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This is very near the top-of-the line Minolta and you can tell. It has the heft of any si, maybe more so, plus a lot more features. Later models like the 3, 5, and 7 are great, but this almost feels like a Nikon N90. Since it is a later model, the processor was continually improved and it works seamlessly with Minolta AF lenses. The reason I even got into Minolta slr's was to get additional lenses for my Sony a100, but now I always take that and a Minolta and Nikon film camera with me. It's still exciting to get your photos back (in an hour at many Walgreens and Walmarts), and sometimes I actually carry a notebook to record the f/stop and speed so I can learn through doing. If you like what your digital does, please buy a film slr (preferably with the lens) on ebay and use it in tandem with your digital. It will improve your pictures on both! I found this deal particularly attractive because it was primarily advertised as an upscale (28-105) lens, the the 700si and a case came with it. For digital users, unless you have a lot of time and paticence, get an auto focus film camera, not a manual until you get exceptionally well versed in photography. That means, practice a lot so you know what the mechanics are, or everything will come out as mush and you'll be discouraged and disappointed. I'm only an intermediate hobbyist, so it's still a learning experience, and I like to keep it fun.Read full review
As with most full featured cameras today, it has too many useless buttons and settings for the casual user to remember. And, except for maybe the Intervalometer card, are all those cards really necessary? I would have also preferred Minolta stayed with the aperture ring and the standard flash mount, as did Nikon. Other than that, it is an excellent picture taker with a nice, smooth and quiet shutter. I’d recommend it simply to enable the use of some classic Minolta lenses out there. The VC 700 vert. control grip is a must for battery convenience. It also provides a useful PC contact for off camera and studio flash.
This Minolta film camera is really easy to use! I just shot a few rolls of my grandsons Little League baseball game and got rave reviews of the photos. The best part was when the coaches and parents asked me how many mega pixels was my camera rated? They didn't believe that it was a 35mm film, SLR! The Maxxum 700si has a compartment where you can insert certain cards that help you take better portraits, double exposures, better panning shots, etc. But guess what? The cards aren't absolutely necessary. You don't have to buy them. The camera does these things anyway. It's just a perk system. Don't be frightened to think that it's a trick by Minolta to squeeze you for more money! (they are not that expensive) It's more fun being creative and the manual explains the uses real well. I'm waiting for a flash unit I just bought on Ebay so I can't say how well the camera does under low or bad light conditions, but I'm excited to find out. Stay tuned. If you have a chance to buy one don't miss out! I use the following Minolta auto focus lenses, 28-105 zoom-xi, 35-70 zoom, and a Pro-master, 28-210 spectrum 7. I spent about 150.00 dollars for my new set which also included a Tamrac bag and filters...don't miss out on a beautiful camera. It feels solid in the palm of your hand. R. FloresRead full review
I have used a 700si for the past ten or twelve years professionally (I write and illustrate travel articles) and for family, sunsets and the occasional rocket launch from nearby Vandenberg. It´s by far the nicest camera I have used. Minolta´s 700si is extremely well built, fairly compact, takes some of the most underrated accessories in photography (Minolta´s super lens and flash array, unrivaled by any competitor, for the price totally unbeatable), gives access to professional photos through its clever expansion card program (little software-style cards for certain photographic tasks -- sports, closeups, travel, etc. -- that may be inserted into a camera slot) and, by simply pressing a memory button, lets you save your favorite camera settings and recall them by another press of a button. With a fairly powerful on-board flash, an excellent metering system, a snappy autofocus and a shutter speed of up to 1/8000sec, there´s nothing the camera will not let you do -- in aperture priority mode, in shutter priority, in manual mode or in my favorite, the huge P button. P is a fully automatic program mode or -- if using one of the more manual mode settings, the p button also works (for me) as a perfect and immediate Panic button. One press on p and your pic´s perfect. Minolta built a number of truly great cameras. The 700si offers quality and versatility for an extremely fair price. The only bummer is the fact that Minolta´s camera business fell prey to the consolidation craze (evidently, there´s more money in non-mass market specialization). But; there´s a lot of good used equipment on Ebay, so I do not foresee a time without a 700si as at least a backup to the Fuji S2 and Oly E-20´s the digital age demands from poor magazine contributors.Read full review
This camera is the fastest most accurate and versatile SLR in it's Class. It's metering is precise, the Auto-focus is predictive and 98.00 out of 100 accurate even when subjects move up to around 30-40 miles per hour. One battery last for about 1 to 2 years with an average of 260 rolls of film. It is light weight and handles even better with the battery-grip, which also gives you the option to use regular batteries as well as the CR type cells. The Problem is going to get Lenses for it, since they are no longer made. However, Sony lenses will work on that SLR as well as Maxxum lenses. You won't find a more reliable and accurate film camera in it's class. To bad Minolta gave up on us, but who is reliable these days ?? Nobody, here today, gone tomorrow
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