35 custom
settings, data memory, and film chamber lock
World’s
Fastest AF Speed
Due to refinements in the algorithm and CCD
control, the Maxxum 7’s central processing
unit has a data processing speed of about
five times faster than earlier AF SLR
models. In addition, the camera’s powerful
lens driving motor promises quick
accelerations and decelerations of lens
movement. As a result, the Maxxum 7 provides
the world’s fastest AF speed in spite of the
greater volume of data received from the
wide focus area. With the Multi-dimensional
Predictive Focus Control, the Maxxum 7 is
able to track abrupt changes in speed or
direction - even a U-turn - perfectly. With
a 300mm lens attached, for example, the
Maxxum 7 can accurately follow an object
moving as fast as 31 miles per hour to
within 26 feet.
Flexible
Control of Auto and Manual Focus Modes
The functional balance of autofocus and
manual focus control is enhanced by the
Maxxum 7’s unique AF/MF control button. This
allows photographers to instantly switch
control between autofocus (AF) and manual
focus (MF). Simply pressing the button,
conveniently located on the back of the grip
- a perfect place for quick switching of
focus control - quickly allows for manual
focus (MF). This versatile control was made
possible by utilizing a newly incorporated
built-in clutch that electrically controls
the AF/MF switching operation.
Versatile DMF Mode
Direct Manual Focus mode allows
photographers to "fine-tune" focus with most
Minolta AF lenses. The new clutch mechanism
incorporated in the Maxxum 7 focusing system
allows the focusing ring to be manually
operated once the focus is locked by
autofocus.
Easy-to-Operate Lever and Dial Control
The lever and dial controls of the Maxxum 7
ensure clear and easy operation at a glance.
Full-auto and Memory functions have been
added to the exposure-mode dial in addition
to the conventional positions (P, A, S and
M). In combination with the advanced
Navigation display, the lever and dial
controls achieve extremely flexible
operation, including an instant reset to
Full-auto mode and recall from any of three
Memories of settings programmed in the
Navigation display.
Clear
and Flexible Operational Displays
The Maxxum 7 is the first camera of its
class to incorporate a "Navigation Display"
providing users with unequalled clarity in
camera operation. The large 1.5 x 1 inch,
easy-to-see LCD panel with dot-matrix
presentation, positioned on the Maxxum 7’s
back cover, provides a variety of
information to meet users’ specific
preferences or skills. These include camera
settings, custom functions, exposure
history, meter index, brightness
distribution, depth-of-field, and data
memory (selectable in five different
languages). It saves photographers from
changing their holding position each time
they check the data panel which is typically
placed at the top of the camera. This
position also facilitates high-angle
shooting using a tripod.
Power
Performance in the Most Compact Body in its
Class
The Maxxum 7 sets a new standard for
performance and compactness. The camera
boasts power performance features such as a
top shutter speed of 1/8000 second and
maximum drive speed of 4 frames per second
in a body smaller than any other 35 mm AF
SLR's with the same shutter speeds and film
drive speeds, based on Minolta’s standard
test methods. Relatively small (5.6 x 3.8 x
2.6 inches) and lightweight (20.3 oz.), its
compact body with the ultra-compact AF
24-105mm f/3.5-4.5(D) standard lens assures
greater handling and carrying comfort.
.8x
Viewfinder Magnification
In its compact body, the Maxxum 7 provides a
generous viewfinder magnification of 0.8X.
Combined with a diopter-adjustment function
and the Spherical Acute Matte, the
viewfinder presents a bright clear view for
maximum ease of operation.
ADI
Flash Metering
When used with Minolta’s new AF lenses
incorporating distance encoders, Advanced
Distance Integration (ADI) flash metering
provides greater accuracy of the Maxxum 7’s
flash exposure. Guide number control and
4-segment Pre-flash metering work together
to virtually eliminate any influence of
background or subject reflectance. In
combination with the 5600HS(D) or 3600HS(D),
pre-flash data is interpreted by the
14-segment Honeycomb-pattern cell and
factored into the final exposure.
Wireless
Remote High-speed Sync
When the Maxxum 7 is combined with Minolta’s
new Program Flash 5600HS(D) or 3600HS(D), it
provides flat pulse flash to achieve sync
speeds of up to 1/8000 second in
wireless/remote photography. This optimizes
the advantages of a large aperture lens with
a shallow depth of field in daylight
wireless flash photography.
Rear-flash Sync
With slow shutter speeds (below 1/60),
rear-flash sync creates a natural and
pleasing effect with moving subjects by
producing traces behind the subject (exposed
by the ambient light), and sharply exposing
the subject itself. When the shutter speed
is over 1/60, the flash fires at the
front-flash sync even if rear-flash sync is
selected. Rear-flash sync is not available
with red-eye reduction or wireless flash
operation.
Versatile Built-In Flash
For optimum versatility, the Maxxum 7
includes a built-in flash. The flash is a
manual switchover type with lift-up and
push-down operation, and covers a 24 mm lens
with a guide number of 39 in feet (12 in
meters) at ISO 100.
Depth-of-field Preview
With the Maxxum 7, an independent aperture
control motor allows the aperture to be
changed during the depth-of-field preview,
so depth-of-field can be continuously
monitored. In addition, a depth-of-field
display appears on the Navigation display
when a lens with distance encoder is
attached. The magnification ratio appears
aligned with the depth-of-field if it is
1:10 or larger.
Two
Phase Distance Encoder
The Maxxum 7 has a two-phase distance
encoder system that reads both the amount
and direction of the lens drive. This allows
the photographer to use subject distance
information in manual focus for improved
accuracy of multi-segment metering and
multi-segment flash metering.
Continuous Film Advance of 4 fps
Improvements in the sequence of shutter
charge, aperture/mirror charge, and film
advance enable the Maxxum 7 to achieve an
action-catching film advance speed of 4
frames per second. The drive speed changes
according to the selected focus mode or
autofocus mode: manual focus - 4 fps, and
continuous and automatic AF - 3.7 fps.
Three
Auto Focus Modes
The Maxxum 7 allows the photographer to
select the AF mode that best suits the
subject. Continuous AF maintains focus on a
moving subject until the picture is taken.
With Automatic AF Selection, the camera
continues to focus when the subject is
moving and locks focus when the subject is
still. Single-shot AF brings the subject
into focus and locks the focus when the
shutter-release button is pressed partway
down.
14-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering
The Maxxum 7’s silicon photocell is divided
into 14 segments — thirteen in a honeycomb
array, plus the background. The metering
system uses autofocus information to
determine the subject’s location, and
constructs an appropriate metering pattern
around it. The uniform size, shape, and
distribution of each segment results in
precise control of the metering pattern and
therefore, the exposure. Slight subject
movement results in slight adjustments to
the weighting of segments within the
pattern. If subject movement become great
enough to affect the exposure, the metering
pattern shifts smoothly to compensate. As a
result, the Maxxum 7 is able to set the
correct exposure even in very tricky
lighting.
Metering
Index
A sophisticated metering index in the
viewfinder display makes checking exposure
quick and easy, even in the dark. The index
reads from -3EV to +3 EV, in 1/2 or 1/3
increments, and shows the exposure
compensation setting in P, A and S modes. In
M mode, it indicates the difference between
the metered value and the value that has
been set. In AE lock, the metering index
shows the difference between the locked
value and the value of the currently
centered area.
1/2 or
1/3 EV Exposure Compensation Increment
For more flexible exposure control, the
Maxxum 7 provides exposure compensation
increment options: 1/2 EV and 1/3 EV
increments.
Manual
Shift
This time-saving feature allows the
photographer to quickly change aperture and
shutter settings in Manual Mode without
affecting the original exposure selected by
the photographer.
Select-Frame Film Transport (Mid Reload)
The Maxxum 7’s Select-frame Film Transport
(Mid Reload Function) provides significant
convenience when using several rolls of film
in parallel or when making multiple
exposures with bracketing. Photographers can
unload and reload a partially exposed roll
of film, or advance or rewind the film to a
desired frame. This function not only
minimizes the time and aggravation inherent
to the reloading procedure but also greatly
facilitates multiple-exposure photography
with bracketing.
Data
Memory
Once a spectacular photograph is taken, the
Maxxum 7 remembers how it was achieved so
the photographer can duplicate the effect
again. The Maxxum 7’s data memory function
can store up to 11 items of photographic
data, such as aperture value, shutter speed,
exposure and flash compensation increments
and lens smallest f-number, from as many as
seven rolls of 36-exposure film. The
photographer can then access the
photographic data using the Navigation
display.
Film
Chamber Lock
The Maxxum 7 is the first 35mm SLR model in
the world to adopt the Film Chamber Lock
feature. Once loaded, the back cover is
locked until the film is completely rewound
to prevent accidental opening.
35
Custom Settings
The Maxxum 7 provides a wide selection of
custom settings to enable you to truly
personalize the camera for your particular
style. Functions include:
