Minolta Dynax 800 si

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with dedicated high-speed sync flashgun image by Miguel Mendoza Muñoz (Image rights)

The Minolta Dynax 800si (Minolta Maxxum 800si in the USA, and Minolta alpha 807si in Japan) is an autofocus 35mm SLR, released by Minolta in 1997. It has a lot more features than its predecessor the Dynax/Maxxum 700si.
Besides the same basic specifications as the 700si, sharing the same shutter and metering system, the 800si had built-in subject programs; portrait, landscape, closeup, sport, night portrait, and three preset modes (the 700si relied on the card system introduced with 7000i in 1988 and only had one preset mode).
The 800si also could set auto-bracket with +-1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV with either 3, 5, or 7 exposures. The built-in flash was more powerful; 14 to 20 GN with zoom functionality between 24 to 80mm and rear sync enabled as well as a flash PC-socket in the camera together with wireless HSS flash. Several autofocus modes were also available, AF-A, AF-S, and AF-C. One advanced function the 800si had was the ability to record and store exposure value for 9 rolls of film with up to 40 exposures per roll.

Introduction

After Minolta had introduced its fourth generation of AF camera, the first being the 7000, the second the 7000i, the third the 7xi, with the 700si; Minolta wanted to expand the capabilities and features of the 700si and add some semi-professional features like High-Eyepoint viewfinder and picture metadata storage combined with the ease and comfort creatures like a more powerful and zooming built-in flash to make hobby photographers feel equally at home with the camera. Thus creating an enthusiast flagship model inline with the previous 2nd generation 8000i camera and keeping the eight denoting something under a professional camera which is the 9-series (9000, 9xi). As the 800si is backward compatible with all AF lenses, including the functionality of the auto-zooming xi-series, as well as the function cards, the ease of handling with grip sensor that in combination with the eye-start sensor below the viewfinder (function can be turned off) automatically readies and makes the camera focus as well as zoom (with xi-lenses in AZ mode), one would think it would make an attractive buy. Unfortunately, the model is quite rare and it seems it never really caught on, perhaps due to the price or the somewhat unattractive pentaprism housing with the powerful flash built-in on top.

Technical specifications

• Type: 35mm Auto-focus SLR with built-in flash, autoexposure and action-predictive autofocus.
• Manufacturer: Minolta
• Lens mount: Minolta AF baynoet mount (Maxxum/Dynax lenses, non-compatible with earlier SR)
• Shutter: vertical focal-plane shutter, electronically controlled, metal
• Shutter speeds: 30s-1/8000s, B.
• Built-in Flash Guide Number: Variable GN 14-20, auto zooming equivalent 24mm - 80 mm focal length coverage.
• Flash sync: Minolta iLSO hot shoe, PC socket for X sync (at 1/200th).
• Exposure: 14-segment honeycomb pattern SPC for ambient light and flash-metering SPC for flash, centre-weighted and spot metering.
• Exposure metering range: 0-20 EV (ISO 100).
• Exposure modes: Aperture priority, Shutter priority, program, manual, bulb.
• Exposure compensation: ±3 EV range, in 1/2 EV steps.
• Exposure auto bracketing: 7 steps in full, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps.
• Film-speed Setting: 6-6400 ISO/ASA. Automatic setting for DX-coded film from ISO 25 to 6400.
• Multi-exposure: Yes, maximum of 9 exposures per frame.
• Auto Focus: TTL phase detection, EV -1 to 19 (ISO 100), 4 AF zones, (AF-A), continuous (AF-C), single-shot (AF-A)
• AF Illuminator: Built-in LED with range of 0.7 - 7m.
• Battery: 2CR5 x 1 Battery
• Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed pentaprism High-Eyepoint approx. 22,9mm from eyepiece with 92% x 94% field of view.
• Viewfinder Magnification: 0.75x (with 50mm at ∞) Diopter: -1 Diopter Adjustment: -2.5 to +0.5 diopter
• Film advance: Automatic, film drive mode single shot advance or continuous advance selectable, max. 3 fps.
• Dimensions: 153.5 x 107 x 71.5mm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 628g (without battery) 640g (with Quartz Data Back, without battery)
• Performance: 60 rolls with flash 0% (at 20°C) 22 rolls with flash 50% (at 20°C) 13 rolls with flash 100% (at 20°C)

Other functions: Data Panel: Backlit on-body LCD (automatically illuminated in low-light situations)

Alpha 807si image by nik.jalopx (Image rights)

 

Minolta Dynax 800si, back image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)