Cameras - Minolta History

Back in the film days, Minolta was a leader in SLR cameras. Their cameras, introduced from 1985 until 2001, brought innovation, technologies and new operation concepts. There was nothing wrong with the other manufactures, as Canon and Nikon, but Minolta was the first in many cases. It is interesting to see how modern SLR's, their features and operation concepts were evolved. Reviewing Minolta SLR cameras, through their generations, will show concepts that adopted and others that eventually dropped. It can be a good case study for electronic equipment operation concepts.



Minolta 7000 introduced in 1985 was the first to have a successful body integral AF system. The AF mechanism (sensors and motor) was inside the body. It was driving new AF lenses using a mechanical shaft. The whole system (camera and lenses) were in the same size as non AF SLR cameras - A major depart from earlier attempts. Variations of this concept is still used today by modern DSLR's. It is worth mention that SLR cameras were already used AE systems, so, photographers have the first time a fully automatic SLR camera - They could concentrate on the subject and the composition instead of the technical aspects.
.
Another newcomer introduced in this camera was the operation concept. Rather then dials used until this camera arrival (controlling ISO, exposure and other options), Minolta used a more modern LCD panel and push buttons. To set a parameter, its push button was used and the value modified using "+/-" controls. The LCD and the controls made the camera looked "computerized", which was very popular. Also, it was the first attempt to control many parameters where only limited place was provided to controls. Later Minolta cameras will show how this concept was evolved.

Second generation Minolta AF SLR, the 7000i, was introduced in 1988. This camera, as its model number denotes, is more as refinement of the basic 7000 model. The AF system was improved: It is using now 3 sensors, instead of a single sensor in the 7000. The active AF area was enlarged. In addition, a predictive AF was introduced to handle fast moving subjects - It could predict, based on the recorded movement, where the subject will be in the next frame (and adjust the AF faster). The 3 sensors, arranged in "H" pattern could handle subjects with both horizontal and vertical patterns. AF sensors arrangement and more important, the information they provide of the subject is still an issue in modern DSLR cameras.
.
Looking at the 7000i, some changes were made for operation ease. The LCD was tilted for a better viewing. The parameters selection bottoms, on the left side were enlarged and less frequent parameter bottoms were moved aside. Most important, a large "P" bottom was added. It resets the camera to the basic, fully automatic operation mode, whenever pushed (Overriding any user setting). Through the new bottom configuration and the "P" (Panic ?!?) bottom, Minolta can teach us something: When fast operation of a tool is required, the bottoms should be easily reached, large enough to be seen and pushed. More important, there should be an easy way to recover from any setting to the basic one.
.
Minolta was the first to recognized the need to customize the camera for shooting profiles: Scenic, sports, portrait, macro and others. It was clear that only professional photographers were able to do so. Dedicated cards, per desired profile, were used to program the camera. It was a first attempt to enable users handle easily photographic situations. Later, Canon implemented this concept better by providing it on a circular dial.
.
Another new tenancy is this market was the introduction of a new standard lens with each camera generation. This lens had always something remarkable for its users. In this case, Minolta introduced the 35-105mm zoom lens. It was almost the same size as the regular 35-70mm zoom lenses of those days, but, provided an extra range.

The Minolta 7xi was introduced in 1992 and was Minolta's ambitious attempt to introduce a second revolution in the SLR market (The first was the AF system). It was failed. Auto zoom function was integrated into this camera, based on AF distance measurement and the shooting profile, the camera automatically adjusted the zoom. For example, when shooting a portrait, the camera zooms automatically to frame the head and shoulders. The objective was to have a fully automatic SLR camera - no need to frame. This objective "killed" the camera. SLR users, in opposed to compact camera users, eventually wanted to be in control. To work with their camera and have the option to tweak its operation. Fully automatic camera, of this automation degree was too much! . Also, emerged good designs from Canon and Nikon were starting to "close" the gap. To gain some more marketing experience, it is suggested to look at the camera clean lines and omission of bottuns - Users did not have "toys" to play with.
.
There was a good staff inside. More AF sensors, predictive AF which could track acceleration and "U" shape movement and integration between the AF and AE systems
.
Keeping the tradition of new lens introduction with a new camera, Minolta introduced a new standard zoom lens: 28-105mm. The first to provide 28mm wide as standard.

Minolta learned their lesson - The 700si returned to the basic. Introduced in 1993, fast enough, trying to recover Minolta's position. There was nothing special in this camera regarding innovation. It was actually implemented successfully all Minolta concepts (Without the non popular auto zoom). It can be considered the best film SLR camera of Minolta: fast AF system, Honycomb metering system and most important, a well designed user interface. This design was still based on the LCD, but many bottoms were positioned on easy to operate locations. It was a clear photographer tool. Minolta will continue with this attitude in the next model.

.
The introduced lens now was another first: 24-85mm. This range, first by Minolta, is considered the best travel lens, or, as one told me "I would buy this camera only because of its lens".

Minolta 7 was the last film SLR of Minolta. It was introduced in 2001. When introduced, we were already in the digital age and there was a question of its relevancy. The camera design shows a complete design cycle for Minolta. All controls are using now dials. The concept here is a dedicated dial per parameter. No need for multi bottom pushes to set a value. More important, the camera setup status is clearly visible. This design, gained through the years is considered to be the best control concept. Actually, today's computerized equipment, in many cases, is using a graphical control dials on their screen to have easy and intuitive operation.
.
The Minolta 7 design was further used by Minolta's first DSLR, the 7D - Another story, later.
.

Looking at Minolta's history, one is wondering why was it gone. It was not because mistakes described here. It was due to Honeywell AF patent infringing (Which costs Minolta a lot of money) and the late arrival of its first DSLR (Due to technical problems with the image stabilizer - yet another story)... not forgetting Canon and Nikon having their own great DSLR's.