Konic Minolta Implodes

Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Kildare, Ireland

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/19/konica-minolta_quits_camera_biz/

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:19 am

CRAP... that's really nice to know since I've only had the 7D for just under a year! I've learned a lot about Minolta since purchasing the 7D... primarily that they just don't have a great selection of lenses... and what they have often seems a bit pricier than it's other brand name equals. The competitors' lens performance (or maybe it's in the camera) often seems to outweigh Minolta lenses in my opinion as well. I've often said, that if I knew then what I've learned along the way, I'd probably have chosen something other than Minolta.

Does this mean I should ditch my 7D ASAP... or is there some advantage to keeping it?

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:30 am

gracie328 wrote:

CRAP... that's really nice to know since I've only had the 7D for just under a year! I've learned a lot about Minolta since purchasing the 7D... primarily that they just don't have a great selection of lenses... and what they have often seems a bit pricier than it's other brand name equals. The competitors' lens performance (or maybe it's in the camera) often seems to outweigh Minolta lenses in my opinion as well. I've often said, that if I knew then what I've learned along the way, I'd probably have chosen something other than Minolta.

Does this mean I should ditch my 7D ASAP... or is there some advantage to keeping it?

I wouldn't ditch the camera, Gracie. Seems like you have a good selection of lenses for it, and it's a quality camera which should still give you years of good service. I probably wouldn't buy other lenses for it, though, as you will no doubt be switching to Nikon, or Canon (or maybe something else) down the road.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:38 am

Ahh don't worry as was said your camera will last for a while and I am sure Sony will offer support.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:40 am

I really only have one 'quality' lens... and unfortunately, I'm not even good with that one yet (it's the 85mm, f/1.4). The only other two I have are my lenses that came with my Maxxum 5 film camera kit 2 yrs ago. The 75-300mm works pretty well with my current yard bird set-up... but if I were to go out on a real bird shoot with closer backgrounds in their natural settings, it would be crappy due to the limited f/5.6 aperture. And I WAS hoping to get a new lens soon. I was offered the job of shooting the summer softball league in the little town up the road... but I really can't do it and do it well with what I've got now. The 75-300 leaves a very busy background... and the 28-100 isn't much better. I don't think the 85mm would be enough focal length.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:41 am

Quote:

Ahh don't worry as was said your camera will last for a while and I am sure Sony will offer support.

I sure hope so.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:43 am

Dang, thats gonna hurt

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:52 am

I bet it won't hurt Canon and Nikon!

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:54 am

To be honest with you the 7D was looking as my DSLR of choice and that still has not changed. Sure I would like something with a bit more Mp's but the 7d was designed for photographers and works like a camera should and not a computer with a lens.

The way I look at it with KM going out the used market will have some really good deals.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:57 am

The design IS what I DO love about this camera... and I sure HATE to think of changing.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:01 am

And the more I think about it... even with the drawbacks of limited accessories... it seemed Minolta was on the roll with the digital world... I thought it would be what puts them back on the map... so why in the heck couldn't they survive!

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:22 am

TBH I look at it as short-term a good thing. The price of second-hand lenses can only come down (although I've only just (try yesterday) bought a 75-300 Sigma APO lens for my 7D), and as has been said you should get a few years service from the 7D anyway. But I won't be buying any NEW lenses for it any more...

(Might even be able to buy a spare body soon for cheapo :))

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 12:16 pm

By the time they come down in price, you probably can't find them... they are hard enough to find anyway.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:51 pm

gracie328 wrote:

And the more I think about it... even with the drawbacks of limited accessories... it seemed Minolta was on the roll with the digital world... I thought it would be what puts them back on the map... so why in the heck couldn't they survive!

Yeah, it's really too bad. The 7D has a fantastic design. I was looking at it with envy when I bought my canon dSLR, but I already had a canon film camera and lenses and didn't want to switch systems.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:07 pm

More to the konica Minolta Story

Looks like Sony will be taking over the DSLR part of Konica Minolta That may even help with price point and distribution.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/macworld/20060119/tc_macworld/konica20060119

Martyn Williams, IDG News Service - IDG News Service
Thu Jan 19, 8:38 AM ET

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging Inc. has decided to withdraw from the photo business, it said Thursday. The Japanese company plans to exit the film and digital camera markets by March this year and will transfer part of its assets related to digital SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras to Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news)., it said.