The Minolta 7000 AF, known as the Maxxum 7000 in North America, is a groundbreaking camera, marking the advent of popular autofocus SLRs. Launched in 1985, it revolutionized photography by introducing an affordable autofocus system for amateurs. Renowned for its sleek design, it featured the innovative Minolta A-Mount, a new lens system with electronic contacts.
This camera wasn't just about autofocus; it redefined SLRs by incorporating computer chips in the body, lenses, and accessories. The ROM chip in each lens communicated with the camera's CPU, optimizing performance. The success led to the release of additional cameras (5000 and 9000) and a range of lenses, flashes, and accessories, establishing a fully-featured AF system.
Beyond autofocus capabilities, the Maxxum 7000 offered manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program modes. It replaced traditional controls with pushbuttons and LCD displays, appealing to new users. Recognized for durability, it utilized plastic composites extensively.
Despite legal challenges and changes in production due to trademark issues, the Minolta 7000 left a lasting impact. It's remembered for ushering in the era of affordable autofocus, making advanced camera technology accessible to a broader audience and reshaping the landscape of SLR photography.