From: bruceb@mpd.tandem.com (Bruce Burden)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Minolta diff 5000,5000i,5xi (et al)
Date: 25 Aug 92 23:03:55 GMT
Organization: Tandem Computers (MPD) Austin, TX

In article <SLCPB4QQ@dri.com> braun@dri.com (Kral) writes:
>This is probably a FAQ, but I've been looking for a week or so, and I'm looking
>to buy RSN, so I'll put this out anyway and deal with the flames as they
>come...
>
>Can someone explain the significant differences between the Minolta *000,
>*000i, and *xi camaras and associated lenses? 
>
	The n000 Maxxums were the original Minolta AF cameras. With them
   came the first generation AF lenses in the Minolta 'A' mount. The
   technology is dated today, and probably not worth investing in. A note
   here, a friend had a 7000 and some early Sigma lenses. My 8000i would
   not do ANYTHING when those lenses were mounted, so there are some 
   compatability problems here. Later Sigma lenses haven't demonstrated 
   that problem.

	Around the start of the n000i series, many of the 'A' lenses were
   redesigned into a smaller package. Same speed, focal length, but up to
   1/3 the size. As far as I know, all Minolta (and Minolta licensed) 
   lenses will be driven by later cameras.

	The n000i cameras had improved electronics, AF system, and are
   only available with a lithium battery. This was also the introduction
   of the expansion cards, as I recall. For comparison purposes, it is
   probably not out of order to say the 7000 and the 5000i were about
   equal in AF performance.

	Other changes include the "i" series flash units, with a new
   flash mount. Only AF flash units will work with this new mount (as
   I was made painfully aware). Typically the flash units are more
   powerful and compact than their predecessors.

	The nxi cameras introduced the Auto-zoom feature, and again 
   improved AF systems. The 3xi and 5xi are more competetive with the
   Canon Rebel series in terms of overriding the controls (finally!)
   There are 5 or 6 "xi" lenses to support these cameras, covering the
   popular focal lengths of the older AF lenses. The mount will support
   older (read non-AZ) lenses with AF capability, but not AZ capability.
   The top cameras (7xi, 9xi) have a faster film transport than did the
   n000i cameras. There are yet more new flash units (the "xi" units)
   available for these cameras, generally with the same size/capabilities
   as the previous "i" series units, with the exception of remote TTL
   flash capability (as long as the camera is capable, that is :-) ).

	The flash mount is the same as the "i" mounts, and will handle
   all of Minoltas prevous flash units (with adaptors for the original
   units), but the interface has changed back to the original (re n000)
   interface, which is good news for me (but untried at this time).
   This means that non AF capable flash units are usable with the appropriate
   adaptor (FS-1100 or FS-1200, I forget which).

	The "i" series is a good series, and there should be good deals
   in used bodies as people migrate to the newer bodies, and you are
   not interested in having the latest thing going.
>
>Background:  I know a little about basic photography, and am looking to get
>into casual hobbiest type photography (read: more than tourist and family
>photos, but less than a professional) - mainly nature and landscapes (but have
>to have quick point and shoot for the new baby!).
>

	Depending on the budget, a new 5xi might be the route. Or,
    perhaps a used 7000i. I am not sure that I would bother with a
    5000i/3000i, and definitely nothing older. The manual capability
    of the 5xi/3xi make them much more competetive with the Canon
    Rebel series, and they are about the same as a 7000i. Both systems
    would handle what you are looking for, I would think. How much
    does AZ mean to you?




								Bruce



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Bruce Burden
  bruceb@mpd.tandem.com