Beginner MINOLTA Camera and questions.

Oldbones

Oldbones

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Last night at the photography club, I was gifted a camera from a member who I have done a couple favors for.
Its a Minolta, Dynax 500si super.
Its in perfect condition, along with the camera came 2 lenses Minolta 28/80, Tamron 100/300.
Some filters and a remote shutter cable, owners manual etc.
Great little deal for me, so I have given it to my wife as she wants to start with film.
It came with three battery's , 2CR5, one is working at the others do not,
It says on the battery's ,Do not recharge.
So with this style of battery do you just replace them as needed?
Film, well its 35MM,but which one do we need to get for this?
There are so many when you start to shop for them.
Its her first camera in a long time, and I am interested about it, but I have a Nikon DSLR, so I have a FG20 arriving soon, and the lenses I have will also fit it, so the Minolta will only be for my wife.
As far as getting film well if we buy a bundle it will be cost effective for us as we both are going to need film.
 
I had that camera for a good while back in the 1990's and loved it. That's a nice outfit. The batteries just need replaced as and when necessary, I think you can get them easily enough. As to film, there's loads to choose from but at this time of year I'd go with a colour film and 200ASA at least - Kodak Gold 200 would be a good place to start
 
lindsay said:
I had that camera for a good while back in the 1990's and loved it. That's a nice outfit. The batteries just need replaced as and when necessary, I think you can get them easily enough. As to film, there's loads to choose from but at this time of year I'd go with a colour film and 200ASA at least - Kodak Gold 200 would be a good place to start
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Thank you so much for your help,
Forgot to ask, how long approximately will a battery last , we will have to get some of them as well.
 
Re batteries, I'd get one spare but often there are deals on buying two at a time. I don't recall how long they last, but I don't think they empty very quickly unless there's a fault.
 
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I used to keep at least one in stock and would reorder a pair as soon as the spare went into the camera. (I used to get my cells from 7dayshop, along with film but they don't seem to have as much choice these days!) Shelf life is in years, life in use depends on how the camera's used (I used to switch off between shots rather than rely on auto-off).
At this time of year, I'd tend to use 400 ASA film rather than 200 but that was MY choice - yours may well differ!
 
Quick perspective as a Minolta 7000 owner from the 80's. If you're happy with the images you get back then all well and good, but be aware the 28-80 and 28-100 consumer lenses both have a reputation for low inage quality even in the film era. If the pictures you get back look OK to you then no worries, but if they seem poorer than expected, rather than wondering what's gone wrong, try a 28-85 with a metal body instead.

For more info about A mount cameras and lenses visit dyxum.com. Some older minolta lenses were very good for the time like the 'beercan' 70-210 f4. I still use mine sometimes.
 
I don't have that particular model, but one very similar, and it's a lovely camera. Considering it's fully automatic, and that's your lot, it is a pleasure to use and feels great in the hand. I've used it a lot more than I thought I might.
 
Well, we will find out soon what its like, but when we have thought about it, we are in out sixties and we used film cameras back in the day, nothing fancy and just for snaps etc.
We know its a step, as we will have to buy film and relearn things, get them processed and hope we did Ok.
There will be trial and error, just like I have had with my DLSR, its going to be an experience.
 
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