Minolta’s last SLR, the α-7 Limited
A review and sample photos taken using the Minolta film camera α-7 Limited with AF85mm, AF50mm, and 50-500mm zoom.
- Please see the disclaimer regarding advertising here.
- Italicized links in the text are advertisement links that take you to other sites.
Table of contents
Gallery
The following lenses and films were used to take the example photos.
Review
1．Overview
The MINOLTA α-7 Limited is a Minolta film SLR camera whose specifications follow the base α7 camera, with the following differences:
- Focus frame selector included as standard
- AF/MF control button included as standard
- Image data storage capacity increased from 7 to 18 rolls of film
- Opening and ending images added
- Special strap
- Special body color and emblem change
Features 1 through 3 were available as paid upgrades for the standard α-7.
Having never used the original α-7, I assumed features 1 and 2 were just what they were.
As for the increased image data memory in 3, the function to export the camera’s stored data to the now-defunct SmartMedia card required a dedicated DS-100. DS-100 users could simply export 7 or 18 rolls as needed, while non-DS-100 users could not, so the increased storage capacity was pointless.
Changes 4 through 6 are honestly inconsequential. The difference is so small that the camera doesn’t really have a limited edition feel, except for the fact that the engraved letters on the camera are gold.
2．Usability
The MINOLTA α-7 Limited is a limited edition camera with a slightly modified exterior of the α-7, which was said to be highly refined. It has all the essential elements of a film camera, including a Minolta viewfinder, which was well-received in cameras from the latter days of film cameras, a slightly soft shutter feel, a satisfying shutter and mirror drive, stable autofocus, and fully automatic film advance.
I ended up using about 10 rolls of film, and since I no longer use it, I sold it and no longer have it.
I got it in 2007, when digital SLRs were just starting to become popular, and it was the first time I had used a Minolta SLR camera in a long time, having been estranged from one since using the α8700i in the 1990s.
At the time, I was using the α Sweet Digital digital camera and owned several α lenses, so I wanted to try using α lenses on a 35mm full-frame camera for the first time in a while. I was debating whether to buy the α9 or α7 film camera, when I found the limited edition α-7 at Kitamura Camera in Tokyo Station and bought it. I remember the purchase price for the body alone was less than 20,000 yen. This was a time when film cameras were being sold at bargain prices.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the MINOLTA α-7 Limited , it is a highly refined film camera. It would have been nice if a dedicated device for converting film cameras to digital cameras, like the LEICA DMR (Digital module R), had been released, but the transition to digital cameras progressed before such a product could be created. There are general-purpose products like I’m back film, but it’s a shame that they always look so bad.
When we talk about the α7 in the 2020s, we’re referring to Sony’s digital camera.
Specifications, considerations, etc.
Minolta was one of the film camera manufacturers that was slow to transition to digital cameras, releasing the α-7 Digital in 2004. This camera was released after Konica and Minolta merged in 2003 to form Konica Minolta.
Both Minolta and its merging company, Konica, had their own fan bases and positions in the film camera era. However, while both Minolta and Konica had released compact digital cameras, neither was keen on interchangeable-lens digital cameras, which required huge investments. The merger of these two companies did not lead to comprehensive growth in the camera business, and three years after the merger, part of the camera business was sold to Sony.
Kenko Tokina took over support for the camera-related business that could not be sold, but this support also ended in 2022. It’s impressive that they were able to continue support until 2022.
| Name | MINOLTA α-7 Limited | SIGMA SA-7N |
| Finder | Eye level fixed type, glass prism | Pentamirror SLR viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8 times | 0.7 times |
| Field of view | 92% x 94％ | 92％ x 92％ |
| AF method | TTL phase difference detection method | TTL phase difference detection method |
| Operating range | EV-1 to +18 (ISO100) | EV-1 to +18 (ISO100) |
| Shutter mechanism | Electronically controlled vertical focal plane shutter | Full speed electronically controlled vertical travel metal focal plane shutter |
| Shutter speed | 1/8000〜30 sec | 1/2000〜4 sec |
| Photometry | TTL full aperture metering (14-segment honeycomb pattern), center-weighted average metering | 8-segment evaluative metering, center-weighted average metering, center-weighted average metering |
| Battery | 3V lithium battery (2 CR123A type) | 3V lithium battery (2 CR2 type) |
| Size(mm) W x Hさ x D | 143.5 × 97.5 × 65.5 | 132.5 × 91.5 × 69.5 |
| Weight(g) Only body | 575g | 395g |
| Release date | 2001 | 2002 |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | ¥100,000- | ¥55,000- |
Options
- Vertical grip VC-7
- Data saver DS-100
- Interchangeable focusing screen 7II
- Remote cord RC-1000S, RC-1000L
- Angle finder Vn
- Magnifier Vn
- Eyepiece cup
- Flash
- Minolta α lens
Reference links
- α (camera) Wikipedia
- α7 user manual（gizport）
Affiliate Link
Update history
- 2025.8.14
- 2024.9.3