Minolta Alpha 7000 (1985-1988)

Autofocus 35mm SLR camera introduced in 1985, known as the Maxxum 7000 in North America and 7000 AF in Europe.

Overview

The Minolta Alpha 7000 is a 35mm autofocus SLR made by Minolta from 1985 to 1988. In Japan it was the Alpha 7000. In North America the same camera was the Maxxum 7000, and in Europe it was the 7000 AF. It is recognized as the world's first autofocus SLR with an in-body motor, which put autofocus inside the camera body instead of the lens.

Design

The Alpha 7000 has a blocky, angular body of black polycarbonate, with prominent buttons and dials. It looked futuristic for its time. Two 8-bit microcomputers run the show: autofocus, auto multi-program exposure, film transport and the LCD data displays. Each compatible Minolta AF lens carries a ROM IC that sends over 30 lens parameters to the camera's computer, so autofocus and exposure come out accurate. A built-in lithium cell backs up the memory, with an estimated 10-year lifespan.

Specifications

Shutter speed range	1/2000 to 30 seconds
Autofocus system	TTL phase-detection with CCD sensor array
Lens mount	Minolta 'A'-type bayonet with electrical contacts
Film sensitivity range	ISO 25 to 6400 in ambient light (1/3 EV steps)
Metering mode	Center-weighted averaging; silicon photocell on pentaprism
Viewfinder coverage	94% of 24 x 36mm frame; 0.85x magnification with 50mm lens at infinity
Power source	Four AAA 1.5V alkaline-manganese batteries
Battery performance	Approx. 25 rolls of 24-exposure film
Self-timer	Electronic 10-second delay
Dimensions	138 x 91.5 x 52 mm
Weight	555 g (body only, without batteries)

Context

Minolta introduced the Alpha 7000 in 1985 as "The World's Easiest SLR." It is considered the first commercially successful autofocus 35mm SLR. It brought passive phase-detection autofocus into the mainstream, aimed at photography enthusiasts and professionals. Competitors quickly followed the standard it set.

Market

Repair and user forums discuss the Alpha 7000 often, so people are still maintaining and restoring these cameras. It can be serviced without specialized tools like the Minolta I/O Tester, which makes DIY repair accessible. User repair projects have also looked at how well its housing holds up under heavy use.