Minolta 700si

[swanseadave]

Two of them in the window of local independent for £149!!(each),with Minolta 35-70.They've been there for months so what would be a fair price to offer?Both appear to be in
good condition with only slight marks.There are other AF Minoltas there,older and newer for silly prices not reflecting the current S/H film market.(5000,7000,7i,and others)
I thought it may another way into the world of AF SLRs
since the option to upgrade to a KM/Sony Dslr body exists at a later date if and when I can afford it.
Opinions and advice welcome from anyone.
Cheers Dave
edit.comparing with Ffordes,these are way OTT.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

I used manual focus Minolta SLRs for many years, gradually putting together quite a large collection of bodies and lenses. Then I was dumped by Minolta.

However, after I'd moved to Canon for obvious reasons, fairly recently I have bought the odd AF Minolta body to see if I was missing anything. (7000, Dynax 7 & 7000i)
My first purchases were before Sony came to market, and I was lucky in finding the odd affordable prime Minolta AF lens. Where are they now? It seems as though if you value the benefits of fixed focal length lenses, Sony/Minolta can now be an expensive way to go.

I'd recommend checking out lens prices before you jump.

[Roger_Provins]

... Then I was dumped by Minolta.

If you mean they changed mounts to accommodate the then new autofocus then I seem to remember a similar furore when Canon moved on from FD mount to their EOS mount but the new technology required it - in both cases.

[/QUOTE]

It seems as though if you value the benefits of fixed focal length lenses, Sony/Minolta can now be an expensive way to go.

I'd recommend checking out lens prices before you jump.

... yes the leap in sales of the new Sony dSLR bodies have really pushed up the second-hand prices of old Minolta autofocus lenses.

[swanseadave]

Thank you Malcolm and Roger. I will have to think carefully about this.I desperately want to get back into the SLR world again.
Cheers Dave

[frank1]

I've seen its bigger brother the 800i for £99 I think in Ffordes check the AP. This was awhile ago and it may be another shop.

[Zak52]

I agree with the above observations. That said, the 700si was a fine camera with good handling and excellent build quality. Prices in that dealer are way over the odds and &40 - £50 would be nearer the mark.

[swanseadave]

Thanks for that Zak.I am Popping into the shop today to see how they react to a low offer.OTOH,I`m still undecided whether to get a Minolta AF film SLR or hold out for a KM/Sony at a later date.
I am drawn to KM/Sony because of the IS in the body developed by Minolta and improved by Sony.IMVHO it makes more sense than the Canikon in lens system.
Cheers Dave

[El_Sid]

I am drawn to KM/Sony because of the IS in the body developed by Minolta and improved by Sony.IMVHO it makes more sense than the Canikon in lens system.
Cheers Dave

Except that in-lens stabilisation also works with film cameras...

[swanseadave]

I am drawn to KM/Sony because of the IS in the body developed by Minolta and improved by Sony.IMVHO it makes more sense than the Canikon in lens system.
Cheers Dave

Except that in-lens stabilisation also works with film cameras...

Hi Nigel I realise that but my aim is to go digital with possibly a film body for very occasional use.
BTW,I called into the shop and posed the question about S/H prices but they won`t negotiate because of the length of time they`ve had them and the high price they paid for them originally.They don`t want to sell at a loss.There are 10-12 Minolta AF bodies there and just as many Canon.
Oh well

[El_Sid]

BTW,I called into the shop and posed the question about S/H prices but they won`t negotiate because of the length of time they`ve had them and the high price they paid for them originally.They don`t want to sell at a loss.There are 10-12 Minolta AF bodies there and just as many Canon.

Guess they're going to be stuck with them a lot longer then...

[swanseadave]

BTW,I called into the shop and posed the question about S/H prices but they won`t negotiate because of the length of time they`ve had them and the high price they paid for them originally.They don`t want to sell at a loss.There are 10-12 Minolta AF bodies there and just as many Canon.

Guess they're going to be stuck with them a lot longer then...

Yes they are.