The Minolta Maxxum HTsi Plus provides the superior picture quality of a single-lens-reflex camera (SLR) with the easy-to-use automatic controls of a point-and-shoot camera. It's a good choice for both advanced photographers and beginners who want better-quality pictures.
The picture quality of point-and-shoot cameras pales in comparison to those produced with an SLR camera, which gives you better optics, a through-the-lens view that lets you accurately frame your photos, and manual options for full control of your exposure and focus. If you are used to point-and-shoots, this camera makes the transition to SLRs easy; however, you'll have to refer to the manual to get the hang of using the extensive menu of advanced settings. In our tests, the HTsi Plus offered the full range of advanced controls--it let us set the aperture, exposure, and focus manually. The HTsi Plus also made it easy to switch into full automatic mode, in which we just pressed the shutter button, and the camera performed the focusing and exposure for us.
The Minolta Maxxum HTsi Plus is quite lightweight for an SLR and includes both a pop-up flash and an external flash shoe. It includes five preset exposure modes including portrait, landscape, and macro; burst mode; aperture and shutter priority modes; and a self-timer. For serious amateurs or professionals, the HTsi Plus offers all the standard SLR functions, although we found its aperture setting method (you have to push the aperture preview button and turn the camera's selection wheel) a bit disorienting at first. The HTsi Plus's 28-80 zoom lens gave us a good range for everything from portraits to landscapes. We especially liked the automatic exposure bracketing and multiple exposure functions; these features are useful in getting the right shot and exercising your creativity.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Built-in flash
- Easy to use
- High-quality optics
Cons:
- Menu selection somewhat hard to figure out
- Unconventional aperture-selection method
From the Manufacturer
The Maxxum HTsi Plus adds two more creative features to the popular Maxxum HTsi. Wireless Remote Flash Control enables you to use Maxxum 5400HS, 5400xi, or 3500xi flash units positioned up to 16.4 feet away from the camera without accessory cords or connectors. Additionally, a Remote Release Terminal lets you release the shutter from a distance, using an optional Maxxum Remote Cord. These two additional features further enhance the creative potential of the Maxxum HTsi Plus, making it an exceptional choice for anyone who wants to develop their picture-taking abilities.
Features:
Ultra-Compact Size
Unlike many SLR cameras which can be heavy and bulky, the Maxxum HTsi Plus’s ultra-compact size makes it very easy to carry. The camera body is smooth, lightweight, and ergonomically styled for comfortable handling. It measures only 5.3 x 3.5 x 2.4 inches, with a weight of 13.4 ounces without batteries.
Improved Features for Higher Performance
The Minolta Maxxum HTsi Plus raises the level of performance for AF SLR cameras in its class. A newly-developed, more precise autofocusing system, a more powerful film drive, Maxxum’s renowned 14-segment metering, plus the addition of other high-performance features makes the HTsi Plus an ideal choice for demanding consumers and comparison shoppers.
Three-Point Crosscut Autofocusing
The newly-developed, three-point AF sensor configuration is able to catch and track a subject quicker and more precisely than the previous AF system used in comparable models. The new AF system is 2.7 times wider, and consists of two vertical side bars plus a central segment that is in the shape of crosshairs -- enabling it to focus accurately on both vertical and horizontal subjects.
Improved AF Control
With the Maxxum HTsi Plus, three improvements were made to the autofocus control system. One affects the lens drive, making it smoother and more responsive. The second is in the AF fine-tuning, which now fine-tunes the focus during the split-second interval of time it takes for the shutter to release after the shutter-release button is pressed. The third improvement is a more powerful central processing unit which shortens focusing time during lens drive and accommodates the increased number of AF sensors.
14-Segment Honeycomb-Pattern Metering
The HTsi Plus’s silicon photocell is divided into 14 segments - thirteen in a honeycomb array, plus the background. This sophisticated 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 HTsi Plus is able to set the correct exposure even in very complex lighting.
1/4000 Second High-Speed Shutter
The HTsi Plus’s newly-developed shutter provides a top speed of 1/4000 second, which is 30% higher than that of previous models in the same class. Flash sync speeds are up to 1/125 sec.
Full Auto Mode with Expert Program Selection
Full-Auto mode gives the user the freedom to concentrate completely on the subject or scene by giving the camera full control over focus and exposure. Maxxum's exclusive Expert Program Selection continuously analyzes subject distance and movement, scene brightness, and lens focal length, then automatically maintains the best combination of shutter speed and aperture for the moment at hand.
Subject Program Selection
In addition to full auto mode, the Maxxum HTsi Plus offers five different subject program modes. Each mode is designated by a separate, easily recognizable icon in the data panel that illustrates the type of subject or scene for which it is best suited.
Creative Exposure Control
A/S/M modes allow users to take full creative control of the Maxxum HTsi Plus by choosing the aperture, shutter speed, or both. All three modes use the camera's AF-integrated 14-segment honeycomb-pattern metering system. In Aperture-Priority mode, the photographer can select apertures in 1/2-stop increments; and the camera's exposure system will automatically select the correct shutter speed. Likewise, in Shutter Priority mode, the photographer can select shutter speeds in one-stop increments, and the camera will automatically set the optimum 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 exposure indicators in the viewfinder.
Additional functions such as spot metering, slow-shutter sync, exposure compensation, exposure bracketing, double-exposure mode, panorama mode, wireless remote flash control, and a remote release terminal increase the HTsi Plus’ creative potential even further.
Built-In Flash
The Maxxum HTsi Plus features a built-in flash with a guide number of 39 feet at ISO 100. The flash provides coverage to 28mm, with sync speeds up to 1/125 sec. The built-in flash can be used in all four exposure modes, and features a selectable red-eye reduction pre-flash.
High-Speed Flash Sync up to 1/4000 sec.
With the optional Maxxum Flash 5400HS, the Maxxum HTsi Plus 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.
Wireless Remote Flash Control
The HTsi Plus 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. 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.
Exposure Compensation Control
Exposure compensation is very useful for fine-tuning the exposure to suit a particular subject, highlights or shadows, or tricky lighting situations. The exposure compensation control allows changes in half-stop increments for up to 3 stops over or under normal exposure.
Exposure Bracketing
The Maxxum HTsi Plus can bracket exposures in a three-frame series exposed in 0.5 EV increments in the order of normal (+/- 0EV), under (-0.5EV), and over (+0.5EV). Exposure bracketing is especially noticeable with slide films, and is very useful for shooting a series of photos in situations where a "correct" exposure setting might not be the "best" exposure setting.
2 fps Continuous Film Advance
The film transport and shutter charge are driven by a motor that is 30% more powerful than on previous models in the same class. This enables the user to shoot continuously 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 each exposure.
Spot Metering/Slow Shutter Sync
A conveniently located SPOT button on the back of the camera lets the user take and hold a precise spot reading of the central 2.3% of the viewfinder image. Spot metering is very helpful in unusual lighting situations where select area exposure is critical. Additionally, pressing and holding the SPOT button while taking a flash photo selects a slow shutter sync speed, to balance the flash exposure on the subject with the background ambient light.
Double-Exposure Mode
This feature allows two separate exposures to be taken on a single frame, for creative special effects.
Remote Release Terminal
This enables the shutter to be released from a distance, using an optional Maxxum Remote Cord. When using slow shutter speeds, remote shutter release is especially helpful in preventing camera shake if used in conjunction with a tripod.
Optional AA Battery Pack
An alternate power supply for the Maxxum HTsi Plus, the AA Battery Pack holds four AA-type alkaline or NiCd batteries and attaches to the camera’s base plate (NiCd batteries can be used indefinitely and recharged in Maxxum’s NiCd Charger NC-2).
Full Line of Maxxum Accessories
The Maxxum HTsi Plus accepts all Minolta or Maxxum AF lenses. In addition, other accessories like Maxxum HS and xi-Series Flashes, the Close-Up Diffuser CD-1000, and various Maxxum camera/lens cases let the user expand the system as his or her interest in photography grows.