Minolta Maxxum 500si Super

The Minolta Maxxum 500si Super is an entry-level SLR camera from the 1990s. The 35mm camera was manufactured by Minolta in a factory in Malaysia. The Maxxum was available for purchase in the USA. It was also offered there as the Maxxum 550si Date Panorama. In Minolta’s home country, it was available as Alpha 303si Super.

Functionally similar models, but without the data back and panorama function, are the Minolta Dynax 500si Super and the Maxxum 500si.

The lenses of the 35mm camera are interchangeable. It comes with a Minolta A bayonet and was often sold with a zoom lens. Focusing is facilitated by a built-in autofocus. There is a wide range of lenses that can be attached. All Minolta AF lenses for the analog cameras can be used. Minolta MD and MC lenses are not supported.

Exposure modes of the SLR camera

The camera has several exposure modes. In program auto mode, the aperture and shutter speed are set automatically. The camera technology can also determine the film speed itself. This is done via the DX coding on the film cartridge. Values in the range of 25 to 5000 are supported. The film speed can also be set manually. Here, the sensitivity range is from ISO 6 to ISO 6400.

Other exposure modes are aperture priority and shutter priority. Here, the aperture or shutter speed is selected and the camera chooses the appropriate metering value. There are also special modes for sports shots, landscape shots, portraits, night shots and close-ups. Exposure compensation of plus-minus 3 stops is available in the automatic exposure modes.

The Minolta Maxxum 500si Super also offers a fully manual mode. Here, the aperture and shutter speed can be freely set according to your own preferences. The available apertures are determined by the respective lens. For the exposure time, you can choose between values of 1/2000 second and 30 seconds. There is also a Bulb mode for long exposures with a variable exposure duration.

Other features of the camera

For long exposures, the camera should be mounted on a tripod. There is a thread on the bottom of the body for this purpose. There is also a self-timer with a lead time of 10 seconds. There is also a mode for double exposures.

The SLR camera comes with a data back. This has a clock mechanism built into it. This allows the shooting time to be imprinted in one corner of the images. This makes it easy to determine later when the picture was taken.

A switch on the side of the camera lets you select panorama mode. In this mode, the image is cropped by the camera. This creates the impression of a panoramic shot.

Flash

A pop-up flash provides sufficient light in all situations. This can be used automatically if desired. It can also be used as a fill-in flash. An automatic mode to avoid red-eye in pictures is available. The output is rated at a guide number of 12 at ISO 100. A Minolta external flash can also be connected to the SLR. The sync speed when using a flash is 1/90 second.

Batteries

Power is supplied by a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*). This battery can be easily purchased online. One battery charge is enough for about 500 photos with the camera. On the top there is a display with information about the settings and the number of photos taken.

Additionally, a CR-2025 battery (eBay / Amazon*) is needed for data back. This is used for the built-in clock and usually lasts much longer than a normal battery. If the quartz date function is not used, the battery can be omitted.

Films for the Minolta Maxxum 500si Super

The Japanese SLR camera is equipped with an automatic film transport. This manages up to one frame per second in continuous shooting mode. There is a small window on the back that shows the inserted film. Of course, the camera must not be opened until the film has been rewound into the cartridge.

The size of an image on the negative is 24 mm x 36 mm. Thus, as a rule, up to 36 images fit on one roll of film. Then it is necessary to change the film.

Speaking of film, the Minolta Maxxum 500si Super is designed for 35mm film. 35mm film is still offered by several manufacturers and can be purchased online. These manufacturers include Kodak, Fujifilm, Ilford, Adox, Foma, Rollei and Lomography. A color film for the 35mm camera would be the Kodak Gold 200*. A possible film for black and white images is the Ilford Delta 400*. These films give good results in daily use and are flexible.