I bought this camera for the lens. I needed a long lens and couldn't pay the price for a new one. It turns out I made a good decision on this one. The body is great, it has all the features I need in a camera. The lens feels a bit "plasticy" but the focus ring, the extension ring, and the aperture ring all function well. I have a feeling that I will have to be very careful with or it would be easily broken. But it takes great photographs. That is what I need it for, so I am very happy with this purchase.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Came across my original Minolta at a Goodwill a few years ago, but sadly the auto-rewind was loose and fell off so I opted to replace the body and keep my lens and flash since they were in fine condition. This camera works, except for the auto-focus! Says in the sale that it was in working condition. I already have a Contax for entirely manual settings, wasn't interested in a Minolta that I couldn't just bring along to pass around with my friends for fun stuff. Pretty disappointed.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I recently purchased this camera because my dad has one. He got one brand new, with all accessories for Christmas back in 1985 or 86. He has always taken awesome photos. He ended up taking my sisters wedding photos with it, as the photographer she hired didnt have a spare battery and his died right after he got there. She would have had NO pictures if it werent for my dad...and her pictures are just great! Anyway, great pictures, easy to use. Heavy (which could be a good or bad thing depending on the person)..I like the way it feels in my hands, made well. Auto focus is a little slow and loud, but if you are used to it then it doesnt matter. I think overall, a great camera, better made then todays cheap plastic ones. Lenses/flashes still available and at a much better price then Canon lenses. If you want some nice pics, program mode or manual to learn with, I recommend one.Read full review
In the pre-dawn of digital cameras, Minolta was still cranking out excellent professional level AF SLR cameras. The Minolta 7000 is one of them. The camera has a great "feel" to it, not bulky, but heavy enough to get your attention. The controls are intuitive although a read through the instruction manual should be enough to get you started. The camera fits your hand nicely and your fingers can grip the right side with security. Focusing is a breeze in Auto mode, and the lens is snappy and responsive. The viewfinder can get dark in the older 7000's, but some cleaner and careful interior cleaning can do wonders for the light bar inside the viewfinder. Minolta added arrow buttons to reset Aperture and Shutter, and these work well with the numbers being also reflected in the interior light bar. The control window on all of these Minolta's tend to have the LCD "bleed" a bit, but it is normal and usually stops before reading becomes too impossible. All in all the Minolta 7000 is a great backup to your digital armor, and can be called on to take excellent pictures. Add the power winder by Minolta and you have yourself a very professional grade camera that is a breeze to operate.Read full review
After buying several minolta maxxum 7000's on ebay, I can tell you there is a great deal of potential there, offset with a great deal of risk. I have found that the owners who have the best of intentions don't know how to judge a camera or lens and misrepresent what they have to offer, so it is best to buy from a professional. More than half of the camera's I have received cannot be used for professional purposes due to the age and dust in both camera's and lenses that go with them. It would appear that though the camera can be one of the best cameras ever produced by Minolta, the cleaniness is a serious problem with this 20-30 year old camera and even for those sitting (safely) in a bag in the closet for many years they still seem to accumulate dust and dirt internally and this can affect the quality of your pictures. I have only received one clean camera in about 12 ordered, and it was still in the plastic bag it came in and original box , properly sealed and stored with caps on, and is one heck of a snappy little camera. I had to clean all the rest, and only half can be cleaned to my satisfaction, after working on them. Lenses have the same problems showing debris inside the lens which require complete dissassembly. If you can get a good one without bleeding and still clean and snappy, I highly recommend the 7000. I love mine, but there is some really serious risk with ordering a camera this old, and the prized 50mm lens can come in with fungus and sloppy shutter mechanisms as well, so be careful. I have to tear apart almost every one, and it is not a job for a novice, but again, can be very rewarding if you pick up the right lens that has been properly stored. If it still has the box and owners manual with it, it is usually a good sign the owner has taken proper care, and you will get the film based high quality pictures you intended to invest in. In summary, buy with a box to protect your investment, or from a pro. Disclaimer: I do not consider myself a professional, but a total of 35 years experience amateur with good taste for quality. Good luck.Read full review
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