The Minolta Maxxum 9000 was the Japanese manufacturer’s first autofocus SLR camera. In its home country, it was sold as the Minolta Alpha 9000. In other parts of the world, photographers could purchase it as the Minolta 9000.
The lenses of the 35mm camera are interchangeable. Lenses with the Minolta A bayonet can be used. The lens is focused by autofocus.
An exposure meter is built into the 35 mm camera. It is designed for an ISO range of 6 to 6400. The film speed can be read from the DX code on the film cartridge. Exposure is metered through the lens.
One can use the Minolta Maxxum 9000 in different exposure modes. There is a fully automatic program mode. There is also an automatic mode with preselection of aperture or shutter speed. In manual mode, the settings can be freely selected. The available apertures depend on the lens, of course. For the shutter speed, there is a choice of values between 1/4000 second to 30 seconds.
In addition, there is a Bulb mode for long exposures. Here, the shutter can be opened for a variable duration. There is also a function for multiple exposures. A flash can be connected to the hot shoe. A mounting option for the camera on a tripod is also available. And of course, the self-timer is not missing.
The camera body weighs 645 grams. The dimensions are 13.9 x 9.2 x 5.3 cm. The 35 mm photo camera is powered by two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). You usually have these in the house anyway or can get them in most stores. Here, of course, you can also resort to rechargeable copies.
Films for the Minolta Maxxum 9000
The Minolta Maxxum 9000 exposes 35mm film. Unlike most other functions, the film transport is still mechanical. After each frame, the film must be advanced with a quick-release lever. A frame counter on the top of the housing provides information about the number of pictures taken.
Available photo films for the Minolta Maxxum 9000 that are easy to get are the Kodak T-Max 400* for black and white photos and the Kodak Portra 400* for color images. Both are great films for taking beautiful pictures. Of course, there are other film materials from other manufacturers. You can name Foma, Rollei, Adox, Fujifilm, Ilford or even Lomography.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Minolta A mount |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Exposure times | 1/4000 second to 30 seconds, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 6 to 6400 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Exposure compensation | ± 4EV (0,5EV to) |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Flash sync speed | 1/250 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Size | 13,9 x 9,2 x 5,3 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.47 x 3.62 x 2.09 inches |
| Weight | 645 Grams |
| Names in other markets | Europe: Minolta 9000, Japan: Minolta Alpha 9000 |
| Estimated value / Used price | 286,00 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 178,89 Euro (192.67 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 251,67 Euro (271.68 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 282,80 Euro (305.24 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta Maxxum 9000
What type of film does the Minolta Maxxum 9000 use?
The Minolta Maxxum 9000 uses 35mm film. It's important to note that the film advance is manual, requiring the user to advance the film after each shot using a lever.
How is the Minolta 9000 powered, and what is its weight?
This SLR camera is powered by two AA batteries and weighs 645 grams. This makes it relatively lightweight and portable.
What kind of lenses are compatible with the Alpha 9000?
The Minolta Alpha 9000 uses Minolta A-mount lenses, offering a wide variety of choices for photographers. The lenses utilize autofocus for sharp focusing.
Does this camera offer various shooting modes?
Yes, the Minolta Maxxum 9000 provides several shooting modes, including fully automatic, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual, bulb, and multiple exposure modes for creative control.
What is the range of the built-in light meter?
The built-in light meter covers an ISO range from 6 to 6400. It reads the film speed via the DX code on the film canister and measures light through the lens.