Minolta Dynax 3L

The Minolta Dynax 3L SLR camera was produced by Minolta in the early 2000s. It was positioned as an entry-level model. This is particularly evident in its simple operation. In the USA it was marketed as Minolta Maxxum 3. In the USA, the camera was also available as Minolta Maxxum GT.

It is possible to use different lenses with this camera, as it has a connection for interchangeable lenses. Lenses with a Minolta A bayonet can be used with the camera. There are a lot of exciting lenses for this mount.

An automatic focusing system is built into the camera. In dark situations, the focusing light helps you to focus. If desired, you can also focus manually.

The camera also has a light meter. It is designed for shooting films with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 5000. When using the flash, ISO 25 and ISO 1000 are supported. Via a DX code on the film cartridge, it is possible to read out the film speed of the inserted film.

Exposure programmes

The camera comes with an automatic exposure mode. In programme automatic, the aperture and shutter speed are set automatically. For shutter speed, the camera technology has a choice of values from 1/2000 second to 30 seconds. For the aperture, it depends on the lens.

In addition to the automatic programme, there are various subject programmes. For example, there is a setting option for portraits, portraits at night, close-ups, landscape pictures and sports photos.

There is no manual setting option for this model.

Flash

The photo camera comes with a built-in flash with guide number 12. At ISO 100, the range is a maximum of 4 metres. The flash comes with different modes. Thus, these modes are available: Auto flash, Auto flash with red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Fill-in flash with red-eye reduction, Flash off. In addition, an external flash can also be connected. The sync speed is 1/90 second.

The Minolta Dynax 3L has a self-timer. The self-timer has a lead time of ten seconds. There is a thread for a tripod on the underside of the housing.

With a size of 12.7 x 8.7 x 6.05 cm, the Minolta Dynax 3L weighs 310 grams. The housing is one of Minolta’s smallest SLR cameras.

Batteries for the camera

Two CR2 batteries (eBay / Amazon*) are responsible for the power supply. These batteries can still be found easily today. The capacity depends on the usage. With 50 per cent use of the flash for shooting, one set of batteries can be used for 14 rolls of 24 pictures.

Films for the Minolta Dynax 3L

What film format is the Minolta Dynax 3L designed for? The camera needs film for the 35mm format. 35mm film is still being manufactured, so using it with the camera is not a problem.

Available photo films for the Japanese SLR camera, which are easy to get from online shops, are the Ilford HP5* for enchanting black-and-white pictures and the Kodak Portra 400* for brilliant colour pictures. Both photo films are well suited for a wide range of applications. This is also attested to in test reports.

The colour film is processed in the C-41 process. The C-41 process is used by most professional photo labs. The development of colour film is also possible at well-known drugstore brands in Germany. Black and white film must be processed in a black and white developer.

Film transport

The exposure area of the 35 mm camera is 24 mm x 36 mm. A motorised film transport function automatically moves the film after each exposure. You can take about 1.7 pictures per second with the camera. When the film is full, it is wound back into the cartridge. The duration of this process is given as 8 seconds for a 24-frame film.

Value of the camera

How much is the camera worth today? The camera has of course been out of production for many years, so you can only find second-hand ones. For one copy you have to reckon with a price of 52,55 Euro. The purchase price or selling price depends, of course, on the condition, functionality and scope of delivery.