Customer Reviews

Minolta Maxxum 5 35mm SLR Kit w/ 28-80mm Lens

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My wife wanted to get into photography - so when she broke her latest Olympus point-and-shoot I decided to get get her a "real camera". We've had the Minolta Maxxum 5 for about a month now, and it has proven to be a very nice choice. I got it with a couple of lenses: the Minolta 28-80 AF and the 70-210 AF.

It is small and light in your hand (not quite like a point-and-shoot, but definitely so for an SLR) and the automatic mode works very well. Out of the box it comes in the autofocus mode where as you bring it up to your eye it starts focusing; interesting in the first couple of days but I eventually took it out of that mode... I like it focusing when I press the button lightly.

That is one of the nice things about the camera... how configurable it is. You can select among tons of options and configure it to behave just as you'd like. Because of all the options I'd highly recommend some quality time with the manual :-)

My only dissatisfaction so far (and the only reason for the 4 and not 5 stars) has been not with the camera, but rather the Minolta lenses - actually something I did not think about ahead of time; don't get me wrong they are nice lenses but I have the following problem: focusing turns the front of the lens and this makes using certain filters (for example the Cokin system) problematic. It is fine for the typical circular filters like Tiffen and Hoya.

Overall I'm very happy with the Maxxum 5. I wanted to add that Amazon is an excellent place to buy it. Much cheaper than the stores, maybe not the cheapest on the internet (I found it for a little less), but they are trustworthy, fast shipping and reliable!

I'm new to the photography scene. I'm taking a photo 101 class and have never used a manual camera. The Maxxum 5 is an excellent camera. It's manual modes are numerous and all user friendly. But, if things get sticky you just hit the "panic" button and it goes into autofocus. Every photo is perfect. It's a great camera at a great price. I'm glad I made this buy. :)

Taking the step to my first slr took some searching. All arrows pointed to the Maxxum 5. Believe what your read this camera is awesome. Full auto mode is great and ready to shoot strait out of box. The manual is very informative and user friendly. I have shot 8 rolls varying films, conditions, subjects and setting so far very hard to take a bad piture.
Those of you looking to step up to an slr camera dont hesitate. The creative modes and options are fun to work with, the hardest part is waiting to see the results while film is being developed!
The deal on amazon is competitive with all other sellers (better than 95% out there) service and shipping was great. Also look at the great deal on the 210 lense and tiffen filter kits, i have not found better prices on either. enjoy!

If you appreciate quality pictures and want to go beyond point and shoot this is the camera. It is so fully automatic that you can have great pictures even while you are learning how to play with the settings and experiment. In a week I was doing double exposures, night time photography and close portraits each step I took more control of the camera as I learned the functions, what I did not know the camera compensated for me. I love this camera. One complaint that is not serious. I do not like the smaller size and do not like the small single focus buttons. But everything performs beyond my expectations, this is my 3 35mm and first auto focus.

I've had the Maxxum 5 for about 3 months now and am incredibly impressed with the easy of use and the pictures I've taken. I looked for months for a camera and the Maxxum 5 had such incredible reviews across the board, and not one negative one on a single web site of photo magazine.

This is my first SLR and I've have to say this camera is an amazing value. It has so many features that I'm just delving into using and find myself experimenting on my ability more and more.

I'm a strong believer in a person's work is as good as the tools they use- and I have to say this is the best tool I've used. My family and friends have complimented the pictures I've taken 10 fold compared to every camera I've owned or used in the past.

I can only give you the opinion of an amateur hobbyist, and that is how great this camera is.

Whatever you do GET THIS CAMERA! I have had it for almost 6 months now and I am continually impressed with it. In auto mode this camera is a dream to use. Even a beginner (such as myself) will get stunning results. In the past six months I have read books on photography and read the manual of this camera extensively. There isn't anything this camera won't do or won't let you do. If you are a pro then you can put this puppy in manual mode and it will let you have your way with everything. A truly amazing piece of photographic equipment at a very reasonable price. This is my first SLR purchase and I have never regretted it. I am just sorry I took so long to jump in a make the investment. With proper care this camera will last a long time and provide years of enjoyment. I just ordered a Tokina 80-400 mm zoom lens for wildlife photography for this baby! I can't wait to try it out. If you buy it though be prepared to read the manual. The camera is so feature packed that in order to appreciate it all you MUST read the manual. Fortunately, the manual is exceptionally well written and very easy to understand.

...then go back to your roots young man (and woman). This camera won't set you back very much, and does absolutely everything. You'll NOT be able to use all the features you USED to pay $[money] for. The lenses are great and automatic. The 28-105 is just superb. And being 28mm, you actually get the whole room, etc. instead of today's standard 35-39mm which is bogus. This is a spectacular value in a camera. Don't be fooled by the tv ads of 'rebel's', etc., this is the easiest, most powerful, lightest, best built, most versatile 35 SLR made today. Forget digital; it's time has not yet come. Put some money in good film and watch how pleased you'll be.

I reviewed several different options before I bought this camera and I have to say I made the right choice.
Lightweight, takes great shots and has more options than I'll every use. In fact if I has one critical comment is that there are so many options and remembering how to get to each is a tad confusing. I'm sure with time all will be fine.
Otherwise I love this camera. My first roll was of friends in a marathon and I got some spectacular action shots. Not to mention some great portrait shots on the same trip.
A great camera to make that next step beyond the point and shoot. I am looking forward to how my photography improves with the Maxxum 5.

If you're an amateur and you're looking for an entry level SLR, this is a great pick. I tried out several SLRs in the same price range (Canon EOS Rebel(s), Nikon N65) for a few months. Conclusion? The Maxxum 5 had the most intuitive LCD panel, and the largest, clearest viewfinder of the pack. The camera is lightweight, and the "eye start" automatic feature (a focusing mechanism) is terrific, well worth paying for. Two personal experience tips: First, resist your first impulse to buy a telephoto zoom and consider what you will be using your camera for (Nature shots? Zoom away). Second, get a lens cap keeper. Its a leash for your lens cap, and they are well worth it :-)...

This is my frist "real" camera I have purchased. The picture quality is increadble. I compared some pictures that where taking with a Kodak Advantix F-600 to my Maxxum, you can't compare. The pictures is 100 times clear, shaper and colorful. Awesome. A great beginner camera. I just wonder how the Maxxum 7 and 9 are. A must purchase if you wish to get into photography.