MINOLTA TEACHES SLRs A WHOLE NEW WAY TO THINK
he Maxxum System began in 1985, when Minolta introduced the camera that started the 35mm autofocus SLR revolution, the Maxxum 7000. The i-series of intelligent 35mm SLRs was born w i t h the i n t r o d u c t i o n of the Maxxum 7000i in 1988. Now, Minolta teaches SLRs a whole new way to think. Meet the Maxxum 7xi, programmed with the Expert Intelligence of the world's best photographers. More
than 200 engineers working on the xi project have produced a camera that can actually think, using "fuzzy logic," a very flexible and responsive method for computers to process information. A 16-bit CPU with 20 MHz clock speed (compared to the 8bit, 4.7 MHz CPU of the Maxxum 7000 and 8-bit, 10.5 MHz CPU of the Maxxum 7000i) is the brain behind the Maxxum 7xi's Expert Intelligence. Programmed into it are your best pictures everautomati-
cally. Eye-Start Automation. OmniDirectional Continuous/Predictive autofocus. AF integrated 14-segment honeycomb metering. Focus-priority continuous film advance up to 4 fps. Expert Autozoom. Graphic Display Viewfinder. Wireless offcamera TTL flash. And the ability to control anything or everything yourself if you wish. Maxxum 7xi, the world's quickest, smartest autofocus 35mm SLR, is waiting for you at your local dealer.

NEW MAXXUM

ONLY FROM THE MIND OF MINOLTA
Special Advertising Section

MINOLTA

f EXPERT ANALYSIS BEGINS WITH EYE-START AUTOMATION
t all begins with Minolta's exclusive Eye-Start Automation. When you pick up the Maxxum 7xi and bring it up to your eye, sensors in the hand grip and below the viewfinder eyepiece activate the camera's autofocus, autoexposure, and autozoom systems. Thus, the M a x x u m 7xi is ready to shoot even before you are. You'll never miss another picture trying to adjust camera settings while the photographic moment passes you by. Once you bring the Maxxum 7xi up to your eye, it's as if fuzzy-logic control has put a professional photographer within the camera to make and implement all the decisions needed to properly record the image you envision. Is the subject moving or stationary? Toward or away from the camera, or across the frame? Is the camera oriented horizontally or vertically? Where should the focus be set? What type of subject is it (i.e., close-up, portrait, snapshot, landscape)? Where is the subject in the frame? Which metering pattern will be most efficient? What is the lens focal length? The subject magnification? Which shutter speed is best? Which lens aperture? The Maxxum 7xi's Expert Intel-
ligence with fuzzylogic control makes all of these decisions automatically and almost instantaneously. All you have to do is bring the camera up to your eye and point it at your subject! Just what is fuzzy logic? Here's an example. Standard camera computers might define backlighting as a difference of 2 stops between subject and background. If the difference measures only 1.9 stops, the computer's pro- Eye-Start automation means the 7xi is ready when you are. g r a m m i n g says that's not backlit, and no compensation Maxxum 7xi's fuzzy-logic control can is provided. With fuzzy logic, the com- change its mind instantly and re-evalputer defines the 1.9-stop difference as uate the scene if it should change in "somewhat backlit," and sets the expo- any way. Fuzzy logic is faster, more sure accordingly. And, unlike conven- flexible, and more like a human expert t i o n a l camera-computer logic, the photographer in its decision making.

The Maxxum 7xi's fuzzy-logic control makes all the decisions rapidly, professionally, and automatically.

EXPERTAF SYSTEM

he Mind of Minolta gave us the camera that began the AF 35mm SLR revolution, so it's not surprising that Minolta has come up with the incredible autofocus system in the Maxxum 7xi. First, there's Automatic AF Mode Selection. If the subject is stationary, the Maxxum 7xi will lock focus on it. If the subject is moving, the camera will continuously focus on it as it moves and changes distance from the camera. Then, there's the amazing OmniDimensional Predictive Autofocus. Most AF cameras with a continuous-AF mode will follow focus on a subject that is moving at a steady rate toward or away from the camera; some will even predict its location at the moment of exposure, and set the focus accordingly. But only the Maxxum 7xi will do this when the subject changes speed or direction. With the The 7xi's AF area automatically Maxxum 7xi, the subject can accelerate, changes for verticals. decelerate, move toward the camera, move away from the camera, move across sors). The sensors include a central horithe focal plane, or even make a U-turn zontal, left and right vertical, and upper toward or away from the cameraand the horizontal CCD. This large AF sensing autofocus system will accurately track it area makes it much easier to locate movand have its image sharply focused at the ing subjects, and to track all subjects. instant of exposure. The system The 7xi has the widest AF area of any current AF operates so rapidly that it can produce sharp results with subjects moving at 180 miles per hour! And you can shoot autofocused images at up to 4 frames per second with the Maxxum 7xi's built-in motor drive. The M a x x u m 7xi has the widest AF area of any current autofocus 35mm SLR, some 3 times larger than the Maxxum 7000i's. Four CCD AF sensors are employed, with 836 pixels (compared to 266 pixels for the Maxxum 7000i's 3 sen-

'Thers'iOnlvOn

When you move the M a x x u m 7xi from a horizontal format to a vertical format, a sensor detects it, and switches the upper horizontal AF sensor off for accurate autofocusing of vertical-format subjects. You can also manually select any of the sensors for special situations. The camera's clear LCD viewfinder display will indicate the active sensor. Incidentally, the horizontal-mode AF brackets in the viewfinder correspond to "rule of thirds" intersection points, helping you to compose dynamic images. Along with its incredible speed of response, the Maxxum 7xi's AF system works in light levels as dim as EV -I, the lowest level available in AF cameras. There's also a built-in AF illuminator for really low light levels. It activates automatically when needed, and is effective out to a distance of 30 feet. Of course, you can focus the Maxxum 7xi manually, too. With standard Maxxum lenses, manual focusing is done in the usual manner, via the lens's focusing ring, and the in-focus indicator in the viewfinder will light when sharp focus has been achieved. With the new M a x x u m xiSLR. series Autozoom lenses, manual power focusing is provided via the lens's zoom motor. Pulling the zoom ring back and then rotating it activates the power focusing. Turn the ring slightly off-center; and focusing is done slowly, turn it farther, and f o c u s i n g is faster. Whether you're using manual power focus or Expert Autofocus, critical focus is achieved quickly and positively with the Maxxum 7xi.

The Maxxum 7xi offers the world's first Omni-Dimensional Predictive Autofocus.
EXPERT AE SYSTEM & EXPERT PROGRAM SELECTION
t the heart of the Maxxum 7xi's Expert AE System is a 14-segment silicon metering cell, consisting of 13 segments in a honeycomb array, plus the background segment. The uniform segments, and the symmetrical reading patterns that they create, provide remarkably precise control of the metering pattern, and thus the exposure. The M a x x u m 7xi's Expert Intelligence evaluates subject conditions, as well as lens focal length and camera movement, and applies this data to a set of basic photographic situations: Close-ups, Portraits, Snapshots (semi-distant scenes), and Landscapes. The Expert System's fuzzy logic can even recognize combinations of these subject types. Once all of this data has been processed (the fuzzy logic does it almost instantaneously), the Expert AE System builds a pattern of metering cells around the subject, weighting them to provide the best exposure of the subject. If the subject moves, the pattern shifts with it, assuring consistent exposure. A spotmetering function employs only the center segment of the honeycomb, reading 2.7% of the image area. The AEL (automatic-exposure lock) button allows you to hold that reading while recomposing the scene; and the Multi-Spot Memory Creative Expansion Card lets you average several spot readings or lock in a single reading. The Maxxum 7xi's Expert Program Selection automatically provides smaller apertures for close-up subjects, to give you ample depth of field, and larger apertures for portraits, to blur the background and accentuate the subject. For snapshot and landscape subjects, the system chooses smaller apertures to provide great depth of field. If the camera's AF sensor detects subject movement (or camera movement), the Expert Program automatically calculates and sets a shutter speed that will minimize the motion, assuring you of the sharpest images possible. Two intriguing Maxxum 7xi features are P/S and P/A modes. In P/S mode, you can adjust shutter speeds in ^-stop
increments, while the aperture is adjusted automatically to provide correct exposure; and the Action Index appears at the bottom of the viewfinder display. The Action Index shows the relative degree of blur in an action shot, the graphic indicator moving from the sharp icon to the blurred one as slower shutter speeds are selected. Similarly, the depth index shows you the relative depth of field on a scale right there in the viewfinder, as you change the aperture setting. For the photographers who want to set things for themselves, the Maxxum 7xi also provides aperture-priority AE (you set the aperture you want, for depth-of-field considerations, and the camera will set the proper shutter speed), shutter-priority AE (you set the desired shutter speed, for action-freezing or blurring considerations, and the camera sets the corresponding aperture for correct exposure), and metered-manual mode, in which you can set any shutter speed and aperture, in !^-stop increments, and the camera will indicate what it considers to be correct exposure. There's also 4 stops of exposure compensation in all of the autoexposure modes.

The Maxxum 7xi's honeycomb metering pattern automatically changes for horizontal and vertical images.

EXPERT A UTOZOOM

hen you bring the Maxxum 7xi up to your eye with one of the new xi-series Autozoom lenses attached, the Auto Stand-by Zoom (ASZ) feature is activated, in which the camera's Expert Autofocus System measures the distance to the subject and selects a focal length that gives your picture a pleasing composition. Thus, you never have to miss a photo while you're trying to set the right focal length on a zoom lens. To enable you to keep track of fastbreaking photo opportunities, there's a Wide-View mode. In this mode, the lens zooms back to a wider focal length than the one at which the picture will be taken, so that the viewfinder shows 150% of the picture area, and you can easily see an approaching photographic "decisive moment." With the Image-Size Lock feature, the lens will automatically zoom to maintain a constant subject size when the subject moves toward or away from the camera. Just set the focal length for the desired composition, and press the Lens Function Button on the barrel of any new xi-series Autozoom lens, and this mode is activated. Another automatic zoom function is provided when you insert the Child Creative Expansion Card into the
Maxxum 7xi: Advanced Program Zoom (APZ), in which the camera changes automatically from one-time ASZ to continuous APZ. The focal length changes as the subject's distance changes, so that you'll always have a pleasing image composition. Five new xi-series Autozoom lenses ( p l u s one Power Zoom lens) have been designed espeFive new Maxxum xi-series Autozoom lenses offer focal lengths from 28mm to 300mm, and provide Auto Stand-by Zoom, Image-Size Lock, and WideView Zoom.
cially to take f u l l advantage of the Maxxum 7xi's Expert Programming and high-speed operation. Each has an 8-bit CPU 1C (Central Processing Unit Integrated Circuit) to control its new functions. The new Autozoom lenses include a 28-80mm f/4-5.6 zoom, a 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom, a 35-200mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom, an 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 Macro zoom, and a 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Macro zoom. (The new Power Zoom lens is a 35-80mm f/4-5.6.) They're much lighter and more compact than conventional zoom lenses of similar focal lengths, making them especially easy to carry and to handhold. Each of the new xi Autozoom lenses features an ultracompact internal zoom motor, which, when used in conjunction with the Image-Size feature, automatically selects the most appropriate zoom speed to maintain picture composition throughout its range of focal lengths. The variable-speed zooming may also be activated manually, by turning the spring-loaded zoom ring on the lens barrel. The farther you turn the zoom ring, the faster the zoom rate becomes. Another useful feature of the new xi Autozooms is Auto Compact, in which the lens automatically zooms to its shortest physical length when the camera is switched off, for compact storage. Of course, all previous Maxxum lenses can be used with the Maxxum 7xi camerathe world's widest range of autofocus lenses, from 16mm f/2.8 fullframe fisheye to 600mm f/4 supertelephoto, including 50mm f/2.8 and 100mm f/2.8 true macro lenses, and the unique AF Macro Zoom 3X-1X f/1.7-2.8. These lenses provide all camera functions except autozoom (provided only by the new xi lenses).

EXPERT

The 7xi Is the first SLR with built-in red-eye reducing TTL flash.

SYSTEM

those dynamic portrait-in-front-of-nightcityscape shots. When you want more flash power, the accessory Maxxum Flash 3500xi attaches to the Maxxum 7xi's hot-shoe mount, and provides automatic TTL flash-exposure control, zoom flash (the flash unit automatically adjusts to cover the focal length at which the zoom lens is set), and slow-shutter sync. And it can be removed from the camera hot-shoe and fired wirelessly for more attractive offcamera flash lightingan SLR first. If you press the camera's pop-up flash button and hold it in while taking the picture, the off-camera 3500xi flash unit will provide '/< of the light, while the built-in on-camera flash unit will provide % of the light, for an attractive 2:1 lighting ratio, automatically. In addition to the above features, the Maxxum Flash 3500xi can be used in the bounce position to provide softer, more natural lighting. And with TTL flash metering, every exposure will be perfect. When the Maxxum Flash 3500xi is used off-camera, an almost infinite number of flash/ambient light possibilities are available because of TTL exposure control. And, you can use up to 10 individual 3500xi flash units together for some really incredible effects. Multipleflash macro, multiple-light portraits it's all possible with the Maxxum 7xi and the Maxxum Flash 3500xi.
Wireless off-camera TTL flash.
he Maxxum 7xi is the first interchangeable-lens SLR to incorporate red-eye-reducing flash, as well as the first to offer wireless TTL flashimagine being able to move your flash unit off-camera, with full TTL control! The 7xi's built-in anti-red-eye flash is the first SLR-incorporated u n i t to employ energy-saving IGBT circuitry. It has an ISO 100 guide number of 12 (meters, 40 in feet), and covers the angle of view of a 28mm lens. In wireless-flash mode, the built-in unit triggers the accessory Maxxum 3500xi flash unit to provide wireless off-camera TTL flash-exposure control for creative lighting techniques. Autoflash is the Maxxum 7xi's standard mode. It's set anytime the P (program) button is pressed or the battery is replaced. In this mode, the flash automatically pops up and fires whenever the camera's Expert System deems it necessary. You don't even have to think about it. Pre-flash mode causes the flash unit to fire a series of small bursts before the
main flash exposure, to stop down a subject's eyes and reduce those annoying red spots in subjects' eyes known as red-eye. Flash-cancel mode keeps the flash from popping up and firing in dim lighting, so you can shoot photographs by existing light for a realistic, atmospheric effect. In program, shutterpriority, and aperture-priority modes, the Maxxum 7xi automatically sets the flash-sync shutter speed (&xi, or down to V in P and S modes). However, you can use the Maxxum 7xi's slow-shutter sync feature to set a slow shutter speed to properly expose a dark background while the flash properly exposes a foreground subject. Just activate the flash manually and press the AE-lock button, and the flash will be balanced with ambient light, automatically. This feature lets you shoot

Multiple TTL flash.

CREATIVE EXPERTISE WITH MINOLTA'S CREATIVE EXPANSION CARDS ^
or those who want to really expand their creativity, Minolta offers a unique system for Maxxum cameras, both i and xi seriesCreative Expansion Cards. These computer-software cards, which are easily inserted into the camera, automatically program the camera to perform functions that would otherwise distract you from more artistic concerns. There are now 21 Creative Expansion Cards, including 6 new ones. For example, the P a n n i n g Card, designed specifically for the Maxxum 7xi, employs the camera's Action Index to help you hone your ability to accurately pan the camera to follow a moving subject, while using a slow shutter speed to blur the background. When the card is activated, it uses AF system data to evaluate the accuracy of your panning. The more accurate the panning, the slower the shutter speed that will be set, and the more blurred the panned background will be. The Intervalometer Card lets you set the camera to shoot 1 to 40 frames at i n t e r v a l s from 1 second to 24 hours, with start times from instantaneous to 24 hours after pressing the shutter button. The Background Priority Card lets you select a specific degree of depth of f i e l d and m a i n t a i n t h a t s e t t i n g regardless of focal length or subjectdistance change.

Travel Card.

Child Card.
The Child Card was designed for photographing erratically moving children, and sets the camera to help you avoid m a k i n g those out-of-focus, poorly framed images that so often occur when photographing kids. This card sets the camera to program, flash on, single-frame advance, and sets the APZ for greater magnification (since children are smaller than adults). The Travel Card (which can also be used with other Maxxum i models) m a x i m i z e s depth of field by u s i n g
s m a l l e r a p e r t u r e s , increases foreground sharpness by shifting focus to the l e n s ' s hyperfocal distance, p r o g r a m s the ASZ f e a t u r e to set focal lengths no greater than 50mm, and directs the camera to use higher shutter speeds when camera movement (as occurs when shooting out the w i n d o w of a m o v i n g t r a i n ) is detected. There's even a Customized Function Card xi, which lets you personalize some of your camera's features.

LET MINOLTA MAKE YOU AN EXPERT WITH THE MAXXUM 7xi, MAXXUM 3xi, _ AND THE MAXXUM SPxi
^hc Maxxum 7xi isn't the only new Maxxum with Expert Intelligence. There are two more cameras in the third generaI lion of Maxxum. The Maxxum 3xi, the world's smallest AF SLR with built-in flash, is a top performer loaded with great features. The Maxxum SPxi swaps spot metering for the built-in TIL red-eye-reducing flash, and is the world's most compact AFSLR, period. Designed for the beginning photographer, the Maxxum 3xi and SPxi offer the most simple operation available today, plus plenty of features with which the photographer can grow, including the same Expert Programming as the Maxxum 7xi, Eye-Start Expert AF, AE, and Auto Stand-by Zoom, predictive AF in light as dim as EV -1,8-segment honeycomb metering, and lots more.
World's Most Advanced AF SLR, with Expert Intelligence
World's Most Compact Built-in Rash AF SLR, with Expert Intelligence
inolta's exciting new Compact interchangeable AF Maxxum 7xi incorpolenses, most compact zoom rates 33 world-first fealenses, electronic compensatures: Automatic Eye-Start tion for varifocal lenses, 3Activation in an SLR, 4-fps in-One zoom ring (power AF-Integrated Drive, largest zoom/power focus/focus AF area, 4 AF sensors, autohold), transparent LCD SLR matic horizontal/vertical AF viewfinder, Image Control area selection/adjustment, Indicator, automatic panoraauto-subject-detection AF sysma indication in viewfinder, tem with fuzzy logic, Omni1-chip microprocessor with Directional Predictive AF with 64K ROM, auto shutter3-Dimensional Subject Movespeed control for panning ment Detection and M u l t i (Panning Card), automatic Movement Focus Control, control of background sharpunique honeycomb metering ness based on input (Backpattern, 14-segment metering ground Priority Card), cusWorld's Most Compact AF SLR, with Expert Intelligence area, Auto Photo/Subject tomized P-Reset modes Status Determination by focal length and image magnification (Customized Card xi), automatic selection of landscape/autoExpert Program, Auto Photo/Subject Determination by sub- depth/shake protection (Travel Card), and automatic zoom & ject movement Expert Program, quick-access Pa/Ps by Dual AE control with child-size program (Child Card). Many of these Dial, built-in preflash for red-eye reduction in an SLR, IGBT great features are also included in the Maxxum 3xi and SPxi. circuit for built-in flash in an interchangeable-lens SLR, wireThis tremendous list of world's-first features, plus many less TTL flash control, TTL wireless 2:1 ratio control with popular proven ones, makes the Maxxum xi cameras great built-in flash. Auto Program Zoom-capable lens, Auto Stand- performers. With these three cameras, Minolta does indeed by Zoom, Image-Size Lock, 150% Ultra-Wide VF, Auto teach SLRs a whole new way to think.

NOLTA MAXXUM 7xi

The Action Camera.and Much, Much More!

by the Editors

The trouble with autofocus cameras is that they have trouble focusing on the same subjects we have trouble focusing on ourselves: dim ones, low-contrast ones, and especially fast-moving ones. The best of the current crop of 35mm AF SLRs actually do a good job with such subjects, but none can really handle a moving subject that changes direction or speed. Until now. Enter Minolta's Maxxum 7xi, with a u t o m a t i c O m n i - D i m e n s i o n a l Predictive AF, a mouthful that means this camera can follow focus and predict position at the instant of exposure with subjects that move erratically, slow down, speed up, and even make a Uturnat speeds up to 187 mph! And it switches into this mode automatically when motion is detected. This alone should make the Maxxum 7xi a hot item among action photographers (and w i t h anyone who finds supremely efficient autofocusing an asset). But it's only one of many exciting new features this camera offers. In addition to its remarkable omnidirectional capabilities, the Maxxum 7xi's new AF system offers the world's widest focus area (twice the size of the focus area of the Maxxum i-series cameras), compliments of four high-density AF sensors (a central horizontal one, vertical ones on each side of it, and an upper central sensor), making it a snap to track moving subjects and frame still ones. When the camera is held for a vertical-format image, the upper horizontal sensor shuts off, for better AF performance with vertical-format subjects. And you can select any of the AF sensors individually, if you wish. A side benefit of this arrangement is that the horizontal-format AF brackets are positioned at compositional "rule-of-thirds"
34 PHOTographic/November 1991
intersections, to help you produce more dynamic images. The 7xi's AF system is twice as fast as that of the i-series Maxxumswhich makes it very fast indeed (it can keep up with the 7xi's 4-fps motor drive)and it functions well in light levels as dim as EV -1 (so dim as to require an exposure of four seconds at f/1.4 with ISO 100 film). A built-in AF illuminator automatically projects a patterned beam on subjects up to 30 feet away in dim light (or when subject contrast is low), for autofocusing even in total darkness. AUTOZOOMING When you bring the 7xi up to your eye, sensors in the handgrip and below the eyepiece activate the autofocus, autoexposure, and Auto Stand-by Zoom (ASZ) systems, so the camera is ready to shoot even before you are. Minolta calls this "Eye-Start Automation," and among SLRs, it's exclusive to the Maxxum xi series. Speaking of Auto Stand-by Zoom: Ever get caught with your zoom lens set at exactly the wrong focal length for the picture at hand? Not with the 7xi. It automatically measures the distance to the subject and zooms any of the five new xi-series Autozoom lenses to a focal length that will provide a pleasing composition. Maybe not the precise composition your artistic taste w i l l eventually select, but one that will keep you from missing a fleeting shot because you couldn't set the right focal length quickly enough. Insert the new Child Creative Expansion Card into the camera's card slot, and one-time Auto Stand-by Zoom becomes continuous Advanced Program Zoom (APZ), adjusting the focal length as the subject distance changes to maintain that pleasing composition. The new Autozoom lensesall much lighter and more compact than conventional zoom lenses of equivalent focal lengthsprovide variable-rate power
zooming. Rotate the zoom ring slowly, and the lens zooms slowly, for precise compositional control. Rotate the zoom ring rapidly, and the lens zooms rapidly, for quick major focal-length changes. The new xi Autozooms also provide Image-Size Lock, in which you set a focal length that provides the desired image sizesay, a waist-up portrait and the lens will automatically zoom to maintain this magnification when the subject moves closer to or farther from the camera. There's also Wide-View mode, in which the lens zooms back to a focal length that lets you see 150% of the image area in the viewfinder. so you can detect approaching subject matter w i t h o u t t a k i n g your eye from the viewfinder. While these automatic zoom modes function only with the five new xi-series Autozoom lenses, all Maxxum lenses can be used with the 7xi camera, with full autofocus and autoexposure functionsthe Maxxum 7xi user has access to the widest selection of autofocus lenses of any camera system (some 33,

1. The 7xi's wireless off-camera flash capability lets you produce naturallooking off-camera lighting (here, the 3500xi was held at arm's length to one side) when desired, instead of limiting you to flat, on-camera flash all the time. 2. The Maxxum 7xi s wide autofocusing area gives the user lots of compositional freedomyou don't have to continually worry whether your subject is in the AF area. 3. With the 7xi's '/Ux> top shutter speed, you can freeze action without resorting to flash. 4.&S. It's very hard to find a situation that will fool the 7xi's honeycomb metering. Here, the Ps mode was used, along with the Action Index in the viewfinder, while the shutter speed was adjusted with the front control dial to vary the degree of blur in the moving water. Photo 4 was exposed for : second; photo 5 for about 8 seconds.
PHOTographic/November 1991

MINOLTA

from 16mm full-frame fisheye to 600mm supertelephoto).

AUTOEXPOSURE

The 7xi offers a full range of exposure modes: program AE, in which the camera sets both shutter speed and aperture for correct exposure; shutter-priority AE, in which you set the shutter speed, and the camera sets the appropriate aperture for correct exposure; aperture-priority AE, in which you set the aperture, and the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed for proper exposure; and metered manual, in which you set both shutter speed and aperture, by referring to the viewfinder display's indications, a handheld meter's recommendations, or your own intuition.
36 PHOTographic/November 1991
Above: Amazing is the word for the 7xi's Omni-Dimensional Predictive autofocusing. It can accurately track subjects moving in any direction, at any speed (up to three miles a minute!), even if they erratically change direction and/or speed. And it really works! Left: The Creative Expansion Cards automatically program the camera for specific shooting situations. Here, the Sports Action Card activated a special high-speed program to freeze this action subject.
However, it doesn't stop there. The program takes into account the focal length of the lens, as do most programs these days; but it also takes into consideration the subject location and magnification. If it detects subject or camera motion, it sets faster shutter speeds. It even recognizes different types of scenesclose-ups, landscapes, portraits, and snapshotsbiasing the shut-

ter speeds and apertures appropriately for best results. Ps and PA modes allow you to temporarily set a specific shutter speed or aperture without leaving program mode. The Image Control Index at the bottom of the viewfinder's transparent display shows the degree of depth of field in PA, program, or aperture-priority mode; and the degree of image freezing or blurring in Ps or shutter-priority mode. In all autoexposure modes, the 7xi provides AE lock (via a button to the right of the viewfinder eyepiece) and 4 stops of exposure compensation, in 1Astop increments. The AF-Integrated 14-segment honeycomb metering system takes into consideration subject position and size, camera o r i e n t a t i o n , and lens focal length, as well as brightness, and breaks scenes down into several types: closeup, landscape, snapshot, and portrait, adjusting the metering pattern as is appropriate to produce ideal results. The fuzzy logic can even tell when you're shooting a backlit portrait, and adjust the exposure accordingly. Do-it-yourself types can shut off all of the metering segments except the central one (by pressing the camera's function button and rotating the rear control dial one detent), and enjoy spot metering, wherein only the central 2.7% of the image area is read. FLASH The first interchangeable-lens SLR to incorporate a red-eye-reducing flash unit, the 7xi is also the first to offer wireless off-camera TTL flash. Up to ten Maxxum 3500xi flash units can be fired remotely via a signal from the built-in Hash unit, with full TTL a u t o m a t i c exposure controlvery handy for creative lighting setups, and avoiding that not-too-exciting on-camera-flash look. If you press and hold the camera's flash-pop-up button, the system will be set to provide 2:1 ratio lighting, where -A of the exposure comes from the off-camera 3500xi unit, and % from the built-in unitideal for attractively lit portraits. Several flash modes are provided with the built-in flash. In Auto-flash mode, the built-in unit automatically pops up, charges, and fires when the camera's Expert Intelligence system determines that flash is needed. In Preflash mode, the flash unit fires a rapid series of small flash bursts to stop-down subjects' eyes and thus reduce red-eye. Flash-off mode prevents the flash from firing, for existing-light shooting in dim lighting. You can also force the flash to fire when the camera doesn't deem it necessary, just by pressing a button. With the 3500xi flash unit, slow-

SPECIFICATIONS

CAMERA: Minolta Maxxum 7xi TYPE: Autofocus 35mm SLR with fuzzylogic Expert Intelligence FORMAT: 24x36mm LENS MOUNT: Minolta A-type bayonet (accepts all maxxum lenses) EYE-START SYSTEM: AF, AE. and AutoStandby Zoom activated automatically when camera is brought up to the eye FOCUSING: Autofocusing via TTL phasedetection system with 4 CCD sensors; multidirectional predictive AF; AF sensitivity EV -1 to 18; built-in AF illuminator automatically activates in dim light, range 2.3-29.5 ft.; manual focusing possible via lens focusing ring, focus-assist via In-focus indicator in viewfinder METERING: TTL ambient-light metering via 14-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC (range EV 0-20); spot metering possible (range EV 3-20); second SPC for TTL flash metering EXPOSURE MODES: Lens- and scenekeyed program AE; PA and Ps creative program control; shutter- and aperturepriority AE, metered manual EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: 4 stops in.-stop increments in AE modes SHUTTER: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane type with speeds from 30 sec. to 'Am (stepless in program and aperture-priority modes, sellable in -.-stop increments in shutter-priority and manual modes), plus B FILM-SPEED SETTING: Automatic with DX-coded films from ISO 25-5000; nonDX films default to ISO 100; manual setting from ISO 6-6400; ISO memory with Custom Function Card xi FILM TRANSPORT: Automatic threading, advance to first frame, advance (single frame or continuous at 2 and 4 fps), and rewind (manual start possible) VIEWFINDER: Fixed eye-level pentaprism shows 92% (vertical) and 94% (horizontal) of image area; 0.75X magnification with 50mm lens at infinity VIEWFINDER DISPLAY: Transparent LCD shows image-control index, AF area, panorama mask, control dial, spot-metering area, 150% wide-view mode, and image-size lock; peripheral indicators show flash-on, flash mode/flash ready, camera-shake warning, shutter speed/film speed, aperture/exposure compensation, exposure signals/exposure adjustment, AE lock LCD PANEL: Shows exposure mode, flash mode, drive mode, film loaded, metering mode, battery condition, shutter speed/film speed/CE card name, aperture/exposure compensation/card settings, wide/local focus area, self-timer, frame counter, expansion card activated, ISO FLASH: Built-in pop-up TTL flash provides auto-flash, anti-red-eye preflash, flash-off, force-flash, wireless remote (with accessory Maxxum Flash 3500xi); maximum sync speed '/k; slow-speed sync down to 30 seconds possible in P, A, or S mode SELF-TIMER: Electronic, 10-sec. delay, cancelable POWER SOURCE: One 6V 2CR5 lithium battery DIMENSIONS: 6.4x3.9x2.6 In. (163x100x67mm) WEIGHT: 22.9 oz. (650g) LIST PRICE: $820 DISTRIBUTOR: Minolta Corp., 101 Williams Dr., Ramsey, NJ 07446; (201) 825-4000
as the kids move); and a Travel Card, which provides wider focal lengths and maximizes sharpness for good results with typical travel subjects. The Panning Card is great for both novice and experienced action shooters. It displays the Action Index and indicates how much blurring effect will be produced by the set shutter speed; and it EXPANSION CARDS judges your panning accuracy (by how Six new Creative Expansion Cards well you keep the subject centered in were introduced with the 7xi, bringing the AF area): the more accurately you the M a x x u m card total to 21. These pan, the slower the shutter speed it will cards slip into a door at the right end of allow you to use (and the more dramatic your panned motion shot will be). the camera, and add useful features. There's also a Customized Function The new cards i n c l u d e several designed especially for the M a x x u m Card xi, which lets you reprogram many 7xi: The Intervalometer Card lets you camera functions to suit your personal set the camera to make time-lapse shooting habits. All of the previous Creative Exsequences at intervals from 1 second to 24 hours. With the Background Priority pansion Cards can be used with the 7xi, Card, you select ( u s i n g the Image- except the A/S Card, which adds aperControl Index) the desired degree of ture- and shutter-priority AE to the depth of field, and the camera w i l l Maxxum 5000ifeatures already built maintain it, regardless of the lens focal into the 7xi. l e n g t h and distance to the subject. NUTS & BOLTS There's the aforementioned Child Card, The Maxxum 7xi feels good in the which sets the camera to track spontaneous movements of children at play hands, and has comfortable and well(the ASZ changes to continuous APZ, thought-out controls. A simple two-position lock/on switch providing continuous zoom adjustment

PHOTographic/November 1991 37
shutter sync (where a slow shutter speed is set to record detail in a dark background, while flash output is reduced to properly expose a nearby subject), bounce flash (via a tilt/swivel head), and zoom flash (the flash head automatically zooms to cover the angle of view of the lens on the camera) are added.

MINOLTA MAXXUM 7xi

atop the camera to the left of the viewfmder switches the camera on and off. In front of this is a button that resets the camera to point-and-shoot mode at one touch (it can be given other functions by using the Custom Function Card xi). To the right of the viewfinder is the LCD panel. To its right is the card on/off switch. In front of that is the shutter release. In front of that is the front control dial. To the right of that is the viewfinder-mode selector, which sets wide-view mode. To the right of the viewfinder eyepiece is the AE-lock button. To the right of that is the rear control dial, and to the r i g h t of that is the function button, which displays in the viewfinder (and on the e x t e r n a l d i s p l a y p a n e l ) the selectable-function indicators (which show both the function and the dial to use to set it). On the right end of the camera is the card door, which also contains the self-timer/drive-mode button, flash-mode button, rewind button, filmspeed button, and card-adjust button. On the left front of the camera, next to the lens mount, are (top to bottom) the flash-pop-up button, lens-release button, and focus-mode switch. One of the Maxxum 7xi's more interesting features is the world's first transparent LCD SLR viewfinder, which shows applicable data right in the image area: current functions of both front and rear control dials. Image-Control Index (indicates degree of subject blur/freezing, and depth of field), focus area, spot-metering area, image-size-lock mode, wide-view mode, manual-focus mode, and panorama frame. Across the bottom of the viewfinder frame (out of the image area) is a window that displays flash-on, flash mode, camera-shake warning, focus status, exposure mode, s h u t t e r speed/film speed, exposure signals, exposure adjustment, aperture, and AEL. The external LCD panel displays all applicable data about the mode(s) in use at any given timesee the specifications box for a listing. FUZZY LOGIC Behind the Maxxum 7xi's Expert Intelligence lies fuzzy-logic programming. Fuzzy logic (not to be confused with fu/zy thinking) is a way of making computers more flexible and human in t h e i r reasoning. Standard computer logic is quite rigid: If a backlit scene is defined as one with at least two stops of difference between subject and background, a I.9-stop difference (to the computer) is not backlit, and a camera

38 PHorographic/November 1991
using this type of logic will underexpose the subject. With its fuzzy logic, the Maxxum 7xi recognizes "somewhat backlit," not just "two stops or more = backlit: less than two stops = not backlit," and thus will expose the 1.9-stop scene correctly. In addition to its great flexibility, fuzzy logic also works much faster than conventional computer logic, because it requires a much smaller data base with conventional logic, every situation must be defined and stored in the data
glitches. Our first production Maxxum 7xi worked flawlessly throughout our testing period (which lasted more than a month). In all respects, the 7xi performed as advertised. The autofocus system was indeed quick and accurate, even with rapidly and erratically moving subjects. The autoexposure system handled an amazing range of snooting situations perfectlyit's the closest thing to foolproof we've encountered. The autozoom modes worked as designed, and the power-zoom function operated smoothly and accurately (it's sometimes tricky to stop a power-zoom lens at exactly the desired focal length, but not with the

PANORAMA

The Maxxum 7xi's transparent viewfinder display shows many useful items superimposed right on the image area, for quick reference.
Maxxum 7xi). WRAP-UP Serious action shooters will want the Maxxum 7xi for its sensational omnidimensional autofocus system, even if that were its only feature. But. of course, it i s n ' t : The 7xi has s o m e t h i n g ( s ) for everyone. Point-and-shooters will love the autozoom features and programmed AE; news photographers who shoot fastbreaking shots will love the quick AF, the speed and convenience of the aperture- and shutter-priority AE, and the accuracy of the 14-segment metering: total-control types will enjoy the spotmetering and f u l l - m a n u a l control of everything, and the 7xi's DX Memory functionif you rate a film at other than its ISO speed, you can ( t h r o u g h the Customized Function Card xi) program the camera to remember and set your personalized film speed whenever you load a cassette of that film. Whatever your photographic niche, the Minolta Maxxum 7xi really performs. ffl
base. Because fuzzy logic can "think." just a few simple rules must be stored and referenced. Fuzzy logic is employed in all of the 7xi's decision-making: autoexposure. autofocus, and subject/scene analysis. The result is Expert Intelligenceit's almost like having one of the world's best photographers in the camera. To us camera users, it means more sharply focused, properly exposed (and for snapshooters, pleasingly framed) images.

IN USE

So now you know the wonders of the Maxxum 7xion paper. How do they work in practice? Very well, we're delighted to say. Often, when we get an early version of a new camera to try out. it has some