Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih)
Subject: Re: Canon EOS A2 vs Minolta Maxxum 7xi
Distribution: na
Date: 28 Dec 92 14:41:05 GMT

In <28995@oasys.dt.navy.mil> research@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Mike Leavitt) writes:

>First, I'm leaning to the A2 rather than the 7xi for a couple of reasons.  The
>A2 has built-in most of what I would have bought cards for the 7xi; the
>five-position "smart" focus gadget looks very neat; it has a better rep. for
>construction solidity; it has a better design for information exchange between
>camera and lens; it looks like it should be a better low-light performer given
>the wide diameter of the lens mount area (or whatever you call it!).  

When all is said and done, it really depends on how much light your
lenses admit into the mirror box.  (However, it may be that it does make
it easier to design better, faster lenses.)

>On the other hand, the A2 does not have a power zoom/
>autozoom capability.  Question for autozoomers:  is it very important to have
>that gadget?  If the camera can do everything else, can't I zoom it myself?  

I don't have autozoom, so I can't say for sure.  The main selling points
of power zoom are: image size lock, focal length memorization, and zoom
effects.

The first two can be done by hand, but perhaps less accurately than with
power zoom.  The last one is a bit tougher since you risk shaking the
camera with manual zoom.  (How often do you do zoom effects?)

>Question for everyone else with experience with either, am I omitting any
>crucial differences that will be show stoppers?  (I intend to do mostly
>outdoors/nature work.)

I think Canon glass will be easier to rent, and it also has a good
reputation once you get into the more expensive stuff.  That should
a big plus.  Not everyone can afford to own their own 300/2.8 or
even 80-200/2.8.  Canon also has the 20-35/2.8L which is also a nice
lens to rent.  So, for that "serious shoot", you should be able to
back it up with serious glass.

The thing that peeves me most about the 7xi is no DOF preview.
Trivial to put in, but they force you to get a 9xi for that!

Minolta's off-camera flash looks neat, but I've never found the
opportunity to actually position my optically-triggered slave, so I
wind up with bounce and direct flash all the time.

>Second, the old mail-order vs dealer question.  Since I'm a new reentrant to
>this area, I'm a little nervous buying mail order (I buy most of my computer
>stuff mail order with no hesitation).  The price difference looks to be in
>the $150-$300 range for body and one good zoom lens.  I found a local dealer
>who seems serious about post sales service.  Any comments on my dilemma?

Most of my local dealers are clueless about the newest stuff (and the
A2 and 7xi qualify).  Your dealer may be different.  However, if you've
gone into their store and fiddle with the stuff and asked lots of
questions, it should only be fair that they make a bit of money for
providing you with that opportunity.  If your dealer actually knows
what he's doing, that's even better.

Personally, I've found rec.photo a much better place from which to
obtain advice.  No one has a vested interest in selling you anything
(despite the flame wars :-).

As for where to buy via mailorder, your best bet is to try to find the
rec.photo mail-order survey.  Also find the credit card FAQ
(misc.consumers?) so you know what kinds of recourse you have if some
mail-order shop tries to pull something funny.

Canon is supposed to be pretty good about gray market stuff.  I
don't know about Minolta.  Check that out too.

>Mike

ACS
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