Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 5 (35mm Film Camera): In Depth Look

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In this video I take a detailed look at the Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 5 35mm Autofocus film camera. This includes a tour of the body, operation, viewfinder, autofocus, and some of my thoughts on the performance of this camera with samples at the end. I also show you a few things to look out for buying one of these.
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Timestamp:
00:00 - Start
00:05 - Tour of body parts/controls
02:45 - Manual - Names of parts
02:50 - Viewfinder
03:21 - Data Panel/Viewfinder display
03:29 - Function Dial/Operation/Modes
04:35 - Custom Function reference chart
05:59 - Eye Start Autofocus Demo
06:10 - Shutter/Mirror Sound
06:25 - BP-200 Battery Pack
07:10 - Problems to look for/Blued Mirror
07:21 - Specifications
07:31 - Final Thoughts/Sample Images

[@MrBazReviews]

Amazon USA - amzn.to/3u0y7da UK - amzn.to/3u7Vgun If you find the reviews useful please consider supporting the channel via Patreon - www.patreon.com/mrbazreviews Or by using the affiliate links

[@Alan-vx9nc]

Hey thank you so much for the video! It guided me through the settings pretty well (especially the CUSP part) :D

[@MrBazReviews]

Yes the cryptic settings are not ideal, so I showed the manual for those. It's not a bad camera for it's time quite well featured

[@walkwithvictor]

Thank you for your video, it was very useful!

[@MrBazReviews]

Glad to hear that! Thanks for the comment

[@pralkowcypl3646]

Nice film. Big thanx!

[@MrBazReviews]

No problem

[@alexchavez6059]

Very helpful honestly. Thank you. If only there were more vids put some film through it and taking shots.

[@MrBazReviews]

More to come! Maybe if I can find more film bodies I want to use.. Thanks for dropping in

[@robertknight4672]

I added a Minolta Max maximum five to my collection of film cameras back in 2020. It's a very capable little camera. I bought one of the Minolta speedlights for it.

[@MrBazReviews]

It's a nice model has a lot for the small price, other than the viewfinder issue and perhaps the small grip it's capable enough.

[@jml7916]

Love this Camera. Tested with Sony 50mm f/1.4, Sony SAL2875 SAM and Sony SAL70300G SSM and it works with them all plus my collection of Minolta lenses. Amazon carries CR2's very cheap. My film bag now has this camera (upgraded from HTsi), 50mm f/1.7, 28mm f/2.8, 28-105 RS and Beercan 70-210 f/4.

[@MrBazReviews]

I still use this, a classic 5 series camera. Also have other 5 series ones 5d and 57 I decided to stick with A mount, just get used stuff and adapt - I like the lenses too much you have similar ones I have How do you find the 70-300mm G? Never used it does it work well?

[@jml7916]

@@MrBazReviews it is fantastic but, I only bought the Sony version because my main digital body is an A99ii and it has some focus benefits with Sony lenses. I have also shot the Tamron SP 70-300 and it is just as good for half the price. Same size too. Both are sharper and faster (AF) than my Minolta 100-400 but about the same size and weight. I had an A65 for years and loved it. If I could find an A68 I would snap it up in a heartbeat to have a second A mount Digital body. I currently use an LA-EA4 and an A7ii and it’s only OK. I wish Sony would let the EA5 work on all E mount bodies.

[@MrBazReviews]

@@jml7916 Interesting, thanks for that I have seen the Tamron around at a low price. I do have the LAEA4, and it's not bad. However the LAEA5 looked great, until we found out it works on all of 3 expensive bodies! So a non starter really, unless they add bodies later on. I do use the A6300 with the adapter, the output is good for video, and nice enough sensor. I can't say I like the body at all though, just feels odd using it. Some strange concepts at work. I decided for the time being to use that E mount body, for reviews/video - but I have 0 interest in re-buying lenses for it. So I just fund the A Mount stuff. I did cut down the crop lenses, but A99's are not too bad a price, makes no sense to buy an E mount body, and use it with the LAEA4, not for photos. And makes no sense to buy an LAEA5 if it doesn't work with screw drive lenses. I'm a bit puzzled why Sony didn't work out, that the adapter situation, just isn't appealing to A mount users. I have no interest in 61mp, or the A1 or A6600. They are all too expensive by a large margin. Lot of used stuff on MPB I traded/sold/bought some from them no problems at all. I think I'll stick to A99's in the future, I sold my 77/77ii, and picked up an A57 as a second camera. I have way too much stuff to consider a system switch!

[@jml7916]

@@MrBazReviews You sold an A77ii???? I am drop jawed, lol. I would love to get a second A99ii but the cost is to much. Hopefully a used A7riv and LA-EA5 will be affordable when my A mount body dies. I have a few E mount lenses that I bought for the A7ii. I would be happy keeping only 2 or 3 of the 5 that I have. The 85mm f/1.8 is actually very nice. The other one I love is the Tamron 28-200 f/2.8-5.6. It isn't perfect but it is very, very good and pairs well with the A7ii to make a fantastic carry around, do everything setup. I also enjoy using older MC/MD lenses and other odd manual focus primes I come across with it. I am saving up for a Minolta 85mm f/1.4 but they aren't pocket change cheap. I keep thinking I need a better wide angle lens but nothing under very expensive is much better than my trusty, old Sigma EX 17-35

[@MrBazReviews]

@@jml7916 Be a while before the 7RIV is cheaper, could be quite a few years. That's at this time the only FF that's within reach for the LAEA5. Unless the new A7IV works with it, when that turns up. Minus the S/M Raw those 61mp files eat up a lot of space, that's the problem for me. I can shrink them down even raw in the PC - honestly have no need for 61mp at all. A1 is just crazy land for money, that's never going to be an option really! I got a used A77ii almost 2 years ago, for not much money, sold it to MPB for a profit! I was never happy with the focus, just inconsistent, despite tweaking settings. I ran it next to the A99 for a few days, and the 99 walked all over it, much higher keeper rate. Also the Wi-Fi is useless on that camera (it's also useless on the A6300), can't GPS tag, app works hmm when it want to etc! A77 first one, I'd even trust that more for AF, and it has the GPS - it's just hard to use once you have tried an A99, even though the 99 isn't as good as other FF for low light - it's far easier working with that. The IQ is just much nicer. Even the 57 is a better camera for low light, and a deep buffer for the class - a nice little run/gun camera for small cost (sell for about 160 peanuts really). I had one from new, sold it and regretted it, so got another one! A99ii will be expensive for a while, they sell fast, hold their value. Will be some time before they are more affordable. Meantime the 99 whilst dated are more than good enough for me, I'll pick up a second body later and run 2. Might keep the 57 as a spare Tamron SP 15-30mm is a great lens, I used one, not too crazy price, but it's big and heavy. Can't fault it optics excellent. Never used the Sony 16-35mm. I mostly stick to screw drive, spare parts seem non existent for Sony A lenses, you can't even get hoods for most of them! I suspect Sony were running it down for quite some time

[@googlikgooglik5666]

Thank you for this reweiw! I'm so excited, then I saw battery pack. It is good accessor, because cr2 non popular type battery than AA.

[@MrBazReviews]

The battery pack is useful, but it is hard to find they are out there though now and then CR2's are quite cheap on eBay you can get packs of 6 for not that much

[@javierRodriguez-cx9gb]

Just picked one up at a thrift store for $14 happy with it

[@MrBazReviews]

It's a good deal and quite well featured for the price point

[@meekoo9797]

I have a BP-200 battery pack, it's realy helpful

[@MrBazReviews]

They are quite rare now you can get quite a bit for one selling it

[@PATRK55]

Do you recommend buying this as a first camera? I saw it recently for $50 used

[@MrBazReviews]

Why not? Unless you are invested in another SLR system - then this is one of the better featured cameras for this price point. No shortage of cheap/good lenses around either

[@jeromeencarnacao2132]

I’m just getting into photography for real I just picked mine up at goodwill for $12 seems in good condition have to get batteries for it

[@christianpark3688]

Does this have an automatic mode or is it only manual for the light settings

[@MrBazReviews]

As you can see it has the PASM on the left hand dial, a P button too - 2:29 And scene modes

[@mrdryw]

Does anyone know how I fix my flash?

[@MrBazReviews]

Onboard flash or external? If it's in the camera then not much chance of a fix, external units can be attached. You can get adapters for the Minolta hot shoe to normal hot shoes, or dedicated units that fit it used.

[@AlpsLifee]

im confused about what lenses are compatible with this, are modern A mount lenses compatible? I have this camera with the kit lens but I want a fast wide angle lens 24mm and lower F2-1.8 or faster, any recommendations? im not sure if sigma art lenses are compatible coz that might be the route I go down?

[@MrBazReviews]

All A Mount lenses work on this, screw drive or in lens AF motor. There should be no problems with lenses from Sigma or Tamron etc. Not that I have ever seen. It's only the earlier bodies that can't AF with in lens motors.

[@AlpsLifee]

@@MrBazReviews amazing thanks mate!

[@spangancayco]

Which lenses do you recommend for this camera?

[@MrBazReviews]

Later ones came with a 28-100mm D kit lens (better than the 28-80mm), the 50mm F1.7 is cheap and popular, the 28-105mm is one of the best normal zooms (step up from kit lens), 100-200mm F4.5 is dirt cheap, long min focus but very small and light I use it all the time

[@Arcturian1111]

​​@@MrBazReviews Will that lens you mentioned 28-100mm, work on a Minolta SRT303. The SRT isn't autofocus, but I don't care, I just want a better lens.

[@MrBazReviews]

@@Arcturian1111 It won't fit this is A mount you have an SR/MD mount camera, there are lenses out there for it have a dig around.

[@tokyogxs]

Is there a SD card? How would I get the photos?

[@MrBazReviews]

It's a film camera ;-D

[@alexandrpoliak]

really disappointed about CR2 batteries. Can’t find them at all

[@MrBazReviews]

Have you tried Aliexpress or eBay I see quite a few on there

[@LegoDude182]

Get some rechargeable ones on ebay/amazon