Home > Consumer Reviews > Minolta Maxxum 4 Date SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-80mm AF Silver Zoom Lens

I have wanted a good SLR for many years, so after researching cameras for about a month, we decided to buy this camera. Not only is the price fantastic, it has so many options that a beginner can start with it using it as an auto-focus camera, but then be able to grow with it, exploring everything the camera has to offer as one's skill level increases. Even in the auto-focus mode, you have many options to get the look you want in your pictures. After getting this for Christmas I shot many rolls and they have all turned out beautifully, even pictures that I thought may have been too shaky, they still turned out well. This camera has me really excited because I know I will be able to use it for a long time and I will be able to learn a lot with it. Film is a cinch to load and the LCD panel is a great asset as well. It is light, easy-to-use and looks really cool! I definitely recommend this camera to anyone, not only beginners.

We researched cameras for about a month before we decided on this one from Amazon.com. This camera truly gives you the most bang for your buck. It has many features found on more expensive cameras, so after you've become comfortable using the camera in autofocus mode, you can switch to fully manual and a whole bunch of other functions that I haven't even gotten to yet. I got this for Christmas and my pictures are wonderful. I shot about 12 rolls and they all turned out beautifully. There are the five autofocus modes that allow you to remain in autofocus and get the photo you want. I expect to have this camera for a long time, learning about it as my photography skills increase.
I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to start photography with a camera that will grow with them.

This is my first SLR camera and I am having so much fun with it. I take it everywhere. I read the manual front to back and was taking pictures with ease the same day. The only problem I ran into was figuring out how the eye piece protector cover on the neck strap fit into the eye piece on the camera for taking pictures with the auto timer. The manuals instructions did not work for this camera. After calling a local camera store to ask what I was doing wrong, they informed me that the rubber eye piece on the camera just slides off and the neck strap eye piece protector slides on in its place. Once I figured this out it was a breeze to do. I've had one roll of film developed so far & everyone is impressed with the picture quality. My brother has a Canon Rebel & personally I think my Minolta Maxxum 4 shoots better pictures. I love this camera!

I must say, I really do like this camera. However, for a photographer that may want to explore the fine art of photography, this system may make it a little hard to do that. I don't particularly like the digital aperture and shutter speed adjusting. I would rather spin the lens, but I guess that's just me wanting to keep it simple. I also don't like the fact that you don't really have a very nice set of options if you are shopping for a new lens.

The automatic focus really isn't that great. Manual focus is just so much better anyways!
I have taken many many rolls of film and have used this for black and white prints in the darkroom, and I have really been very impressed with the quality of prints. I can even blow up some of these prints to 11 x 14, which is often unheard of for 35mm film, but they honestly do come out quite nice.

I recently purchased a medium format camera, but I am definitely keeping this camera. It's lightweight, easy to use (with the exception of balancing the light meter), and a great camera.

But this if you are looking for an affordable, nice SLR camera!

Although I have never owned an SLR camera before this one, I have found it incredibly easy to use and to capture beautiful pictures. After looking at many other models and planning to purchase one myself, I was surprised to recieve this camera for Christmas. Though I am only a beginner and have only used the camera for a short time, I am already beginning to learn the basics of expert photography and am even starting to take advantage of the creative genius my camera allows me to possess, while still producing an expert, clear, crisp photograph. The instruction manual is clear and precise, the design fully functional and ergonomic, and the LCD panel a helpful addition to an already excellent model. I recommend this camera to any beginner looking for an inexpensive, high quality SLR camera.