Hi, i am considering buying an SLR, up until now i have been using a compact camera. However, i cannot decide whether to buy a Nikon or a Minolta. The options are a Nikon F-65 or a Minolta Dynax 4 or 5. Can you help me decide which is better; the Nikon or the Minolta, and if you think that Minolta are better, then is the Dynax 5 worth the extra money (compared to the Dynax 4)? Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of each type?

Any help would be much apprieciated - Thank you.

-- Duncan Maxwell (hunky_dunk@hotmail.com), May 20, 2002

Answers

I prefer Canon's but since the EOS 300 is not one of your options I'll give my opinion about the ones you mention.

I would prefer to buy into the Nikon system since it has more options and is more complete, but of the cameras you mention, the Minolta 5 is the clear winner, with the 4 not far behind. More features, more control, easy to operate, very light.

The F65 (N65 in North America) doesn't have spot metering or manual ISO setting and won't meter with Nikon's older lenses.

This is my personal opinion. I'm not sure why it should influence which camera you will like.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), May 20, 2002.

To me the question revolves around how involved you expect to get in photography. If you expect to buy one camera and one lens, then shoot with those for the next ten years, buy the Minolta. If you expect this purchase to be the start of a larger "kit" of cameras and lenses, I would recommend the Nikon. Even if the N65 will not work with every lens Nikon has made, Nikon's line is much more extensive than Minolta's. There is a much larger supply of used bodies and lenses, and Nikon gear is much more available on the rental market. If any of this is important to you, go with the Nikon.

-- Ed Farmer (photography2k@hotmail.com), May 21, 2002.

Hi, from what has been said so far, it seems that while the Minolta may have more options and be easier to use, the Nikon is more highly rated in photography circles - right? I was wondering if anyone could tell me, can either of the cameras be used completely manually, and which of the cameras would be best to learn on? also what is "spot- metering"? i have noticed that the nikon f-65 has "3D matrix metering" is this better? are minolta likely to expand their range? is the nikon much harder to use? are the dynax 5's features much better than the f-65?

thanks again,

Duncan

-- Duncan Maxwell (hunky_dunk@hotmail.com), May 24, 2002.

As far as which system to buy into, Minolta, as well as Nikon, has outstanding camera bodies and all of the standard lenses that you would probably ever want to use. The only lenses Nikon has that Minolta does not are perspective control lenses for architectural use and a few very expensive ultra-fast long telephotos in the big multi- thousand-dollar range. However, Minolta actually has some lenses that Nikon does not. For example, Nikon has no 400mm AF telephoto, other than their super expensive, very big and heavy 400mm f2.8. Minolta has an outstanding AF APO 400mm f4.5, that is a fraction of the weight and cost of the Nikon 400, but is far more hand-holdable and is superb optically. The majority of professionals use either Nikon or Canon for their 35mm work. But not all professionals. I make a fine living completely from selling my photographs and prefer to use Minolta for my 35mm work. The point I'm trying to make is this. Try out the different cameras you're considering and compare their features. Decide for yourself which camera feels better to you and which features are important to you. Both systems have an extensive line of lenses and accessaries. I have to beleive you would be happy with either system.

-- George Rhodes (betsy@colormewell.com), May 25, 2002.

"...it seems that while the Minolta may have more options and be easier to use, the Nikon is more highly rated in photography circles - right?"

As far as these particular cameras go, no, the Minolta 5 is regarded higher than the Nikon F65 in most reviews.

"I was wondering if anyone could tell me, can either of the cameras be used completely manually, and which of the cameras would be best to learn on?"

Both can be used completely manual except the Nikon F65 film speed can only be set automatically. That could eventually be a factor in learning, but probably not in the beginning.

"also what is "spot- metering"?"

Spot metering is when your meter only reguards a very small area of the scene to determine exposure. Usually with spot metering you would check several areas of the scene, both light and dark, and then make a determination about the proper exposure for the whole scene, either by averaging the meter readings or using one reading to determine the whole thing. This is a great learning tool.

A lot of cameras have "partial meterng" as an option instead of a true spot meter. The difference in practice is simply that the spot meter sees a smaller part of the scene. It's more complex to use but a bit more accurate and more educational.

"i have noticed that the nikon f-65 has "3D matrix metering" is this better?"

That's Nikon's flash metering system. Minolta has the same thing with a different name & Minolta users often claim their system works better than Nikon's. But then I've heard the same thing the other way, so I don't know who's fibbin.

"are minolta likely to expand their range?"

All the camera manufacturers are continually expanding their options. You're not likely to run into many situations where Minolta doesn't have something that will do what you want. If you were a professional, maybe.

"is the nikon much harder to use?"

No

"are the dynax 5's features much better than the f-65?"

They are better, who knows if this will matter to you. There are a lot more happy F65 users than there will ever be Minolta 5 users. But in my opinion, many of them would be better off with the Minolta.

The Nikon has the advantage of the possibility of finding a friend that shoots Nikon stuff and is willing to let you borrow/try. You can also rent Nikon equipment. Although, in reality, you are even more likely to run into Canon shooters. They are the big sellers these days.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), May 25, 2002.