Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD

The Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD is a 35mm autofocus SLR camera that was launched in 1998 by the manufacturer Minolta and produced in Malaysia. It was sold to a large extent in Europe.

The special feature of the model is the possibility to imprint the date of recording in the pictures. There is also a mode for panorama photos. These two functions are missing from the normal model.

The lens of the 35-mm photo camera is interchangeable. For this purpose, a Minolta A bayonet has been installed. There are a number of different lenses for this mount. The viewfinder of the SLR is a penta-mirror that displays 90% of the image.

The Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD is equipped with a built-in light meter. The light meter is designed for 35mm film from ISO 25 to ISO 5000 if you use the automatic detection via the DX coding on the film cartridge. Manually, you can choose between values from ISO 6 to 6400.

Shutter speed and aperture can be selected by the photographer. There is a choice of values from 1/4000 second to 30 seconds. The selected settings are shown on the display on the top of the camera. For long exposures there is a Bulb mode. This keeps the shutter open for a variable amount of time.

The camera was designed for versatility and offered a range of modes for different shooting styles and conditions. These modes included programmed modes for sports, landscape, portrait, macro and night photography, a fully automatic mode, a preferred shutter speed mode and a preferred aperture mode.

The camera also has a built-in flash with a guide number of 12 that can be used as an autofocus assist light. In addition, external flash units from Minolta can be connected.

The photo camera has a self-timer and a tripod thread on the bottom. There is also a mode for multiple exposures.

The power source of the 35mm camera is two CR2 batteries (eBay / Amazon*). These batteries are still very easy to get today. With one set of batteries you can take about 400 pictures, if you use the flash partially.

For the date function, an additional CR2025 battery (eBay / Amazon*) is needed. If you do not use the function, you can do without the battery.

The camera is relatively light and weighs only 385 g without lens, film and batteries. The dimensions of the camera are 135 x 90 x 60 mm, so it is quite compact compared to other SLR cameras.

Films for the Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD

In the Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD, photo films are exposed, more precisely 35mm films. 35mm film is still made and is developed without problems at most photo labs.

One option for colour images is the Kodak Portra 160* and the Ilford FP4 Plus* for black and white photos. According to test reports, the films deliver good results in most everyday situations. Of course, you can also use films from other manufacturers.

The Minolta Dynax 505si Super QD exposes an area of 24 mm x 36 mm and thus holds about 36 pictures, depending on the film material. The film in the 35 mm camera is transported automatically. The motor takes 2 pictures per second. For this speed, the camera must be switched to continuous shooting mode.