The Minolta Maxxum 500si is an SLR camera from the 1990s. The 35mm camera was built by Minolta in Malaysia. It was mainly sold in the USA. Photographers in Europe could buy the camera as Minolta Dynax 500si Super.
The lenses of the 35mm camera are interchangeable. It comes with a Minolta A bayonet and is often found together with a zoom lens. Focusing is simplified by a built-in autofocus. There is a wide range of lenses available for connection. All Minolta AF lenses can be used. Minolta MD and MC lenses are not supported.
Exposure modes of the SLR camera
The camera comes with 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. Here, one relies on the DX encoding 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 extends from ISO 6 to ISO 6400.
Other exposure modes are aperture priority and shutter priority. Here, aperture or shutter speed is selected and the camera chooses the appropriate counter value. There are also special modes for sports shots, landscape photos, portraits, night portraits and close-ups. Exposure compensation with plus-minus 3 stops is available.
A manual mode is also offered by the Minolta Maxxum 500si. Here, aperture and shutter speed can be set freely. The available apertures are determined by the respective lens. For the exposure time, you have the choice between values of 1/2000 second and 30 seconds. There is also a bulb mode for long exposures.
For long exposures, the camera should be mounted on a tripod. There is a thread for this on the underside of the housing. There is also a self-timer with a lead time of 10 seconds. In addition, there is a mode for double exposures.
Flash
There is a pop-up flash for sufficient light. This can be used automatically if desired. It can also be used as a fill-in flash. An automatic mode for avoiding red-eye on the pictures is available. The output is rated at a guide number of 12 at ISO 100. An external flash from Minolta can also be connected to the SLR. The sync speed is specified as 1/90 second.
According to the manual, the dimensions of the photo camera are 14.7 x 9.25 x 6.65 cm. At the same time, the body weighs 400 grams without film and lens. Power is supplied by a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*). This battery can be easily purchased online. On the top there is a display with information about the settings and the number of photos taken.
Films for the Minolta Maxxum 500si
The Japanese SLR camera is equipped with an automatic film transport. The integraded motor manages up to one frame per second in continuous shooting mode. On the back is a small window that shows the inserted film. Of course, the camera must not be opened until the film has been wound back into the cartridge.
The exposure area of the 35mm camera is 24 mm x 36 mm. So up to 36 pictures fit on one roll of film.
Speaking of films, the Minolta Maxxum 500si is designed for 35mm films. 35mm films are still offered by various manufacturers. These manufacturers include Kodak, Fujifilm, Ilford, Foma, Rollei and Lomography. Possible films for the 35mm SLR are the Kodak Gold 200* for color images and the Ilford XP2 Super* for black and white images.
Other models
In addition to the Maxxum 500si, there were other models available for the American market. All model are slightly heavier and larger than the 500si.
Minolta Maxxum 530si RZ
The Maxxum 530si RZ was sold exclusively to photographers at photo retailer Ritz Camera in the US. This model also comes with a data back. The data back allows the time of capture to be imprinted on the images.
Minolta Maxxum 550si Date Panorama
As the name of Maxxum 550si Date Panorama suggests, this model also comes with the data back panel for imprinting the shooting time. Additionally, it comes with a function for panoramic photos.
Minolta Maxxum 500si Super
The Maxxum 500si Super also comes with the data back / quartz date and panorama function.
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 | ± 3EV (0,5EV steps) |
| Date imprinting | Model variant |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | Yes |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash modes | Fill-in flash, Red-eye reduction |
| Flash Connection | Connection for Minolta flash units |
| Flash sync speed | 1/90 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 1x 2CR5 battery |
| Size | 14,7 x 9,25 x 6,65 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.79 x 3.64 x 2.62 inches |
| Weight | 400 Grams |
| Names in other markets | Europe: Minolta Dynax 500si Super |
| Country of production | Malaysia |
| Estimated value / Used price | 35,00 Euro 57,5551,2834,26271,9430,025842,46408,5637,55 Estimate based on used prices of 4 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 29.4.2024 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 33,76 Euro (35.72 US-Dollar) |