1988
Even after the world-wide success of the game-changing Maxxum 7000, Minolta still had improvements to make. A major one was incorporating predictive autofocus – continuous focusing that would predict the exact position of a moving subject at the instance of exposure. And this new “intelligence” was built into the completely redesigned 7000i. This camera bears almost zero resemblance to its predecessor. Instead of the hard, sharp edges of the 7000, the 7000i sported rounded, soft edges and a much more ergonomic feel.
Among the improvements was a wider AF corridor to make it easier to focus on subjects not completely centered in the viewfinder. Minolta also introduced their Creative Expansion Card system with the camera. These cards included read-only info that could modify the cameras circuits to achieve certain photographic results. Examples of these cards were Portrait, Sports, Fantasy, and a really useful one for Multi-spot Metering.
The metering was also upgraded. Instead of Center-weighted averaging used on previous bodies, this camera marked the first time multi-pattern metering was used. Other camera makers had previously incorporated a version of this type of metering (Nikon, Canon), but those systems relied on a database of comparative images to determine exposure. The new Minolta system would compute these decisions in real time, based on the actual scene. However, this mode was only available in one of the AE modes. In manual mode, the metering reverted to center-weighted.
Minolta also released a set of new lenses with the “i” series, and when used with one of the “i” series cameras could focus twice as fast as the original lenses.
Check out the video below the Technical Specs for my hands-on review of the 7000i and the 8000i.
Technicals Specifications:
Original Street Price (1990): $359.95
Price in 2025 Dollars: $869.30*
Manufacturer: Minolta
Model: Maxxum / Dynax 7000i
Year Introduced: 1988
Film Format: 35mm AF SLR
Lens: Minolta A-mount
Shutter: vertical travel
Self-timer: yes
Shutter Speeds: 30 – 1/4000
Shutter Release: on top
Built-in Meter: TTL – Multi-pattern, Spot
Film Speed/ASA Range: 25-6400
Flash Sync: 1/125
Film Advance: automatic
Frame Counter: LCD
Exposure Modes: manual, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, program
Multi-Exposure: no
Finder: shutter speed, aperture, metering info, focus confirmation, focus pattern
Focusing Screens:
Mirror: quick-return
Battery: one 2CR5
*Based on current information at
in2013dollars.com
All text and photographs on this website (other than found-photography and otherwise noted) are © 2014-2021 Steven Broome. All rights reserved.
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