written by on 30/10/2009
not very good picture quality..
written by tmdi5y on 10/06/2009
The Minolta Dynax 500si Super has a great performing lite body can't nock it
written by Norbu on 03/05/2009
I have a problem with my dynax 500si camera, I can't open it, when I put the battery in then it says "help"that is all , so if anyone can tell what's problem and how to fix it then it will be great..thanks
written by MBuchner on 20/03/2009
I've had my Minolta Dynax 500si for more than 15 years and I have never had any problems. Every photo comes out perfectly and I mostly use the automatic setting. I think I've changed the battery about 4 times max in all these years. I also have a 300m zoom lens which is really fantastic and has only enhanced the quality of photos I have been able to take.
My only dilemma now is that the lens has a very fine 'spider-vein' effect developing along the edges and I'm not sure where to take it.
written by ollieg on 18/11/2008
Zoom is good focus is good best non digital camera I have ever brought
Brought on ebay great camera good focus and vary easy to use I would totally recommend it as a first slr camera.
written by on 12/10/2008
I think its a matter of going to a good dealer to buy it and also having to keep it properly. Mine, i bought it from a good dealer, and i bought it in Singapore and that because it's the old SLR cameras. That's why i kept it in mint condition, although i used it now and then.
written by dave444316 on 12/08/2008
Focus in on picture, always dark? Changed lens, still dark. Cant see object to shoot picture ? dave444316
written by riesvantwisk on 19/07/2008
- Has a resonable number of settings to play and fool around with
- makes excellent pictures...
- Long battery life which I love most
- together with the 3500 minolta flash it makes excellent indoor pictures
written by on 04/02/2008
Unreliable electronics that keep breaking down. After 3 breakdowns at times when crucial shots were missed this camera met an old friend from my toolbox. Yes you guessed it, my biggest hammer. That was my most satisfying moment of owning this camera. I really miss my X700!
written by on 25/01/2008
Excellent in manual setting, ideal for black & white ilford films.
Compact and strong body. I recommend the Minolta Dynax 500si super camera to everyone.
written by ruth2706 on 29/12/2007
This is my second slr and I love it. The functions are really easy to set and I love the fact that it has an automatic setting for point and shoot. Would definately recommend.
written by hjgfdtgdrj on 03/10/2007
The Minolta Dynax 500si is a very Good Camera
written by Lykomides. on 12/04/2003
I have bouth this Dynax 500si in 1997 with my then girlfriend from Dixons in London, England. Always wanted an SLR and buying that one was just a lucky guess as I was not in photography. Six years and three girlfriends later the camera is still with me never letting me down. I shoot about 30 films a year, and have had no problem whatsoever. I started enjoying it even more when I treated myself to an 70-210 zoom lens. I find that it takes better pictures with a kodak ultra (400) film and that is what I recommend.After that i think the brand has won me.
written by micky d. on 17/03/2003
Major problems with double exposure,been serviced twice never been good since, must say I have never had the help problem appear on me. I'm trying to get a deal with Minolt Aust for a replacement of 404si or who knows
written by Billy. on 28/08/2002
Bought this Minolta Dynax 500 si Super 35mm SLR camera 2nd hand and had technical difficulties - paid Minolta £150 for a full service which sorted the problem. Recently took the camera to the tropics where the humidity filled the camera with condensation. Later I dropped it on a hard floor from about 1 ft which smashed it completely. This said, great, sharp results although not the most robust feeling bits of kit.
written by James. on 09/06/2002
I have used the Minolta Dynax 500si Super 35mm SLR camera as a novice but as I have turned professional the camera has really shown its shortcomings. The most apparent is its inability to focus fast and in poor lighting situations. I also have a Nikon F90X and it really gives the Minolta a run for its money but so it should, as the Minolta is built for the Novice Photographer. The Nikon is a real work horse.
written by John Orrell. on 06/02/2002
My wife's had this Minolta Dynax 500si Super 35mm camera for three years. All I can say is that she must have bought the one that works, because just about everybody else on this site and at camerareview.com complains about this model's reliability, and she's had three years of sterling service from it.
I must admit, I don't much care for the plastic build and lousy slow zooms that auto-everything SLRs come with these days, much preferring the good, fast, well-built primes on my Olympus OM kit, but I accept that I'm in a minority there.
Overall, a good camera for anyone who wants the convenience of a point-and-shoot with interchangeable lenses, and the added benefit of shutter and aperture priority and manual modes if required. What more do you need? Spend any spare money on some good lenses, rather than a better body.
Written on: 14/08/2002
Well, mine works perfectly well too, having bought it "only-just second-hand" a couple of years back.
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<br>No problems, no faults, fine results, no complaints.
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<br>And it does have a remote option, just not a cable one - there's a little rubber cover, one end of the body at the bottom corner, which hides a 3-contact socket for an electronic remote. No idea if it works though, because I've never even looked for said remote unit!
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written by raamsel. on 19/08/2001
I am using my Minolta 505si for the last 2.5 years now and have no problem using it in extreme temperature environnments like during Minnesota winter at -20C and hot summer at 45C in India.
A good camera for beginer in photography but lacking in features and robustness for serious amateurs.
Written on: 19/06/2002
I know exactly what you mean, though, as a beginner it gave me a lot of pleasure, previously restricted to a sub 1Mb digital joke. If you're a beginner - it's simple to use, takes sharp, vivid photographs - I found it to be tougher than it looks, as my doberman kindly proved ;)
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<br>If you're looking for something a little more advanced - look elsewhere though.
written by Scott. on 23/04/2001
I purchased a second hand Minolta Dynax 500si camera from a well known UK photography shop chain (Jessops) about a year ago. The camera from the start had some sort of technical problem, where an error text would be displayed in the LCD panel. The word "HELP" would be shown, and the camera would lock up. This could only be rectified by removing and replacing the battery. This problem appears erratic, sometimes it is ok for 7 or 8 shots, other times it would do this after one shot only. I returned the camera to the shop, and about 2 months later it was returned - it had just been serviced and cleaned as far as the documentation claimed....and the problem still persists...I have not used the camera in extreme temperatures and I have not dropped it. In actual fact I have hardly used it. If anyone has suggestions I would be very appreciative, though in honesty, with my experiences, I would not recommend this camera.
Written on: 10/12/2001
I've also experienced a similar problem with the Dynax 500si. The screen freezes and switching off the camera doesn't clear the display -- I have to take the battery out and give it a bit of a break. The camera could probably do with a clean though the problems started about a year after I bought it new, and I hadn't used it particularly heavily by then. Not recommended!
Written on: 11/12/2002
I am having similar problems to those described above 'HELP'. The camera worked great for 4 years (occasional use) and now I can't get any more than about 6 shots on a film without it freezing. I take the battery out and insert it again and this rewinds the film into the spool. I had thought that this was a reliable camera but I have now changed my mind :-(
Written on: 28/11/2002
Check out the German E-Bay site-for Minolta. It's full of 500si cameras, why because they suck. Anyone who says they are a great camera, is obviously too embarassed to admit they bought a pile of junk. Spend a bit more and get the 800si. Now that is some machine, well built and as tough as they come-yet they are bad sellers, why? I got no idea, it's a fantastic camera to use. Warehouse express in the UK are selling them at special offer at moment, a body + Minolta 24-85 zoom for less than £400 yes you heard right-the bargain of the century in my mind. Why are they such bad sellers? well I just can't answer that one, some things catch on, some things just dont, usually with no logical reason.If you still want a 500si after this go to Germany, they are giving dozens of them away, you may even get one that works-Cheers,Don
Written on: 30/04/2002
Same camera, same deal. Love the functionality, but this help error just gets my goat.
written by Wing. on 15/02/2001
This camera is an excellent piece of kit. It will do the job required and more. Light with excellent features. Comparable to canon/nikon and other brand makes of the same price.
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Marcgti's Comment
Written on: 04/03/2010
I found this review not helpful because...no info