Dynax 9 vs 7

[ninelives]

Originally posted by yeocolin
I noticed Cathay Photo and MS colour sell their Dynax 7 with QD. I can't even get 1 without QD!

I find it very strange because having a date on your prints totaly ruins the picture. This is very unseeming for an advanced camera like Dynax 7. Can I switch of the QD feature? Otherwise, should I still search for a non-QD Dynax 7?

Dynax 7 all the same one, there is no such thing as QD or non QD like Dynax 5.

The LCD on the back is a function panel or control panel. There are 30 over functions which need to be control on the panel. Exposure setting also control via the panel.



The Maxxum 7 provides a wide selection of custom settings to enable you to truly personalize the camera for your particular style. Functions include:

1. AF/Release priority
2. Film rewind: auto or manual
3. Film leader: rewound into cartridge/left out for Select-frame film transport function
4. DX memory: On/Off
5. Shutter-release lock (with no film in chamber): On/Off
6. Lens focus-hold button: focus hold/continuous advance bracketing/depth-of-field preview
7. Eyepiece sensor activation: with grip sensor on/without grip sensor on
8. Frame counter: counts up/count down
9. AF/MF control button: while button is pressed/after button is pressed
10. AE-lock button: while button is press/after button is pressed
11. Exposure/Flash-bracketing sequence: metered exposure/ +/- or -/metered exposure
12. Film rewind speed: fast/slow (silent)
13. Shutter-speed and aperture display duration: 5/10/30 sec.
14. Local focus area display: 0.3 sec. at focus lock/0.6 sec. at focus lock/on only when Focus area selector or Spot AF button is pressed
15. Front and rear control dial lock: always active/always inactive/locked when camera is not metering
16. Shutter-release lock when lens is not attached: locked/released
17. AF drive speed: fast/slow
18. Exposure compensation with Front/Rear control dial in P, A, and S mode
19. Front and Rear Control dial operation as set by #18/reversed
20. Flash-metering: AD 14-segment/TTL 4-segment/TTL average
21. AF Illuminator: On/Off
22. Tasking on Focus-mode switch - AF-A position: Automatic AF/DMF
23. Shutter-release button: On/Off
24. Full-auto mode of exposure-mode dial: Not acceptable/Acceptable
25. Tasking on exposure-mode dial - position ‘3’: Memory 3/STF mode
26. Factoring exposure compensation on flash metering: Factored/Not Factored
27. Detailed display: show all settings/show changes from standard settings only
28. Operation display: On/Off
29. Large-icon display: On/Off
30. Meter-index display: On/Off
31. Exposure-history display: On/Off
32. Vertical display: On/Off
33. Imprint intensity control: Off/Low Intensity/Standard/High Intensity
34. Body ID number for Data number: imprinted to DN1/imprinted from DN2 to DN9
35. Language selection: Japanese/English/German/French/Spanish

 

[munfai]

Originally posted by yeocolin
thank you. Its very reassuring to hear I can switch off the date function, cos surely I don't want my dates to be imprinted on my slides. Cos when I bought my Dynax 404si, I specifically took the camera without date function.

you might want to download the Dynax 7 user manual from Minolta USA's website to have a look first.

it's broken into 3 part:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

 

[TME]

Originally posted by yeocolin
I noticed Cathay Photo and MS colour sell their Dynax 7 with QD. I can't even get 1 without QD!

I find it very strange because having a date on your prints totaly ruins the picture. This is very unseeming for an advanced camera like Dynax 7. Can I switch of the QD feature? Otherwise, should I still search for a non-QD Dynax 7?

Wah Colin!!! So many people giving u the impetus to buy the Dynax 7. I think u also cannot dun fall under it's spell....... hahaha........ at the end of the day, the camera body is just a black box... all these gadgets make our life easier by removing need to set up props, etc to get that special shot...... so the ,ens and the camera man is paramount......

 

[pj97]

Would appreciate some advice on the 7's AF, please.

I'm using a Tamron SP 24-135 with the focus point locked at the center. On occasion, I've suffered from some hunting by the AF. Most of these times were in low light, though there were some instances when it was in moderate (not bright daylight) light.

I've read some user reviews which described such a problem, but also many which did not. It's disappointing for myself to have experienced it. I've heard and read a great many things of the 7's AF system.

As a former Nikon user (the F90X), I'm wondering if the 7's AF is of which type: [ ] or O.

Of course, I'm wondering too if there is some way to overcome this problem.

Look forward to hearing from you all.

Much appreciated.

 

[munfai]

Originally posted by pj97
Would appreciate some advice on the 7's AF, please.

I'm using a Tamron SP 24-135 with the focus point locked at the center. On occasion, I've suffered from some hunting by the AF. Most of these times were in low light, though there were some instances when it was in moderate (not bright daylight) light.

I've read some user reviews which described such a problem, but also many which did not. It's disappointing for myself to have experienced it. I've heard and read a great many things of the 7's AF system.

As a former Nikon user (the F90X), I'm wondering if the 7's AF is of which type: [ ] or O.

Of course, I'm wondering too if there is some way to overcome this problem.

Look forward to hearing from you all.

Much appreciated.

what do you mean by type [ ] or O?

the central AF point on the 7 is the most sensitive. keep in mind that there are lots of variables that affect AF performance. contrast is a major factor, so ensure that you're focusing on something that is contrasty enough for the AF sensors to pick up. otherwise even in bright light AF will fail.

 

[sulhan]

Hi There....

Here are some info about the Dynax 7 AF.
The Sensitivity of the AS....there are two sets,,,the X and the +.
So the central sensor which is specifically designed to cater for aperture up to F6.7. This tells you how sensitive the AF sensor is. Minolta makes lens up to F6.7 (the APO 100-400mm at its slowest aperture F6.7) hence makes the body to cater for the lens.

The AF mode there is two....fast and slow. Fast for sports and others ....and slow for macro.

Once a fellow CS actually tried the Dynax 7 and coincidentally its at the macro slow focus mode.....and he goes....Wah lau eh!!! So slow ah the AF??.....

And realising the setting, i changed it back to the normal AF ....and he goes.....Wah Lau Eh!!!! So fast Siah!!!!....

So.....it really takes one to understand a camera better to realize its potential....don't judge by reviews or first tries....


regards,
Sulhan

 

[pj97]

Hi sulhan,

Thx for the prompt advice.

Hmm, a fast and a slow AF mode? How do I go about switching between the two? Is there any indication of it in the manual and in the LCD back?

Thx again.

 

[TME]

Originally posted by pj97
Hi sulhan,

Thx for the prompt advice.

Hmm, a fast and a slow AF mode? How do I go about switching between the two? Is there any indication of it in the manual and in the LCD back?

Thx again.

U'll have to take a look at the camera's manual. It is one of the Custom Functions........ It's Custom Function 17. I think fast AF does not always mean that it is the most accurate? Expert please comment. I think Sulhan's explanation for the two modes are better than what is given in the manual..... hahaha Sulhan, why dun u freelance for Minolta for their manual writing?

I also use the Tamron 24-135SP, I have absolutely no problems with it. I even used it on a 505si which has a rather slow AF and it's ok in all kinds of lighting conditions. Negligible hunting in low light - like restaurant at night under yellow incandescent light. The caveat is that I have a 3500xi program flash with a AF illuminator on it. Helps the AF tremendously. Haven't had any hunting when used on the Dynax 7 at all. Used about 5 rolls so far only on the Dynax 7 so not so much experience at the moment.

 

[yeocolin]

May I know how power hungry is the Dynax 7 for lithium batteries?

How helpful is the VC-7 other than offering vertical grip and alternative power as AA batteries?

 

[ninelives]

dynax 7 is not power hunger at all. vertical grip is useful if you shoot a lot of verticle shot.

 

[TME]

Originally posted by yeocolin
May I know how power hungry is the Dynax 7 for lithium batteries?

How helpful is the VC-7 other than offering vertical grip and alternative power as AA batteries?

Not too bad. I've has shot 5 or more rolls and battery's still full. No flash cos I use external flash..... so the batteries dun power that...

VC-7 offers the shutter release in the vertical position as well as 2 dials to toggle settings in place of the 2 dials u get on the camera body. I would buy it just for this alone as it allows a much more comfortable shooting position which translates to a steadier hold resulting is better shots when the shutter speed is really low.... like 1/20s.

 

[pj97]

Hi all,

Many thanks to everyone's help.

TME, while waiting for sulhan's reply, I looked up the manual and found the Custom 17 program (as you mentioned) to switch between fast and slow AF. Maybe I've got a small lemon but my 7 still hunts even with the assistance of the 5600 flash. Lucky you. It's nice to know I'm not the only believer in the possibility of 3rd party lenses, since you too use the Tamron SP 24-135.

sulhan, perhaps I was unclear in my post. My question was really about whether the 7's AF had something like the Nikon F90X's selection of [ ] and O. That is to say, in a difficult AF situation on a portrait shoot, should I still aim the center rectangle at the subject's face, or should I aim an outline like the top of the head, or the ear, or the jaw etc. etc.? This reminds me of trying to achieve focus lock with my Ricoh GR1s. In order to change the [ ] to a square, I've had to tilt the camera and pre-focus on the subject's top of the head (usually) in order to achieve focus lock.

What I'm trying to do here is to understand the 7's AF better so as to avoid this and overcome future similar AF difficulties.

Many thanks again.

 

[sulhan]

Hieee...



Just for you info, the general info for AF in cameras is by deciphering lines and areas with contrast distinguishable for focussing.

A bad surface will for example be a wall. Thats where say a wall infront painted flat and no reference point for cossing, the illuminator may kick in to use infrared or light bounce measurement to estimate distance of objects so the camera sets a fix focus stops(hyper focal for that particular distance).....

So to answer your question, yes you should use the central sensors and point to edge contrast features...which is about the same distance as the object.

AS the DYNAX 7 has a selectable 7 Point AF....you can select any of these points manually.....

BTW...I'm not that a worshipper of AF systems.....a i use manual 1/2 of the time......for landscapes and Macros....

Regards,
Sulhan

 

[TME]

Originally posted by pj97
Hi all,

Many thanks to everyone's help.

TME, while waiting for sulhan's reply, I looked up the manual and found the Custom 17 program (as you mentioned) to switch between fast and slow AF. Maybe I've got a small lemon but my 7 still hunts even with the assistance of the 5600 flash. Lucky you. It's nice to know I'm not the only believer in the possibility of 3rd party lenses, since you too use the Tamron SP 24-135.

sulhan, perhaps I was unclear in my post. My question was really about whether the 7's AF had something like the Nikon F90X's selection of [ ] and O. That is to say, in a difficult AF situation on a portrait shoot, should I still aim the center rectangle at the subject's face, or should I aim an outline like the top of the head, or the ear, or the jaw etc. etc.? This reminds me of trying to achieve focus lock with my Ricoh GR1s. In order to change the [ ] to a square, I've had to tilt the camera and pre-focus on the subject's top of the head (usually) in order to achieve focus lock.

What I'm trying to do here is to understand the 7's AF better so as to avoid this and overcome future similar AF difficulties.

Many thanks again.

I dun know what u shoot but have u considered that u may be focussing on something that has no contrast for the camera to lock on at all?

 

[ninelives]

Originally posted by pj97

As a former Nikon user (the F90X), I'm wondering if the 7's AF is of which type: [ ] or O.

it looks like this

click for more info :

here

 

[pj97]

Hi,

TME, thank you, I will consider your words.

Ninelives, thank you too, the link's invaluable. I will study the info there.

Finally, thank you to all who've lent a hand in trying to guide me out of my own little fog. Your collective actions truly give to me an overwhelming sense of community here at ClubSNAP.

 

[yeocolin]

Hi there. I just bought my Dynax 7 body earlier this week, so am just learning how to best use the body until I go out for my 1st field trip with this new body.

Of course, my ever reliable 404si will still be in active service. Can't abandon it cos it had served me so well for these past years.

 

[ninelives]

Originally posted by yeocolin
Hi there. I just bought my Dynax 7 body earlier this week, so am just learning how to best use the body until I go out for my 1st field trip with this new body.

Of course, my ever reliable 404si will still be in active service. Can't abandon it cos it had served me so well for these past years.

how much did you buy ? 1st or 2nd hand?

 

[yeocolin]

$1300 w GST, 1st hand.

 

[pj97]

$1300, all in???!!!

WHERE WHERE WHERE?