Konica Minolta 800si 35mm SLRs
Konica Minolta 800si 35mm SLRs
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[Jan 15, 2001]
Todd Wertz
Expert
Strength:
More features for the $ than any other camera I have reviewed. I have used mine for 4 years now and have had no trouble with it. It's features allow it to be very versitile because of the abundance of features. I have used it effectively for studio, wedding, nature, landscape, and portraiture.
Weakness:
Would lose some of it's lightness, but I wish it had a better frame. I would recommend this camera to almost anyone. Almost? Extreme wildlife photographers may want to look into the maxxum 9 because of it's heavier construction. Customer Service Have never used it because of excelent construction. Similar Products Used: Canon A2 |
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[Feb 13, 2001]
Mark Booth
Professional
Strength:
Metering totally reliable,Body never once failed in 4 yrs abuse,definately get the vc700 grip as it transforms the handling
Weakness:
Autofocus isnt the quickest, Fantastic pieces of kit!!!sorry to see them go!!but Minolta aint got a decent digi body,so had to switch camps to Canon Customer Service shhhhh Similar Products Used: 7000i, |
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[Apr 02, 2001]
Casual
Strength:
Too many features to mention.
Weakness:
Some buttons hidden behind door. "Custom settings" not intuitive. A great camera with most controls easy to reach. The VC-700 grip gives you the same AEL and AF buttons when you shoot "portrait" instead of "landscape" (something my friend sorely misses on his Nikon F80). The 3-memory switch allows you to set some often-used functions without having to go behind the small door. Custom settings are of the "option 1, setting 1 or 2" type. You have no clue what they are without the manual. Chances are you set them once and won't have to bother ever again. So not a major inconvenience. Customer Service Not needed Similar Products Used: Minolta 7000, 9000, 700Si |
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[Jun 08, 2001]
Martin Sodos
Expert
Strength:
Vast range of built-in programs. Built-in shot data memory. Eye start off switch. Very fast and accurate AF. Very accurate and hard to fool exposure control. Ability to capture fleeting moments and fast events with ease. Built in dual speed silent rewind. Everything imaginable except perhaps a mirror lockup.
Weakness:
Very slightly heavy. A fabulous camera. While it doesn't have the professional sealing and durability level of my 9xi, it has the needed eye start defeat switch, and enough built-in programs to eliminate need for the prior generation custom function cards. So far I've owned nearly every generation of Maxxum camera. Barring some killer app feature in the future which blows me away, this one along with my 9xi are probably the last analog cameras I will ever need. Customer Service Not rated. Similar Products Used: Maxxum 7000, 7000i, 9xi |
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[Jun 12, 2001]
Sanford(sandy) dickerson
Professional
Strength:
I love the way this camera feels in my hands, especially with the 700 grip(a must). The metering is dead on in all modes, and the 16 custom fuctions, most of which I never use, is a nice touch.
Weakness:
some times it struggles to acquire focus indoors in low light. I first became aquainted with this camera when one of my 8000i bodies suffered a broken shutter( after ten years of heavy use). Minolta was unable to repair the shutter because its out of production, so... they actually GAVE me a refurbished 800si to replace the 8000i!!! I love it so much I traded my other 8000i in on a new 800si. I use these cameras almost every day and except for the problem with the autofocus indoors, which is really a minor annoyance, I would highly recommend this camera. I've been a Minolta user since 1969 and have never had any complaints. Similar Products Used: Minolta 8000i, x-700,SRT101 |
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[Dec 08, 1999]
Jaryd Cavin
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
800si
Strength:
The camera just feels right in my hands. I like the ability to instanly recall camera settings via the 3 position memory switch. The on camera flash has worked great. The illuminated top LCD panel is very helpful at night.
Weakness:
As others have mentioned the controls behind the side door are small,but I'm glad that they're out of the way and don't clutter the rest of the camera. No mirror lock up but the lack of it hasn't bothered me. Excellent camera. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a very versatile camera at a reasonable price compared to the competition. Once you have learned all the abilities of this camera it is hard to see why you would need something better unless you need the ruggedness of a pro camera or mirror lock-up. Customer Service Not needed Similar Products Used: 7000 , 600si |
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[Dec 07, 1999]
Bill
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
800si
Strength:
Love the AutoFocus,
Weakness:
Once. Fitted with the VC700 Grip the 800si is a pro camera. Customer Service Minolta New Jersey,USA was fast.. Similar Products Used: Minolta 700si, XG-7, Pentax. |
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[Oct 31, 1999]
Chakri Yarlagadda
Casual
Model Reviewed:
800si
Strength:
Well built, excellent mix of features, rear-curtain sync, depth-of-field preview, bright view finder and lastly but not leastly built-in-flash
Weakness:
Hidden controls such as self timer, flash mode etc are little annoying. Camera that has quality built, custom settings, excellent autofocaus with APO lenses, powerful built-in-flash, 9 roll memory capacity, and personizable settings. A versatile camera made for amatuers but can serve professional needs too! An exceptional value for your bucs. Customer Service Never needed. God I am good! Similar Products Used: Canon A2 |
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[Oct 20, 1999]
Simon Watkins
Expert
Model Reviewed:
800si
Strength:
Superb build quality. Outstanding metering. Excellent autofocus, and best handling of any camera I've used. Ultra-bright viewfinder.
Weakness:
None. A superb camera that knocks spots off the competition - particularly so in its own price bracket, but also in higher categories as well. Minolta's pro quality lenses are second to none. Consumer zooms are only average. Customer Service Never had to call on it, but have heard that it is excellent Similar Products Used: EOS50. 700si, F90 |
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[Oct 04, 1999]
Tiago Virago
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
800si
Strength:
This is definately a camera you can grow with.
Weakness:
Nope Lenses are what makes the camera. This camera is very versitile and can open your options to the professional level. It was built for intermediates who want to create deep rich memories.. Customer Service Never needed it. That makes it the best ever. Also I have heard stories that stem from the Minolta users group, a band of minolta users, that their service is awesome. Similar Products Used: 5000i was a good learning camera but does not come close to this. |