Noob question...

qxzloolqxzlool Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
edited October 31, 2007 in Cameras
...which is to say, I'm a noob and I've got a question, not a question about noobs.

I picked up a Minolta X-9 at a rummage sale recently; I've got a nice digital canon, about 4 years old, and I've always wanted an SLR. Is this a good camera for a beginner? It came with a padded case, a Promaster zoom lense and a Promaster tele-converter. I think it's even got film in it, but I haven't figured out how to open it yet :dunno . And probably needs batteries 'cause nothing happens when I turn it on.

Thanks,

Ben

Comments

  • nvisiblephotonvisiblephoto Registered Users Posts: 87 Big grins
    edited October 31, 2007
    qxzlool wrote:
    ...which is to say, I'm a noob and I've got a question, not a question about noobs.

    I picked up a Minolta X-9 at a rummage sale recently; I've got a nice digital canon, about 4 years old, and I've always wanted an SLR. Is this a good camera for a beginner? It came with a padded case, a Promaster zoom lense and a Promaster tele-converter. I think it's even got film in it, but I haven't figured out how to open it yet ne_nau.gif . And probably needs batteries 'cause nothing happens when I turn it on.

    Thanks,

    Ben

    Film camera.. hmmm, been so long.
    As a learning tool I'd say no camera is bad. Any will allow you to learn the basics of photography. Film is almost an outdated item nowdays as everyone is moving to digital. I'd suggest making that leap in your next camera if you plan to make this serious.
    Unique. Artistic. Unconventional.
    http://www.NVisiblePhoto.com
  • salazarsalazar Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2007
    I don't know anything about your camera (except what I just read after Googling it) but a quick Google of "Minolta X-9" resulted in a number good of hits, including an instruction manual: http://66.49.230.119/minolta_pdf/minolta_x-9.pdf
    Please feel free to retouch and repost my images. Critique, Suggestions, and Technique tips always welcomed. Thanks for your interest.
  • jzieglerjziegler Registered Users Posts: 420 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2007
    That a manual focus SLR. I have an x-370 which is apparently very similar. It's either a manual exposure of aperture priority automatic only, no fancy automatic modes like modern cameras have. Which makes it a good learning tool, you need to at least think about the aperature that you're shooting at.

    A promater zoom lens probably isn't a very good lens. If you really want to use the camera, look for a 50mm/f1.4 lens. A very good lens, fast, and not too expensive. All lenses for this camera will be used only. Minolta doesn't even make cameras anymore (Sony bought rights to much of their camera division). Any lenses you buy for it will not work with any DSLR on the market (well, there are some adapters, but nothing that works well that I know of). So, it's a dead end (although a cheap one).

    I'm including links to a couple of sites that have information on these cameras. They really are very good 35mm manual focus cameras, so if you want to keep on shooting film, they are great.

    Regards,
    James


    http://www.rokkorfiles.com/

    http://members.aol.com/manualminolta/
    James Ziegler
    http://jziegler.smugmug.com
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