The Minolta Dynax 600si Classic is a 35mm single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera with microcomputer control of built-in flash, AE, and AF. It was introduced in the market in the 1990s, and it quickly became popular among amateur and professional photographers alike. The camera was sold in Europe. In the United States the camera was sold as Minolta Maxxum 600si. A similar version with panorama mode and data back is the Dynax 650si.
The camera features a Minolta A-type bayonet mount, which allows users to interchange lenses easily. The autofocus system of the camera is based on Minolta's through-the-lens (TTL) phase-detection system, which employs three CCD sensors. The camera offers three focus modes, including AF-S, AF-C, and AF-A, which can be selected according to the subject.
The camera's metering system is based on through-the-lens (TTL) metering, which employs a 14-segment honeycomb-pattern silicon photocell (SPC) with fuzzy logic control. The metering range of the camera is EV 0 to 20, while the spot metering range is EV 3 to 20 (ISO 100, f/1.4). The camera features an electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter, which has a range of 1/4000 to 30 seconds and bulb mode.
The Minolta Dynax 600si offers various exposure modes to give photographers greater control over their images. The program mode allows the camera to automatically set both aperture and shutter speed based on the scene's lighting conditions. Meanwhile, manual mode gives complete control over both aperture and shutter speed. Shutter priority mode enables users to set the desired shutter speed while the camera automatically selects the corresponding aperture, useful for capturing fast-moving subjects. Aperture priority mode allows photographers to choose the desired aperture setting, with the camera automatically selecting the appropriate shutter speed.
The camera features an automatic setting for DX-coded films ISO 25 to 5000 and manual setting from ISO 6 to 6400 in 1/3-stop increments. The camera also features an electronic self-timer with a 10-sec. delay. There is a tripod mount on the bottom of the camera body.
The Minolta SLR has a built-in flash and mount for an external flash. The flash sync of the camera is 1/200 sec. or slower, while the high-speed flash sync is up to 1/4000 sec. with 5400HS. The camera's built-in flash has a guide number of 12 in meters at ISO 100 and coverage for 28mm focal length.
The camera's viewfinder is an eye-level fixed penta-prism, which offers a field of view of 92% (V) x 94% (H) and a magnification of 0.75X with a 50mm lens at infinity. The diopter adjustment of the viewfinder is -1 diopter with continuous adjustment from -2.5 to +0.5 diopters, while the eye-relief is 18.4mm from the eyepiece frame. The camera's focusing screen is an acute-matte (G), which offers a bright and clear view of the subject.
Power for the camera is supplied by a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*), which can usually be found effortlessly on the Internet. With a single charge of this battery, you can take about 600 photos, even if the flash is used for half of the shots.
Films for the Minolta Dynax 600si
The camera's film transport system is automatic, and it can advance to the first frame automatically. The camera offers single-frame advance, continuous advance up to 2 frames/sec, and automatic rewind. The rewind speed of the camera is approximately 15 sec. for 24 exp. roll and approx. 23 sec. for 36 exp. roll.
The Minolta Dynax 600si Classic uses 35 mm films. Possible films for the SLR are the Kodak Portra 160* for color shots and the Ilford FP4 Plus* for b/w photos.
