Minolta Dynax 7 AF Drive Speed

dannynys · 8th April 2003

Just wondering if anyone has tried out Custom 17 in Dynax 7? It allows selection of the AF Speed. According to the manual, there are two selection. One is "Fast" and the other is "Slow". The "slow" selection is supposed for low light condition or close-up situation. What I can't make sense is why do we switch the "slow" if low-light condition calls for a "fast" AF? I am very dissappointed with the AF of Dynax 7. It seems a bit retarded especially in low light condition. It just can't find the right focus point, does anyone encounter this problem too? I am using Dynax 7 with 28-70mm Minolta G lens. How to solve this problem? Hate to switch to manual focus everytime!

Danny Ng

Zerstorer · 8th April 2003

Since you encounter hunting in low light, why don't you try the slow setting? The slower focusing might help the AF sensor determine the correct focus point.

ninelives · 9th April 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by dannynys

I am using Dynax 7 with 28-70mm Minolta G lens.

it was the lens , a lot of people having the same lens with you got this problem, slow focusing.

munfai · 10th April 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by dannynys

What I can't make sense is why do we switch the "slow" if low-light condition calls for a "fast" AF?

Once you switch the AF drive to slow mode, it gives the AF sensor more time to compute an AF lock. It really can't lock focus properly when the AF motor is zipping back and forth quickly.

dannynys · 10th April 2003

Thanks for the replies,

Porbably it does help with the AF switch to slow. I do understand that the 28-70mm G lens is a big and slow len. Anyhow, this can't be helped, I am already stuck with it. I just hope that the AF is working properly during low light condition. The action will just go by if the AF doesn't work properly, if you know what I mean! Anyone using a alternative lens here?

Danny

sulhan · 12th April 2003

Hi Dan...

FYI the AF sensors in Dynax 7 is designed to be affective even in low light condition. It has the + and X position sensors able to do AF till up to f6.7 apertures. Just wondering if your focus assist "red" lamp is active when you are using the camera.

At this right moment of writing this post....i'm testing out on my slowest lens in my partially lit room and at f6.7 in the dark with the red focus assist......even this cheapo slow lens will still focus(hand held).

So i feel that there may be something wrong with the lens you have or even the AF system in your camera.....(Make sure the Custom Function 21 - AF assist is ON)

Do bring it to on of the SEED if you can, to let some of us check out...the lens....

Check if your hand is blocking the assist lamp or the lens hood...

Regards,
me

dannynys · 12th April 2003

Thanks for the reply,Sulhan.

I think it's really the darn lens man. Minolta make good lenses just that SSM or supersonic lenses are just starting to heat up only. Canon and Nikon already at vibration reduction technology. Time to buck up Minolta!

munfai · 12th April 2003

Quote:

I think it's really the darn lens man.

Agree with you. The 7 is not lacking at all in terms of AF speed. In fact, I feel that with a 50mm f/1.4 it still focuses far faster and more accurate than a Canon 10D with the 50mm f/1.4 USM lens. Oh, and the focusing has a satisfying snappy sound to it...

Quote:

Minolta make good lenses just that SSM or supersonic lenses are just starting to heat up only. Canon and Nikon already at vibration reduction technology. Time to buck up Minolta!

Technologically, playing catch-up is not that difficult. Only challenge is to regain their market share.

sulhan · 15th April 2003

Hi There....

If your camera is okay and the lens is screwed......then i think it may have been due to the chip.......or even the zoom contacts.

FYI....in these zoom lense...they have these brass contacts to translate the lens position and its stops(for variable aperture lenses).....Its a contact encoder.....type.....

So if the contacts are not good, damaged..etc...it may not send good info to the chip which then talks to the camera.

Why not send it in to check.....

Regards,
Sulhan

dannynys · 15th April 2003

Quote:

Why not send it in to check.....

Thanks for the reply Sulhan,

Just wondering if you ever use this lens before? It is really a very slow lens. This is verified by quite a number of people who use it. I think it is not faulty, this condition of this lens is only 1 year old. If you do read somewhere previously few months ago, there was supposed to have a SSM lens of a 28-70mm ? But so how it was pulled out last minute. I think if they want to come up with a SSM for this lens, there must be something that they are trying to improve? Well, I will leave it as it is for now. It is no doubt a lens with great optics, but think again! I think the consumer range of the 28-70mm or the 28-80mm will probably fare better. I have tested my body with other lenses, they zipped through the focusing.

P.S: Anyone with this lens that can share with me their experiences?

15th April 2003

Hey man,

I have said it but i will say it again.the AF 24-85 f3.5-4.5 is a really fantastic lens.they should inprove the focusing speed of the flagship 28-70 f2.8 lens.also make the min focusing distance shorter.best lens i had,24-50 f4, min focusing @0.3 something.aaahhh, why must it drop!!nothing can be done......

dannynys · 15th April 2003

Quote:

I have said it but i will say it again.the AF 24-85 f3.5-4.5 is a really fantastic lens.

I see... how does that compared with the 24-105mm lens? Isn't that a newer lens? Anyway, I will probably live with this lens until Minolta decided to release a better version of this lens!

20th April 2003

Sorry for the late reply,from my feel the 24-105 is a bit plastic.will welcome the design of the focusing ring which will not rotate when in AF. the manual focusing is stiff on the 24-105.

sulhan · 21st April 2003

Quote:

I have said it but i will say it again.the AF 24-85 f3.5-4.5 is a really fantastic lens.they should inprove the focusing speed of the flagship 28-70 f2.8 lens.also make the min focusing distance shorter.best lens i had,24-50 f4, min focusing @0.3 something.aaahhh, why must it drop!!nothing can be done......

Hiee...

I really agree with andy that the 24-85 f3.5-4.5....is a must have...why....???It's focussing with the D7 is zippy!!!....fast and the image quality is superb for most general use.

Its rather heavy though..as compared to the 24-105mm. Was runing through some magazines and found that some countries still sell the 24-85mm at a slighty higher price than the 24-105....maybe its because of the glass used....

Anyway....i would really recomend this all-day all-night lens to everyone who can afford.......

I terms of distortion, well....for wide angles like this proper handling and choosing of horizontal lines location will help.

Well...i saw a couple of this lens on sale 2nd hand...in TCW...

regards,
Sulhan

dannynys · 22nd April 2003

Hmm.., have they stop production for this lens? Or are they gonna release a new "D" version?

8th April 2003	#1
dannynys Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Jurong West, Singapore Posts: 186	Minolta Dynax 7 AF Drive Speed Just wondering if anyone has tried out Custom 17 in Dynax 7? It allows selection of the AF Speed. According to the manual, there are two selection. One is "Fast" and the other is "Slow". The "slow" selection is supposed for low light condition or close-up situation. What I can't make sense is why do we switch the "slow" if low-light condition calls for a "fast" AF? I am very dissappointed with the AF of Dynax 7. It seems a bit retarded especially in low light condition. It just can't find the right focus point, does anyone encounter this problem too? I am using Dynax 7 with 28-70mm Minolta G lens. How to solve this problem? Hate to switch to manual focus everytime! Danny Ng

12th April 2003	#6
sulhan Advertiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,051	Funny....behaviour... Hi Dan... FYI the AF sensors in Dynax 7 is designed to be affective even in low light condition. It has the + and X position sensors able to do AF till up to f6.7 apertures. Just wondering if your focus assist "red" lamp is active when you are using the camera. At this right moment of writing this post....i'm testing out on my slowest lens in my partially lit room and at f6.7 in the dark with the red focus assist......even this cheapo slow lens will still focus(hand held). So i feel that there may be something wrong with the lens you have or even the AF system in your camera.....(Make sure the Custom Function 21 - AF assist is ON) Do bring it to on of the SEED if you can, to let some of us check out...the lens.... Check if your hand is blocking the assist lamp or the lens hood... Regards, me Last edited by sulhan; 12th April 2003 at 01:37 AM.

15th April 2003	#9
sulhan Advertiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,051	Why not send to check for the chip...... Hi There.... If your camera is okay and the lens is screwed......then i think it may have been due to the chip.......or even the zoom contacts. FYI....in these zoom lense...they have these brass contacts to translate the lens position and its stops(for variable aperture lenses).....Its a contact encoder.....type..... So if the contacts are not good, damaged..etc...it may not send good info to the chip which then talks to the camera. Why not send it in to check..... Regards, Sulhan

8th April 2003	#2
Zerstorer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,610	Since you encounter hunting in low light, why don't you try the slow setting? The slower focusing might help the AF sensor determine the correct focus point.

10th April 2003	#5
dannynys Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Jurong West, Singapore Posts: 186	Thanks for the replies, Porbably it does help with the AF switch to slow. I do understand that the 28-70mm G lens is a big and slow len. Anyhow, this can't be helped, I am already stuck with it. I just hope that the AF is working properly during low light condition. The action will just go by if the AF doesn't work properly, if you know what I mean! Anyone using a alternative lens here? Danny

15th April 2003	#11
andylee Guests Posts: n/a	Hey man, I have said it but i will say it again.the AF 24-85 f3.5-4.5 is a really fantastic lens.they should inprove the focusing speed of the flagship 28-70 f2.8 lens.also make the min focusing distance shorter.best lens i had,24-50 f4, min focusing @0.3 something.aaahhh, why must it drop!!nothing can be done......

20th April 2003	#13
andylee Guests Posts: n/a	Sorry for the late reply,from my feel the 24-105 is a bit plastic.will welcome the design of the focusing ring which will not rotate when in AF. the manual focusing is stiff on the 24-105.

22nd April 2003	#15
dannynys Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Jurong West, Singapore Posts: 186	Hmm.., have they stop production for this lens? Or are they gonna release a new "D" version?