Minolta Maxxum 7000 35mm film SLR w/ 50mm f1.7 lens + 4000AF flash + Program Data Back 70 (serial 18038659)
Minolta Maxxum 7000 35mm film SLR w/ 50mm f1.7 lens + 4000AF flash + Program Data Back 70 (serial 18038659)
Includes Minolta AF 50mm f1.7 lens, Minolta Maxxum 4000AF flash, Program Data Back 70, Maxxum 7000 manual (English), Maxxum 7000 quick guide (French), and Maxxum 4000 AF manual (multi-language).
Note: The photos show the camera with 4xAA battery holder, we later found a reliability issue with this part. We're instead including a 4xAAA battery holder (photos will be updated shortly) which is a bit lighter and more compact.
"Only the human eye focuses faster".
The Maxxum 7000 was a landmark camera when it was released in 1985--it was the first truly successful autofocus SLR (previous attempts were goofy hacks). And it's still a fun-to-use and very capable camera today.
The camera takes Minolta A-mount lenses which continue to be used in Sony Alpha DSLR and SLT digital cameras (Sony bought Minolta's camera technology). The included lens is a fast and sharp Minolta Maxxum 50mm f1.7.
This camera is fitted with the Program Data Back 70 which allows for optional date imprinting (the calendar goes until 2079!) and other features like an intervalometer.
The included Maxxum 4000AF is a powerful (guide number is 40 meters at ISO 100) and feature rich mid-sized flash. It also provides an AF illuminator for much faster focusing performance in low light situations. It certainly make the camera a bit bulkier when you attach this flash but it adds tremendous flexibility for your photography. We enjoyed using this flash both in dimly lit and in daylight situations (as a fill flash) when film-testing the camera.
Battery info
- This camera requires four AAA batteries (not included).
- The flash requires four AA batteries (not included).
- The Program Data Back 70 requires two 357 or LR44 button cells (included).
Condition notes
We film tested this camera and its lens and it delivered sharp, correctly exposed images. This Maxxum 7000 and the included lens and flash are in excellent working condition. We tested the camera's shutter speeds and it showed excellent accuracy across all ranges. We also tested the camera and lens combo for exposure accuracy with a calibrated light source and it was very precise. The camera shows some minor cosmetic wear (see photos). The Program Data Back 70 is shows slight signs of LCD bleed on its display (this didn't affect legibility in our test nor did it affect its date imprinting).
Manuals
Minolta Maxxum 7000 camera pdf
Program Data back pdf
Maxxum 4000 flash pdf
Specifications
- Type: 35mm SLR with microcomputer control of autofocus, auto multi-program, multimode, auto film transport, and LCD data panels
- Lens mount: Minolta "A"-type, self-lubricating stainless-steel bayonet; accepts all MAXXUM AF lenses for continuous lens control by automatic electronic-mechanical dedication
- Autofocus system: Minolta's TTL phase-detection type with 8-bit microcomputer for direct, digital adjustment
- Sensitivity range: EV 2 to 19 at ISO 100 in ambient light
- Manual focusing: By referring to focus signals (LEDs) in viewfinder, or visually using Acute-Matte screen
- Controls: Keys to set exposure mode, drive mode, exposure adjustment, and film speed; up/down keys to select speed, aperture and to control program shift; AE lock; program reset returns camera to P mode, S drive, and cancels exposure adjustment.
- Shutter: Electronically controlled verticaltraverse focal-plane type
- Auto speeds: Stepless 1/2000 to 30 sec. with nearest half-stop setting displayed
- Manual speed: 1/2000 to 30 sec. in full-stop settings plus "bulb”
- Film-speed settings: ISO 25 to 6400 in ambient light, ISO 25 to 1000 for TTL flash metering, both in 1/3-EV steps; auto film speed setting with DX-coded films
- Metering: TTL center-weighted averaging type; by silicon photocell on pentaprism for ambient light; second SPC at bottom of mirror box for TTL flash metering with dedicated flash units
- Auto-exposure (AE) range: EV —1 to 20 with ISO 100 film and 50/1.4 lens (e.g., 4 sec. at f/1.4 to 1/2000 sec. at f/22).
- Exposure modes:
- Program: Both shutter speed and aperture set according to AE program automatically selected by camera: Wide program for focal lengths shorter than 35mm, Standard for focal lengths from 35mm to 105mm, Tele for focal lengths longer than 105mm; program changes automatically when zooming from one range to another.
- A: Aperture-priority AE; any available aperture selectable in half-stops, camera sets corresponding stepless shutter speed from 1/2000 to 30 sec.
- S: Shutter-priority AE; any speed from 1/2000 to 30 sec. selectable in full stops, camera sets aperture from range available on lens
- M: Metered-manual exposure; manual setting of any speed and aperture; correct exposure indicated in viewfinder.
- TTL flash metering: Operates in all flash modes with dedicated units
- Program: Automatic setting of X-sync to 1/100 sec. (1/60 below EV 12) and aperture; automatic fill-in flash in bright sunlight
- A: 1/100 sec. X-sync set automatically; any available aperture usable; AE lock enables slower X-sync speed through 30 sec. for balancing flash with ambient lighting
- M:Any shutter speed 1/100 sec. or slower and all available apertures usable; speed automatically reset to 1/100 sec. at manually set speeds 1/125 sec. or faster
- Exposure controls: Exposure adjustment EV +4 to —4 in half-stops; AE lock holds metered AE settings; program shift for temporary selection of other programmed apertureshutter speed settings (in half-stops) for metered EV, shifted settings held as long as meter stays on.
- Operating button: Touch Switch activates metering and LCD displays, which remain on for 10 sec. after finger is lifted from button; pressing halfway activates autofocusing and focus hold; pressing button all the way releases shutter
- Film transport: Automatic with built-in motor drive: auto threading, auto advance to first frame, S mode for single-frame advance, C mode for continuous advance at up to 2 frames per second, power rewinding, auto rewind stop; advancing frame counter in data panel
- Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed pentaprism shows 94% of 24 x 36mm film-frame area; magnification 0.85X with 50mm lens at infinity
- Data displays:
- Top panel: LCDs indicate exposure mode, program shift, shutter speed, aperture, exposure adjustment, film speed, frame number, drive mode, self-timer operation, "bulb" operation, low battery warning, over-/ under-exposure warning
- Viewfinder: LCDs indicate exposure mode, program shift, shutter speed, aperture, exposure adjustment, film speed, low battery warning, whether light is within metering range, over/underexposure warning; LEDs indicate focus status, if flash is charged, correct flash exposure; illuminated automatically in low light
- Audible beeper: At the beep position, camera beeps: when subject is in focus; at the end of the roll; during self-timer operation; and as a warning in P or A mode when shutter speed is below: 1/30 sec. with focal lengths shorter than 35mm, 1/60 sec. with focal lengths from 35mm to 105mm, and 1/125 sec. with focal lengths longer than 105mm.
- Self-timer: Electronic with 10-second delay; cancellable; operation indicated by 3-stage blinking LED with simultaneous audible beeping and countdown in data panel.
- Other: Front and rear handgrips, eyepiece cap, film window, remote control terminal, carrying strap
- Size and weight: 52 x 91.5 x 138mm (2-1/16 x 3-5/8 x 5-7/16 in.), 555g (19 9/16 oz.) without lens and batteries