New toy - Minolta 5

[SqueamishOssifrage]

Early this year, when I got my 7 via eBay, I only had the 28-85mm 3.5/4.5 and 28-135mm 4.0/4.5, so I needed an eight pin lens to test ADI etc before leaving feedback, so I got a Sigma 28-200mm Compact IF/Asph D for a pittance, as 'New, old stock'. Now I have a more complete range of lenses, there is no need for it in the bag, so I have just picked up what looks to be another new, old stock job - a boxed Minolta 5, pristine, as a go any-where combination with the Sigma.

It is actually a delightful little camera, light, fast AF, small, and yet still pretty fully speced. At 800 grammes, you hardy know you're carrying it, and it is going to prove ideal for those circumstances when SWMBO says "You're not taking your camera are you?." and I can say "No dear, just the little one."

[FujiSigmaNolta]

Is that the Dynax 5? I love mine, it sure is fast. I got mine a BP-200 grip to help a bit with the handling and use rechargeable AAs. It's a top notch camera!

[SqueamishOssifrage]

Yes, sorry, Dynax 5. As there was only one line with single digit names, I tend to drop the Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha bit. Also, I am currently scouring eBay for a BP-200 - a pity Minolta didn't make a full vertical grip for it, but I guess that would have moved the price out of the target market.

The only other thing I would like to complete the outfit is a really small ADI or just TTL flash with a bit more oomph than the built-in job. Any ideas?

[Roger_Provins]

There are a few dozen suitable flashguns listed on eBay at the moment. They generally go quite cheaply as they don't work correctly with the digital Minoltas or the new Sony cameras. The only expensive ones will be the 3600/5600 HSD as they do work with current digital cameras. The non-D versions are cheap and good buys for film cameras.

[SqueamishOssifrage]

Thanks for the reply. I had actually already been searching eBay with this search - lots of hits. The problem is finding out what facilities each gun has, and if they are supported on the Dynax 5/7. I actually have a gun for my 7000 original, but of course, the foot is totally different.

[Roger_Provins]

There's a chart here but it doesn't cover many guns - but it does cover the Dynax 5.

[SqueamishOssifrage]

Thanks for the link.
I spent Sunday afternoon reading every word ont'interwebs concerning Minolta and flash! (Hey, better than being roped in to do some gardening. ) Out of the various choices:-

2000i/2000xi - lots on eBay, but not usually with the 28mm wide adapter, and not much of a power boost.
2500(D) - silly money for a 6 year old entry level flash.
Vectis SF-1 (yes, it would work) - how many CR2s would that consume in a year, at €5.00 each?

When I got as far as the 3200i, I realized it was essentially the same as my Metz 32 MZ-3 guns, so instead I have just bought a Metz SCA 333/2AFm2 off eBay Germany. This should (fingers crossed) give me full TTL (GN 37 @50mm) with an AF assist light, which is sorely missing from the Dynax 5.

[FujiSigmaNolta]

Well, I rarely needed the AF assist on my 5, it focusses well in darker conditions. But there are the odd few situations where it would be nice,rather than raising the hotshoe flash. Just as a side note, the AF assist beam on my Nikon F80 can be used to call Batman it tend to either blind or scare people.

[SqueamishOssifrage]

Just as a side note, the AF assist beam on my Nikon F80 can be used to call Batman it tend to either blind or scare people.

I know what you mean. My Sigma EF-500 Super is a bit on the bright side, but a mere bagatelle compared with the original 4000AF. If you gave it a siren you'd think it was an ambulance coming down the street.

The neat thing about the Metz setup, is that if it works as planned, I can get an ADI module without focus light to replace the module I've just bought. It's a lot more expensive, so I'll see how it all goes first.

Another reason for wanting the focus-assist light is that I like using slow-sync flash, and under the right circumstances prefer it to ADI, and I hate the ADI preflash used for focus. On my 7, I can use ADI without the preflash.