Hi well I have a Minolta7HI the previous version and to be honest have found it hard to fault in practical use.. It is quite a good upgrade from the original 7 So maybe this may be true for the A1... I have found like most things with practice you learn how to get the most from it Auto or Manual.. The lense is a beauty with wonderful saturated natural colours, and The A1 has the same optics..Its a bargain now at the price having paid a lot more when I got mine Grrr!! lol.. Maybe I would consider the New Canon EOS 300D if you can go to that.. But the plastic feel puts me off.. At the price the results are hard to beat IMHO Danny ...Best of luck whatever

Danny O'Byrne  http://www.digitalartzone.co.uk/

"All the technique in the world doesn't compensate for the inability to notice" Eliott Erwitt