The Maxxum 9, from Minolta. Our finest photographic tool, designed to meet - and exceed - the demands of professionals. Featuring extraordinary toughness, for true reliability even in difficult situations. Superior speed & precision, for creating the shots you've envisioned in your mind's eye. And the flexibility to individualize its operations to best match your unique shooting style. An ergonomic design ensures that the Maxxum 9 rests comfortably in your hands. And control dials yield to your command with maximum ease of handling. It all amounts to an unprecedented level of responsiveness from an SLR, so that you may enjoy an unprecedented degree of creative control.

Speed and precision combine for superior performance

High-speed film drive: 5.5 frames per second.

The Maxxum 9's powerful coreless motor boosts film drive speed and reduces mirror drive time to allow for continuous shooting at 5.5 frames per second*. Speed which is all the more impressive because it is achieved without the aid of an external power booster. So you're assured of capturing even subtle changes in your subject. Combined with Minolta's Omni-Dimensional Predictive Focus Control, this high firing speed lets you shoot sports and fast-moving objects confidently.

*4.5 fps in Continuous AF mode.

World's fastest 1/12000 sec. shutter.

The ultra-high shutter speed of 1/12000 sec. is capable of freezing almost any action and enables you to shoot with wider apertures in bright lighting. This is a big advantage when shooting daylight portraits and when using high-speed film. Carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy is used for eight of the ten shutter blades, resulting in a shutter curtain that is 30% lighter yet stronger than conventional blades. This shutter screen lessens the burden on the drive mechanism and effectively suppresses vibration. To ensure precise performance at all times, shutter endurance has been tested to 100,000 cycles. Flash sync speed is also fast; up to 1/300 sec. This allows you to use wider apertures for daylight sync shots of objects at a distance. In addition, ghosting and blurring are reduced, and the influence of strong illumination is minimized when shooting moving scenes indoors. Aperture and shutter speeds are selectable in 1/2 and 1/3EV increments.

Viewfinder offers 100% field of view.

For truly precise framing, only what you see through the viewfinder should be captured on the film. The Maxxum 9 achieves this with an approx. 100% field of view*, while maintaining a large magnification ratio of 0.73X. This was made possible by precisely aligning the viewfinder frame with the image area in the film plane and enlarging the main mirror viewfinder optical components such as the pentaprism. A new Spherical Acute Matte screen offers an extra-clear viewfinder image, even when a slower telephoto lens is used. For pinpoint manual focus control when using faster lenses, an interchangeable Super-Spherical Acute Matte screen is also available. Exposure compensation values are displayed on the right side of the viewfinder, with shooting data underneath - locations that won't distract you while framing. Further viewing ease is provided by a high 7/8 in. **eyepoint for long eye-relief and by diopter adjustment.

*With 50mm lens focused on infinity.
**Measured from eyepiece protection glass.

Designed and built for superior durability.

Extra-tough, rigid metal cover.

The Maxxum 9's top, front, rear and flash housing are sheathed with a rigid, corrosion-resistant steel compound (SUS304). The bottom and sides employ zinc diecast. The base is padded with rubber to absorb shocks, prevent damage, and provide a more secure left-hand grip. We haven't neglected the appearance either: the steel areas have an elegant satin black finish, while the zinc diecast sections are matte black. Finally, all plastic parts are coated with a scratch-resistant UV-hardened polymer. All this care ensures that the Maxxum 9 will remain in pristine condition through long years of use.

Dust- and moisture resistant construction*.

Adverse conditions won't affect your shooting with the Maxxum 9. The inside of the shutter-release button is sealed with a rubber gasket, the viewfinder is sealed with resin, and channels from dials to the inner control circuitry are longer to prevent moisture from entering.

*This camera is not waterproof.

Careful consideration to every detail.

Sprocket and film guide.

Because of the extremely fast film advance, the sprocket and film guides have an improved design to prevent friction that could damage the film surface.

Mirror box

A special sheet to prevent inner reflection and a black finish on the box surface contribute to sharper pictures with reduced flare.

Vertical Control Grip contacts

The contacts on the camera base are covered for protection against dust. When the Grip is mounted, the cover slides into the body.

Four-layer flexible circuit board

Concentrating the circuitry improves reliability, so we have designed the main circuit board with a high-density, four-layer configuration.

Sure handling with satisfying responsiveness

Straightforward, flexible control of all functions.

This is a camera that is wholly responsive to your intentions, offering the kind of intuitive control that allows you to give full rein to your creativity. You can confidently make fine adjustments to the automatic settings, or comprehensive changes to the individual systems. Extensive research has resulted in a design in which each dial is logically positioned for quick recognition and ergonomically shaped for optimum control. Exposure compensation, for example, can be set with the rear control dial (when customized so you can control the exposure with your thumb without taking your eye from the viewfinder. All dials are rubberized for a comfortable, positive feel. Fluorescent indications on the exposure mode and compensation dials, and the bright LCD panel make nighttime operation easier. Even the Vertical Control Grip is convenient: it offers the same major dials and buttons as the camera body, so you don't lose any functionality when operating the camera vertically.

Ergonomically designed grip.

The grip is covered with non-slip rubber, giving you a comfortable and secure hold. In addition, the distance between the bottom of the lens mount and the bottom of the camera has been lengthened so even a large diameter lens barrel won't touch the tripod head.

Multiple power sources.

The camera body and Vertical Control Grip (VC-9) accept CR123A lithium batteries. The VC-9 also accepts three other types: 2CR5 lithium, AA alkaline-manganese, and AA Ni-Cd, one of which can be installed at the same time as the CR123A cells. Combined with the batteries in the camera body, this configuration gives you three power sources selectable at the twist of a dial. Even when power in the camera body is getting low, you can continue to concentrate on your photography without having to think about replacing batteries.

Advanced focus controls for confident shooting in every situation.

Eye-Start Automation

When you bring the Maxxum 9 to your eye, an electrode sensor in the grip and an eye sensor in the eyepiece instantly activate the AF and AE systems, to the camera is ready to capture just the shot you want. Because AF is activated without having to push the shutter release button halfway down, there's hardly any time lag in focusing, ensuring that you won't miss those exciting shots that sudden chance presents. Naturally, Eye-Start can be switched off if desired.

3-Point AF system

The wide focusing area is covered by three AF sensors; left, right, and a crosscut sensor in the center that tracks subjects in both vertical and horizontal directions. These three sensors are ideally balanced to cover the whole viewfinder area, and the AF system automatically selects the one where the subject is most likely to be. Accurate focusing is achieved regardless of the subject's brightness, thus ensuring effective subject tracking. Even in low-light conditions, the highly sensitive AF sensors can perform down to as low as -1EV (ISO 100) illumination where the human eye cannot focus properly, so no additional light is needed for focusing.

Projected local focus area

When the shutter release button is pressed partway down, the selected local focus area is indicated in the viewfinder by three LEDs projected through the pentaprism. This ensures that you see the necessary focusing information to track your subject even in low-light conditions, a difficult task with conventional transparent LCD display systems. The luminance level of the LEDs varies according to the exposure values.

Focus area selection

Local area selection

When the AF button is pushed, AF/AE Lock is activated and red illumination indicates which of the three local areas in the wide focus area is focusing the subject. Operating the front dial while the AF button is depressed will switch focusing among the local areas, with the currently selected area illuminated.

Three AF modes

According to the subject and situation, you can choose from among three AF modes. By selecting the one that is best suited for your purpose, you can be sure of achieving effective AF control for optimum photographic expression.

Automatic AF mode (A)

According to the movement of the subject, the camera automatically switches between Continuous AF and Single-shot AF modes. Focusing continues while the subject moves. With still subjects, focus is locked when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway down.

Continuous AF mode (C)

With the shutter release button depressed halfway, the AF system keeps focusing according to the movement of the subject, and focus-lock does not engage even when the subject is focused. Ideal for sports and other fast-action photography.

Single-shot AF mode (S)

When the shutter-release button is depressed halfway in Single-shot AF mode, the AF system focuses and locks on the subject. You'll want to use it for portraits and other still subjects.

Omni-Dimensional Predictive Focus Control

By performing high-speed calculation of the metered data, the AF system analyzes the speed and direction of the subject, and predicts its movement during the time lag from shutter release to the instant of exposure. The system is capable of tracking abrupt changes in speed and direction - even U-turns - while maintaining perfect focus. For example, with a 300mm telephoto lens attached, this function can accurately follow an object moving as fast as 24.8 miles/hour to within 26-1/4 feet.

Timed AF drive control

The Maxxum 9 uses a new AF drive system that controls lens movements until the completion of focusing. Operation is extremely smooth, with precise control of subtle shutter and lens movements during focusing. In most conventional cameras, smooth AF drive is difficult due to the use of multi-step AF drive with repeated lens-drive stops. Minolta's improved Timed AF Drive system increases the focusing frequency and constantly updates the data, resulting in much smoother and faster focusing.

Selectable AF drive speed
(customized setting)

The ideal AF speed varies according to the shooting situation and the photographer's intention. With the Maxxum 9, you can select high speed (default setting) or low sped, for more effective focusing and easier AF control to match specific purposes.

High-speed AF (speed priority)

Useful when taking consecutive shots in a short time span, such as for sports or fashion.

Low-speed AF (silence priority)

Ideal for shooting in dim light, for macro shots, or when silence is required.

Selectable AF Priority/Release Priority modes
(customized setting)

At different times you have different priorities: focusing or shutter release. With the Maxxum 9, you can choose either AF Priority mode or Release Priority mode.

AF Priority

Focusing is given priority; the shutter is released only when the camera has completed focusing.

Release Priority

When shutter release timing is important, use this mode to release the shutter even when the camera has not finished focusing.

Built-in AF Illuminator

Using three beams aligned with the three AF sensors in the wide focus area, this supplementary AF light makes it easier to focus in low light conditions, and to shoot in low contrast situations with the built-in flash. The three-beam AF illuminator optimizes the metering over the entire focus area.

Sliding focus mode switch

A large sliding switch is used for switching between auto and manual focusing modes. This new design prevents accidental switching between modes.

Extensive exposure control enables you to precisely realize your vision on film.

Three metering modes

In order to come as close as possible to the "Ideal photo" every time you shoot, you need precise control of exposure in response to the subtleties of light on the scene. Maxxum 9 gives you this control with three metering modes: 14-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering, Center-Weighted Average Metering, and Spot Metering.

14-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering

To provide precise exposure for the main subject, the frame is divided into 14 zones in a honeycomb pattern. The system collects a variety of data, including brightness of the main subject, subject distance (even when off-center), distance between subject and background, and focal length. The data is analyzed to determine whether the scene has normal or back lighting, is portrait or landscape, etc., and based on this analysis, the optimum exposure is set. The borders between normal, half-back, and back lighting can be smoothly controlled to achieve extra fine images.

Center-Weighted Average Metering

Independent from the AF system, 80% of the metering sensitivity is concentrated in the central area where the main element of the subject is most likely to be. This is the most common metering method, allowing you to take full advantage of your expertise.

Spot Metering

This mode concentrates metering sensitivity onto an area with a diameter of 3/16 in., 2.7% of the total frame area. This allows accurate metering of specific subject areas for delicate exposure settings, and is effective for shooting subjects that are backlit or have high contrast.