Maxxum Power | Minolta Maxxum 9 Review

[@patrickjclarke]

I used to work at Sony and we used to get crazy discounts on cameras so when I wanted a DSLR I jumped in to the Sony world and the first A100. I wanted a film backup camera and bought the Maxxum 7 and it and the 9 are still the best SLR's I've ever used. When Sony released their first full-frame digital, the A900, you could see the lineage of the 7 and 9 in it and I lusted over that camera, but loved my Maxxum 7 so much I never felt the need to go digital full frame in the Alpha line. I personally like the 7 better as the back screen is the perfection of modern film SLR tech, but both the 7 and 9 feel amazing in the hand and all the controls are perfectly placed in my opinion. I haven't found a DSLR or other SLR that can come close to these two cameras in ergonomics. When I need to make sure I get a shot on 35mm film and it needs to come out perfectly, I always use the Maxxum 7...it just works.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Oh yeah I would have loved to go with a 7, but the 9 was available came with the grip and was 200 cheaper than the 7 without a grip! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@johnanthonycolley3803]

2023 .. Both my A100 & A900 are much still my go-to Bodies. Coupled to Minolta Glass, remain Great performers..

[@simeonkorobov698]

I have 2 Minolta A9's... I have also used the Nikon F4, Canon EOS1, and the Minolta just blows them out of the water. I gets out of the way and does everything you need. Fabulous camera!

[@rpdee7344]

11/9/23 I own a few of the Minolta Maxxum film cameras with AF lenses Prime and Zoom that are like new but barely been used that were purchased off E-Bay at low prices. I also purchased a Minolta Maxium 3xi with zoom lenses when it came out at full price. Knowing that Sony Purchase the Minolta Maxxum line along with the "A" mount AF lenses I still uses the lenses with my Sony SLT a-55 Digital camera along with a Sony Kit zoom Lens, plus the Minolta primes, zoom, macro and beer can zoom lenses that work as great as they do on the film cameras. I like using them on digital cause of all the advantages that Tech offers with Digital and post processing and not being limited to 24-36 exsposer. Some lenses do produce a slight purple fringe images, but can be fixed in post when shooting in RAW along with the great sharpness of images and converted color images to BW in post production if needed. It is nice to see the ability to still use old tech on today's tech cameras.

[@jpg_sig10]

I started with the Minolta Maxxum 7000 in Dec1986. Then I sold it to upgrade to the Maxxum 8000i, and later added the Maxxum 9xi. When this Minolta Maxxum 9 came out in 1999, I had to have it, so I sold my 8000i and 9xi to help offset the acquisition cost of the Maxxum 9. My Maxxum 9 stayed with me until late 2004, when I sold off all of my Minolta gear and switched to digital photography with the Nikon D70 DX DSLR system. Good things! 👍

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Love my Maxxum 9! Also my first digital SLR was the D70s and now the D750! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@DominicRulikowski]

Thank you for a great video. I got my first Minolta SLR in 1977, at boarding school and had great darkroom and tutoring back then. Unfortunately I was away from film photography for a few decades. Now I am building a purpose-built darkroom at home.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Oh nice, school darkrooms are awesome! Thanks for watching and good luck in your build! 🍻

[@gregshawphotography8828]

When the Minolta Maxxum series came out, it was my first ever SLR camera. The Maxxum 5000 was expensive for me then, and the 7000 and 9000 were astronomically priced, and has always been white whales for me. I recently picked up the Maxxum 9 without a grip and I love it. I have an excellent array of lenses with it. I also have the first gun trinity 5000, 7000, and 9000, and I equally love those as well. I enjoy shooting portraits more that I do that of landscapes and random buildings.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Awesome! I had both a 5000 and 7000, both died 😢 the 7000 went up in smoke! I’ve always wanted to try the 9000! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

Compared to the Canon 1v and nikon f6, this is by far the best value pro level camera! It really is underestimated a lot. I shot with a Canon AE-1 for over 5 years before I felt the need to upgrade my gear and the Alpha 9 definitely fit all my needs. It's also not hard to find lenses since people practically give them away so cheap!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

😁! I just got the 50/1.4 for 170$ those 35/2 are still out of reach sadly.

[@mikebraz25]

The 800si has been my go to for years. I'm a long time follower of Minolta.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

800si is a sweet little SLR! Although the 600si Classic is one on my wishlist! Thanks for Watching!

[@mikebraz25]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto thanks. I'm actually in process of collecting many Minolta cameras that I couldn't afford to at the time. I have the 800si, 5, 7, and soon to arrive is a 9.

[@louontube]

Great review, Alex - it's very helpful as I am trying to move into the AF line with Minolta. Keep shooting and keep sharing. Thank you.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Thanks! Yes the Maxxum line is amazing! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@garymorrison277]

Having changed systems and going digital to Nikon after Minolta sold out to Sony I've drifted back to Minolta film cameras alongside Nikon film and digital cameras and yes I've acquired quite a number over recent years. But having originally had a 7xi back in the day have recently bought a couple of 7xi's but in good condition for not a lot of money then came the wave of low cost cameras but in great condition 2, 700si's, a 800si and then 2, Dynax 7's (I'm in the UK)one for £15 the other, with a grip for £23 and the only thing wrong with them was the dreaded sticky back, that 10 minutes cleaning sorted out. I'm currently looking for a Dynax/Maxxum 9 and look forward to compering it to both a Dynax 7 and my Nikon F4, F100 and F90x. Great video by the way.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Awesome! Yes I nearly went Minolta AF also then went Nikon! That is an amazing selection of cameras! I nearly bought a 800si last week but decided against it! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@Charlie25068]

I have the Maxxum 500si, does all I need to.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

The si series was excellent! I would love a 600si classic! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@theoldcameraguy]

Great images. I shoot my plastic whiz bang Canon EOS cameras in P mode often as well. I can’t justify buying another camera, but this Minolta is stirring up some G.A.S.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

😉 I have picked up another Maxxum, the Maxxum 70, a cheap and cheerful camera from 2004. Throwing my hat into next year’s Frugal Film Project. Now to wait on 5$ a roll film!

[@theoldcameraguy]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Nice!

[@jdebultra]

Good video. I own the Maxxum 7 and 9. I use both equally but I don't have the grips. My most used lens is probably the 35-70 f/4 followed by the 85 f/1.4. Both cameras are brilliant and have excellent exposure meters. I shot an air show a weekend ago and used the 100-400 APO and the Tamron A10 19-35 f/3.5-4.5.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Nice! I don’t have the 85/1.4 yet but have added the 24/2.8 and 50/1.4! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

Three lenses that I recommend that are really worth it and are not very expensive. Konica Minolta 17-35 f2.8-4, Konica Minolta 28-70 f2.8 and finally AF 80-200 f2.8 HS (a little more expensive but worth it) and as a bonus if you are lucky enough to find it at a good price AF 200 f2.8 HS. And an extra recommendation like a Minolta AF35-200 xi all-terrain lens (I got mine for 50 euros)

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Excellent choices! I have the 17-35 f2.8-4 brilliant lens. Will keep an eye out for the 28-70 f2.8!

[@Linked02]

I am trimming and arranging my collection, and am considering parting with my x700 and replacing it with the maximum 7/9. I also have the Nikon FM2 in my gear. Any thoughts?

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Going from the X700 to a Maxxum 7 or 9 is a huge step and a whole new lens system! But go for the 7. And keep the FM2.

[@Linked02]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto right thank you mate! I was leaning towards keeping the Nikon, and parting the X700 in order to scrounge up some pennies ;)

[@blackubuntu]

Great review and awesome images! Often thought about looking for one. I have a bin of the cheaper maxxums and need to haul out one of those before picking up one of these. Most, if not all of these on ebay, come from Japan. It would be hard to sneak it past my wife…

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

I’ve been looking at a cheaper Maxxum. Mostly because I want to participate in Frugal Film next year.

[@btrdangerdan2010]

I love the camera I shot over 1000 photos with mine

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

They are solid beasts! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@rodgercarey3480]

Any idea where I can find a fitted leather case for my 9

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

@@rodgercarey3480 Oh man I don’t know if such a thing exists. There are people out there who make custom ones which may be the way to go.

[@rodgercarey3480]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto thanks any ideas on who?

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

@@rodgercarey3480@rodgercarey3480 Sadly, I don't; there probably isn't much demand for such a case with the '9. As weird as it may sound, you might want to go to a military reenactment from the 19th century. There usually are leather workers in Suttler camps, and one might be willing to make one.

[@10rollsoffilm11]

Enjoyed the review, solid stuff as always, Alex! I would add that, as good as their lenses often are, Minolta wasn't the only lens manufacturer for A-mount and there are quite a few good options from Sigma, Tamron and even (heresy accusations incoming!) Sony as well - sometimes for about the same price or even cheaper than the OG Minolta stuff 🙂

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Oh yeah tonnes of excellent third party glass but I love keeping things OEM! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@10rollsoffilm11]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto Well, technically Sony glass is OEM 🙃

[@Emma-zk6it]

I own two 7000 bodies and I barely use them after I got the maxxum 9 I like it even more than the maxxum 7. The 7 has been a disappointment for me two cameras with the same issue the aperture plate assy.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Yes! Another ‘9 fan! Shame about the 7000s. Thanks for watching!

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto If you want to see a real enthusiast of the Minolta 9, I leave a link of a well-known youtuber who made almost a documentary about the camera. I recommend it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIG7qYuQjt6SgtU

[@Vintage35MM]

Good to know that the aperture problem in the 7 also exists in the 9. It’s really a sad day when one realizes that one little tiny gear buried deep inside can disable such a capable camera.

[@SinaFarhat]

As nice as these pro slr cameras are there is a thing I consider more and more: repairability! My wonderful canon 1v will be in need of service one day and I will not be able to find someone that fixes electronic cameras! My older canon f1n is mechanical and can be repaired! Keep up the good work!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

That is the downside to any modern camera and I know eventually the Max 9 will die but my mechanical cameras will keep going.

[@10rollsoffilm11]

That's a fair point, although it's also worth mentioning that camera repair is only getting more expensive as time goes on and it's not inconceivable that repairing a mechanical camera would cost not all that much less than replacing an electronic one... Depends on the model and luck, of course 😉

[@patrickjclarke]

@@10rollsoffilm11 yeah, have to agree here. Technically easier to repair an all mechanical camera, but you still need people to work on one and that's getting more rare. To be totally honest, I've had as many all mechanical camera's break to a point they cost too much to repair vs something more modern like my Maxxum 7 or Canon EOS Elan 7e.

[@10rollsoffilm11]

@@patrickjclarke Exactly! Another thing I noticed is that (at least in my experience) when electronic cameras do work, they tend to work properly well, with precise shutter speeds, metering, film advance, etc - but alas they can indeed die a sudden and irreparable death. Mechanical cameras may take a long time to get to that point of no return where nothing can be done to resurrect them but do gradually develop numerous and very annoying non-lethal faults in the meantime (shutter speeds all over the place, metering cells getting wonky, film advance slipping or jamming, etc). So it's certainly not as clear-cut as 'mechanical cameras are always better' 😉

[@EduardoRomero1965]

The 28-85 is an excellent zoom and is very cheap. I haven't have much luck with the 35-70, I have purchased 2 and I don't like them. I purchased the 28mm when I saw your photos with it on Flickr.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Lenes are very personal choices! Glad you’re enjoying the 28! Still a favourite of mine, though the 24 gets more camera time! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@marshalltravis3217]

Where is the location of this video? Looks amazing.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

This is at Westfield Heritage Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It’s a favourite living history museum. Thanks for watching 🍻

[@marshalltravis3217]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto is that on highway 8 just south of Cambridge?

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

@@marshalltravis3217 Just off 8 on Kirkwall Rd south of Cambridge.

[@marshalltravis3217]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto 🙏

[@SomeUnremarkableGuy]

Dind't Xi series came out in early 90s rather than 1987? In 1987 'i' series came out, which should be the second gen of minolta autofocus slr cameras.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Yes the i series came out before the xi, there is a good chance I flipped that in the video by mistake. 🤣 Thanks for watching 🍻

[@SomeUnremarkableGuy]

​@@AlexLuyckxPhoto No problem. There's saying in my country something like 'those who works also makes mistakes'.

[@jerryrichards8172]

What's the constant f4 and what's it's best benefit?

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

There are two, the 35-70/4 and 70-210/4. They’re both excellent quality lenses at a low price on the used market. Great starter lenses! Thanks for watching 🍻