Minolta Dynax 700si
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| Maxxum 700si image by Mikel Adell (Image rights) |
The Minolta Dynax 700si is an autofocus 35mm SLR camera manufactured by Minolta in 1993. It is also known as the Maxxum 700si in North America and as the α-707si (Alpha 707si) in Japan.
It uses the Minolta A type bayonet mount for lenses. If features the Eye-start system which can be activated with a switch toggle on the bottom back of the camera. This allows the camera to set focus and exposure automatically without having to do the usual half press of the shutter button. It does this by using sensors in the hand grip and viewfinder areas.
The autofocus is based on a TTL type phase detection using four CCD sensors with a sensitivity of -1 to 19 EV at (ISO100). It also has an AF illumination with a range up to 7m to assist in darker situations. An AF button is on the back and easily accessible with the right hand thumb. Press and hold the AF button and rotate the front knob to change the selective focus. There are two focus release modes. Focus priority shutter which can only trip the shutter when in perfect autofocus and release priority mode when absolute autofocus is not necessary.
The metering modes available include a 14 segment honeycomb pattern and center weighted averaging both with a sensitivity of 0 to 20 EV. A spot metering is also available with a range of 3 to 20 EV (f1.4 lens). Changing the metering mode requires one to open the card door, pressing the meter mode button and rotating either the front or back dial. The mode used will be on the LCD display. The camera uses two silicon based photo cells for the metering with one dedicated to flash.
Exposure modes available include program AE, aperture priority AE, shutter priority AE, and manual exposure mode with bulb. Exposure compensation can be enabled by holding a button on the side of the lens mount accessible with the left hand side. Rotate either the front or back dials to change settings ± 3 EV.
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| α-707si badge image by kanonn (Image rights) |
