Minolta dilemma

Hi Everybody!

I ´m newbie here and still using analogue system but I urgently want to switch to digital. Since I use Minolta camera (dynax or maxum 7000i) a logical decision would be the new Konica-Minolta 7D. Although its price is pretty high, the camera is very promising (robust, easy to handle, not necessary to brow menus, good picture quality) and seems to be a perfect candidate to an underwater camera. AntiShake is a bonus, but not really useful for UW (maybe for bluemacro).

The only problem is the support. I use Ikelite case for my recent camera, but Ikelite are not planning to build a case for this camera. Due to the high price, I think this camera won’t be a blockbuster and its support (UW photography) is very questionable.

Should I wait or should I go (for another system)?

Marcell Nikolausz

Marcell,

That is tough. Sounds like you like your Minoltas. I know that Ike made someone a custom Sigma housing for their DSLR (their is a review somewhere on Wetpixel) and that might be possible for the Minolta. Obviously this would cost more than a stock housing if they are willing to do it.

I think that the most like option would be to look at one of the Canon or Nikon DSLR's as your housing options and costs will be better. You can get a Canon 300D for under $800 now with the 18-55MM lens and an Ikelite housing for this would be $1400-1600 with a port depending on where you get it.

Craig

Hi Marcell,

The Minolta uses an older Sony sensor, the same one that is in the D100. It's not the best or nearly the best out there any more.

Since Minolta isn't looking like they are going to be a big player in the DSLR market, I doubt any housing manufacturers will want to support. Ike is a nice guy and I'm sure he'll make you a custom housing if you ask (heck, he did the E-1) but it's not optimal.

Based on the underwater support for Canon and Nikon, that's where I'd want to enter the DSLR ballgame.

Sincerely,

James

Many thanks for the replies. During the old analogue times the minolta was a bit neglected. But now it will be, I think, absolutely excluded from the UW support. Although this camera is not so bad, you are right; it won’t be a big player in the DSLR market. And its underwater support will be probably zero.

The camera is pricey a bit (double price of eos 300D) and the custom case would also increase the overall price, I think changing system is a wise decision. (I haven’t got too many lenses)

Sincerely,

Marcell

I was about to switch to Canon but two companies came out with housings for KM 7D. So now, I’m really tending to stick to Minolta system.

Its prize dropped under Canon 20D’s and it has some really nice feature:

Huge viewfinder

Excellent control

Big LCD with good resolution

Anti-Shake (good for topside, but can also be used underwater for blue-macro)

Good low-light autofocus performance

Picture quality

Ok, it’s just 6 Mpixel and I’m convinced that the 20D’s (and 350D) CMOS is better, but the difference is not huge.

And I have some lens and would my analouge system keep alive.

The two companies producing UW-cases are Bruder and UK-Germany. Has anybody here any experience with these two brands? Which one do you offer to buy?

Thanks

Marcell

My first SLR housing was a UK-Germany. Fine housing, it was: machined aluminIum, form-fitted, beautiful.

Service was non-existent in the U.S.A., and I sold it for that reason.

However, some people have managed to keep their UK Germany housings alive without U.S. representation of the the company (most notably, Doug Perrine). I know he pokes around here occasionally. Maybe he'll tell us how he does it.

But I live in Germany now! So the service is on the spot. (Both companies are German)

Another argument for sticking to minolta.

Thanks for the reply!

Hi Marcell,

You might approach Ikelite about doing a custom housing for this camera if you buy it. Their new mold will certainly fit this body.

On the other hand, it depends on how much Minolta glass you own. If you only have a few lenses, it may be worth switching to one of the "big two."

So what do you have?

James

Not so many and not expensive ones.

I use 24 mm Sigma and 50 mm (1:1) and I have a 1.7X converter (and the kit lens for topside 35-80mm).

But buying KM 7D would keep alive my analouge system (No worth to sell it) and this camera isn't worse than the ones of the "big two" (if I consider the same category).

But I will write to Ikelite asking about costum housing. Thanks for the suggestion.

Marcell

Marcell,

If I'm not too late with this. How does someone in the US get their hands on the 7D housing? How much is it? I will be in much the same boat you're in when I go to upgrade to a DSLR. My analog Minolta Maxxum has served me well and I have several lenses and accessories for it that would run me an extra $1500 to buy the same with Nikon or Canon.

You might be surprised at how much money you can get selling your lenses on Ebay. Check the completed items to see what the market value is like. You may get back a significant amount of your money, which you can use to switch to another brand which is well supported for underwater use.

Cheers

James

Thanks James,

Like many old Minolta 35mm users, its with great sadness that I part with this great camera. However, after reading other wet-pixel posts concerning this matter I've ran across two people who wished they had gone Canon or Nikon. Since I am an avid ebayer as well, I'll take a peek.

Cheers,

Gary

Hi Gary!

Finally I stayed with Minolta but I haven bought the housing yet. There are two options at this time:

http://www.digideep.com/english/digital/ph...axxum-7D/23/853

Bruder or UK-Germany. Dahna seems to me a re-named Bruder.

Bruder hasn't got a very good reputation here (see below).

I will go for UK-Germany, soon. It's an easy (but not very cheap) option for me, since I live in Germany.

There is a US distributor: http://www.eurodivetech.com/

KM 7D is a great camera. It has some professional feature (nice big viewfinder, great LCD screen, fantastic manual controll if you don't like diving in the menus)which matters a lot in underwater photography. More than megapixel alone.

AntiShake is great for topside photography and I think, lots of unique picture can be taken with this feature.

Cheers

Marcell