Well, I got my hands on a semi-automatic (sounds like a gun doesn't it) Minolta, with 2 lenses and some filters, but.. it doesn't have a manual. I've been searching the web for one, but I am not completely sure which model the camera is, as all it says is Minolta 7000 AF and I can't find anything matching that. The camera is probably from the mid eighties. It's rather different from the manual SLR I have been using, currently I am just trying to figure out how the heck I can turn off all the automatics and juse use it manually, but it doesn't seem to be possible. It probably is, I'm just not pushing the right combination of buttons. Does anybody know anything about those Minoltas, or have any idea which model I am talking about? :-) Help/hints about where to look for a manual appreciated...

http://www.manualsrus.com/ check the minolta auto in the little popup menu. the 7000 series are about halfway down. Hope this helps. My bet is that the two 7000 models are pretty similar, so either manual you choose will probably cover what you need. Sounds like a nice camera, I've had friends who have been very happy with their minotlas.

Thanks, I already visited that site actually, but it crashed my Explorer both times I tried. I figured if any site would have it that would be the one...hope it won't cost too much though...I'll have to try accessing it again from another comp. As far as I know it is a pretty good camera, wish it didn't have so many buttons on it though! hehe

Marsh... You might want to try finding out if there is a Magic Lantern Book for your camera. If the Minolta manuals are anything like the Nikon manuals they are not put together to well. I have found the Magic Lantern series of books to be a lot easier to read and understand. Just a thought :)

I just did a search on Amazon, and there is a Magic Lantern Guide for Minolta Classic Cameras that includes the 7000 and the 7000i. It was selling at $19.95 US Currency.

Oh, thanks for that Alpha! I'll look out for those! :-) The funny thing is, the man who has been using the camera for nearly 20 years can hardly tell me anything about it as he has only used it on Auto.

AAAAAAAA!!!!!!! I have the same Minolta! So are you my sis now? I have the manual, but its written in Finnish. So no help for it. Ask if you want to know something, I try to translate. Its damn good camera, believe me. Autofocusing is using old, bit slow (compared to new ones) technigue, but else, it is really great cam. What kind of objectives did you got with it? Basically, mode P is program, everything is automatic. Just point and shoot. mode A, and you can adjust the apertures. mode S, and you can adjust shutter speed. mode M, and you have totally manual camera. And with drive, S is single shot, C for sustained fire and S.T. is for 10s timer. ...and if you are looking for manual, try local photo shops or camera repair services. Loan manual there and take photocopies. Another good source is your local Minolta importer, just call and play that "i'm just poor new minolta owner so could you intelligent guy help me"-thing. Hope this helps a bit. .n

lol! :) Thanks - okay I'll be your sis then giggle Well guess what - we found a manual! Actually, we found THE manual. It was in a pile of papers that was supposed to be dumped. I'm kind of proud cos I figured out the programs by myself :D Anyway - I'll come running to you if I really get stuck, otherwise it looks pretty straightforward. Although all the beeping and blinking is gonna take some getting used to. It looks good! :-)

Congrats about the manual, the cam is pretty simple, even there are those 135413 buttons. The peeping is quite handy, when taking fast pics. And the cam IS really good. And, like I said above ehem, what kind of objectives did you got with it? .n