Minolta Maxxum / Dynax 8000i

1990

Minolta Maxxum 8000i
8000i Viewfinder

Anyone familiar with Minolta camera naming conventions easily recognizes that models with “7” are advanced amateur/prosumer oriented, and “9” is reserved for top-of-the-line pro models. So a model such as the 8000i led to a bit of confusion. Minolta’s pro 9000 was certainly in need of an upgrade. With its aging tech, it could barely compete with the company’s own contemporary mid-tier models, not to mention those from other makers. So the 8000i left more than a few Minolta enthusiasts scratching their heads. Was this a new pro model? Or not? Whether or not it was actually pro-oriented would be debated. But it was definitely an upgrade to the excellent 7000i the company released two years prior.

Among the improvements was a new shutter that maxed out at 1/8000 of a second with a flash-sync speed of 1/200. Continuous AF was now set by the user – not automatically selected as was found on the previous Maxxum models. A threaded PC-socket was included, as well as a high-eyepoint viewfinder that was clearer than that found on the 7000i. Also included was the ability to choose center-weighted metering, and multi-exposure capability. Check out the video below the technical specs to see my hands-on review of the 8000i and 7000i.

Technicals Specifications:

Original Street Price (1990): $439.00
Price in 2025 Dollars: $1060.07*
Manufacturer: Minolta
Model: Maxxum / Dynax 8000i
Year Introduced: 1990
Film Format: 35mm AF SLR
Lens: Minolta A-mount
Shutter: vertical travel
Self-timer: yes
Shutter Speeds: 30 – 1/8000
Shutter Release: on top
Built-in Meter: TTL – Multi-pattern, Spot, Center-Weighted
Film Speed/ASA Range: 25-6400
Flash Sync: 1/200
Film Advance: automatic
Frame Counter: LCD
Exposure Modes: manual, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, program
Multi-Exposure: yes
Finder: shutter speed, aperture, metering info, focus confirmation, flash ready-light, metering pattern
Focusing Screens:
Mirror: quick-return
Battery: one 2CR5

*Based on current information at
in2013dollars.com

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