From: rocky@nnsgs50.lon40.nt.com (Dave Kennard)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Maxxum 7xi and zoom lenses
Date: 13 Nov 1992 09:09:47 GMT
Organization: Northern Telecom Europe
NNTP-Posting-Host: nnsgs50.lon40.nt.com

In article <74200@apple.apple.COM> chuq@Apple.COM (Eeyore's Evil Twin) writes:
>dwing@cudnvr.denver.colorado.edu (Dan Wing) writes:
>
>>I'm looking at purchasing a Minolta Maxxum 7xi.  I'm concerned about the noise 
>>of the camera (AF, power zoom, film advance), and would like to minimize the
>>noise when necessary.

>the 7xi is a pretty quiet camera, especially compared to my old 5000i
>(nicknamed R2D2).

>>I've noticed that most (all?) lenses available for the camera can be set to 
>>manual focus, which should silence the whirring of the motor.

>Be aware that if you buy an 'xi' style lens, manual focus is a misnomer.
>You're turning off automatic focus, but focussing is still powered by the
>engine, unlike an 'i' style lens where turning on manual focus disengages
>the focus mechanism completely. (I personally find the 'xi' lenses focus too
>slowly under manual focus to be useful, hence all my lenses are 'i' style.
>My wife's 7xi has the same lenses in the 'xi' style and she likes them. Both
>take nice, crisp pictures).

WRONG!  Manual focus on 'xi' lenses IS manual - but awkward.  There is a
rubber (like) ring at the extreme end of the 'xi' lenses that can be turned
when the camera (7xi in my case) is set to manual focus.

The ZOOM is power operated only.  You cannot zoom without power the following
'xi' lenses:  28-105, 28-80, 35-200.  You CAN manually zoom (i.e. without
power) the 70-210 and 100-300 'xi' lenses, but again this is awkward.

>>Which ones?  My wife will be using the camera on some occassions, 
>>and isn't a terribly good photographer, so I'd like to keep the automatic
>>composition available with power-zoom, if possible.  

>If you want power-zoom, you have to have an 'xi' lens, which brings with it
>the powered-non-autofocus. If you want TRUE manual focus, then you won't
>find a lens that also supports power-zoom (to my knowledge). On the other
>hand, I don't particularly find power-zoom to be a significant advantage.

Try the new Sigma 'IA' lenses - which are aimed at the Minolta 'xi' and
Pentax 'Z' bodies.

>Between us, we own five lenses and two bodies (both 7xi). She has the
>35-105xi and 100-300xi lenses, and I have the 35-105i and 100-300i lenses,
>as well as a Sigma 24mmAF.

I assume you mean 28-105xi, Minolta do not make a 35-105xi!

>All four of the Minolta lenses work fine. Whether you like the xi style or
>not depends partially on how much you like to dink with things. The more you
>do manual focussing, the less you'll lik 'xi' lenses.

Agreed.  The 'i' lenses are easier to use manually.

>Unfortunately, Minolta has phased out it's 'i' line of lenses, so if you
>want the older style with real manual focus, you either need to track down a
>dealer with older stock or go to a third party lens like Sigma. (one other
>thing to worry about with the 'xi' lens. It'll work on an 'i' style camera
>like the 5000i, but without any way to enable manual focus. They're pure
>point and shoot.

WRONG!  Minolta have NOT dropped their 'i' lenses.  The only lenses that
Minolta have dropped since introducing the Minolta 7000 are the ORIGINAL
35-70/f4 and 70-210/f4 autofocus lenses - both replaced when the 7000i was
launched.  ALL the other 'i' lenses are listed in the current Minolta
catalog.

>BAsically, the Minolta 'xi' zoom lenses are aimed at people who are doing
>more point&shoot stuff and letting the camera do the hard work. The more you
>like ot control the process, the less you'll like them. 

Mmm.. the 'xi' lenses are aimed at extending the high tech facilities of
the 'xi' camera range...  they do (very effectively) aid point and shoot,
but they also aid more demanding photography (as long the Auto Standby Zoom
is turned off!).  However, I must echo the sentiment that if you require
regular manual control of focusing, and non-motorised zoom, you must
consider non-xi lenses, or even a different camera range?

>>I'm looking at a 28-80mm zoom lens (from Minolta)

The 28-105xi is vastly superior - being (almost) 1 stop faster throughout
its range, sharper etc. - not to mention more expensive - but you get more
for your money!

>Take a look at the 35-105 instead of a 28-80. you give up a little of the
>wide angle, but I find it to be a very convenient range, and the lenses I
>have are nice and sharp.

I think you mean 28-105xi!

>            Chuq "IMHO" Von Rospach, ESD Support & Training (DAL/AUX)

Dave Kennard.

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