 lenses and replaced the 50mm f2.8 with a Minolta 50mm f1.4)

I eventually had a kit of lenses (plus use the M42 lenses with the minuscule adaptor) I sold the 50/2.8 and the 100/2.8 and now only use the 50/1.4 24/2.8 and 70-210 f4 beer can which is absolutely superb! All I lack is the 85/1.4 short tele for dedicated portraits.

Anyway the Minolta Maxxum 7 is lovely. Almost perfect in terms of form and ergonomics. We have buttons and dials for everything plus a rear LCD panel which makes it look like a DSLR. I used to be a bit of a Camera snob and couldn’t get any Minolta – it had to be the best or among the best at a price point. Luckily, even to today the Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / Alpha 7 is being sold cheap. I’ve no idea why as it’s one of the most advanced 35mm Minolta and dare I say anyone had ever made. I doubt even the Nikon F6 has many more features.

It has a big bright finder – I think the same finder is to be found in the Sony A900 Full Frame DSLR (which I recall was the biggest brightest finder ever installed in a DSLR) with good eye relief.

The Minolta Maxxum 7 AF is very quick and it’s just a very quick AF SLR which you can use with confidence. It can be short in Auto Programme mode and thus by anyone!
The magic with this lies in it’s rear LCD. With this you can program it to perform various functions including mimicking a Smooth Trans Focus Lens (Anyone have one I can borrow????)

Kodak Ektachrome E100
50mm f1.4
Fujichrome Velvia 50
70-210 f4 beercan 
Fujichrome Velvia 50
50mm f1.4
Fujichrome Velvia 50
50mm f1.4

The Minolta Maxxum 7 also features a pictorial diagram of the hexagonal Matrix meter which meters the scene and determines which areas will be within the limits of the film. Excellent and quick to use with a button! Some reviews, here, here and here.

Rollei Retro 80s
50mm f2.8
Caerleon
Rollei Retro 80s
50mm f2.8
Rollei Retro 80s
50mm f2.8
Caerleon

And one glance at the user manual will give you a good general idea about the functions and what everything does. The rear LCD and the options these have are explained in the manual. I must admit apart from allowing the leader of the Film being left out for easy removal I haven’t messed with the programming options.

For Slide film – this is The camera to use. Metering is perfect – I mean nailed, even in tricky light (within the limits of the film and without too contrasty lighting as always) it gets you the photo – it refuses to be fooled!.

Also for Black and White – every shot is nailed! The meter for this medium I think is flawless. Tones are captured correctly with no need to worry about the zone system or appropriating values to the scene.

For those who want to be in total control then ergonomics and functions are almost perfect – others may want to use a slower manual focus camera with an external light meter. But I kid you not – I think the Minolta Maxxum 7 SLR is one of The Best 35mm AF SLR ever built.

Kodak Elitechrome EBX
50mm f1.4
Kodak Elitechrome EBX
50mm f1.4
Kodak Elitechrome EBX
50mm f1.4
Kodak Elitechrome EBX 100
Wales
50mm f1.4

Good build quality, a good compromise between sizer, weight and materials.

Very fast, exceptional focussing and speed, fool proof light meter, good bright Finder, fast shutter, perfect placement of all buttons and dials and lovely grip and feel. What’s not to like?

Of course you can get better built top end Canon and Nikon cameras – but they weigh more, cost more and won’t do anything significantly faster or more accurately than this.

Fujichrome Velvia 100
50mm f2.8
Peru
Fujichrome Astia 100
50mm f2.8
Peru
Fujichrome Astia 100
50mm f2.8 Macro
Peru
Fujichrome Velvia 100
50mm f2.8
Peru
Blind Campesino
Kodak Ektachrome E100
50mm f2.8 Macro
Dorset

For anyone starting out with Film photography – and also for experienced photographers too who are looking for a complete film system without huge outlay – the Minolta Maxxum 7 is the overall best camera you can get. It really is, which makes it probably the best 35mm Film camera of all time. Yes a very bold claim – but for someone starting out you want a multi functional camera for little outlay. A camera that can shoot MF or AF, is lovely to use and handle, excellent matrix meter (inc centre weighted and spot) quick or slow depending on how you want to use it, large bright finder and at a bargain price – and wonderful Minolta glass which is cheaper to find than comparable Nikon or Canon glass.

I’d recommend the set I had to start – Minolta Maxxum 7 Body with Minoltas 50mm f2.8 Macro. Most of my shots have been taken with this lens.

Ilford Delta 100
50mm f1.4
Tretower caste

Any downsides? Sure I’d prefer more metal on the outer body but this does pile on weight and raises the cost.

If you shoot film and want to nail the shot – then I do honestly believe the Minolta Maxxum 7 is the camera to use. I use different cameras most of the time, such as my Contax RTS II – but when I go on holiday or trips or travelling then this is the camera I take – the others are for hobby and fun purposes, which I can use to experiment and enjoy. For shooting Film when grabbing the shot and the moment really matters this is what I use and will always use until it (or I) eventually fails.

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About The Author

By Ibraar Hussain
I Enjoy photography and taking pictures. From East London
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Comments

John Furlong on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thank you Ibraar, as always great images and seductive prose - get thee behind me GAS Demons!!!

Cheers,
John F.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thank you John! Getting a Dynax Maxxum Alpha 7 as a AF camera in the arsenal is a no brainer. There’s a wealth of Sony lenses as well. And even though they’re getting rarer they’re still pretty much at bargain prices though as I mentioned elsewhere the prices are creeping up and not many around

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Steviemac on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Great images, and in reality your camera and lenses would suffice for just about any photographic requrement you may need. Your tale of having to sell all your kit made my blood run cold. You are absolutely right when you point out that the Maxxum/Dynax cameras are an absolute steal. I'm at a loss to know why, as they are well made and the optics are excellent. The worse common fault seems to be bleed on the LCD. Even the kit zooms are excellent and not to be ignored. A recent charity shop find I made was £20 for a Maxxum 5000, lens, case, bag and instructions. Even the battery still worked. The very basic 303 or 3Xi are capable cameras and can be had for a pittance.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thanks Stevie I only have experience with the Dynax 5, 60 and the 7. The 7 seems to be getting rarer. I’m itching to buy a 9 one day - quite a bit cheaper than any canon 1v or Nikon F6!

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Stuart Jenkins on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Great shots Ibraar, and what a wonderful camera. I've got a 7000 AF with a bunch of lenses, and it's very nice but I do miss having depth-of-field preview. I'd tried a 9000 AF but they've all got bleed problems with the top panel LCD display. The Maxxum 7 could be what I'm looking for, so I can feel a bit of GAS coming on.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thanks Stuart. The prices seem to be creeping up and they’re getting rarer. Some nice examples available from Japan.

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Bob Janes on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Among the best £50s I spent on a camera, but I think I was lucky at that price. The Dynax 5 is also a good camera for the money they go for second hand. Good resources for Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha info are at MHohner's website and Dyxum.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Yes the Dynax 5 is a very good camera I used to have both the 60 and the 5. The 5 was accurate small quick and just an all round good camera. I checked out MHohner’s website. Very good resource!

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Ibraar Hussain on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

There’s also a Limited Edition of this camera. Seems to be very rare.
Has these differences:

gold plated exposed metal elements
extended memory (as you mentioned)
a 'welcome' screen showing the most important data (time of putting roll inside, time of last shooting, ISO rating, number of exposures)
a bit different buttons (much nicer)
most silver elements on the camera are replaced with golden ones (the name of the camera, for example).
The '7 Limited' was released along with a limited version of 85/1.4. Much more 'noble' look and feel.
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Bob Janes replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

There was a whole consignment of 7 Limiteds that were stolen from a UK stockist about 20 years ago...

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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Was there? They're very rare and expensive and the 85mm f1.4 Limited is verrry expensive! I wonder if many found there way onto eBay?

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Gary Smith on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Very nice set of images! Seems that the Minolta works well in your capable hands.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thank you my friend !

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John Squillace on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Great article and photos! Plus the 7 is natively compatible with the SSM-series lenses that have built-in autofocus motors - like the fabulous Sony Zeiss Distagon 24/2, Planar 50/1.4 and Planar 85/1.4! Not that I’m trying to ignite another burst of GAS or anything; I’m just sayin’
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thank you John! I had completely forgotten about the Zeiss and the Sony G lenses as well. Looking at the list there are some real gems - and none are extortionately priced - in fact most Zeiss are relatively affordable! Thank you!!! Yes you've ignited some GAS!!!

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John Squillace replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Uh oh! I swear it’s not my fault! LOL!

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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Hahaha!!! I’ve spent too much time since your post busy searching and book marking !!

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Geoff Chaplin on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Very nice images and a great story. 2017 must have been hard! I couldn't believe at first it wasn't a digital camera - a rear screen and where's the wind-on lever? To be able to set rewind to leave the leader out removes a deal breaker for me - most automatics leave you fiddling around with a can opener and Swiss army knife. Thanks for the probably painful for you story.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2024

Thanks Geoff The leaving the leader out is a godsend No fiddling with can opener’s and knives in total darkness anymore while shooting with this

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Alexander Seidler on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 16/04/2024

Nice Photos and beautiful colors of all that "chrome" film.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 16/04/2024

Thank you kindly sir!! Chromes are my favourite - I’ve shot some Rollei CR200 and that is a bit dull but on the whole I think there’s nothing like it. Even better projected. I haven’t shot any in a while though

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David on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 16/04/2024

The 7 is a excellent camera with more features than you will ever use and one I use frequently the only downside is it's reliability especially the aperture control fault that eventually gets most dynax 7's at some point in it's life.
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 16/04/2024

Thanks David I’ve noticed a couple on sale on eBay with aperture faults Luckily mine is sound. I’m hunting around for a Limited and also a 9

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Simon Foale on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 16/04/2024

Thanks for this great story Ibraar. Excellent images. I particularly like the shot of the pebble beach ('Dorset') and all of the Retro 80S pics. Can I ask what speed you rated the Retro 80S at and how you processed it?
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 16/04/2024

Thanks Simon The Rollei Retro 80s I develop in Rollei Supergrain and also in Rodinal and at box rating. I can’t recall rating it anything else. Lovely film I always use a Yellow filter / deep yellow filter on it as it’s red sensitive and so get a touch of the almost IR like whites and deeper blacks

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Jerome on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 20/04/2024

Hi, in 2019 I read your review of the Maxxum 7. It convinced me to buy a copy. Fiver years later, it is still my favorite AF camera. Thanks!
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 20/04/2024

Thanks Jerome!!!! Was it the Steve Huff review?

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Dave Powell on Minolta Maxxum 7 – The Best for when you really have got to get that shot (on a budget)

Comment posted: 22/04/2024

Hi Ibraar,

Ditto others' comments on your wonderful images! I've never owned a Minolta SLR but have heard many claims that the Maxxum may be one of the best 35mm AF SLRs ever. Your results don't raise any doubts here!

But I was also intrigued to see those eight metal clips embedded in your camera's handgrip. I'd seen them before in my A1 digital bridge camera. They were a unique battery-saving feature that only activated the camera's in-body stabilization when the camera was being held. So one could set stabilization to run continuously, but it would only kick in when the camera was being held and a tiny current passed through one's hand. I think Sony may have eventually acquired the Minolta product line to gain just that technology, but Sony eventually took a more traditional approach.)

Great job as usual, my friend!

Dave
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 22/04/2024

Thanks as always my friend ! Those clips I had no idea what they were so just checked the manual. Apparently they work as the ‘eye start’ sensor - so lifting it to your eye immediately sets AF and exposure so all you have to do is press the shutter. And you can set the grip sensor to do the same. Page 125 of the manual This has so many bells and whistles I must say.

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Dave Powell replied:

Comment posted: 22/04/2024

Ah... very interesting... Will have to check that out!

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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 22/04/2024

The maxxum 5 is cheap and an excellent fast little camera - it has the ‘eye start’ as well. Good to experiment with to check if you like the system.

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