AUTOFOCUS 35MM SLR

MINOLTA Maxxum 9
Best Suited For Advanced Amateur, Professional SIGNIFICANCE: Having previously irted with, but then van-
Capability Convenience Features Overall
ished from the pro camera market (Maxxum 9000 in 1985, Maxxum 9xi in 1992) Minolta has decided that this time they will stay the course. With enthusiastic reception and international honors heaped upon this supersolid camera, Minolta has every reason to do so. FEATURES: In our tests, we found the camera to have the brightest of all AF SLR viewnders with the clearest projected red AF rectangles, these outlining the central cross AF sensor and the two outer single-line sensors. Sensor choice can be camera- or user-selected, and theres a handy and useful thumb-activated central spot sensor button, as well. The slightly heavy, but rugged, moisture- and dust-resistant hybrid body has the traditional Minolta 14-cell honeycomb
First pro-level AF SLR with built-in flash. It covers down to 24mm and provides off-camera, wireless ash capabilities. Minimal and easily understood classic knob, dial, and lever controls operate hightech electronics within.
Only pro-level AF SLR with built-in autofocus-aid light.
Accessory bottomof-camera vertical control grip allows switching between two camera-housed CR123As, and gripcontained 2CR5 lithium or four AA batteries.
exposure-meter cell plus four-sensor flash metering linked to the AF sensor areas. The camera has the highest top speed of any present AF SLR, 1/12,000 sec with X-sync at 1/300 sec, lm advance at 5.5 fps, and is the only pro-level SLR with a built-in flash. The entire picture area can be seen in the viewnder. It also provides seven-frame ambient and ash autobracketing, wireless off-camera ash, shiftable program exposure, seven-roll data storage, and 21 custom features. The Maxxum 9 can be upgraded to what is called Maxxum 9Ti electronic specications. These include adding an AF-aid light turnoff, allowing exposure compensation with the rear dial in aperture- or shutter-priority exposure, and providing front and rear control-dial function locks when the camera is not in use. The luminescent exposure mode and compensation dials will be changed to brightly colored, raised numerals. Contact Minolta Lighted LED rectangles on new brighter interchangeable nder Service center for pricing. screens indicate which of three CAPABILITY: After months of AF sensors (two linear, centrallaboratory testing and eld use by cross-type) are operating. our staff, we wound up with a very high percentage of perfectly exposed, properly sharp color slides and prints. Fluorescent numerals on two CONVENIENCE: The large, wellmajor control dials marked simple-to-comprehend glow in the dark. controls, some luminescent so The LCD panel can be backlit. they can easily be operated even in the dark, received high marks. While the Maxxum 9 probably wont win any cosmetic prizes in a beauty contest, its contours and very grippable covering nestle Combination stainnicely in your hands. Controls are less steel, die-cast well placed for easy operation. zinc and aluminum, polycarbonate body with moisIts a formidable and highly proture-and-dust protection seals. fessional machine.

FOCUSING: AF or manual. Single, continuous, or autoswitch-
ing AF with choice of focus- or shutter-priority release. Lit central cross and two outer linear sensors with auto- or manual switching. AF-aid light. LENSES: Minolta AF lenses in A-type bayonet with or without power zoom and focus. EXPOSURE SYSTEM: 14-segment, honeycomb-pattern, silicon photocell above eyepiece provides choice of evaluative metering linked to focusing or centerweighted (both EV 0 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/1.4 lens), plus spotmetering (EV 3 to 20); shiftable program and manual metering, shutter- and aperture-priority modes. Three-, ve-, and seven-step single or continuous autobracketing in 13, 12, 34, or 1 EV increments. Exposure compensation 3 EV in 12-EV increments, 2 EV in 13 EV increments. VIEWFINDER: Standard (interchangeable) screen shows bracketed wide AF area, central spot exposure circle, and rectangular center AF spot. Horizontal data panel displays ash signals, wireless ash operating, AF sensors operating, focus OK, shutter speed, aperture, autoexposure lock,
number of bracketed frames. Vertical scale, at right, indicates manual exposure variation and exposure corrections from normal. FLASH: Lift-up, four-segment TTL flash covers 24mm lens angle, cancelable redeye reduction; ll ash with 3 EV in 12EV flash exposure compensation increments, slow-speed, and second-curtain sync; wireless multiple-unit TTL ash control; 1/300-sec X-sync, goes to 1/12,000 sec with specific accessory flash units, threaded PC terminal, self-locking Maxxum hot-shoe. OTHER FEATURES: 5.5 fps lm advance in single-shot AF and manual focus; 4.5 fps for continuous lm advance. Midroll rewind with lm reloadable to last frame. Data memory for seven rolls of 36 exposures, but accessory data-imprinting back provides uploadable SmartMedia card memory for 400 rolls; 21 custom functions. APPROX. STREET PRICE: $2,400.

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POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY/DECEMBER 2001

New Konica Minolta Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Camera: The Maxxum 7D
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.s new Maxxum 7D is the worlds first*1 digital SLR to be equipped with a body-integral, CCD-shift camera-shake compensation Anti-Shake technology that supports all Maxxum AF lenses*2. Product Highlights Body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake technology reduces blur caused by camera shake and supports all Maxxum AF lenses. A large, easy-to-view 2.5-inch high-definition, 207,000-pixel color LCD monitor that combines menu navigation with image and data display. Stunning picture quality derived from a high resolution, 6.1-million-pixel (effective) 23.5mm x 15.7mm size CCD and exclusive Konica Minolta CxProcess III image processing technology. Incorporates a central, cross hair type, 9-point and 8-line autofocus (AF) sensor array providing high-precision AF and high performance subject tracking of moving subjects. Combines simple operation in a stylish, compact package inheriting the product ideals of the Maxxum range of film SLR cameras. Upgraded, high-end shooting and versatile imaging functions designed to satisfy any photographers needs, whether they are amateur or enthusiast. Excellent system back-up and accessories to cater to a broad range of shooting styles and conditions. Features: Anti-shake Technology and CCD Shift Mechanism The worlds first*1 digital SLR with body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake technology, including compatibility with Minolta A-Mount optics and allowing all Konica Minolta interchangeable AF lenses to be used.*2 The award winning Konica Minolta Anti-Shake technology was selected as European Photo Innovation of the Year by EISA*3 and provides the equivalent correction effect*4 with a shutter speed 2 - 3 steps slower. Konica Minoltas Anti-Shake technology makes it possible to reduce blur caused by camera shake, even when taking photos in dimly lit or twilight scenes, in natural light with a telephoto lens, as well as macro shots without relying on a higher ISO setting or the aid of a flash or tripod. Anti-Shake responds quickly to both broad, slow-swaying motion of the camera body and the higher frequency shaking typical of camera shake caused by the photographers hands. The Anti-Shake technology can be switched on or off via a dedicated switch on the cameras back and when active, an Anti-Shake indicator is displayed on the viewfinder to keep the user informed when its active. Easy-to-View 2.5-inch High-Definition LCD Monitor Centrally mounted on the cameras back-plate is the large, easy-to-view 2.5-inch, high-resolution, 207,000-pixel color monitor. It quickly and clearly displays captured shots for fast image

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Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Backgrounder (contd)
appraisal. Image histogram data can be overlaid without obscuring the displayed image and thanks to its large size, it can display up to a 16-frame thumbnail index display. Intuitive Operation with Dial-&-Lever System The new Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D inherits the dial and lever operation system from the highly-regarded Maxxum 7 35mm SLR camera. This similarity allows intuitive operation for Maxxum 35mm SLR users moving up to the new digital Maxxum 7D. Menu and Navigation Display The LCD monitor works as a Navigation Display allowing seamless operation with clear and concise camera settings displayed with comprehensive shooting information, indicated with large, easy to read text. Aiding ease of use further, the display automatically switches from horizontal to vertical format when shooting in the upright portrait format. Advanced LSI Image Processing Engine A newly developed Advanced LSI image processing engine for the Maxxum 7D enables highspeed processing of large quantities of data and designed to improve image processing at highsensitivity settings ensuring reduced image noise while retaining high picture quality. This combination also helps ensure easy handling similar to the smooth-shooting rhythm associated with 35mm film SLR cameras. Konica Minoltas CxProcess III Consistently high picture quality is ensured by the 6.1-million-effective-pixel CCD, the unique CxProcess III image processing technology, and a combination of Konica Minoltas expertise in photosensitive materials and exposure control technologies. Each is integrated here in the new Maxxum 7D to ensure superb picture quality and to help make the most of any attached AF lens. CxProcess III is an original, image processing technology designed to provide impressive and natural-looking images. CxProcess III, achieves these stunning, natural-looking images by integrating a broad range of photographic technologies gained from Konica Minoltas long years of experience in this field. It ensures clear and crisp pictures, natural skin tones and packs in detail, ideal for shooting landscapes or macro subjects. High-Performance, High-Speed Autofocus (AF) The new Maxxum 7D incorporates a central, cross hair type, 9-point and 8-line AF sensor array providing high-precision AF and high performance subject tracking of moving subjects within the frame. The AF system enables both Predictive Focus Control and Subject Tracking for high-speed focus adjustment of moving subjects, making it ideal for fleeting moments or sports photography. High-Speed Continuous Advance and Image Processing with Large Capacity Image Buffer The new Maxxum 7D allows high speed continuous shooting of up to 9 consecutive frames at up to 3-frames per second in both RAW or RAW+JPEG modes thanks to a large image buffer. Additionally, it allows continuous shooting of up to twelve 3008x2000 JPEG images at the extrafine image-quality setting and 15 JPEG images the same size at the fine image-quality setting. These high-speed shooting capabilities are ideal for capturing momentary expressions, sports or fleeting action shots while retaining high picture quality throughout. RAW+JPEG Simultaneous Recording Photographers can choose to shoot either JPEG or RAW images or both combined with the simultaneous RAW + JPEG dual-format capture mode for improved, post-shoot workflow.

Easy-to-View, High-Performance Viewfinder A spherical acute matte focusing screen is used in the viewfinder for accurate, bright critical focusing assessment. The new model incorporates an optical glass pentaprism viewfinder with a 0.9x magnification factor and 95% field of view for easy scene assessment and composition. Highly Durable and Reliable Magnesium-Alloy Body The new camera is sturdy, compact and stylish featuring a magnesium alloy front body panel and base. Comprehensive Image Adjustment and Control for Creative Picture Capture Image correction: 5-step fine control adjustment for sharpness, contrast, color saturation and hue. White balance (WB) setting: In addition to the auto mode, the new camera has six presets for WB plus a custom mode for precise white balance settings in difficult lighting conditions. This model also features numerical settings for color temperature, which gives photographers a higher degree of color temperature matching. Fine-tuning is possible over a range from 2500K to 9900K in 100K increments, providing a broader range than with the auto white balance or preset white balance alone. Zone Matching: New technology that allows the precise reproduction of tonal gradations in highlights and shadows, essential in difficult shooting conditions with predominant highlights and helps ensure noise-free low-light images. The cameras Zone Matching system permits effective control of high and low key tone capture; the former important for highlight capture in shots such as a white wedding dress, the latter for low light situations. Maxxum System Accessories Konica Minolta has also introduced two new zoom lenses, each designed to provide optimum image quality when used with the new Maxxum 7D digital SLR the Konica Minolta AF ZOOM mm f/2.(D) and the Konica Minolta AF ZOOM mm f/2.8 (D).
A broad range of existing Maxxum-system accessories is also available for use with the Maxxum 7D including D-series flash units, remote cords and an angle viewfinder. The D-series flash and D-series lenses, which include built-in focus distance calculations, when used in combination with the new Maxxum 7D, provide improved exposure accuracy. Combined with high-precision ADI flash metering, the camera provides high-precision lighting control that answers the most demanding and diverse needs. The new dedicated VC-7D Vertical Control Grip for the new Maxxum 7D connects to the camera body and provides a secure grip on the camera while enhancing easy, vertical camera control and overall ease of use, particularly when shooting upright, portrait-format shots. The VC-7Ds sure-hold grip provides confident handling characteristics and features a dedicated shutter-release button, front and rear control dials, autofocus (AF)/manual focus (MF) control button, auto exposure (AE) lock button and AF area selector button, thereby delivering comfortable and reassuring handling characteristics to the camera in either horizontal or vertical shooting situations. The VC-7D allows two lithium-ion batteries to be used simultaneously for an extra power supply. This allows photographers to take advantage of shooting many more images before worrying about recharging the batteries. Adding still more versatility, standard AA Ni-MH batteries can also be used. Konica Minoltas new DiMAGE Master is optional software to improve creative workflow for advanced users. Diversified tools for classifying and comparing images boost work efficiency of selecting the best shots. Newly developed RAW processing program enables more accurate color reproduction.

NOTES: *1) As a lens-changeable digital SLR camera *2) With the cameras AF macro-zoom 1x 3x specialty lenses and Anti-shake function turned off. *3) The European Imaging and Sound Association, publishing 50 major photography and AV magazines in 20 European countries *4) Anti-Shake picture blur correction effect amount varies with shooting conditions and lenses used