Minolta Maxxum 400si 35mm film SLR w/ AF 35-80mm lens (serial 87730923)

The Minolta Maxxum 400si is a sophisticated 35mm film SLR camera from the 1990s. It features full manual, shutter priority, aperture priority, and program exposure modes. The included lens is a flexible 35-80 f4-5.6 autofocus zoom with a built-in dust cap. The camera also features a pop-up integrated flash.

The Maxxum 400si was reviewed (in a face-off with the Canon Rebel XS) in the March 1994 issue of Popular Photography. You can read the review here. 

Minolta Maxxum (aka Dynax and Alpha) series film cameras are excellent choice for people who use Sony DSLRs as they use the same Alpha lens mount.

Battery info

This camera requires a 2CR5 lithium battery (available as an option).

Condition notes

The camera and lens are in good cosmetic condition (see photos). All features are working correctly and the shutter is firing with good accuracy on all speeds (verified with a shutter analyzer). We also verified the camera's light meter and autoexposure are working with good accuracy. It was tested with film installed but the film was not processed.

Manual

Minolta Maxxum 400si pdf 

Specs

• Type: 35mm SLR with built-in flash and expert control of autofocus (AF) and autoexposure (AE)

• Lens Mount: Minolta A-type bayonet mount

• AF System: Minolta's through-the-lens (TTL) phase-detection system with one CCD sensor; activated by pressing the shutter-release button partway down; predictive focus control for moving subjects; AF sensitivity range: EV —1 to 18 (at ISO 100 in ambient light); built-in flash fires automatically when raised in low-light to aid focusing; AF illuminator range: 1-5m (based on Minolta's standard test methods); focus lock available; manual focus selectable

• Metering: TTL-type; 8-segment honeycomb-pattern silicon photocell (SPC); automatically activated by pressing the shutter-release button partway down; second SPC for TTL flash metering of built-in flash or other dedicated flash unit; metering range: EV 1 - 20 (ISO 100, f/l .4 lens)

• Exposure Modes: Programmed AE (P mode): Automatic control of aperture and shutter speed depending on lens specifications and scene characteristics:

• Subject Programs: portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, and night portrait shooting modes

• Aperture-priority AE (A mode): Any available aperture in 0.5 EV increments; shutter speeds set from 1/2000 to 30 sec. automatically by autoexposure program

• Shutter-priority AE (S mode): Any shutter speed from 1/2000 to 30 sec. selectable in 1 EV increments; aperture set automatically by autoexposure program

• Manual (M mode): Any shutter speed/aperture combination selectable; correct and over-/under-üposure indicated in viewfinder; BULB setting also selectable

• Built-ln Flash: Guide number 12 (in meters at ISO 100); flash coverage for 28mm field of view; recycling time: Approx. 2 sec. (power supplied by camera); pre-flash for red-eye reduction and remote/wireless off-camera flash control available

• TTL Flash Metering: Operates in all flash modes with built-in flash and dedicated flash unit; x-sync shutter speed automatically set when flash-on indicator appears in viewfinder; in Night Portrait mode slow shutter speed automatically set to balance background exposure with flash

• Subject Program Modes, P and S Modes: Aperture and shutter speeds set automatically; built-in and attached accessory flash fires automatically when necessary, except Night Portrait and S mode (fires whenever activated)

• A Mode: Any available aperture selectable; shutter speed automatically set to 1 /90 sec.; built-in and attached accessory flash will fire when activated

• M mode: Any shutter speed 1 /90 or slower and any available aperture usable;  built-in and attached accessory flash will fire when activated

• Remote/wireless off-camera flash control: Built-in flash fires control code to trigger and stop specified accessory flashes; 2:1 flash ratio manually selectable; flash sync in remote/wireless mode: I /45 sec.; flash sync in ratio control: 1/45 sec.; control range: 5m

• Film-Speed Setting: Automatic setting for DX-coded films ISO 25 - 5000; Recommended range with flash: ISO 25 - 1000

• Exposure Compensation: ±3 EV (0.5 EV increments)

• Shutter: Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type; Range: 1/2000 to 30 sec., bulb; flash sync: 1/90 sec. or slower

• Film transport: Automatic with built-in motor drive; auto threading; auto advance to first frame; single-frame or continuous advance; automatic rewind or manual start of rewind; frame counter in body data panel

• Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed pentaprism; field of view: 90%; magnification: 0.75 (with 50mm lens at infinity); —1 diopter

• Self-Timer: Electronic With approx. 10-sec. delay; indication by blinking LED

• Power: 6-volt 2CR5 lithium battery; Automatic battery check when camera is turned on; Battery condition indicated by four-stage indicator in body data panel

• Dimensions: 147.5 x 92.5 x 66.5mm (5-13/16 x 3-5/8 x 2-5/8 in.)

• Date model: 147.5 x 92.5 x 67.5mm (5-13/16 x 3-5/8x2-11/16 in.)

• Weight (without lens and battery): 380g (13.4 oz.)

• Date model: 385g (13.6 oz.)