I've listed more comprehensive reviews of my gear at epinions.com - links follow.

Epinions is worth joining... there's a sign-up page available by clicking the logo at right.

Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

Maxxum / Dynax 600si

70-210mm f:4

50mm f:1.7

135mm f:2.8

35-70mm f:3.5-4.5

Features
text and pictures from Minolta USA

The Maxxum 600si features an ultra-wide focusing area with three AF sensors which are arranged in a pattern that improves subject detection and accuracy. The AF system is fully integrated with the autoexposure system, and can maintain precise focus on the main subject even in extremely low light or when the subject is moving fast or erratically.

While some AF SLRs can only focus on subjects which are moving directly towards the camera at a constant speed, the Maxxum 600si can maintain precise focus on objects moving in ANY direction, and track even rapid acceleration or deceleration with ease. The 600si’s AF system can accurately predict where the subject will be at the exact moment of exposure, and makes even the most minute adjustments accordingly.

In addition to the 600si’s automatic AF mode selection, the photographer can select the autofocus mode which best suits the subject by turning the AF mode selector to AF-C (continuous AF for fast-moving subjects like horse races or sporting events), AF-A (automatic AF mode selection for most subjects including children, portraits and snapshots), or AF-S (single-shot AF for non-moving subjects such as a landscape or still-life).

The 600si’s silicon photocell is divided into 14 segments - thirteen in a honeycomb array, plus the background. The metering system uses autofocus information to determine the subject’s location, and constructs an appropriate metering pattern around it. The uniform size, shape, and distribution of each segment results in precise control of the metering pattern and therefore, the exposure. Slight subject movement results in slight adjustments to the weighting of segments within the pattern. If subject movement becomes great enough to affect the exposure, the metering pattern shifts smoothly to compensate. As a result, the Maxxum 600si is able to set the correct exposure even in very tricky lighting.

With the 600si at its automatic (Program) mode default settings, the selector and function dial indicators line up across the top, side, and back of the camera. This allows the photographer to re-set the camera quickly and easily. Each dial or selector is clearly marked so its function is recognizable at a glance and settings can be made without frequent reference to the instruction manual.

With in-line Auto (Program) mode there’s no need for special settings, because the camera does all the work. Maxxum’s exclusive Expert Intelligence with fuzzy logic control recognizes the lens focal length and aperture range, and uses autofocus information to determine the subject’s location, size, distance, and speed of motion. Metering information is used to evaluate subject and scene brightness. Once Expert Intelligence determines the type of image being photographed, Expert Program Selection chooses the best aperture and shutter speed combination for that particular situation. This flexible decision-making program reacts much like an expert photographer would, and adjusts precisely to even the slightest scene changes as they occur. All this takes just a fraction of a second, enabling a continuous shooting rate of 2 frames per second.

In addition to fully automatic program mode with Expert Program Selection, the photographer has the additional creative versatility of Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure control modes.

In Aperture Priority mode, the photographer selects a desired f/number and the camera’s exposure system will automatically select the correct shutter speed. Likewise, in Shutter Priority mode, the photographer can select a shutter speed and the 600si will automatically set the appropriate lens aperture. In Manual mode, the photographer can take full creative control over the image-making process, by selecting both the shutter speed and the aperture, while referring to the viewfinder’s exposure indicators and metering index.

In addition to 14-segment honeycomb-pattern exposure metering, the 600si also offers center-weighted and spot metering modes. Setting the 600si to center-weighted average metering concentrates 80% of the meter’s sensitivity into the center three segments. The remaining 20% comes from the rest of the honeycomb array. When spot metering is selected, all of the meter’s sensitivity is concentrated into the middle segment - approximately 2.7% of the image area. In spot mode, pressing the AE lock button holds the reading so the photographer can recompose the scene as desired.

The metering index appears in the viewfinder when the AE lock button is pressed in either P, A, or S modes when the flash is off. When the button is pressed, the exposure settings are locked and the index pointer moves to show how the exposure value of the area inside the spot circle compares with the locked exposure value. In M mode, the metering index always appears to show how the manual exposure settings compare with the settings determined by the camera with the selected metering mode. With the 600si’s metering index, the photographer can predict how the area inside the spot circle will be exposed compared to the rest of the scene even if he or she has little or no knowledge of the camera’s metering systems.

The metering index can also be customized to show one pointer for a selected exposure compensation value and another pointer to show how the exposure value of the area inside the spot circle compares with the locked exposure value.

The Maxxum 600si has both standard and customized AE lock functions. In standard operation, the exposure is locked only while the AE lock button is pressed, enabling the photographer to meter on a certain part of a scene and then quickly recompose the image as desired. With the customized AE lock function, the exposure is locked by pressing the AE lock button once and unlocked by pressing it again. By using the customized AE lock function and a remote cord in low-light situations or with slow-shutter sync, the photographer needn’t worry about camera shake because he or she does not have to touch the camera at all. Plus, instead of having to hold down the button, the photographer’s thumb is free to perform other functions while the exposure is locked.

In continuous drive mode, the Maxxum 600si can shoot action-stopping sequences at up to 2 frames per second, as long as the shutter-release button is held all the way down. Autofocusing adjusts quickly and smoothly to maintain image sharpness between frames.

The Maxxum 600si features a built-in flash (Guide number 39 feet at ISO 100) which supplies coverage for lenses as wide as 28mm. The flash is raised and lowered by hand, and features automatic, manual fill, cancel, and red-eye reduction modes.

With the optional Maxxum Flash 5400HS, the Maxxum 600si can synchronize at any shutter speed up to an ultra-high 1/4000 sec. in any exposure mode. High-speed sync allows large apertures to be used in bright ambient light, for beautiful outdoor portraits with fill-flash.

The 600si can control off-camera 5400HS, 5400xi, or 3500xi flash units without accessory cords or connectors. Flash control signals are sent from the camera’s built-in flash or an attached 5400HS, 5400xi, or Wireless Remote Flash Controller. Accessory flashes may be placed as far from the camera as 16.4 feet. For optimum convenience and placement versatility, Maxxum 5400HS, 5400xi, and 3500xi flash units include Maxxum’s accessory Mini Stand MS-2 with 1/4-20 tripod socket.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Extra-Bright Viewfinder

The Maxxum 600si features the same acute-matte focusing screen that was used in the highly-acclaimed Maxxum 700si. This new screen provides extremely bright images and allows easy manual focusing.

Depth-of-Field Preview

Pressing the depth-of-field preview button closes the lens aperture to the selected f-stop, so the photographer can preview the zone of sharp focus as it will appear in the photograph.

Exposure/Flash Bracketing

The Maxxum 600si can bracket either aperture and shutter speed settings or flash exposures, depending on whether or not flash is used. A three-frame bracketing series is exposed in 0.5 EV increments in the order of normal (+/-0 EV), under (-0.5 EV), and over (+0.5 EV).

Exposure Compensation

Can be set within a range of +/- 3 EV in 1/2-stop increments.

Flash Compensation

Ccan be set within a range of +/- 2 EV in 1/2-stop increments.

Multiple Exposure

Up to 9 exposures can be made on one film frame in multiple exposure mode. Single-frame advance, continuous advance, or self-timer operation can be used.

Long Eye Relief

The 600si’s entire viewfinder frame can be seen from 22.7mm away from the eyepiece glass. This makes the camera very comfortable to use while wearing eyeglasses.

Diopter Adjustment

A built-in adjustment dial provides -2.5 to +0.5 of stepless diopter adjustment, so the user can pre-set the viewfinder to his or her own eyesight requirements. In addition, Maxxum eyepiece corrector lenses ranging from -4.0 to +3.0 diopters are available as optional accessories.

Slow Shutter Sync

Pressing the AE lock button when the flash is on activates slow-shutter sync. The camera selects a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the subject with the background’s ambient light. Because this mode activates a slow shutter speed, a tripod should be used to prevent blurring caused by hand-held camera shake.

Quiet Film Loading/Rewind

The Maxxum 600si’s film loading and rewind is approximately 60% quieter than that of conventional AF SLR cameras. This makes it easy to shoot in situations where silence is required, such as in a museum or at a wedding.

Optional Multi-Function Vertical Control Grip

The optional Vertical Control Grip VC-507/600 provides a choice of battery power, a comfortable hold, and full camera control when shooting vertically-framed pictures. The grip features a shutter-release button, front and rear control dials, AE lock button, grip control switch, tripod socket, and a threaded PC terminal. The grip can accept either one 6V 2CR5 lithium battery, three AA-size 1.5V alkaline manganese, or three rechargeable 1.2V nickel-cadmium batteries to power both the camera and grip.

Type:

35mm SLR with microcomputer-controlled autofocus, autoexposure, and built-in flash.

Lens Mount:

A-type bayonet mount.

Compatible Lenses:

All Minolta AF/Maxxum Lenses: Lens focus-hold button is for focus hold only. With xi zoom lenses, Auto Standby Zoom, Image-Size Lock, Auto Program Zoom, and Wide View will not function.

Autofocus Type:

Minolta’s through-the-lens (TTL) phase-detection system with three CCD sensors; activated when the shutter-release button is pressed partway down.

Focus Modes:

Autofocus/manual focus switchable.

Focus Areas:

Wide focus area and spot focus area selectable. Wide: 11.8 x 5.2mm; spot: 2.2 x 1mm.

AF Mode Selection:

Single-shot AF, continuous AF, or automatic selection of continuous AF or single-shot AF (focus locks when shutter-release is pressed partway down if camera determines subject is still).

AF Speed:

2 frames-per-second AF sequence; 12mm/sec. maximum image speed at the film plane; omni-dimensional subject tracking.

AF Sensitivity Range (at ISO 100):

EV -1 to 19.

Focus Lock:

Focus locked in single-shot AF and automatic AF selection modes by pressing the shutter-release button partway down. Focus locked while focus-hold button on Minolta AF/Maxxum lens is pressed; simultaneously pressing the film-speed and flash-control buttons displays whether AF illuminator is on or off. Pressing film-speed button changes status.

Built-In AF Illuminator:

Built-in flash type; automatically activated in low-light/low contrast conditions; when used with dedicated flash, flash’s AF illuminator activates when needed; user-cancelable.

Autoexposure Modes:

Programmed AE (P mode) with Expert Program Selection, aperture-priority AE (A mode), shutter-priority AE (S mode), manual (M mode) with BULB setting and metering index.

Manual Setting:

Shutter speed: 0.5-stop increments; aperture: 0.5-stop increments.

Metering:

TTL-type; 14-segment honeycomb-pattern silicon photocell (SPC); second SPC for TTL flash metering of dedicated flash unit.

Metering Modes:

Honeycomb-pattern metering with fuzzy logic control, spot metering (2.7% of viewfinder, 5.5mm diameter), center-weighted average.

Metering Range (at ISO 100, f/1.4):

Honeycomb-pattern metering: EV 0 to 20; spot metering: EV 3 to 20.

Film-Speed Setting:

Automatic setting for DX-coded ISO 25 to 5000 films; manual setting from ISO 6 to 6400 in 1/3-stop increments. Recommended range with flash: ISO 25 to 1000.

AE Lock:

Autoexposure locks in all metering modes when AE-lock button is pressed; available custom AE lock function locks exposure with one press and unlocks it with a second press.

Exposure Compensation:

+/- 3 EV in 1/2-stop increments.

Flash Compensation:

+/- 2 EV in 1/2-stop increments.

Exposure/Flash Bracketing:

3 frames in 1/2-stop increments (normal +/- 0 EV, under -0.5 EV, over +0.5 EV); when built-in flash is down or attached accessory flash is off, brackets Av or Tv; when built-in flash is up or attached accessory flash is on, brackets flash exposures.

Shutter:

Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter. Range: 1/4000 to 30 seconds, plus BULB.

Flash Sync:

1/200 sec. or slower (with 5400HS: up to 1/4000 sec.)

Flash:

Built-in, manual pop-up flash with guide number 39 ft. (at ISO 100); coverage for 28mm focal length; recycling time 2 sec.; pre-flash for red-eye reduction available; wireless remote off-camera flash control available.

Dedicated Flash:

High-speed sync flash available with 5400HS; flash sync possible through full shutter-speed range; HSS flash sync: 1/250 - 1/4000 sec.; wireless/remote flash control possible with 5400HS, 5400xi, and 3500xi; flash sync with wireless/remote control: 1/60 sec.; flash sync with ratio control: 1/45 sec.; wireless/remote control range: 16.4 ft.

P Mode Flash:

Flash fires automatically in back-lit and low-light conditions when built-in flash is up or dedicated flash is on; manual fill-flash available with flash-control button; flash canceled when built-in flash is down or dedicated flash is off.

A,S,M Mode Flash:

Flash always fires when built-in flash is up or dedicated flash is on; flash canceled when built-in flash is down or dedicated flash is off.

Slow-Shutter Sync:

Slow-shutter sync when AE-Lock button is pressed during shutter release.

Viewfinder:

Eye-level fixed pentaprism with acute-matte focusing screen (G); service changeable focusing screens: matte-field with grid (L) and matte field with vertical/horizontal scales (S). Field-of-view: 92% vertical and 94% horizontal.

Magnification:

0.75x (with 50mm lens at infinity).

Viewfinder Diopter:

-1; built-in diopter adjustment from -2.5 to +0.5 diopters (stepless); Maxxum eyepiece corrector lenses optional.

Eye-Relief:

Long eye-relief viewfinder with protective glass; distance from eye to eyepiece frame: 18.5mm; distance from eye to protective glass: 22.7mm.

Depth-of-Field Preview:

Lens closed to selected aperture while pressing depth-of-field preview button; AF and AE locked; shutter release available.

Film Transport:

Automatic with built-in motor drive; auto threading, auto advance to first frame. Drive modes: single-frame advance, continuous advance up to 2 frames/sec., self-timer, exposure bracketing, multiple exposure. Automatic rewind after last frame on roll is exposed; manual start of rewind available; high-speed rewind available by pressing rewind button during film rewind.

Multiple Exposure:

Maximum of 9 exposures on one film frame.

Self-Timer:

Electronic with 10-second delay; cancelable by sliding main switch from lock to on; LED blinks at 2Hz (10s-2s), 8Hz (2s-1s), DC (1s-0s).

Displays:

Body data panel displays film-cartridge mark, film-transport signals, battery-condition indicator, film-speed mark, shutter-speed/film-speed display, aperture display, frame counter/multiple exposure indicator, manual focus indicator. Viewfinder (inside screen) displays focus frame, spot-metering area; (outside screen): flash-on indicator, HSS indicator, flash charge complete, flash distance check, red-eye reduction, wireless, focus signals, shutter-speed/film speed display, AE-lock indicator, aperture display, metering index.

Power:

One 6V 2CR5 lithium battery pack; automatic battery check when camera is turned on; battery condition indicated by four-stage indicator in body data panel.

Other Features:

Remote-release terminal.

Accessories:

Vertical Control Grip VC-507/600 accepts three AA-size alkaline-manganese or nickel-cadmium batteries or one 6V 2CR5 lithium battery to power both camera and grip. Grip includes shutter-release button, on/off switch, PC terminal, AE lock button, front and rear control dials, tripod socket.

Dimensions:

6-1/8 x 3-7/8 x 2-7/8 in.

Weight:

1.2 lbs.