The Minolta Alpha 5xi is a 35mm camera from the 1990s. It was sold to photographers in Minolta’s home market, Japan. In Europe it was sold as the Minolta Dynax 5xi. In the USA, a functionally identical model was sold as the Minolta Maxxum 5xi.
The lens can of course be exchanged. Lenses with a Minolta A bayonet can be used. A large number of lenses were produced for this mount. They cover most focal lengths and thus areas of application. Like today’s DSLRs, this camera is equipped with an autofocus system. It adjusts the focus automatically. For focusing in low light conditions, the camera is equipped with a light.
The Minolta Alpha 5xi has several automatic exposure controls. For example, the camera system can automatically set shutter speed and aperture in programme automatic mode. Aperture or time preselection is also possible. Exposure compensation can be used in all modes.
The sensitivity is automatically set via the coding on the film cartridge. Film sensitivities from ISO 25 to ISO 5000 are supported. If the coding is missing, the automatic system sets ISO 100.
A manual exposure mode is also available. Here, shutter speed and aperture can be freely selected. The exposure time can be set between 1/2000 second and 30 seconds. There is also a bulb mode for long exposures.
The camera has a built-in flash. There is also a self-timer with a lead time of ten seconds. There is also a thread for a tripod.
The camera weighs 525 grams without lens and measures 15.2 x 9.9 x 6.8 cm. The power source of the SLR camera is a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*). You can easily buy this battery online.
Films for the Minolta Alpha 5xi
What film format is the Minolta Alpha 5xi designed for? The camera requires films for the 35 mm format. Fortunately, there is still a good selection of films for this film format.
Ideal films for black and white or colour photography are the Kodak T-Max 100* and the Fujifilm Superia 400*. Both films deliver reliable results and can also convince in professional test reports. Of course, there is a wide range of other 35mm films for this camera. There is material from Ilford, Foma, Adox or Lomography.
The negatives of the 35mm camera have a size of 24 mm x 36 mm. The film is automatically transported after each exposure. The speed of the motor is one frame per second.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Pictures per second | 1 |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Minolta A mount |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Exposure times | 1/2000 second to 30 seconds, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 5000 |
| Auto DX | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Exposure compensation | ± 4EV (0,5EV steps) |
| Date imprinting | Model variant |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 1x 2CR5 battery |
| Size | 15,2 x 9,9 x 6,8 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.98 x 3.90 x 2.68 inches |
| Weight | 525 Grams |
| Names in other markets | Europe: Minolta Dynax 5xi, USA: Minolta Maxxum 5xi |