Minolta 505si vs Pentax MZ-5N
Mr B
landscape, macro, wildlife etc. I'm considering either the Minolta 505si
(not sure what this model is called in the US) or a Pentax MZ-5N.
The Pentax is more expensive, but has received rave reviews in the UK,
though the Minolta seems to be highly regarded too.
I've seen an advert for the Pentax with a Tamron 28-105 lens + Tamron
100-300, for about £500. Reasonable starting camera, or would a Minolta
setup be better? (I have heard some people mention that Minolta 28-80
lenses are poor, any truth in the rumour?).
I'd like to try to get one of these second hand, but they're both fairly
new, so I'm not sure if I'd have any success. Should I consider a
'better' camera (e.g. Minolta 600/700si) second hand? Are these older
(but originally more expensive) cameras superior to these newer low-end
models?
Ok, a lot of questions there. Many thanks to any of the experienced
users of these groups who help...
Mr. B
Lee Bohan
Minolta Dynax 505si or a Canon EOS 50. In the end the choice became that the
extra features and classical handling of a 600si were worth an extra #80.
The Sigma 28-70 F2.8-4.0 uc lens is also a real bargain for the price.
Got mine from Photo Optix where I believe the same kit is still available
for <#400.
Cheers,
Lee.
Mr B wrote in message <364970AF...@STILLNOSPAM.COM>...
Ron Pelley
Photon magazine the reviewer, Sheila Kilpatrick mentioned the fact that this
new lens was way better than that supplied in other budget bundles from the
likes of Canon, Nikon et al. She also said to make sure some unscrupulous
dealer doesn't palm you off with old stock (which won't be difficult to
notice as the new lens is silver!).
Other than that spec for spec, the Minolta is better, whatever that means.
Frankly it won't be difficult to get a camera which focuses and exposes
correctly nowadays whatever the money you spend.
I'm still happy with my 15 and 20 year old Olympuses!
Regards
R
Mr B wrote:
> I'm after a first camera, and would like to take a variety of shots:
> landscape, macro, wildlife etc. I'm considering either the Minolta 505si
> (not sure what this model is called in the US) or a Pentax MZ-5N.
>
> The Pentax is more expensive, but has received rave reviews in the UK,
> though the Minolta seems to be highly regarded too.
>
> I've seen an advert for the Pentax with a Tamron 28-105 lens + Tamron
> 100-300, for about £500. Reasonable starting camera, or would a Minolta
> setup be better? (I have heard some people mention that Minolta 28-80
> lenses are poor, any truth in the rumour?).
>
> I'd like to try to get one of these second hand, but they're both fairly
> new, so I'm not sure if I'd have any success. Should I consider a
> 'better' camera (e.g. Minolta 600/700si) second hand? Are these older
> (but originally more expensive) cameras superior to these newer low-end
> models?
>
> Ok, a lot of questions there. Many thanks to any of the experienced
> users of these groups who help...
>
> Mr. B
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Bill Tuthill
> I'm after a first camera, and would like to take a variety of shots:
> landscape, macro, wildlife etc. I'm considering either the Minolta 505si
> (not sure what this model is called in the US) or a Pentax MZ-5N.
The 505si (Super) is called the XTsi in the US. Like the Pentax 5n,
it is loaded with features, while still being small and lightweight.
The 505si lacks DOF preview, which the 5n has. The 5n lacks triple
focus points, which the 505si has. The 505si does autobracketing
in .5 EV intervals, pretty useless. The 5n's max shutter speed is
only 1/2000, and it can't do multiple exposure.
I think you should decide on lenses before buying either camera.
What type of lenses do you want?
With the Minolta you could get a Maxxum 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 zoom,
Sigma 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 macrozoom, or Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4.0 zoom
paired with a Maxxum 75-300mm f4.5-5.6, and share a 55mm filter!
> I've seen an advert for the Pentax with a Tamron 28-105 lens +
> Tamron 100-300, for about Ł500.
The Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 LD would be better (best in class except
for Nikon), but I don't think a 300mm handheld zoom is very useful,
and it takes a different filter size than the 28-105. The Pentax
28-70mm f4.0 and 135mm f2.8 prime might be a better combination
(same filter size) and would cost less.
Wai Lun Alan Chan
>The 505si (Super) is called the XTsi in the US. Like the Pentax 5n,
>it is loaded with features, while still being small and lightweight.
>The 505si lacks DOF preview, which the 5n has. The 5n lacks triple
>focus points, which the 505si has. The 505si does autobracketing
>in .5 EV intervals, pretty useless. The 5n's max shutter speed is
>only 1/2000, and it can't do multiple exposure.
I believe MZ/ZX-5n has 3 AF sensors too.
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=== Alan Chan wl...@cs.rmit.edu.au ===
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Luc Lamarche
I've bought a Minolta 500 si super two years ago.
I'm very happy with it. It was my first camera.
Often at work I compare my photo with others (who have "bigger models"
in other brands). I can say that the performance of the 28-80 lens is as
good as the others to the untrained eyes. But I have to admit that on
some pictures I have noticed some distortion in the corners of the
photos. But probably these pictures where take at f4. using a smaller
aperture could have resolve the problem. But I think this has to be
expected when you buy the low end lens (no matter what brand).
I don't have any problem with the body at all.
I do not considered myself as a serious photographer but I enjoy a good
picture.
Luc.
Brandon Wiser
I have been a user of both the 500si Maxxum, and my new favorite, the 800si.
I have been very satisfied with the functions on both cameras, but would be
lying if I said I was impressed with the motor drive on the 500. It's
ultimately the reason I switched. What I found when I did though, was that
the 800 is a real serious camera. True some may have problems with the fact
it's a plastic body, but you can't beat the functions, in conjunction with
that, I also own a 3500xi flash, which I use off camera, and the Vertical
Control Grip for it. For lenses I have a 35-70 f3.5 (don't laugh) and a
Tamron 2X AF teleconverter for the Tokina telephoto 80-200 f2.8 I have. I
find it is much more than adequete for my needs, and would strongly
recommend it, or something similar to anyone interested in Minolta, however,
I have also used the 700, and it
is a very good camera also. I hope I've helped
Mr.
Wise
Keith Biggs
Pentax MZ-5N.
I have one and the only thing it lacks, as far as I am concerned, is a
mirror lock. Its a joy to use and very flexible.
Manual or Auto.
bart mendelson
available, all the older lenses (used manual focus) fit perfectly and I like
the way the camera feels. I would go for a 50 mm lense though to start of
with. Faster and gives a better feeling on the camera than the larger zooms
Bart
Mr B heeft geschreven in bericht <364970AF...@STILLNOSPAM.COM>...
Geir Eivind Mork
says..
> >focus points, which the 505si has. The 505si does autobracketing
> >in .5 EV intervals, pretty useless. The 5n's max shutter speed is
> >only 1/2000, and it can't do multiple exposure.
> I believe MZ/ZX-5n has 3 AF sensors too.
It has three linear sensors, the XTsi have two linear and one cross type
sensor.
Also, autobraketing in .5 EV intervals is very useful for slide film, not
so useful for print film. Better than no autobraketing.
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Wai Lun Alan Chan
>I've bought a Minolta 500 si super two years ago.
>I'm very happy with it. It was my first camera.
>Often at work I compare my photo with others (who have "bigger models"
>in other brands). I can say that the performance of the 28-80 lens is as
>good as the others to the untrained eyes. But I have to admit that on
>some pictures I have noticed some distortion in the corners of the
>photos. But probably these pictures where take at f4. using a smaller
>aperture could have resolve the problem. But I think this has to be
Distortion cannot be corrected by stopping down the aperture.
>expected when you buy the low end lens (no matter what brand).
Not necessary, many used prime lenses are excellent, and some zooms
too. Price is not an accurate way to measure the lens performance.
Bill Tuthill
> tut@ishi (Bill Tuthill) writes:
> >... The 5n lacks triple focus points, which the 505si has...
>
> I believe MZ/ZX-5n has 3 AF sensors too.
It's true that the 5n has 3 AF sensors, but you cannot select one or all
of them as the focus point. The RebelG (EOS500) and ElanIIe (EOS50) offer
this feature, as does the XTsi/HTsi (505si). This capability is valuable
to me, but perhaps not to others. Here is a more detailed comparison from
www.cmpsolv.com/photozone
Pentax 5n Minolta 505si (XT/HTsi
autofocus-sensors: 3 3 (1 crosshair)
AF-working-range(EV): -1/18 -1/18
metering systems: 6 seg, ctr-wgtd, spot 14 segment, spot (2.7%)
M-working-range(EV): 0/21 1/20
exp-compensation(EV): +-3/.5 +-3/.5
shutter speed range: 1/2000-30s,B 1/4000-30s,B
auto bracketing: Yes Yes (+-.5 EV)
mirror lock-up: No No
multiple exposure: No Yes
maximum X-Sync: 1/100s 1/125s
hi-speed Sync: No 1/4000s
flash-sync 2nd curtain: Yes No
flash EV compensation: No No
built-in-flash(GN): 11 (28mm) 12 (28mm)
viewfinder-info: A,T,F,Ec,AF,D A,T,F,Ec,AF
viewfinder-size: 92% 90%
control programs: (P),Ap,Sp,M F,P,Sp,Ap,M,5
DOF preview: Yes No
custom functions: - 9 or 10
metal tripod mount: Yes XTsi/Super only?
motor (AF) speed: 2 fps 2 fps
battery requirement: 2x CR2 2x CR2
weight w/o battery: 410g 380g, XTsi/Super 414g
Kari Tuomi
>of them as the focus point.
That's not exactly true. You can switch between spot focusing (central
sensor) and wide are focusing (all 3 sensors) with MZ-5n. But not each
sensor individually.
Kari
Bill Tuthill
Right you are (this is getting hard to phrase accurately). I'll just say
that the Minolta XTsi/HTsi/505si(Super) have triple focus selection points
similar to the Canon RebelG (EOS500) and ElanII (EOS50). The reason this
is useful is to follow action when you'd rather not place your subject
smack dab in the middle of the frame. The Canon A2 (EOS5) and Nikon F5
have five focus selection points: the same three and two additional ones
above and below center. The EOS3 has 45 selection points, although who
knows what the user inteface is for that!
Also, I visited a camera store this morning to look at the tripod mounts
on the XTsi and HTsi. I couldn't tell if they were plastic or metal, but
they were removable, and looked just like the tripod mount on the 600si.