Nikon N75 vs. Minolta Dynax 5 (Maxxum 5)

Hello, everyone. I come to you hoping that you all can help me decide, and maybe tell me your opinions and experiences with any of these two cameras. I’ve been shooting film for about 5 years now. I switched from digital because I just enjoy film more. I always shoot an Olympus OM-2n with a Zuiko 50mm 1.8, Olympus 35 RC and an Olympus mju ii (Stylus Epic). I do most of all color photography, not black and white. I shoot landscapes, architecture, urban life and sometimes portraits, I do not shoot street photography almost never. I am not a professional photographer, I just happen to love photography and I take it seriously, even though I do not need a super pro gear to be happy. Even though I’m very happy with my cameras, I wanted to try an AF SLR which is small and light, because I don’t like heavy bulky cameras. I have small hands and I always carry a camera with me in my backpack (I always carry with me one of the above mentioned). After doing some research, I decided I might take one of this two cameras: A Nikon N75 (or F75) or a Minolta Dynax 5 (Or Maxxum 5). I found both in mint condition (bodys only) for 30€ here where I live in France (shipment cost included). Ergonomics, size and weight are the dealbreaker for me (otherwise I’d take an F100), and of course lenses (I want to buy an AF 50mm f/1.8 d if I choose the Nikon or an AF 50mm f/1.7 if I choose the Minolta, because I prefer shooting in 50mm than a lens-kit). I have read that overall the Minolta is a better camera, and I wanted to know if the lens just mentioned is also better than the Nikon one. What about metering, exposure and AF speed in these two cameras? Apparently, the Dynax is better metering light (and it’s easier to use the spot metering) and it focus faster, but I’m concerned that the lens is not as sharp as the Nikon one. Also, I prefer the black look of the Nikon, even though the Minolta kind of reminds me of my OM-2n. I really cannot decide yet, that’s why I would be so grateful if you could help me and give me some advices. Thank you in advance, guys!

Hello, everyone.
I come to you hoping that you all can help me decide, and maybe tell me your opinions and experiences with any of these two cameras.

I’ve been shooting film for about 5 years now. I switched from digital because I just enjoy film more.
I always shoot an Olympus OM-2n with a Zuiko 50mm 1.8, Olympus 35 RC and an Olympus mju ii (Stylus Epic). I do most of all color photography, not black and white. I shoot landscapes, architecture, urban life and sometimes portraits, I do not shoot street photography almost never. I am not a professional photographer, I just happen to love photography and I take it seriously, even though I do not need a super pro gear to be happy.

Even though I’m very happy with my cameras, I wanted to try an AF SLR which is small and light, because I don’t like heavy bulky cameras. I have small hands and I always carry a camera with me in my backpack (I always carry with me one of the above mentioned).

After doing some research, I decided I might take one of this two cameras: A Nikon N75 (or F75) or a Minolta Dynax 5 (Or Maxxum 5). I found both in mint condition (bodys only) for 30€ here where I live in France (shipment cost included).
Ergonomics, size and weight are the dealbreaker for me (otherwise I’d take an F100), and of course lenses (I want to buy an AF 50mm f/1.8 d if I choose the Nikon or an AF 50mm f/1.7 if I choose the Minolta, because I prefer shooting in 50mm than a lens-kit).

I have read that overall the Minolta is a better camera, and I wanted to know if the lens just mentioned is also better than the Nikon one.
What about metering, exposure and AF speed in these two cameras? Apparently, the Dynax is better metering light (and it’s easier to use the spot metering) and it focus faster, but I’m concerned that the lens is not as sharp as the Nikon one. Also, I prefer the black look of the Nikon, even though the Minolta kind of reminds me of my OM-2n.

I really cannot decide yet, that’s why I would be so grateful if you could help me and give me some advices.

Thank you in advance, guys!

If I remember correctly from reviews in magazines, the Nikon F75 was not a remarkable camera, so the Minolta may be a better choice. I am biased towards Minolta. My first 'real' camera was a Minolta 800si, and thereafter I bought a Minolta 600 Classic; a Minolta Dynax 9 from ebay for £165 !!! Their last model was the Minolta Dynax 7, which is superb, although it can be prone to the 'sticky back' problem.

If I remember correctly from reviews in magazines, the Nikon F75 was not a remarkable camera, so the Minolta may be a better choice. I am biased towards Minolta. My first 'real' camera was a Minolta 800si, and thereafter I bought a Minolta 600 Classic; a Minolta Dynax 9 from ebay for £165 !!! Their last model was the Minolta Dynax 7, which is superb, although it can be prone to the 'sticky back' problem.

Ronix18, Also have a look at the Sony/Minolta page here on EPZ. There is a recent post by PentaxPete who has a problem with his Minolta Dynax 5.

Ronix18, Also have a look at the Sony/Minolta page here on EPZ. There is a recent post by PentaxPete who has a problem with his Minolta Dynax 5.

[quote]If I remember correctly from reviews in magazines, the Nikon F75 was not a remarkable camera, so the Minolta may be a better choice. I am biased towards Minolta. My first 'real' camera was a Minolta 800si, and thereafter I bought a Minolta 600 Classic; a Minolta Dynax 9 from ebay for £165 !!! Their last model was the Minolta Dynax 7, which is superb, although it can be prone to the 'sticky back' problem.[/quote] Thanks a lot! My first real camera was an X-700! But I haven't use Minolta since a few years ago. What about AF lenses? I have read this somewhere else: "The worse thing about the Dynax is the 50/1.7 lens. I have two of these lenses and while they are very sharp when they can focus they often miss focus. I get soft out of focus pictures 4 out of 10 shots on different AF Minolta bodies. I don't know if maybe the lenses have dried lubricants or what the problem is but my Dynax 5 can focus fine with other Minolta AF lenses. I have heard this is a common problem with the AF 50/1.7 especially wide open. Both my 50/1.7 have focus problems but otherwise they are very sharp".

Quote:If I remember correctly from reviews in magazines, the Nikon F75 was not a remarkable camera, so the Minolta may be a better choice. I am biased towards Minolta. My first 'real' camera was a Minolta 800si, and thereafter I bought a Minolta 600 Classic; a Minolta Dynax 9 from ebay for £165 !!! Their last model was the Minolta Dynax 7, which is superb, although it can be prone to the 'sticky back' problem.


Thanks a lot!
My first real camera was an X-700! But I haven't use Minolta since a few years ago.

What about AF lenses?
I have read this somewhere else:
"The worse thing about the Dynax is the 50/1.7 lens. I have two of these lenses and while they are very sharp when they can focus they often miss focus. I get soft out of focus pictures 4 out of 10 shots on different AF Minolta bodies. I don't know if maybe the lenses have dried lubricants or what the problem is but my Dynax 5 can focus fine with other Minolta AF lenses. I have heard this is a common problem with the AF 50/1.7 especially wide open. Both my 50/1.7 have focus problems but otherwise they are very sharp".

Hi, read this about Nikon http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/n75.htm and this about the Minolta http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/maxxum5_pg2.html both reviewers seem to have used the cameras so they have experienced living and shoting with them. Although I personally have Minolta gear I am happy with before you purchase them consider the fact that you may struggle to get spare parts for Minolta compared with spare parts for Nikon as Nikon is still in business... Should both companies were in business I would go with the camera which has the least shutter activations. Kindly, pablophotographer

Hi, read this about Nikon http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/n75.htm
and this about the Minolta http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/maxxum5_pg2.html
both reviewers seem to have used the cameras so they have experienced living and shoting with them. Although I personally have Minolta gear I am happy with before you purchase them consider the fact that you may struggle to get spare parts for Minolta compared with spare parts for Nikon as Nikon is still in business... Should both companies were in business I would go with the camera which has the least shutter activations.
Kindly,
pablophotographer

Nikon cameras share a lot of common parts, in the good 'ol days of film as well as nowadays with digital. As a picture-taking machine, the F75 would perform nearly as well as the "pro" models but you have to accept the lesser durability and slower AF. It's a pity that the Nikon 18-55 kit lens won't cover full-frame at the wider end otherwise you'd have a virtually weightless camera!.

Nikon cameras share a lot of common parts, in the good 'ol days of film as well as nowadays with digital.

As a picture-taking machine, the F75 would perform nearly as well as the "pro" models but you have to accept the lesser durability and slower AF. It's a pity that the Nikon 18-55 kit lens won't cover full-frame at the wider end otherwise you'd have a virtually weightless camera!.

I recently got back into film. I’ve picked up a Nikon N75 and an N80. Both are the last of the Nikon consumer level film bodies. The N80 is a bit more advanced, but both are more than capable. Matrix metering, advanced focus features, and many more features. These cameras are direct antecedents of the digital cameras I’ve got, a D3300 and a D5600, and there are many similarities. I would recommend either without hesitation

I recently got back into film. I’ve picked up a Nikon N75 and an N80. Both are the last of the Nikon consumer level film bodies. The N80 is a bit more advanced, but both are more than capable. Matrix metering, advanced focus features, and many more features. These cameras are direct antecedents of the digital cameras I’ve got, a D3300 and a D5600, and there are many similarities. I would recommend either without hesitation