Minolta Maxxum 7000 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only

I really hesitate to leave a review of this 27 year old camera because I really don't want to spoil it for myself by giving it a great review and then helping drive up the price on ebay. These can be had really cheap (I've gotten more than one for under $10) In the last 2 years I have bought four of these since I want to ensure that I will always have a working one in my collection. It's one of the earliest autofocus SLRs and does not snap into focus as quickly as Minolta's made even a few years later, but it's still plenty fast nonetheless. The crispness of the focus is one of the things I love about the camera. I use it mainly for taking pictures of my sons playing Baseball. Coupled with the fabulous "Beercan" Minolta Zoom this baby takes great action shots, particularly when using the Shutter priority mode at 1/2000 of a second. It really freezes the action. Another feature is a built in autowinder that is relatively fast for the kind. I'd bet it fires off at just under 2 frames per second enabling you to get some pretty great action sequences. In Program Mode you really can't take a bad picture. Another thing I love is that the flash mount on this camera accepts standard automatic flashes and works automatically with the flashes made for the XG series (MANUAL FOCUS) that preceeded it. These can be bought very inexpensively too.

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.

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.

This camera seems to have everything that I wanted on it. It has a great metering system that gives you a lot of control when you want it, and easily takes control when you don't want to be bothered. The thing I like the best is that it has a continuous shooting mode. Many models of camera require an extra piece of equipment for that, with this one it is built right in! The lens on the camera was perfect as well it has a macro setting and zoom, this has the versatility I need for my style of photography. The controls on the camera are very easy to use as well all the buttons are easily in reach without having to pull the camera away from your face to look at it before changing a setting. The controls are very easy to learn I sat down with the book and was ready to go in minutes. All in all I am very happy with the item. For someone that set out to get a Nikon and wound up with a Minolta I am very pleased.

I own three of these bodies. The Maxxum 7000 presents a bombproof platform for using an SLR with an autofocus system. The lenses can also be used on Sony A mount as Sony bought Konica Minolta and acquired the KM technology. A fantastic and CHEAP lens portfolio exists from which to choose and buy and use lenses from the past decades.

Focus performance is not up to modern speeds, but the Minolta Maxxum lens color and drawing more than make up for the lack of speed "for me". The focus system can "hunt" a bit in low light, but the AF/Manual switch is easily accessible, so switching back and forth is easy. Metering is very good. Along with the ability to change ISO values, you can also override "P" mode (if you use it) and adjust S and A values at will.

Battery life is around 50 rolls. This can be extended by using a AA grip vs the standard AAA grip.

All in all, a very compact yet sturdy platform that can be used/abused without worrying that it won't work. And since the bodies are VERY plentiful, they can be replaced almost at will should you actually abuse one into a non-working state.

Go and buy. This is a camera, and lens system, you can buy and use with confidence.