The Minolta Maxxum 2xi is a camera from Minolta. It is an SLR camera with autofocus. It was introduced in the 1990s and was intended more for the entry-level segment. It was sold mainly under this name in the USA. In Europe, it was marketed as the Minolta Dynax 2xi. In Japan, the home country, the functionally identical model was available under the name “Alpha 2xi”.
The 35mm camera has a light meter and various exposure modes. The film speed can be set automatically by the camera technology. The value is read from the DX coding on the film cartridge. Values from ISO 25 to ISO 5000 are possible. If the coding is missing, the automatic system sets ISO 100 by default.
Exposure modes include a choice of program auto, aperture priority or time priority. In addition, there is a fully manual mode. In this mode, you can freely choose aperture and shutter speed. For shutter speed, you can choose between times from 1/2000 second to 30 seconds. There is also a variable Bulb mode for long exposures.
The aperture value depends on the lens. The lens can be exchanged on the Minolta Maxxum 2xi. Lenses with an A bayonet can be attached. There is a selection of suitable products for this connection. The focus is automatically adjusted on this already very modern camera.
According to the manual, the camera weighs 385 grams and measures 14.65 x 9.1 x 6.05 cm. There is a thread for a tripod on the bottom. A self-timer with a lead time of ten seconds is available. A flash can be connected to the corresponding port.
The camera requires a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*). The battery normally lasts for up to 1440 pictures. It also supplies power to the display on the top of the housing. There you can find information about exposure modes, shutter speed and the number of photos taken, for example. Film transport is automatic.
Films for the Minolta Maxxum 2xi
According to the manual, the Minolta Maxxum 2xi exposes 35mm film. Nice 35mm films for color and black-and-white shooting, respectively, are the Kodak Portra 400* and the Kodak T-Max 100*. Both films deliver convincing results and perform well in various tests.
Foma, Fujifilm, Ilford, Lomography, Adox and also Rollei are still other suppliers of 35mm films. In principle, you can use all 35mm films with the camera. Of course, you should consider which films you need for the desired result and in which situations you want to use the material.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| 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 (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Connection for Minolta flash units |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 1x 2CR5 battery |
| Size | 14,65 x 9,1 x 6,05 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.77 x 3.58 x 2.38 inches |
| Weight | 385 Grams |
| Names in other markets | Europe: Minolta Dynax 2xi, Japan: Minolta Alpha 2xi |
FAQ about the Minolta Maxxum 2xi
What type of camera is the Minolta Maxxum 2xi, and what is its intended user group?
It's a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with autofocus, primarily aimed at entry-level photographers in the 1990s.
Does this camera offer different shooting modes, and if so, which ones?
Yes, it provides various modes including Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, and a fully manual mode for complete control over aperture and shutter speed.
What kind of film does the Minolta Dynax 2xi (European name) use, and what is its battery life?
It uses standard 35mm film. The 2CR5 battery provides power for approximately 1440 shots.
How does the Minolta Alpha 2xi (Japanese name) handle film sensitivity, and what's the range?
It automatically detects film speed (ISO) from the DX code on the film canister, supporting ISO 25 to 5000; it defaults to ISO 100 if no code is found.
Can lenses be interchanged on this particular model, and what type of mount does it use?
Yes, interchangeable lenses are supported using the Minolta A-mount bayonet system, offering a wide selection of compatible lenses.