Minolta 5D?

Question

I was thinking about getting this camera as my first DSLR mainly due to the fact that I have a bunch of old minolta lenses from my Maxxum. I heard the Sony had noise problems, so I'm leaning toward this instead. However, I'm concerned with the sensor. Does having older technology (6.1mp) make a huge difference in picture quality? Also, can I still get support from minolta or sony?

Answer 1

Since Minolta quit the camera biz, I doubt you can find the camera at a reputable dealer at a reasonable price. I wouldn't invest any big money in that system. Bite the bullet and go for a line that is still in business. Canon or Nikon come to mind. You can still shoot film with the Maxxum. It's still a viable media for now.

Support policy from KM site:

Service Process for Konica Minolta Products

* Effective 3/31/06, Consumer Repair requests will no longer be accepted by Konica Minolta.
* Effective 4/1/06, all Consumer Repair requests for Konica Minolta Products in the US will be transferred to Sony Electronics Inc.
* Effective 4/1/06, the Sony Electronics Service web site at http://eservice.sony.com can be used to locate a servicer or setup a service request for applicable Konica Minolta products.
* Konica Minolta Technical support phone numbers will remain unchanged.
o Film Product Support: 1-877-646-6582
o Digital Product Support: 1-877-462-4464
* Email support is available via at http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/emailform-km.pl?template=EN
* For online support, such as drivers and other documents, Konica-Minolta users can also visit http://ca.konicaminolta.com/support/index.html.

Answer 2

The 5D is, by all measures, a wonderful and competitive camera. It has some of the best noise characteristics in the biz, the terrific Minolta interface, & of course, Image Stabilization. Plenty of features that make it a much more capable camera than the Rebels, with a better build quality as well.. Having a selection of Minolta lenses will make it a very cost effective solution for you, and it's available from a few retailers for in the mid $600's methinks.

Sony is servicing the Minolta's, and from what I've heard- they're doing a fine job. So- there's no real issue there.

I'd say it's a very viable option in the field of consumer DSLRs. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Having a selection of Minolta lenses will clinch it for you- unless you want to go with the Sony A100, or wait for one of the future cameras that Sony will undoubtedly produce. 6Mp is good enough for clean 8x10 inch prints- although I'm a voracious cropper- so I like at least 8mp.

Answer 3

the 6 meg sensor will only come into play when you make big enlargements (13x19 and bigger). a 10 meg can do bigger then 13x19 and keep that "photo quality" at a high level.

if you wish to look at other cameras here is a very well set comparison of 10 meg DSLR's under $1,000