The Minolta Maxxum 600si is a 35mm format SLR camera that was introduced to the American market in the 1990s. It enjoyed great popularity among amateur photographers and professionals alike. In Europe, the camera was sold under the name Minolta Dynax 600si. Another variant of the camera, the Maxxum 650si, offered a panorama mode and a data back.
The camera uses a Minolta A-type bayonet mount for easy lens changes. The autofocus system is based on Minolta's TTL phase detection system with three CCD sensors and offers three focus modes: AF-S, AF-C and AF-A.
Exposure is metered through the lens using TTL metering with a 14-segment silicon photocell and fuzzy logic control. The camera offers a metering range of EV 0 to 20 and a spot metering range of EV 3 to 20 (at ISO 100 and f/1.4). The electronically controlled vertical focal plane shutter offers 1/4000 to 30 second exposure and Bulb mode.
The camera has several exposure modes, including program mode, manual mode, aperture priority mode, and aperture priority mode. Auto settings for DX film range from ISO 25 to 5000, while manual settings range from ISO 6 to 6400 in 1/3 stop increments. An electronic self-timer with 10-second delay and a tripod mount are also provided.
The Minolta Maxxum 600si has a built-in flash as well as a port for an external flash, and offers flash sync at 1/200 second or slower. High-speed flash sync reaches up to 1/4000 second. The camera's viewfinder is a fixed eye-level pentaprism with a field of view of 92% (V) x 94% (H) and a magnification of 0.75X with a 50mm lens. The diopter adjustment of the viewfinder ranges from -2.5 to +0.5 diopters.
Power is supplied to the camera by a 2CR5 battery . This type of battery can be found quite easily online. One battery charge is enough for about 600 pictures, if in half of the pictures, the flash is used.
Films for the Minolta Maxxum 600si
The camera's film transport system is automatic and offers frame advance, continuous advance at up to 2 frames/second, and automatic rewind.
According to the manual, the Minolta Maxxum 600si needs 35mm film to take pictures. 35mm film is still offered by various manufacturers. A recommendation for color photos is the Kodak Ultramax 400 and for B&W shots the Kodak T-Max 100.
